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Chat about:
Disappointment of the week with Real Ale Ray
on the Pub Forum
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Will Larter left this review about The General Havelock
Unfortunately my visit found this lovely 1930s pub on its last legs. The owner has seen diminishing trade over the last few years, and the Covid lockdowns and slow recovery have proved too much for her, and she is leaving the pub trade altogether. Consequently there was no real ale available and I had to make do with Hardys & Hansons Dark Mild on smoothflow keg. I took the opportunity to photograph some of the original features in this art deco building, including the floor that Ray enjoyed seeing nearly eight years ago, and the fireplace that impressed Charlie. Apparently there's going to be a change of use to a cocktail bar, with an appropriate name. (It could be worse: the Bulls Head along the road in Little Hallam is going to be a supermarket.)
On 19th January 2022
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3733 recommendations about 3470 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about General Havelock
Excellent pub this one and well worth a visit. As soon as we entered through the doors, we got a friendly welcome at the bar. The owner told us that when they bought the pub 2 years ago, they took up the flooring to find the original 1930's floor, which is now in its full splendour in the front room. There were seven ales to choose from, so I went for one of my favs Abbeydale Deception.
On 6th February 2014
- rating: 9
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Thuck Phat left this review about General Havelock
There are very few well preserved art deco pubs around so the General Havelock really stands out.
It's a geometric red brick building which has been very nicely done inside as described by Mr Fastard. I was impressed with the period fireplace to the left, complete with real fire, above which hangs a large painting of Campbell's Bluebird on the desert flats surrounded by figures in pale colours. Very art deco. The pictures are all in keeping with many being framed posters advertising historic motor racing events and either side of the fireplace, in the corners, are two strikingly colourful umbrella stands.
With the 80's disco on, there were plenty of barstaff, all in costume and service was friendly and efficient. It was busy but not ridiculously so which made for a vibrant atmosphere.
Beers on: Holdens Golden Glow, Blue Monkey Marmoset, Oakham Citra and Bishops Farewell, Castle Rock Black Gold and Sarah Hughes Ruby Mild. A great selection which would have been even better had the Ape Ale advertised on the chalk board not run out. It isn't though the 17 cask beers including Marble, Whim, Blue Monkey, Magic Rock and Oakham beers as described by Adrian Tierney-Jones in his review for The Daily Telegraph in March 2012 just after the pub first opened. Seven of these were offered in a bar in the cellar and although the room behind the bar is signed Cellar Bar, there was no indication of its former use. I'd guess that the business model may have shifted slightly from full on real ale emporium to quality beer whilst appealing to a wider customer base with, for example, 80's discos. It's difficult to take issue with that given the ale range available on our visit as well as the liveliness of the pub.
The first place I'd head to in Ilkeston.
On 17th April 2013
- rating: 9
[User has posted 679 recommendations about 678 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about General Havelock
An art deco classic,with the theme evident in the exterior signage and throughout the interior.The stylish serving bar in white was copper topped,the prints around the walls were very 30's,the lighting fixtures were period pieces and the mosaic flooring a fine example of it's kind.The seating is however more modern consisting of banquettes and fitted benches,with the same theme in the back bar.There was a real fire glowing in the grate and the black marble urinals were a work of art.The large windows and white wall finishes produced a light and airy feel to the interior.The garden to the side of the pub is beautifully laid out and it also includes a covered area with sofas.
There are 7 handpumps with some award winning ales on our trip including two from Oakham,Blue Monkey Marmoset,Sarah Hughes Dark Ruby MILD,a Castle Rock and a Holden brew.Both the Bishops Farewell and the Dark Ruby mild were in good nick,although an Oakham Citra was below par. Among the keg taps we spotted Blue Monkey Ape Ale,sadly not a patch on the cask version,even once it warmed up.Two scrumpy ciders on barrels at the bar as well.
We visited on a Friday night when an 80's disco was on in the back bar,dry ice and all.This brought in a good crowd of various ages with a lot of all women groups,so the atmosphere was lively.As you might expect no one was dancing but everyone was drinking .The doorman kept a weather eye on events.
I liked both the upbeat atmosphere and the interesting decor.Along with the Spanish Bar this is also well worth visiting for it's ale range and quite possible it will feature in the next GBG.Worth the long uphill walk from the canal,a trudge I would gladly make again.
On 14th April 2013
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Andy Ven left this review about General Havelock
16 handpulls and a cellar bar with ale straight from the cask
On 22nd December 2011
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 244 recommendations about 240 pubs]