Secret Drinker reviews The White Hart in Boston
Sometimes it’s the atmosphere that makes a trip to the pub memorable, on other occasions it’s the venue.
Perhaps a little more rarely, it’s the drink that sees you leaving with a smile.
And on this occasion I’m going to have to rave about the drink because it seems nobody else does.
The White Hart hotel is a picturesque grand-old building which would have looked even more stunning were it not low tide with the muddy banks of the River Haven visible as I strolled past on my way in.
But I couldn’t complain about the view inside as I walked through the door and into a well-presented place.
It was evident this was more than just a boozer within seconds of entering.
When the first thing that greets you is a cake stand, it doesn’t take Columbo to figure out this isn’t going to be some spit ‘n sawdust spot.
Mind you, you wouldn’t have to be Mary Berry to instantly realise the Bakewell tart looked flipping good.
This was lunchtime and, like so many bar-eateries at this time of today, doing a roaring trade with diners and a few others who popped in for a drink (sadly, most of them opting for a cup of coffee and making me question whether I had issues).
Thankfully the nice, modern-looking, well-lit and well-stocked, bar wasn’t crowded so I took the opportunity to check out the pumps and the fridge… and it was there I spotted the bottles of Menabrea tucked away at the back.
Although I struggle to find this Italian lager anywhere barring a few local shops (this was the first time I’d spotted it in a bar), it’s a favourite of mine… and seemingly nobody else’s.
“I forgot we had this,” laughed the barmaid after I placed my order and she took a few seconds to figure out what word this presumed-idiot was saying to her.
In her defence, I probably wasn’t pronouncing it probably.
I say ‘men-ah-bray-ah’ when she’s probably used to hearing ‘eh, what’s that thing with the white label hidden away down there?’
A bit like how some people pronounce it ‘Fozz-ters’ and I call it… well… let’s leave that there, shall we?
But no matter what it’s real name is, it really is an absolutely fantastic ‘birra blonda’ - as those crazy brewers from Piedmont say - and deserves a wider audience.
At £5.30 for a 330ml this felt steep and perhaps explains the lack of takers. But it’s a beer I was, for one drink only, happy to buy.
If you prefer a much-cheaper drink there’s a Wetherspoons across the road; but I’ve already made my feelings about that place clear.
Purchase made, I took a seat on a sofa and - as seating space was now at a premium - a couple of ladies and their dog asked to join me.
Read more Secret Drinker reviews here.
Happy to help and always delighted to be licked (the dog, sadly) I enjoyed my drink while taking in my surroundings.
Boston’s White Hart is a good looking spot. It still carries strong hotel bar vibes — but with that you can always expect a level of comfort and cleanliness that not everywhere offers.
There were plenty of nice-looking outdoor spots for a warmer day, while the back room of the bar offered more drinking and dining space.
Slapped right at the back was a glass-surrounded dining area — which is presumably there to offer those inside a sense of privacy and importance, even if it just gave off feeding time at the zoo vibes to us amateur Attenboroughs looking in.
Despite trying for the purposes of balance and fairness - and even weighing up the pros and cons of your own private munching box that looks like Hannibal Lecter’s cell - I couldn’t really find anything negative to say about the White Hart, except perhaps the price of my drink.
It’s pleasant, clean, attractive, has one of my favourite drinks and stocks great-looking muffins.
There’s nothing quirky or crazy, no larger-than-life interactions or moments to report.
Like a Costa Coffee in bar form, it’s clearly a created for an ask-no-questions mass market and - although not necessarily my kind of go-to place - clearly exceptionally good at attracting the people it wants to attract.
Perhaps my only real gripe would be there wasn’t nearly enough leg licking.
THE WHITE HART HOTEL, HIGH STREET, BOSTON, PE21 8SH
DECOR: It’s simple and pleasant, created for mass market appeal. But there’s nothing offensive about it all and it is clean, well presented and, well, nice. 3/5
DRINK: I had a bottle of Menabrea (ABV 4.8%), an Italian Birra Blonda, which was absolutely fantastic. 4/5
PRICE: Here’s the catch. I paid £5.30 for a 330ml bottle. At that price, one is enough. 2/5
ATMOSPHERE: The place was full and lively enough with the clinks of cutlery and chat from tables. Even the dog was having a good time. 3/5
STAFF: The barmaid was very nice and chatty. 4/5
Click here to follow Secret Drinker on Twitter/X.
Do you agree with the secret drinker or have any suggestions where he should go next? Email secretdrinker@lincsonline.co.uk or comment below.
