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Detail Pages
The Vine Inn, Rugeley
Rugeley
WS15 2AT
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
Steve C left this review about The Vine Inn
The left-hand side of the Vine looked derelict with the lights out as I passed on a recent Sunday evening. When I passed again later the governor was doing a bit of sweeping and I saw that this part of the pub is actually for brewing. Some picnic tables sit either side of the entrance and the bar area is found through to the right where the serving counter faces seating to the front. There are snuggly areas throughout and at the rear is a room with a pool table. A picture on the back bar of a women’s dart team picking up a trophy would suggest there is also a dartboard, but I couldn’t find my way in to check myself. Vine Brewery’s Best (OK at £1.65 for a half) was available on hand pump alongside some craft keg, Carling and Cruzcampo. The service was friendly and locals harmless enough, so I’d revisit if passing, or maybe if I was in town for one of the many advertised events that take place here.
On 29th August 2023
- rating: 6
[User has posted 5251 recommendations about 5219 pubs]
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Vine Inn
ORIGINAL REVIEW October 2010
Attractive looking multi roomed pub with a friendly welcome and very well kept ales,the draught bass was in tip top condition.The main bar looks out to the front,there is a pool/games room to the left of the entrance and two back rooms,one used by the younger set with a juke box the other a snug with its own bar access and door.Lively community boozer hosting a few events and charity bike rides and much better than some of the other town centre bars.
UPDATE
Now home to the Vine Inn Brewery,the handpumps will only feature their ale unless the brewer has miscalculated when some guest barrels will be brought in. The pub itself is unachanged and is still a friendly local .On my trip I sampled Vine Inn Blonde (NBSS 3.5),and Ruby Mild (NBSS 3) and left out the EPA.There was also their Grapefruit IPA on keg ,but there is a feel of home brew about the output.
On 3rd June 2023
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Vine Inn
Attractive side-street pub, also benefitting from its in-house micro-brewery. Partly opened-out inside to leave two main seating / dining areas, with the lounge part opposite the main section of the bar counter (and a real fire) as the largest. However, there is a also a small, plush lounge at the back and a plainer side room. With four of the five handpumps in use, I found their Blonde, Grapefruit IPA, Ruby Mild and a tasty new Simcoe / Ekuanot brew (£3.20) without a proper clip.
On 20th April 2022
- rating: 7
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blue Scrumpy left this review about The Vine Inn
Busy pub with a covered courtyard area accessed from the rear of the pub.
It was very busy on our Saturday afternoon visit and on arrival, we were informed that my 8-year-old could not be admitted, due to everybody being outside. This was the only pub not allowing kids of all 10 I visited in Staffordshire. As such, Mrs S took him off to the park, whilst I took a seat and waited to be served.
I waited, I waited and I waited. A guy eventually came over and asked if anybody needed service. I shouted across, but instead he went to another couple of guys who had just walked in.
After 10-15 minutes of waiting, I had nearly given up and was heading to the exit when I managed to grab the other lady who was serving.
The Vine Inn has its own microbrewery. So, I was looking forward to trying their Vanilla Porter. My luck changed, when I was told it was on. The other real ale option was their Centennial.
The Vanilla Porter itself was a touch disappointing and I'd downed it in about a third of the time I'd been waiting for it. There were simply insufficient staff for the number of people present.
With the Rusty Barrel still not able to open due to the government's restrictions, I was expecting this to be the best open pub in Rugeley. But it ended up very much a disappointment.
On 20th April 2021
- rating: 5
[User has posted 2452 recommendations about 2451 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alan Winfield left this review about The Vine Inn
The Vine Inn is a decent looking pub that is just round the corner from Ollys Bar.
Once inside the pub has a few different rooms,we had a drink in the main bar room which is a fairly large square shaped room,the floor is tiled,the seating is narrow bench type and chairs,there is a separate room to the rear which had a pool table in it plus a room to the left which i did'nt look in.
There were three real ales on the bar,i had a drink of Taylor Golden Best which went down very well,the other beers were Bass and Ruddles County.
The pub was empty on our Saturday dinner visit and far too quiet with no music or TVs on.
On 8th March 2015
- rating: 7
[User has posted 6113 recommendations about 6113 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Thuck Phat left this review about The Vine Inn
Another fine description from Mr Dragon below. The Vine was relatively quiet on our visit, being a Monday evening, but was enlivened by a couple of attractive young ladies who were clearly carrying on the weekend and on this basis alone The Vine is to be recommended.
Only two real ales were on, Bass and Bank's Original. We plumped for the Bass which was very good and prefectly complemented the atmosphere. In a town with apparently few options on the ale front, The Vine is something of a find and is well worth making the effort to seek out. I'd definitely return and would aim to do so later in the week in the hope of more of the same.
On 7th August 2010
- rating: 7
[User has posted 679 recommendations about 678 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Soup Dragon left this review about The Vine Inn
A large undressed brick built Victorian pub with outbuildings (old satbles and possible brewhouse), with patio and rear beer garden in the former courtyard.
The interior had a nesting of rooms - at least four. There was a games room in white artexy and brown look, with a bar-footy game and games machines. There was also a small lounge, with cream and green walls, with a bit scruffy seating and a TV with the footy on. The bar room was in cream/yellow and light blue, with a brick fireplace and the pool room, where we went, was in white and purple, with fake beams and part cobbled floor. A few pictures were on all the walls. The service was fine, the clientele was mixed - mainly all in the beer garden as it was such a nice evening.
The beer; tap stuff, with Banks's MILD and Bass on handpull - the MILD was very nice
I reviewed this place once before saying - "the place was fine, one of the few i would return to in Rugeley". I came back and enjoyed it - managing to get a picture this time
On 25th June 2010
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3067 recommendations about 3062 pubs]