Coventry Pubs

Hi all I love this

Walked past the old Butts Retreat earlier, closed. It opened up recently as The Hamptons bar and grill promising Live Music, DJ's etc. Was a little surprised to see a note on the door saying it has been repossessed by the owners. Looks like no-one can make a go of it anymore. So surprised given the location right by the rugby ground. Another one bites the dust again.

Shame - I thought it had only just reopened?! As you say I've always thought it would get a good trade from the rugby. Perhaps someone needs to open it up as a proper pub / sports bar. Wonder who the owners are?

Yes it had Neil. Was open for about 2 weeks max I'd say. Popped in for a beer opening night. There was a handful of people in. Some for food, some for beer. Staff were really nice and the food looked decent enough. They even handed out flyers and came over to the table to say what their plans were. Sports bar would be a good plan but I'd have thought it'll end up being demolished. It has a fairly chunky piece of land there if you include the car park and garden. It does seem like someone is living there though. There were lights on upstairs so maybe being let separately. I don't think Enterprise own it anymore, even they wouldn't have let it stay boarded up for so long before re-opening. I suspect they offloaded it at some point.

Hearing 'Rainbows' aka The Admiral Lord Rodney has closed down.

I suppose the rugby team are only there on alternate Saturdays so what trade can they expect for the remaining 13 days.

The Butts is pretty busy all year round now. If Cov are not playing there's either Coventry United, some fairly big gigs being held there now as well as the Bears in Rugby League during the Union close season. That combined with Earlsdon Village going up and the additional accommodation for the Uni in and around Queens Road and I'd have thought there would be a fairly decent crowd around there nowdays. The Aardvark, aka Hen and Chicks, seems a lot busier these days as does Akbar's.

NeilsYard, you are correct, Rainbows has closed its doors for the last time on New Year's Day. I think it's been quiet for a little while now with the usual Enterprise beer prices being £3.90 for Carling. It's hard to sustain. Although parts of the building are listed so although there will probably be a change of use, I doubt there will be much structural change. I was privy to see the parts of the old city walls once that currently reside in the underground (but not used) cellars. About The Hamptons, I'll try and keep everyone posted about what happens there. I suspect demolition and housing given the size of the land.

Hi Ace! Thanks for your 80s memories, these would look very good in new book I'm writing about 1980s Coventry. Would you consider letting me include them? Do get in touch if you can. Look forward to hearing! Ruth

Coombe Abbey pub to become flats - link

There's not been any mention on here that, during 2017, the "Tudor Rose" (or "Tally Ho!" to our older readers) has been refurbished and reopened as "The Philip Larkin"

Lovely pub that. I only remember it as the Wine Lodge.

I guess that's the only Coventry pub named after a KHVIII kid? Although I bet there are a few bottles inside, named after another one!

I can imagine Larkin would be mortified to know that a Coventry pub has been named after him.

Formerly The Peeping Tom in Cromwell Lane - here's a report on Hickory's Smokehouse