please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Quite liked this pub, grand architecture reflecting its past as a bank and the beer was good.
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Nothing really special - so we sauntered over to the station where the buffet on platform 4 now does decent ales and is a much better bet for a pre- train pint.
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After 7 fairly relaxing pubs, I hit the centre of Carlisle's late night drinking circuit with the Griffin on the edge of it, just outside the railway station. It's quite a grand building inside and out. There is plenty of seating space both upstairs and downstairs. I believe the upstairs room had its own bar too. But I was getting a little merry by now. I do remember that most tables were littered with glasses, either indicating it had been a very busy evening, or they simply didn't have enough staff. I'll opt for the former reason, as another friend had described the action earlier in the evening as 'cabaret'. Whilst this is a Greene King establishment, it's not limited to just their own beers. Hardy & Hansons Rocked Out, Robinsons Trooper, Greene King IPA & Copper Dragon Golden Pippin were the ales. The Rocked Out was ok, but nothing special. A CAMRA discount was offered. I'd imagine the Griffin would make for a pleasant drink during the day. But it was just a bit too lively to enjoy during my visit.
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A large pub with a couple of cask ales, convenient for the station. Nothing special.
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In here last Friday afternoon and not much to add to the last post.
Had an OK pint of Robinsons Dizzy Blond for £2.69.
Watched some of the test match Cricket on a giant screen.
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Whilst conveniently positioned to the station and handy for a flying visit whilst waiting for a connection, this establishment is certainly not worthy of its 3 star rating. Although the bar staff are friendly and seem hostpitable and the place in general is kept clean and tidy, the food and kitchen service need seriously looking into. We were a party of 4 that visited on 10/03/20012 from a private steam train charter. We were in Carlisle on a flying visit and were looking for food and refreshment so we decided on the Griffin just for convienience. We ordered our drinks which were served promtly by excellent friendly staff, who seemed to be in abundance, then ordered our food of 2 portions of ham and chips, 1 portion of sausage and chips and 1 jacket potato with tuna mayo. We were informed on ordering that our order would be approx 30 to 45 mins. However, some 90 mins later, after complaining we were told there was no ham! We therefore re-ordered and were told we would be served in approx 10 mins. However, 35 mins later we were served with food that was tasteless and appeared to have been thrown onto the plates from a great distance. Not a good service from the chef and kitchen staffs point of view and if I were the owner I would seriously contemplate sacking the builders labourers they employ in their kitchen establishment and concentrate on employing experienced staff that take a pride in their work and what they produce for the customers.
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A large central pub very convenient for train station and does serve a couple of real ales namely "Jennings" which is fairly priced.
The clientele are a mixed bag of duffle coated loners and geriatrics that drag the place down a bit, if the clientele were not so inbred then would have given it a 7.
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First visit here this time by steam train fron Manchester and was ok but nothing sp[ecial. Food was very reasonable and the 2 out of the 3 ales available we had were good.
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Totally agree with Roberttherailway - very interesting fire places/surrounds etc
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Reasonably priced central pub, avoid on match days if possible as its nearest pub to the train station. Ok but nothing special!
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It was chav central when I was in on Saturday night. The Mordue's Workie Ticket was good, though.
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Great pub with great staff and a good choice of beers too. Excellent prices too. Very handy for the Station!
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Tried it again as it got national GBG entry, Brew Dog in fine condition but served 10% short, pub too busy to argue the point and at �1.35 per 1/2 pint I wont bother again, I get a full pint for only 14p more at Woodrows as a Camra member.
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Tried it again as it got national GBG entry, Brew Dog in fine condition but served 10% short, pub too busy to argue the point and at �1.35 per 1/2 pint I wont bother again, I get a full pint for only 14p more at Woodrows as a Camra member.
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Visited The Griffin This week. The Ale was spot on, particularly the Cumberland Ale fron Jenning's(Marston's). This ale house is well worth a visit.
xh558 - 16 Jun 2009 23:50 |
This place has gone downhill a lot since my last review despite claiming to be Camra pub of year / season, often advertises lots of interesting ales on board outside but frequently only same old boring Theakstons Bitter and Mild on. I have also had to send back ales in poor condition. One of their latest accolades is a fine beer award - judged by no less than cask marque - a subsciption organisation, how they got this with a 100% mark leaves much to the imagination. Worth a try if you have only 10 or 15 minutes before your train otherwise Woodrow Wilson 2 minutes down the road is the best local bet.
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OK pub for a station pub. Sells a couple of real ales usually at least one is from a micro. Has several large screens for the football so it gets busy when there's a match on. Service is usually OK here even when busy. Not much character has been left in here as it's simply a big room, has an upstairs though that opens at busy times.
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nearest pub to the station opens early & excellent value for money food
anonymous - 11 Nov 2008 08:50 |
Very handy for the station. I wouldn't want to visit in the evening, when I suspect it will be very busy. But they have two or three real ales, staff are friendly and professional and they're really trying in the food department. Sausage and onion baguette was excellent.
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It's alright but it was full of football fans who a bit rowdy at the time I was there.
Reasonable selection of real ales on and a good place to wait between trains, I�ve seen worse.
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One of the few good real ale haunts in Carlisle, Camra beer festival from 27 - 29 July, good if waiting for a train - also try Woodrow Wilson 200 yards down Botchergate.
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The pub that time forgot for me. Typical 'beside the station' pub. Plenty of people in for a couple while waiting for connections etc. Looks in need of a lick of paint. Toilets are scruffy. Oh, and the music, stuck in the mid-90's, please change it!
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Excellent atmosphere. Staff are friendly and food was good. Bar manager is a right larf!!
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Although this pub is on the circuit on a Saturday and gets really busy, the beer is excellent with two guest ales. The food we had was excellent and good value @ 2 for �8.
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cavernous, workaday sorta boozer this. i rather rated it for its lack of pretention.
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Over crowded on a Friday and Saturday night. Takes ages to get served. Not much of a choice of bitters. Interior needs updated.Wont be going back.
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Stay away from the veggie burger! it was always an ok place for a good pint, it used to be a bank so it�s really big and has a bit of a cold atmosphere.
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