please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Closed years ag now a steakhouse
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Seems to be trying to copy Wetherspoons style and failing miserably. Hardly anyone eating or drinking on Wednesday teatime, average beer at best and less than average food.
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Vast gloomy former library. Irish-themed pub with a burger-based menu + Irish Stew thrown in for a bit of genuine ethnicity. One real ale was on offer - London Pride. Not a bad pint but not a good one either. At 2.00 in the afternoon this place had the ambience of a crypt.
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Well continuing my plan of logging a new pub for every visit in St Albans (there are plenty to go at). Tuesday, 8:30pm and i have been in more riotous libraries.
Leave as soon as my pint is finished.
It was the silence. It creeps up on you. And makes you paranoid.
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good quiet place for a sunday lunch -chicken/pork/lamb shank etc under �9 good service plenty of seating ,food deals and a decent pint.
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good place for a quiet drink or read a paper during the day, 3 real ales normally on ,ale and food good at the price especially puddings ,helpful staff. goes mad in here friday /saturday night .
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Is the food menu in pounds, dollars or Euros? I guess pounds, but the print is extremely small.
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Went here on a Saturday night. Standard big O'Neils, what else is there to say. One thing - i am too old for this place!!!
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is gerry still the manager here? if not, where did he go to? thanks!
amous - 28 Apr 2011 10:06 |
Cavernous fizz outlet with Irish accent and NO ale (Caffreys & Tetleys smoothies do not count, ffs)
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Only went there for The for The Hoggz. If they aren't playing there any more I shall have to take my hard earned pittence elsewhere. Thought the place was a bit pricey anyway.
No Hoggz so no rating, sorry.
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Visited on Friday 3 September and will never go back. Barman ripped me off with a purchase on my card (please explain how three beers and two soft drinks comes to over �20?) and now I hear that the Hoggz won't be playing there any more who are one of the best pub bands around. Clearly not only is the new manager incredibly rude but also doesn't know his backside from his earholes when it comes to decent music. Wherever the Hoggz go many of us punters will, especially now the staff are ripping off the customers.
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Agree Redharvest, a bit chavvy. Liked the Firkin that was here years ago.
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Studenty, overtly Irish - big place, good for if you're in a large gang looking to get fuelled up on larger. There's better within a short walk
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It does serve Tetleys and caffreys which makes a nice change.
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not been in for awhile but had to meet some old mates in there, had Black sheep on at �2.55 which was a bonus and quite well served . There was a good band on and a good atmosphere.
The Bouncers in here are a nightmare,especially the bald older guy,something from the eighties,having a go at a woman for nothing. I thought the power trip for these guys was a thing of the past. Shame on you.
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This pub struggles to match up to its previous existence as the Philanthropist & Firkin, complete with on-site brewery. Sadly the real ale offering is now reduced to Fullers London Pride, with the other pump clip empty. On the plus side this was available at a bargain �2.55, but it was not in good condition. Nowadays the only reason to visit this pub is to see Sky Sports on TV. Today was showing highlights of the England v Australia ODI - the "irish" barmaid turned it off mid-program - I left.
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Beer is of varying quality. Atmosphere is so-so, can get rowdy at times. Service is so-so, depends who's serving and how busy it is.
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There's a short irish girl who works here , she's not very friendly/personable. She used to be Uni student but still works here 5 years on....
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Sorry the last comment was misposted. This is a branded O'Neills, a large cavernous place. The pub I intended to post on was what is the ex Peacock
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Don't be fooled into thinking that this is an O'Neills pub, it's not, it's worse, which is saying something. Just pretty depressing really. If you want a good quality beer rather than a nitrokeg abomination go to the Mermaid just down the road.
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Would agree with the description of the bouncers and oisin's replacement, why employ a manager with zero people skills?
Was a great pub when oisin had it but it must of had a negative effect on him as he is traning to be a copper now!!
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Natacus, I agree about the bouncers.
maryj - I don't think much of oisin's replacement that guy from N Ireland. not a nice bloke.
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..."during the day" I meant!
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I actually quite like this place during the say, the feel is not a million miles away from a Dublin pub. Decent pint of Caffreys as well, which is like gold dust these days. Shite of an evening though (like the Waterend Barn).
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the bouncers are rudde at this pub, its busy and smells of odour!!!!!!!i find it good on a saturday and that is it because everywhere else is shite!!!fridays are realli boring but o well
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so sorry to hear oisin is leaving he really has made this place it will not be the same without him
maryj - 19 Feb 2008 23:04 |
anyone go here New year's eve?
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Bouncers were fine on my last visit. It's a busy young persons bar, populated by students and grungy ex-students. Bar service is very quick for such a busy place. Don't wear nice/suede shoes - they will get destroyed!
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I really shouldn't, but I love O'Neills. Always have a good time there; decent Guiness and TT Landlord plus offers on spirits. Can't complain.
I left a coat and scarf there last Xmas eve and never got them back though, which sucks.
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got to disagree about the unhappy bouncers. the new bouncers they've had since christmas time are great- always greeted by a smile on the front door and a smile on the way out every week- no pub offers you this! the pub itself is a good laugh- gets too busy in there, gets really hot and takes bloody ages to get served. heard the manager is a bit of a git tho, saw him arguing with some guy outside the pub- didnt look to professional!
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I like the buzz in this pub, and although happy to drink Guinness I prefer real ale. I'm therefore ecstatic that Timothy Taylor Landlord is now served here (good quality too), in addition to London Pride. The majority of the barstaff are very hard working and know what they're doing.
As an aside: the other week I lost a notebook, somewhere in St Albans, whilst out on the razz. In fact I dropped it in O'Neills, the pub phoned me and I was able to go and collect it. That's what I call good service!
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I'm really dissapointed, I used to love this pub and have been drinking their since the Firkin days. But when I went this weekend there was a distinct lack of atmosphere.
There didn't seem to be any floor service, I saw one girl pour a pint over another, And saw another girl looking for a fight in the toilet, luckily when she did pick a fight the other girl was twice her size and managed to talk some sense into her.
Plus although the bouncers are good they look like their face might crack if they smile, cheer up guys we now it's a hard job but thats what you get paid for.
I've heard there are a number of staff from the Vintry working there now?! Could this be the reason it's gone down hill??
Would love to give it a 10 rating as it was a great place, but will have to say a 5 for now - I'll try it in a few weeks as I'm really rooting for this place.
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Cheap but ok grub and huge screens for the footie
Joolz - 14 Jan 2007 11:24 |
I love this place.
I used to play there with my band, and DJ'd there last year on Saturday nights.
EVERY pub should have a No-Chav policy, the music policy at the pub (which I was very happy to go along with) helps to keep the pub Chav-free too.
I loved every minute playing there because the crowd was so good.
Maybe see you again in 2007.
Phantom Dee-Jay
anonymous - 5 Jan 2007 23:06 |
O'Neills is great! Best pub in St.albans, easy! Good atmosphere, decent bands on, great comedy night, footy on the TVs for the sports fans, Fabulous music all the time and GREAT for dates - comfy sofas a -go-go!! Yeah, and the definite lack of Chavs is bloody fantastic!
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I've got to agree with the last comment
I over heard the manager telling the doorstaff about the "no chavs" policy!! Brilliant.
It's a cracking pub, good food, good service (they all seem to be Irish!) and not as pretentious as most of the pubs in the town.
Great crack
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Great Pub, always a great night out, any night from thursday to sunday has a great almosphere! Staff are great and I have never seen any trouble caused. Now the nearest thing to a free entry rock pub in St Albans. Bands (mostly) rock and i have been a loyal drinker there for the last 4 years for these reasons.
anonymous - 25 Sep 2006 14:01 |
A great choice of beers, far superior to any normal pub, impressive selection. However the pub looks out of date inside and is in dire need to investment in my opinion and lacks charm and any kind of character. Food is of good standard, and service was good during my visit.
anonymous - 7 Sep 2006 18:41 |
The Live Music there is really good. Saw a band down there a few times called Punchmonkey, they were bloody excellent!! Thoroughly recommend the venue. Watch out for these boys tho, they rock! Friday nights are awesome, plenty of ladies and gents there and the bouncers have a good hold of the place
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Love it when they play good live music. Gets really busy and you do have a long wait to get served by staff who are miserable. I always enjoy it in here though. Beer generally good.
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Had a superlative pint of London Pride in here yesterday. An interesting innovation: the barman offered me a taste of it, it was superb and I said so, then he poured a pint that was only 95% full. Was this deliberate? Probably not, and I was so amused that I didn't say anything. But thinking about it later, this ploy could be used by less scrupulous pubs: distract the drinker by offering a taste, then while he/she is disorientated, save money by not serving a full pint. Um....
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This pub is so much better now. I've been going in there for about two years now. The staff are much friendlier now. I agree about the managers, both of them Irish and they seem really friendly. Bands are really good at weekends.
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Comedy night 1st monday of every month is excelant value. Good value food in now great surrounds. beers are always nice and cold and great guiness. Believe old manager now owns the Jolly sailor so must check that out
anonymous - 4 Jun 2006 13:30 |
Have to say - I totally disagree with the comments below about the managers.
I've been going this place before it was an O'Neills but recently felt it was run as a clique which put me off. Staff were'nt that friendly and it was often a big cavern during the day.
It's changed for the better under the new manager. My experience of the pub (and him) has been a good one. He's showing loads of sport (used to be Rugby focussed in there - now all sports) and it seems a lot friendlier and busier now. Not just busy at night.
I've also spoken to him several times since he arrived and can't remember talking to the last fella at all.
One thing they could change is the "fish goujons" in the share platter - They're clearly fish fingers and not fooling anyone.
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I've went there on the re-opening night after the refurb. "The Bears" were playing. A local band - They were brilliant! The staff were very friendly and beautiful as usual and the new manager was charming.
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That was the last manager who went out of his way, but the new one isn't the same, he is hardly ever there and it seems to be his staff who run the place. The refurb hasn't changed it that much, still lots of space.
anonymous - 29 Mar 2006 13:25 |
As much as I hate to see great buildings turned into pubs, this O'Neills is better than average. The landlord/manager goes out of his way to book quality local entertainment and employ the right staff to match. Lots of space (was referbed this week so that may have changed)! Also very tasty but sensible door men and ladies - you have been warned!
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A BIG pub, built out of the old library, or so I'm told. Friendly barstaff, Guinness everywhere but other drinks available too, and a thoroughly workmanlike food menu. 7/10
anonymous - 2 Mar 2006 08:48 |
One of the best O'Neills I've ever been to. Helpful barstaff, reasonable choice of drinks - loads of Guinness, natch - and the atmosphere is friendly enough. Good for a brisk sharpener prior to snuggling down somewhere a bit more intimate.
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Busy, vibrant, lots of fun...great place for a weekend's drinking!
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Really nice place for the younger generation. Good vibrant atmosphere
anonymous - 11 Mar 2005 14:13 |
a really nice place, nice building good staff, a rare 1am closure at weekends, the problem is the drinks prices, the drinks are great but very expensive, i prefer going elsewhere for more affordable drinks
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It is good, very busy later on. Not tried food but smells damn good. Guiness top stuff, and well it's pretty hard to fk up double vodkas! Also got brannigans crisps :)
Dave - 30 Oct 2004 12:31 |
This is by far the best pub in St Albans. I visit it every week. The bar staff are friendly and the atmosphere excellent. It's always backed to bursting and there is never any trouble.
Steve Adams - 28 Sep 2004 19:25 |
