Gotham Town

No one can remember why this dark, church-like bar is so popular, but it is.

The Venue
Anyone familiar with pubs like The Ben Crouch in London will feel at home in Gotham Town. It takes its inspiration from all things gothic and, er, Batman. Grim, dark and dingy, or a deliciously decadent den where you can unleah your impishness. It all depends on your point of view. Whatever opinion you have the place is filled with shiny blacks, greys and chunky ecclesiastical wood.

It has a wooden floor and a high wooden brown-painted ceiling with steps leading up to tiny pulpit-like bird's nests, perfect for courting goth couples. The wooden bar has brass rails at the top and bottom, and there are sun-yellow banquettes at the front of the room and candles on the tables. There's a massive glitter ball suspended from the ceiling as well as plenty of plasma screens on the walls.

There's a test-your-strength punching machine, as well as juice fruit machines and poseur tables with twisted stems and bulbous art deco style lamps. Monday night hosts an acoustic music session and night. And Friday and Saturday nights have DJs spinning tunes.

The People
It's very busy at most times, and Gotham Town seems to act like a magnet to any businessmen, shoppers, commuters and students in the immediate area. Its dark tones do attract a certain sort, and it's no surprise that perma-tan preen queens probably don't know this place exists, or care. If you like your pubs a bit grimy and your music so loud you have to shout at your friends then head here.

The Food and Drinks
On tap there's Fosters, Guinness, Carling, John Smith's and Theakston's, and in bottles there's Stella, Corona, Magners, Budweiser, Newcastle Brown and Bulmer's. Bloody Marys are just £2.50 each and a Cherry Lips (Midori, Amaretto and cranberry juice) is £3.25 a glass or £11.95 a jug. There are four whites, two reds and one rose — all for £9.95 a bottle or £2.75 a glass.

Food includes an all-day breakfast for £3.25 and the rest of the menu is equally cheap — a bacon and sausage bap is £1.50 and a BLT £2.95. For something bigger, a lasagne is £4.50 and a filled giant Yorkshire (with either beef or seasonal veg) is £3.40. Apple and rhubarb crumble with ice cream is £1.95.

The Last Word
This place is really popular, but no one knows — or has forgotten — just why.

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