The Place To (Ar)go in Peterborough

The Argo Lounge in Cathedral Square is the latest in “The Loungers” chain, owned by Bristol Beer Factory and will join 47 other “lounges” around the country and The Cozy Club in Stamford.

All Loungers pubs have a near identical layout.  They also have a specially brewed, pasteurized beer called Loungers available on tap as well as lager, tea and coffee.  When sister-lounge Otto Lounge opened in Heswall on The Wirral open in October 2013 they sold Bristol Beer Factory Toga Man ale, but the demand wasn't there for it.  Let’s hope that that failure in the north doesn't mean they don’t try and sell Toga Man to the residents of Peterborough.

Argo Lounge opens on December 17th.

The White Eagle, Rhoscolyn. Anglesey 12/06/14

From the outside, The White Eagle looks like three houses knocked together!  Inside is a large open plan gastro pub serving the usual selection of lagers and upto six real ales.  There is also a 0% lager for drivers.

A large picture window and outside decked area overlook the Llyn Peninsular and the Welsh mountains, including Snowden, opposite.

The pub is both child and pet friendly, with dogs allowed on the outside decking and inside in the snug.

The pub usually provides free WiFi ,however, the connection was down on my visit!  The rural location means that mobile phone and mobile mobile internet signals are spotty and intermittent.

The food is of excellent quality.  I had a hot sandwich and enjoyed every bite.  The sandwiches are served with potato salad, coleslaw and green salad.

A tab facility is available, but only for orders that have food and drink.

The pub is popular with families as it is approx. 15 mins walk from the beach.  People tend to leave their cars in the car park and go to the beach after eating.

The beer is well kept and of good quality.  Maintenance is important and a line is cleaned within half an hour of a beer going off.  A good indication of a well kept cellar.

The staff were friendly and helpful and had no problems answering silly questions!  :-)

The facilities are modern and well maintained and contain both soap and moisturiser!

The White Eagle opened in its current condition in May 2007.  The renovation and modernisation began in October 2006.

Food is served 12-2:30 and 6-9

West Kirby 20/09/14

Dee Hotel

The Dee Hotel is a Wetherspoon's establishment that opened on 15th October 2001.  They have 8 real ales on, four local.  As with several pubs on The Wirral, Sharp's Doombar is on!  It seem a popular tipple up this way.

The beer is of great quality and the staff and patrons are friendly.

The venue is in the Dee Hotel, opposite the train station and a short walk from the Dee Estuary.

As with all Wetherspoon's pubs, wireless internet is provided free of charge via Sky's "The Cloud" service.

Tap House

Nice, modern pub.  Beer is nice and well kept.  1 - 3 from house brewery. Guest beers nice and well kept.

Staff nice and polite.

Wifi password available on request at the bar.

White Lion

Four beers, two local 

First beer was off.  Was changed with no problems.

No Free Wifi.  BT Openzone.

The Hilltop

Large open plan sports bar.  3 real ales,  2 on my visit.

Free wifi, though account needed.

Isle Of Man Beer Festival Day 3

I took a 1.5 mile walk down to Douglas prom, then along to the sea port to buy my 3-Day Island Explorer ticket.  This ticket can be used on the busses, steam railway, electric tram railway and the Snaefell mountain railway.  I decided on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday.

The final lunchtime session of the beer festival wasn't overly busy.  I had time to have a couple of drinks, wander round and go sit down outside for a bit.  I stayed on after the session and left at 5, just before the evening session started.  I wandered down the road and got a wonderful plate of chips from The Terrace Chippy then went back and had an evening in my room.  I was asked to join the staff for an after-festival drink at

The Woodbourne about 11:30pm, but I was in bed, trying to get to sleep by then.

Isle Of Man Beer Festival Day 2

Arrived by 12;15 to an already heaving bar (and that was just staff!).  Managed to find a place and got serving.  Was very busy all session.  On close at 4pm, staff had a nice chilli and rice meal.  Once the bars were closed, there was a queue for food, didn't matter there were still customers in, time ad been called.  Went and set in the foyer to eat while the customers were leaving!

Stayed for a little of the evening session as a paying customer, though I was able to leave my stuff in the staff room.  Evening session was very busy, three deep and the bar and a 10 min wait in places!  I had to get someone to watch my seat while I went to the bar and I did the same for them.

Left about 8pm and walked to a nearby chippy for some supper, then went for a couple of halves in the nearby Woodbourne Bar.  Got back to the hotel around 10pm to a group of people playing loud music and being generally noisy in the restaurant!  Managed to get to sleep my 11ish.

Isle of Man Beer Festival Day 1

Worked first day of IOM Beer Fest 2pm - 8pm!  Good, very busy day. The afternoon trade session was actually busier than the evening public session.  Stayed a while and had some Welsh Dragon sausages and beers after my session. Working hard, I only managed to have four halves of beer between 2 and 8! Left about 8:45pm.  Arrived back at the hotel, laid down on the bed and relaxed, had coffee and watched at the Apollo, hosted by Dara O'Brien.  Time for  sleep now, 7am start again tomorrow!