please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
The Daily Mail are running a VERY silly story on this pub just now, about a bunch of local middle aged men dressed in St. George's flag outfits who, for some reason chose this pub for a night out.
They would have known, being local, wouldn't they, that it was not really for them?
Wasn't it only understandable that the staff might just enquire as to whether they were an EDL mob?
That being the case, wouldn't it also have been only fair for the visitors to react amiably to such an enquiry?
Well, it seems someone out to cause a bit of a stir succeeded, at least according to the Daily Mail.
I'm certainly ignoring our gutter press, I hope everyone else does too.
|
After a lovely weekend in Bath my partner and I popped in the the hobgoblin after hearing it was a rock bar. 1 1/2 pints in and we were told we weren't getting served any more due to my being too drunk! Totally bemused by this we asked why, only to be told by the landlady that her decision was final with no reasoning whatsoever. I can only assume that we weren't local enough. The whole hostile experience really ruined our trip to
Bath. Interestingly I have just read many similar reviews about this bar on trip advisor - people getting asked to leave for no good reason. I'm not sure what the landlady's problem is but I'd steer clear of this one. It's like something out of The League Of Gentlemen! I suggest going to The West Gate for a for a more welcoming pub experience, which is where we went after and were served with no problem whatsoever by very friendly staff.
|
An unusual shaped pub, narrow at the entrance but opening out towards the bar due to the roads running either side of it. Whilst in the centre of Bath, it�s probably far enough off the tourist trails that most of the punters are local, and I suspect it may not appeal to many tourists anyway. There�s nothing wrong with it, but it�s definitely got a slightly alternative feel to it which won�t be for everyone.
It�s clearly some time since it�s had a refurbishment, but some might argue that just adds to it�s character. However the loos were covered in graffiti and in dire need of some refurbishment. The paintwork on the ceiling is maroon and elsewhere there is still the curious shade of dirty brown that you used to find in many pubs before the smoking ban. It could also be described as dark and gloomy � the walls are mostly black wood panelling, and there was only fairly limited lighting. There is a downstairs area that I presume is used by the many bands that visit, going on the various posters around the walls. The pub makes much of the goblin theme with a large mural above the bar and numerous cobwebs, skulls, etc. dotted around. The barman seemed friendly enough.
Beers on tap were Gem, Barnstormer and the seasonal Satan Claus from the Devilfish brewery. Ciders were Blackthorn and Bee Sting Pear cider along with Star Gazer and Fire Dancer from Lilley�s.
|
For a pub that carries this famous name I was astonished by just how poor its main fayre, I.e. Its beer was. An Otter Ale was vinegar, but as I'd already as for the beer before that to be changed, I thought better of going back again! Yes, the manager was great and the pub is a good mix of themed pub and traditional Hobgoblin style, but two out of four beers served well isn't up to scratch. Avoid!
|
Still a great pub serving great ales.
Looks a bit spit and sawdust as you walk in however ignore that and get stuck in to the ales.
The guy behind the bar was very knowlegeable and helpful.
A haven amongst the modern 'trendy pubs' in Bath, not a tourisy haunt but all the better for that. The music was heavy however goes this the style of pub and the beer.
Not a family pub but great for a couple of beers and a chat.
Well done keep up the good work.
|
Oh I forgot to say I liked this pub
|
noteveryone's glass of beer in style , but good choice of beer jennings cocker hoop , old thumper, hobgoblin ,the dogs bollocks , oh and jem , sorry gem
|
If you like a darker, less trendy or chavvy pub with good rock music and beer, this is the place for you!
Gets a bit sticky at time, but service is quick, the staff are friendly, beer is good, and the pool room is nicely removed!
I like this place and consider it a good evening venue for a few jars.
|
I am not a fan of these sort of pubs - each to their own I suppose. What I can say is the beer was good, friendly bar staff but the pub was dark and gloomy with headbanging music on. Not one I will be repeating.
|
Hmmm! Me and my friends were asked to leave here by the landlady. It was 1pm on a Saturday afternoon, we were the only people in there (having a swift pint before going to watch Bath City FC!), my friends wife had her baby with her. We were told to leave because we were scaring off other customers. No, the reason no one else was coming into the pub was because Iron Maiden was playing on the juke box at 20 million decibals (which didn't wake seem to bother my friends baby!) It was OK for the landladys 7 year old daughter to play by the bar though (and the kid used to "play" in the pub on a Friday and Saturday evening when it was very busy and full of tanked up people! Double standards me thinks, which is why me and my friends havn't been back there for 2 years! And recently the landlord got beat up on the doorstep of the pub! Wonder why!
|
Best pub in Bath if you don't want to drink with chavs. They've got the Lamb & Lion down the road. Always 5 real ales on tap - Hobgoblin, Gem, Brakspear, London Pride and Dirty Trick (Wychwood) at the moment. New manager and his wife are nice (previous managers now run the Royal Oak by Windsor Bridge in Twerton). Best juke box in town for metalheads, skaters, goth and emos.
|
Good pub. Great name, good atmosphere and great beers. The kind of place that makes me wish i hadn't quit smoking.
|
Could do with a clean. And the pub too!! Boom Boom.
Average pub beer choice ok at best ( London Pride anyone !!! ).I give it a five as I had to get a piercing to fit in ( conformist that I am ).
|
Nice. A good choice of Hobgoblin ales and Bath Ales too - kept a little too cold in my opinon. Black seems to be a reccuring theme. Jukebox has an ample selection of heavy metal and the grafiti in the mens toilets makes fo interesting reading. Haloween is the best time to visit.
|
Travelling from Australia I walked into this pub and felt right at home. Great people doing a good job to try and please. Pool room seems a waste of space.
anonymous - 16 Sep 2006 22:04 |
Probably the darkest pub in bath- at least downstairs in the cellar- which is good enough to scare off most annoying people to the Lamb and Lion nearby. Really good selection of mostly Hobgoblin ales, and pool tables upstairs. Many 'bespoke' people make this an interesting place to hang out.
|
There is a slightly rough and ready feel to this street-corner pub, but I quite like coming in here. The main bar has a good atmosphere, and there is more room downstairs if required. The beer quality has lacked consistency in my opinion, and seems to suffer in warmer weather.
|
so so - Bell much better in my opinion
Sophie
anonymous - 15 Nov 2005 13:05 |
No, this is Ok. Attracts all sorts. And conversation at the bar is wide-ranging,erudite.. and often pissed. Wass wrong with that? It's a pub, innit?
Staff (and customers) especially hot and voluble on music.
Existential reassurance definitely to be found here.
|
I visited here on my wedding anniversary (how romantic!) and loved it. There's a new manager who seems intent on getting a bit more music and life into the place. Let's hope the brewery / owners give him their backing, and this pub could be firmly back on the map.
Great beer and a fabulous alternative atmosphere make this pub a real treasure.
|
Perhaps we visited it on a bad day, but the beer wasn't very good, to say the least - that combined with our visit to the 'drinking area down the stairs' (looked like no-one had been there, let alone cleaned the place for some time) caused us to leave our drinks and the 'establishment' quite swiftly. Our advice to visitors to the area would be keep clear of this place, and go directly to the Bell (which is where I wish we'd stayed).
anonymous - 3 Dec 2004 16:53 |
I visited this pub last year and I have to say that it was a breath of fresh air. Good beer
daevie - 12 Oct 2004 21:52 |
I remember being asked if I was old enough to buy a pack of fags in here, when I was 24.
Bit of a pikey pub, and also very very expensive for no real reason
TheGP - 12 Aug 2004 09:58 |
Has unfortunately lost a lot of its charm since becoming a Balaclava / Pubs 'n Bars "asset". Locals are still very loyal but without serious investment - including actually fixing the leaks and creaks - the pub will become just another memory. Sad.
|
Odd atmosphere. Gets a range of customers. Standard range of real ales for a Hobgoblin chain pub.
Mark - 4 Mar 2004 16:11 |
Intriguing pub. Very relaxed atmosphere and great for people watching.Good quiz on a Tuesday as well.
mdma - 31 Jan 2004 12:09 |
Pool tables upstairs never seem to get busy - bonus! Good selection of ales.
kev - 24 Jan 2004 14:01 |
Occupying three floors of a bizarrely shaped triangular building, this is a pub overflowing with character. With its regular events such as live music and party nights, it appeals to pretty much anyone with a pulse and a sense of fun, although particularly your alternative-set Bath students and beardy travellers. Expect a wooden floor, a warm atmosphere, odd-looking barmaids, and imps on the walls. This is my favourite UK boozer outside of London.
|
