please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Cracking pub, friendly staff & regulars. I had pints of Hop Twister & Whitstable Summit, both in fine fettle. Live music on Friday.
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This was a once great alternative/rock pub thriving with atmosphere sadly nowadays its turned into something of an exclusive clique sort of place. Don't expect to get served too quickly if you're not a regular. The beer is close to vinegar and at nearly £4 a pint its a bit much.
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On arriving, some fairly fearsome thrash metal (Anthrax? Napalm Death?) was playing on the jukebox although later, Vampire Weekend, the Stone Roses and some solid punk tunes rang out. I need to explore Bicester a bit more but if this is the best the town has to offer, it's not saying much. Not that's it's terrible but Beer in the Evening really need to get on top of the change of pub names - as previous punters have pointed out, this is The Bell now although a pint of Hobgoblin can still be enjoyed.
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Now know (again!) at The Bell - Amie is a lovely lady and her staff are great. Price of my tipple is a bit hefty but for those who enjoy real ales and rock music this is ths place to go!
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Delighted to sat that it's reverted to it's traditional name of 'The Bell' (which we locals have always called it anyway!) It really could do with some money spent on the exterior decor in the garden but aside from that it remains a pleasant enough place to have an afternoon drink
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Well I still use the place - the gents is better than it used to be and I just love reminding Mark (the Aussie assistant manager) as to who currently holds the Ashes!!!!
A nice place to go and have an afternoon drink in - 8/10
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Yes this place does have it's faults - the gents' loo is not 100% but is better than it was. The prices of real ale and wine are however very competitive if one wants a proper pub as opposed to a 'ding-ding chicken' operation such as Yates or Weatherspoons.
Having said all of this - Amie is a lovely lady (how I wish I'd met her years ago!!) and the locals are equally very friendly. Equally they show rugger rather than soccer!
I give this place 8/10 - the gents could do with a bit of a clean Amie but aside from that I'm more than happy!
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I have been a regular with many friends of the "hob" for years but it pains me to say this but it's now a place I avoid now for many reasons. Firstly the pricing of a pint of lager has rocketed in the last few years and does in fact go up in price very regularly, the standard in taste of the pint is awful for what your paying. The rude bar staff who only seem to be interested in serving their mates first rather then the person who has been stood there before them waiting to be served. Do I dare even mention the poor state of the gents toilets
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Well wandered in early on a Monday evening and ordered a pint of Hobgoblin. As often was asked for payment before pint appeared over the bar, �2.70. The pint that appeared was probably the worst looking pint I have been offered in many a year. The barmaid seemed truely oblivious to the crap she had just poured and had to seek approval from another member of staff to refund my money. Well that was a pub to give a wide berth to in future. The other member of staff was unclear whether it was a first or last pint than had been poured but did turn the clip around. All in all clueless and unconcerned staff when it comes to a decent pint of real ale. Wychwood please note.
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Great interior and a delicious pint of Wychwood "Flash Of Hop's" yum, 8/10
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Time to do a quick update - it's undergone a very recent change of manager which is perhaps no bad thing (lovely chap Wilkie is I think he got a bit bored by the place). I wish the new landlady well and her initial changes (seemingly silly trivial things like insisting on clean ashtrays in the garden) are very welcome.
I just wish the chain would change the name back to "The Bell" which is how most of us 40+ year locals call it.
No food, beer is good, like the no-under 18 year old policy (kids and pubs don't mix in my view), service is friendly as are most of the regulars. Overall 8/10
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It's improved tremendously over the past couple of years - friendly and enthusiastic bar staff, clean and a landlord who appears to take on board what his customers ask for. Having posted a bad review two or three years ago I'm pleased to say that my rating must now be increased. Just one thing - ask them to turn the music down if like me you enjoy conversation (in fairness the staff will usually oblige)
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Called in last Tuesday and this was so packed that neither a seat nor a drink could be obtained.
An interesting and varied clientelle, probably not appropriate for Church of England vicars and their wives and 16 year old virgin daughters.
Could smell the whacky baccy many yards down the road.
Unique might be an apt description.
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Old style sleazy rock pub, filled with old sleazy rockers and young goth kids, smoke and beer. If you need a retreat from sterile chain pubs frequented by the likes of Darren from marketing, this is the one for you.
anonymous - 19 Oct 2006 18:32 |
Great pub if you like your rock music. Gets VERY crowded on the big pub nights. Very much a locals place. Staff are pretty good though although the landlord needs to sort out the calling of last orders at 10.35. Used to be a place I went to regularly but stopped going in there a while ago. Beer is good although the ale selection needs to be improved a bit. Prices are average. Mega smokey. Far too few seats but the layout doesn't really allow for much else. The beer garden would be vastly improved without the bins being put in the middle of them and attracting the flies during the summer months. You will need a wash and change of clothes after this place.
anonymous - 26 Sep 2006 15:30 |
As a regular down the hob, I want to say how much of a great pub this is live music, fantastic juke box, the locals and the great bar staff.
Now alot of people have a somesort of a problem with the landlord "swin", but i'll tell you swin is a top class bloke he's a take me as you see me person. Yes he can get in bad moods but don't we all! He's part of what makes the pub so good.
This pub is by far the best in bicester and for miles around. Like your rock music and live bands this is the place to be, at new years i had the night of my life everyone had an awsome time and the dj "Goochy" was spot on playing requests all night he was one of the people that made the night plus he works behind the bar too so hopefully he'll do more nights and soon.
the dark smokeyness of this pub brings character a proper rock side which always is good for a rock pub.
So if you are coming to bicester or you live there this is the best place to be and have one hell of a good time.
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Top pub!! A shining ray of sunshine in an otherwise rather dingy selection of boozers in Bicester
anonymous - 5 Apr 2006 22:00 |
i am a regular in the hob, i can generally be found there at some point on a thursday/friday/saturday night. its a bit of a dark, dirty and smokey place but thats what gives this place some character. its got one of the best juke boxes going (apart when some clown puts something like slayer on)
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I think it is a little unfair to have a go at the current management, the Hob is still a great pub and I frequent it on a regular basis. Whilst I agree that it is not as good as in the heyday of the "legendary" Pete Thornton, it is still the best pub in Bicester. Pubs have their ups and downs and regulars come and go - from my point of view there are a lot of people in there these days I do not know, but that is probably my own fault for not going in as often as I used to.
For me the dinginess, and smoky atmosphere is part of what gives the Hob its unique atmosphere, even though I no longer smoke myself. Yes the furniture is a bit old and grimy but so what, it is not as if they are serving food. There are far too many chain pubs these days telling you what you can and can't do and where you can and can't do it, such as the bouncers you pay an extra 30p on your drinks for in the Litten Tree to tell you not to lean on the arms of the chairs. Or no smoking near the bar in the Penny Black where there is no music and no atmosphere. In the Hob, anything goes.
If you like rock music and live bands you will like this pub - ironically I do not like live bands and give the place a swerve when they are on but it is only once every couple of weeks or so. As with all pubs, the thing that makes the Hob is the locals and I have made many friends there over the years. Of late I have not enjoyed the busier nights so much as there seems to be a "townie" element creeping in.
To summarise - great pub, but don't tell too many people. I am getting on a bit these days and I don't want it getting so busy that I can't find a seat!
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Current landlord "Swin" has let the place go to the dogs. Its filthy, shuts before 11 O'Clock, more often than not they run out of beer and they haven't got much of a choice of real ale anyway. Oh yeah, and its extremely smokey. Swin is very pro smoking.
Good points (I suppose).. loud rock music.. until they switch the sounds off early that is.
Good atmosphere, kind of what a rock pub used to be until they all became Irish bars.
No kids, chavs, students... all that nasty stuff.
anonymous - 24 Aug 2005 16:22 |
A great pub for a nice pint, great jukebox selection, regular live gigs, Chav free zone
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Because my usual 'local' was closed three of us went into "The Bell" (as was) for a pint at lunchtime. First time I've been back into the place for a couple of years - I found it rather dingy and, sorry, dirty. Look at the flooring at the front of the main bar and there are dogends in between the floorboards. The gents gives the impression of being unclean. Sorry butI won't be going back in a hurry. The glasses were clean, the reception very friendly and the beer was also good but I can't accept an unclean environment.
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This pub is absolutely great. The bar staff are very friendly and helpful. Best pub in Bicester full stop.
anonymous - 17 Feb 2005 22:18 |
As a old Bicester type I still prefer to know this place as 'The Bell' (it's original name). 15 years ago it was THE place to go but these days it's gone downhill a bit. Still friendly enough with a good range of beers but to my mind it lacks the 'je ne sais quoi' it used to have years ago.
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Witchwood beers plus Stella Artois. Live bands, good Juke Box. Beer garden OK.
Ron - 1 Sep 2004 10:55 |
