Adam Firman was spotted by police getting into his Renault Scenic, on Derby Road, on February 10.
Ruth Snodin, prosecuting, told police: “Fair enough, I have only driven 50 yards from the Badger Box. They’re going to throw the book at me.”
A test revealed he had 51 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, when the legal limit is 35 microgrammes.
Morgan Hogarth, mitigating, said Firman, a rent agent for Nottingham City Council, had not intended to drive, but followed his girlfriend after a small row at the pub.
Firman, 48, of Boundary Close, admitted drink driving at Mansfield Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
He was fined £375 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £40 victim surcharge. He was banned for 14 months.