Not already a member?
Join our community and
- Rate & review pubs
- Upload pictures
- Add events
JOIN for free NOW
Chat about:
Pub Of The Month - March 2019 with Real Ale Ray
on the Pub Forum
Image posted by Thuck Phat
Submitted on Thursday, 6th September 2018
With picture contributions to 2 other pubs
View all this pub's pictures
Detail Pages
The Crafty Banker, Rugby Central, Rugby
Rugby
CV21 2QE
Served areas
Reviews of The Crafty Banker (Average Rating: 9 of 10) see review guidelines
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Crafty Banker
A good mix of ale drinkers and gin drinkers on our Saturday eve visit. We managed to get a high table and chairs near the front entrance, but upgraded to a bench table down the left hand side, which was more comfortable. Six ladies opposite were all quaffling large glasses of gin and to our amazement, the gin was the same colour as their nail varnish, which was the same colour as antifreeze. Curiosity got the better of me and they told me they were all drinking a marshmallow flavoured gin. Sticking to the beer, we went with the Falstaff Animal Bad Kitty, which was a decent pale. A large logo on the wall was very similar to the Hobson's Brewery logo, which seemed odd. We called here as a destination pub after visiting Northampton, so well worth the effort to and from the railway station, which wasn't that far a walk.
On 27th March 2019
- rating: 9
[User has posted 2704 recommendations about 2704 pubs]
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Crafty Banker
Nothing much to add to the thorough review below.I was in on a busy Friday evening,and the long interior was being fully utilised and lots of barstaff were on duty to speed delivery.There was a tap takeover from Doghouse Brewery from Darwin and the brewer was in attendance.The condition of his New England IPA and Cappuccino Stout were terrific and I could easily have worked my way across the 6 handpumps.
Popular with a wide age range and all sexes,this had a pub atmosphere rather than a CAMRA vibe which occurs at some micropubs.
A must visit in Rugby and surely a "shoe inn" for the next GBG.
On 26th November 2018
- rating: 9
[User has posted 1890 recommendations about 1890 pubs]
Thuck Phat left this review about The Crafty Banker
A new micropub in Rugby in what was Lorenzo's pizzas and a well established deli prior to that.
As with many micropubs, this is a long narrow space with the bar at the back here. Said bar is in the form of a Tata 1612 front grill complete with lit up headlights.
The space is fairly minimalist with a mixture of high and low modern furniture, wood floors, a glass shop window and grey walls with limited decoration bar a notable gin chart.
It was relatively quiet on our early Friday evening visit which, due to the limited decor and high ceilings I'd guess, created an odd echoey atmosphere. This dissipated as the place filled up, which it did during the first pint but it still feels very new and will, I'm sure, establish itself quickly.
The governor was welcoming and friendly and told us that he'd previously worked with XT setting up their brewery tap. Perfect experience for this gig.
Consequently, there will always be an XT beer or two present and the six handpumps had on Plain Ales Incognito, Raw Brewery Red Ale and Grey Ghost IPA, Animal Hop Cat, Pomana Island Pale and Crafty Banker Bitter. The Grey Ghost IPA and Island Pale were both very good and in excellent shape and that selection included a red ale, a stout, a bitter and two pales. Not bad for six handpumps and the governor let us know that he had a couple of beers from Brass Castle to come.
In addition to handpumps there are 5 keg taps on the wall behind the bar which included another from Animal (XT) and a cider. There's also a wide selection of around 30 or so gins with advice and even small tasters handed out to those interested.
I liked it here a lot and hope that it is successful and goes from strength to strength. A fine addition to Rugby's real ale scene.
On 14th May 2018
- rating: 9
[User has posted 646 recommendations about 645 pubs]
No known official website for this pub.
- Facebook - The Crafty Banker
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Dog Friendly : Yes last updated 26 November 2018 by Bucking Fastard
- Hot Food : No last updated 26 November 2018 by Bucking Fastard
- Micropub : Yes last updated 01 May 2018 by Craig O
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 01 May 2018 by Craig O
| Sunday | 5pm - 10pm |
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 4pm - 11pm |
| Wednesday | 4pm - 11pm |
| Thursday | 4pm - 11pm |
| Friday | 4pm - 0:30am |
| Saturday | 4pm - 0:30am |
