Yahoo News Pub crawl couple full of praise for Burslem boozers but say one thing is missing
A couple touring and reviewing the UK's boozers have returned to the Potteries for their latest pub crawl. The Great British Pub Crawl is a project taken on by Nottingham natives, Dale Harvey and Holly Booth, who have now rated more than 3,000 boozers - including 854 new venues so far this year alone.
Their latest Stoke-on-Trent trip saw them visit ten watering holes in Burslem, reviewing what each has to offer. The couple said on their Facebook page: "Back over to Stoke On Trent for us where we were once again joined by the lovely Jody to help us navigate our way around, meeting a few familiar faces along the way."
The Vine Inn
"Into Burslem then and our first port of call was 'The Vine Inn' which was a superb place to start. Jenny running the place is just lovely, they've got a pool table and a super bunch of regulars. It's a really friendly little pub with plenty of TVs around, ABK in amongst the taps and a Thatchers Cider tower. Lovely little pub!"
Bursley Ale House
"Next up was 'Bursley Ale House' named as such because many moons ago Burslem used to be known as Bursley (so we were told). This is a proper ale house with four hand pulls on the bar, lovely service and a great vibe. Pina Colada Lilleys also on offer so of course I had to dive in with that."
The Old Post Office
"Just down the road is 'The Old Post Office' which was the old Royal Mail sorting office in Burslem. This one is DECEPTIVELY MASSIVE and just goes back and back and back, with three rooms that all have a fully functioning bar, two of which are probably 'function rooms' that can be hired for parties. It's a super place with some real ale on, good tap choices and a lovely way about it."
Post Office Vaults
"Just across the way is the 'Post Office Vaults' that assumingly was an old post office branch. It's a small pub space with a couple of ales on and a decent Stout called 'Plan B'. There's a jukebox, a friendly welcome and garden area to the rear."
The Clayhanger
"Next one along is 'The Clayhanger' which is a late night 'fun pub' style place, very similar to a Yates' or a Litten Tree. It's got a hugely varied age range using it, plenty of TVs, a pool table and plenty to choose from on the keg choices. This is definitely a great place to watch the football/sport."
Hog Noggins
"Across the road is 'Hog Noggins' which quotes on its outside 'Craft Beer' etc so I was pretty excited. Now, I wouldn't say that 'craft beer' is on offer at all but there are some real ales on and the place is lovely inside. Good line up on the taps, big screen TV for the football and a nice little building that has been a pub for around five years and started it's life many years back as a chemist apparently."
New Inn
"Just around the corner is 'The New Inn' which is very smartly decked out and may well of had a recent refurbishment. There's a pool table and a karaoke was in full swing. No real ales on but again, plenty to keep you busy within the kegs. Very polite doorman who certainly looks like he could handle a situation should the need arise and wide age range in again. Feels like another 'late night fun pub' style place."
Ye Olde Crown
"Next up. and another whopping 100 yards away is 'Ye Olde Crown' which was described to us as a 'cracking little boozer' and I'd say that's a pretty fair assessment. Deceptively large once you get inside, with a decent yard space to the rear. There are four real ales on, good mix of stuff on the taps and even a pretty spacious dancefloor area. Good, professional and polite door men, a friendly welcome and a nice feel to this mega old pub that has stood since the year 1669."
Johnys Micro Pub
"Down the road to 'Johnys Micro Pub' which was hugely shouted out to us as one not to miss. Absolutely bang on with that advice again as this one is pretty cool and right up my street. They've got an overflow room upstairs with some additional seating, a good range of ales on, some top locals in and decent array amongst the kegs. This is a super micropub and definitely worth a visit."
The Bulls Head
"Across the road is 'The Bulls Head' which is the Titanic pub of the town and I know I'm probably repeating myself but once again, Titanic knock it right out of the park with yet another super pub. This one is split into two sides by a central bar and has a decent little yard/garden area. As always, the service is impeccable and the range of beers is unrivalled. These guys always deliver and this one is no exception!"
The verdict
The couple said they enjoyed "a few good pubs" but pointed out that like so many places they visit, Burslem is "in desperate need of some help and investment". They added: "Far too many buildings boarded up or being left to rot.
"As always, Stoke was full of great friendly people though and we had a great day with old friends and new! Would have been nice to have found some proper craft beer available somewhere but that doesn't seem to have made it into the area at all as yet."
You can follow the couple's journey round the nation's pubs at facebook.com/TheGreatBritishPubCrawl, instagram.com/greatbritishpubcrawl, tiktok.com/@thegreatbritishpubcrawl and youtube.com/@thegreatbritishpubcrawl. A video documenting their visit to Stoke-on-Trent is available on their YouTube page.
