May 2024. Tirana. Albania.
Mrs RM’s mood noticeably picked up after eating 60% of that apple strudel, and despite her insistence we weren’t visiting lots of bars on our day in Tirana she immediately asked me “Where’s your pub then ?” as we headed into Blokku, the posher bit of the city where the communist leaders used to live in their “More equal than others” residences.
Quite a contrast with the more basic, if colourful, houses and art above the river (stream).
The street art is good, if rarely original.
Untappd isn’t packed with local craft beer outlets, but I tend to rely on Duncan for my pub tips, and his insightful description of Radio as “full of radios” was spot on.
The blog title picks itself;
oddly this (t’other) Elvis track popped up on the drive to Waterbeach after I’d picked the title.
It’s a classy place, perhaps surprisingly so.
The beer on tap was a Belgian import, but there were local bottles I hadn’t seen before.
“How do you pronounce that ?” I asked, nervously.
“Grandpa” said the young man. I didn’t know if that was factually correct or a comment on my age.
I competed with Mrs RM to see who could take the most photos of radios and obscure films, and we fought over who could make the most mess shelling the free peanuts. Jimmy Carter would be proud.
Not only the best beer, but also the best espresso, though the service was efficient rather than effusive, in keeping with the Balkan tradition.
Good to see Frank Sidebottom in the Gents,
and those ultra-trendy sewing machines in the conservatory,
but it’s the self-service alcohol tester that may be the unique feature here.
Unless you know better.
retiredmartin 