One For The Road
A Review Of Pubs Within Walking Distance Of St Andrews
by Murph

Introduction

We all like to go for a quick drink (or in my case, several slow ones) before a game and let's face it, as Blues fans we need all the help and fortitude we can get! so we have decided over the coming weeks to do review of Blues pubs that are in staggering distance of St Andrews.  You may think that we are doing this for no other reason then to try and get free pints, but not really (although any free beers will be greatly received). We are hoping to inform other Blues fans about pubs they may never have tried before, but also to highlight those pubs that try hard to look after Blues fans before and after games.

We are not trying to copy the good beer guide, but look at pubs and clubs where Blues fans like to go, what the landlord provides, if it welcomes kids, are away fans welcome and what  the pub is like generally as a service to you bluenoses. We want you to tell us which pubs should be  'pub of the month/week' and we will visit it and do a write up, just e-mail us the details and why we should visit. Eventually we will have a comprehensive list that blues fans can look at and visit if they fancy a change. We will not be grading the pubs and leave it up to you to make up your own minds. 

So here is our 16th pub review:

The Garrison
Bordesley
By Duncan Adams

I often pass this pub when going to St Andrews as I park down in this area, but have never really got around to going in. But with it being within easy walking distance of the hallowed turf and with some fans recommending it for inclusion on the website, it seemed about time that I paid it a visit. The pub which for a while was called the Drovers Arms, is now the Garrison once more and is situated in Garrison Lane, just down from the Sportsman and across the road from the Garrison Lane Park (a scene of many a punch up between groups of Blues and away fans in days gone by).

The pub itself has a small L-shaped bar and a smaller lounge area, but it is only the bar at the moment which is open. As the pub is small it doesn't take many fans to fill the place and often the fans overspill onto the pavement outside. The interior of the pub is sparse to say the least, with little in the way of Blues memorabilia (or anything for that matter) to cheer up the walls and bar. If you arrive early enough you can get a seat, but within an hour of kick off you can barely make it inside the door to get served, let alone find a seat, as it is that rammed.

I found the boozer quite smokey and as a non-smoker myself I preferred to stand outside. There is a large screen showing Sky Sports in one corner and unusually a pinball machine in another. It can seem a bit perplexing at first wondering with the amount of fans squeezed into the pub, as to how you are going to get served, but the staff on the whole are pretty good and like most pubs around St Andrews, once they get to know your face, they tend to pick you out. It seemed also that the pub largely has the same regular clientele on matchdays, so it has a bit of a 'clicky' feel to it.

Beer
Guinness
Guinness cold
Carlsberg
Tetley
Ansells Mild
Strongbow
Woodpecker
No real ale (although there are handpumps on the bar)

Other essentials:
Large Screen showing SKY
Five minutes walking time from the ground
On street parking in the surrounding area
Not really a place to bring away fans
 
The Bottom Line:
A popular longstanding Blues pub for many years. A bit to busy and smokey for my liking, but it certainly is handy for the ground.

How To Find It:
WThe pub is situated on Garrison Lane. If you were standing outside of the Spion Kop, turn left and go up Cattell Road past the Club Shop. Turn left into Tilton Road and walk down to the end of the road. Turn left into Garrison Lane at the Royal George pub. Go down the hill and over the railway bridge passing The Sportsman pub on your left. The Garrison is further down the road on the right hand side.

Cheers!

 

Duncan