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Prince of Wales, Ilkeston
Ilkeston
DE7 5QQ
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Old Boots left this review about Prince of Wales
Victorian brick built local, ignoring the WhatPub entry I was attracted by the “micro brewed ales from Derbyshire, Nottinhamshire, Leicestershire & Yorkshire” sign. Well WhatPub was right, maybe trading standards should look into this, Molson Coors beers are macro brewed and predominantly in Staffordshire, Guinness in Dublin of course and the ciders manufactured in the south west, probably. There are two unused pulls in each of the two bars, labelled lounge and public bar, plus a trio of T-bars in the public and I think one in the lounge as well. Laminate floors mostly furnished with stools and high tables. Striking blue and cream paint work, but minimal décor, there is of course a screen and a machine. More comfortable decor and furnishings in the lounge. There is a pool table in a back room and the toilets are adjacent. Checking the mirror I was right, it said ‘sucker’ in big letters on my forehead.
On 9th March 2024
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3269 recommendations about 2978 pubs]
Pub SignMan left this review about Prince of Wales
Old school, two bar town centre boozer accessed through a porch with doors to either side signed for the Lounge Bar (left) and Public Bar (right). I opted for the lounge, but quickly regretted my decision as it was full of arguing kids, so I ordered my pint and quickly beat a retreat to the Public Bar instead. This was a shame, as the lounge was a tidy, carpeted space with plush button backed banquettes, plain painted walls decorated with old black and white photos of local scenes and an out of use TV screen, which was later turned on to try and placate the aforementioned kids. The Public Bar is bare boarded and has a padded bench along the front wall, high tables and stools along the right-hand wall and a single table with chairs to the rear. The walls are half panelled with plain uppers decorated with more old photos, shelves stacked with dusty books, a few CAMRA certificates and a couple of modern brewery signs. The bar sits between both rooms and has a lovely, curved counter, painted in a deep shade of blue, although there’s no bar back as such – it just looks straight through to the other room. A garden out the back can be accessed via a rear room with a terracotta tiled floor, poot table and dartboard. The majority of my visit was unencumbered by any distracting background music or TV, but around halfway through my stay, we were treated to a single Westlife track, played at ear-splitting volume, apropos of nothing, then back to silence again.
Four handpulls on the bar but only one in operation, chugging out a decent enough drop of Adnams Ghost Ship. The barmaid who served me was very welcoming – I was the only punter when I arrived and she seemed a bit shocked to see me, but a few more folk turned up later and seemed to have a good rapport with the staff.
This was one of the quietest pubs I visited in Ilkeston, on a day when many of the town’s boozers were doing a roaring trade, which perhaps already tells you something about this place. I can’t fault the welcome I received, not the pleasant two-bar set-up, but the limited ale range and shouty kids were definitely not conducive to a prolonged visit, and whilst I left feeling generally favourable to the pub, I would probably skip it the next time I’m in town.
On 11th September 2023
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about Prince of Wales
A very decent proper boozer.It retains a classic two room layout,smaller lounge to the left,public bar to the right.Very rigorous T&T before entering,hand sanitiser and then shown to your table but done in a friendly ,chatty style.The public has reduced furniture with some high two seater tables opposite the bar,stools and some larger tables elsewhere.Maximum pub capacity 34 but no where near this total on a Wednesday evening visit,an evening when many close by pubs are closed.
The flatscreen were playing free to air programs a little loud on entering but as Emerdale started we were asked about the volume,which was turned right down.
Friendly guv'nor and locals gave a great curry recommendation .The GBG listing was fully justified by the condition of the single real ale on offer in Castle Rock Elsie Mo.There were two real Lilly ciders on handpump while other taps remained unused.
Well worth a visit if you like tradition and in these Covid times the pub isn't getting the young circuit drinkers attention,which sadly is hitting the coffers quite badly.
Use it or loose it .
On 12th September 2020
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Will Larter left this review about Prince of Wales
Modern furniture and decor gives this the look and feel of a sports bar, though it retains the two room layout of a pub, and there are hand pumps too. I called in here briefly a few weeks back but the landlord only just had time to tell me that there were usually more beers on at a weekend before I had to dash to catch a train. This Sunday's pub crawl found the promised three beers and a cider on, and the two that we tried were in very good condition. My Pentrich 1817 was a bit underwhelming taste-wise, but I couldn't fault the way it had been kept and served. Standing as it does halfway between the excellent Burnt Pig and Spanish Bar, it would be easy to pass this one by, but I reckon it's worth another visit.
On 3rd July 2017
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3745 recommendations about 3482 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Poacher
Previously known as the Poacher until Feb of this year, now serving three ales on handpump, Magpie Stout, Adnams Ghost Ship and Pentrich Red ale. This is a two roomed pub with a central bar serving both sides. The interior is traditional and comfortable and the pub is well kept. Always worth a look in for their changing guest beers.
On 12th April 2017
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alan Winfield left this review about The Poacher
This pub is now called the Poacher it is still a small two roomed pub the bar on right hand is the bigger theres plenty of real ales on with 4 or 5 pumps,drank Nottingham Rock Bitter on my visit.Good beer,good pub well worth a visit and its almost opposite the Spanish Bar.
On 17th April 2010
- rating: 8
[User has posted 6113 recommendations about 6113 pubs]