CITY MAKES IT A TREBLE!
Three Stoke-on-trent pubs have been singled out for praise in The Good Pub Guide 2022. The guide includes a list of the watering holes judges consider the best in the country. The pubs mentioned in the guide feature in its ‘worth a visit’ list. Six others
THE BULLS HEAD
Located in Burslem, the home of famous Stokeon-trent brewery Titanic, the Bulls Head offers a wide selection of ales from the brewery located not far from its St John’s Square location. It features a horseshoe bar and, in addition to the Titanic beers you’d expect, has a good selection of Belgian beers and ciders.
There is live music, which visitors can enjoy sat next to an open fire, as well as an outdoor area. Fans of Titanic beer would do well to pay this one a visit.
The Good Pub Guide says: “Old-fashioned two-room tap for Titanic with up to ten real ales (including guests) from horseshoe bar. A good selection of Belgian beers, real ciders and wines; well cared-for interior with varnished tables on wood or carpeted floors, coal fire; monthly live folk music, bar billiards and table skittles; drinking area outside (may be barbecue if Port Vale are at home), open all day Fri-sun, closed until 3pm other days.”
Location: St John’s Square, Burslem, ST6 3AJ.
THE GLEBE
Located just outside the Civic Centre in Stoke, the Glebe has a richly decorated interior, featuring Minton-tiled floors, as well as wood panelling and mounted deer. The pub offers hot food, as well as an excellent cheese selection and paté from a deli counter serving late into the evening. Beers are mostly from Joules brewery in Market Drayton. There are regular music nights on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The Good Pub Guide says: “Well restored 19th-century Joules corner pub. They have ales, Weston’s cider and good reasonably priced wines from central mahogany counter, William Morrisattributed leaded windows, bare boards and panelling, some civic portraits and a big fireplace with coat of arms above. There is wholesome bar food (not Sun), an all-day deli counter, friendly staff; live music on Tuesday, open mic on Thursday. Children and dogs are welcome, with benches in a small garden. Closed Monday evening, otherwise open all day.”
Location: 35 Glebe Street, Stoke, ST4 1HG.
THE HOLY INADEQUATE
A real-ale pub boasting its own microbrewery, which supplies several of the lines on the bar. It doesn’t get much fresher than a pint brewed just metres away.
There is also a good selection of bottled beers displayed on a TV screen menu opposite the bar. Substantial snacks, including pork pies with chutney, are on offer, as well as a huge cast-iron stove to keep cozy in winter. Eagle-eyed visitors might recognise an unusual mural of fantasy characters from its old location in the former Full Moon in Newcastle.
The Good Pub Guide says: “Drinkers’ pub with five well kept ales including Joules Pale and maybe one from on-site microbrewery. A good range of British craft kegs, German lagers and lots of bottled beers, snacky food such as pies and Scotch eggs, friendly staff. Dogs are welcome and there’s an outdoor covered terrace. It is open all day Fri-sun, and from 4pm other days.”
Location: 67 Etruria Old Road, Etruria, Stoke-ontrent, ST1 5PE.