Bushey Mill Lane, Watford. Visited: 1.15pm Saturday.

THIS is a blokes' pub. Young blokes, old blokes and really old blokes. Blokes everywhere; watching football on a very big screen, playing pool (two tables), drinking hard and having loud blokey conversations about football, cars and women (in that order).

There's loads of seating but just about everyone hovers around the bar, like it's some sort of life support. Perhaps it is.

Bar staff seemed pleasant enough, all wearing the same "welcome to the Tudor" shirts. They are sufficiently beer-smattered not to be twee.

I didn't eat. The huge portions looked just like the pictures on the menu trouble is, one often finds the plastic-coated menu is a little more tasty than the food it is advertising. Still there was plenty of ketchup and pepper.

There are three bars. They are in a sort of open plan which means you can see into the other two from whichever one you are in.

There's also a beer garden with grass and tables. Don't expect Britain in Bloom-style hanging baskets, do expect dog ends in the grass.

The car park is not huge, and one suspects some of the cars there are parked for life there was at least one with a wheel missing and up on blocks.

Prices are reasonable (Stella £2.30) and a big meal for four or five quid.

All in all, a decent pub. Nothing special, but the local blokes love it.

FA

June 17, 2002 15:30