Expect great beers from microbreweries and independent brewers. Even CAMRA has officially recognised this as a bar worthy of plaudits.

The Venue
The appeal of The Bar isn’t immediately apparent. For a start, the name hardly tells the story of great beers. Secondly, the exterior compounds the issue with its large black canopy overhanging a small outdoor drinking area, which is in contrast to the bold white and silver sign that looks more like a trendy bar than a proper beer lover’s pub. And it isn't anything special inside, where you will find what is basically a sports bar filled with shiny surfaces and lots of big screen TVs and pool tables.

The Atmosphere
The Bar is a strange animal. The passion for microbrewed beer is obvious from the exciting array on tap, but then there are those big screen TVs, pool tables and even live music and karaoke evenings, sitting uncomfortably alongside beer festivals. As such, the crowd is a rather awkward mix of locals looking for different things. Thank God the beer is so good – it unites any group of bizarrely-placed punters.

The Drink
The beer at The Bar is simply excellent with cask ales ruling the roost. There are two-to-three cask ales available at any one time and they’re all sourced locally from breweries like Brentwood, Mighty Oak and Hapenny. They also offer some intriguing brews from Dark Star Brewing Company, including an espresso beer. They do extend their choice to include more mainstream offers from Fullers and the like. The choice is heightened with posters and tasting notes and CAMRA members benefit from a discount.

The Last Word
Despite a slightly awkward positioning somewhere between a proper beer lover's pub and sports bar, The Bar impresses with its dedication to the fine art of craft beer.

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