30/09/18 - The Good Beer Guide Pubs of Coventry

Pubs - 5
Good Beer Guide Ticks - #321-326

An afternoon walking the Coventry Canal Art Trail, a bus from Exhall to the City Centre and 5 Good Beer Guide Ticks to be gained in a City that I know little about.   

This pub crawl was combined with an AA walk that pointed out the major buildings of historical significance.

Before we get to the pubs.   A couple of photos from the City walk.

Old Cathedral

New Cathedral

Possibly Older than Ye Olde Fighting Cocks and Trip to Jerusalem 

The Council House

Plenty more besides, but we would be here all day.   Certainly more medieval architecture than in Birmingham.   Onto the pubs.

The Earl of Mercia, 18 High Street, Elliswood Brewery Royal Standard

I was going to ban Wetherspoons from 2019 Good Beer Guide Ticking.   I was mildly annoyed by their pro-brexitering beermats (my dad taught me never mix politics and beer) but was almost angry enough to take a horse to my local when they banned dogs earlier this year.

However, this one in Coventry is in such a beautiful location - with outdoor seating opposite the stunning Council House pictured above - that I was seduced against my better judgement. 

Better looking out towards the Council House

It was, of course, a mistake of packed bar anger, inexperienced staff shouting "who's next", dirty, sticky tables and chronic beer.  I'm sure the Royal Standard is better than what was offered here.   Even when its more than £2.18 a pint.

The Golden Cross, 8 Hay Lane, Adnams Ghost Ship

More like it - deeply impressive medieval building, right next to the Cathedral.  One stray Luftwaffe bomb and it wouldn't be here for us to enjoy today.   Inside, its had a gastro pub make over that can be described as tasteful.  The beer?  A definite improvement but nothing to write home about.

Golden Cross

Makes a change from a picture of a pint

The Old Windmill, Spon Street, Hogsback TEA

Here's Coventry's hidden beauty.  Spon street has an amazing collection of Tudor Architecture and is home to a number of takeways, restaurants, one classic pub and the frankly unexpected Samoan Joe's Tiki Bar. 

Spon Street By Night

Ignoring the chance to enter a Coventry Beach Bar, I headed into unspoiled Old Windmill.   If Wetherspoons asks the question "why am I bothering to tick GBG Pubs", this fully answers the question.

My Sort of Place

Inside, its a collection of individual wood paneled rooms to take ownership of.  Once settled in with a pint, people may poke their head around the door, but they never intruded.

My Cranny for the Night

A quick note on the music.   Tom Jones' Thunderball worked and added a cinematic feel.   Beastie Boys provided some contemporary head nodding.  Sigue Sigue Sputnik meant it was time to leave.

The Town Crier, Corporation Street, Closed on Sundays

Ahh.... I had the chance to be here before 6pm.    Better research required next time.

No Cask Marque App Check In For Me

Town Wall Tavern, Bond Street, Purity Ubu and Bass

Here we have it - pub of the evening.   What a delight.   A little tricky to find, its tucked down a side street and completely at odds with the other buildings along it, but its worth the effort.

As you would hope, the beer was top draw.  Owed one by the closure of the Town Crier, I had two perfect pints, both served in their ceremonial chalices.  

Inside, there's a friendly bar with plenty of pubby paraphernalia and good pub chat, with more space around the back.   But this pub has a secret - the Donkey Box.

A little door to the front leads to a bar with two stools and enough room, presumably, to fit a donkey.   Perfect for the solo pub ticker, who failed to convince any future punters who mistakenly came in to share the space.

All pubs should have one

Space for Selfies

If you only come to one Coventry Pub, Make it this one

The Gatehouse Tavern, Hill Street, Bass

Not going to leave any Good Beer Guide Pub in the Coventry Ring Road behind, I make the short walk to the Gatehouse Tavern.

Night Falls in Coventry

It's a sports pub - even when the only sport on is darts.   In a feng shui disaster, the largest TV is high in the ceiling above the front door.  This leads to the off putting effect of having every one staring at you when you enter.

Anonymity surrendered, I can only hope that my beer choice meets with approval.   Bass seemed to do the trick - and it was a damn fine example.

Bass, Under the TV

The end of an enjoyable and varied day in Coventry that exceeded expectations.  GBG 2019 proving to be a perfect guide to a new city.