Newport Pagnell is a hotbed of pubs. It truly offers everything from the venues favored by the underage, the open mic nights, the old man boozers and the riotus kind of places where fights break out every night.
The Dolphin has always seemed to be a spot for the fashionable over 25's (and occasional alcoholic in the corner) to come and enjoy a pint and a game of pool. On my visit last week, I was surprised to note it had been redecorated and generally smartened up (finally getting rid of the strange smell which had haunted the pub for quite a while).
It's now a bright and cosy little drinking spot with a smoking garden added out back (a welcome change from being sent out to the street to enjoy a cigarette) and is under new ownership.
Unfortunately, these changes have meant the cost of a pint has now increased; however, as the Milton Keynes area is now fast becoming a suburb of London it is to be expected to pay between £3.70 - £4.50 a pint at a selection of the pubs in the area. A round of two import lagers and a bog standard Stella was nearly £12 at the bar, which again, unless your headed to some of the well-known cheaper drinking spots in the area could be considered average.
The menu has also been revamped and looks quite reasonably priced with a decent enough selection if you are meeting someone for a quiet lunch or caught needing to line your stomach before imbibing a few pints.
Out of the selection of bars in the area, I have to say I do favor the Dolphin. It's quite "Vanilla" (nice, but nothing special), but at least with a fresh lick of paint it now looks clean and inviting for an occasional visit. read more
