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The Blue Lias Inn, Rugby

Stockton Road
Stockton
Postal town: Rugby
CV47 8LD

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Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6 of 10) Add Review see review guidelines


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


E TA left this review about The Blue Lias Inn

It seems to have changed somewhat since the previous reviews, now feeling less like a pub than a corporate machine for extracting money from people.  It has the feel of a business entertainment centre, albeit a pleasant one, rather than a pub.  It wasn’t welcoming, the young female gaggle of staff were uninterested and the other clients were somewhat ghastly.  We were banished to the garden as dogs are not allowed indoors, then having sat down with our drinks were told that they stopped taking food orders ten minutes ago – we had been on site waiting to be served for rather longer than that.  Ales on were Tribute and Doombar, neither in particularly good condition. Not a great experience. 

On 3rd September 2022 - rating: 4
[User has posted 3272 recommendations about 3237 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Nick Davies left this review about The Blue Lias Inn

In through the car-park side, sanitiser, sign the book, perspex screen protecting the bar staff, Abbot or Abbot so we had eurofizz, more sanitiser, then out to the canal side. And they sell Quavers, a rare find these days.

Then a lovely hour watching a family of swans potter around and some boaters making a pig's ear of mooring.

Covid regs observance is exemplary. I wish the same could be said of the beer selection. Still worth seven points for the location. And for selling Quavers.

-------------------------------
April 2017 notes


Unchanged in decades, and well described by BF below. You half expect some fishing nets hanging up, and hops vines strung around, and Friends Of Guvnor couples fresh back from Benidorm sitting at the bar with a pile of change and packs of Silk Cut and Dunhill lighters, Granada in the car park. Once you've got over all that you realize that only real reason for coming is the lovely canalside location, seats right by a long stretch of water, ducks to throw crisps to and a kids' play area decently far so as not to disturb the peace.

It a pity you can't count on a decent pint. There is indeed still Landlord sometimes, but when we called the other day just Tribute, which was so-so, and Doombar, which I didn't bother with.

A couple of local brews on the bar, and there are enough to choose from around here, whould make this a choice destination on a sunny afternoon.

On 25th August 2020 - rating: 7
[User has posted 567 recommendations about 559 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Ian Mapp left this review about Blue Lias Inn

Top review below!

Large canalside pub.

All a bit dark and oppressive in-side. Gorgeous day and the fire was blazing.

Outside is a huge patio area and the place to be on a nice afternoon.

Surprised at the choice of ales on - four on my visit. Went for a decent pint of TT Landlord.

Some photos at my walking blog - http://mappiman.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/230416-blue-lias.html

On 24th April 2016 - rating: 7
[User has posted 1329 recommendations about 1315 pubs]


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Bucking Fastard left this review about Blue Lias Inn

CAMRA compile an inventory of historic pub interiors and in some ways the Blue Lias should be on that list due to a classic 1970's makeover which hasn't been swept aside like so many other to be replaced by gastroisation.The interior is eccentric to say the least,with bricks set at crazy angles,each table having it's own alcove with lace covered windows,sloping eves and internal guttering !!.The locals gather around a small bar with keg taps close to the entrance through some french windows ,while the rest of the interior runs along the canalside offering boating views.The alcove effect means there are several different sections ,while the bar supporting the handpumps is in this rear section and is surrounded by the crazy brickwork.The most attractive exterior part of the pub is from the canalside,while if entering from the carpark ,you can see a large extension which houses a sizeable function room and is garishly lit in neon giving the impression of a cheap American motel.There is also a caravan park at the rear which may bring in a few punters.
Food is served from a very trad pub grub menu ,with all mains priced strangely at £9.25 while the muzak maintained the 70's theme.
The pub name comes from the local limestone clay used in production of cement ,in which brontosaurus fossils were found but was this a good enough reason to have a Brontosaurus on the pub sign ? Another quirky feature.
Of the six handpumps,5 were reversed (all national brands)on my Friday evening visit the only option being GK Abbott ,clear but an awful brew (£1.75 the half) but in many ways this just continues the 70's theme.
Outside is a substantial beer garden on the canalside with room for visiting boats to tie up.
It's a weird place,once a lot of pubs looked like this internally so if you can stomach a poor half of real ale,wander around and remember the days when you were wearing cheesecloth shirts and flares.

On 3rd April 2016 - rating: 6
[User has posted 2709 recommendations about 2709 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Ga Andrews left this review about Blue Lias Inn

Twice we past this great looking Pub, we would have liked to stop but there was no where to moor up as it is immediately after bridge 23 and the steps of Stockton locks, it was clearly a well loved pub by narrow boaters, (some being moored three a breast). It has a huge long garden with lots of sitting and a children’s play area. The only way seemed to visit is to walk the long way back from bridge 26.
It is highly recommended by a canal guide for having a wide choice or real ale and food.
The Blue Lias name comes from the local limestone in which fossils of gigantic reptiles have been found.

September 2010

On 27th September 2010 - no rating submitted
[User has posted 64 recommendations about 58 pubs]