BITE user comments - valbear
Comments by valbear
I take back everything I said about this pub! My parnter and I have been using this pub for the last couple of years, and although the "friendliness" of the staff can vary, it's always been ok.
However my expience a couple of weeks ago has put me off going there again. I'd booked their upstairs room for my hen night, but was asked if it would be ok if we had the downstairs back room as they had double booked. I wasn't told that we'd have to share the room with anyone else, and all 20 or so hens would be crammed round two tables. The landlords were rude and insulting, and our room was taken over by a large group who's stubbenness and arrogance stunned me. I wouldn't ever speak to someone in such an insulting and patronising way.
By the end of the evening the usually smelly toilets were so bad you could probably smell them several streets away.
We made the most of it and stayed, but had we been able to find an alternative I'd have left. Being told to "got f******g somewhere else next time" by the landlord was the last straw. Hopefully this will be my one and only hen night, but in future we shall be taking our business elsewhere.
9 Nov 2009 15:23
I don't understand the review that said they don't care about their regulars. I'm new to the area, and started going here about 18 months ago. Andrew and Mark have always made me feel very welcome, and its by far my favourite pub in the area. The food is good, and Sunday lunch is excellent. We had my mother in laws birthday party there a few weeks ago, and Mark did us a really good spread of proper old style buffet food. Cheese and pineapple on sticks etc. It was lovely and just what she wanted. Its a proper old fashioned boozer, and we need to hang on to them. The only downside is the toilets, but you can't have evyerthing, and the friendly welcome and great beer make up for it.
13 Mar 2009 16:14
So far this is my favourite pub in Birmingham City Centre. Friendly helpful staff, and the choice of music is excellent. The first time I went there for lunch there was a problem with my order, but the staff were lovely and sorted it out wihtout any issues. I'd recommend it.
13 Mar 2009 16:06
For a moment there I thought I'd got the wrong pub! Seems I must have got on the right side of the landlady! I've visited a couple of times recently, and although the music is a bit loud, its ok. I coudn't remember where the toilets where, which as I'm blind can make finding the toilets in a crowded pub a bit of an issue, but the staff were very helpful offered help without being patronising. I agre its not like it was in the good old days, but compaired to a lot of the local pubs its still quite good.
9 Aug 2006 17:22
The Somerstown Coffee House, Euston
I was planning to visit this pub for the first time in ages this weekend, but after reading the reviews I think I'll give it a miss. I had my misgivings about a gastropub in Somers Town anyway. I'm only recent import to Somers Town myself (10 years) but feel like a local now. I'm sure the pub will do well with the champaign socialists in the RMT to keep it going. Maybe not one aimed at the locals though.
9 Aug 2006 17:11
The Norfolk Arms, Russell Square
Fate seems to have brought me back here quite a bit recently. I had the food for the first time in ages a couple of Saturdays ago, and although it wasn't cheap it was well worth the money. The staff are always friendly and I've never had a bad pint there.
23 Jan 2006 13:06
Surely this isn't a pub?! I've only been in there once, and as it was midweek it wasn't too crowded. The jugs of cocktails were good value for money, and the staff were friendly. But I felt really old and out of place in there. Only recommended if your young and want to get off your head, but not for the real drinker.
27 Jul 2005 13:03
This should be my local as I can see it from my living room window, but I've only ever drank there once, and that was more then enough. The locals looked at me and my mate as if we had several heads, and we were made to feel really unwelcome. So we drank up and left as soon as we could. Have never been back as there are so many other places in Camden where you are meant to feel welcome.
26 Jul 2005 13:46
Found this pub by accident a couple of Fridays ago and it was brilliant. Downstairs was packed, but staff directed us upstairs where there were plenty of tables. The staff where friendly and helpful, the food was lovely and very good value for money, and most importantly the beer was on good form too. The only down side is the toilets are in the basement, but thats the only fault I could find. Well worth a visit.
18 Jul 2005 16:51
Smithy's Wine Bar, Kings Cross
Its ok, but way too dark for me, and its always been uncomfortably crowded when I've been there. But nice food and a good selection of wine for all tastes.
19 Jun 2005 00:22
Glad to see this pub has improved. I used to drink here when I first moved to Camden and it was lovely. But it went way down hill a few years ago. Sounds like its worth checking out again.
7 Feb 2005 17:12
Only been here once but wasn't impressed. The staff seemed nice enough, but there seems to be no air as I left stinking of smoke, and no one at our table was smoking. It doesn't normally bother me, but we were only there for a couple of hours.
7 Feb 2005 17:04
This pub is horrible. I can't think of any reason why I'd go back, unless I really needed the toilet.
7 Feb 2005 17:00
Expensive and dull, but it does have air conditioning. I've had food there twice and both times its been nice, but well over priced and very slow. Staff were friendly and its ok for one after work on a hot summers day.
7 Feb 2005 16:51
The only pub I know in the area thats emply by 8pm on a Friday night. The staff are not over friendly and some of the locals are very odd. Not my choice for a night out, and often seems to smell of paint which is rather off putting. But ok if the other local pubs are crowded.
7 Feb 2005 16:46
The Norfolk Arms, Russell Square
Not the best pub in the area, but a lot better then some of the comments posted. I was in there last Friday night, and it was busy without being packed. The staff where very friendly and helpful, even offering to carry our drinks over. There are better pubs nearby, but on a Friday night its nice to find a place where you can get served and get a seat.
7 Feb 2005 16:39
The George And Dragon, Fitzrovia
Avoided this pub for years as it used to be rubbish, but was persuaded back recently and was pleased to see things have changed. Its not a big pub, and on a Friday night it was packed. But the service was great, and both staff and punters were very friendly. Beer was on form too, so well worth a return visit.
24 Jan 2005 10:18
The Northumberland Arms, Fitzrovia
I've visited this pub several times, so have given it a good chance, but its horrible. The area is grim too. It used to be well known for lock ins, but I don't think it even has that to recommend it now. Can't think of a single thing to recommend it.
14 Jan 2005 16:51
Ok pub which seems friendly, and sells reasonable and cheap food. A bit crowded on Friday night, but nice at the weekends.
14 Jan 2005 16:41
The first couple of times I tried this pub it was excellent. Friendly staff who let me try some of the beers I'd never heard of and a great crowd of people. Didn't get quite the same welcome the last time, but am sure that was a one off. Shame the toilets are such a nightmare! Puts me off a nights drinking there. But by far the best pint of beer I've ever had in London.
14 Jan 2005 16:38
I've tried this pub a few times, and had a mixed experience. Only tried the food once and it wasn't great. But the beer was ok and the staff were nice enough. A bit big and souless for my taste, but ok for a drink after work, and its nice and cool in the summer.
14 Jan 2005 16:30
The best pub in the area. Food is a bit expensive for what it is, but the staff are great and the beer is excellent. Well worth a visit.
14 Jan 2005 16:27
The Skinners Arms, Kings Cross
Friendly staff and reasonable food. But the house wine is horrible! It gets unpleasently crowded on a Friday night and they don't serve food then either. But very nice at lunchtime and on other evenings. Shame the no smoking area is at the back of the pub.
14 Jan 2005 16:24
The Wheatsheaf, West Bromwich
The new management have done a great job and its probably the best pub in the area now. The food is great value for money, and although there is a limited choice of beer, its very well kept. I've never had a bad experience here and the staff and management are always very friendly.
9 Nov 2009 15:29