MADDOGLEP

Been a while since Boothroyd visited this bar on Albert Square...opposite the Town Hall..currently a building site but hopefully re-opens in 2024. Always been quite a plush John Willy Lees business. Good covered patio in front. Boothroyd had a pint of bitter. Very good. My better half did not like the lager selection. San Miguel, and a brewery lager by JWL. So she had wine. Do a fair pub food menu, 2 mains for £17.95. Std fare. It's definitely a bar rather than a pub in a good location. Well worth a visit if you like a good bar.

I am more familiar with the atmospheric Boat Inn across the canal so not sure If I have been before. A very nice modernised traditional inside. Booked a table for food...gets really busy ( lots of families..kiddies playground..) and the car park gets overwhelmed.( Had to use the field car park behind the church.) A Marston's pub with Wainwright or Pedigree. Madge ordered fish and chips. Long wait on "The Long Good Friday." We were warned of an hour wait when we arrived. Luckily the booking is a two hour slot...and it did take 1 hour. All 4 meals very good. The batter on Madge's fish was golden and crispy. Great pie and burger. Chicken salad also VG.

Madge has great memories of this canal side pub. Back in the 1980's we would call in here on the way home from footie in London. Saturday evening back then most pubs in the country opened at 7pm so that was about the time we got here. Sad for the driver. Still well worth getting off the M1 for a break. Good selection of Marston's beers. Food served and a skittle alley.

First came here in the late 1970's. Always been a gem of a Marston's pub. Thus having a great pint of Pedigree. Famous for the lunchtime cheese and pate selection. In the old days the massive cheeses were displayed on the bar and cut to order. Carried in and out from upstairs every lunchtime. Doggie bags a must due to the amount of cheese, pate, bread and pickles. Despite a fire the pub is little changed.( The Music Hall posters did not survive.) Still do cheese but portioned. £7.50 for choice of three..cheese/pate, bread and pickles. Still great value. TV for sport. Lots of locals.

First visit with Martin Meerkat since The "Famous" Crown reopened after a few years. Seems very much as was..just cleaner. Oddly Martin's friend Tim came a few weeks ago and had to remove his hat? My wooly hat was acceptable. Go figure. TV and sport in back room. Real ale choice of Sharps Atlantic, Purity Longhorn Rye IPA or Taylor's Landlord..had the later. Good pint. Best memory was when wife came in with her backpack..turned round and sent a pint flying off a ledge..NOT ME! Must have been the fairies. Or Flat Eric.