Nottingham’s pub scene is up there with the best in the country, and nobody knows it better than Tom Head – or, as you probably know him, Nottingham Pint Guide. Chances are you’ve stumbled across his Instagram while scrolling your feed, so we met up with the Pintman himself to talk all things beer. Tom is Nottingham’s lager-loving, ale-guzzling champion of the city’s independent boozers. He also happens to be married to our Food Co-Editor…
For the record, LeftLion doesn’t usually dabble in nepotism – but here we are. No favouritism, promise. So, let’s get straight into it, why did you start the Nottingham Pint Guide, and what inspired it?
This is nepotism with a different angle. A USP, even. And that was one of the motivations to start the page – I wanted to create something different to what was already out there, and something I could essentially use as a database for our greatest pubs, cheapest pints, and best happy hours. It’s essentially Martin Lewis with an alcohol dependency. But supporting and promoting local businesses soon became the main focus, and I wanted to create stuff that would get a few more bodies into pubs, because god knows that every punter counts these days.
Obviously, you’re the Pint Guide, but your modus operandi appears to focus on Nottingham pubs as a whole. What makes Nottingham’s pub and bar scene different to other cities?
First, variety is a huge factor. We’ve got these wonderful neon-drenched party hubs that stand shoulder-to-shoulder with traditional, old-school alehouses that have been around for decades, or even centuries.
Second, Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem is the oldest pub in the country, and anyone who disagrees can go and argue with their mums. Our caves were used as de-facto brewing sites by monks, hundreds of years ago. The very foundations of Nottingham are soaked in alcohol, which in my view, is the greatest social unifier on the planet – and probably explains my third point…
The people – it’s almost impossible to go for a jar and not end up having the craic with a fellow pintmaniac here. We have a proper ‘social fabric’ knitted into our pub scene, which is something to be very proud of.
Our caves were used as de-facto brewing sites by monks, hundreds of years ago. The very foundations of Nottingham are soaked in alcohol, which in my view, is the greatest social unifier on the planet
So, if someone was visiting Nottingham for the first time, which three pubs would you tell them to visit for the ultimate pint tour?
Bloody hell, three? You’re killing me! I’m going to try and dodge accountability and just suggest that people visit one pub in a few different areas of town… by the canal, you should check-out Cured. Great tap line-up, a lovely little outside terrace, very easy to access, and always buzzing on a weekend.
In Lace Market, make a beeline for Kean’s Head. It’s like someone has put a thriving 1970s brick-and-mortar boozer in the middle of town. It feels as if the glory days have come roaring back.
And in Sneinton, I highly rate The King Billy. It’s a little bit spit-and-sawdust but that’s what we like to see, pubs with a resolute character that stand the test of time.
Screw it, I’m chucking a fourth in for Hockley – can’t get enough of Pogo and their Lowenbrau brewery tap, which is one of very few in Notts. Beauts place to sample a few!
People often comment about your writing style and how much they enjoy reading your captions. Can you tell us a little more about that?
I’m a journalist by trade and I have writing Tourette’s. I always have to be scribbling something down, or putting lists together, stuff like that. Absolutely love p*ssing about with the written word, and I get very poetic after a few swift ‘uns. I like to write the way I speak – I like to express myself in a conversational style, I like to draw attention to myself with awful puns your dad wouldn’t touch. It’s almost like an extension of being a bloke in the pub, and putting that art of discussion into a digital format.
How did your love for beer begin?
Has to be me dad, I think. Some of my earliest memories are him taking me down the working men’s club and keeping me juiced-up on Panda Pops. A few coins for the pool table, quick blast on the slide, arcade games, football on the telly. Class set-up. Not sure who was having the better Friday, if I’m honest. My family does place a huge amount of cultural value on pints, as well. Our best drinkers are treated like noble chiefs. But from an early age, I saw the value of pubs and beers and how it brings folk together. That, quite simply, is something our society cannot lose sight of.
What are your favourite types of pints? As a wine drinker myself, I personally only really enjoy the occasional beer with a curry. Do you have any preferences like that?
Proper question this. Nice one, Paxman. Of course, I love an airport pint before working hours. I love a pint on holiday when the Mrs is still getting ready. I love a pint at 17:01 on a Friday, I love a pint where you get to the boozer before all your mates and can have a little phone scroll. I love the first beer garden pint of spring, and the criminally underrated ‘first pint after you break up from work for Christmas’. But I have to say, the first sip of your fourth pint – in any situation – is incredible. You can’t really put a lid on it at that point, and that’s when the gates to silliness start opening. And I’ve yet to meet someone who doesn’t want to walk right through them.
Are the rumours true that you’re running for local mayor?
Listen, I like my cities like I like my pints: lively, cost-friendly, and with the ability to leave you wanting more. I can’t really say much else, but helping hospitality will be at the forefront of my 2028 manifesto.
Okay, yes, I think you’d get our vote…
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