March 2025. Loughborough. I’ve rather lost faith in the little Blue Monkey’s little chain of East Midlands pubs since some disappointing cask in Nottingham and Newark, but they cling on to hard-won GBG places in Loughborough, where the Organ Grinder has just won “Traditional” Pub of the Year, which tells you a lot. I guess… Continue reading BACK TO 1995 AT THE BLUE MONKEY
Tag: Blue Monkey
KIRKBY-IN-ASHFIELD – BLUE MONKEY, WORN-OUT LOLA
October 2023. Kirkby-in-Ashfield. Now all these trips to honeypot villages in Bradford and Grantham are fine and well, but I know it’s Mansfield you really want to read about. GBG24 brings two (2) new entries in and around Kirkby (not Merseyside) home to Larwood, and once home to four railway stations, impressive for a mining… Continue reading KIRKBY-IN-ASHFIELD – BLUE MONKEY, WORN-OUT LOLA
BRINSLEY – MIDNIGHT FIG & POMEGRANATE HANDWASH
Having goaded Alan Winfield the other day, I’m on safer ground with this trip to rural Notts, about 10 miles north of Alan’s turf. And about five miles north of the scariest place on earth, the divorce capital of the world. Owing to an amendment to our marriage contract, Mrs RM must always make trips… Continue reading BRINSLEY – MIDNIGHT FIG & POMEGRANATE HANDWASH
BLUE MONKEY SPREADS ITS WINGS
What Arnold lacked in architectural interest it made up for in cheap dining options. Compared to Cambridge the many pubs and cafes were thriving on Wednesday lunchtime. The Spoons was packed with OAP diners, and even at £1.05 no-one wants to drink a coffee standing up. The most attractive looking alternative was The Coffee Grinder,… Continue reading BLUE MONKEY SPREADS ITS WINGS
retiredmartin 