Isaac's Free House, Ipswichback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Multi level restaurant / pub with a lovely view over Neptune Quay. Different levels connected by stairs - not ideal if you have any mobility problems! Food OK but expensive and beer served in plastic glasses for no obvious reason! Expensive pint in cheap plastic glass, a most odd combination! Beer of reasonable quality but there are many better pubs within a short distance.
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Didn't this used to be The Maltings? If so, I first put in an appearence here - suitably costumed and armoured - along with my crew from the Golden Hinde II replica, which we'd just tied up on the quay. There was a jazz feastival inprogress as I recall, and the louche, hep-cat clientele were somewhat alarmed to be descended on by a maurauding band of Elizabethan buccaneers: especially when we started firing cannons across the dock! (Spring '85.)
It was, as I recall, a very good pub where we enjoyed many a convivial evening.
Later it became "Cobbolds on the Quay" I think.
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Not a bad place, seems to be the 'in place' for the locals, everyone seemed friendly enough, though the layout can be a bit confusing - especially if a bit drunk!
Friday night was surprisingly quiet (credit crunch maybe), went back on Sunday and found it full of sailors in uniform pissed out of their skulls and singing sea shanties, the women probably loved it but could be a bit off putting for some......seeing as they do a grand job i'll let them off though! ;)
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Found the pub on my first visit to Ipswich before a football match (Saturday 1pm). Proved an excellent choice. Good ale, good fizzy lager, well presented, reasonable priced food. Staff were very friendly (even called me 'babe' and 'darling'!) and efficient. Would recommend highly.
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Avoid, beer in thick plastic glasses, confused lay out, young persons paradise. Go round the corner to the Lord Nelson instead!
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Disappointed to find there was only Greede King IPA on offer on my last visit. Sad to see the loss of a good local ale to be replaced by a boring national giant.
Mind you, if you have no interest in a decent beer then it's a reasonably pleasant place to drink.
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The place has had a massive overhaul on the inside. Seems food is the priority now. Did have an ale on though, Mauldon's Mole Trap, which was a good drop.
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A bar this far out of the town centre needs a gimmick, especially now its one time owner the Tolly brewery just along the quay is no more.
Maybe bring back the days as a flavoured vodka bar?
The people who are buying the flats springing up on the docks (sorry - "Waterfront quarter") which are blocking off historical access so they can watch the little boats bobbing around in the marina are not going to bother with a proper local pub.
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