You left me in the warm cosiness of the Unicorn, waiting for my Chinese takeaway (which will remain anonymous). This is always the high point of an evening away, the anticipation of the crispy beef, the dilemma of whether to do one last pub visit I’ll instantly regret. But I resist the walk out to… Continue reading HANLEY – THE CULTURAL & CULINARY ISSUE
Tag: Stoke-on-Trent
UNICORNS – ALMOST AS RARE AS DRAUGHT BASS
His look of sympathy was the one you’d give a child asking you if he could have a unicorn for Christmas. Second best, particularly if you’re six years old, but I could have a pint in THE Unicorn, one of the almost permanent Stoke GBG entries. Blimey, it’s even better than I remembered it (admittedly… Continue reading UNICORNS – ALMOST AS RARE AS DRAUGHT BASS
TOP 100 PUBS – THE COACHMAKERS ARMS, HANLEY, STOKE-ON-TRENT
In Stoke with a bed for the night, a Chinese takeaway selected, and my new GBG entry already ticked. But it’s barely evening. Let’s do the Hanley classics. And that’s the problem when you lack discipline as a ticker. You convince yourself that the Albion with its lone Pedi pump must be a pre-emptive chance.… Continue reading TOP 100 PUBS – THE COACHMAKERS ARMS, HANLEY, STOKE-ON-TRENT
….AND A NIGHT OUT IN STOKE
OK, OK, it’s really Hanley, but it’s slotted under a Stoke sub-heading in the GBG and that’s what counts. In 2014 we stayed in the Hanley Premier Inn and I walked to Newcastle-Under-Lyme to save the bus fare, so the mile from Stoke Station was a doddle. Hanley doesn’t have the greatest of reputations, despite… Continue reading ….AND A NIGHT OUT IN STOKE
A STOKE STUMBLE
Enough of the recent present, here’s the recent past. It’s Stoke ! The Beer and Pubs Forum have been at their AGM in Maidenhead debating future Proper Days Out. Newcastle-under-Lyme has everything to commend it apart from a train station, something we can’t blame entirely on former resident M, Lawrenson. I suggested walking from Stoke… Continue reading A STOKE STUMBLE
NO SANCTUARY IN THE POTTERIES
On the home run in Staffs now, and still with one great pub to come (where great is a term loosely applied). It’s not this one, though. Yes, spot the GBG pub. Sanctuary Ale House is the one with the smoker outside, of course. In the absence of signs with King’s Heads on them, or… Continue reading NO SANCTUARY IN THE POTTERIES
WHIPPIN’ PICCADILLY (HANLEY)
I see I’ve almost used this title before, but so what ? There’s not much that rhymes with Hanley. Or Stoke. Before the pedants start, Hanley isn’t Stoke, but it is the “entertainment” centre for the Potteries, apparently. For a start you’ve got the Reardon Club (aka Victoria) with its Wheeltappers vibe and Bass. And… Continue reading WHIPPIN’ PICCADILLY (HANLEY)
A “MOMENT” WITH ROBBIE & PLUM PORTER
Greetings from Burslem, where I’ve taken a break from a colossal write-up of Carlisle to bring you my reflections on tonight’s events at Old Trafford, which isn’t something you’ll hear me say very often. I was actually in the newish Bursley Ale House when Robbie Williams started “Angels” tonight, enjoying a decent Falstaff Mild while… Continue reading A “MOMENT” WITH ROBBIE & PLUM PORTER
IS HANLEY CATCHING UP ?
There aren’t many people with a good word for the Potteries towns, even among it’s many escapees, but Mrs RM and myself (and my parents) love the place. Clearly it helps if you like gritty urban walks, basic pubs and calorific foods, but this is also one of our greenest cities, with some of our most interesting… Continue reading IS HANLEY CATCHING UP ?
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