SeattleStokie

Given that the Piccadilly Tap and the Victoria Tap are in the guide, the tap at the 3rd Manchester station seems a decent pre-emptive shout. Boddies is drinking well

… and that’s the Manchester #GBG2026 entires all ticked off, finishing at the very busy Old Monkey

A very short trek to tick off Jack in the Box. Gotta love #GBG2026 ticks that are so close to each other. Can’t be too many closer in the Guide? Top bloke behind bar can’t believe Half Man Half Biscuit are still going when I told him they were at the Ritz tonight. Bob Hope of him getting a ticket !!

3rd #GBG2026 tick of the day and The Smithfield Market Tavern delivers a solid first ever Blackjack Brewery beer and a bar billiards table. Tremendous.

Feeling the quality of the Marble Arch, roadworks scuppering the pre-entry photo. The mild is drinking well. #GBG2026

1st tick of the day, decent station pub at the Victoria Tap, with a fine selection of crisps/snacks that were tricky to resist. #GBG2026

Trip to Manc, starting with a post-emptive while waiting for some ticks to open. Abel Heywood is a decent opener

Oh crikey! Walking into the St Peter’s Tavern is one of those “WOW” moments. What a venue. Thanks #GBG2026

Ah, the Red Lion in Liverpool delivers that proper pub experience. Random things like briefcases hanging from the ceiling and a Landlord Dark that was drinking exceptionally. Cracking pub.

A 2nd ‘spoons and the Lime Kiln is a typical 2-floorer. Unfortunately, the ale is also a typical tired ‘spoons offering

Grabbing a few L’pool #GBG2026 ticks. ‘Spoons delivers with its opening times and a pint in surprisingly decent nick

Tidy brewery tap at Weetwood, the ESB is drinking well. #GBG2026

The Boot & Shoe. Solid pub, used to be the go-to venue for watching England matches, though not been in for years. Pale Rider drinking reasonably

Ha, that pic outside the Bag o’ Nails is a strong contender for pub pic of the year. Fantastic!

Couple of #GBG ticks in Edinburgh, Halfway House was very decent, as was the Bow Bar though that was a bit too tourist-y

BrewDog stamp time and the Glasgow Kelvingrove bar could be one of my faves so far. Small, great staff, … and free beer and food as visa rewards is always a bonus!

It’s all about the pre-emptives at this time of the year 😀

Yep, it was great, and as it wasn’t on my plan made it a bonus. Wish I’d have gone in the West End Tavern and the Dolphin as well 😀

Came out of Kelvinhall subway station and was bosting for a slash. Decided not to risk the West Side Tavern and popped into the Three Judges instead … which turned out to be an unplanned #GBG tick. Result. Surely it’s only a matter of time before I order a Tennents…

Back on the #GBG2025 trail after that speculative pre-emptive. The Settle Inn is Stirlings oldest pub, apparently, and it’s a cracker.

Just up from BrewDog is Nicky Tams, popped in as a speculative GBG pre-emptive. Music-oriented venue playing some decent tunes, I like it but will only the 1 hand-pump count against it …

Slight detour to grab another BrewDog Visa stamp. The Stirling bar is a proper old-school BrewDog. Very decent

Last chance for some #GBG2025 ticks, and my 1st ever Scottish tick is at our nations favourite pub chain. Decent carpet and ceiling at the multi-roomed beauty, The Counting House

My GBG has just arrived 😀

Latest bar to open in Nantwich, GOAT is a massive improvement on its former guises of Harrison’s & Kennedys. Decent place to watch the footy, but definitely a GBG Never-Emptive

The 4 GBG 2025 ticks done in Ludlow on the way home. Result.

Pre/Post-emptive at ZeroDegrees, Cardiff - stupidly narrow glass and a 45 minute wait for pizza. I’ll get a kebab after seeing the Biscuit

… and that’s the 7 ticks in Cardiff city centre done. Cask is flying out at the Flute & Tankard - great venue

Tick #7 of the day and a fairly decent ‘spoons experience at the Central, Cardiff. Decent outdoor area and a better than expected pint. Also, the 1102 pints served this week eclipses the 1021 that @retiredmartinpubs.bsky.social noted 3 years ago. Cask is alive and kicking!

GBG Tick #6 of the day, Pen and Wig, Cardif. Deceptively long end of terrace with 10 hand-pulls. 2 to go