please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Loved the atmosphere, great place.
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I've got an idea. Why not let customers give their opinions of the pub instead of publishing feuding trolls? I visited this pub on a hot day in late July, and enjoyed the pint (Bellringer @ 3.60) and the company very much. I first visited in 2011 and had a similarly pleasant time. The sort of pub tourists should seek out, as they are a disappearing breed.
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TheVolunteerRiflemans, assuming the post is genuine and you are telling the truth, this is my response.
Firstly let me say that I also run a city centre small friendly pub with similarities to your own, so I do actually know what I am talking about.
Regarding making savings by cleaning the lines fortnightly rather than weekly. Firstly, let me say that I cannot imagine only cleaning my ale lines every 14 days. We clean our ale lines every time a barrel is changed, which is on average every 3.5 days.
Are you really saving that much money? Yours is a small pub, I seem to remember, so I might assume 3 ales, 2 ciders, 3 lagers and a Guinness. 9 lines at roughly 3 pints per line (assumption) would be 27 pints aka 27 pounds a week. But it's a false economy because even if you cannot tell the difference, there are definitely going to be some people who do. And they might stop coming in so often or at all, and could tell other people that better beer can be found elsewhere. There are things you can use to minimise this waste, while not compromising on quality. Message me if you would like to know some ways to do this. In many pubs I have seen, many pints are wasted into drip trays though lazy or unnattentive bartending. (I have worked a bar that literally threw 70 pints of drip tray ale waste down the drain in a single night, [turnover c£4000 for the evening.]) If every drip tray is filled once a night, that is a total of 9x7 pints a week wasted, an amount that could surely be halved by constant nagging of staff.
And equal or greater savings can be made in other areas, such as refuse costs, or energy. JDW's saved a small fortune by instructing their managers to turn on the glasswasher a few hours later than usual. Ten Led bulbs replacing halogen or incandescent can save a few pounds every week on bills.
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Ok ok you caught us out.
We will no longer write our own posts, or engage our staff and regulars to do the same. I'm stopping reviewing my pub because people did not like it and started to give me bad reviews on here instead which is bang out of order.
You dinlows have no idea how hard it is to run a pub , it takes a lot of time. And it costs a lot of money. I have made savings here and there, go to a cheaper cash and carry for stuff, clean the beer lines every two weeks rather than week because you lose a lot of beer having to do it everyweek. And the quality is just the same.
You lot should get a life, you should and only write good reviews about our pub. Then I wouldn't have to I tell ya.
You lot always want something for nothing. Well I'm stoppin it from today.
Tu es un fils de pute , dáccord?
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Gann: "Sadly, for reasons better known to themselves"
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Hi Gann. I think the reason might be that this usually features on the BITE homepage favourites, so they're either trying to keep it there, or get it to the top, perhaps.
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Gann nail on head me thinks,do they thing people on here are all stupid?
anonymous - 23 Feb 2013 12:02 |
There's a lot of obvious silliness on this thread which does the pub no favours.
I called in today. it's one of a type to be found in Bath: period, single-room, real ale micro-house. That is, intrinsically lovely, so why the hyperbole and BS?
It seems to have a (possibly ex-military) small bunch of regulars, who are a bit proprietorial, though a hoot if viewed appropriately. You won't go short of an opinion on whatever comes up.
Good beer, better entertainment.
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Sadly, for reasons better known to themselves, the owners or bar staff constantly try to big this place up and get its score up as the last 15 odd posts from someone who clearly has Multi Personality Syndrome proves.
And even more sadly, the admin of this site is inept and useless at sorting out problems like this and removing false reviews.
So you are better off looking at better pub review sites than this one to get a fair review of the Volunteer.
Ironically they don't need to do it because this traditional small single room pub tucked away in a side street in the centre of town is actually a decent pub.
It will never rank as a great pub (despite the trolls efforts to achieve that status on here ), but as a friendly enough pub to grab a pint it is perfectly acceptable.
Usually four ales from regional breweries on an the Exmoor Gold was fine on my last visit.
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To say that this pub is outstanding would be staing the obvious once too often. It is quite simply beyond words and I should know. It is magnificent.
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The VRA was recommended to me by almost every person I have met so I thought that I would give it a try. It was superb. From now on its "only the best" for me.
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I was in Bath looking for a plank of wood to stand on. I accidentally came across this pub and thought. Hey this is great. I stayed all day and will probably come back. The choice is fab.
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Went here for the xmas market - great atmosphere, good staff and a good range of beer. They do reasonably priced food that a lot of peoplpe seemed to be enjoying. Well worth seeking out !
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Went here for the xmas market - great atmosphere, good staff and a good range of beer. They do reasonably priced food that a lot of peoplpe seemed to be enjoying. Well worth seeking out !
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One of the best pints of HSD i've had... pleasant street hostelry well worth a visit. One of the best pubs in the city in my humble opinion
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I was in the area looking for rare mineral deposits when I accidentally dug a hole into the cellar of the Volunteer Riflemans etc. I decided to stay here and drink lots of the amazing beer. Hooray for the Volunteer. Hooray.
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Ive only been to this pub once and Im still here.
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Great space, excellent ale choice, good looking menu
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Im always in here. I live very close by. Its fantastic.
Renwo - 23 Nov 2012 05:35 |
One of the greatest pubs the world has ever seen and I should know.
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Excellent little pub pub with excellent beer. On the pricey side, but more than worth it.
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Top pub. Excellent range of beers, always varying and always good
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the pub was so good i wrote a book" Bloodprint" enjoy kitty sewell.
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what a great little pub met lucky john had a few HSD's and staggered home.
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Busy boozer with a real community feel. Well kept beers
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Definitely the best real pub in Bath; will be there tomorrow morning when I've finished arguing with the Halifax. Hope the Exmoor Gold is still on then the boss can drive home!
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They just don't make pubs like this anymore, much the pity. Great beer, friendly staff, small, cosy, homely place
stomp - 16 Sep 2012 10:53 |
what a great place to the afternoon , top notch
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quailty atmosphere in the evenings, generated by a pleasingly poor floor layout, meaning the already small pub gets filled up very easily, and the noise levels get up with it.
the alley way the puib is on is very charming at night with the white fairy lights over head and lovely sandstone buildings all around. along with the coeur de lion, ill definatly be back when ever in bath.
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Fantastic range of real ales well-kept by the Landlord Paul, a place I visit every time I am in Bath knowning that whatever is on will be well worth the trip
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Great pub, Great Atmosphere, Host Paul keeps everyone entertained with his antics from behind the bar. It proves very hard to leave when you are in such good company. definitely the best pub i have been to in Bath to date (and i've been to a fair few) think i might become a regular here.
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I have been coming to this pub for two months now.
I always have a wonderful time. The owner, Paul and his staff are delightful.
Also, their food and menu selections are a cut above the competition.
There is also room to sit outside and enjoy people watching or a smoke.
You cannot lose at this great little hidden gem of Bath.
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I visited this pub for the first time on Wednesday afternoon when Taunton Bob was there. He was sitting at the bar. I sat at a table, but the pub's so small everyone can hear what everyone else says anyway. It's not the place for a romantic drink or cosy chat! I agree with Bob's comments. Paul kept everyone entertained and it was very difficult to leave - if only because you wanted to hear what he'd say next! The beer was good too. I drank Butcombe, but there were others I can't recall. I'll definitely be back
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This is more than a proper pub - this is pure theatre with host Paul using his bar as a stage drawing regulars and first timers alike to play their part in the drama of the show. Nobody, even large Geordie blokes, are spared the attention and relentless mickey taking of the Landlord, all in the best possible taste! Paul's knowledge of regional beers is second to none. No food available on the day owing to a rare phenomonon, that being gravity which caused the spontaneous absence of chef - hope all is well. Great music, sporting and military memorabilia add to the mix. Should also mention the beer which was in perfect condition. Only strong will power allowed me to win the battle against empty glass chinking with pump as Paul used his masterstroke of temptation. Can't remember much about the train journey home, but I obviously got here!! Back soon.
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Great afternoon session on Friday. Thanks to Paul and the regulars for making us welcome and keeping us entertained. My wife says she will win at spoof next time we are in Bath.
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Had a great lunch. The Chilli's pretty good and they've had Courage Best (remember that?) Butcombe, Honeybear and something else I can't remember. Since it was lunchtime I focussed on the Courage. Nostalgic. Recommend it.
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One of the best kept secrets in Bath. Lovely, friendly clientele, you are just as likely to meet suits as bikers and the occasional lost and lonely soul! Fantastic home cooked food, and the Door-step sarnies are arguably the best value in Bath. If a good, traditional boozer is what you are looking for, you'll be hard pushed to find better than the volly PS the beer was superb !!!!!!!
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fabulous pub, great beer especially the Molecatcher ,good food and not to steep.
landlord very funny as in haha.
back again on our next rugby trip.
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Went back to Bath today shopping. Dropped into 'the Volley' for lunch. Decent food, not expensive. Got talking to locals and spent far too long/drank far too much before going back to the shops - so ended up spending far too much. I really do like this pub. Nice people, 'him indoors' says nice beer and very friendly people.
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I have no financial connection whatsoever with this or any other pub. I just like the Volunteer, its regulars, landlord and its few staff. Laughingduck,guv2, theinvestigator et al might find they like it too if they visit it.
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Having returned to Bath at the week end I was entering reviews when I came across laughingduck's entries (below). If the landlord of the Volunteer has voted, his will be just one vote of many, so it will not sway things much. laughingduck has suggested that his mates might have voted too, but surely these will be customers i.e the people for whom this site is designed. Perhaps laughingduck should restrict his entries to honest reviews of pubs he's visited, rather than using this site for smug, self satisfied self-aggrandizement. In other words, get a life.
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well no more false posts since the bishop got bashed.
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oh dear a drop from 7.7 down to 7.2 all in a few hours,come monday it will be 0.0 not worth it was it...
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why do they try and fool us,it does the pub no favours at all,just a bad rep and big fat zeros.....
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It was fine in 1989.
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Tried this place several times, beer indifferent, service slow.
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that just knocked it down by two points.
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why oh why do thet do this,paulabath,theboyfrombath,debbiestar,joshster,tonyright,bathbabes,bashthebishop etc.all one off postings ie.landlord,manager,staff,friends of....ever never been here but im going to give a zero for trying to con people.
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It must be well over 20 years since I last visited this pub. I had recollections of it being small, quaint and Olde Worlde. So it was a bit of a disappointment to find the large , plain window frontage and a rather bright, modern (but still cosy)interior. But, if I put aside my pre conceptions (or poor memory more like ) then it is a nice little pub. A proper boozer with a locals feel and visitors also very welcome. Many people were eating and I overheared favourable comments about the food. Some interesting framed posters on the walls, split between miltary themes and rugby. Look carefully for the doctored Brains/Welsh rugby advert:- totally unacceptable, if true !!!!
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What to say about this pub.....It is a great little public house. We had a weekend away from our children once upon a time, and discovered this pub by chance. We never go anywhere else now, even if Landlord's jokes are rubbish, it's the taking part that matters!!
The staff are friendly and helpful and really make you feel welcome.
I think the Landlord is Al Murray's twin and providing you go there with that in mind you will be fine. If you drink enough, you may even find some of the jokes funny...
The real making of this pub is the intimacy of the experience.
Finally, all there is left to say is go there if you want a locals local, and you won't go far wrong.....oh and the beer is excellent too.
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Nothing like a nice pint after a hard days work
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Fun place to be
Fridays and Saturdays are great
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Food was excellent, went in with my wife and 2 kids and was welcome
Food was of excellent quality the kids had a 1/4 of coke each and was topped up foc without me asking.
Just the little things seem to go a long way
Excellent choice
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Only been in Bath for 6 months and walked past this pub the other day and when for a drink.
I tend not to do this being Female and 19 but it was really nice. I will be coming back with my Girlfriends over the weekend.
Top marks for this place
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Great small pub just off the main drag of Milsom Street.
Stayed in Bath for a weekend, found this pub by mistake and then didn't bother going anywhere else.
Lunch Time food was perfect and cheap the beer was very good
Friday evening was busy and the service was very quick.
Didn't (well couldn't) drink on Saturday due to a hangover.
(Nice female staff :-) )
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superb little pub i enjoyed a pint of " side pocket for a toad" from the Tring brewery then some "east street cream" from the RCH brewery followed by an exmoor gold, no points for guessing and to finish a pint of their very own Best Bitter.
The food looked great (we didn't eat ourselves) and good value.
all in all a great family pub .
bravo.
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I think Splashthepaint might be thinking of somewhere else. I went in yesterday. It's a Free House that wasn't even serving Butcombe! My couple of pints of Pigswill were clear, the room was full of families eating lunch and I couldn't find anyone being sick anywhere. Strange.
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Went with a mate from London recently .. beer was kept ok, food was average but not expensive for city centre location. Would go back if the Raven burnt down.
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I wasn't aware this is a Butcombe pub! Do you know something we don't?
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Just to add. for a Butcombe pub this must be there worst one yet. Come on Butcombe sort it OUT.
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Full off under age yougsters went to the toilet to see a man being sick all over the place. Service was as if i was invisibly. Rude man behind bar. dont think i will be coming back again. Went to the green tree instead.
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Visited over the weekend. Not to sure full off plonkers swearing and shouting. Had a pint of Butcombe which i had to return (cloudy). Heard this place has had problems with its beer in the past so had to have a bottle instead.
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Great little pub. Good, eccentric selection of well kept beers, excellent value lunches, friendly people. It's small, so it's difficult to keep yourself to yourself, but brilliant if you're happy to talk to others.
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Brilliant place to go for a nice afternoon pint and a nice big lunch! Everyone is so nice, it's just a very friendly local. Like mother always said to me... It's the only place she would go for a drink on her own... There is always something going on. What more can I say? Mothers always right... :)
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Used to be my local, and I am always welcome back! Small, one of the smallest in Bath, but very good atmosphere. Best bit is the range of Beers, from across the southwest and beyond, and the choice of cider on tap!! Food served, and good value. The Landlord is a real character, and he makes your visit unforgetable when there.
One of the fave pubs to end the night on when in Bath, and great on Rugby game days. When its the 6-nations you can enjoy the banter as all supporters welcome.
Only wish I was back in Bath now...
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A marvelously intimate watering hole, presided over by Paul, your genial landlord, with a ready supply of wit and badinage.
Great ales, kept well and changed regularly (they get through a fair bit on match days) with european lagers and local ciders also on tap.
Food is excellent quality and well priced and can be enjoyed in the busy bar or in a more open dining room on the first floor.
Having worked in Bath for years, when I popped in regularly, I am now an only occasional visitor to that lovely City
.A pint in The Rife's is a must each time I go back
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This is one of the BEST pubs I have ever been to, and I have been to a lot. Not only are the beers great, the staff FANTASTIC, the shots free flowing, the landlord, well .... he has got to be seen to believed...... an absolute marvel !!...
Brilliant place..... foods good too, ( forgot to mention that )
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The only pub in Bath with any character. Could easily spend all day in there. great beer,food and child friendly.
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Probably the best real ale pub in Bath. The Landlord keeps a cracking pint and the food is good too.
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Without doubt one of the better pubs in Bath. Whilst it may seem a little small and can get quite busy on matchdays the landlord is a card who really does know how to keep a first class pint. It's the pub we always make a bee line for and I'm sure you won't be disappointed.
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fantastic pub. highly recommened for food and having a great time. well worth a vist
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lovely little pub in the center of bath city. has lovely bar staff who are very efficient also the landlord is alot of fun!!!!! the food is lovely and affordable and the locals are very friendly!!! go try it out!!!!
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excellent beer, great atmosphere - recomend for a pint or several :)
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Excellent little shopping pit stop! Lunch was lovely as was the wine!! Staff and regulars both very friendly & welcoming.
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A super small pub, near the centre. We've been several times lately and we've always met a good bunch of locals. The landlord's a bit off the wall and it's a real laugh if you go with the flow when he's there. An added bonus is the travel agents and the bric a brac shop just across the pathway from the front door. Maybe one day him indoors will get generous as we leave. I live in hope.....
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FUCK OFF
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Excellent pub. An excess of real ales, with a good variety. Very small and traditional.
The food is delicious (we ate in the dinning room upstairs) and reasonably priced. They really do care.
We had a great time.
Bravo.
Bubba
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Best pub by far and such fun, main man is barking, the beer is green, well in colour, and the toasted saanies are excellent, absolutely top notch. Be back soon. Watch out !! regards BaddyPurt
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Great selection of well kept beers and ciders, good, inexpensive food at lunch time, welcoming crowd - what's not to like? It's small and intimate. People talk to each other, like they used to in pubs before they were taken over by catering before chains.
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Sunday evening, shall we try it, or shall we keep going - not many peiople inside. We decided to go in, and glad that we did. Barman was entertaining a small group of locals with various cocktails, the music was 70's/80's and very much enjoyed by all. I see others have not enjoyed the place, I think we caught it when we were in the right mood, and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves
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Good number of locals make this a lively place. All are welcome by staff and customers alike. No chance of staying anonymous here.
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Pub No.8 on our crawl of Bath. This was our final pub of the crawl and it was so good we came here twice, once more after our meal before returning home by train. A good selection of 4 ales including Otter - Bitter & Sharps - Doombar. The reason the place was so good was not just the beers but the atmosphere created by the two barman. Locals and Strangers are welcomed just the same. If you're looking for a quiet drik, this is not the place for you. Keep up the good work lads!
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Very nice pint of Abbey Bellringer whilst reading the papers on Sunday afternoon. Busty with both regulars and visitors. Recommend a visit
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landlords dilemma , what does he do? four blokes at the bar in a posh city centre public house and the pub trying to sell wine , the oldest person of the four using the f word every second word that's coming out of his mouth , whilst theyre playing a game of spoof , intimidating other customers , one of the four appears to be a member of staff , uncomforfatable for me , beer not very good , and not unrecognisable , one of them was sharps , but being short of sight , and was not allowed to get near them by the club at the bar chose sharps which was awful . Only visit bath about 12/13 a year , not so much wouldn't rush back , but would never go back . AVOID. O/10
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Very small, single room pub tucked away down an alley but just off the main shopping street. Reasonably busy on a recent Friday night, but we managed to squeeze on to a shared table at the back. There were a couple of characters at the bar, but all very friendly.
There's quite a rugby theme to the pub, with various memorabilia covering the walls and even a Blackthorn rugby ball atop the pump (I believe they sponsored Bath Rugby at one time).
As others have said, music was a bit loud, and not really in keeping with the atmosphere of the pub.
Four unusal beers on tap, in fact the Otter was the only one I'd ever heard of. Also Blackthorn and Black Rat ciders.
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Third pub visited on a mini-crawl on Sunday lunchtime. Like most pubs in Bath, it is small but was fairly busy with 4 ales available. Went for Otter Amber and very nice it was too. Not my favourite pub in Bath but by no means is it the worst.
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Some small pubs can be a bit intimidating for a stranger walking in but we were welcomed in this one and space was made for us at the bar. Good selection of ales which were supplemented by the Bee Sting real cider, one of two or three they serve I think.
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This is a fairly small pub tucked away in a maze of alleys. On my visit on a Saturday evening it was absolutely rammed, which isn't too hard given it's size.
Four pumps dispensing Hopback Taiphoon, Cotswold Honey Beer, Crouch Vale Brewers Gold and Otter Ale. I had a pint of the Brewers Gold which was well kept.
The pub was far too brightly lit and playing 80s music (Madness, Adam & the Ants, Haircut 100) at an unnecessarily loud volume. I will give it another go (perhaps during the day) on a return visit to Bath.
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Great pub ! Proper little pub with a good range of beer.
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Tremendous pub. No good if you're agoraphobic. Always welcoming and with great ales.
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This is a truly cracking pub which her indoors and I visit every time we are in Bath. The landord is a great guy with a terrific sense of humour who does'nt take any prisoners. The faint hearted should beware!. Often crowded a generous cleavage will always get you prompt service! The beer is excellent ,food good too. Always fun later in the evening as the black rat takes hold and the customers medication wears off! Best pub in town by a mile !
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A cracking little pub in the heart of Bath on a pedestrian walkway, which allows for some outside seating. But the place to be is right by the bar. New visitors are treated well and brought into the conversation if they want to be. Small range of local beers which were in good nick, enjoyable.
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Good small pub with friendly staff and well kept ales. Good place for a break in the middle of the morning shopping session (if you can get away with it!).
BobOs - 21 Oct 2008 12:11 |
Good beer and pleasant ambience. Well worth a visit.
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Another of Bath�s small pubs, this one has some outside seating and an upstairs bistro. There�s a military theme to the d�cor and a large Abbey Ales mirror that dominates one wall. There was a good selection of ales on and I enjoyed an excellent pint of the wonderfully named Totty Pot Porter, the Winter ale offering from Cheddar Ales.
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Lovely little pub. with a good selection of ale, which would be better served without the swan necks.
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A rather odd pub. I can't quite put my finger on why as it has many of the hallmarks of an exceptional west country city boozer. The TV above the door doesn't help nor does the rather strangulated layout of the pub - you hit the bar as soon as you walk in thus rendering the space at the back of the pub void and usually empty. Perhaps the critical problem is the rather bizarre service. It's not surly or unduly attentive rather it is overly familiar and a little rude in my opinion. The beer range in interesting and tolerably well-kept.
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Good pub if you don't try speaking after 4 black rats. stairs to toilet and strong cider cocktail always interesting.....What could possibly go wrong.
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A pub that has evidently improved in terms of beer selection and quality since the last change of hands. Whilst clearly being in the mould of an English traditional boozer, complete with subtly-tucked away plasma screen, the location and outdoor seating facilities still evokes a slightly continental feel.
The 4 ales were varied, and looked after by a friendly and enthusiastic chap of indeterminate accent (presumably the landlord?). That is probably enough for me.
However, some might be put off by the clientele, who are shall we say rather "earthy", and of an evening cluster round the bar, sometimes making some rather bold, unwanted and generally unamusing comments towards unfamiliar customers. It is probably well-intentioned, but that can be a dealbreaker for some visitors.
Room for improvement, especially in an area so laden with quality pubs, but it's going in the right direction.
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Lovely. try the very strong black rat cider, or the Weymouth bitter they usually have on. Yes you cant swing a cat- congratualtions on your observational skills. Keeps going into the wee small hours, and you can sit outside and flaunt bath's no-drinks-outside policy (which i must say is policed very liberally). Never tried the food at lunchtime but its worth a go.
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Last time I went in there you couldn't swing a cat for hitting a wall.
Too many poofs for me
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Had a lovely lunch here back in September. Nice place. Found the barman to be friendly.
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I'll agree with the commnts on the staff and the customers. Last time I went there, I was accosted by some rough looking bulletheads, and the barmaid was well surly.
The only thing of note is that they have candles on the tables in the evening, which I burnt my hair on after a few too many baby chams
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Quiet, tucked away?
Mmm. It can be hugely loud in the evenings. The beer is always good, but sorry, not for me.
Rude staff. Loutish clientele. Though of observational interest if you are into tattooed heads and attempt to break the world record for the f-word.
I'll do my best to be kind in the rating, because of the beer. Can't complain about that.
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Great pub, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the main street.
There are also a selection of bar games available to play while supping your beverage. "Pass the Pigs" is always a winner.
Gareth - 21 Sep 2004 17:53 |
A truly bizarre place, (just look at the name!) this is a tiny tiny pub located down an alleyway, with room for no more than a few tables of people.
However, having said that, as it is less publicised than the similarly small Old Green Tree, it is never packed out, and you can have a quiet drink in what feels like someones front room..
Which is a good thing.
The GP - 11 Aug 2004 15:12 |
