Hidden away just outside the city centre, lovers of real ale and traditional, friendly pubs might just find this is their new favourite watering hole.

The Venue
Amid the high rise buildings and in the heart of a professional and intimidating landscape nestles the Grove Inn, a traditional English pub, well known locally for its folk music tradition. Around a five to 10 minute walk from the train station past Brewery Wharf and Bridgewater Place, this little pub is well worth a brief diversion out of the city.

Split into several cosy little rooms, and with a covered outdoor smoking area, this place hosts live acoustic music most nights of the week in their larger back room. It's warmly coloured with wood panelling and tables converted from old sewing machines.

A lot of people are drawn here for the music, but if you’re not a fan of folk you could easily settle yourself in another of the smaller rooms, all a little down at heel in exactly the right cosy, comforting kind of way without being dishevelled or run-down.

The People
It has a solid reputation for good beer alongside good folk, so attracts a loyal clientele of ale lovers. Its location means that it does attract some city workers from nearby as well as music and beer lovers from all walks of life.

The clientele is as mixed as the music played and the live music might be acoustic, but the sound system in the rest of the pub is a little more boisterous.

The atmosphere here is friendly and jolly and everyone seems to get along. The staff are also very friendly and chat happily while pouring your pint.

The Food
Food is served daily from 12pm to 2pm on a weekday and 1pm to 3pm on Sundays, with no catering on Saturdays. The lunchtime menu offers sandwiches and refreshments and judging by the drinks menu and general ambience of the venue this will be traditional and hearty, but pretty simple. Punters come here for the beer and music, not so much for a slap-up meal.

The Drink
Cask marque accredited, the Grove Inn has a good reputation for real ale, and is home to an often rotating roster of guest ales for around £2.40 for a pint of mild as well as pale ales and other selections, mainly from local breweries, or if you prefer wheat beer then Hoegaarden is also on tap. As the reputation would suggest, all beers are kept well and there’s something to drink whatever your tastes.

There are a few lagers to choose from (Becks Vier), but this is a less represented beverage. The Grove Inn is a real ale pub through and through. A selection of wines are available for around £2.68 a glass and there’s also a good choice of spirits if you fancy something a little stronger like a warming whiskey.

The Last Word
This pub is a hidden gem for anyone who likes to enjoy a good beer in friendly and comfortable surroundings, but if you’re a fan of folk music and have never heard of the Grove Inn get down there now!

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