please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Visited recently for the first time in a couple of years. Time seems to have stood still since the landlords saved the pub. Limited selection of beers. My pint was OK but nothing special. Better beer 100 yds down the road (and a more exciting menu).
|
Decor is a vast improvement on previous tenant landlord(s). Service in prompt.
|
Beer circa �3.30 a pint, which is about average for Harpenden, the quality is OK, had pint and a half of Side Pocket For A Toad.
|
Further to my earlier post, this pub has found it's feet and is supurb. Well worth a visit.
BTW - the London Pride has been replaced by Tring Side Pocket in order to provide a weaker "session beer".
|
Pleased to concur with Martyn G's and Stephen M's recent comments and to help with a deserved rating uplift. What a change from previous incarnations! Only a quick visit at the weekend after footie but the Doombar tasted pretty good and the decor is much, much, improved. And roll on those summer days with cold beers in the garden.
|
Visited a couple of days ago after an absence of many years. What a transformation - really clean, tidy and pleasant. The Doom bar was excellent and the menu looks to be reasonably priced.
Good luck to Nick and Bernie on their new venture
|
I was told last weekend that the Skew Bridge had actually re-opened a few days previously. As the comments were favourable I decided to visit yesterday evening with a couple of friends. What a change! The interior has been totally redone with the same colour schemes in both bars, the big screen and pool table have gone, and the loos are completely new. The landlord looks somewhat familiar and knows his stuff. There were two real ales on. The Doom Bar was excellent and my friend said the same of the Pride. A few people were eating and the food looked good and not overpriced. This venture deserves to succeed and I think it will as for the first time in about four years there appears to be a steady hand on the helm. Hopefully as trade builds up a few guest ales will be added. Will be going back to try the Sunday lunch in a couple of weeks.
It makes me think that sometimes the scores should be zero�d when a pub rises phoenix like from the ashes (figuratively speaking) as recent history drags the score down.
|
There was meant to be a grand re-opening last weekend. It never happened! What is going on? Like the Three Horseshoes a pub in need of a decent landlord.
|
With reference to previous comments, the Cross Keys and Carpenters Arms do a good range of Real Ale, with other pubs starting to get into the market, with varying results.
|
With it's location on the Common, and easy access via bus or (easyish) by train, I've always felt this place was ripe to the real ale heaven we don't really have in Hapenden (think Lower Red Lion in St Albans or Hitchin's Half Moon). Trouble is recent incumbents have tried to compete with the Plough as an sports/events type venue and the Plough is too established. Shame as there's real potential going to waste here.
|
Supposedly re-opened with new landlord/landlady.
|
Following on from the previous poster, it was also closed on a Saturday night, with curtains drawn and a hired van outside so the signs aren't looking too good. A few years ago (around 3/4) there were a couple who ran it specialised in Real Ale and food and we need someone in there like that. I remember around 15 years ago it was busy pretty much every weekend.
|
Passed this pub on Tuesday and it is closed yet again. I only visited it a couple of times and have to agree with the previous posters comments. On one occasion the landlord bent my ear about how bad the previous people were. Sadly this has happened three times recently. The pub has potential but it has never been realised. Please lets have landlords with a joined up business plan!
|
On latest visit the beer was of pretty poor quality, the Greene King IPA is virtually tasteless and the John Smiths Smooth tasted vinegary. Apart from that the atmosphere in the pub is improving and they get some good quality cover bands coming in. 3 out of 10 for the beer and 7 out of 10 for everything else.
|
The new owner/landlady is now in. Although the signs are looking promising, if you're a Real Ale drinker then you might be disappointed as, when I went they only had Greene King IPA on, unless you count John Smiths Smooth (not a fave) and Guiness, which I don't. The Guiness was reasonable and the service was ok.
Will visit again and see how things progress.
|
Apparently the new owners/landlord/landlady are now in place. Will leave a review when I go there.
|
I don't go here too often and it usually seems very quiet.
Mostly full of youngsters "hanging" around!
|
Apparently new management are on the way. Hopefully they can make something of the pub standing on the edge of Harpenden Common. Two skill sets I hope the new managers have are i) the ability to look after a real ale and b) the ability to prepare some decent food!
|
Must try a LOT harder! Better pubs nearby.
|
Scafflding is still there... they seem to have seperated the two bars in to dinign to the right and drinking to the left. Pool table in the drinking bar along with access to the garden which in one breath encourages kids and in the other has notices telling them nt to play ball games (or is that for the older clientelle?). They had Youngs on and a hand pulled cider but you just know that it isn't worth the hassle of trying it and ten having to take it back... went for Kronenbourg to blend in with the crowd.
anonymous - 31 Jul 2010 00:15 |
Lots of scaffolding around the front and side of the building, promoting some "We are open" signage. Inside, there are two fairly basic bars but the customers were all crowded around one of the counters making it unnecessarily difficult to get served. Scrappy little beer garden. Just one real ale (a pretty ordinary pint of Youngs Ordinary at �2.90) plus a draught cider. Perhaps it is starting to be refurbished; it certainly needs smartening up a bit to attract people back for a second visit.
|
New owner/landlord. Hate to say this this pub seems to have gone downhill, the bar staff seem inexperienced and the furniture seems out of place and the paintwork needs a lot of attention and also the quality of beer is dubious. Hope they manage to do what necessary to turn this round or this might be another one that bites the dust.
|
It is indeed open and although it may well have had a bit of a paint job it does need a bit more. It�s in a residential/estate area and has loads of land surrounding it so you do fear that it might not last that long. I hope it does as it�s a genuine pub doing what it can to survive. Friendly service and a couple of ales including Youngs Ordinary which was in good condition.
|
I had a phone call from a friend who lives nearby to say it has reopened. The pub and kitchen have apparently undergone a deep clean, and the bars freshened up with a coat of paint. He said initial impressions are favourable but will wait to see how things develop. I am meeting him there in a month or so and will report back. Just felt it would be useful to let people know it is no longer closed.
|
Has new owners allegedly
|
Apparently it is closed down because they couldn't afford to pay the bills...allegedly.
|
Was passing throught a couple of days ago and thought I would pop in for a pint. A local told me it had been closed for two weeks but felt it was temporary. Another, though, said it was yet another victim of the "credit crunch". Does anybody know? Had an excellent pint at the nearby Carpenters Arms.
|
Service was ok. Beer is of good quality. Food quality has slightly diminshed.
|
Nope. Empty room to left of entrance, busy-ish public to rt, uncomfortable getting in with most punters crowding between door & bar. Beer quality & service was ok, but just Black Sheep & Spitfire (as opposed to Mike�s �good selection of guest ales�). Two large plasmas to rear were showing different games (sky&setanta), mercifully only one commentary. Grey-clothed pool table to rear right. A little too cramped and locals� local for me; let�s just say its current rating of 7.2 is� surprising.
|
It is many a long year since I visited the Skew Bridge but recent events lead to two visits during the last month. Despite Harpenden having quite a few pubs it is, in reality, not very good for pubs! First impressions were good the bar staff were friendly and the customers did not stare/glare at you (quite common in the area!). The pub has a good selection of guest ales and those that I tried were well kept. On one occasion I had a meal. It is good honest pub grub and not overpriced. Someone recommended that I come back and try the Sunday lunch as apparently it is a genuine roast (not re-heats) and good value. Recommended!
|
I have been to this pub several times and can say this is by far the best pub in Harpenden if not Hertfordshire! I beleive the Landlord and Landlady have been running pubs in Harpenden the longest and you can tell when you have been there! Staff are very friendly and the Garden is just superb! I think it is very much worth a few hours of your time i can guarentee you will not be disappointed!
anonymous - 26 Jul 2006 14:13 |
One of the better pubs in the area, food is good value for money and staff are friendly.
anonymous - 30 May 2006 17:16 |
A nice clean pub with good food and the Stella is always good. They've got a nice garden with things for kids to play with.
|
