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Detail Pages
The Old Volunteer, Nottingham
Carlton
Postal town: Nottingham
NG4 3DQ
Pub Type
Punch TavernsReviews (Current Rating Average: 8½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alex Conway left this review about The Old Volunteer
The Old Volunteer or “The vollo” as it is known is a roadside pub In carlton that was given a huge overhaul a few years ago and it became the flagship for the local Flipside Brewery. Before it was a bit of a dingy place lauded for its live music. Since the renovation it is much more of a traditional real ale drinker’s pub. The décor is really nice with lots of wood panelling and features. The bae runs along the right hand side as you enter and the pub is completely opened out to for one large open space. The pub has ten hand pulls evenly split between Flipside and rarer seen guests from far and wide. Flipside ales do not carry the best reputation in Nottingham and news or their recent struggles (Downsizing to a smaller brewery with smaller capacity and letting go of one of their three pubs) only adds to the point. I know of many people who stay well clear of anything they brew but I found their stouts and bitters to be pretty decent and the Dusty Penny at £3.15 with went down ok, The 7.3% Russuin rubel now costs £4.30. There Pale ales however do not impress as much but beer quality in here is of a good standard They also sell some more premium keg lagers such as Starorpmen. Overall this is a great addition to the Carlton pub scene and worth seeking out. The girl happily placed a sparkler on the tape when asked without quibble so that is always a plus in my book. Definitely worth a look especially if there’s something interesting on the guest pumps. .
On 17th May 2018
- rating: 8
[User has posted 457 recommendations about 457 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Mark Davey left this review about The Old Volunteer
Absolutely superb Flipside Tap. Nice décor, chatty staff and a decent selection from Flipside and others. We called on a Saturday lunch time in September on a Tap crawl round Nottingham and were not disappointed.
On 9th January 2018
- rating: 9
[User has posted 292 recommendations about 276 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Aqualung . left this review about Old Volunteer
This is clearly an old pub that has been given a fine refurbishment including a sizeable patio / garden which you see when approaching. Inside it's an open room with a long bar on the right, wooden floors and a slightly raised carpeted area on the left like they do in a lot of JDWs.
There are ten hand pumps with one devoted to Old Rosie cider. The four Flipside beers were Farthing Mild, Franc'N'Stein, Sterling Pale and Clippings IPA. The five guests were Springhead Drop O' The Black Stuff, Slightly Foxed Bengal Fox & Urban Fox, Elliswood Legless and Intrepid St Bernard I went for the mild (£2.60) and the Clippings IPA (£3.70) both of which were first class. I can confirm the CAMRA discount so I paid 20p less than the prices shown.
I thought this was an excellent tap for the Flipside brewery and well worth the short bus ride out from the City Centre.
On 7th July 2015
- rating: 9
[User has posted 2143 recommendations about 2143 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Old Volunteer
Thoroughly refurbished pub, partially opened-out with several small seating areas around the bar and a café servery area in one corner. As the Flipside Brewery tap, five of their own beers - including Dusty Penny porter (£3.00) and the award-winning 7.3% Russian Rouble (£4.10) - are available on handpump, plus five more guests. Very busy on a Friday evening, but well staffed and with an excellent atmosphere.
On 26th April 2015
- rating: 8
[User has posted 8086 recommendations about 8086 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alan Cassady-Bishop left this review about Old Volunteer
After being at the "dry run" event at The Old Volunteer, I can report very good news.
The entire interior has been revamped - without loosing the intimacy or comfort of a "real" pub, it's far more airy and roomy than previous images show.
Being a brewery tap of the local Flipside Brewery, it has a full range of it's draught and bottled beers - my favourite being the Russian Rouble. Five other taps have been reserved for guest ales and there's a selection of over 40 different whiskeys - largely from Scotland but the Irish, Welsh and even Japanese are represented!
Food is served from a small kitchen area, on view to the punters, as is coffees and teas. The food is practical, tasty and somewhat different from the usual pub grub, with sharers, paninis, pulled pork etc.
Background music is unobtrusive, free wifi available, and entry is a minimum age of 14 (so no small children running around). Comfortable outdoor seating available.
It's still new so some bedding in problems may occur but there's no denying the enthusiasm and concern of the management to give customers a great experience.
Officially opens on Saturday 24th May.
On 22nd May 2014
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2 recommendations about 1 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alan Cassady-Bishop left this review about Old Volunteer
After months of closure, The Old Volunteer has been refurbed and will be open soon as a brewery tap for the Flipside Brewery - a Nottingham firm!
Lucky enough to be invited to its private launch party, I shall report on the "new" Old Volunteer as soon as possible.
On 21st May 2014
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2 recommendations about 1 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alan Winfield left this review about Old Volunteer
This pub is quite close to the Blacks Head and was also an Ind Coope house it still has ansells signs on the side of the pub,i am not sure if it now sells any real ale as it was'nt open wheni took this photo.
On 9th August 2010
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 6113 recommendations about 6113 pubs]