11 Church St, Douglas, Isle of Man IM1 2AG
A small busy back street town pub, the oldest in Douglas (well it’s a toss up between The Rovers and the Saddle on the Quay) – situated in the lane behind the Town Hall, The Rovers’ continues the Bushy’s philosophy of catering for a mixed crowd. It is very busy at lunchtimes with many “suits” and office girls, alongside builders, pensioners and shoppers working their way through the menu as well as the Bushy’s beers and guest ales. (limp wristed, arty-farty types have likened it to a Bruegel painting) An open fire welcomes in the winter, and outside tables on the cobbled lane look after the summer trade. The small backroom is a shrine to Blackburn Rovers F.C. – (Martin’s obsession) – crammed full of photos, paintings and a cabinet full of shirts, footballs and rare mementos (very sad!).
The back room was extended a few years ago to offer a large lounge area and a pool room.
The pub’s main theme is the fire brigade – it was an obvious port of call for the men who staffed the old fire station opposite who wished to continue quenching after putting out a fire or following a struggle with a pussy somewhere around Douglas. Brigade memorabilia abounds, and the old brass hose nozzles form the beer pumps. This pub is a must for anyone wanting to see a totally unspoiled Manx ‘boozer’.
