Top - Colchester

What was I supposed to think when I was repeatedly given warning about what The Odd One Out was going to be like? I was clearly instructed not to dress up for this place and not to expect much. So I didn 't. When you walk in to TOOO it 's as if you 're stepping back in time and right away I recognised the wallpaper as being the exact same that my Grandfather has at home in NY from the 1960 's, so I automatically felt comfortable. I laughed actually. Look around and it 's as if not a single thing has been moved since it was put up there for the first time, whether it be pictures, the wood in the fireplace or the old man at the bar. You can nestle up next to one of the fireplaces, which you 'll need to on a snowy winter night like when we were there. Get yourself your pints, or as I prefer, the spectacular cider from one of the barrels lined up on the bar. We 're talking 7% alcho content people! On cider! Get some crisps for you and your mates and sit back talking about how old and great this pub is. In a town that is hailed as the oldest recorded town in England and hosts meeting for the Colchester Historical Enactment Society you surely can 't go wrong. A place like this made me feel right at home like my own American dive bar, but in the States we don 't have such grand cider served from wooden barrels or a lovely old fella giving out warm Christmas mince pies with joy. This place is top notch. Here are a few vital tips to help you survive a pub that could easily knock you on your arse whether it be by the cider, the step you drunkenly miss, the old man or the bar keep... 1. Don 't you dare answer your cell phone here. This is a rule I LOVE like no other. Seriously, watch even pulling it out of your pocket if you know what 's good for you. 2. Don 't be surprised if you think someone 's talking to you and they 're not or if they 're talking to you and you don 't realise. There 's no music to get in the way of a conversation, but all that quiet makes it sometimes confusing. 3. Good luck in the ladies room. You could really freeze your butt to the toilet if you 're not careful. 4. And, if you 're lucky enough to pull while in TOOO, feel confident in knowing that the condom machine is fully stocked. P.S. please don 't start coming here and making it THE cool spot in Colchester. I want to find a seat when I return next Christmas, preferably by the fireplace.

The Odd One Out or Oddy as the regulars like to call it, is a cosy pub not far from Colchester Town-station. Its decoration and the crackling fire make you feel like coming home instead of entering just an ordinary place to have a drink or two. The Oddy is most famous for its delicious ciders from the region and got most recently awarded as the East Anglian Regional Cider Pub of the Year by the Campaign for Real Ale, but you also get a nice range of Scotch and of course ale here. The crowd is mixed from young to old and always friendly just like owner John Parrick, who has a few rules, though, like no swearing and no usage of mobile phones inside the pub. But once you tried one of the aforementioned ciders you want to enjoy it with no disturbance from the outside world anyway. And on top of all that the prices are low and to quote a good friend of mine This is one of the few places where you still get a pint when you order a pint.

Beer was good but in short supply. They had a busy weekend and were down a lot. I suppose Easter weekend is not the best time to judge a pub. Probably the best collection of beer trays outside the Cafe Delirium in Brussels. Will be back.

If you like a traditional, old fashioned drinking mens pub and love Real Ale or proper cider (not that sweet Irish rubbish), go here. You will love it. If you like swanky wine-bar style pubs that serve cocktails and sushi, don't go here. You will hate it.

This is a really wonderful back street pub , real bare floors sawdust and green leather seats . Ceilings are the old patterned wall paper . Its a real local set up just off the ringroad by the old garrison . Very good selection of beer very well kept .