BITE user comments - FTB2
Comments by FTB2
FTB bowled along to the Golden Eagle with hopes high given the high standard P. Chum usually exhibits in all he does. We weren't let down. Although very quiet, there was a pleasing ambience about the place. We found the bar staff very pleasant and prices were cheap enough with a good range of ales and a couple of lagers. The addition of a friendly cat made the place all the more homely. Would definitely go back, but not for a big night. Great place for a few quiets with friends and after 1 or 2 more, to have a sing-a-long with the piano. Only shame was the lack of hot food, there are only so many crisps one can eat!
23 Oct 2009 18:26
The Ship and Shovell, Charing Cross
Top Joint (TJ). Could offer tonic with the strong stuff however.
Poetic environment with plenty of newcomers.
4 Oct 2009 16:36
I like the Lyceum. It�s a traditional pub in an area often tarnished by overpriced, un-atmospheric establishments banking on revolving tourist patronage.
Fantastic value beer and comfortable seating areas�� It�s ideal for groups of friends having a bit of a catch up, much like the drinking group I was with (FTB2).
The food was OK, what you would expect given the price (less than 6 quid for a main)�..a pretty accurate picture menu.
No music��I�m not sure if that�s a bad thing or not�.depends on what they would play I guess. Can�t stand pubs with play lists dominated by UB40, Mamma Mia, Tom Jones and Bennett and McMenamin.
In summary, great pub to enjoy cheap beer in a comfortable and central location, bad pub if your looking to pick up a life partner and or a place to dance��maybe that�s why Chris Kilkelly did not show up.
7/10
27 Mar 2009 13:36
The Walrus Bar and Hostel, Waterloo
Sorry for the delayed response but it took me a while to come up an appropriate rating for the Walrus.
Starting on a strong note props go to the host for reserving a table and a mention must go out to the amazing wedges. There was an ok selection of beer, but unfortunately no ales for the classier gents amongst us. Still, beer is beer, wherever you go.
The interior was fairly industrial, however we thought the jug placed under the urinal added charm. Thrifty, yet very effective! The noise of the train going past overhead also added to the ambiance.
The music choice was enough to get most of the young professionals of London queuing, UB40, Whitney Houston and George Michael to name but a few.
Overall, the Walrus was a tad disappointing.
Bazz don't worry mate next pub will have ramps and an easily accessible toilet..
6 Mar 2009 18:43
After a false start the previous week with the over cautious organiser postponing FTBS due to non existent snow we arrived at the pub to find it packed with Thursday night drinkers. It could have been the Victorian mirrored interior, or more likely the brilliantly priced pints that attracted the punters. There were little rooms which opened on to a part of bar which would have made you feel like you had your own pub, but unfortunately the organiser didn�t arrive early enough to secure one of these, thankfully Barry came to the rescue again and managed to acquire a table at the main bar at the rear.
Although there were only house brand pints on tap they were up to the usual Samuel Smith standard, sweetened by the cheap prices. There was house brand coke (liquid kind not the NZ customs variety) which looked good but none of the team tried.
The only downside was that the toilets smelled like they may not have been cleaned since the place was opened, I would happily pay an extra few pence per pint to have the toilets cleaned.
Overall this bar is worth a visit with the cheap pints the winner on the day.
18 Feb 2009 22:53
When entering the bar later than the rest of my group, I noticed they had ordered what looked to be a scrumptious platter, and was to find out it was indeed, yummy yummy (the New Yorker was what they had and highly recommend). The bar had a pretty happy feel to it, possibly helped out by a guy walking round in a fluffy white hat that would usually be seen closer to Soho! Good place though, beer prices were pretty standard and not a bad variety. The music was truly amazing to say the least, with Belinda Carlisle and Lionel Richie making sure annoying drunken teens stay well away. Unfortunately, the CD must have finished as the music stopped after a while and never came back on!
The presence of Pumba certainly added to the event, and luckily, unlike in past weeks, we were able to secure a table, well done Barry.
All in all, good form from the Yorkshire Grey, would definitely go back for a few more quiets provided they keep the Belinda Carlisle rocking!
27 Jan 2009 20:38
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, Fleet Street
The first Ladies night of the updated FTB format was held at the Ye old Cheshire cheese last Thursday It was good to have the honeymooners present from Australia and be able to introduce them to a very old London drinking establishment with tons of history. The pub was massive with little rooms all over the place however as it was busy this didn�t help the seating arrangements as the host neglected to organise a table. This would have been solved had it not been for the poor lighting on the coin toss. Eventually seating was secured and the group enjoyed the �2 pints which were definitely the winner. The beers were local ales and lagers with none of the big brands within sight. Most of the group partook in the alpine lager which was an excellent example though no one progressed to the ales. One slight inconvenience was the stairway down to the toilets that had little overhead clearance and would have been difficult to negotiate had Dave been present. Over all this was a good traditional pub with a cosy atmosphere.
15 Jan 2009 14:10
The first session of a new version of London's proudest drinking society was held at the Harp last Thursday. Missing a few core members due to relocation, customs problems and general domestic duties (Barry) the new group quickly settled into this charming little boozer. Even though the pub was crammed, service was prompt and efficient, seating was solved by moving upstairs to the "lounge" where one could relax over a larger whilst reclining on one of the leather seats. Only one of the group sampled one of the many ales on tap, with the Sussex Ale described as "pretty good". A high rating indeed from someone who really knows his english ales. Bar snacks were well covered and I can highly recommend the bacon bites. All in all a decent little pub first out although the one down side would be the ridiculously small mens toilets which were a little cozy when filled with a couple of drunk Irish businessmen.
16 Dec 2008 17:21
The Duke of Sussex, Waterloo
Now I have to say that living in London for most of my life, this is the type of pub I would have avoided going into. It looks a little menacing from the outside. The kind of place where you expect o see everyone turn round as you enter and eye ball you till you leave. However, I was pleasantly surprised. In and around Waterloo it is difficult to find a traditional pub which isn�t trying too hard (and failing) to be gastro chic. Full of city boys or uber skinny girls. A fairly eclectic mix of people coming through, some for after work drinks and others who looked like they were settling for the evening. So eclectic in fact that some of us wondered whether this was this was a gay bar in disguise. Another good sign was the sprinkling of miserable ruddy faced men propped up at the bar, who were locals. ...staring up at the tv. There were no problems getting served, by a bar man// landlord who seemed very nice and tolerated 12 or so rowdy kiwis. All the regular beer on tap including a nice guest ale, which went down very well. All reasonably priced, 4 beers for just over a tenner. Also a good selection of sprits although I didn�t hand around long enough for the shots. With kiwis being some of the most uncouth travellers to come to these shores, there was quite a bit of excitement about the crisp selection. It seems that roast beef and mustard is the way to go if you want to tame a team of all blacks.
Sadly the pub never really got busy enough for the buzzing and glass clinking atmosphere that people crave in traditional London boozers. I think if we hadn�t been there I am not sure how they would paid the electricity bill for that evening. My only other concern was the duct tape on the back of toilet...not sure what to say about that other then direct you back reference about the clientele.
22 Jan 2010 09:24