please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Had enjoyed a visit to this pub three or four years back, so decided to pop in again, and they still have the same good selection of real ale (five taps) and other craft ales (three or four taps).
Had dinner, which was fine.
They unfortunately seem to have upped the number of tellies from zero (as I remember it) to approximately wherever they can jam one in, unfortunately taking away from the pub's charm (who honestly goes to the pub to watch a tennis match on mute?)
The beer was in good nick (Revelation from Dark Star), would go back the next time I'm in town.
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Nice pub in a historical building, in the very centre of Crawley (3 other interesting pubs within 100 yards distance). Several cask ales from local breweries, not only Greene King. Friendly staff. They serve food, but I did no eat. Well worth a visit.
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Much more boisterous than a typical real ale pub, but still a very good bet for the town centre.
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Full of the type of people you wouldn't want in any other pub. The landlady seems more than happy to drink excessively with people who you've probably seen on crime watch. Beer tastes like it's been in pipes that haven't been cleaned since Wimbledon won a premier league title. Avoid like the M25 at any time of day
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Great pub, sorry posted on the wrong pub
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Not a fan of this pub surely down to the manager who is a really horrible person so will never go back again.
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Probably the best pub in the high street in my opinion. Good selection of drinks, good music and plenty of seats. Staff are friendly and quick to serve
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It's OK, nothing terribly special though I'm afraid. Beer was a little warm for my liking.
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My first visit to Crawley and I loved the mix of old and new. This pub has great character (old beams) and very friendly, prompt service. You can get anything from a basket of sausage and chips to a full-blown three course meal, throughout the bar, as well as an interesting selection of real ales.
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On the High St. opposite the Wetherspoons and on entering it appeared like your average chain pub. It wasn't so bad though and I had a decent pint of dark Star Hophead and a pint of Milestone Crusdaer. It is probably your best bet for an ale in downtown Creepy.
anonymous - 30 Oct 2011 00:27 |
Not been the greatest fan of this pub in the past, however visited with friends on a Saturday evening and was pleasantly surprised.
The selection of beers and ciders was very good with the Dog Dancer being on good form. Plenty of bar staff which kept waits very short.
The place was also free of some of the dodgy elements whcih Crawley manages to attract.
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Holds some good memories of when it had a champion bar billiards team (late 1970s) and I was a part of it ! In those days "Saturday night was the night for fighting" - can still see those tables and chairs being broken.
Nowadays, as the Shades, it the place to nip into during the day for a swift half. Long may it last.
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This pub has had it ups and downs. I believe it very much on an up at the moment. True, it's in Crawley which isn't good but it is good amongst what this own has to offer. They have a decent selection of real ales with regulars from the Dark Star brewery. The staff are friendly and the food is reasonably priced. If you are looking for real ales in Crawley it's here or the Swan.
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Called in when last in Crawley not a great town for good pubs and this place is only average,but saying that it makes it a good pub for this town (not others and anyone who rates this alongside The Harp is Barking)'
Marti you also need to get out more !!
5/10
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Popped in the Shades and was pleasently surpised, five real ales on pump, regulars include Dark Star Original at �2.50 a pint and Bowmans Swift One which is good to see, twelve cask bottles and ten ciders to choose from, including organic, thatchers Katy and Stella cidra at �2.50, which i did t try, food was good, place needs a up date but clean, def worth popping back now there a reasonably priced selection of decent beers and ciders.
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Unfortunately, the Shades has lost it's character over the years. Needs a little cheering up and some new and interesting beers!!!!
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Beer well kept; polite staff; observed a drunken argument near our table before Christmas, alcoholics, could do with more comfortable and better planned seating.
Potentially, a very good pub, but I doubt it will get the necessary investment to step up a level; but, above 90% of usual poor Crawley pubs.
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Ron S, if you find my comment offensive I apologise. I simply found it surprising that someone who had not posted before suddenly gave this pub 10/10, it did make me wonder if you were the landlord/manager trying to boost his pub.
Of course everyone has their opinion and that is perfectly valid, however in my opinion the Shades is not able to hold a candle to establishments like the Harp.
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If I wasn't sure I wouldn't have given that rating in the fist place. Secondly, I would not have written a defence of my initial rating. thirdly I would not place this pub on a par with The Harp (CAMRA's SE pub of the year) if I didn't think it was undeserving of such praise.
My review was, of course, only my personal view. Other people are entitled to proffer views contrary to my opinions at any time.
Furthermore, I find it offensive that Kevmac suggested "smelling a rat" and would like to know what was being implied in that remark.
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But Ron to give it 10/10 perfect score are you really sure ??
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KevMac. No rats to be smelt, I may have a lack of posting history on BITE. But, I feel I gave an objective, and unbiased viewpoint.
I take your point about Crawley standards. I would however make the point that this , or for that matter any pub can change it's location. Therefore can only be judged purely on it's merits.
In my view this pub IS on a par with The Harp, Covent Garden, and I rated it accordingly.
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Interesting Ron that you give 10 / 10 especially with your lack of posting history, me smells a rat.
The pub IMHO is OK by Crawley standards and trust me that does not mean a lot.
Drank in much better, drank in worse, all I can say really.
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This is a fabulous old pub with shedloads of histry, The beer is always in excellent condition and the staff are always friendly and extremely well trained.
In my opinion the best pub in Crawley by some distance. Cannot fault it all 10/10
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Just to mention the picture above is very old.This pub has been The Brewery shades for ages and painted a very purple colour, if your looking for it, and it is worth looking for.
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This is a great pub, never any trouble, foods blinding, the sunday roast is amazing and the best hangover cure, i ve never made it in there for the breakfast at 9.30am but thats cause i was still in there at 1.30am, they use local butcher using local farmers, staff are really friendly and very cute. I never have a problem if i have to wait for my friends on my own. Love the the karaoke on tuesdays and theme nights, just can t wait for christmas, see you down there.
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after being away for three months,couldnt wait to go to the brewery shades for my sunday lunch,what a dissapointment it was cold,under cooked,when i complained was told a new chef when i asked what had happened to the other chef was told he wasnt a chef and only used to work there weekends.during the week i met up with people i hadnt seen for ages so back to the shades for a lunch time drink,the woman behind the bar was rude and looked at me as though i shouldnt be in there when i handed over my twenty pound note it went into the top of her trousers and then she went to the till to give me my change and then just put it down on the bar no thankyous.never go there again
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Good Pub,especially on Saturday Luchtimes.
anonymous - 30 May 2007 14:35 |
First pub I ever got thrown out of in about 1961.It was called the Brewery Shades then.I remember that when it was renovated they found some Elizabethan coins under the floor
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Like the White Hart quite a good pub.
A good selection of drinks all round, and the food looks pretty good too (spying on other customers).
Quite busy at the weekends, but doesn't seem to attract the Pikey,Chav,Schoolchild contingent.
If you like Karaoke (which for my sins I do) it's good fun on a Tuesday as well.
One of the better pubs in town
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Well chaps, although vaguely amusing, seems your intellegence is out of date. The Brewery Shades is a nice pub, not rough at all, sad how people love a reputation to carry on, perhaps you should have a drink there first and then give a genuine comment, this being what this is supposed to be about!
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Just seen the post by ginger_monkey.
Must agree food is good and reasonably priced.Pleasant atmosphere but could do with a larger non-smoking area.
A good pub!
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I have been going in the Shades for a few years now and cant believe how much it has changed recently! The atmosphere is brilliant and its always very busy. I also go for lunch there quite often as the food is really nice and they have a wide variety to choose from. Also have lots of great offers on drinks!
Great pub definately worth visting.
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A great suprise! Haven't been in the Shades since the early nineties.What a change, good food,wide selection of beers and lagers and a great atmosphere.
Will certainly be visiting again soon
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Finally a decent pub that sells fresh cooked food and till 10 at night, not cheap, but great choice and worth it. Four real ales to choose from great atmosphere, full of suits, and families eating nothing seems to be too much trouble, pretty strict on the over 21 though. Great pub worth a visit.
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Reputation for violence is historical rather than factual, most of it happening outside from the nearby Rat and Parrot (or Chav and Parrot, more accurately). Good grub at lunchtime, but not much care taken in the evenings.
Probably the best real ale in Crawley (if that's your thing) and no satellite tv, so avoid if you're a sports nut. Please!
Oh, and the Slovak barmaid is lully!
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Friday night is fight night.
No care taken towards food prep.
Great hot food if you like it cold.
Not managed at all.
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Probably the worst pub in crawley.
Full of old people and drop outs.
Was conned into going in there after England beat Argentina in the World Cup. To my horror they had cricket on the television.
Not sur anyone in this pub knew there was an important football match on!
Dr Howard T Duck - 30 May 2003 16:13 |
Nice to sink in that moth-eaten sofa.
Hermes Trismegistus - 5 Jul 2002 17:48 |
The Shades once had a notorious reputation for violence. Mellower now. Tends to attract dossers and the open-air-concert set.
Hermes Trismegistus - 5 Jul 2002 17:29 |
