Part of the burgeoning Mother's Ruin family, this historic pub was given a new lease of life in March 2012. A former sugarhouse and sweet shop dating back to the 1600s now has new life as a premium city centre alehouse. Tucked away at the bottom of the historic Christmas Steps, its warm and cosy atmosphere is enhanced by the multitude of nooks and crannies to settle into and the traditional wood burner still in the middle of the room. Full of history (look out for the original brick-built sugar oven still situated behind the bar), the pub is split onto two levels: the top level that used to house the Gaiety tea theatre in the early 1900s is now a home for quality acoustic music and dining, and the bottom level a home for quality real ales and ciders. There are three real ales permanently on the bar as well as guest ales from local and countrywide craft breweries and real ciders served from the barrel behind the bar. Food is served daily from 12-noon to 8pm and is all produced on the premises, using local and seasonal ingredients where available. There is a full range of handmade gourmet burgers as well as more standard pub fare such as fish & chips and corned beef hash.