Rutherfords Micropub - The 1St In Scotland
About Rutherfords Micropub - The 1St In Scotland
Rutherfords is Scotland's 1st Micropub, Visit Scotland's Thistle Award Pub of the Year 2019 /20 Lothian & Borders! Don't let our size fool you. . . Rutherfords is so much MORE than just a pub. . .
Please note - we are closed until further notice
Rutherfords Micropub - The 1St In Scotland Description
A 'Micropub' according to the Micropub Association is defined as follows:
'A Micropub is a small freehouse which listens to its customers, mainly serves cask ales,
promotes conversation, shuns all forms of electronic entertainment and dabbles in
traditional pub snacks'
Micropubs are the brainchild of Martyn Hillier who, in 2005, converted a disused butchers shop in
the village of Herne, Kent into ‘The Butchers Arms’, a tiny ‘pub’ specialising in well-kept craft ales.
Also the founder of The Micropub Association, he recommended the following ‘rules’ of the
Micropub:
• Conversion of a closed shop (to bring back life to the high streets)
• Small in size (to keep costs down and encourage a convivial, friendly atmosphere)
• Limited service (Focusing on a smaller range of craft ales etc, the quality is guaranteed)
• Limited trading hours (All micropubs have varying hours, but none of them follow
traditional pub times of 11am to 11pm 7 days a week. The hours are built around their
customers, who are not the usual pub clientele). Our intention is 12noon – 10pm Tuesday -
Sunday
• Reasonable prices (With low overheads, and using local suppliers, the cost savings are
passed directly to the customers. )
• No lager (This rule acts as a ‘filter’). Micropubs also do not sell alcopops or cold gassy keg
products. They specialise in local craft ales in interesting choices which cannot usually be
matched by public houses. The ales are regularly changed, encouraging repeat business.
• Beers from local microbreweries (encouraging local business and an interesting choice
which cannot be matched by local public houses or bought from the Supermarket)
• No music (Micropubs focus on the ‘lost art’ of conversation and lively banter. There is occasionally live local music,
such as fiddle or folk music played by locals. )
• No Television (This rule also acts as a ‘filter’. It is also a distraction from the atmosphere)
• No hot food (No need for waiting staff, extensive kitchen areas, environmental health,
noise or smells. Micropubs often sell locally produced cold snacks, as the lure of a hand
raised pork pie with a rich malty beer and a nice sharp cheese with cider or a hoppy light
ale is hard to resist! )
• No electronic machines /devices (Gaming machines take up valuable space and ruin the
atmosphere, as well as attracting burglars. Whilst some micropubs ban mobile phones,
most operate a ‘silent only’ policy which suits everyone)
Reviews
Our fabulous 3 Christmas Gin packs are available to buy from the pub now 😊
Only £20 🌲🎅🏻🎁
Thank you all for coming today. We’re feeling quite festive!
Four cracking beers for you today! 🍺
What better place to be this Christmas than hosting at The Borders Pub of the Year?!
Plenty of hours to offer the right person, with long term permanent hours in the New Year too!
PM us with your availability, CV, why you think you’d be a great fit & your favourite film (and why!)
... You must have lone working experience, an outgoing personality & be willing to learn
See More
What better place to be this Christmas than hosting at The Borders Pub of the Year?!
Rutherfords Micropub
Plenty of hours to offer the right person, with long term permanent hours in the New Year too!
... PM us with your availability, CV, why you think you’d be a great fit & your favourite film (and why!)
You must have lone working experience, an outgoing personality & be willing to learn
See More
Best of luck to everyone heading up to the Kelso races today! Cheers! 🍻
Forget about the weather and come for a beer! 🍺
Can’t say fairer than that! 😊🍻🍻
We hope this spirit isn’t drinking & driving! Happy Halloween!
Go on..... 🍻
The perfect opportunity to stock up on your Christmas Gins! Meet the maker & enjoy samples & goodies!
Thank you Foodful for the great article!
Meet Kenzo!! The smiliest dog in town! He’s American. And his Mum’s a model. Of course 😂
Happening right now!
From 2pm to 5pm today only. All 50cl bottles of the Brand New Christmas Gin range only £20 (normally £22.50)
Also available in 28cl size for only £12 (normally £14)
Gift boxes only £20 ... And Edinburgh’s own Impractical Clothes will have a selection of their exclusive bags too.
Come & meet the makers! Irene and Debbie look forward to welcoming you!
PS - there will also be delicious gin soaked mini puds to nibble on!
See More
We’re delighted to announce that the fabulously funky Impractical Clothes will be at our Christmas Shopping Event this Saturday! Come and stock up on your dinky bags - and fill them with DeliQuescent gin! How very perfect 😊
Fresh on 🍻 🍻 👍🏼
The Christmas range! Available from next Saturday 20th at our Get in the Christmas Spirit Shopping Event!
Gingle Bells - a seasonal St Clements gin with oranges & lemons
Glowing GINgerbead - delighfully sweet & flickers like a fire
... Christmas Pudding Gin Liqueur - Seasonal & traditional. It’s a Christmas miracle!
See More
tasty cocktails, great selection of gins and real ales. friendly staff. all in all a fab little place �
Wonderful beer and gin (so I'm told!) and game pie platter...mmm.
What a fantastic Burns night last night. The hospitality was great. The atmosphere was brilliant. The food was nom nom. The music was ace. Oh, and of course, the ale and whisky was also very, very good. It's great when you feel comfortable in a pub with friends as you do in your own home. It's how a pub should feel. Well done Simon, Debbie and Ailz. Big pat on the back.
What A Great Little Bar This Is.
Recommended if you are ever in the area.
Great local beer & Gins.
Will visit again next time we are up here.
We had a lovely evening and asked barman to recommend a gin and his choice was Gin Mare complete with olives, which I wasnt sure of but went with it, and really enjoyed it, but you wee quiz book was too hard for us lol xx
This place is amazing for all the reasons. It’s a first, a one-off and just what the Scottish Borders needed.
It really makes me feel at home and the staff are professional and friendly.
You’ll get great beers here that are unavailable elsewhere. The in-house flavoured gins are fantastic and you can even get a loyalty card to reward your custom.
If you like a wee bit of quirkiness, great drinks and friendly staff, get yourself down there. If you’re a bit of a friendly weirdigan, they’ll love you all the more!
Not to be missed!
X
Spent last Saturday afternoon in this excellent pub. Great drinks and fantastic welcome and service...a top pub and a must visit
Popped in yesterday real ale lovers paradise def be here every day if I didn't live in Newcastle lol great staff great honest real ale small and cosy pub def worth the visit
Outstanding little pub, friends from America loved it too, great friendly atmosphere & awesome selection of beers etc.
Neat and tidy looking place with a lovely interior obviously lovingly put together. Quirky paraphernalia around the walls beaten copper table tops, fab choice of excellent beers, ciders and spirits - their own Kelso gins and vodka of particular interest... all set off by the completely charming and knowledgeable Simon Rutherford - there are meat platters i didn't have a chance to try... It's really warm and welcoming, highly innovative presentation and range of drinks; the draught ales are on full view on a head height rack at the back of the bar - all this difference from the norm in a pub stimulates and encourages conversation between strangers, and makes this micro pub exemplar of the way all pubs ought to be
My mum & I visited yesterday for the first time and were very impressed. Staff were very friendly and chatty, even giving us some facts on the gin! Tried raspberry gin with prosecco and it was lovely! Really liked the decor with all the quirky pictures and was good to sit in a relaxing atmosphere. We don't live local but will definitely be back next time we are in the area to sample some more delicious drinks!
Have been meaning to pop over to Kelso for quite a while to visit Rutherfords and we were not disappointed at all . Great place with great beers and will certainly be seeing you again next time we are up in Northumberland.
The Little Bare Micropub.
Had a lovely afternoon again, lovely micropub, very friendly, good beer and Gin. Always special when Steve Daggett is there. Even Cilla enjoyed the afternoon
Had 3 pints. Bloody grand. Decent lad behind the bar, if I’m in Kelso again it’ll be first pub I walk in.
Great selection of beer and gin! Welcoming staff and dog friendly yay!! � � my favourite place for a relaxing pint � in Kelso
Great little place with knowledgeable friendly staff. ..real ale's aren't really my thing but they distill their own gin, vodka and rum so happy happy. ..
Fantastic hosts with a superb selection of ales, ciders, wines and spirits. There's no other bar in Kelso that looks or feels like it and if I lived there, I'd be a regular. Had a fantastic couple of hours and a great laugh with the locals. Great place.
Dog friendly. Great gin selection. I had hot cross bun gin and tonic. Lovely!
All the best things come in small packages and this micropub is immense!! ��
tasty cocktails, great selection of gins and real ales. friendly staff. all in all a fab little place �
Wonderful beer and gin (so I'm told!) and game pie platter...mmm.
What a fantastic Burns night last night. The hospitality was great. The atmosphere was brilliant. The food was nom nom. The music was ace. Oh, and of course, the ale and whisky was also very, very good. It's great when you feel comfortable in a pub with friends as you do in your own home. It's how a pub should feel. Well done Simon, Debbie and Ailz. Big pat on the back.
What A Great Little Bar This Is.
Recommended if you are ever in the area.
Great local beer & Gins.
Will visit again next time we are up here.
We had a lovely evening and asked barman to recommend a gin and his choice was Gin Mare complete with olives, which I wasnt sure of but went with it, and really enjoyed it, but you wee quiz book was too hard for us lol xx
This place is amazing for all the reasons. It’s a first, a one-off and just what the Scottish Borders needed.
It really makes me feel at home and the staff are professional and friendly.
You’ll get great beers here that are unavailable elsewhere. The in-house flavoured gins are fantastic and you can even get a loyalty card to reward your custom.
If you like a wee bit of quirkiness, great drinks and friendly staff, get yourself down there. If you’re a bit of a friendly weirdigan, they’ll love you all the more!
Not to be missed!
X
Spent last Saturday afternoon in this excellent pub. Great drinks and fantastic welcome and service...a top pub and a must visit
Popped in yesterday real ale lovers paradise def be here every day if I didn't live in Newcastle lol great staff great honest real ale small and cosy pub def worth the visit
Outstanding little pub, friends from America loved it too, great friendly atmosphere & awesome selection of beers etc.
Neat and tidy looking place with a lovely interior obviously lovingly put together. Quirky paraphernalia around the walls beaten copper table tops, fab choice of excellent beers, ciders and spirits - their own Kelso gins and vodka of particular interest... all set off by the completely charming and knowledgeable Simon Rutherford - there are meat platters i didn't have a chance to try... It's really warm and welcoming, highly innovative presentation and range of drinks; the draught ales are on full view on a head height rack at the back of the bar - all this difference from the norm in a pub stimulates and encourages conversation between strangers, and makes this micro pub exemplar of the way all pubs ought to be
My mum & I visited yesterday for the first time and were very impressed. Staff were very friendly and chatty, even giving us some facts on the gin! Tried raspberry gin with prosecco and it was lovely! Really liked the decor with all the quirky pictures and was good to sit in a relaxing atmosphere. We don't live local but will definitely be back next time we are in the area to sample some more delicious drinks!
Have been meaning to pop over to Kelso for quite a while to visit Rutherfords and we were not disappointed at all . Great place with great beers and will certainly be seeing you again next time we are up in Northumberland.
The Little Bare Micropub.
Had a lovely afternoon again, lovely micropub, very friendly, good beer and Gin. Always special when Steve Daggett is there. Even Cilla enjoyed the afternoon
Had 3 pints. Bloody grand. Decent lad behind the bar, if I’m in Kelso again it’ll be first pub I walk in.
Great selection of beer and gin! Welcoming staff and dog friendly yay!! � � my favourite place for a relaxing pint � in Kelso
Great little place with knowledgeable friendly staff. ..real ale's aren't really my thing but they distill their own gin, vodka and rum so happy happy. ..
Fantastic hosts with a superb selection of ales, ciders, wines and spirits. There's no other bar in Kelso that looks or feels like it and if I lived there, I'd be a regular. Had a fantastic couple of hours and a great laugh with the locals. Great place.
Dog friendly. Great gin selection. I had hot cross bun gin and tonic. Lovely!
All the best things come in small packages and this micropub is immense!! ��
tasty cocktails, great selection of gins and real ales. friendly staff. all in all a fab little place �
Wonderful beer and gin (so I'm told!) and game pie platter...mmm.
What a fantastic Burns night last night. The hospitality was great. The atmosphere was brilliant. The food was nom nom. The music was ace. Oh, and of course, the ale and whisky was also very, very good. It's great when you feel comfortable in a pub with friends as you do in your own home. It's how a pub should feel. Well done Simon, Debbie and Ailz. Big pat on the back.
What A Great Little Bar This Is.
Recommended if you are ever in the area.
Great local beer & Gins.
Will visit again next time we are up here.
We had a lovely evening and asked barman to recommend a gin and his choice was Gin Mare complete with olives, which I wasnt sure of but went with it, and really enjoyed it, but you wee quiz book was too hard for us lol xx
This place is amazing for all the reasons. It’s a first, a one-off and just what the Scottish Borders needed.
It really makes me feel at home and the staff are professional and friendly.
You’ll get great beers here that are unavailable elsewhere. The in-house flavoured gins are fantastic and you can even get a loyalty card to reward your custom.
If you like a wee bit of quirkiness, great drinks and friendly staff, get yourself down there. If you’re a bit of a friendly weirdigan, they’ll love you all the more!
Not to be missed!
X
Spent last Saturday afternoon in this excellent pub. Great drinks and fantastic welcome and service...a top pub and a must visit
Popped in yesterday real ale lovers paradise def be here every day if I didn't live in Newcastle lol great staff great honest real ale small and cosy pub def worth the visit
Outstanding little pub, friends from America loved it too, great friendly atmosphere & awesome selection of beers etc.
Neat and tidy looking place with a lovely interior obviously lovingly put together. Quirky paraphernalia around the walls beaten copper table tops, fab choice of excellent beers, ciders and spirits - their own Kelso gins and vodka of particular interest... all set off by the completely charming and knowledgeable Simon Rutherford - there are meat platters i didn't have a chance to try... It's really warm and welcoming, highly innovative presentation and range of drinks; the draught ales are on full view on a head height rack at the back of the bar - all this difference from the norm in a pub stimulates and encourages conversation between strangers, and makes this micro pub exemplar of the way all pubs ought to be
My mum & I visited yesterday for the first time and were very impressed. Staff were very friendly and chatty, even giving us some facts on the gin! Tried raspberry gin with prosecco and it was lovely! Really liked the decor with all the quirky pictures and was good to sit in a relaxing atmosphere. We don't live local but will definitely be back next time we are in the area to sample some more delicious drinks!
Have been meaning to pop over to Kelso for quite a while to visit Rutherfords and we were not disappointed at all . Great place with great beers and will certainly be seeing you again next time we are up in Northumberland.
The Little Bare Micropub.
Had a lovely afternoon again, lovely micropub, very friendly, good beer and Gin. Always special when Steve Daggett is there. Even Cilla enjoyed the afternoon
Had 3 pints. Bloody grand. Decent lad behind the bar, if I’m in Kelso again it’ll be first pub I walk in.
Great selection of beer and gin! Welcoming staff and dog friendly yay!! � � my favourite place for a relaxing pint � in Kelso
Great little place with knowledgeable friendly staff. ..real ale's aren't really my thing but they distill their own gin, vodka and rum so happy happy. ..
Fantastic hosts with a superb selection of ales, ciders, wines and spirits. There's no other bar in Kelso that looks or feels like it and if I lived there, I'd be a regular. Had a fantastic couple of hours and a great laugh with the locals. Great place.
Dog friendly. Great gin selection. I had hot cross bun gin and tonic. Lovely!
All the best things come in small packages and this micropub is immense!! ��
tasty cocktails, great selection of gins and real ales. friendly staff. all in all a fab little place �
Wonderful beer and gin (so I'm told!) and game pie platter...mmm.
What a fantastic Burns night last night. The hospitality was great. The atmosphere was brilliant. The food was nom nom. The music was ace. Oh, and of course, the ale and whisky was also very, very good. It's great when you feel comfortable in a pub with friends as you do in your own home. It's how a pub should feel. Well done Simon, Debbie and Ailz. Big pat on the back.
What A Great Little Bar This Is.
Recommended if you are ever in the area.
Great local beer & Gins.
Will visit again next time we are up here.
We had a lovely evening and asked barman to recommend a gin and his choice was Gin Mare complete with olives, which I wasnt sure of but went with it, and really enjoyed it, but you wee quiz book was too hard for us lol xx
This place is amazing for all the reasons. It’s a first, a one-off and just what the Scottish Borders needed.
It really makes me feel at home and the staff are professional and friendly.
You’ll get great beers here that are unavailable elsewhere. The in-house flavoured gins are fantastic and you can even get a loyalty card to reward your custom.
If you like a wee bit of quirkiness, great drinks and friendly staff, get yourself down there. If you’re a bit of a friendly weirdigan, they’ll love you all the more!
Not to be missed!
X
Spent last Saturday afternoon in this excellent pub. Great drinks and fantastic welcome and service...a top pub and a must visit
Popped in yesterday real ale lovers paradise def be here every day if I didn't live in Newcastle lol great staff great honest real ale small and cosy pub def worth the visit
Outstanding little pub, friends from America loved it too, great friendly atmosphere & awesome selection of beers etc.
Neat and tidy looking place with a lovely interior obviously lovingly put together. Quirky paraphernalia around the walls beaten copper table tops, fab choice of excellent beers, ciders and spirits - their own Kelso gins and vodka of particular interest... all set off by the completely charming and knowledgeable Simon Rutherford - there are meat platters i didn't have a chance to try... It's really warm and welcoming, highly innovative presentation and range of drinks; the draught ales are on full view on a head height rack at the back of the bar - all this difference from the norm in a pub stimulates and encourages conversation between strangers, and makes this micro pub exemplar of the way all pubs ought to be
My mum & I visited yesterday for the first time and were very impressed. Staff were very friendly and chatty, even giving us some facts on the gin! Tried raspberry gin with prosecco and it was lovely! Really liked the decor with all the quirky pictures and was good to sit in a relaxing atmosphere. We don't live local but will definitely be back next time we are in the area to sample some more delicious drinks!
Have been meaning to pop over to Kelso for quite a while to visit Rutherfords and we were not disappointed at all . Great place with great beers and will certainly be seeing you again next time we are up in Northumberland.
The Little Bare Micropub.
Had a lovely afternoon again, lovely micropub, very friendly, good beer and Gin. Always special when Steve Daggett is there. Even Cilla enjoyed the afternoon
Had 3 pints. Bloody grand. Decent lad behind the bar, if I’m in Kelso again it’ll be first pub I walk in.
Great selection of beer and gin! Welcoming staff and dog friendly yay!! � � my favourite place for a relaxing pint � in Kelso
Great little place with knowledgeable friendly staff. ..real ale's aren't really my thing but they distill their own gin, vodka and rum so happy happy. ..
Fantastic hosts with a superb selection of ales, ciders, wines and spirits. There's no other bar in Kelso that looks or feels like it and if I lived there, I'd be a regular. Had a fantastic couple of hours and a great laugh with the locals. Great place.
Dog friendly. Great gin selection. I had hot cross bun gin and tonic. Lovely!
All the best things come in small packages and this micropub is immense!! ��
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