Returning to a Railway Arch

 So we had particular plans yesterday - but a few things conspired to thwart them.

Instead, we watched the rugby (and football) at home with fridge beer and then decided to go and grab a quick one in Martha's between the end of one match, and the start of another.

What's delightful is how close it is and its place in a railway arch is such a great use of quirky space.  Yes, I know the Bermondsey Mile did it first and there are other great eating and drinking venues in railway arches in Newcastle but this one - can I just say it again - is within spitting distance of our flat.

Last time we visited, they'd only just opened and it wasn't terribly busy at any point when we'd visited (three times, I think).

When we'd passed by on Friday night it was rammed - just as well we were heading up to Moor (yes, it's on the way to the Moor tap).

So - on a Saturday at about 6.45?  Busy but not stupidly so.

He grabbed a beer and I grabbed a table.

We started with the only one of their brews on the bar.  It's not going to win any awards - at least not in Bristol - but it was a really nice West Coast IPA style.  Very drinkable indeed.

Originally, we were going to just have the one but resolution broke and we had a second. Runaway Porter for him and Newtown Park something or other for me.

 Chatting to the guy minding the bar, I learned that they had become more successful than they had expected.  Their guest beers all seeming to disappear very quickly indeed.  He also told me that they were starting to see "regulars" which makes them very happy.

This is your regular reminder that "districts" in cities have always been a thing. Having several venues selling the same thing in a small area is often a good thing since it's much more likely to get a reputation and pull more people in - especially where the thing you're selling is hand-made like musical instruments, jewelery or, in this case, beer. 

We chose out Bristol home partly on the basis of having a couple of really good pubs nearby - now it looks like we knew that this - previously unfashionable - corner of the city was at the beginning of a renaissance which suits us particularly well.