please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
what a horrible place.
called in there this weekend to find no beer at all seems to be a common theme and also the place was full of known druggies and dealers that used to hang about in the brewers arms and most probably still do so avoid like the plague if you want my advice unless you like your drugs and low life scum
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Hole is quite a apt name for this place, it is a complete * hole!
Me and my boyfriend went in there the other night, at first it was quite quiet but within about 30 minutes both of us were made to feel uncomfortable but several locals.
Well, we presume they were locals as they all seem to know the staff very well.
The toilets are an utter mess, the ladies had no toilet paper and the floor was completely flooded, even the toilet seats were disgusting and wet, presumably with wee.
One of the so called locals was the most utter fowl mouthed pig I've ever met, my boyfriend went to the toilet and he singled up to me, I'm with someone so why would I be interested in your poor attempt at a come on.
My boyfriend then told me that he had heard people discussing and snorting cocaine in the gents cubical.
At that moment, we finished out drinks and exited.
I would not recommend this place unless you like to mix with thugs and ignorant individuals.
Never have we been made to feel so uncomfortable in our entire life - so much for Colchester's friendly pub - a slogan they have on their board outside.
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Went to this place last night before heading the the theatre, not only did they not have any ale, the place was screaming with what looked like underage drinkers, who were so drunk they were falling about the place.
The exceptionally young lad behind the bar was more interested in messing about with what can only be described as "the locals" than server us with anything, he looked as though he was just at the legal limit to serve, or may have been younger.
Finally we managed to get served and I had to settle for a pint of Guinness, this wasn't the best if I'm honest and had a horrible taste to it, the group I was with also complained that their beer was also not of merchantable quality.
The place is a dive, the toilets are absolutely disgusting and have no working locks on the doors, this place could be a nice little pub if only someone was to put a little effort into the place.
I would recommend staying away, there are other establishments just around the corner which are far nicer.
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Avoid if you like ale and professional customer service. A friend I were served two very poor pints of Bombadier and these were returned to the bar, explaining that something was most definately off about them. We then entered a debate, which included the 'looks alright' comment which doesn't mean a thing, and then one of the two pints was replaced. Not accceptable when other establishments are doing so well on the basis of serving quality product with excellent customer service.
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I've been in a few times in recent years and certainly find the current staff very friendly. It is right by Colchester Arts Centre and when events have a closed bar for spoken word acts including comedy the nearness is a life saver. Trivia fans may be interested to know that Blur's Damon Albarn used to be a regular here and was later joined by Graham Coxon. Recently The Levellers popped in for a post-gig session.
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Rather enjoyed my fleeting visit to this atmospheric pub built into the remnants of Colchester's Roman wall. Rambling interior, good selection of beers and friendly locals. Was invited to a game of pool; shame I couldn't take up the offer as I would have loved to while away a couple of hours here.
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Good ales yes - but what makes this pub a winner is the fact that it's not simply a crusty old boozer for CAMRA devotees. It is a young person's pub - but not for spiky haired, Superdry clad mainstreamers - no, this is a msuic pub with a lovely black pool table and sections of the old town wall thrusting their way through the plasterwork. The ales complete a happy picture.
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This is a rather late review prompted by receipt of the 2012 CAMRA guide which incredibly includes this pub for the second year running. I visited in June prior to going to see Modern English at the Arts Centre � big mistake, not the gig ME were wonderful. Maybe I�m getting on, maybe we were just unlucky, but there must be better pubs than this to put in the guide. A couple of the hand pump clips were turned round, never a good sign and the pint we had was distinctly poor but just about drinkable. Exactly the sort of pint to put off any young person from ever trying real ale again, (this is predominantly a young person�s pub) not that I�m young of course, but if CAMRA want to attract young people to real ale then this pub is a fertile recruiting ground for the fizzy yellow chemical product, I can�t understand what Colchester CAMRA were thinking of putting this pub in the guide. To complete the picture the bar staff were all very young and wouldn�t know an off pint from a glass of Bovril, both our pints were of course served short as in nearly every pub, and the empty interior was explained by a DJ sitting hunched over a deck pounding out thrash metal at stadium gig levels. If you are a CAMRA member on a tour of the Colchester pubs avoid this place like the plague. 3/10
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Bit disappointed with this one. There was a pretty boring beer selection, rather uninterested staff and not much atmosphere. Obviously, others have been here and had a good time and interesting beer, but I'm afraid we didn't.
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Good beer selection available here in a historic rambling town centre pub. Brentwood Blonde - an acquired taste, took me at least a third of a pint - and Caledonian Surf Sup sampled. Friendly bar staff. Worth a visit if in town.
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A great selection of real ales on my midweek visit - at least 4 including an excellent Thornbridge Brother Rabbit.
cobbo - 15 Dec 2009 13:15 |
amazing food, good atmosphere, and amazing ales.
Who ever the chef is needs praise and thanks as well as the manager.
will go again and will tell friends....
from
Mr S. J Thornton
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i was in here before a show at the Mercury. There was aaround 6/7 ales on Tribute, Banks, and a Blueberry something... and some others. I had a couple pints and they were good esp the Tribute, the wife tried the Mead which was good also. We had some food which the chap at the bar said was a new menu and pointed out the ale pies and pork and ales sausages. Although the food took about 20 mins it was very nice.
There was a mixed bunch of people, but not particularly any scary looking people, atomsphere was good, music not too loud or obtrusive. Its seems like a local pub in the center of town. I think i may start coming here more rgularly.
Nor can i believe its still only 5/10 on here.
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This could be great pub but can't quite seem to know what it wants to be. The owners/landlord could do worse than look at how the Hospital Arms (which is doing great business despite the credit crunch) is run. I've had evenings where the the staff have been friendly and a good selection of beers on and others where .... Agree with previous poster about the music which although I like most of what is played (Westlife apart), is a bit obtrusive.
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I would maintain my rating of 7 and am still surprised to see this place grubbing along on a lowly 5+, the choice of beer was fairly good (tho unrecorded, sorry) and condition was fine, two I recall were Theakston Lightfoot & Tribute, plus summat from Wychwood. Another beerfest is due 30Jul-02Aug (I think). My only complaint yesterday was the 'music', some noisy trash seeping from the speakers like headphone 'bleed'. A foolish barman said that they had to please the majority & offered to turn it up, rather than off, it certainly was not aimed at the few who comprised the 13:00 demographic. The barmaid, by comparison, was far more light-hearted and mentioned, as we were leaving, that our timing was good because Westlife were coming on next, hehe.
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Great work sticking to the planned beer festival even though currently being run by a temporary manager. I understand that a new manager will be appearing soon which is a shame. It is a shame the current manager was not interested in making this a permanent job. The beer festival is housed in the lower area and supporting local breweries. A great selection covering most beer styles. As the beer is served straight from the barrels in this area so for once the beers are at the right temperature here. I hope at some stage they can sort out the cellar problems because the ale from the hand pumps is served far too cold. The beer festival started Friday and finishes tonight.
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was here last night with friends and was hugely disappointed with the beer for a GBG pub. the ale was very cold and only tasted ok once it reached room temperature. no real real cider either, only strongbow or bulmers.
also only one man behind the bar. he was moody and service was slow.
we left.
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Pleasant pub with 6 handpulls on - we only noticed the clips on 3 pumps but the barman kindly pointed out there were 3 other beer clips on the wall. Beer well kept and punters friendly - one of whom pointed out the Colchester Winter Beer Festival was on nearby. Oh Joy!
chick - 26 Jan 2009 14:16 |
The beer and cider were good, but the staff were extremely rude and I have no intention of ever going back.
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I like it. Nicely done up inside, good food, good beers. Thumbs up!
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After visiting again last Saturday, I have to say that this is one of the best pubs in town - certainly on a par with the Purple Dog. Didn't eat here, but looking at the food that was being served I'd be quite happy to give it a go - especially at two meal for �7.50.
Well worth a visit.
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Pub Beer Festival here at the moment on until Monday 31st March. 24 beers available at the beer festival housed in the lower part, to the rear of the pub. Good to see a large selection of dark ales available at the beer festival. A branded glass was available without the year printed on it which was good. Entertainment has been held on all the nights of the festival so far.
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The postcode has been amended so the gmap is now indicating the correct road, albeit the marked location is a couple of hundred metres south of where the pub is actually positioned.
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Wouldn�t ordinarily have a 5-rated pub on a crawl but you�ve gotta take account of local knowledge and LGA has it on his list, also interested to visit the scene of victorian architectural vandalism � in 1843 they knocked a hole in the 2000yr old roman wall to enable patrons to view construction of the newly arrived railway to Colchester! A central bar serves a variety of satellite rooms, nice wood floor throughout, rugby on tv in one corner, cosy reading area in another (papers available nr bar), plenty of space at bar in both upper & lower (front & rear) �tiers�, there is some outside decking where a patio extension jutts out over the wall & road and some nicely shabby peeling wooden garden-style tables & chairs. Wyre Piddle Piddler on the Roof, Caledonian 80, Deuchars Ipa, Theakstons Coopers Butt, Joseph Holts 1849, blackboard also listed Sweet Lips (Springhead?) but I didn�t see that on pump. Winelist carries a few btls at less than a tenner and weekday food offers include 2 meals for �7.50. How?
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I'm on my way today, *** very glad I spotted that the GMAP address above is miles off! ***
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What an improvement since the last time I was at this pub. The interior is all smartened up and looks good.
The HITW has 4 hand pumps and the range of real ale was good. My personal favourite beer from last nights crawl around town was here 'Centurion's Ghost' from York Brewery. The only gripe would be with 4 hand pumps surely one could have been from a local brewery.
As previous review stated there are 2 outside covered areas for smokers, front & rear. The rear area also has one of the not so green gas fired patio heaters.
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Have been there a few times now that it's been completely cleaned out and smartened up since the Goth days. Now attracts customers across all age groups with decent areas for outdoor drinkers and/or smokers. Would now class it as one of the better pubs in Colchester (not that there's much of a decent choice)and is always a part of a weekend crawl.
Not a real ale drinker, but the Carlsberg was acceptable so worth a visit on a tour round town.
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This used to be my local 7-8 years ago. Went in a couple weeks back during a trip back to Colchester and found that it's being shut down and turned into a wine bar, like many of the pubs in or near town centre. Can't say I'm too surprised as it has surely seen better days. This isn't meant as a slight against the present management as I've known Xav for years and he is an OK bloke, he did all he could to turn the place into a decent rock pub but sadly was unable to prevent the druggies and other scum from converging there. Last April Guy Fawkes came early to the Hole when some lowlife types who'd been forcibly ejected came back and launched fireworks through the windows. Luckily no-one got hurt but it's not what you need on a Saturday night out. RIP the Hole.
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great pub! im a student and study round the corner from it, its a great place to go and socialise after a hard day, great atmosphere and music if you're into the alternative scene and at �1.20 a pint you cant go wrong.. and the bar staff are awesome, SHAY YOU ROCK!!!!!
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Great pub. Best in Colchester! Very chilled out atmosphere. Especially good if you are into your metal/indie/alternative music. Has a great DJ on Saturday nights and a cool jukebox. Reasonable priced beer. Just a stones throw away from the Arts Centre which is handy if you fancy a club night/gig after closing time.
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Ahh the good old days of being 15 and drinking in the hole in the wall!! Music is excellent, food in the daytime is actually pretty good, drink cheap, seem to be reasonably strict on ID. Is a bit dirty and manky but is a cheapo studenty goth punky type pub so it does what it says on the tin really. Good atmosphere, at least there's no fights!! Is nice to sit outside on a summer evening.
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I remember this pub from around 1976-1980 and it was such a great friendly pub, ideal for meeting up or spending the evening there. Not now, such a dive and run down with unsavory customers.
I called in for a drink last summer before going to a show at the Art's centre, and was full of drunk/drugged up people. Moved outside onto the patio area to get away from them and finish my drink. Unfortunately they also decided to come out and started messing around. One of the girls fell off the table and cracked her head onto the concrete. Don't know how she walked away from that, but she did. Staff didn't seem bothered or cared.
Time for a quick exit. My worst experience in a Colchester pub everin 30 years!
anonymous - 29 Sep 2005 15:46 |
LOCATION LETS THIS LITTLE PUB DOWN ! NOT SURE ABOUT THE MANAGEMENT OR STAFF BUT HEY ! IF YOU WANT A QUITE DRINK THIS OUB IS UP YOUR STREET, WOULD RECOMMENED TO THE OLDER AGE GROUP ! SORRY !
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Dont quite know how new management would help when ultamitly it up to the company that own the pub what is spent to its apperance not the managers. Might not be everyones cup of tea but then name one pub that everyone is happy in?
Anyway if u like cheap booze is well worth a visit!
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This is a great location for a pub with loads of potential... so why did they decide to make it into such a dive! Bring on new management! It could be a great little spot!
Garth - 25 May 2005 17:22 |
bit of a seedy goth/student place, but nice and cheap and had a pretty cool time when I went here. Worth a go if you are passing but I wouldn't go out of your way.
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