BITE user comments - paul154
Comments by paul154
This was a very welcome stop after a walk round the town walls on possibly the first warm day this year. Very friendly bar staff and customers and fantastic selection of local beers - I enjoyed all the ones I tried, but didn't have the full selection because I needed to get the bus back to Llandudno. A definite must for anyone visiting Conwy who likes real ale.
9 Apr 2013 13:45
Much cosier than the Palladium next door, and with friendlier and more efficient bar-staff (even though the pub was very crowded). Good selection of well-kept beer from North Wales and Cheshire. Would happily go back again.
9 Apr 2013 13:41
Spectacular interior, but the service was very slow and haphazard, and the beer (JDW's standard beer festival offerings) rather disappointing, if cheap. Would recommend the Cottage Loaf next door, unless you're really keen on saving money.
9 Apr 2013 13:38
Lovely pub. I had a couple of pints of Shotover Oxford Scholar which went down a treat. The landlord didn't seem to be around, but the two barmaids were quick and friendly and the clientele were nice. A real discovery for me, since I thought I knew all the good pubs in Oxford. I'd definitely go back.
11 Mar 2013 15:45
I really enjoyed this pub. I was briefly introduced to the notorious Julian, who seemed to be on his best behaviour, and the two barmaids couldn't have been nicer or more helpful (although tried and failed to get the fire going). The beer didn't seem overpriced to me (but then I live in London), and I thought it was a good, interesting and well-kept selection of local brews. Customers included some lively and amusing Margate fans (pleased to see that they won) and the supremo of a punk record label, so the conversation was really good. I'll definitely come back here if I'm in town.
10 Dec 2012 09:38
Went in early on a wet evening. There's a massive flight of stairs which leads down to the bar area, and I managed to slip on the top one and fall down all of them, much to my embarrassment. The manageress was very good at making sure I was still in one piece (I was, but some CDs in my backpack weren't) and that it went in the accident book. The cheap, good beer and reliable food helped to soften the blow. On the Saturday after Gloucester v Bath I half thought about going in again, but decided not to after I could hear the noise of the celebrating rugby fans a couple of streets away...
18 Oct 2012 16:40
Ye Olde Black Bear, Tewkesbury
Upsides - I enjoyed the beer and the locals chatting about colourful former managers (including one who more or less barricaded himself in his office). Downside - the ubiquitous plasma screens, so there was no escape from rather a dull golf tournament. On balance, worth a visit, and more fun than the Nottingham Arms.
18 Oct 2012 16:34
The Royal Hop Pole, Tewkesbury
Slightly weird experience - a historic building with standard Wetherspoon furniture, menu, signage etc plonked inside it. Luckily, it also had the up-sides of the brand - well-kept and interesting beer, a reliable menu and (in this case) quick, obliging and friendly staff. Better something that looks like a historic pub with a Spoon inside than one with something worse, I suppose.
18 Oct 2012 16:30
The Nottingham Arms, Tewkesbury
Had a quick one here. Unlike previous commenters, I like to drink local beer when I'm out somewhere, so the beers from Sharps and St Austell weren't really what I wanted to see (particularly since they're everywhere in London these days). Not particularly friendly either. So a bit disappointing.
18 Oct 2012 16:26
I really thought this was going to be an over-priced tourist trap, particularly since it's just over the road from Tintern Abbey. But I was pleasantly surprised. The food was good, as was the service, and I had a couple of really nice pints of Wye Valley. They really do need to learn that cassoulet isn't just a pork stew, though - you need some beans in it...
18 Oct 2012 16:23
The Coach and Horses Inn, Chepstow
For some reason, I thought this was a bit meh. Can't quite put my finger on why, though, because it sounded like it would be just my thing. I suppose the service was just a bit too impersonal and the beer selection (at least when I visited) a bit dull.
18 Oct 2012 16:20
Bit disappointed, especially after the other reviews. They had a massive and interesting range of pies, most of which turned out to be off. I ended up with a rather overpriced fish finger sandwich instead. And the beer was way too cold for my taste. As others have said, the staff were very friendly, though.
18 Oct 2012 16:17
As others have said, pretty typical Spoon - good, cheap beers (including some local ones), but not a lot of atmosphere. Big contrast in the clientele, though. First time I went in, there was a big, posh family, who would have belonged quite happily in Hampstead. The second time, a big group of sixth-formers - girls on one side, boys on the other - who proved with their rendition of Don't Stop Believing that Wales isn't necessarily the Land of Song. Nevertheless, a good place to while away an hour when you've just missed a train (as I had both times).
18 Oct 2012 16:13
Cheltenham Motor Club, Cheltenham
Wonderful place. It said in the GBG that they welcomed CAMRA members, and that couldn't have been more true. The landlord was happy to discuss all the beers with me, and to make recommendations, and when one he'd suggested went off, insisted on changing the barrel there and then, even though I'd have settled for an alternative. If you like your beer and you're in Cheltenham (and if you can find it), this is an absolute must.
18 Oct 2012 16:08
Went on a very wet Monday night, so possibly didn't see it at its best. The place was pretty cavernous and empty, but they do serve a very nice pint of Gloucester Gold. I hope it's more lively at other times of the week.
18 Oct 2012 16:03
Mixed view of this one. First visit, my first pint was fine, but the second (a different brew) tasted like vinegar. The barman willingly gave me a different pint, but I noticed he didn't take the other beer off. I went again about four days later, and exactly the same thing - the second pint I had was right off. This time, though, a different barman not only replaced the barrel, but gave me a pint of beer from the new one at half price. So it rather redeemed itself.
As others have said, it lacks a bit of atmosphere, but I thought it was a nice enough place to have a pint.
18 Oct 2012 16:00
The Cross Keys Inn, Gloucester
Bit of an odd one this. Went in on a Monday evening. It was very dark, very noisy and the only beer they had on was a very strong porter. I can see how I might have liked it on another occasion, but I just wanted a pint of interesting session beer and a read of my book, so I moved on pretty quickly.
18 Oct 2012 15:52
Went here after completely failing to find any interesting beer at the Wig or Westbourne. Agree with other reviewers - they had a very nice selection of beer, but the place lacked any kind of atmosphere. They were also serving pints in plastic glasses - I assume this isn't a police requirement, because it didn't happen at other places we went, and was a bit naff. So, worthy but dull - which beats crowded but crap (Wig, Westbourne) or just crap (Crosse Keys). But I'd stick to the No Sign bar if I were you.
10 Sep 2012 17:14
This was in the last edition of the Good Beer Guide, although I notice it isn't in the latest one. Like the Westbourne across the road, it had loads of handpumps with the clips turned round, and the only beer which was actually on was a deeply dull national brand. Decided not to stick around.
10 Sep 2012 17:09
For some reason, this is in the Good Beer Guide, but heaven knows why. We trailed all the way to it from the town centre, only to find it was packed, and all the beers were off except something I can't recall which was dull and national (Doombar, Greene King IPA, Pride or something like that). We made our excuses and left.
10 Sep 2012 17:07
Went in with friends who drink lager and wanted to watch the football on Sky. I hated it. Had a pint of horribly-kept SA Gold and an OK pint of Greene King IPA (a beer it's almost impossible to bugger up), and some deeply mediocre food. Stick to the No Sign bar round the corner.
10 Sep 2012 17:03
Like the last days of Pompeii outside on a Saturday night, but great inside. Bills itself as a winebar, but serves a good pint of Reverend James and something with a Welsh name that I can't remember. Best pub we found in Swansea.
10 Sep 2012 17:00
Went in because it's in the Good Beer Guide. Had a well-kept pint of Gunpowder mild and a couple of tasty pints of bitter. The locals were a little bit off-putting - they'd obviously known each other for donkey's years, but didn't know me, so were rather stand-offish. But on the whole, well worth a visit.
10 Sep 2012 16:48
The Shireburn Arms, Hurst Green
Recently been done up, I believe. The food was good and the beer (brewed by Moorhouses for the pub) very tasty. Would recommend a visit.
10 Sep 2012 16:44
Didn't get the same "locals only" feeling as the last reviewer at all. Everyone in the pub, staff and locals, were friendly and welcoming. Some Bradford City fans down for the match were made welcome too. Good selection of beers as well, including one brewed for the pub and named in honour of the Accrington Pals. Best pub in town, in my view.
10 Sep 2012 16:42
Like Snarling Mallard, I was disappointed with the beer selection here - all national brews like London Pride and Doombar. If I'm in Lancashire, I want to drink local beer, not stuff I can get at home, and there wasn't any. So friendly enough, but not worth a detour.
10 Sep 2012 16:39
The Hargreaves Arms, Accrington
Bit of a strange one. Has been done up to look like a modern pub for kids, but has a good range of interesting local real ales at good prices (�2.30 a pint), and wasn't too noisy or rowdy the couple of times I was in. Efficient and friendly bar staff, too. This and the Peel Park Hotel were the pick of the pubs I visited in Accrington.
10 Sep 2012 16:35
Nice friendly pub, if a bit deserted on a sunny Sunday afternoon. Had a couple of lovely pints of Westerham British Bulldog, after which the landlord pleaded with me to leave some for him! Will definitely go back if I'm in the area.
13 Aug 2012 10:37
A classic pub. Excellent beer selection and good service. It's also big enough to be able to find a seat even when very busy. A must for anyone visiting Northampton.
22 May 2012 11:51
Usual Wetherspoons interior, but a fine selection of ales and very quick and friendly service. Unlike many other pubs, this wasn't packed on Saturday evening, which suited me but probably isn't a good sign economically.
22 May 2012 11:48
Slightly in two minds about this one. The beer was good, and nice to see lots of local brews. The music was good too. But the barmaid seemed to resent having her conversation interrupted to serve me, and there was a baby yelling its head off all the time I was there. Would probably go back, but preferred the Wig & Pen, Malt Shovels and Eastgate for a pub in Northampton.
22 May 2012 11:46
Went in here with a friend who was desperate for a pint and (since he drinks lager) wasn't too fussy about what it was. There was a bloke changing a baby's nappy under a table, and a couple of hard cases staring at us. We drank up pretty quickly and left...
2 Apr 2012 14:35
The Man and Scythe Inn, Bolton
Seems to trade a bit on its historical connections. I had a couple of pints of so-so Holts bitter, although one of my friends was raving about the Thatchers cider (while sensibly limiting herself to a couple of halves). A bit expensive compared to other pubs in town.
2 Apr 2012 14:32
I liked this pub. Friendly barmaid and a well-kept pint of a Moorhouses beer called Barristers Brief (presumably done specially for the pub) for �1.80. This would be my pick of the pubs I tried in Bolton.
2 Apr 2012 14:30
We thought this was a great pub. There was a wide selection of well-kept, cheap beer, a good atmosphere and friendly, efficient staff. Would be happy to visit it again if I'm in the area.
26 Mar 2012 15:15
Mr Foley's Cask Ale House, Leeds
Agree with others about how cold and drafty this place is. On the other hand, it was pretty empty for a Friday night, and I could get a seat easily (Leeds city centre as a whole was far less crowded and lairy than I was expecting it to be). Had a couple of excellent local brews, and would have given it a higher mark had the temperature been a bit warmer.
8 Feb 2012 16:15
Had a couple of excellent pints of Ram Tam in here last Friday night. Very friendly and efficient bar staff, and not too mad or crowded. I liked this pub and would happily go back.
8 Feb 2012 16:11
Walked out of the Cafe Royal to come here, because I actually like the idea of being able to breathe when I'm drinking. A bit less crowded, but a lot less manic than its neighbour. Good beer and excellent food. The decor is only a bit less over-the-top than the Cafe Royal, but the experience is much more enjoyable.
31 Jan 2012 16:59
Went here on a horrible wet day after a rather dismal time at the St Vincent Bar. This place cheered us right up. Excellent beer, friendly staff, a warm fire and wisecracking locals. Probably the best pub I've visited in Edinburgh. Will definitely be back.
31 Jan 2012 16:52
Very nondescript beer, one bloke watching the telly and barstaff cleaning chairs and tables all around us. Granted, it was a horrible wet day, but not a welcoming atmosphere and there are much better pubs in Edinburgh.
31 Jan 2012 16:50
Pretty crowded but excellent beer and quick service given the number of people in the pub. Worth a visit.
31 Jan 2012 16:47
The Tankerville Arms, Eglingham
Went in soon after New Year. The place was packed with diners, but we managed to find a seat. The beer was OK, but nothing special. The edge was rather taken off the visit by one of the barstaff refusing to serve a family of foreign tourists, who had been driving for hours and were very hungry. He said there were no free tables, which was fair enough, but wouldn't let them wait for one or even sell them sandwiches to eat at one of the non-dining tables. Since a load of people left shortly after, this seemed pretty unnecessary and rather jobsworth. So I've lowered the mark I otherwise would have given.
31 Jan 2012 16:45
The Town Wall Tavern, Coventry
Nice pub, although I had rather an odd pint of Brewdog Trashy Blonde (couldn't work out whether it was meant to taste like that, but if it was, I didn't like it). Even so, one I'd like to try again when I'm next in Coventry.
9 Jan 2012 15:48
The Gatehouse Tavern, Coventry
A little bit disappointed with this one. On the upside, a good pint of Purity Mad Goose and friendly bar staff. On the downside, it was hard to get to the bar and the whole place was dominated by enormous TV screens showing the footie. Fine if you like that sort of thing, but I was hoping for somewhere a bit more comfortable (which I eventually found in the Old Windmill).
9 Jan 2012 15:45
I really liked this pub. It was friendly and welcoming, and you can't beat sitting by the fire with a lovely pint of Dark Horse mild and listening to Metallica and Black Sabbath on the jukebox (absolutely appropriate for the West Midlands). Best pub I've been to in Coventry, I think.
9 Jan 2012 15:42
Pluses - good local beer, nice staff, Smiths and Blue Oyster Cult on the sound system. Minuses - some slightly dodgy geezers at the bar and a bit over-keen to turf people out at closing time. But on the whole, a good experience, worth a solid 7.
17 Oct 2011 15:53
After the write-up in the GBG, I thought this was a real disappointment. Four nationally-available beers (Youngs, Pride, Landlord and Doombar) at pretty much London prices, and bar staff who were more interested in chatting to each other than serving people. I'll stick to pubs like the Bell and the Old Green Tree, which serve local beer and give you a good welcome.
17 Oct 2011 15:50
Was in on a Sunday, so the pub was nice and quiet, except for some locals chatting with the barmaid and an endless succession of tourists asking whether they did food (which they don't on a Sunday). A wide range of fine beers and a really friendly welcome. The landlord did roast potatoes for the locals and went out of his way to ask whether I wanted some. A fine, fine pub.
17 Oct 2011 15:47
I thought this was a wonderful pub. Great beer, and a terrific music selection - dub reggae, PiL, sixties classics and a couple of songs by Graham Parker I'd forgotten entirely. Good service too. As others have said, Bath isn't short of good pubs, but I think this is the best.
17 Oct 2011 15:44
In two minds about this. The first time I went in, I was served two lovely pints by a friendly, talkative barmaid. When I came back the second time, I got a nondescript pint from a miserable git who couldn't do too little for you, and spent all his time chatting to the electrician who was working behind the bar. My advice is look round the door - if you see a woman serving, come in. If it's a bloke, walk out again...
30 Sep 2011 15:18
Nice pub, and friendly staff. Pity it's Fullers, though - I live in London and if I want to have London beer at London prices, I can do it just about any time. And there was no Chiswick on offer. But good for a quiet and relaxing drink, if that's what you want.
30 Sep 2011 15:15
This sounded good from the GBG entry, but it didn't really work for me. When I arrived, the barmaid was outside having a fag, and gave me the evil eye for having to come inside to serve me. A load of sweary blokes drinking lager round the bar and yelling at their mates on the pool tables isn't my kind of thing either. Nice beer, but a bit of a disappointment.
30 Sep 2011 15:10
Excellent beer and a nice atmosphere. I have to agree with the comments on the rather haphazard service - when I arrived, a woman was having a real go at the barman for serving other people first. They also kept doing the "who's next?" thing. It wasn't that busy, and a good barman ought to know who's next. But not enough to spoil my enjoyment.
30 Sep 2011 15:06
There are plenty of things in the pub world to get excited about, and the Cardinal reverting to the Windsor Castle isn't one of them. Unless anyone has an irrational attachment to names based on Catholic church job titles, I suggest you save your efforts for more useful petitions about pub closures, rather than refurbishments.
8 Jul 2011 16:03
My favourite pub in Newcastle. Good selection of ales, good value rolls and always a chance for a good conversation. As a bloke said to me last time I was in: "All the other pubs round here are for kids - this is for the Victor Mature". Long may it prosper.
30 Jun 2011 10:13
Went there on Friday afternoon. There were plenty of seats and the beer was excellent. People who insist on paying for drinks with debit cards (particularly when pubs are busy) are a pain in the backside anyway - what's wrong with making sure you've got enough cash? A nice pub, and probably better off without the moaners.
28 Jun 2011 15:26
Went in here with friends for a quick one before we went for a meal (the Nadon Thai, which was also excellent). We were made so welcome, and the beer selection was so good, that we stayed for longer than we intended. An excellent pub.
28 Jun 2011 15:23
Ship Centurion Arminius, Whitstable
Excellent pub with good, well-kept beer - a Black Dog mild was especially tasty. Our visit was only spoiled by Citeh winning the Cup Final, but you can't have everything...
16 May 2011 15:40
Plus points were a good pint of Tetley's Mild (haven't had that for years) and friendly bar staff. Negatives were some objectionable people at the bar. One started taking the piss out of one of my friends for no reason at all - luckily he's a bit deaf so he didn't really hear it. There was also a brief and rather silly bout of fisticuffs between a couple of the regulars. No worse than you'd get in other pubs on a Saturday night, but I was hoping for better than that.
16 May 2011 15:38
On the upside, a friendly welcome from the landlord and good service while I was there; and an excellent range of well-kept and well-chosen beers. On the downside, strange opening hours (not open during the day on Saturday, according to the Good Beer Guide), rather a subdued atmosphere and tricky to find if you don't know the area well. I agree that it's better than the Gowlett (no DJ or dear little children, for example).
On the whole, a good thing, but I doubt whether I'll be back unless they start opening on a Saturday lunchtime.
9 May 2011 12:00
Not a bad pub, but by no means perfect. Can get very crowded in the evenings. The gravity dispensed beers aren't always in the best of condition, and though there's an extensive beer list chalked on a blackboard, quite often three or four of them are off. That said, it's one of the best pubs in the area, the staff are efficient and friendly, and they do an excellent pint of Wandle. So a good thing on the whole.
10 Feb 2011 10:54
My first visit to this excellent pub, but I hope it won't be my last. Good choice of well-kept beers and a friendly landlord. Watch out for the step down to the front door if you don't want to look like an idiot when you leave, though...
7 Feb 2011 13:59
I've used this pub for years, purely for drinking (I don't tend to eat in pubs). The quality of the beer has definitely got better over time, both in terms of consistency and variety. The quality of the staff has, I'm afraid, stayed exactly the same. Unlike others, they've never been rude to me, but they do tend to be absolutely useless at what they do - chatting to each other rather than serving people, giving short measure, wandering off in the middle of serving someone. I don't know who picks them, but whoever it is is remarkably consistent. It's about time things changed.
13 Jan 2011 15:52
Good for a nice, cheap pint of Chiswick (even if I was given an old 5p coin instead of a 10p by one of the barmen). Clientele can be a bit geezerish, and I agree that you can sometimes struggle to get served, despite the number of bar staff. But a good and reliable pub - an asset to the area
4 Jan 2011 10:51
The Dulwich Woodhouse, Sydenham
This used to be a great pub, but Young's went and ruined it. It's now one of those gastro places where they look askance at you if you're just ordering beer. And the beer's expensive and it takes an age to get served. I'll be avoiding the place in future.
4 Jan 2011 09:51
The Grape and Grain, Crystal Palace
Went to this pub yesterday lunchtime after a visit to the Dulwich Picture Gallery. I agree with the comment that it's a bit cavernous when there aren't many people in, but the atmosphere soon warmed up as more people arrived.
There was an excellent selection of beers, with a variety of strengths and styles (always a plus for me). I was cheesed off when Young's ruined the Dulwich Wood House, which was our old choice for a post-art drink. The Grape and Grain is a great replacement, and I'll be back soon.
4 Jan 2011 09:46
Friendly, atmospheric old fashioned boozer. Can't quite understand the comment about the absence of locals - they're always in watching the racing on a Saturday afternoon, anyway. Unusual in having Pride, Youngs and Adnams - three common enough beers but you don't often see them together. They do a good pint of TEA as well. An excellent pub in an area that seems to specialise in them.
30 Dec 2010 14:36
Classic pub (except when the Hash House Harriers are in). Great beer and good atmosphere. Do yourself a favour and come here or the Lord Clyde instead of the overrated Market Porter
30 Dec 2010 14:32
The Prince of Wales, Kennington
Bit expensive and can be full of Hooray Henries, but otherwise a pretty good pub.
30 Dec 2010 14:22
Don't usually eat in pubs, so no idea about the food, but the beer is good (if, as someone said, a bit to cold for my taste). The staff are friendly and welcoming, but sometimes a bit disorganised when things get busy. If you're lucky, you might see Dave Ball out of Soft Cell having a quick pint. If so, don't ask him about the b-side of Tainted Love...
30 Dec 2010 14:20
Nearly as good as Far from the Madding Crowd, which is high praise in my books. Good range of well-kept beers and a nice atmosphere, even on a busy Saturday night. Probably Oxford's most improved pub.
20 Dec 2010 14:55
Far From the Madding Crowd, Oxford
Not the most atmospheric pub in Oxford, but excellent beer selection and friendly bar staff make it my favourite. They usually have a mild on, too, which is A Good Thing.
20 Dec 2010 14:52
My favourite Central London pub. As others have said, it can be a squash, but you always get served quickly when you get to the bar. Great range of beers. Interesting range of pictures. A barmaid who usually displays a lot of very attractive cleavage. What more can you want?
10 Nov 2010 16:46
Fantastic pub, one of the best in Manchester. Never had a bad pint here, and they serve some really interesting beers from their own brewery and elsewhere. Like others, I can't understand why the rating isn't higher.
10 Nov 2010 16:41
I always look forward to going to Dr Duncan's when I'm in Liverpool, but this time I was cheesed off to find that they've discontinued the cask version of Cains Dark Mild. They must be mad. Bankers haven't ruined the pub, but Cains are having a damn good try.
6 Oct 2010 14:34
Bit of a weird experience, this one. The place had been highly recommended to me and since I was staying at the "poor man's Hilton" next door, I went in on Friday evening and Sunday lunchtime. Both times it was pretty deserted, and had very little atmosphere. The Wapping beer was very tasty (except the Blondie, which I didn't like), but something was missing - people probably. When I went to the Ship & Mitre earlier on Friday, it was packed, so perhaps that's where everybody's gone.
6 Oct 2010 14:31
The Commercial Hotel, Rainhill
I was in here last weekend, and I'm with alanhealey. The place was busy, because of the Rugby League grand final, but service was as quick as could be expected, staff and clientele friendly and the Cains bitter enjoyably drinkable all evening. I haven't been in before, and don't come from the area, so I don't know whether it's better or worse than it was, but it seemed fine to me.
6 Oct 2010 14:25
This place used to keep turning up in the Good Beer Guide. Unless the landlord had some incriminating pictures of the SW London CAMRA committee and was blackmailing them, or they're all Chelsea fans, I can't begin to see why. Unless you're a Chelsea fan, give it a body swerve. If you're a racist as well, you'll really fit in...
4 Oct 2010 15:47
My experience couldn't have been more different to the preceding comment. We had a very friendly welcome from the lady behind the bar, and some excellent pints of Coniston Bluebird. There are interesting pictures in the gents, too, although a bikini and waders is quite a disturbing combination, in my opinion...
4 Oct 2010 15:41
The Briton's Protection Hotel, Castlefield
Really beats me why this isn't in the Good Beer Guide - it has a limited but well-kept range of beers, which is preferable to a vast number of undrinkable ones. There's an excellent selection of whiskies too. The bar staff are friendly and prompt and the company good (Guy Garvey from Elbow was in there when I visited a few months ago). Must have fallen foul of the local CAMRA mafia is all I can presume
13 Sep 2010 15:49
The Hole in the Wall, Colchester
Bit disappointed with this one. There was a pretty boring beer selection, rather uninterested staff and not much atmosphere. Obviously, others have been here and had a good time and interesting beer, but I'm afraid we didn't.
13 Sep 2010 15:45
The Fox and Fiddler, Colchester
Nice pub, friendly staff, excellent pint of Maldon Gold, good jukebox. In spite of some of the earlier comments, the clientele all seemed fine.
13 Sep 2010 15:41
Excellent pub - good beer and friendly staff. The only pub I've ever been in where people seemed to be absorbed with kayaking and triathlon on the TV. Takes all sorts...
13 Sep 2010 15:39
Beer not bad, but full of brain-dead chavs pestering the barman to turn up the television - not unreasonably he said he was serving customers, which didn't seem to cut much ice with them.
9 Aug 2010 08:59
Went there last night, and I thought it was a wonderful pub. Great jukebox too. The beer prices aren't too bad for London (the right side of �3.00) , the service fine, the beer well-kept and the company good. Can't really see what Colonelflay's problem is.
22 Jul 2010 15:22
Interested in all the positive reviews for this place. It ought to be great - it's yards from my office, has an interesting range of real ale and doesn't have a telly or noisy sound system. But somehow, it never works for me. Partly, it's because it's small, and can get unfeasibly crowded. Partly because the layout is pretty awkward - you always seem to be on the route from somewhere to somewhere else, and it's really difficult to get past the regulars sitting round the bar to get served.
But mostly, it's because I've always found the place rather cliquey. Assuming you can get to the bar, you seem to have to wait for the landlord and staff to finish a chat with a regular before they'll deign to serve you, and I've never really felt welcomed (in contrast to other posters, who must have been luckier). I think they should make more of an effort with new and passing trade, as well as keeping the regulars happy, if they want to be a really good pub.
All this is a pity, since most of the other pubs around Westminster and Victoria are rubbish.
7 Jul 2010 11:37
Went to this because it was in the Good Beer Guide, but I was really disappointed with it. Expensive beer (�3.40 a pint) and both times I was given incredibly short measure (by the same barmaid. She must have either been under instructions or incredibly stupid. The fact all the other bar staff seemed to be giving short measure too suggests the former). The pint of We'll Get It Right I had was borderline undrinkable, although the Seafarers was OK. And the place was full of yelling babies and kids rushing about.
If you're in the area, I'd stick to the Old Pack Horse on the other side of the Tube station.
21 Jun 2010 11:37
I thought this was a very good pub - nice interior, friendly and efficient bar staff, a lovely pint of Chiswick (only �2.90 too) and a choice of footie with commentary or footie with music. A real discovery, and much the best pub I tried in the area.
21 Jun 2010 11:32
The John Bull Inn, Alnwick
Lovely pub. Friendly barman and nice atmosphere. My only disappointment was that they only had one local ale on - the others were from Scotland and Essex. If I'm around Alnwick again, I'll make sure I go back.
16 Sep 2013 16:34