BEER MEMORIES: The Pub Nights We Need More Of – The Market Tavern Tap
During last weeks instalment of Thirsty Thursday, we ventured to Atherstone to sup a couple of cold beverages at The Market Tavern Tap, upon arrival we could see through the window it was going to be a challenge getting a seat….
We pulled open the door and stepped into an atmosphere of music and merriment, friends and families were engaged in intimate and jovial conversations while a four piece band called Finnegan’s Revival sat at a table and jammed.
We ordered our beers, a stout for my brother, a mild for my mate (he loves a mild he does) and a 5.5% Double India Pale Ale for me…. (it had been a tough few days).
It was standing room only, so we propped up the bar and shot the breeze, exchanging tales of hardship in this modern world, the weather and what our kids had said that week.
The band, which was made up of a guitarist, two fiddle players and a fella who would switch between a ukelele, a tin whistle and a bodhrán. They hadn’t been booked, they were just there jamming….
These guys were slowly taking over the room, in the most incredible way. The Gaelic music they were playing was warm and comforting, it wasn’t too loud, you couldn’t hear your mate talk, it was simply…. PERFECT.
A group drained their glasses and got up and two left, we asked the remaining guy if he was also leaving, he said no, but if there was only three of us and we didn’t mind him perched on the end of the table we were more than welcome to sit down.
Our talk of BBQ’d meat perked this guy’s interest and before long we were all engaged in wonderful conversation, the type you can’t force.
He had the skill of conversation, asking thoughtful questions that would evolve into subjects that you would struggle to trace back to the beginning, you know the type!
As the chat progressed, we received a lesson in how small the world is. It turned out that he owned a company that designed a product which my mate implemented into a project he once worked on, we also learned that he had purchased the house that one of our mates grew up in!
The fact of the matter is I really needed a night like this, I know I’ve said it before but I didn’t know I did. Work is tough at the moment, I’m flying by the seat of my pants and the weather isn’t favourable, so spending a couple of hours in good company with awesome chat and incredible music was the tonic!!
If you could have bottled the atmosphere and sold it, you’d make a fortune.
It will sit with me for the rest of my life as one of the greats, a reminder of how important it is to spend time with your mates. Not just time, quality time, phone in pocket, no distractions! Just you and your pals, asking questions, telling yarns, laughing at daft stuff and ending up 3 subjects away from where you started….
AND ANOTHER THING….
More pubs need that sort of music again! Forget the booming stereo playing the same old playlist of modern dribble, give me a group sat in the corner playing instruments and having a jam any day of the week! I’m even going to go as far as to say bring back the piano!
That little group completely made the night without even trying to be the centre of attention. I thank them and The Market Tavern Tap, they gave me exactly what I needed!
I urge you to give you mates a call and go for a beer, sack Netflix off for a night, you won’t regret it.
Take it easy!
TM
Small note:
I’d also like to give a mention to the staff at The Market Tavern Tap. Their knowledge and enthusiasm for beer is spot on, they clearly care about what they serve and it shows. The beer is always kept well, poured properly and they’re more than happy to steer you towards something new if you fancy trying something different. Their recommendations have never let me down yet and I’d definitely encourage anybody to pop in and try something they wouldn’t normally order.
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Thirsty Thursday – From Teenagers to Dads in 23 Years of Beers and Friendship
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