ONE PUB ONLY? Sweet Green Tavern CRAWLING FROM RAILWAY STATION TO THE GROUND? The Ground is miles away so the best is to do Sweet Green Tavern, Hen and Chickens, then Doffcocker and Hope and Anchor then taxi to the ground SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT? Sweet Green Tavern  CHANGES FROM GUIDE Howcroft - Locals recommendations                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Doffcocker Inn 780 Chorley Old Road, BL1 5QE   T 01204 497426   G John Bradford   F Excellent steakhouse food 12 to 3, 11 to 4 Sat. No food Sun CP   SK   JB   P   D O 11 - 11, 12 - 10.30 Sun          John is a recent arrival at the Doffcocker and rejuvenation is fully under way. The building itself is something of a splendid memorial to pub architecture, the people who use it a testament to northern good humour, the beer a tribute to how Holt’s is worth seeking out up north.          Firstly, the building. It is designed to a calendar theme. Four floors (the seasons), 12 cellar rooms, 52 doors, 365 panes of glass, 7 rooms on each floor, get the drift? In traditional pub style the Doffcocker has a natural selection process in operation. The early evening builders use the front bar and later return all spruced up to use the lounge. This is a proper suburban village pub in the grand old style, a roadside inn with a touch of class. The locals I met were totally friendly and ready to welcome this weird stranger into their lunchtime session. Ready to help with my search for ale with honest advice and a realistic view of why some pubs were not as good as others, I felt that this would be a great place to catch a glimpse of true Bolton life.. Finally there was the beer. The Holts range may soon have guest ale to add to the choices. It makes a great stopping off point on the 125 bus route from town to Horwich, especially as the complementary choice is found in the pub opposite. BWV 12.10.05:  Holt Bitter, Mild Hen and Chickens 143 Deansgate, BL1 1EX   T 01204 389836    G Anthony and Hilary Coyne   F Full menu  11.30 to 2 Mon - Sat   MP   TV   BM O 11.30 - 11.30, 7 - 11 Sun           This pub has variety and coziness to spare. There are many places to hide away, with a programme or beer guide, or, as the locals do, gather around the bar and engage in cross-bar “Cheers style” conversation. The pub is a bit of a Bolton legend, having a range of guests that enrich the diet of national staples. I loved the room nearest the bar, especially the photos and shirt of Wynn Davies alongside Wanderers memorabilia. There are also many references to Bolton's role in the Charge of the Light Brigade. This pub therefore is recommended for a stop-off in the town centre for those using public transport from the town centre on Saturdays or midweek. On Sundays it will have to be after the game. The locals hold this place in spotless reverence; visitors love the genuine Bolton welcome. UPDATE:  The pub was exactly the same when visited this year. BWV 1.3.05:  Greene King Old Speckled Hen,  Kelham Island Pale Island,  Wadworth JCB,  Tetley’s Cask Bitter,  Cains Mild BWV 12.10.05 Brains SA Cains Mild, Greene King Morlands Original, Marston’s Pedigree, Tetley’s Cask Bitter Hope and Anchor 747 Chorley Old Road, BL1 5QH   T 01204 842650   G Jean Foster   F Sandwiches from 12   CP   SK   JB   P O 12 -12, 12 - 10.30 Sun             As promised in last year’s guide I now include the Hope and Anchor, and have no hesitation in doing so. In total contrast to others in the guide this place represents the fast-disappearing type of cosy front parlour pub that should be cherished. The beer range reflects only a lack of bar frontage. The quality is as good as it might be when owned by Clive, who also owns the Howcroft.. Jean has been here for 10 years and has created a great friendly locals’ community in the pub. The cottage feel is obvious down to the bare boards and fireplaces and the wooden stairs in the bar. It consists of three snug rooms off the enlarged central standing area. My favourite snug has Lofthouse memorabilia in the darts/library room.           It was also great to meet Sarah, holding the fort before heading off to The Howcroft beer festival: good company and obviously dedicated to the real ale cause. She assured me this is a big sports fans’ local, as well as being popular for darts, cribbage, quizzes etc. The pub welcomes well-behaved children, just like your were welcomed as a youngster by your granny: I dared not make a mess in her living room and to be honest I wouldn't want to here either. BWV 12.10.05:  Lees Bitter,  Tetley’s Cask Bitter,  Timothy Taylor Landlord Sweet Green Tavern 127 Crook St, BL3 6DD   T 01204 392258   G Kevin Banks   MP   TV   P O 12 - late           It was great to meet Kevin and so be able to put the Sweet Green into this year’s guide. It is a well-established stopping-off point for many real ale and footie fans, not only those going to watch Bolton. Kevin is a bit of a footie nut which always helps when you first enter a new pub. On a similar vein, the staff are famous for knowing their customers and making others welcome. Cheers Jan!          There isn’t enough space here to do this place justice. Spotless, cosy, yet lively and eclectic - it has something for everyone and is comfortable for all folk. It is host to many groups, including blind and deaf groups as well as being sponsors of (trivia question alert!) the oldest football team in England, as well as Bolton Ladies. Add in the brilliant art work of Paul Titterton and you get a flavour of how Kevin wants for, and gives, something special to his customers. There is a strict no swearing policy, further helping to create the ambience of being a treasured friend rather than what it might be; a lonely, post - regeneration, Sainsbury’s car park anachronism. You can imagine sitting in midwinter beside the award-winning natural coal fire and wanting never to leave for that last train or to put the shopping away. As for the game, the train will take you fairly close to the ground, or why not stay longer and get a taxi with the regulars. (Trivia hint, not Notts. County) BWV 12.10.05:  Adnams Broadside,  Ansells Mild,  Bank Top Flat Cap,  Fuller’s London Pride,  Greene King IPA,  Tetley’s Cask Bitter,  Timothy Taylor Landlord REEBOK STADIUM  LOCAL BREWERY Bank Top Brewery The Pavillion Ashworth Lane Bolton 01204 595800 www.banktopbrewery.com WETHERSPOONS The Spinning Mule  Unit 2, Nelson Square  Bolton  BL1 1JT  Opening Times:  Sun-Thu 9am-midnight; Fri/Sat 9am-1am  The Robert Shaw  34-40 Market Street  Westhoughton  BL5 3AN  Opening Times:  Sun-Thu 9am-midnight; Fri/Sat 9am-1am