Bugmans is not your average pub. Where there are a lot of pubs who concentrate on the selection of beer available (which is admirable) there are others who are more generic in selection but make up for it with other things like food and entertainment value. Bugmans is a Dwarf Bar. There i said it, it’s like stepping into a medieval tavern, a dwarvish one to be exact.
Bugmans is not exactly city centre material however it’s quite quick and easy to get to and if you walk back to the city centre along the canal you come to some other great real ale locations.
The emphasis on the fantasy look stems from that this pub is latched on to none other than Warhammer World, Games Workshops flagship location which encompasses main offices, factory and free gaming area (Which while we are on the subject looks like the inside of a CASTLE) The basic idea being you can come play games using your models on their professional built tables and have a jolly good time. Other sights are the Games Workshop museum and a decent size shop to buy stuff (with the usual over excited workers inside).
But enough about Warhammer World. Bugmans. Oh yes.
This place looks seriously cool. It’s modelled to be a stereotypical dwarf tavern. Anvils, hammers, beer barrels, dead things mounted on wall…its all here.
Now first things first, Bugmans has 1 real ale at a time along with a German pilsner, other generic lager etc. They DO have Wychwood bottles in the fridge which does count for something. The beer is usually a renamed Nottingham Brewery Ale (or so i suspect) with the latest “Troll Brew” at 3.8% being what I assume is Nottingham Bitter. Very tasty, very drinkable.
They have cakes, tea, coffee, etc and the cakes are very decent. Hugest flapjacks i’ve even seen.
The food however is exceptional and one of the things bugmans do very well (which is handy since your going to be there a while if your playing Warhammer). Their burgers are numerous, tasty and well priced. The fatman burger is a terrifying combination of almost everything cookable.
The full English breakfast priced at a reasonable £4.99 is always hot and always decent. Wetherspoons is bigger and cheaper but sometimes comes not so hot which can ruin it.
gin all it makes for a decent package, while the real ale selection does let it down I guess but the other B-list drinks they have (Like the pilsner) and Wychwood go some way to making up for this. The staff are always friendly, the toilets are squeaky clean and one last thing…
The board games. Some bars like The Ropewalk give you boardgames etc to play. Bugmans has easily the largest selection of boardgames of any pub. There’s a pool table, vending machines and a cash point. In the end it’s a pleasure to sit in Bugmans with such effort to detail on the decor and great food and decent drink. Definitely worth a try.
To get to Warhammer World it’s easiest to get a bus to Queens Medical Centre and then walk for 5-10 mins. Or the canal from Town (which the Waterfront bar is on) will lead you right there. To get there:
Public Transport from City Center
From the city centre or the train station, a taxi ride takes about 10 minutes, and should cost about £6. Ask to go to Games Workshop, Willow Road.
To try Nottingham’s public transport please use www.triptimes.co.uk to plan your journey with local services.
You can also take a 30 minute/2 mile stroll or cycle along the canal walkway. Walk from the city centre with the canal to your right and once you pass under the bridge marked with a commemorative Lenton Lane plaque head up the steps to rejoin the road. Turn right and we’re just along the road with the big Space Marine Statue! A bike rack is near the main entrance.
From Nottingham city centre Head west on Castle Boulevard – the A6005, away from the city centre. Take the first exit at the roundabout, over Abbey Bridge. Turn left at the first set of traffic lights, onto Gregory Street, just before the church. After about 1/4 mile, turn right onto Willow Road, and Games Workshop is immediately on your left.