BITE user comments - MartynT
Comments by MartynT
My last review of here was pretty good on the whole. Since the we have a new Manager, and so far so good - except the beer choices. Way too many 4.5% plus beers and a disproportionate number of stouts and porters. It's Summer for goodness sake, where are the nice light sub 4% session bitters? I'm not alone in these observations, and our table is slowly but surely voting with its feet.
7 Sep 2014 11:17
Saturday night and not one light cask beer on at 7pm. Plenty of lovely sunny day drinks like stout and porter. Who the bloody hell picks the beers in this place? You can just see it in freezing January, there'll be unlimited 3.9% straw coloured quaffing beers on every night. Crap.
7 Sep 2014 11:04
2nd visit here in 2 weeks and almost a mirror image of the first. Good choice of beers and well kept too. Interior pleasant enough but the staff are almost comically inconsistent. The lads are without exception excellent, smiling and friendly and this week offered us a loyalty card. The lasses on both weeks, just the opposite, surly, uninterested and putting cask in a craft beer glass, well it ain't life ending stuff but it just speaks volumes. Note to Female staff, you're in a customer facing job, if you don't like it, use the door and leave - we did..
7 Sep 2014 11:00
Over 6 years since we've been in as it's way out of our way. It may as well have been 6 minutes as absolutely nothing has changed. Except the prices of course.
Magnificent beers, warm friendly welcome from staff and locals.
It won't be 6 years till the next visit.
5 Sep 2014 12:09
Way overpriced, beer fine and decent atmosphere but poor value for money.
29 Aug 2014 08:14
Superb beer quality, brilliant one room arrangement. No music, screaming kids, scruffy chavs or God forbid, Carling..
Excellent. Go there now. 30 seconds walk from Narrow Boat.
15 Jun 2014 21:10
Went in after concluding some business earlier than planned.
Had a lovely pint, sorry can't remember what it was, probably because I was mesmerised by the prettiest lass I've ever seen behind a bar.
She was friendly, witty, entertaining and downright stunning.
Martyn.
26 Mar 2014 13:34
This place has improved dramatically. The beers have always been half decent but the cleanliness and clearing have been poor.
Not now, much tidier, faster service, tables cleared and dare I say the staff seem much friendlier.
The Manager is regularly behind the bar too, an excellent example.
24 Feb 2014 20:06
Thank goodness the beer was ok as the welcome was pathetic. Surly uninterested miserable sod who livened up when the regular crew came in. Won't be racing back.
26 Jan 2014 12:28
Excellent beer, nothing changes much here but a new all time high for a pint was achieved. £3.80 for Tim Taylor Landlord, ouch....
22 Nov 2013 19:46
Superb meal again on Sat night, pub busy but still fit us in for a meal. Early bird is excellent value. Keep it up. Service excellent, one young girl in particular, a real gem, pretty, polite, always smiling and a great sense of humour.
11 Jul 2011 13:21
This caper of not collecting glasses and/or plates on the way back to the bar amazes us too.
If it's so obvious to the punters why can't the Managers see it? To be fair, it is under new Management but the glass collection nonesense went on previously so no change.
8 Dec 2010 11:32
Fantastic choice of ales on our many visits over New Year. Ale superbly served and kept.
Without doubt the best pub we've visited in Southport.
3 Jan 2010 13:40
Numerous visits here over the New Year. Good choice of well kept ales.
Service a bit sketchy but not helped by regulars sitting at the bar even when folk are obviously trying to get served, The worst offender was who we think was the Landlord.
Didn't spoil it though and will certainly return.
3 Jan 2010 13:37
Visited here on New Years day, miserable cow, (not the Landlady we ascertained), behind the bar, clearly didn't want to be there and certainly didn't want to serve a non regular.
There was only a clip showing Tetley Mild and I politely asked if that was the only cask beer on offer.
"There's Bitter" she says with as much warmth as an iceberg, pointing to a non existent clip. It was ok but no more than that.
Not worth the trek for us and no we won't be going back.
3 Jan 2010 13:32
The Sportsmans Arms, Blackburn
It's closed and up for sale along with a restrictive covenant which means It cannot trade again as a pub. Probably because Thwaites are scared to death of someone making a good go of it.
Shame on you Thwaites.
3 Nov 2009 11:20
The Duck and Puddle, Blackburn
Visited here recently, 2 cask ales on. Only tried one, Jennings, it was good. The pub has adopted it's previous name of The Quarrymans.
3 Nov 2009 11:18
3 visits here over the weekend. Tim Taylor Landlord well kept and at just shy of �3 a pint - it ought to be. Last visit on Sunday marred by some, well, frankly bizarre customers.
One thought it quite normal to accost folk who had children with them, and engage them in conversation regarding childminding, seeing and hearing had to be experienced to be believed. We moved seats to get out of her hearshot.
The other nutter present owned 2 huge dogs.Clearly she wished she'd have given birth to them, it was bordering on muttophelia, if that's a word. The whole corner of the pub was taken over by the dogs and her conversations with them and any poor sod who was daft enough to come and pay attention to the dogs - or her.
One guy who was obviously a regular moved to the opposite side of the pub, the poor bugger didn't know that the woman with childminding issues was there. I bet he left quickly after we did, we were the only sane folk in the place, God help the staff.
8 Sep 2009 09:02
Another visit last week, again superb. Beer 1st class and atmosphere excellent as ever, how this pub is only currently number 39 on the top rated section beggars belief.
9 Aug 2009 12:51
Visited last night with Missus and in laws, we ate from the early bird menu which we think is good value at �11 for three courses, or cheaper for two or just the one. 50% off a small selection of wines on Thursdays is hard to beat too. All the food was good, ale well kept and pleasant service too.
26 Jun 2009 12:28
1st visit here yesterday, it was recommended to us from a nice couple who we spoke with in the Marble Arch. What a treat, great ambience, beer spot on and a very nice girl in both looks and service. Will be here again on our next visit to Manc.
25 Jun 2009 10:48
Couple of visits recently, both good experiences. Top quality, well kept cask ale and a decent lunch on one visit too. Polite staff, no complaints at all.
4 Jun 2009 08:27
The previous reviewer must have got their wires seriously mixed up, this is a grubby back street boozer which currently has a sign in the window saying "NO SIMPLETONS"
Make of that what you like...
12 May 2009 16:09
You jammy beggars, those who are lucky enough to have this place as a local. A visit yesterday had us on the Manchester bitter, excellent as usual plus JP Best which quite honestly, was out of this world. I barely have the words to describe how good it was.
One slightly sour note was that the folk next to us groused about their nosh in both portion size and that the meat was not cooked as to the request. It looked bloody good to me though..
Roll on another visit soon.
5 May 2009 09:30
Visited last night. 3 cask beers on, Thwaites, Hydes and Deuchars, all spot on. We then shared an olives, bread and dipping oil starter - excellent, as it well should be.
My wife had the Haddock and I had steak pie, both excellent. Service good and not over attentive or "hovering". A Chilean house red was also excellent if a tad pricey. A good drink and a good eat, plenty of people dining if a bit light on drinkers but it was a horrible night weather wise.
9 Nov 2008 08:49
Saveyourmoney, if care to look back through the reviews, you will read my (once), negative review. You will also read my positive one. I have no connection whatsoever with The Butlers Arms other than being an occasional paying customer.
24 Oct 2008 09:29
Saveyourmoney, I'm very interested to know why the diners left? Was the food of poor quality, cold, poor value or something else? As you state that they left because of the food, it's not unreasonable to ask why. I'm quite surprised at your posting as our last experience was a very good visit.
15 Oct 2008 09:27
This must be one of the most poor adverts for a pub possible.
Who gives a shite though when the Hopstar Gold is fantastic and get this, �1.60p a pint.
I'll be back
30 Sep 2008 12:04
Excellent Thwaies Wainwright here on Tues, perfectly served.
18 Sep 2008 09:26
Visited here on 29/8/8. We were greeted warmly by the barman and served an excellent pint of Tiger bitter. We were very kindly seated in a cool area of the dining room, (it was v warm that night), and the good service continued. I had trout and my wife had a shredded beef concoction, (can't remember it's name), and both were superb. We shared a black pudding starter, again, superb. All in all a much better experience than last time. Well done.
30 Aug 2008 15:14
Not been in here for a long while and was swiftly reminded of why. We were greeted with a grunt and a shrug by the most uninterested barmaid God put on this earth. Why do these people work in customer facing jobs?? Anyway the Thwaites cask wasn't bad and we sat in the beer garden which is very nice indeed. Until you hear the 5 middle aged blokes talking and peppering their conversation with eff this and eff that. This is 2pm in the afternnon. One of them then decides to throw up the contents of his hard days, (mornings?) drinking. He couldn't even be bothered to go to the toilet which was about 3 metres away from where he threw up. Disgusting. We decided, (not surprisingly), to leave and we were going to leave via the gents to avoid the puke but a guy, (landlord?), ushered us the other way so we had no choice but to walk past the sea of sick. And yes the miserable sod behind the bar never so much as grunted when we left. Thanks Bulls Head. Never again.
11 Jun 2008 09:31
This is a Chinese restaurant and has been for approx 2-3 years.
28 May 2008 10:32
Tried this place last night after many recommendations from a friend. The pub is a flashback to the 1960's and I mean that in a complimentary manner. Welcoming, warm and no crappy ale on offer. I tried the Sunshine at 5.2% for �2 a pint. It was excellent. What a find.
28 May 2008 09:20
A few visits here over the weekend, the beer we tried (Golden Pippin),was right on the money, I would recommend this place to any serious beer drinker.
19 May 2008 07:18
If there is a better pub/pint anywhere, let me know. Good luck.
12 Apr 2008 22:58
Words fail me. We visited last night and tried the Manchester Bitter, (1st class) and the other half tried the Ginger 6 (1st class). Enough said.
2 Apr 2008 09:46
You may be interested to know that the proprietor has now replied to my letter and given fair and reasonable explanation for the service we received on our visit. I won't bore you with the details except to say that we have decided to return and offer the opportunity of redemption.
15 Mar 2008 14:18
Mr Thomas' Chop House, Manchester
Boddies cask last night not up to the usual high standard and at �4 for 1.5 pints it should be. Service not as sharp either,I was completely overlooked by 1 member of staff, a poor visit this time.
12 Mar 2008 09:17
Well there is now yet another Manager in place. Lets hope she lasts longer than the last one...
Three key members of staff have left since her arrival, coincidence maybe??
22 Feb 2008 09:42
How I wish there were pubs like this in my town. Unreconstructed, superb beer & a good atmosphere. The Manchester Bitter I tried was excellent. Will return without doubt.
10 Jan 2008 13:31
2 cask ales on last night, 1 line getting emptied. Tried Bombardier, it was v good.
11 Dec 2007 09:58
Regarding the last line from my comments above, nobody bothered to respond to my letter. For me that says it all. Oh well, you can judge for yourselves folks...
6 Dec 2007 14:54
The Clog and Billycock, Blackburn
I was informed last night that this place is to re-open as a gastropub. Watch this space..
30 Nov 2007 11:31
Visited this place last week, we were greeted warmly by a young man who served us with cask beer in good order. Fast forward 24hours, young girl serving, unsmiling didn't want to be there atitude. We had a meal which was excellent and so was the service. However, don't overstay your welcome, at well before 9pm, staff started blowing out candles in the dining area and made the most horrendous noise by cashing up about 2 meters away from us. We would have happily moved to the bar area had we been asked.Have wrote to the owner/landlord/whatever for his/her comments and I will post here if any reply is received.
26 Nov 2007 15:53
The Clog and Billycock, Blackburn
This pub is closed and has been for quite some time.
26 Nov 2007 15:43
There is certainly some inconsistency at this place, for me it's concerning the real ales. Quite often you can go in and there will be as few as 3 on, last night there were 8. No food a couple of weeks ago, they couldn't find a cook... There have been some management issues so I am informed and I suspect they are not quite resolved. Hopefully when they are, some continuity will return.
24 Oct 2007 10:36
Usual top quality ale on offer whilst visiting this weekend. BUT!! Pete & Rachel have sold up and are on their way. Tragic. We get to visit York about 4-5 times a year and they have never failed to welcome us warmly, like we are next door regulars. We will miss you and thankyou for such great service. Good luck.
24 Sep 2007 16:38
Numerous visits over the last few days have confirmed what I've thought for a while, this is the best pub I know. Staggering choice of beers & lagers, clean, busy but still being able to get served, friendly staff, particularly one lovely lass, who, amongst other things, said taking the food upstairs to diners was her excuse not to go to the gym...I'd promote her yesterday.
10 Sep 2007 10:23
Looking forward to visiting here again now the fag ban is in. Breath easy now...
3 Jul 2007 14:42
The smoking ban is an even geater incentive to go in now. You can actually see what you are drinking/doing etc etc..
3 Jul 2007 14:41
Well what an improvement in this place, no less than 7 cask ales last night with 3 more ready to come on, credit where it's due I say. Tried Waggledance and Pendle Witch, both in good shape.
30 May 2007 10:33
Couple of visits over the last few days, tried the Salamander on offer, excellent. Odd, almost cathedral like atmosphere but that's not a deterrent for us. Non smoking suits us too.
28 Mar 2007 11:00
The Victoria Hotel, Great Harwood
Blimey it does take some finding but what a gem. Very welcoming, traditional pub. The selection of ales was incredible (6 on our visit) and the quality was spot on. A great find, go there now.
16 Mar 2007 18:21
A bit dead in here on a recent visit but the beers were as good as ever.
16 Mar 2007 18:15
Numerous visits here in Feb, service was mixed to say the least, all the real ales I tried were fine. Toilets were whiffy as you opened the door and whilst you don't expect a perfume counter smell in the gents, there's some room for improvement.
15 Mar 2007 13:35
I agree, deffo the best of the 2 JDW's in York. Watched one guest ale come to an end and within 45 mins (at the most) a new ale was on. Clean tables at all times on our visit in Feb.
15 Mar 2007 13:28
The Prince Of Wales, Blackburn
Closed.
2 Oct 2014 20:28