Life behind bars: with Matt Hinton, owner at Brew Tavern

Friday 21 November 2025
reading time: min, words

For this month's instalment of Life behind bars, we speak to the man who looks after a claimant to being Nottingham city centre's smallest pub.

LBB & FTK

Describe your pub in three words?

Cosy, quirky, calm. (Unless it’s a Forest match day).

Tell us something interesting about your pub… 

We’re possibly the smallest pub in Nottingham city centre; I haven’t had my tape measure out, but we’re definitely the most convenient if you’re catching a train! The building dates back to Edwardian times and it was originally a cabman’s shelter in the times of horse drawn taxis. It then spent some time as a band practice room. We’ve got a black and white photo of the band on the wall kindly donated to us by a family member. It’s been a pub since 2018 and we took it on in March 2024.

What's the best thing about your job? 

Sampling all the incredible beers we get on and then boring customers with my knowledge about them.

What's the worst?

Getting covered in beer when tapping a cask.

What's your best selling drink? 

Cask pale or our house lager.

What's your most expensive drink? 

We had a £35 pint of American Imperial Stout on recently. Kinda mad how everyone measures in pints though isn't it? Maybe we should start measuring printer ink and insulin by the pint too. Give the ‘ow much!’ crowd a proper shock.

What's your personal favourite tipple? 

Vinohradsky 11, an unfiltered Czech Lager that we serve through an authentic Lukr side pull tap with plenty of foam on top.

Who's the most famous person you've had drinking in your place? 

Michael Portillo was filming outside recently for his railway journeys program. Does that count?

What's the best thing a customer has ever said to you? 

We regularly get told that our bass is the best they’ve tasted in years.

How would you persuade someone who's never visited your bar to entice them in? 

Do you like incredible beer, cider, wine and spirits? Ever drunk them in a shed? Look no further.


Find Brew Tavern outside of Nottingham Station at Cabman's Shelter, 1A Queen's Rd, Nottingham NG2 3AS.

brewcavern.co.uk

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