Of course, you don’t go to Dorchester just to complain about Wetherspoons.
There’s the famous teddy bear museum, the Eldridge Pope brewery site long converted into boutiques, wine tasting shops and art galleries,
the pasty shop,
the barbers where they just play Two-Tone oldies,
and the odd decent architectural flourish.
But it’s a strangely dour county town in parts, as county towns sometimes are. Particularly pedestrianised Cornhill.
Thank goodness for micropubs, eh?
At least I can see proper tables, I think.
I enter on the dot of noon to find a visibly startled owner, but will spare you the frightened rabbit line.
More unpretentious town centre craft bar than Herne model, there’s a good beer range I can’t remember. BRAPA will know.
The nice lady recommends me the Moor table beer, a good choice in cool condition (NBSS 3).
But our conversation ends in abrupt manner and I’m left to read the sign urging conversation.
It’s painfully quiet, and I’m glad when a couple of businesslike blokes tip up to discuss council parking charges, sparing me the necessity of starting a solo game of skittles.
The loo is called the Thunder Box. But you knew that it would be, didn’t you.
And I knew the Sweet Mandarin & Grapefruit would be my reward. 
retiredmartin 
That’s not skittles. That’s wendy-house skittles. Just saying…
Presumably you’ve been to the Tap & Kitchen! If you haven’t, it’s exactly the same as all the other T&Ks…
LikeLiked by 2 people
Knew that would wind you up, Mark 😉
LikeLike
Presume Brewhouse & Kitchen?
Yes, thought about popping in as preemptive but then realised I’d rather flog myself with a large stick.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Aww! Don’t be so harsh. If it’s a straight choice between a Wetherspoon, Pallet & Cable Drum chic, or a B&K, I’m drinking the homebrew every time…
LikeLiked by 2 people
Bet you eat in Pizza Express and reckon George Ezra is great.
LikeLike
True. Neither give you splinters on the elbows or arse. I’m a huge fan of beer with very sweet ice-cream in it too, and you can quote me on that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Funny!!
LikeLike
Didn’t go in this one when I was in Dorchester due to limited opening hours/days. I did go in the B&K, but essentially as a restaurant, not a boozer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I understand why you’d want to explain your otherwise inexcusable trip to the B & K, Mudgie.
. (😉)
LikeLike
You have to try everything once, apart from folk dancing and incest. Apparently. And murky NEIPA.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now you know why I picked the murky NEIPA.
Talking of which, did you see much murky craft in That Plymouth?
LikeLike
Given that I only went in the Dolphin, no. Incidentally, the hotel bar had keg Goose island and Black Sheep.
LikeLike
Both craft.
LikeLike
Craft is taking over the world 🌎
LikeLiked by 2 people
Or is it just our age ?
CRAFT = Can’t Remember A F—— Thing
LikeLike
Our local B&K would be fine, if only they didn’t brew their own, and just sold familiar beers instead. The layout, garden etc. are all OK enough.
I wonder what they’d call it?
LikeLike
& Kitchen
LikeLike
*like*
LikeLike
PM’s previous comment about the time you go in most pertinent. It was lively and friendly on my visit and the beer was superb.
LikeLike
It was fine. As with the Bradford on Avon place, you need to be part of a conversation or you can feel a bit excluded.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“the pasty shop,”
And here was me thinking it was a shop for exotic dancers’ accessories. 🙂
“Girlschool.”
I’m guessing some of those girls would have been a bit long in the tooth after 60 years.
“Bit craft bar”
Is that a sliding alphabet puzzle on the far wall?
“but will spare you the frightened rabbit line.”
(slow golf clap)
“and I’m left to read the sign urging conversation.”
I’m not sure if that’s ironic or merely innuendo?
“And I knew the Sweet Mandarin & Grapefruit would be my reward. ”
At least it’s only for the hands. If you put over your whole body you’d wind up quite the tart. 😉
Cheers
LikeLike
Me? Ironic?
LikeLike
Good to see Hobo get an outing on that Convivial Rabbit sign. Usage of it on signage has dropped markedly since Holland & Barrett went all sans-serif.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Matthew,
Yes, Hobo is quite eye catching but rarely seen.
You remind me that it must be over thirty years since I did proper letterpress printing on an old Adana machine.
Just over a month ago I attended a talk by three speakers about fonts at the British Library.
I expect you be on the Proper Day Out in Preston on 23rd August.
LikeLiked by 1 person
First, a crafty breakaway. Now, a font appreciation breakaway.
LikeLike
I should be there. I don’t work Fridays and I have to travel a lot less far than everyone else.
LikeLike
You can always start at Stoke station if you like, Matthew, and have a pint of Plum Porter at Bod.
LikeLike