Well – possibly not – as we still like to think of ourselves as a rather more characterful village! However recent changes to Ruddington’s many eating and drinking outlets could easily make us the destination of choice over and above our bigger neighbour. Even since our last Newsletter TWO village refreshment venues have reopened.
Firstly, after shutting for the summer, McArtney’s received an offer to take over the running of their bar and bistro from John Noble and Max Harman of The Three Crowns. “We were looking to create a more exclusive and contemporary wine and tapas venue in our village, and this opportunity just came up”, explains John. And if the crowds queuing for cocktails on the 2nd of October were anything to go by they may well have succeeded! “We’ve restyled the interior to include more high ‘poseur’ chairs and tables suited to drinking and light snacks, new décor and lighting, and a new name – Bar Six. I’ll mainly be running this place, with new business partner Lucy Would, whilst Max continues to take care of the top house”.
“Yes, it’s no longer a restaurant”says Lucy “though we do offer a changing, blackboard selection of sharing platters and finger food for people to nibble on whilst they drink. We’ve a great range of wine and speciality cocktails, too. Bar Six is a place people can just pop into for a drink and a chat. We’re open every day except Monday”.
If real ale and tradition are more your thing then you’re already spoilt for choice in our many existing village inns.
And it’s just got even better! The completely refurbished Bricklayers’ Arms reopened on Hallowe’en – not only now with five hand-pumps on the bar but another 20 cask ales to choose from outside in their attractive, new, elevated beer garden. It’s hoped the cool £150,000 investment will transform its prospects into another destination for the discerning drinker.
The pub is now privately owned, and not run by a big pubco, with Richard Harvey and Barney Coombes taking on the lease. New landlady Sonia Day is already well known in the village from her time at both The Victoria Tavern and White Horse:
“We hope people like our new-look pub. As well as changes on the outside we’ve redone the interior in a “brickies” theme but it’s still a proper, traditional pub with a comfy, carpeted lounge and an extended Public Bar. We’ll have occasional ‘live’ music, a TV, pool table and private functions in there”
she explains “but the Lounge Bar is completely separate and designed for comfortable drinking and conversation – with no TV or music – and hopefully a real fire in the winter! We’re majoring on beers from local breweries such as Castle Rock, Navigation and Lincoln Green. “
The new-look Bricklayers’ Arms offers rolls, sandwiches, paninis, cakes, teas and coffees. It’s also an adult pub with no children or dogs allowed.
“But”says Sonia“contrary to recent rumours, people wearing jeans WILL still be let in!”
By Graham Wright