If the idea of a smaller micropub trail is more of your preference then the Derby suburb of Allestree may just provide that for you. This affluent city suburb was previously described as an ‘ale desert’ i.e. there was not much choice for real ale drinkers.
Thankfully today there is a much better choice available in the Allestree area for real ale thanks in part to the arrival of a couple of micropubs. Although we say a couple, this trail actually consists of three small watering holes as we’ve also included a third micropub located on the main commuter road between Allestree and Derby city centre.
To help us to get to each of the micropubs on this trail we will enlist the use of the main local bus route, Trent Barton’s Allestree service, aptly named after the suburb that it serves. The service starts and finishes in Derby city centre, travelling through Allestree before making a loop upon heading back to the city centre.
This trail starts from the city centre and working towards Allestree. You can if you prefer choose to do this trail in reverse by starting in Allestree and work towards the city centre.
Do remember to enjoy visiting these fine small watering holes, and of course DRINK RESPONSIBLY!
Bus route for this trail – Trent Barton Allestree
All day bus ticket available? – YES, Trent Barton ZigZag
1 – Creaky Floorboard
Leaving Derby city centre we travel along the main corridor into Allestree, but before we even arrive in the suburb we reach our first stop on this trail. The Creaky Floorboard is different from most micropubs in that it’s not based in a former retail shop, but has in-fact been established in part of a residential unit.
2 – Pothole
Our second stop on this trail takes us to Allestree’s first micropub, The Pothole, located in the suburb’s main shopping centre. This micropub, situated in a former dry cleaners, is named after that of a former pub in the same shopping complex. This single-room venue opened up as a micropub back in 2017 and has been a welcome staple in Allestree’s real ale scene ever since.
3 – No. 189
Last but by no means least we head to the smaller of Allestree’s two main shopping areas where you will find the No. 189 micropub, a former launderette and then beauticians turned small watering hole. As well as serving up a fine selection of ales and other tipples this micropub also hosts various street food events on a regular basis.