please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Sadly closed and currently up for sale
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CLOSED
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nice local pub with a reputaion for pies. Gay owned and and a great cosmopolitan customer base... very reflective of the diverse nature of BOA
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I ate at this pub on 8th August on a cycling tour. The pie was expensive but the quality was good. Proper steak and enourmous size. Though I was hungry after a days'cycling I had to ask for a doggy bag. It even tasted good cold the following morning.
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The interior of this pub was strangely decorated and almost gothic in appearance. I don't have the advantage of seeing what the place was like before its refurbishment. But I didn't find it too unpleasant. Although it was a little dark. Most tables were set out for diners. We were the only customers, until another couple walked in. There are plenty of curios, including copper kettles, fishing rods and clocks. A strange feature is a TV showing silent Charlie Chaplin films. Youngs Bitter, St Austell Tribute and Bath Gem were the 3 real ales, whilst there was also a large whisky selection with a malt of the month promoted. Ciders were Stowford Press & Scrumpy Jack. Unfortunately, we weren't hungry enough to try a pie. But they did seem quite expensive.
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Whilst the 'clutter' mentioned in the last review does little to enhance the decor, the draught beer is well kept and the food is excellent. The pies, of which they are justly proud, are worth walking across Wiltshire for and the 'large' Sunday roast would feed a family of four for a week. I just wish the staff were a bit more cheerful.
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Last visited in May 2010 and what was once the best pub in Bradford has been ruined by a totally inappropriate refurb. The wooden panelling (that former landlord Clive got from a former girls school that was up for demolition) remains but the walls are now adorned by silver and gold wallpaper that looks totally out of keeping. White glass (or plastic?) chandeliers hang down obtrusively while there is clutter everywhere but nothing of any interest or discernable theme. Despite this act of recent redecorative vandalism, the pub was dirty and dusty.
Inexplicably the pub now sells over 50 brands of tea yet the real ale was indifferent on my visit and the staff bored and disinterested.
This pub used to be buzzing and had people from all social stations in life mingling and drinking. On my last visit, the only people in the pub were me, my mother and father.
What a sad decline for a once great boozer.
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I've lived in Bradford on Avon for the last 2 years and I've found this pub to be good. It has some stiff competition from the The Dandelion, The Barge, and The Castle. All very good pubs but in terms of value for money I would say the Bunch of Grapes has huge portions of food...! If you like good sized pub grub, then this is the place...
stone - 30 Jan 2010 11:15 |
I found the staff friendly enough and the beer was was in good condition, the Youngs bitter especially. As it was Christmas/New Year week it would have helped to have some heating though! Brrrrrrr!
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Agree with jwj. Visited this pub earlier in the year before moving to BonA and thought it a gem particularly as regards beer and general atmosphere. I was looking forward to using it regularly on moving there but my first visit told me it wasn't the same. Beer nothing special; atmosphere - mopy. Bar staff - usual not interested, not informed nonentities. After talking to some locals I found out why. Fortunately there are alternatives - Castle and Barge but before this visit I would have put the Grapes 1st.
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I've used the Grapes since the early 1990s, on semi-regular visits to stay with friends in the area. Happy memories of Clive, the landlord then, who remembered what beer I liked deespite only seeing me three or four times a year. And I had two good sessions there over Christmas 2008. Good beer and food, and welcoming staff. But I understand from my local friends (who I'm visiting later this month) that this year has seen a new landlord imported from London, whose mission seems to be to get rid of the regulars, dumb down the food to cliched pub grub and welcome younger customers with loud music and thoughts of a karaoke. So my future visits to Bradford will see me in the Barge and the Castle.
Pity...
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Nice Young's pub with a guest as well. Ate here twice - good value (though I had to request a replacement meal the second time - done with no fuss).
Saturday was very "lively" with a local dancing on the table when the landlord was not looking. A bit more restrained well-behaved in the rest of the place. 7/10
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Mmm, nice enough pub, lots of nooks and crannies and an open fire. Could be better if they expanded their ale range, only boring Youngs and a guest (Tribute) which was in fairly good nick. I urge any visitors to BOA to walk up the hill to The Castle which I quite like.
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Been going here for over a year and it is our favorite watering hole. Undergone some redecoration and change which is for the better. The staff are great - although can appear aloof at times - and the landlord very friendly. Highly recommend it to anyone and everyone! Don't agree with the "loo" comment either!
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I like this pub. As a female it is important to go somewhere safe. I don't agree with the comments about the loos, I have always found them clean and very un-smelly! Having drank in London back in the day, it's great to have a Youngs pub in BOA- I detest Waddy beers, so I am very grateful to the Grapes! Food is not poncy or over the top. I shall return!
anonymous - 11 Oct 2007 18:37 |
Having been sent to Bradford on Avon through work for the next 6months, I was initially excited by the prospect of a Young's pub down here & assumed it would be my regular. Unfortunately, The Grapes is going through an identity crisis & until it decides whether it is a Bistro and dramatically improves it's fare, or a Pub & dramatically improves staff attitude to those that are "Only here for the Beer," it will continue the downward trend that I understand it currently experiences.
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Nice pub but oh! the toilets stink to high heaven! Make you wretch after your dinner.
anonymous - 22 Apr 2007 10:20 |
Tis the best pub in B-O-A. I have spent far too much money in said pub. Twas nice of the staff to put up balloons for my birthday.
Who is the redhead? I have not seen her.
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I have to say bradfordians GAYDAR must be full on because apart from the owners who very rarely show their face it is one of the least gay pubs I know
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Great pub, always welcoming. I feel sorry for the people who eat downstairs though because we tend to stand nearly on top of them whilst smoking ... not for much longer though :-(
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Cosmopolitan trade with a good food line.Gets a bit hot and stuffy when crowded. I'm sure that gay men and lesbians won't be after you, Bradfordian!
anonymous - 6 Jan 2007 14:51 |
G A Y ! the place to be if you are...... I'M NOT - Felt out of place.
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A great pub. Quality beer and good food. A friendly atmosphere and service to match. Quite frankly the best drinking hole in town!
George - 8 Sep 2004 15:31 |
