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Pubs with Games in St. Albans

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There are a number of reasons to suggest that St. Albans may be the capital city of public houses for England. Some claim that there are more pubs per head of population in St. Albans than any other city which is perhaps dubious but there are certainly quite a few. The pubs that are here vary enormously and there are a good number of excellent quality taverns whether you are after gastro-pubs, genuine old traditional drinking places or modern trendy bars. A great many more than average sell real ale, which may explain why CAMRA, the campaign for real ale have their headquarters here. We also have the best shout for the oldest pub in the world - Ye Olde Fighting Cocks which is situated next to the Roman Verulamium Park, a stone's thrown from St. Albans Abbey (at least seven other pubs also claim this accolade but St. Albans has the best evidence to support its theory).

I imagine that there are other towns and cities with a better quota of pub games, especially in the North of England - Hertfordshire has never been famous for any particular type of pub game.

The following list features any pub that has made some sort of effort to feature games, particularly traditional pub games. We haven't bothered with pubs that just have a few board games behind the bar or an old Giant Connect 4 in the garden.

 

Pubs with Games

Pub Games Address Postcode   Last verified

Sopwell Lane Area
The Goat

Bar Billiards
Board Games

 37 Sopwell Lane AL1 1RN A great pub with an unusal layout and friendly atmosphere. July 2008
The Farmer's Boy Giant Jenga
Giant Connect 4
Board Games		 134 London Road AL1 1PQ This pub consistently gets some of the best reviews of any pub in St. Albans. It's a small place but very popular locally. July 2008
The White Lion

Aunt Sally
Darts
Go (yes, the St. Albans Club for the oriental board game meets here Tuesday nights).

 Sopwell Lane AL1 1RN   July 2008
The Hare and Hounds Football Table
Darts 		104, Sopwell Lane AL1 1RL Darts team plays every other Thursday evening. July 2008

Central St. Albans
Farriers Arms Darts 32 Lower Dagnall Street AL3 4PT This unpretentious pub seems to be the Darts specialist for St. Albans. It's Darts team has a core of good players and there is a shelf showing off all their trophies. Anyone wanting to join a local Darts team should probably look here first.  
The White Swan Bar Billiards
Darts 		Upper Dagnall Street AL3 5EA   July 2008
The Boot Shove Ha'penny 4 Market Place AL3 5DG A small but quality drinking place. July 2008
Lower Red Lion Board Games,
Boule,
Giant Chess,
Cribbage,
Dominoes		 36 Fishpool Street AL3 4RX This pub is probably the number one place in town for real ale - it host an annual beer festival - and is hugely popular with both locals and visitors. July 2008

East of Centre
The Mermaid Darts, Dominoes, Cribbage, Backgammon 98 Hatfield Road AL1 3RL They have a Backgammon evening each Tuesday night July 2008
The Horn Football Table
Pool 		Victoria Street AL1 3TE Well known for its live bands. 2007
The Crown 2 Pool Tables
Darts		 144 Hatfield Road AL1 4JA   July 2008
The Rats Castle Pool
Darts		 246 Hatfield Road AL1 4UN Recently refurbished, 2008.  

South of Centre
The Duke of Marlborough Darts 110 Holywell Hill AL1 1DH    
King Harry

Giant Connect 4
Giant Jenga
Board Games

 2, King Harry Lane AL3 4BL Very popular, busy pub at the top of the hill. July 2008

North of Centre
Jolly Sailor Pool
Darts 		3 Stonecross AL1 4AA Great pub with a sports bar one side and a cosy local bar at the front.  
The Green Man, Sandridge Darts High Street, Sandridge AL4 9DD The most popular pub in the village of Sandridge. A real friendly local pub. June 2008

If you know a pub in St. Albans and district with games or have any other corrections to this list, please email the author. Thanks.

 

Links

During 2007, a review team went to every single pub in St. Albans and the results of their findings is the excellent St. Albans Pub Review website.

There are lots of pub websites but the one that always seems to be the most useful and most complete to me is Beer in the Evening.

 

 

 

Email to jm at tradgames.org.uk

Copyright © 1997 - now by James Masters.