STEAK AND STOUT OVER CHIPS. THE GATEHOUSE, COVENTRY

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.

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Published by retiredmartin

Retired NHS, doing long walks around UK and the world to record the great bits. Focused on Good Beer Guide pubs and live music.

21 thoughts on “STEAK AND STOUT OVER CHIPS. THE GATEHOUSE, COVENTRY”

  1. Those £5.50 batches with chips and salad look the bargain of that menu to me.
    Think I’ve only been in 2 or 3 times, as its always disappointed, maybe its time for a revisit soon.

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      3. Re open invite, thanks, sounds great, but who are you ‘all’ and who’s blog do I follow???

        And will I be excommunicated for liking Bass with a head on, even banked ???

        Liked by 2 people

      4. If youu’ve been reading this blog for more than a few months you must know about the Beer and Pubs Forum. Old Mudgie set it up on Tapatalk. Anyone can go on there and say “I’m visiting a few pubs next Tuesday in Uttoxeter, anyone fancy coming along” and magically half of Leicester turn up.

        I’ve no idea how Tapatalk works, think you need to sign up (free) and find Beer and Pubs, someone might kindly explain !

        Liked by 3 people

      6. Re Stockton and the banked Bass, count me in.

        For those travelling by train, the Thornaby station is not much further away from the centre than Stockton itself, and on a different line, so might be easier/quicker for some.

        And theres the Sun, Tipsy Turtle, CKopper Keg and Golden Smog just for starters….

        Liked by 1 person

      7. Thanks Rich.

        Yes, I only noticed how close Thornaby was to central Stockton recently, as I’d wondered why I couldn’t get direct from Darlo to Stockton on what is one of the most famous rail routes.

        Liked by 1 person

  7. Pingback: Beer & Pubs Forum #7: Brew XI Connoisseurs Society – Life After Football

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