The Vat & Fiddle

You'll find this place tucked right next to the Nottingham Canal on Queensbridge Road, where the Lace Market bleeds into the waterfront. It's the kind of pub that takes its beer seriously without being a bore about it — Castle Rock's own brews are on tap, and the rotating guest list keeps regulars coming back. The vibe is unpretentious and genuinely buzzy, packed with people who know their bitters from their IPAs but won't make you feel bad if you just want a lager. The space itself has that industrial-meets-cosy feel you get in converted warehouses around here, all exposed brick and proper proportions.