Flowers of the Forest

Suntrap Beer Garden, Blissful Atmosphere Await

Descending upon this unassuming local pub, I expected a regular watering hole, but what I found was a medley of experiences. It's a cozy joint with the quintessential local charm, a snug enclave where sport enthusiasts would feel right at home, given the five mammoth screens broadcasting every conceivable form of athletic contest. With its single, decidedly expensive pool table and smattering of cheerful patrons, it emits a captivating atmosphere that's both familiar and alien. The suntrap beer garden offers a promising escape, where sunshine lovers can lose hours to leisurely chatter over a pint or several.

Now, as Dr. Jekyll has his Mr. Hyde, not everything here is rosy pints and lofty cheers. Customer interaction saw prowess ranging from delightfully amiable to chillingly Orwellian. One evening flipping through Capita's manual on customer service might do some of the staff wonders—and that’s me at my more diplomatic. The drink prices leaned heavier than Larry the Cable Guy after an all-you-can-eat supper, but locals seem finely resilient, brandishing their whiskey glasses like badges of honor. Still, I can’t shake off feeling that the place needs to pick its audience better: loud sports fans in search of lively entertainment will leave chuffed, while those in search of calmness sans-seating charges may find their granny’s living room exponentially more compelling. — Milo Tastemaker