Address : 161-163 Mansfield Road, Nottingham, NG1 3FR
When you walk into the Poacher you get the impression it’s been there for ever. But it actually only opened in its present guide in the late 1980s. At times, there’s a whiff of a wild west saloon in here – but don’t let that put you off.
There’s an ever changing range of real ales on the multiple bar pumps, propped up by house brews from Castle Rock. And – as seems to be the theme with the company – an impressive top shelf of whiskies.
The beer garden here used to be a cigarette ridden hell hole, but a refurbishment a couple of years ago massively improved the area with large murals on the walls and some cutesy beach huts which double up as smoking shelters. Spring 2021 has seen a further makeover with extra heaters for outdoor service.
Music? Sunday night and Bank Holiday folky rock type gigs were a regular feature pre-Pandemic, otherwise make your own conversation.
Food? We could live on the pork scratching here, which used to be sold in plain bags. A basic menu of pub grub is on offer as well as Sunday lunches.
People? Mansfield Road backs onto studentville around the Arboretum but the Poacher balances this out with a mix of proper ale lovers and bohemians discussing politics.
Opinion? With the closure of other nearby drinking establishments, the Poacher doesn’t have too much immediate competition. But although the place barely ever changes, it’s not complacent. Consistently good service and beer.
Getting here : NCT Lime, Yellow and Brown lines, Trent Barton Threes and Calverton Connection – all to Mansfield Road
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