Kings Arms, Wallisdownback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Was in there today18/3/2014 goals to see that all the previous comments and reviews have been addressed in deed since the later part of 2013 there has been a complete revamp of the pub and new staff indeed where I was once dreading going in ,its now a pleasure good well cooked and reasonabilly priced as well well done all turning what was once a dive into a happy eating place will definitely be coming back again.
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Went to this pub today for lunch as we were passing through the Bournemouth area. We went into the lounge area as we had a three year old child with us. It wasn't too busy as I suspect the first lunch hour rush was over. We ordered our meals at 1.45pm and sat with our drinks waiting for them to arrive. After 45 minutes with a restless child we asked at the bar if we would have to wait much longer and were told the meals would be with us in 5 minutes. They then came out with meals for the people on the next table who had arrived about half an hour after us. I think these people were locals so not sure if this meant they got preferential treatment. We waited another ten minutes then went to the bar and again asked how much longer ithe food would take and were told it was being plated up. True enough they brought out the first two meals, a long delay before the third meal and even a longer wait for the child's meal. I had cajun chicken on a bed of very bland, unimaginative salad. Surely nowadays people can make a salad more exciting than a plate full of iceberg lettuce with a few slices of cucumber and tomato. I wouldn't recommend this pub for food, especially if you are in a hurry!
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I visited this pub before going in for an interview with AUCB. We spotted this place on the road, and decided it would be a good place to stop off.
We entered through the 'garden'. The quotes are because this is streaching the term a lot. It's been a long time since ive seen any pub make absoloutely no effort with the outside space, especially after the smoking ban. The grass was growing in clumps, and had obviously been trampled to death, and was in desperate need of, not so much attention, as starting from scratch.
Entering the bar, you could see instantly that it was a chain pub, which i have no strong objection too. Someone had obviously put a lot of money into the refurbishment, though sadly, this was now in a terrible state, everything was near breaking or already broken.
Being as i had an interview, i decided alcohol was a bad idea, so i had a coke, served in a generous 12oz, and for a reasonable price.
The staff member i met was polite and friendly, and we soon settled outside to enjoy our bevereges in the sun, smoke a few cigarettes, and chill out for a bit.
On balance, at this point, i would have given this pub a 5/10, a general 'meh', but i decided i needed the loo, so off i went.
The toilets were filthy, and in a terrible state of repair, the doors werent even attached to the wall, quite the worst ive ever seen. They say you should judge a place's kitchen by it's toilet, well judging by this, im just saying it was a good thing i wasnt eating there!
On balance: awful.
@annonamous barman/maid
I have to say, as a barman with a great deal of experience, i find your comment troubling.
When I started, it was a *legal* right of the customer to 20 mins drinking up time. Whilst this is no longer so, i do feel that it is simply common courtesy to allow this. If you sell a pint at time, then you should allow the customer time to drink it, 10 mins is simply not enough. That said, even if they go beyond this, there is absoloutely no call to be rude. - And saying that it is 'one of the best', is simply laughable.
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The "snorting" noises coming from behind a locked cubicle door on a friday night says it all really! never going back.
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What do they do to the beer in here? The Marstons Pedigree is absolutely rank. It has had the effect of putting me off the stuff altogether.
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It is such a shame really, this could be a nice cosy pub, but you are always on edge here. You have the option of two seperate and fairly spacious bars, the sporty side and the quiet side, but just realise that this pub attracts the rough of the area, I have been in previously when a male was shoving a girl, he had his hands round her throat, next thing several other guys set on her and tables and glasses were flying. Like I said that was previously but it could happen again, I am sure the landlady works hard to prevent this, but it still scars you and you then avoid.
anonymous - 13 Sep 2007 22:50 |
Not as bad as all that been in been in there this weekend as was down visiting family ok there was no light in the gents but hey what the who i had my cap on all night and nothing was said staf were verry friendly and the stella was good.
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I am one of the barstaff at this pub. I have been there for 6 months now and the only thing that i can personally critic the kings arms on is the lack of hot chocalate on the menu. 'bob' would not have been shouted at to take his hat off and as thesexgrenade (lol) posts there is a dresscode in the lounge bar which all staff back up to the fullest. the staff at this pub do not hat long due to different reasons but in the 6 months of me being there i can not say that thre has been one incident where a member of staff has been rude to a customer unless it is 10 minutes after closing time and they are still sat there ignoring requests for them to drink up. Anyone with a job will know how frustrating it is to be stuck after your contracted hours tidying up after someone else. For them to extend that time just pisses people off. The atmosphere in the pub id=s rarely anything except friendly and due to the great locals and the amazing landlady that pub is one of the best in the area. theres also the fact that i work there which makes it even better
anonymous - 9 Jan 2006 13:54 |
Whilst bob is entitled to his opinion, there are a few points that I feel the rest of the general public should be aware of whilst reading his points. Dress code was introduced for the lounge bar to keep the pikey element out and allow the customers to relax in peace, as such the dress code for the bar is clearly stated on the door. I know of no member of staff who would shout at a customer, granted they have recently shed some dead wood. As for the parking issue the car park is for the pubs customers, not the post office or any other local amenity and this is signposted quite clearly all around the car park. You may think this is a bit heavy handed but it is being looked into to convert most of the car park into a bigger beer garden which will limit the parking space that is solely for pub customers. There is a public car park behind aldis which is within spitting distance. The date his comments were posted was also the date that parking tickets began to arrive for illegaly parked cars. could this be a case of sour grapes? I'll let you decide. as for lack of atmosphere and unwelcoming I expect a �75 fine brought about by my own failure to take notice of the signs warning of this would mar my opinion. All in all the Kings Arms is warm, welcoming and a great place to drink. The staff are fantastic too!
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New to neighbourhood, first time I walked in I was yelled at by a staff member to remove my hat! No welcome or subtleness to the request. I parked in the carpark for litterally 2 mins the next day to pop to the local post office and was sent a parking fine of �75. This pub completley lacks atmosphere and is extremley unwelcoming. Avoid!
Bob - 17 Nov 2004 14:31 |
good pub ,nice refit
colin - 30 Dec 2003 23:13 |
A vast improvement on the old place. worth a visit
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Food is good. 2 rooms. Pool tables. Take Away opposite for after. Near the university.
Jon - 17 Aug 2003 18:52 |
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