please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Helpful barmaid, a large spacious building, smoking area at riverside [if tables are out], 8 ales on [bit pricey], I had Wye Valley 'Wholesome Stout' , very nice pint.
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More expensive than the normal but you do get decent decor, nice looking food and in a rare twist - table service if you are sitting outside in the sunshine.
Nice touch.
I enjoyed my Shropshire Lad.
Some photos at my blog - http://mappiman.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/270615-shrewsbury-pub-crawl.html
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A Wetherspoon wet dream. Huge barn of a pub but furnished and decorated classily as comprehensively described by Blackthorn. One thing I would add is that, unlike JDW pubs, there is plenty of room between the tables so it's possible to drink and eat without someone breathing down your neck. The beer range is wide and well-kept and the food is excellent. It's not a criticism but I'd rather go there during the day than at night when I prefer more of a drinking than an eating pub, which is what the Armoury seems to me.
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I had a bad feeling about the place when I was walking in and my intuition proved to be correct. Had a half of OBJ by Shires and it was horrid. I walked out without finishing it.
I just thought the place was more of a restaurant rather than a pub. It seemed a little pretentious and aimed for the more up market clientele.
I would not recommend for the drink aspect however, I can't comment on the food side.
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A vast shed of a pub on the attractive Victoria Quay, this is a very popular destination despite the fact that it is located somewhat out of the town centre. It is I suppose in the noisier end of town, with a Lloyds being located just behind it and a Vodka bar also nearby. Despite a decent array of beers on tap, the emphasis here seems to be mainly on food and it was full to capacity on a recent Saturday evening visit with all tables in use by diners except for a couple just inside the door, although there were also a few more along the quay outside which looks as if it would be a pleasant spot in the warmer weather.
It�s all one big, open-plan room with the entire left hand wail being taken up with a floor to ceiling bookcase as well as a second extensive bookcase in the opposite corner. The long front wall of the pub is all exposed brickwork with a row of large arched windows. Elsewhere is cream plasterwork and a burgundy ceiling, and wood flooring. Various old pictures and photos were dotted around, there was a pile of board games on a shelf and a glass display case housed a collection of explosives and fuses which makes a change from the usual rope knots, and is, I suppose, appropriate given the pub�s name. Don�t let any of this infer that it is in some way a cosy pub though � with it�s high ceilings, harsh acoustics and large number of punters it was anything but quiet and relaxed.
The food menu was extensive with around twenty main courses to choose from, most of them priced somewhere in the region of �12.50. The staff all seemed friendly and service was on the whole quick and efficient, but clearly something was amiss somewhere � we were initially brought the wrong starter; no big deal, mistakes happen, but when a second waitress brought us the same wrong starter five minutes later we did start to wonder what was going on in the kitchen. Fortunately a third waitress managed to bring the correct dish after that. Whether it was worth the wait is another matter though. A starter of Goat�s Cheese & Sweet Potato Terrine sounded intriguing, but was nothing more than a slab of goat�s cheese wrapped in thinly sliced layers of sweet potato, and was served far too cold. Similarly a main course of Smoked Haddock & Salmon Fishcakes were predominantly mashed potato, with very little discernable fish. Side courses were extra, and a bottle of Pino Grigio was disappointing, so all in all I really couldn�t recommend the food here, although judging on it�s popularity I�m clearly in a minority.
Beer choice was unusually good for any pub, never mind one that concentrates so much on food and doesn�t obviously seem to encourage drinkers. On this occasion they were Woods Shropshire Lad, Shropshire Gold, Three Tuns XXX, Backyard Bitter, Adnams Southwold, Hobson�s Twisted Spire, Brunning & Pride Original Bitter and Shires Dabley Gold. After such an extensive range of beers, the cider choice was disappointing with just Aspall�s Suffolk.
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Typical Brunning & Price pub. But I have to say that I quite like their brand of pubs. The interiors are always fairly pleasant, they have a good range of beers and the food is good quality. This outlet was no exception. Beers on were Woods Shropshire Lad, Salopian Shropshire Gold, Three Tuns XXX, Purple Moose Dark Side of the Moose & Glaslyn Ale, Shires Dabley Gold, Hobsons Twisted Spire & Brunning & Price Original. Cider is from Aspalls. As we consumed our pints, the pub filled up quite rapidly and mainly with families who were there for the food. Recommended.
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Huge pub but absolutely heaving when we visited on a Friday evening. Good quality beer, we had York 'Centennial' and Hobsons 'Twised Spires', both were excellent. Others on at the same time were Salopian 'Brewers Gold', Three Tuns 'XXX' and Shires 'Autumn Classic', There was a good selection of bottled beers and wines available too.
D�cor is a bit contrived but smart, lovely tables and chairs and various seating areas. Didn't eat there but the food appeared to be very good with some interesting things on the menu - bit pricier than the usual pub food.
Roy22 - 22 Nov 2011 18:37 |
I have to say this place is a tad expensive but that is the only negative. This place is packet with eaters and drinkers. The is a large wine list not to mention over 100 single malts and ales from Shires, Three Tuns, Woods, Hobsons and Salopian breweries served superbly it is a must on any trip to Shrewsbury.
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Good range of beers including a house beer brewed by Phoenix of Greater Manchester. An impressive venue with a good mix of customers.
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Lots of ales to chose from, but last time I visited (a few days ago) they were nearly all "blonde" ales... so not a great choice for real ale aficionados!
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Called into the Armoury again earlier this afternoon and enjioyed 4 pints of Carling. First pint was a bit flat but the others were spot on. Some birthday do's were going on here as well. This is still a good place to visit for all types - real ale drinkers, lager drinkers and those who want a excellent meal and some wine to wash it down with.
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The Armoury � 15th Feb 2010
Having eaten at The Armoury for many, many years on and off I thought it was high time I took my partner there to eat to make up for the awful Valentine�s meal the night before at Traitors Gate Brasserie.
I had the Pan fried Venison steak, dauphinoise potatoes and sweet red cabbage �16.95 which was delicious � no comments other than I would easily have this again and totally enjoyed it. My partner had the Steak burger with bacon, cheese, sun blushed tomato ketchup and hand cut chips �10.25 � I stole some of his chips I will admit to that as they could win awards for Worlds Best Chips. He thought the burger was delicious and would have it again.
We couldn�t help ourselves and had puddings too. I had the Warm chocolate brownie with ice cream and chocolate sauce �5.10 which was more of an experience than just a pudding � it was heaven on a plate. I WILL be having this again I just hope I return in time before they change the menu � as they are good like that and keep their menu fresh and update it regularly. My partner had the Sticky toffee pudding with toffee sauce and ice cream �5.25 which he finishes rather quickly so I think it was just as good as my Brownie.
The Armoury never fails me � great atmosphere, rustic charm of mismatching chairs and tables, book lined walls, it was also really busy - not a table unfilled on a Monday lunchtime, which says a lot. They offer a wide selection of real ales, ciders, wines and spirits. My partner loves this Crabbies Ginger Ale which they stock and I had Thatchers Gold cider which was very easy to drink.
All in all 5 out of 5 and we will be back soon.
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Called into the Armoury again yesterday afternoon. Very busy as there were a few Chrismas do's going on, so I simply propped up the bar. A wide range of real ales on display as usual, and I had a pint of Adnam's, then a pint of Merry Hound, and finally a pint of the resident ale here, Shropshire Gold. This is still a good place to visit if you like real ale and it richly deserves a place on my list of favourite pubs in the town centre.
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One of my favourite Shrewsbury pubs that I managed to cram in over the course of a long weekend. The building was apparently moved from its original site in 1922 and was used as a bakery and a warehouse before becoming a pub in 1995. The interior does seem quite cavernous (the restaurant used to be separate but now everything is knocked through) but despite the barn like ambience, there was a good civilized buzz about the place. I didn�t find it as in your face gastro as others have intimated and by having it more open it does mean the diners and drinkers are well mixed together. I didn�t feel uncomfortable sitting amongst people who were specifically there for the dining which can sometimes be a bit unsettling in such places. There are plenty of old pictures and photos around the walls but they seem to be very random and not particularly relevant or localized. The 2 ends contain laden bookcases and there are a few ad hoc antique collectables dotted about. Note also the old air pressure message tubes. The main reason for my visit was naturally the excellent beer selection which, getting towards the end of a long day I didn�t actually make a note of suffice to say there were several local ales on (I think) 8 hand pumps. If you really need to know, check the place out for yourself � it certainly gets my recommendation.
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Generally good but ales can (sometimes) be a little hit and miss. Great atmosphere in the evenings and food is very good.
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A huge pub next to the River Severn with lots of bookcases filled with hundreds of books all around the place. Very friendly staff and pleasant music-free atmosphere. Enjoyed 3 fine pints of Shropshire Gold here yesterday afternoon. Several other real ales on offer too. A wonderful pub for those who enjoy their cask ale and a good chin-wag. I'll definitely call again.
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Spacious gastro pub / restaurant situated by Victoria Quay on the riverside.
The building is a former bakery and, at the entrance, we are told that the original building was built in 1807, relocated in 1920 and restored in 1995.
Externally, it's a bit understated - there's only a small green sign which doesn't tell you what the premises now houses - and you could easily walk past without noticing there was a bar / restaurant inside.
It's a large spacious room with a distinct drawing room feel to it, created by the high ceilings, period posters and pictures and some large bookshelves. It's bare boarded, but the exposed brickwork, period furniture and rugs help create what I thought was a rather stylish up market ambience.
Food is clearly the dominant factor here, being quite a wide range of gastro pub food with a daily changing menu. In fact, it's basically a restaurant, but one where you order food at the bar.
Perhaps surprisingly, a good range of real ales from local microbreweries is offered, approx 8-9 in total. Tasting notes are provided for the ales on offer. For example Wye Valley HPA was described as "a bit like brown sauce". My pint of Weetwood Cheshire Cat - at � 2.40p, benefitting from a 50p happy hour discount - was an enjoyable tasty pint in fine condition.
I don't normally like gastro pubs, nor pubs that are housed in buildings previously used for different purposes, but I have to say that I quite liked this one. Given that the range of beers seem wider than most, you might want to call in, but don't expect a normal pub experience.
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I was a little disappointed with this pub as I always include it when on a visit but the beer was not in top condition, and I had a job getting it changed. Three Tuns XXX great, but the Cottage seemed to have a problem.
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Wonderful pub opposite River Severn. 9 real ales on, excellent (if expensive) lunchtime food.
Very welcoming Landlord, will let you try the ales before you buy.
We needed a high chair for the baby, he was very accomodating with a wonderful wooden, Ikea seat which strapped to a normal chair.
Overall an excellent visit.
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Huge, spacious, rustic barn of a place, like an old library with beer! Very good range of local ales. Enjoyed the Three Tuns XXX, Hobson's and Wye Valley HPA. Expensive place to eat, but excellent beers.
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Located on Victoria Quay near the Welsh Bridge. 8 real ales on when I visited yesterday. The place has a wonderful feel, particularly when not busy. Food served.
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Very busy (6.30 sat night) 8 realales &1 real cider varied clientel , this is a typical Brunning andPrice pub totally the same yet completly different
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Large, high ceilinged barn of a pub with books bought by the yard around the walls. Not much atmoshere even with a couple of small Xmas do's on. However the beer range is excellent with 7 handpumps in use when I visited. I had a pint of Worfields Dabley bitter which was well kept. Well worth a visit for the beer.
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Very friendly staff, plenty of well kept real ales, wines, malt whiskies, etc. Not cheap but you can see why, very nice spacious layout, huge portions of good food and just a great place to relax. If only the council would pedestrianise the road outside it'd be perfect!
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This is a great place whether you go with your better half or with a group of mates for a few socialable ales. Good, well kept beer and friendly helpful staff who actually allow you to sample the beer before you commit to a pint - brilliant. Food is good too - great fish and chips - but sometimes can try a bit too hard with it to be honest. Cut down the menu a little would be my advice.
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Good selection of beers. Always busy at weekends. Large open spaces soon filled in the evening, in fact they have bouncers on the door controlling the numbers entering by operating a one in one out policy when full. Food is good if not a little pricey as commented on by others.
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I had two of the nicest pints I've had all year here, one after the other (Outlaw APA - brewed for The Armoury, and Dent Delightfully Dark). It will be so good to see this place go no-smoking as the beer and food will taste even better!
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Can't think why I haven't commented on the Armoury before. Not the cheapest pub in Shrewsbury but spacious and close to the river hence cool in summer (ah - that's what made me comment this time). Wide range of mainly well-kept beers. Staff don't wear uniforms so a stranger apparently wlking smilingly towards your table might just be coming to clear the glasses ;-(
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Very very good food. Bit expensive, but you get what you pay for! 9/10
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A big high ceilinged pub with plenty of character, some beers that would keep CAMRA happy and no music, pool tables or TVs to encourage the age old art of speech!!
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Brunning & Price conversion of a riverside warehouse. Great selection of real ales; pleasant staff, interesting menu (not cheap). Large no-smoking section but ptenty of room for smokers, too.
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