retiredmartin

January 2024. Barrowford.

Having completed Lancashire’s GBG24 chapter by 6pm I suddenly found myself in a one street town with no plans on a Saturday night.

Except, obviously, a Chinese takeaway later on.

Barrowford’s New Man Lee, possibly my 555th CT and even if it isn’t you’ll never know, looked a stunner on Google. Posh Lancashire towns are always a good bet for Crispy Beef and Singapore Rice.

And they’re also good for micropub bank conversions.

I can’t say the one room Bankers Draft blew me away on a first visit in 2017, when the view to the architecturally more satisfying White Bear was a highlight,

but lovely landlady and quality beer range remain,

and that Northern Monkey Citra (£3.80) is impressively murky (though not as interesting as the Popcorn Stout I had in their Bolton tap once).

A lovely buzz of local chat about marmite sandwiches and lemon drizzle cake.

“I burnt off a thousand calories walking Pendle Hill…..and ate TEN thousand !!!“

“Nice to see you so busy” I say to the charming guvnor(ess).

“Oooh, this is empty, most weeks it’s standing room only by now. Sunday afternoon is busiest“.

Which says a lot about micros because it already WAS standing room only with a dozen in,

with my little table (top) strategically and unattractively placed next to the Gents. But I don’t want to stand in pubs. Walking or sitting in pubs are my only 2 settings.

Your opinions on this pub seating are welcomed.