Latest reviews from Leamington Spa
| 66 /100 New Inn, Leamington Spa (Bar) 197 LEAM TERRACE “This is a friendly and popular pub just under 20 minutes walk from the Railway Station for me and is in the current GBG. It seems to be a family owned and run pub that is popular for food but also stocks well kept cask ales. It's clean and comfortable, has 2 distinct areas, one of which gets used by the locals. It's certainly worth a look.“ |
| 70 /100 VICTORIA BUSINESS PARK, UNIT 14 NEILSTON STREET “The Brewery Tap is close to the Brubl Tap and makes a nice little combo. Again they were not taking visitors when I arrived but did everything to make me feel welcome and I did manage to have a couple of beers while we chatted. There is more space in this railway arch unit, it has an extension on the back. The bar is at the front of the unit, where you can also buy packaged beers. Looks like there are 4 taps in operation with there latest specials taking pride of place. The people running this place are enthusiastic and welcoming making it well worth visiting, but check their Facebook page for opening times, particularly in the Winter months. On leaving I noticed a passageway that took you through to the Radford Road via a housing estate which was much nicer than the approach through the industrial estate.“ |
| 70 /100 UNIT 3, VICTORIA BUSINESS CENTRE, NEILSTON STREET “This is slightly tricky to write up as when I arrived the shutters were down, but after a gentle knock I was warmly invited in for a chat. The coolers on the taps hadn't been turned on so no samples but I did pick up some bottles. But firstly, to get there from the railway station meant a convoluted traipse past the now defunct BeerTorrent Tap and through a never ending Industrial Estate avoiding metal bashing shops and car workshops then eventually under the railway viaduct and it's on your left with the Windmill Hill Brewery on your right. Not the best approach to a brewery tap I have experienced. Inside the tap is quite a jumble of equipment, with a new canning line being installed by the very industrious and friendly brewer, a real one man band. You will need to check their website for updates on opening times but after 6 on a Thursday and Friday seems to be the rule, but basically it's when he can put the time to it. I can't give a beer experience as the beers have gone into my system and it will be a little while before I get to them, but there were half a dozen taps labelled up and you will be sitting in a tight but proper working brewery.“ |
| 80 /100 Drawing Board Bottle Shop (Beer Store) 3 COURT STREET “OK. There's a bottle shop which is not the same as the tap room which is next door. Which is not the same as the bar which is some distance away and therefore has a different entry. Confused? You won't be after you read my review. It's quiet and with fewer beers than the bar but it feels like this is where the craft people go. There are draught beers from Verdant, Arbor and Double-Barelled to drink in as well as cans from the liked of LHG and Queer Brewing.. the shop has everything you'd want from UK craft, and there are some great bargains to be had. Not to be missed.“ |
| 80 /100 Boiler Room (Bar) 6 VICTORIA TERRACE “Proper craft beer and pizza place more or less between the Pump Room and Jephson Gardens. Two cask and six keg are complemented by a list of about 15 cans. All UK craft. Neptune, Liquid Light, Arbor and Furnace are some of the breweries represented. A nice array of styles as well, not just a whole bunch of pales. While it's not cheap - nothing is in Leam 2022 - it's reasonable with 440s all priced at £6-7 (same with a pint of sessionalble craft keg).“ |
| 78 /100 Drawing Board (Bar) 18 NEWBOLD STREET “Nicely put-together beer bar. Decked out in comic book references including a framed Daily Planey which I read for about 2 mins before realising it wasn't a real paper. There is a wonderful choice here of cask, keg and bottled/cans beers here. I tried a Purity beer that was new to me on cask and then had a choice of the likes of Cloudwater, DEYA or Tiny Rebel on keg. Be warned that while some beers are reasonable, others are eye-wateringly expensive and the choice of measurement is inconsistent (they didn't offer a smaller measure for than 2/3 for a 6% Cloudwater IPA for £7.80 while the 4.5% Tiny Rebel pale next to it was available in halves). Still, the best choice (so far) for me in Leamington by some way. Absolutely worth stopping by.“ |
| 64 /100 19 ARCHERY RD “Pub opposite the bowling green a bit removed from the town centre. Old fashioned and traditional inside with a small and desolate beer garden out back (although I understand that the garden is to be refurbished). Bartender coped well with a sudden influx, but it's by no means crowded on a sleepy sunny Saturday. The beer is in good shape but the choice isn't up to much: Four handpulls, but only three operational on my visit. You might pick up a tick (Framework Friday Street is coals to Newcastle for me but probably not common outside Leicester). Nice enough place but can be missed. Not cheap.“ |
| 68 /100 35 REGENT STREET “Big brewpub with a nice little setup: light and airy inside with lots of seating outside. Welcoming and comfortable. The beer choice itself is very hard to get excited about. Two beers from the brewery: a session IPA (read: golden) and a Jubilee ale. These are complemented by London Pride & two Purity, plus two more Purity among the macro keg. Was hoping for more choice especially on a spring weekend but nope. So it's okay but can be missed unless you're looking for the brewery tick.“ |
| 72 /100 White Horse Leamington (Bar) 4 CLARENDON AVENUE “Restauranty pub to the north of town. It obviously was a coach house, with a big statue of a horse to remind you as you walk through to the beer garden and side entrance. Big bar as you walk in, with most of the wooden seating to the right. The four cask beers are pretty pedestrian with only Dark Star Hophead sounding decent among the nationals here. The keg is a bit better with beers from Thornbridge, Big Smoke, Goose Island and New Belgium. Behind the bar I could make out some cans from Salt and Tiny Rebel among others. So it favours macro a bit but doesn't exclusively deal on it. Not cheap but not eye-watering either. Worth a look for sure.“ |
| 68 /100 Clarendon (Stonegate) (Bar) 44-46 CLARENDON AVENUE “Typical Stonegate pub, although I'm seeing it on a quiet afternoon. It's large and informal, a bit fusty-smelling but pleasant with many of the typical pub accoutrements (piped music, sports on TV, various wall decorations). The big bar is to the front when you come in with seating to the left and right. No cask but there are 5 prominent keg beers (BrewDog core plus a couple of Fierce and Siren's Broken Dream), some easily available cans/bottles and a few ciders (most if not all from Lilley's). The Fierce beers were both tickable for me. It's okay but not particularly exciting. Very expensive for what it is.“ |
| 72 /100 Leamington Wine Company (Beer Store) 99 WARWICK STREET, “Small, pleasant shop that specialises in wine but has a good beer section. The beer is when you walk in on the right; there's a fridge with mostly internationals (Germans and Belgians) and ciders to the left of it and crafter cans (plus some traditional local beers) on your right. Reasonable prices but not cheap (although you can get some 'bin ends' for £2 per can/bottle which is hard to complain about!) Not a lot you can't get elsewhere but worth having a look to see what's available.“ |
| 82 /100 Boiler Room (Bar) 6 VICTORIA TERRACE “This is a recently opened, modern bar close to the bridge over the Leam on the Parade. Covid sensible entrance. It has the modern minimalist feel but with a few highlights, for example a coppered bar and smooth wooden flooring. There is racking for up to a dozen casks, chilled to cellar temperature. During the current situation they just have 4 on sale and the keg lines are not up and running yet, but there will be 8 available. A large range of cans are also available from around the UK. This has certainly become the best option for beer in Leamington Spa just in this short time.“ |
| 58 /100 Benjamin Satchwell (JDW) (Bar) 112-114 THE PARADE “A rather narrow and spacious room with seating to the left and the servery to the right. Altogether 12 hand-pumps with a few ales that we haven't had before. Decent salad bowl, and polite service. Central location. (Visited with Finn 02.02.2020).“ |
| 60 /100 Leamington Wine Company (Beer Store) 99 WARWICK STREET, “The bottled beer section in this wine shop is located to the right, next to the entrance. They had shelves with local and regional sourced beers, and one shelf with craft beers. Service minded lady. Fair prices. (Visited with Finn 02.02.2020).“ |
| 62 /100 35 REGENT STREET “In-house brewery to the rear of a rather large place located in the town center. Four of their own beers on cask at our stay. Stocks some bottles and cans, as well. Comfortable beer garden, and a bistro bar with an Asian cuisine. Polite service. (Visited with Finn 02.02.2020).“ |
| 54 /100 Benjamin Satchwell (JDW) (Bar) 112-114 THE PARADE “Longish large pub. Standard ´spoons.“ |
| 60 /100 35 REGENT STREET “Top pub/restaurant with a handful of their own beers on cask.“ |
| 64 /100 35 REGENT STREET “This has much improved over the last year. Their own beers have improved in quality, there is a broader range of beers to choose from also the staff are much more welcoming.“ |
| 70 /100 Clarendon (Stonegate) (Bar) 44-46 CLARENDON AVENUE “Just a few minutes' walk away from town, this is a pleasantly laid-back place, notionally open-plan but split into several distinct areas. There's several sports TVs (seemingly always on but generally with the sound turned off) and a pool table. The decor is the usual bare floor/ battered furniture so in vogue these days, but with darker walls and quirky pictures to give a homely feel. There's a couple of cask beers from local brewers (Purity and Church Farm on our visit), plus six kegs (mainly standards from the likes of Goose Island and Lagunitas, but seasonals from Pipes brewery also seem to feature regularly. They'll do beer flights if you ask, and also have a small canned craft beer selection and a few real ciders (some local). The staff were very friendly, and it seemed pretty popular - their loyalty scheme no doubt helps retain local custom. The only downside was the food - my wrap had hardly any filling, whilst my wife's chicken and steamed buns was only lukewarm. On the plus side the food prices were pretty cheap, and as well as the usual ketchup etc there were more interesting bottled sauces (the katsu was particularly nice). Overall an enjoyable place which I would go back to if in the area - but I might eat elsewhere first.“ |
| 78 /100 Drawing Board (Bar) 18 NEWBOLD STREET “We visited The Drawing Board Friday 22nd June 2018, we came here after watching New Model Army gig at the Assembly Rooms, Leamington and visited with Steve Matthews and his partner Trish. Like the Clarendon the Drawing Board is located north of the centre though only 10-12 mins walk from the centre and a similar distance from the train station. Head past the pumprooms and over the water/river, turn right and either walk through the park or via the wide road alongside it called Newbold Terrace. The pub can be seen from here set a street back on the corner of Newbold Street and Rosefield Street. There seems to be a theatre type building close by. Inside its another good size place and somewhere else that has been opened out into bigger areas. It's a little bit strange the layout, a staircase sits opposite the bar, the standing area in front of the bar also seemed a little restricted and squashed when busy. We sat upstairs where there was quite a bit of space, it was also quite comfy and much quieter upstairs. It appears to cater for a slightly different crowd to the Clarendon, less in the way of student decor and TV screens and more meet and chat after the theatre, gig or a meal. The beer choice was good, with a good mix of Craft Keg and Cask. After a hot, sweaty gig the Verdant/Track Truckee at just 2.6% was the right choice, a cracking low abv beer, refreshing and hitting the spot perfectly I had two and a half pints of this. There was a couple of local beers on Cask but they were porter's or dark beers so I really took little or no notice of them. I liked this place, staff were friendly we chatted about Slowdive as I was wearing one of their shirts and we'd both been to the gig in Oxford last year. My favourite of the two pubs we visited this evening and definitely one I would recommend and certainly return to.“ |
| 72 /100 Clarendon (Stonegate) (Bar) 44-46 CLARENDON AVENUE “We visited the Clarendon Friday 22nd June 2018, we were off to a New Model Army gig at the Assembly Rooms, Leamington with Steve Matthews and his partner Trish. The Clarendon is located about 15-20 mins walk from the centre and a similar distance from the train station. Its roughly north of the centre, past the pumprooms and over the water/river. You can either carry on up the Parade and then turn right or cut through like we did, it's on the corner of an Avenue of the same name as the pub. Inside its a good size place. I never did a big explore but regardless it was a good size, sort of open plan but still with distinct room/areas. It was a little bit dark, the theme and decor was certainly more student oriented but we quite liked it. We sat in a room by the window to the side of the entrance, it was a little quieter in here. However there was still a big screen showing football, in fact there were a few screens scattered about with the football on, though the sound was muted so it wasn't too intrusive. There were three Sierra Nevada beers on tap Otra, Sidecar and another I forget however all new beers for me. Prices were pretty reasonable, service quick and staff friendly enough. We also ate here Fish and Chips with fried pickled Gherkins and Peppers so a fried fest'. Food was alright not great but absolutely fine and a good price. We liked it here and would definitely return if in the area. “ |
| 68 /100 Clarendon (Stonegate) (Bar) 44-46 CLARENDON AVENUE “Recently modernised and altered to fit the Stonegate Student Pub concept, which is happily a craft beer lead concept. It is a modern student type gaff, keg forward, there was a tap take-over by Pipes Brewery just before my visit. The staff are friendly and keen to explain what they want to do with the pub. One to keep an eye on.“ |
| 68 /100 White Horse Leamington (Bar) 4 CLARENDON AVENUE “Review Mar '18 = 68. Unfortunately the beer choice and service has reduced somewhat in here. Review May ’16 = 84. This pub has gone from strength to strength, they are big on craft keg beers with an extended range of guest beers, now a top notch pub. Now a destination pub and a must visit. Review Jan ’13 = 60. This pub is the place to be seen in Leamington, cool and comfortable with a reasonable beer range. Serves quite pricey food which nevertheless seems pretty popular. Just off the town centre from the top of the Parade. Very pleasant.“ |
| 78 /100 Drawing Board (Bar) 18 NEWBOLD STREET “Mar '18 rating = 78. Constantly improving Free House with really friendly and knowledgeable staff,
the beer range has improved, particularly the bottle inventory. Currently best place in Leamington Apr '17 rating = 68. Very smart newish bar in a grade 2 listed Georgian building the type of which Leamington Spa is well known for, close also to the glorious Jephson Gardens. Quite up market in character, it is comfortable with a range of furniture to try, even an old style Drawing Board. Quite foodie, quite large. Well worth seeking out.“ |
| 74 /100 Drawing Board Bottle Shop (Beer Store) 3 COURT STREET “This is quite an odd place to rate as it isn't really a bottle shop, but it isn't really a store either. The concept is aimed at the younger market offering a range of cool entertainment goods of which craft beer is part. Don't be fooled, as I was, when you walk in, the beer store is through to a back room. There is a really eclectic range of beers, you get the usual suspects of Cloudwater and Beavertown, with a good range of Kernel too, but some really unusual imports too. The pricing is keen as they are slightly out of town, but really handy for the railway station. It is a sister establishment to the really impressive Drawing Board Bar, so I would imagine there will be constant improvement in here. Well worth a look.“ |
| 60 /100 Slurp Wines (Beer Store) 121 REGENT STREET “This is predominantly a wine shop on a popular shopping street in Leamington Spa. Previously part of the SH Jones group but it looks like Slurp Wines have been split from this. The beer is on a single shelving unit at the rear of the shop, just a smallish selection with a few local Breweries represented then the normal Cloudwater / Beavertown then a couple of imports. Conveniently close to Leamington Wine Co.“ |
| 80 /100 Clarendon (Stonegate) (Bar) 44-46 CLARENDON AVENUE “Visited on January 2018. Nice friendly venue, with some good real ales and tap selection. Although there´s only 5 taps (on my visit) the selection is interesting and very crafty. Service was delightful. Next one please!“ |
| 62 /100 35 REGENT STREET “Vsiited on January 2018, thursday night. Nice looking modern brewpub. Selection is limited. Next one please!“ |
| 32 /100 Greyhound (Bar) 35 KENNEDY SQUARE “I had added this to the site after picking it up on Whatpub as an interesting looking place, turns out to be a busy, boisterous back street boozer just off the town centre with very little beer choice. Not one for me to return to.“ |
| 58 /100 Old Library (Stonegate) (Bar) 11 BATH STREET “This is the pub that has eplaced the Wetherspoons Jug & Jester at the bottom end of Leamington and it is something of a Spoons-alike. The bar has been changed so its much more accessible, more seating and more televisions showing wall to wall sport. There was a reasonable range of beers, slightly surprising for this chain in my experience, at very good prices. It was worth going in but not a place I would visit regularly.“ |
| 42 /100 Benjamin Satchwell (JDW) (Bar) 112-114 THE PARADE “May ’16 rating = 42. No further improvements in here and a pretty standard range of local beers. Nov ’14 Rating 42. An improved rating for this, much cleaner and brighter at present with a subsequently happier atmosphere. Families enjoying an evening out. Improving. Apr ’14 rating 36. Ok, hands up, we have only visited this on Friday nights when it is completely rammed by paralletic youngsters, but this one does seem to attract the pre club, get your cheap booze down you quick mob. Very difficult to get served and dirty carpets and tables. Not one for the faint hearted (on Friday nights). Not good.“ |
| 60 /100 Woodland Tavern (Bar) 3 REGENT STREET “This is a quiet, on my visit, local away from the town centre, but not too far from the new Fizzy Moon Brew house. The beers were pretty standard locals on my visit. Quite a basic boozer but reasonable enough.“ |
| 68 /100 Woodland Tavern (Bar) 3 REGENT STREET “Visited mid afternoon Saturday 02 April. Friendly 2 bar street corner local with a small beer garden.
Enjoyed a couple of pints of well kept Lancaster - Blonde.“ |
| 76 /100 Leamington Wine Company (Beer Store) 99 WARWICK STREET, “Mostly a wine shop (as the name suggests) but also has a selection of 100+ beers, mostly British, but also a small selection of Belgian and American beers. Worth a visit if you’re passing.“ |
| 56 /100 Royal Pug (Bar) 141 REGENT STREET “Nice pub in the centre of Leamington spa. I’m sure it’s not the best pub in town, but it was nice enough. More a food place, but they did have 9 hand pumps. The pub has wifi, and is dog friendly.“ |
| 44 /100 Benjamin Satchwell (JDW) (Bar) 112-114 THE PARADE “Large Jdw , very slow service, 3 staff for a 25 metre long bar is just not enough, it had a fair few in, even though I went in early evening. Decent range of cask ales, but i stuck to the U.S. cans and bottles, which were very reasonably priced.“ |
| 72 /100 Leamington Wine Company (Beer Store) 99 WARWICK STREET, “Mainly wine orientated, oddly enough. A few shelves of a nice variety of UK, US and European micro brews, reasonable prices.“ |
| 60 /100 Royal Pug (Bar) 141 REGENT STREET “Modern, pretty food oriented. OK cask selection, not so good on the bottles.“ |
| 62 /100 Benjamin Satchwell (JDW) (Bar) 112-114 THE PARADE “Reasonably large Spoons, decent enough cask choice. Very handy for breakfast as it was jus t across the road from my hotel.“ |
| 70 /100 Leamington Wine Company (Beer Store) 99 WARWICK STREET, “This is a handy wine shop, just off the town centre, with a pretty decent range of well chosen beers. There are 2 racks full of beers from Britain, Europe and further afield, one or two quite rare. The prices are a little highish but the service is friendly and knowledgeable. Well worth a visit.“ |
| 52 /100 Royal Pug (Bar) 141 REGENT STREET “Refitted and smartened up pub close to the centre of town. Food orientated on the whole but of the Pizza and Burger variety. There are 5 Hand Pulls, 4 in use, mostly of local, easy to find beers, nothing out of the ordinary but visitors may find a winner. Close to Leamington Wines.“ |
| 62 /100 Benjamin Satchwell (JDW) (Bar) 112-114 THE PARADE “Visited 28th March 2014 at start of Beer festival so a decent range of ale on.
Busy single roomed Spoons, usual cross section of society in there and a reasonable Spoons.
Situated over the River from the Station (about 10 min walk).
“ |
| 80 /100 Leamington Wine Company (Beer Store) 99 WARWICK STREET, “Specialises in wines and spirits but there’s an excellent range of beers just inside the door on the left. Ales from the local area and all corners of the UK, including many from the Scottish islands. World beers from Belgium, Germany, France, Spain, the USA and a few other countries too - I picked up one from Barbados and Czech Republic that I hadn’t encountered before. Friendly service too. Recommended.“ |
