please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
I popped in to see what time children were allowed in 'til, as I seemed to recall when I went in a year ago there was a No Children In the Bar sign. I was right about the sign.
I got a pint and asked if there was a room where children were allowed (as the pub's entry in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide has the symbol for a family room). Fair play to the barman (who I expect was the boss) he said there wasn't and that the CAMRA guide had once said they had a campsite. So the misinformation was no fault of the pub.
I got a pint of Caledonian Edinburgh Castle which was superb. I settled down and, like I had the previous year, admired the pumpclip collection adorning the old beams of the barroom.
Top marks to the pub, naughty corner for CAMRA.
|
IOW pub of the year,enjoyed island brewery wight gold.small bar area where you can here the regulars gossip,seems the local conservative club aint up to much!worth a visit!
|
Very good beer in a quirkily nice bar. The garden is very pleasant and a real suntrap too.
Wondered why there was a sign in the garden saying no children beyond this point - so I investigated and saw a chasm about 40 foot deep over a lowish fence. Learnt this was the top end of Shanklin Chine, so I wholly recommend a visit after tackling the steep climb up fom the beach.
|
This is a really great bar for those who like a nice place to chat and drink with friends. We visited over ten years ago and it was good as we remembered it. The huge number of pump clips are a testament to the amount of real ales that are served. Highly recommended.
|
in last monday afternoon,2 beers on,fullers esb and conwy balchder cymru.had the wesh beer and it was very good. a cotleigh beer was going on as i was leaving. worth a visit if in village.you can tell the guvnor knows and enjoys his beers.
|
Good choice of quality ales
|
Doesn't do food out of season.
|
Good pint of Island Yachtsman and a red squirrel spotted at the feeder in the garden.
|
Nearly didn't go in as the blackboard outside listed a very boring and predictable list of beers (apart from Proper Job) but we carried on in and there were some that were on the list but importantly something from Island Brewery and Sadlers from the West Midlands were on. Thank goodness we didn't take any notice of the blackboard advertisment. How difficult is it to find some chalk!
|
Reasonable beer choice, though only stuck around for one unmemorable pint, the name of which escapes me. Can't understand why do Spitfire though, when better Island brewed beers available. Restaurant apparently does food but found it oddly characterless given the thatched roof and characterful exterior.
|
Pub aimed at the tourist trade, it is a large place with a big outside drinking area.
Had three real ales on and a good cider (7 % abv) and on a Friday has a band playing.
Friendly locals who like a chat.
|
Probably the best of the three tourist trap thatched establishments. has some mock tudor elements and is more interesting a layout than the others. They had three ales on. We all had the Arundel Sussex Gold which was okay but nothing brilliant.
anonymous - 3 Jul 2011 13:02 |
Aimed at tourists, but good beer and a nice garden.
|
I thought I knew where most of the good pubs were in the island but thanks to BITE and the GBG this was a new one to me. Good choice of ale but sadly the island brewery beer had just run out. Take a look at the loos with a view onto the garden through the french doors. Good atmosphere. Definitely will go back
|
This was the only bar where we found a real cider on the island - Thatcher's Traditional. Three real ales were served - White Horse Saracen IPA, Fullers ESB and Itchen Valley Green Jackets. We had also seen the latter beer in the Castle, Sandown and this pub also had a similar sort of theme to the Castle, being decorated in a quasi-medieval style. The locals were very chatty and service was prompt. I was fairly impressed. Although it was a little dingy and could have benefitted by a little extra lighting. The pub is located in the old village area of Shanklin, which is well worth a visit with its picture postcard scenes of thatched cottages and quaint shops. Would happily visit here again.
|
Just got back from a lovely weekend in Shanklin. Visited the restaurant attached to King Harry's Bar - Henry V11's Kitchen. Although the pub looked great - really traditional - we went straight through to the restaurant. Ordered our meals. Based on the prices at this restaurant I was expecting a quality meal. My starter was completely over-cooked. The staff didn't seem to know what they were doing - no spoons so other people could eat their started of soup. The steaks arrived and mine was cooked to my liking but the others had also been cooked to my liking too not as requested by my fellow diners. The chips were those cheap frozen ones and the frozen peas were over-cooked. The steak was delicious and really good quality and it made no sense to serve with other cheap produce. I didn't bother with a desert. We were expecting the bill to be half the cost based on the quality, service, etc. We all thought we should have eaten in one of the other pubs. It was a shame as it's a really unique place and definitely looks perfect for a drink.
|
I've always liked King Harrys bar - situated in Shanklin Old town, it was a real discovery when we came across it ten years ago. Anytime I get a chance, I'll pop in. Not so easy when you live on the mainland, but I try to make the effort regardless!! Good ales, low ceilings and pokey little corners which gives it character. I've eaten here before with the gang - back in the day when the girls dressed as serving 'wenches'!! Not sure if that still goes on, but a nice touch. Coming down some steps, off the main street, its in a good location. With the chine right behind, you can go for a stroll after (or before or both) booze, right down to the sea. One extra note would be the gents toilet - like a living room with a couple of urinals in the corner.
|
The changing range of ales is accompanied by a real cider. Food is served in the restaurant only. The menu and prices did not impress so we didn't eat here.
|
Great choice of excellent draught beers - some changed during our ten day stay. Limited choice of wines.
|
Visited this Harry's Bar late June this year. Great atmosphere especially on Thursday and Friday, live band on Friday. Excellent food in restaurant, steaks to die for... Ice cold wine and great Ales for him too... Great staff, friendly and cheerful guy (Mick) gave lots of advice of places to visit whilst on hols. Would certainly stay at Harry's too as apparently do four poster rooms and a breakfast to die for too.... Thanks for a great holiday A+++++
|
Good range of changing real ales, with nice garden out back overlooking Chine. Has periodic beer festivals. Entertainment on Friday evenings, and good for a quiet drink on other days.
|
Pub has beautiful garden with a view over the Chine.
Much less plastic feel than some of the other pubs in Shanklin. Think the hectoring notices have gone - or I was enjoying myself too much to see them. Great to see draft Budvar + good selection other beers. Really good lunch: pint of prawns with good chips, really fresh salad and hot bread. Impressed
|
Great selection of real ales and 'good' lagers. Great setting and not as plastic as the pub nearby ie the Crab.
|
Lovely place, crap customer service. I was at the bar trying to order food at 2.10pm and they refused to let me order because they stopped serving at 2.30pm. Really rude and unhelpful so we went to the crab instead and had a lovely time. Beautiful surroundings and a nice choice of booze, but staff training needs updating.
|
A quiet pub in the day, lovely gardens, best pub in Shanklin in my view. The Budwiser Budvar on draft was delightful. Good Selection of Real Ales, and Lagers
Visited End May and start of June 2005
|
Small bar tucked behind a larger upmarket hotel. The beer was good, and the gardens beautiful to sit in on a sunny day, but the whole effect is somewhat spoiled by the fact that the bar is so dark you can't see your money and the garden has a rash of 'nanny state signs' Children Must Sit at Tables and Not Run Around'. You Must Stay on the Paths' etc. Visited July 04, voted 5 (For beer quality only)
Jimbo Smith - 25 Jul 2004 10:50 |
