Coventry – Gatehouse Tavern

After an NEC evening meal, my friend Richard demanded that we go to a pub in Coventry city centre and so I decided I would be helpful in accompanying them. The Gatehouse Tavern is a Good Beer Guide listed pub and has appeared regularly in the book. The building was formerly the gate house to the Leigh Mills, a worsted and cotton manufacturer (or whatever the right word is there) and it was turned into a pub in the 1980s, although with some significant modifications.

A map from the 1870s, the pub is just about the second ‘T’ on Hill Street.

The beer selection with around seven real ales available. The service was friendly and warm, it felt a welcoming pub to visit.

The interior is atmospheric and comfortable. I didn’t investigate, but there’s also a large beer garden and judging by the on-line reviews they seem to do keenly priced food at lunchtimes.

Stuff that’s on in the next few weeks, there’s regular live music here.

The first beer, the Waves from Twisted Barrel which was a lemony and sessionable pale ale, pleasant but a little thin. Incidentally, Richard was happier than the photo suggests.

The second beer, the Mild from Silhill Brewery which had roasted flavours and a slight creaminess to it. Both beers were well-kept, at the appropriate temperature and the glasses were clean.

This is a rather lovely pub and it’s another one of those venues that I might have walked by if it wasn’t listed in the Good Beer Guide, but I’m glad to have visited.