Lloyds No. 1 Cafe Bar, Milton Keynesback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
The last time I came here it was an inspiring Lloyds Bar. Now it is the very fancy Brewhouse & Kitchen.
I was here for a work party so potentially a different experience to the drop-in drinker on a night out. From what I could discern, an interesting layout and décor on multiple levels.
As I was driving and could only have one pint early doors, I thought I would make the most of the chance to have a stout, as I find it increasingly difficult to find a pint that doesn't taste of grapefruit/mango/etc.
It was one of the Brewhouse's own brews (one of four on tap, with a golden ale on hand pull). I don't mind a cold beer, but this was chilled to within an inch of its life which killed a lot of its taste. Once I'd left it to warm up it was a nice pint, but you shouldn't have to do that.
Plenty of other interesting bottles in the fridge, different lagers (a home brew, Oranjeboom..) for those who like fizzy stuff, plus the gin drinkers seemed pretty happy too.
It's not cheap, and a pint will set you back about a fiver, with a double spirit around the £7 mark.
I'm aware this is a beer site rather than food, but a paragraph to compliment the pie I had, which was excellent. I get fed up with places which try to pass off a dish of gravy and a couple of lumps of gristly meat topped with uninspiring puff pastry as a pie. This was a fully encased shortcrust steak, ale and mushroom. And delicious it was too.
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A modern and fairly typical Lloyds Number One bar in the heart of what Milton Keynes rather euphemistically calls it�s Theatre District. Sandwiched between a Zizzi and a Slug & Lettuce, that immediately gives you a fair idea of the type of establishment and it�s target clientele.
Architecturally it does at least have some interesting curves. The main bar area has a highly polished wood floor, with a long, wood panelled bar counter on the left, some further wood panelling on the lower part of the walls with reddish brown paintwork above. The exposed joists and rafters of the floor above make up the ceiling. At the back is a small snug, although this only has room for four leather arm chairs and a low table. Next to this is a large, circular room which looks to be primarily the dance floor, with a small DJ booth on one side. There is a giant glitter ball on the ceiling, surrounded by an equally large lighting rig. The walls here are entirely wood clad, and there are also full height, dual aspect windows. Upstairs is another carpeted bar, this time with mustard yellow paintwork, and plenty of seating.
There are a few plasmas dotted throughout the pub, and some fairly chunky looking speakers, although thankfully the volume was no more than background level on a recent (early) evening visit. Food is typical Wetherspoon fayre, although with their curry deal at �4.59 you can�t really go wrong. Less successful was a Sticky Toffee Pudding (made to a genuine Cumbrian recipe, apparently), although at �1.99 it would be churlish to complain. Bar staff seemed friendly and helpful.
Beer choice was a little disappointing for a Wetherspoon�s, with just Ruddles Best, Adam Henson�s Rare Breed from Butcombe (that�s a new one on me) and something called Kalamuzoo Black Silk which is apparently a oatmeal porter brewed exclusively for JDW in the US. Ciders fared no better, with Strongbow being the solitary offering. There was a tap for Thatcher�s Gold, but unfortunately this had sold out. Unsurprisingly, there was plenty of Strongbow left.
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Real ale is not bad & very cheap, although there won't be much choice. It may seem kind of grim to some, but overall I'd say this is one of the better MK centre pubs.
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Popped in whilst passing through last weekend. Nice place for a Sunday lunchtime pint or a meal.
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its just great in here, went in for my birthday last weekend, got a free bottle of wine and me and 15 arranged to q jump.....fab night, great dj and tasy bouncers
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looks great, music ok but the doormen , what a bunch of tossers middle aged bald heads and overweight what away to greet your customers.
anonymous - 21 Aug 2007 22:42 |
not a bad blace to be and one of your better places, but as previous comments have mentioned in the past, door staff a little unfriendly, but once you get through all is ok, wouldnt recommend this place on a weekend for a quiet night, very busy , but definately has a better calibre than oth clubs I can mention. Worth a visit!
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almost the best of a bad bunch around theatreland, atleast you know what to expect
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Ok but a bit clinical and bland. Good staff and decent food, though.
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Since my last comment, you now can't wear Trainers on a Saturday????????????????????????????
But you can on a Friday. Confused, I was!
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Yes it is it slightly Townie, but I think its a mild haven from some of the tight rules of other establishments in Milton Keynes. Yes you can wear trainers, yes you can wear non collared shirts, and yes you can drink till late. Unfortunately you may get the odd psycho but hey its about the drink not the clientele. Isn't it??
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unfriendly door staff but nice pub once you get past them.
anonymous - 24 Mar 2005 20:13 |
a real towny pub but cheap. Always seems to be falling to bits. didnt try the food as there was nowhere to sit.
matt - 31 Aug 2004 10:57 |
Superb atmosphere and decor, great choice of music with wide screen monitors. Could do with a Wetherspoon's like this in Dorchester or Weymouth.
Rick - 30 Apr 2004 14:06 |
Good food and nice and cheap too - try the panini's!
Good place to visit on a Friday and Saturday night before heading to Oceana but can get very packed and VERY hot.
Blue - 24 Oct 2003 21:18 |
Good pub, nice cocktails, especially Mud Pie. Curious picture on the wall though entitled ''Valpone' Ben Jonson'. Funny, could have sworn it was 'Volpone', literary types beware. Irritated me slightly.
: ) - 22 Oct 2003 16:13 |
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