Introducing The Ale Rooms

So, farewell then, The Gauntlet. It was late June 2017 when we moved there (read all about in the Blog post of July 7, 2017), so that is some 5 years and 4 months residence - less the 15 months or so when we could not meet due to Covid. That probably means around 200 club nights there, so it is of course a big wrench for us to have had to move. But the KCC Pub Inspection Squad (unfortunate acronym, though that is) quickly lined up a new venue, and last night was our first club evening at The Ale Rooms.

Our new home, where we will be meeting in the upstairs room every Thursday from 7.30 till late

It is only right that I record the names of those present on this historic occasion, in order of arrival:-

Bernard R
Paul
Me
Roy
Bernard C
John (and Richard)
Hector (and Hector's mate)

So 9 of us, which is 50% more than were present at the first night in The Gauntlet. Still, I expected more, but it was half-term week. In the very first game to finish I beat Paul with the black pieces in a very few moves. I take this as a massively favourable omen for my future chess performances.  We will gloss over the fact that I then immediately lost the return encounter. There's absolutely no need to dwell on the negatives, so I don't want to hear anything from you doom mongers in the anti-growth coalition, thank you very much.

Our first night coincided with the news that The Ale Rooms had retained its place in the 2023 Good Beer Guide, one of only two Kenilworth pubs to reach such lofty heights. And very well deserved it is too, as the beer is consistently excellent.

Many thanks to the Manager, Sam Parham, for being so welcoming and making our change of venue so smooth. The upstairs bar is exceedingly comfortable and very conducive to ale quaffing and relaxed conversation. Never mind the chess, let's put the world to rights each Thursday!

KCC's new Thursday evening host, Manager of The Ale Rooms, Sam Parham. Cheers, Sam!

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Location details can already be found on - amazingly! - the Location tab of this website, while (limited) free parking is available outside Kenilworth Library (literally next door!) or, more plentifully, two minutes' walk away in Forest Road or Abbey Hill. Parking in the town centre car parks will set you back £2. And, of course, the main bus stops are within 50 yards of The Ale Rooms. We have never been this central before! As can be confirmed by reference to the history of KCC venues as described in the Blog post of May 12, 2020.