The Phoenix, 106-110 Academy St, INVERNESS, IV1 1LX [Map]
01463 245991 
11-23 MO-WE; 11-00:30 TH-FR; 11-23:45 SA; 12:30-23 SU
Evening Meals, Lunchtime Meals, Rail Station Near Pub

Jim in front of the unusual island bar in the
public bar of the Phoenix, January 2000

Would never have visited this pub had my car windscreen have not failed. Still apart from chipping away at my no-claims bonus our stop in Inverness was rewarded with a visit to this fine establishment. They've a very comfortable lounge bar where they serve food at both lunchtime and during the evening. We stopped in the dimly lit public bar though with groups of locals sat at tables around the edge of the fairly sizeable room. A very unusual and really quite impressive feature of the bar is that it is in fact an island bar. Not seen one of those before. Looked like it had been there for a good hundred years or so, the only obviously modern feature being the touch screen till.

Anyhow 6 fine real ales were on offer and apart from Bass all were from independent breweries in Scotland. I always enjoy an Orkney Dark, a full bodied, dark roast malt and fruity beer (abv. 4.6%).

A great place to stop for a chat and enjoy a pint of good Scottish real ale.

Me outside the Phoenix in January 2000