Secret Drinker reviews Marine Boat House in Skegness
I hadn’t even ordered my drink when the barman started gasping for breath.
The young lad was splurting out some rasping, constant noise which I wasn’t sure was an uncontrollable cough or a choke.
“Are you ok?” I asked.
“Yeah. I’ve just had a shot…” he responded.
It’s early afternoon on a Sunday and the staff are knocking back shots? This is my kind of pub.
“… of barbecue sauce.” the barman finished.
A bemused silence which probably felt like it lasted a lot longer than it did punctuated our conversation before I had to ask:
‘Why?’
“The thought took me,” he said matter-of-fact as if that was normal behaviour here.
“He’s always like this,” the barmaid beside him shrugged and got back to work.
I was in Skegness and the rules are a little different beside the seaside, where pubs generally tend to be filled with holidaymakers on the lash with little time for the inhibitions that plague their normal lives back inland.
Seemingly that rubs off on the staff, so thanks for the laugh.
But still, the thought of that thick, tangy goo slipping down my throat wasn’t enough to convince me to change mu bucket list anytime soon.
Instead I ordered a point of XXXB to ensure something a lot more enjoyable was slipping down my throat.
Read more Secret Drinker reviews here.
The ground floor of the Marine Boat House was packed as I entered, a weird mix of families and holidaymakers enjoying the tail end of that day’s carvery and groups of young lads in footie shirts hoping they’d hurry up scoffing so they could nab their seats for the afternoon’s televised matches.
I’ve been here on a Saturday night before many years ago when the place was even more packed, but on this Sunday there was a nice, busy but not manic atmosphere around the place.
Pals took it in turns to play pool while round the corner there was a small selection or arcade machines - 2p shufflers and teddy grabbers - keeping young and old alike busy.
The slushy machine behind the bar was another attempt at ensuring a little bit of the resort outside remains inside, presumably vital in parents keeping the kids entertained long enough for them to sup.
The Marine Boat House is a lot bigger than it seems with the open-plan main area and a glass-fronted restaurant above offering views out to sea and a large, unused on my visit, underground function room enjoyable called the Submarine by the plush, modern and nicely clean WCs.
There’s plenty of outdoor seating out front and out back and, when the weather’s not so great, the rear beer garden has the added bonus of being heated.
It’s a nice, friendly and lively-enough spot for a drink of an afternoon. And I’m glad the barman is staying alive long enough to enjoy it some more.
MARINE BOAT HOUSE, LUMBLEY ROAD, SKEGNESS, PE25 3NA
DECOR: It’s not the most eye-catching place you’ll ever visit but the amusement machines are a nice touch while there are plenty of big screens, fruities and a pool table to keep you occupied. 3/5
DRINK: A pint of Batemans XXXB (4.8%) from the nearby Wainfleet brewery. 3/5
PRICE: I paid £9.20 for the pint, a small Coke and a packet of Walker’s ready salted. 3/5
ATMOSPHERE: I liked the place. Plenty going on and lots of people all having fun. 4/5
STAFF: Friendly, jolly, and, most importantly, alive. The young barman’s saucy shot gave me a really good laugh. 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.
