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Minerva Inn, Plymouth

31 Looe Street
Plymouth
PL4 0EA

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Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) Add Review see review guidelines


Quinno _ left this review about Minerva Inn

Small, tight and thin sidestreet pub - even with 30 people in there was no seating to be had and it was awkward to get to and from the bar. Interior looks the part with black varnished wood and white walls. There’s a pretty servery with a high ceiling behind, decorated in postcards from the regulars. A number of well-refreshed punters prior to kick-off with loud piped Kasabian giving way to some obscure Janners track the locals howled along to, so I tried to look as inconspicuous as possible in fear that they’d somehow sniff out a Bristol Rovers fan. Six pumps with three on the go, no problems with my St Austell Hicks (NBSS 3.5) as I would have expected with a GBG’23 listed outlet. Cider also available. I’m sure at a quieter time I’d have enjoyed this one more, but the claustrophobic boisterousness meant I was quick to skull and move on.

December 2016
Apparently the oldest pub in Plymouth (usually towns must have a least 2 fighting over that particular accolade but in Jannerland it looks like they have settled the argument – presumably most of the other contenders were reduced to rubble during the war). Fairly small with a narrow interior and a small cosy snug-style room at rear featuring a log fire. A live band were on the go and I spotted an upright piano. Look out for the fine leaded front window too and staircase made from the mast of a captured Spanish galleon. Otter Winter Warmer available in decent nick (others may have been, but by this point my note-taking abilities were diminishing). A bit basic but overall was one of the best pubs in the town centre. Rated 8

On 21st June 2023 - rating: 7
[User has posted 5043 recommendations about 5026 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Steve C left this review about Minerva Inn

The Minerva is a thin pub with seating, a piano and a dartboard at the front before a serving counter located midway up the left hand wall. Some furniture shifting would’ve been required to play darts. At the rear is a sofa and a couple of tables faced by an old brick fireplace. During my visit the locals were taking advantage of ‘free jukebox Tuesdays’ to play some oldie stuff that was reflective of the late fifties early sixties crowd.
The bar supports a limited standard keg range alongside six handpumps that were drawing St Austell’s Tribute, Hicks and Foxes T’ale, alongside Salcombe Gold, Devon Dabber and Sandford Orchards The General cider. The service was friendly and the locals good natured so I’d have no problem returning to the oldest pub in Plymouth.

On 22nd August 2022 - rating: 6
[User has posted 5179 recommendations about 5148 pubs]


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Ian Mapp left this review about Minerva Inn

Ticking off a few Good Beer Guide Pubs in Plymouth.

Not much to make this one stand out, with the exception of a the easily worn title of oldest pub in Plymouth.

Beer was OK - a couple of St Austell on and the HSD was in fine condition.

Worth it for the stories which you can read from their website.

Visit blogged at http://bit.ly/2MsN5nm

On 8th August 2018 - rating: 5
[User has posted 1329 recommendations about 1315 pubs]


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Danny O'Revey left this review about Minerva Inn

Seemingly very old black & white inn near the harbour. Painted metal pillars dotted around holding up the ceiling, which is grafittied in very unsightly fashion.

Its a little tired but has character.

Beware the yapping angry dog as soon as you go in.

3 real ales, slightly warm

On 11th October 2017 - rating: 7
[User has posted 1456 recommendations about 1434 pubs]


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Blackthorn _ left this review about Minerva Inn

A smallish pub tucked away in the back streets but just a short stroll from the harbour area, it was almost full to capacity on a recent Friday evening visit, perhaps on account of the live music that was on. Although I use the term live music loosely, it was more a guy singing along to a backing tape karaoke style, although he did strum a guitar occasionally. Service at the bar was friendly enough, but somewhat delayed whilst the barmaids ejected a rather inebriated lady who took exception to someone (allegedly) pointing a figure in her face.

Décor wise it’s quite traditional with some sort of concrete or screed on the floor whilst the walls and ceiling were rough white plasterwork with black timbers. Leaded windows were at the front of the pub next to which was a small stage area. A snug was at the rear behind the bar counter although we did not investigate this. Much of the ceiling was covered in white boards which were themselves liberally covered in felt tipped graffiti presumably by many of the pub’s clientele over the years.

Beers on tap were St Austell’s HSB and Cornish along with Tanner’s TA Gold. Ciders were well represented with Cornish Orchards Farmhouse and Vintage, Strongbow Dark Fruit, Old Rosie, Black Rat, Thatcher’s Gold and Cornish Rattler.

On 12th May 2017 - rating: 6
[User has posted 1937 recommendations about 1850 pubs]


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Gill Smith left this review about The Minerva Inn

We called in here while in Plymouth for the beer festival as it had been recommended, and what a popular pub. It was difficult to get in and the atmosphere was great with a live band playing. Managed to get seats and enjoyed my favourite St Austell beer, HSD. Would call here again when in the area.

On 29th July 2013 - rating: 8
[User has posted 1339 recommendations about 1222 pubs]


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Old Blue left this review about The Minerva Inn

I think this is an absolute gem of a pub, though maybe not to everyone's taste. It is the only one I would never miss on a trip to Plymouth. It is by far the oldest in town, whether or not its claim to go back to 1540 is accurate. It is always welcoming, relaxed and friendly with a great atmosphere that feels as if it's been the same for centuries.

Although a broad church in terms of custom, it is an extremely narrow pub. The main pub area is to the front, with an upright piano and a jukebox before you reach the bar on the left. The side of the bar is no wider than a corridor such that bar proppers have to be flexible when people want to get past. There is a small snug area further back. It is traditional for patrons to write something on the low ceiling by way of a memento, though unfortunately they've run out of ceiling.

Recently they have upgraded the juxebox to a CD-enabled version, but kept the music that was on the prehistoric one. There is also usually a quiz night on Mondays, a jam night on Thursdays, and live music Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday afternoon.

It is currently serving Tribute, Doombar and Abbot, having abandoned Hobgoblin after the recipe changed.

I love this pub, and am rating it more highly than I have any other. I would give it a 10 if only it had a more interesting selection of beers. But after a few of them I still have trouble prising myself out of here in order to go and review other pubs.
___________________________________________________
Above review was from 11th May 2011. My revisit last week found it the same as ever, except that it had improved its ale range, serving from five hand pumps Tribute, Dartmoor Best, Hicks Special Draught, and Moorhouse Black Cat mild, priced from £3 to £3.40, as well as Westons Old Rosie, and there were two other ciders in boxes on the bar. My HSD and Black Cat were on top form. To be consistent with my previous review, therefore, a 10 is in order!

On 28th May 2013 - rating: 10
[User has posted 271 recommendations about 270 pubs]