Rats Castle, St Albansback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Coincidentally, I was in the pub the same evening as panther98 and must disagree with him in several respects. Two fairly obscure real ales were on offer - Two Hoots Golden ale from the Jospeh Holts brewery and another whose name I can't recall, but I think had something to do with Scotland and trains. This was a decent pint. The clienetele is changing as the Fleetville area becomes gentrified, so there was an interesting mix of older men and younger professional types. The barmaid was very friendly but on the downside the music was far too loud. This pub used to be a real rough dump, but it's been refurbished, it's got real ale, and it's on the way up. Worth a try if you're in the vicinity of the station.
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A mediocre pub, overall. I would agree with other reviews here saying that its biggest asset is the customer service. The quality of the beer or those locals in attendance is not the best. The place needs to be looked after more.
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This place used to be terrible but has improved a lot over the past few years. Still a few locals in there who can occasionally be a bit obnoxious but for the most part it is generally friendly. There is generally at least one real ale on but quality can be variable, a friend has had to leave his beer on more than one occasion and even the lemonade was found to be undrinkable one evening! Bar staff are generally friendly but a brusque manner can occasionally be found especially later in the evening. Was in one Friday when a live band was on, it was too loud for normal conversation and in looking round the pub, virtually nobody appeared to be listening! If you are in the area looking for a drink then it is worth a visit, but I wouldn't travel too far to go there.
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Went in last Friday and found the pub to be buzzing and friendly. There was a live singer on who was really great. The beer - HSB - was first class. Really well kept. Service from the staff very good. It had the feel of a good local. I wish them all the best and will definitely visit again.
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As below, a good pub, friendly, decent beer, plenty of space round the pool tables. Sport on the TV but not too loud. I'll be visiting again.
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WOW! What a change. From being a rather smokey pool 'dive' the place is now more than just 'interesting seating' (see Herts CAMRA guide...)
Interior all looking nice and cream-ish, complimented by 3 real beers on draft (there was a 4th clip, but not on). It does still have 2 pool tables for those who want to, but the new landlady does rather seem to have made it a place to visit and want to drink here for a change. All of the beers were in good condition and slipped down very well. They also had branded glasses (small detail) to match too.
Only flipside was there was a loud 3 piece band on Friday night. Yes they were very good, but did make talking a challanage... And with it beign fairly quiet inside, not too many people to soak the sound up alas.
The loos are also a step up from before, new tiles and looking clean. Not like before... One to add to the longer around town crawl.
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Visited yesterday, pub much improved from previously. Beer quality fine, didn't see any meals served whilst I was there so can't comment constructively about the food, apparently served until 8pm. A fair number of customers in there, not sure what the petition from the locals mentioned in the previous review is about. Nice to see a rat and a castle have returned to the new signage.
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Its very tidy and lighter now, I had a good pint of Gales in what was a rather empty pub.I only drink ale so only ever came here when forced so I am much more inclined to visit now.The new landlords have pissed the locals off so much that they have got a petition up,not the best start for them,and Im not sure if they have the clientele they are looking for.Ps excellent curry house next door , the cafe Masala
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Breaking news: I walked past the pub at the weekend and a specialist team of builders were in stripping off the cumulative layers of nicotine and tobacco residue. The RC has been something of a haven for smokers giving the interior the feeling of being inside a kipper. I guess the smoking ban has given the owners the opportunity to reinvent it. The banner outside describes an enhanced food offer and a beer garden (presumably to keep the existing, fuming, clientelle happy). Reopens next month apparently.
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Proper boozers pub. Football on tv, pool and no pretentiousness. Good honest pub. beer good.. locals friendly even if they do all seem to be arsenal fans. Good place for drinking
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It's OK to pop in to. A couple of pool tables, SkySports and some music playing. Barstaff are really good. But when all is said and done, and whatever your own preferences, it is very boring. 6/10
anonymous - 4 Apr 2006 20:19 |
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