August 2026. Coventry.
Right, let’s steal Oxford Nick’s map;
I did ask him if I could nick it from his excellent Prop Up The Bar blog (better photos than me) 5 minutes ago, which is plenty of notice.
Last Wednesday was another Proper Day Out when the rest of the group out-pubbed me, using more efficient trains and pure enthusiasm to fit in 2 (or 3 in one case) before I reached the Gatehouse on the edge of the city centre.
Nearly all the stops on the trail bar the micro were longstanding Beer Guide entries. I reckon I’d visited them all a quarter century ago and I don’t think the Gatehouse Tavern had changed a jot, though I don’t recall a “Bring Your Gonk” feature,
but the decor looks delightfully unchanged,
except for non-rugby fans.
I’d picked this as the statutory lunch stop for our Kentish Pub Man, though in the end Paul B couldn’t make it, but I bet he’d have loved this throwback menu.
That Steak and Stout over Chips really shouts out to you, doesn’t it ?
And, despite the Brew XI, there’s not much of a decision to make on the beer, anyway ?
This trip would turn out to be quite a Bassathon, and in the 33 degrees heat it might be unfair to judge too harshly a tasty pint (GOOD).
Suddenly, a commotion at the door, and a gaggle (?) rushed to the bar to start a debate about a Brew XI support group now Bass is old hat.
The lack of notes, or shazam of the soundtrack, tells its own story. Just good company in top seating,
and a giant plate of healthy stodge. I’m sure Life After Football told us all about his goal in the 1997 Play-off semi final, undoubtedly the highlight of the day.
retiredmartin 