Historical version 9 of Far From The Madding Crowd (view current version)
- 240900
- 10 Friar's Entry
- 11-11; 12-10.30 Sun
This is a new pub owned by Noel Ryan, former owner of Jude The Obscure and father of the owner of the Half Moon. I personally can't stand the man but he knows how to run a good pub. There's always one or two interesting guest beers, and the food is good. (But a little over-priced.) Tim Taylor's Landlord and Black Sheep are regular beers there, which is a good sign.
The atmosphere is arty, with a stage for performances (I haven't been to any yet) and usually pictures (for sale) hung on the walls. They attempt to separate smokers from non-smokers, a Good Thing, and it's quite light and airy.
They've had two beer festivals with around eight or ten different cask ales on, so this looks like an up-and-coming place for real ale folk.
Decent food is served at lunchtimes, and on weekday (Mon-Thur) evenings until 8pm. It's served until 7pm on Friday, as of October 2003.
Paid £2.10 for a Guest Mild, early July 2003. £2.40 for a different guest beer (Hadrian's Legion)
Acoustic music on Sunday evening, occasional poetry readings.