Pub 132, Day 49 – The Bloomery

By Rob

Remember the big events of 2013? The death of Nelson Mandela, the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, and Pubquest visiting The Place in Broomhill.

Back then, it received a short and critical review. I could barely tell the difference between it and a branch of Wetherspoons, yet still found it innocuous enough to award it 6/10. We didn’t hate The Place, but neither of us imagined we’d be going back. But here we were, back in Broomhill, because the pub had reinvented itself. Before us, in the place where once The Place had stood, was The Bloomery.

We’d wrestled with the decision about whether or not the rules required this of us. Was this not the same pub, albeit with a new name? It wasn’t as if The Place had closed its doors for months, to be finally reopened as a completely new business. This was merely a refurbishment and a renaming. Did it warrant a revisit?

As so many times before, we abided by the better-safe-than-sorry principle, and decided we needed to tick it off the list (again?). Thus, The Bloomery Rule was established.

It hadn’t changed very much, but it had improved. The decor was a bit more unique, looking like a cross between a chain pub and an American bar. It still seemed more like someplace you’d eat, rather than drink, although the range of guest beers was very good. We each ordered a pint of Golden Goose – a pale ale with gentle citrus flavours, which ranked somewhere just above average.

The Bloomery now boasted not one, but two pool tables at the far end of the venue. Alas, Andy absolutely pasted me 6-0. The pub had improved slightly since 2013, but my ability to play pool had remained remarkably consistent.

The visit itself was relatively uneventful, but for one thing: we knew we’d set a dreadful, taxing precedent. From now on, all it would take was a change of name and a lick of paint, and we’d be back. Pubquest forever, and ever, and ever.

Bloomery pool score: Andy 6-0 Rob

Pubquest pool score: Andy 59-35 Rob

Pub: The Bloomery (Nile Street, S10 2PQ)

Rating: 6.5/10

Pint: Golden Goose

Brewery: Little Critters Brewing Company (Sheffield)

NEXT UP: Andy's girlfriend guest-blogs, at The Norton...