Secret Drinker reviews The Drayman’s Arms in Spalding

There seemed to be a bit of a signal issue at the Drayman’s Arms when I walked in.

At first you could be mistaken for thinking the barmaid was attempting to swat a fly as she swished the card machine around in the air above her head.

But it soon became apparent she was serving in something of a black spot.

“The signals useless here,” she told the guy in front of me at the bar as he pressed his card to the machine and - to both their relief - a beep was forthcoming.

Personally, I like to prepare for all eventualities.

As someone who has previously found a tempting pub, took a detour to find a bank just in case and then found themselves greeted by a ‘card only’ sign at the bar, I like to make sure there’s always cash and a card in my pocket, so I pulled out a tenner to pay for my drink.

I wasn’t expecting much change as I know how much a Beavertown costs these days, so was pleasantly surprised to be handed £4.20 back - the best value this column is yet to find for a pint of Neck Oil.

And it didn’t seem to be just the booze that was good value as a blackboard by the bar told my my change would be enough for a cheeseburger at £3.50 (or a double for a quid more), a cheese dog at £3.50, chips at £3 or even - and this felt like turning the clock back at a pub - a ham roll for £2.50.

If I wasn’t already ruing having my dinner, I definitely was when, at my table, I spotted a flyer telling me I could get a freshly-cooked pizza for £8.

The Drayman’s Arms isn’t the most modern pub I’ve been to on my travels, but that didn’t matter as it seemed to offer a bit of everything for a good time.

There were darts boards, a pool table, plenty of outside space and also a nice few flat screen TVs dotted about.

After mentioning I too was struggling to get a signal, this time for my phone, the barmaid - who had been chatting away to three regulars - came over and stuck one of these tellies on for me.

“I’m not sure what’ll come on but I hope it helps,” she said with a laugh.

Cycling may not be the go-to pub TV sport - indeed, there was a flyer advertising some upcoming boxing in the gents next to a poster reminding me about the dangers of drink driving - but there’s something mesmerising about watching the wheels go round and round as I supped and killed time.

And, you know what, without going all Sam Smith’s, it was pleasant not to be able to doom scroll on my phone.

And, as nobody else was either, the good old fashioned mode of communication - chatting - was rife.

Read more Secret Drinker reviews here.

With its leather bench seating, dog biscuits at the bar, trophies on show, posters for upcoming karaoke nights and a bar rules sign that warns ‘if you’re still standing you need another drink’ there was something of an estate pub feel to this Spalding spot.

Indeed, I felt something of an outsider as everyone else knew one another and chatted away with that high-volume lack of filter we feel free to exhibit in a place that gives us a home from home comfort.

But, despite being the only unfamiliar face, I was still made to feel welcome enough.

A welcoming pub with a nice feel, cheap grub and a competitively-priced pint. I wanted to alert my mates right there and then… but I had to wait as I couldn’t get a signal.

THE DRAYMAN’S ARMS, SPALDING COMMON, LITTLE LONDON, SPALDING, PE11 2UE

DECOR: The Drayman’s Arms is a simple looking pub but has everything you could ask for in a local. 3/5

DRINK: A pint of Beavertown Neck Oil (ABV 4.3%), a session IPA. 4/5

PRICE: At £5.80 this was the cheapest pint of this drink I’ve found anywhere so far - for this column and for myself. Still over a fiver but for Neck Oil this was very good value. 4/5

ATMOSPHERE: I wasn’t in at a busy time but there was a nice estate pub feel amongst the locals. 3/5

STAFF: A friendly welcome from the barmaid who was holding court with the locals, helpful with the TV and very patient with the card machine. 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.