Rugby Meet Up Friday the 13th June 2014

[Dave M]

Well as Friday 13th of June in Rugby seems to be acceptable to several people I've changed the thread title to hopefully attract some more attention. (I suspect some members find the deciding where/when process a bit tedious)

[Quinno]

So...from a train booking perspective the sooner we pile in for the remaining cheap tickets the better as they are already available. Can we all agree that the 13th is the date to do so the early birds can catch the worms?

[Dave M]

So...from a train booking perspective the sooner we pile in for the remaining cheap tickets the better as they are already available. Can we all agree that the 13th is the date to do so the early birds can catch the worms?

Yeah that is a good point, it isn't too far away really.

So far I reckon we have 6 who have indicated they should be able to make it:-
Dave M
Quinno
Sheffield Hatter
Gann
Mobyduck
Bucking Fastard

And then there those who have shown some interest on this thread:-
Strongers
Alesonly
ROBCamra
Trainman
Aleandhearty
Pubsignman
Real Ale Ray
Thuck Phat

[ROBCamra]

Yes I'm interested. Nothing marked on the calendar for then.

I'll check with the other half that I've not missed anything obvious.

[Pubsignman]

I think I should be able to make this. I'll know for sure after Easter, but it's looking good so far.

[Thuck Phat]

I won't manage the whole day I don't think but will certainly try for a beer or two.
Rugby launched my drinking career and has continued to sustain it but I do only tend to frequent the better ale pubs.
For what it's worth, those which I think are top of the visiting list are: Seven Stars (14 hand pumps), Alex (6), Squirrel (4), Vic (9 at least), Merchants (8 at least), Lawrence Sheriff (10) and The Raglan (8). Judging by their recent reviews, Mr Dragon and Mr Ray came to a similar conclusion. I've listed them in what seems the logical visiting order assuming that most people arrive by train.
Early openers are the Rupert Brooke and the Lawrence Sheriff, both 'spoons, and the Raglan which opens at 11 on Friday apparently. The Rupert Brooke is the closest of those to the station.
All are open all day it seems on Friday including the Vic and the Raglan.
Others which may be worth a look in inasmuch as they serve real ale and you'll fall over them on the way round include the Rupert Brooke, London Calling, The Duck, The London, The Bull, The Rugby Hotel ( if you're feeling Greene King withdrawal) and the Prince of Wales. Again, they're listed as you'd find them from the station.
There are various other bars and boozers but none which I've visited or heard of which serve decent, or indeed any, beer or if they do it involves a detour.
There's a noteworthy beer shop on St Matthew Street, The Rugby Tap, which is opposite the school on the way to The Raglan. It doesn't serve beer on the premises but has a decent selection of bottles including many from local breweries. Just in case the crawl hasn't fully sated the appetite!

[oldboots]

Checking train times and costs, otherwise should be OK

[Mobyduck]

So far so good, if we can nail the date now all the better.

[Real Ale Ray]

Count me and Mrs A in!

[ROBCamra]

Yes I'm interested. Nothing marked on the calendar for then.

I'll check with the other half that I've not missed anything obvious.

OK, we've got nothing on then, so I'll book assuming the date is confirmed.

Otherwise I'll be spending a couple of nights in Rugby as "Billy No Mates"