please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
The Blackbirds has been my local for longer than I care too mention and I've seen it go through many changes over the years. I must admit that I was a bit sceptical about the refurb especially the 'Surf n' Turf' aspect but I can wholeheartedly applaud the makeover. The prices are fantastic, the Abercrombie & Fitch decor works well and the atmosphere is back at its best. Roll on the summer!
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I think the 'Surf n' Turf' sign outside should have been a warning. I wouldn't even consider calling this a pub - another happy eater kind of establishment. They did serve real ale (GK stuff but it wouldn't be ready for another hour). Full of babbling brats who just broke up for Easter. Would rather do one of those Japanese insect eating challenges than set foot in here again.
anonymous - 1 Apr 2010 19:41 |
Well been a while since my last comments on this site. Yes a new dawn with a new Manager and at face value full of great ideas and enthusiasm. The bar services seems to improving and the staff no longer seem to play hide and seek in the kitchen away from customers.
One tip for the Paul the new manager - we need to have Annabella time back in the Pub the smile and service is surley missed!
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hey what a nice pub. just moved here went for food and drink with g/friend spoke to quite a few people who were nice/pleasent and staff were pleasent. pub was busy i thought for early part of the week. was told pub was under new management so maybe thats why it was busy as people trying it out.couple of people who we spoke to while ordering food said this pub had gone through a bad period and was now coming back so i guess that must be why its under new management. try this pub i would say its got nice food witha good atmosphere
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this pub has so much potential have to say had a very enjoyable evening in here the other weekend.maybe its the relief of knowing the landlady is going as there did seem to be a different atmosphere.hopefully a sign for the future.
as a note to realalerules 102 please dont try to be personal as it is the pub and its representatives we are commenting on not trying to insult individuals who post comments but for your information i have neither been thrown out of the pub nor am i am a competitor and i do have a life,and as for your comment about the number of posts i guess you must have been drinking your real ale as this post included makes my total 4 out of to date 25 posts hardly all but one .next time im in the pub with check the abv on some of those real ales perhaps you should stick the nice pint of flowers.
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oh and gavinsar i suggest u get a life as all but one are your comments i guess youve either been kicked out of the pub or a competitor manager.
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Having been a regular visitor of this pub for a number of years, i can see that the previous posts are obviously disgrunted old wheatsheaf drinkers who wouldn't know a good pub if it hit them in the face. the pub HAS changed since this manager took over a few years ago, the idiots have all gone, and good riddens. maybe it is not the best decorated pub on the planet but it is by far the best pub in flitwick. if this manager is leaving then i fear the worst for this pub as all the scum of flitwick will be allowed back in and then we will see who's moaning about the quality of staff when we have to fight to get in the toilets to use them for what they are actually intended for. good bye familly pub hello.... well i don't even want to say.
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hey i know not many peoplelook at this site but for those that do if you look at the greene king site it has a vacancy for a manager at the blackbirds. does that mean that the ill equipped woman who some may know as the land lady is going?. lets hope she takes most of her bar staff with her. maybe there is hope for this pub if shes gone maybe food will be better and it can be called a local again at that is needed after she is gone is to get rid of the suits in the early evning that think they own the pub and can be loud n abusive because they spend money. then we might get back a nice local pub that people enjoyed like many did around here some 10 years ago ut justa thought though THANK GOD SHE IS GOING she could not have made a pub worse
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i quite agree with bedsred. since my last visit have tried again and it gets no better. spoke to few people in here and yes previous comment is correct, the land lady whos name is joe doesnt really give a damm about the pub and is only concerned with getting her salary and accomadation. i was told she couldnt care less about the customers who she thinks are all below her and just wants to make her money at this pub. it was of interest to note that these views were expressed to me and my friend by a member of bar staff on a weekday night so if they think this it says it all. perhaps thats why they cant pull a decent pint they are to busy moaning. god alone knows why greene king employ this land lady as she is ruining a pub that was in the past good. perhaps people should contact greene king and start a petition to get her out b4 the pub goes so far down hill it is past being rescued
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We went in last night for something to eat and a drink early evening about 6.15. Well to say this pub has gone downhill is an understatement! I know it's not recognised as a restaurant as such but come on! The whole place is so cold and unwellcoming, the menu unimaginative and the beer served as it comes with no care. Isn't it about time someone taught the barstaff how to pull a decent pint of real ale. I suppose because all the younger generation now drink lager out of bottles the skill in drawing a good pint isn't needed.
Last night the place was so cold we complained that there was no heating on, plus the fact there is an open fireplace where there is often an open log fire. But not last night. It was like a barn ... and did anything get done? No! Seems like the new manageress doesn't really care, like all the ones before her just as long as they get paid. Well we won't be going in there again for a long time together with several people who were eating in there also.
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have been in this pub a few times since moving to flitwick and have to say it is very hit and miss.sometimes empty and on other times jam packed. the only consistent thing is always 2 bar staff on. it is very poor at service when busy and not that much better when quiet as it seems staff prefer to be the other side of the door that is in the middle of the bar leading to i presume the kitchen. talking of the kitchen have eaten here a few times and not bad food for the price but you need to find out who is cooking before ordering.if it is the man then its ok but if it ia the women dont bother as far inferior to the mans cooking. overall worth a visit but not brilliant by any stretch
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Obviously a lot has changed since Pillar's review in December! This pub has gone so downhill... flat beer, disgusting food, fights all the time and a generally bad atmosphere! I used to love this pub but it is a horrible place to drink lately!
tonic - 10 Aug 2008 21:36 |
It was great this Christmas Eve afternoon to actually be allowed to drink in the pub you use all year. Well done to new landlady Jo for the refreshing changes. Also the food this year was so much more enhanced than last year - Well done to Jo B and Ash. Keep up the good work everyone and remember the Blackbirds is for life, not just for Christmas! Happy New Year to all the staff.
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I think the new landlady has brought many new qualities to this pub. Finally after many years a friendly smile :-) to all who drink in this village pub. The customers know they can come here and have some friendly fun and good banter. The pub is clean and tidy and the barstaff are more than pleasant (especially annabella. In summary a great pub with nice people to drink with............
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great beer, lovey atmosphere, definitely recommend!!!!
anonymous - 5 Jul 2007 10:31 |
just moved to flitwick and started going down the blackbirds, i found it a very warm welcome. local people had told me that there is a new manager, from what i have been told she has improved the pub alot. i have seen her a she is quite young so i am very impressed with the improvements she has made by herself.have also eaten in there a few times and the food is always to a high standard and value for money.
anonymous - 5 Jul 2007 10:29 |
Been in there a few times. Food was ok but really just bog standard Brake Bros-style delivered-in stuff. Nothing special.
We went in there one Sunday and there were some blokes playing cards (for money) behind where we stood). When I caught the eye of one of them you would have thought I'd interrrupted a mafia seminar. I felt distinctly uncomfortable and think there's plenty of decent pubs in the area without having to go there. Shame really as the outside looks so promising.
anonymous - 24 May 2007 12:25 |
if you thought this pub was bad before it is well worth a visit just to see how much worse a pub can become.its full of loud mouth stella drinking yobs,with bar staff that work at 2 speeds,either slow or stopped,where the food can only be described as over priced microwaveable rubbish and so rumour has it a new manager that has been there a month but has not been seen by anyone.well worth a visit to here and then go next door to the wheatsheaf and experiance the difference
anonymous - 22 May 2007 17:08 |
Went in there last week, it's just had a refurb.... only downside really is that there are fewer seats in front of the plasma tv when they have games showing. Interesting menu and the food is very good.
anonymous - 26 Mar 2007 12:36 |
I agree with the 3 March comment. The pub is great - by far the best in Flitwick. There is a lovely big garden, gorgeous food (which is reasonably priced) and a nice selection of lagers, beers and wines.
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I think this is a great pub! The bar area is a bit small but there's always a good lively atmosphere and the food is always good.
I wonder if the people who have posted about the landlord and landlady have actually taken the time to get to know them...! They are nice people - they just take their jobs seriously which I personally think benefits the pub!
anonymous - 3 Mar 2006 11:32 |
IsRue still working here she was a barmaid a long while ago
anonymous - 2 Feb 2006 11:38 |
One wonders if the landlord and landlady have read this as I think the majority of the people who frequent this pub agree that that they would easily win the title for the most miserable landlord and landlady in th uk!
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Possibly one of my least favourite drinking venues, the landlord and landlady are particulally miserable and rude. If you like drinking in a big corridor then this could be the place for you. The only saving grace is the beer garden which as previously mentioned is great in summer months
anonymous - 9 Jun 2005 14:06 |
Rude lanlord and landlady and bar usually too crowded to get too. Beer garden is nice in the summer though.
Gavinda - 26 Feb 2004 13:33 |
My local, great Stella, sometimes have real ales such as Abbot, but watch the quality. Very grumpy and rude owners.
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Large pub, small bar, 17th Century building, big beer garden - food is standard pub fayre. Highly recommended for bank holiday drinking sessions
Simon - 27 Nov 2003 12:55 |
My old local. Would echo the comments of Mr Reeve above. Well worth frequenting on a Bank Holiday Sunday as it is open till 12 and much merryment is had.
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My Local, a 17th Century inn with great Pub, Brilliant Bar staff, Excellent Stella, Grumpy owners!
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