Secret Drinker reviews The Stump & Candle in Boston
When I told a friend I was heading to this pub he sucked the air in through his teeth and wished me ‘good luck’.
The pal in question was quick to send me a screen grab he’d seen on a certain social media app where people over 30 go to complain, stating they’d never be going to The Stump & Candle again due to some bad experience at the place.
Well, in conflict to literary norms, I’m going to give you the moral early on: Never judge a pub by another.
That’s because my experience of this Boston boozer as nothing short of pleasant.
It was early evening when I arrived and a post-work crowd were already warmed up.
A group of young lads threw arrows at the dart board, lone drinkers nursed their pints as they watched the pre-match build-up on the big screens and a large group were having a wail of a time taking the Mick out of one another and throwing in a few risque tweaks as they sung along to a Nelly Furtado tune.
There were decent choices at the bar but, as a sucker for marketing, I spotted a blackboard telling me this particular ale was ‘legendary’ and I decided to go for a Brains.
Mind you, they appeared to be well into promoting the beers on offer as they also described the bitter and ‘best’ in suitably grand terms.
Taking a seat within ear shot of the lively mob, the first thing that I noticed was just how warm this place felt.
It was cold out, but not in — and a mixture of fairy lights and mood lighting added a warm look to a welcome warm feel.
Darted around the big screens were framed pictures of local landmarks, posters telling punters what to expect and a Stump & Candle embossed Union Flag.
And then, looking up, I spotted a nice-looking large map of Boston on the ceiling, presumably a handy guide to help those who have crashed to the floor after having one too many remember how to get back home?
It was a nice modernised place with a few quirks to catch the eye.
Round the back there was also a small outdoor area with a handful of yellow-painted benches for weather much warmer than this.
As the gang near me began to filter home for their dinner — or tea, or whatever you prefer — the pub had something of a quieter feel as it waited for the evening crowd to roll in, but nonetheless it still felt a nice place for a pint.
Texting my teeth-sucking chum, I asked whether he’d actually been in this hostelry at any time in the past few years.
It was then he admitted he hadn’t and, to his detriment, he may be missing out.
Unlike a certain someone in a certain screen grab, I won’t be ruling out a return. Always best to find out for yourself.
THE STUMP & CANDLE, MARKET PLACE, BOSTON, PE21 6NF
DECOR: A modern-looking pub with a nice war, feel. 3/5
DRINK: I enjoyed a pint of Brains SA (4.2%). Despite numerous trips to Wales and seeing the brewery advertised on its nation’s rugby kits, I’d never had it before. Enjoyable. 3/5
PRICE: I paid a very good value £3.25. 4/5
ATMOSPHERE: Although not full, pretty much everyone in there was having fun - although the lone drinkers weren’t giving much away. 3/5
STAFF: The young lady who served me was very polite. 3/5
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