A pub well known for its live music, The Wheatsheaf fills a gap in the local market.

The Venue
Down an alleyway off the High Street and opposite an old ironmonger’s shop is the well-established live music pub The Wheatsheaf. The landlord ran The Gloucester for eight years, which is now closed down, and his customers seem to have moved lock, stock and barrel to here. The pub is long and narrow and has a cream, beamed ceiling, maroon walls and a red, peacock green and yellow carpet.

Little glass lampshades are fixed to the wall with brass fittings and the bar is on the right. There’s a pool table at the end, a video screen, as well as a jukebox and bar billiards. The 120 capacity live music room is upstairs and they put on live music at least four nights a week (jazz on Thursday) and comedy on a Monday, which is also student night. Over the years it's had acts through the doors like Lost Prophets, The Young Knives and Bloc Party.

The People
The Wheatsheaf attracts a lot of regulars and it’s quite a young place in the evening attracting rockers, metallers, goths, indie kids, nu ravers and jazz buffs, depending on the night. And despite the proliferation of these urban youth 'tribes' the place maintains a friendly atmosphere. A good place to listen to some real live music while trying not to spill your pint of cider.

The Food and Drink
On draught you’ve got Greene King IPA, Ye Olde Trip, Old Speckled Hen and Scrumpy Jack and in bottles there’s Newcastle Brown, Corona, Bulmer’s, Beck’s and Budweiser. The wines come courtesy of Jacob’s Creek and Campo Viejo Rioja — it’s £2.80 for a small glass and around £10.50 to £14.95 for a bottle. Or you can buy two large glasses and get the bottle free.

The Last Word
As long as The Wheatsheaf keeps rockin’ out the crowds will keep flocking in. Even more so now since it’s the only pub in the centre (leaving to one side The Jericho Tavern) to regularly put on proper original live music.

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