Back in February this year, I was invited out with some of my best mate’s friends, which dramatically changed our drinking habits, no longer was it the two of us in Chatteris, drinking in his room, or occasionally venturing up the one semi-decent pub in the town (the decent one I managed to get barred from..). No, this started the regular occurrence of our nights out in Cambridge. Normally, such ventures were made impossible due to not being able to get home, or not having anywhere to sleep, which is why when we did go out there sometime last year, we both slept in different parts of the city, me at a bush in my college, him under some market stalls. Such evenings create great stories to tell, but don’t do much for the comfort of sleeping, and is hugely weather dependant. But, now, with the introduction of me to Jam’s friend, Will, we had a place to stay – with Will having a flat down Mill Road in Cambridge.

Obviously, I am not going to go into detail about all the nights spent in Cambridge, but, with so many of us being tight on money (I was on Job Seekers most of this year, the others at College) many nights were just simple drinking at his flat. Though, some were centred around a visit to the closest decent bar – Mickey Flynns, which is a short drunken stumble away from Will’s flat.

Finding it is easy, in Cambridge, locate Parker’s Piece (the big grass area, near a car park, and behind Pizza Hut), continue onto Mill Road, by passing the Swimming Pool and Skate Park, and then just walk down, it isn’t too far, and is easy to notice on the left hand side.

Getting In

Well, now you have arrived at the place, you need to get in. Mickey Flynns is a members club, which means you need a membership to get in, or go with a member. Membership is just £10.00 for an Adult, or £5.00 for seniors and those aged 14-17. Membership is a life time thing, so it is a one off payment. Membership is also given for free to all those with Student ID, which meant all my friends could get in free. They simply take a photo of you, there and then with a webcam, and print off your membership card.

If you are a non-member, then you simply have to pay £1.00 to get in, which is what I did each time we went, though would have been cheaper if I had shelled out the £10 for membership. If you are using the non-membership option, you need to be signed in by a member. Membership also gives you membership of WT’s, another pool bar in the centre of Cambridge

The bar opens at 11 am every day, and tends to close at half twelve, although on Fridays and Saturdays this is extended to 1, and on Sundays, it closes dead on midnight.

Inside

OK, so now you have found the place, and you are in. First port of call? The bar. Mickey Flynns has a good sized bar, located just as you walk in. On draught, they have a few different beers, of which, include Hoegaarden, which became Jam’s immediate favourite, though the rest of us think it is vile. There is of course the normal Carlsberg and such, as well as an array of bottles. The drinks are well priced, a bottle of Magners will set you back £3.50, and pints are around the similar mark.

They do however, have monthly drinks promotions. These have included Magners for £3.00, and two Jagerbombs for £5.00. It is always worth looking at the flyer on the tables to see what promotions are available that month. They do various beers on a deal of a 4 pint pitcher for just £7.00 - £1.75 a pint- bargain.

There is not tonnes of seating in the place, with there being around 10 tables on the bar level, and they are the small round type, with bar stools. We comfortably fit up to 8 of us around on though.

Next stop, I tend to wander over towards the door, where the Jukebox is situated. During the days, this is free to put on music, but after, I think, half five, it costs £1.00 for 5 tracks. It is a touch screen video Jukebox, so not only can you get the tracks, but for a good number of songs, the accompanying video will be displayed on the numerous TV screens, and projectors which adorn the walls. When not in use for the Jukebox, they display general advertisements of prices of drinks and such. The projectors are also used when sport is on.

Next to the Jukebox, is some coat hanging hooks, and the toilets. The toilets are kept nice and clean, and I have never had cause to complain about them.

Also located on the bar level, are two computers, for accessing the internet. These are good if you have been out all weekend, and I have used them for checking Ciao, or Facebook. The downside, is the famous rule of not mixing too much alcohol with Facebook, due to stupid statuses, sending messages to people you shouldn’t, and I also managed to swear at my ex-boss on a Facebook group, meaning he barred me from the Pub I used to work at…

Playing Pool

Being a Pool Bar, you would expect there to be a couple of pool tables yes? Correct.

There are about 9 American pool tables which are located down two steps on a slightly lower floor. To play, you firstly need to ask for the balls from the bar, then locate a nice clear table. The games cost money too, £1.00 for ten minutes, so the cost of a game varies on how quickly you pay. The coin operated lights are simple to use, and around the tables, there is a ledge for your drinks, and stools for the spectators / friends. From then on, you can play pool to your hearts content.

Dilemma Resolved

OK, so you’re in the midst of a dramatic game of pool. You’re winning, with only 2 balls and the black on the table for you to pot. You cast your eyes to the timer on the coin operated light thingy, and it says 2 minutes – but you really need another drink. What do you do?

a) Just wait.
b) Make a dramatic dash to the bar
c) Just cry.

Well, if you answered any of those, you are daft, for Mickey Flynns has a waiting service. Oh Yes, the barmaids regularly come around collecting glasses, and asking if you need another drink. Order your drink, and pay her when she comes back – Simple.
OK, so realistically, waiting for a drink isn’t the end of the world, but the waiting services is awesome, and has been really useful, saving hassle of going to the bar between games. I have not been to another bar where they have this.

The Bar in General

Mickey Flynns is a really nice bar, which benefits from a great, open lay out and reasonably priced drinks. The bar is kept really clean, and we have never sat at a sticky table, or noticed a lack of chalk with the cues. Everything seems to have been taken care of. The floors are clean, a TV screen in close proximity and at the right angle to watch. The Music, well, with a jukebox you sometimes have to sit through a fair amount of shit depending on who else is in the bar, but often has great soft rock tracks.

I have never had any complaints whilst being there, except the one time when for some reason the Jukebox skipped all my tracks – which meant the barmaid simply gave me my £1 back.

The bar staff, are all really friendly, and I have never seen them make a mistake, as an added bonus, there are some fine looking people working there too.

All the pool tables are in great condition, and there is nothing at all that would ruin your play. There is decent spacing between tables, so you are not likely to get in the way of someone else, unless you loiter between the tables too much.

I always enjoyed my visits to the bar, and loved the friendly atmosphere, which was never too loud. It was always a great place to start our nights off, and I have some great memories from visiting, I am sure, that when we are all back from Uni in the holidays, a few reunion visits will be had.