PUB GUIDE
This is intended as a rough guide to drinking in Berwick. Plenty pubs in Berwick town centre and over the River Tweed in Tweedmouth, some good some not so good. I've not listed all the pubs you could try as there are loads, but you won't go far wrong with the boozers below.
The Castle Hotel, Castlegate
If you are arriving in Berwick by train this is the first watering hole you'll come across. Very comfortable surroundings with good beer and a warm welcome from Ian & Linda Woods. Handy for a sharp half before you get back on the train.
Pool Table: No, Jukebox: No, Bar Meals: No, Real Ale: Yes
The Pilot Inn, Low Greens
A 5 minute walk from The Castle, The Pilot is managed by Trust committee member Stephen Scott 'aka'. They offer good selection of drinks as well as bar meals in the summer months. Also, if you are looking for somewhere to stay, they offer comfortable accommodation for £25 per person. Tel: 01289 304214.
The Free Trade, Castlegate
Now I appreciate it's not somewhere you'd go for a rousing atmosphere on a Saturday afternoon, nor would it be first choice to meet with a new girlfriend, but it is absolutely unique in Berwick. The interior is virtually unchanged from the 1950's (and the regulars are still the same too). Any pub connoisseur would not want to miss it, even though there is no real ale available since Eddie passed away. And whatever you think, you won't get a better welcome from any owner/barmaid/landlady than Brenda Collins. Definitely worth a visit on a crawl through town just because it's so different, and certainly better than the Brewers.
Pool Table: Yes, Jukebox: Yes, Bar Meals: No, Real Ale: No
Thanks to Stuart Bell
Red Lion, Castlegate
More of a Saturday night pub, loads of things going on at the weekend but a decent enough pub if you are on a crawl.
Pool Table: Yes, Jukebox: Yes, Bar Meals: Yes, Real Ale: No
Brewers Arms, Marygate
A pub which is part of the 'John Barras' chain. They do cheap food and cheap beer but that is all it has going for it. Pool table is 80p! Far better off to keep walking down the street where you'll find a JD Weatherspoons.
Pool Table: Yes, Jukebox: Yes, Bar Meals: Yes, Real Ale: No
The Leaping Salmon, Golden Square
Cheap food and ale, a good starting point for most away fans visiting Berwick. As it is a 'JD Weatherspoons' it doesn't have a jukebox, or a pool table, or any atmosphere! But worth a visit for the cheap drink.
Pool Table: No, Jukebox: No, Bar Meals: Yes, Real Ale: Yes
The Brown Bear, Hide Hill
Decent atmosphere on a Saturday afternoon and very lively at night. The main 'party pub' in Berwick with Karaoke, DJs and live acts. Good offers on house spirits.
Pool Table: Yes, Jukebox: Yes, Bar Meals: Yes, Real Ale: No
Foxtons, Hide Hill
Berwick's only wine bar. Not a usual haunt for second division football fans on a Saturday afternoon but worth a visit if you want to mix with Berwick's young executives. Aye right.
Pool Table: No, Jukebox: No, Bar Meals: No, Real Ale: Yes
The Barrels Alehouse, Bridge End- Recommended
This is a really cool pub. Good beer (real ales, four lagers) and good atmosphere, despite the fact the main bar is very small. You will find Berwick fans in here earlier in the day, around about 1pm before they take a walk over the water to Tweedmouth. They do bar meals in the summer months.
Pool Table: No, Jukebox: No, Bar Meals: Yes, Real Ale: Yes
The Thatch, West End, Tweedmouth
Walk over the old bridge and you are in Tweedmouth. The Thatch has recently been refurbished and it is looking really smart inside, with an interior you'd expect to find in an up market bar in Edinburgh. Good pub but a bit out of the way.
Pool Table: No, Jukebox: No, Bar Meals: No, Real Ale: Yes
The Harrow, Main Street, Tweedmouth
This place used to be quite busy on a matchday however they seem to have lost a lot of trade to 'The Angel'. A locals pub, with the odd lorry driver on a stop over as the lorry park is situated opposite.
Pool Table: Yes, Jukebox: Yes, Bar Meals: No, Real Ale: No
The Angel, Brewery Bank, Tweedmouth- Recommended
My own favourite pub for a pint before the match, however since the Black & Gold has re-opened next to the ground, most home fans have migrated. Busy pub with a good pool table and real ale. The beer garden can be a bonus on a hot summers day.
Pool Table: Yes, Jukebox: Yes, Bar Meals: No, Real Ale: Yes
The Queens Head, Main Street, Tweedmouth
This pub has never been as popular as the Angel, despite being virtually next door. A few away supporters tend to pile in here to check the scores after the match.
Pool Table: Yes, Jukebox: Yes, Bar Meals: No, Real Ale: No
The Black & Gold, Shielfield Park- RECOMMENDED
I can't recommend this any higher. Recently done out after standing empty for 2 years, by the same people who own The Angel. Very spacious with a pool table and at least a dozen tables scattered around the room. It is always busy before and after the match, with a cracking atmosphere. There is a huge screen TV with Sky Sports, very handy for catching the scores at full time. The bait is basic but tasty, cheese burger and chips costs around £2.50. All this and it is only a few yards to stagger to the ground!
Pool Table: Yes, Jukebox: Yes, Bar Meals: Yes, Real Ale: Yes
If you've been out for a drink in Berwick please feel free to send me your own review and I'll publish it. mail@berwickrangers.co.uk
