A new micropub has opened in Bedford town centre, and to celebrate, we’re giving two readers the chance to win a £50 bar tab each.
The Hidden Barrel opened in July on Harpur Street, on the site of the former Bar Citrus.
Owner Mantas Skaburskis originally took on the building to renovate the upper-floor flats, but soon decided to reopen the ground floor as a pub, with the emphasis on unique and quality drinks.
The bar offers a rotating selection of cask ales and craft beers, as well as a growing selection of wines and spirits and punters can enjoy a game of pool or table football over a couple of drinks.
Standing out from other town centre pubs, you won’t find sport on the TV and the music policy is 80s only, plus the Hidden Barrel is a no Fosters zone.
Mantas has two cask ales on the bar, sourcing beers from local small breweries. His most popular draught beer is a Lithuanian pilsner called Švyturys Ekstra, described as “the pride of the Lithuanian brewing industry” and proving a big hit with locals.
Craft beers are on tap alongside Guinness (“the best in Bedford” according to one local), with an offering from the Cambridgeshire microbrewery, Pixie Brewery, when we visited in late September.
You can find the current drinks menu on their website, which is updated weekly to reflect the latest cask offerings. CAMRA members get 10% off real ale purchases.
Although The Hidden Barrel doesn’t offer food, they have an agreement with their neighbours, Mamma Concetta, and pub patrons can order a pizza to be delivered next door, washed down with a delicious pint of cask ale.
The bar hosts one live music event a month, as well as quiz and karaoke nights, plus this month sees the launch of poker nights.
Having lived all over the country, Mantas says he loves living and working in Bedford.
“Bedford’s really nice place,” he told us. “I’ve got a dog [Sparky] and there are some lovely walks and the people are extremely friendly.
“It’s one of the best places I’ve lived in England.”
Win a £50 bar tab
Mantas has put two £50 bar tabs up for grabs, so to be in with a chance to win one of them, simply email win@bedfordindependent.co.uk with your full name and address and the answer to this question:
What is the name of the award-winning Lithuanian pilsner served at the Hidden Barrel?
The closing date is midnight on Sunday, 12 October, and the winner will be notified by email on Monday, 13 October.
Full terms and conditions can be found here.
The Hidden Barrel is at 29 Harpur Street and its opening hours are 10am – 11pm (Monday – Thursday) and 10am – midnight (Friday – Saturday). Full details of their drinks menu can be found on their website thehiddenbarrel.co.uk.
