skip nav  
 


Merchants Inn, Rugby

back to pub details

user reviews of the Merchants Inn, Rugby

please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.

The Merchants was my favourite pub in Rugby. There were 9 real ales and 9 real ciders. The selection was Nethergate Venture & Masterpiece, Oakham Bishop's Farewell, Purity Mad Goose, Navigation NZ IPA, Lincoln Green Tuck, Severn Meadow Honey, Portobello Market Porter, 4T's Chocolate & Fudge Stout Detective, Broadoak Pheasant Plucker, Millwhite's Hedgelayer, Dry Scrumpy, Original Scrumpy, Medium Scrumpy, Rioja Cask & Rum Cask, Thatcher's Cheddar Valley & Cockeyed Copper Beach. The interior has a number of different sections, with TVs. It is clearly a rugby (the sport) pub. We exited to the outdoor area. But, be careful, as you'll have to cross a side road immediately on exiting. A great drinks selection and a nice environment in which to enjoy them. So, we stayed for a few.
blue_scrumpy - 30 Jun 2019 17:53
Proper pub that I felt instantly at home in.

Walls covered in brew paraphernalia. Large central area with big screen showing the Rugby, even when football is on. A smaller snug section, with a magnificent chesterfield arm chair.

9 real ale handpulls on - North Cotswold Winter Solstice was chosen, but unfortunately the only gravity fed barrel, fetched from around the back. Would have preferred to have been warned on this.

Cracking pub, nonetheless - possibly the 2nd best found in Rugby.
Mappiman - 11 Dec 2018 14:37
Great little pub, well not that little.
BestBeerBoffin - 1 Feb 2018 17:08
Large open plan wooden floored alehouse. Caters for the Rugby sport fans, busy on a Saturday afternoon, friendly enough, plenty of beers on, must visit.
Blastbeat - 22 Feb 2016 11:13
I can't add much to previous comments about this excellent pub in the centre of Rugby. The Jolly Boys Drinking Soc. called in and thoroughly enjoyed our visit helped by the top notch beer, the reasonably priced eats and some fascinating breweriana. The landlord was friendly and made us welcome, what more could one want?
doctorpint - 31 Dec 2014 20:30
Great looking pub inside and seemed a real drinkers pub but we were slightly disappointed in the beer which didn't hit the spot as well as some we tried on our Rugby crawl. Well worth a visit though and may just have been our choices .
bromsgrovebeerboy - 13 Apr 2014 19:25
A superb selection of ales including a treacle porter and a chocolate and vanilla stout so one for losing your head in an alcoholic haze. As a real rugby football pub, I suspect they don't show football although we'll let them off given the town the pub is in. A pub that could almost be a twin of the Malt Shovel in Northampton, our food was a little below par and humdrum.
BoehmBawerk - 24 Nov 2013 22:12
The best pub in Rugby , fine selection of good quality ales . At least 9 ales plus a good choice of ciders , bottled Belgian beers , and good food . Has a few Beer Festivals each year , with about 100 ales in each . Pub memorabilia is everywhere so you will not get bored while drinking your beer , ( check out the jokes on the toilet walls ) .
lotus - 20 Nov 2013 11:02
probably agree on it being best pub in Rugby for ales. Plenty on and all in good nick.
anonymous - 18 May 2013 14:17
The best pub in Rugby town centre by some distance, has 10 real ale on draught, a large selection of Belgian beer in bottles (about 50 I think) and 4 German beer on offer.

All the beer is kept in excellent condition and varies in price from £ 3 to £3.30 depending on the abv of what you are drinking.

A good selection of small and national brewery beer is on offer.

A large open plan drinking area with plenty of beer related memorabilia to get you in the the mood!

Advertising a cider and perry festival in July when I was in there and festivals and events seem to be a regular thing.

A must do pub in Rugby.
beershot - 16 May 2013 16:05
The best pub in Rugby town centre by some distance, has 10 real ale on draught, a large selection of Belgian beer in bottles (about 50 I think) and 4 German beer on offer.

All the beer is kept in excellent condition and varies in price from £ 3 to £3.30 depending on the abv of what you are drinking.

A good selection of small and national brewery beer is on offer.

A large open plan drinking area with plenty of beer related memorabilia to get you in the the mood!

Advertising a cider and perry festival in July when I was in there and festivals and events seem to be a regular thing.

A must do pub in Rugby.
beershot - 16 May 2013 16:05
Rugbys #1 stand out Town Centre pub.

Staggers me that this pub is not emulated by anyone else in Rugby, as this pub is large and generally packed at the weekend.

Superb ales, and one of the best ranges of Ciders in the Midlands.
ramgut65 - 13 May 2013 23:09
Visited this pub for the first time in November for the beer festival. Fantastic character and, most importantly, great beer. Nice roaring fire too with lovely settees and child-friendly during the day which is a blessing when you like ale and also have kids.
RealAleHarrier - 29 Nov 2011 21:00
Just called in and was given beer festival list for this week - 90 beers. Will be back - if only for the Oakham Hop Picker!
aleatheart - 30 Oct 2011 12:08
Love this pub!! It just has a great atmosphere whenever I go in and some fantastic beers :o)
SomeMight - 28 Jul 2011 15:29
Rugby now has a number of excellent pubs and this is no exception. I have been on numerous ocassions and always been greeted with a smile and a good choice of well kept ales. Keep it up!
manutd69 - 16 Jun 2011 13:56
The best pub in Rugby by a long way! Good choice of well kept ales, great atmosphere, excellent staff. This sets the standard that others can only aspire to.
Richebar - 6 Jun 2011 21:48
Large, busy popoular pub on the edge of the town centre. Really good selection of real ale on including local brews. All the beer we tried was in top form. Seems to be the place for Sunday lunch and the food coming out looked very good. Staff very freindly and efficient and a nice mixed crowd of punters. Would go back.
Alfnoax - 24 Jan 2011 09:43
First time of commenting.. Come up to Rugby on occasion and very pleased to find this pub. Fine pint of Darkstar American Pale Ale. And a darts board! Plenty of room and deservedly popular.
sladescross - 19 Dec 2010 14:13
On a recent pub crawl in Rugby this was the best one. A good selection of different and well kept beers plus a good range of bar snacks different to the normal selection.
The walls are covered with brewery memorabilia of which a number are no longer with us; some missed and the others certainly not missed.
EssexDave - 25 Jul 2010 10:48
This pub should be in the top 20.
rugbydrinker - 19 Jan 2010 15:31
Cracking pub. Superb choice of beers. Excellent atmosphere and general ambience. Well worth a visit.
PaulPugh - 29 Nov 2009 17:45
Splendid pub, with nine handpumps (plus an extra clip for another beer direct from the barrel). Hard to choose, but tasters were offered and I can see why the selected Darling Buds from the Warwickshire Beer Company had recently won the local CAMRA Gold Medal Award. Proper pub tables and chairs, and a curious but effective way of displaying past pump clips using rows and rows of wooden curtain rails between the beam on the ceiling. Very friendly and helpful staff, and thoroughly recommended.
rpadam - 28 Nov 2009 23:31
I expect there's no Guiness because it's over hyped ,mass produced,pasteurised keg crap.Try some real porter or stout next time you are in and give your tastebuds a treat guinessandpotatoes.
Bucking_Fastard - 17 Nov 2009 15:54
This is, quite possibly, my favourite pub in England. An excellent selection of 9 ales with a regular rotation of beers from regional breweries and microbreweries (I was delighted to see an ale from Oakham, my favourite brewery which I find so hard to find in London, the last time I visited). The quality of the beer is excellent, the staff are knowledgeable (more than that they positively friendly and clearly enjoy / take pride in their work. Nice to see), The customers are a mix of age ranges and seem to get on well creating a really genial atmosphere. As mentioned in some of the posts below, this atmosphere is enhanced by the brewing memorabilia, stone floors and traditional surroundings. I actively look for excuses to visit Rugby almost solely so I can visit this establishment. An almost flawless pub. My only criticism - why no Guinness?
guinnessandpotatoes - 5 Nov 2009 16:02
Went to their recent beer festival and I have to say I haven't seen a pub as busy in years. Not bad you may say but the place was immaculate, the service was excellent and the beer range and quality were frankly mesmeric considering the scale they were operating at. This pub is my new number 1 in the country, and I've only been once.
alcopoop - 4 Nov 2009 09:44
What a cracking pub. Traditional interior with lots of wood - floors, furniture etc. as well a fine collection of old brewery and beer signs. Visited during their beer festival when they're serving over 100 ales during the week. The day we went in there were nearly 50 on. Tried 15 or so by buying a few rounds of 6 1/3 pints - a very sensible idea to get through a few different beers without falling over. Our favourites were Mamalade Cat from Fat Cat and Flower Power from the Whim Brewery. Food was also good and staff all knowledgable and friendly. Normally they have around 8 real ales on so this is a great place to head to and get quaffing.
Thuck_Phat - 30 Oct 2009 11:38
beer festival list available today - a must for unusual ale lovers. Discovery Guy Fawkes ale a bit early though!
aleatheart - 25 Oct 2009 20:48
Regular visitor from Warwick. A delightful alehouse with the finest beer range in excellent condition. The signs adourning the walls make this an amazing place to drink beer - especially with the friendly staff and delicous food. Would only recommend this place to people who would be able to appreeciate it - a true gem
ladyofale - 21 Oct 2009 12:48
I may be young, but I know a good pub when I see it! Fantastic range of beers on offer - always in top-notch condition. Brilliant and attentive staff make this the only place to drink in Rugby.
beeryoungster - 20 Oct 2009 15:52
Great choice of beer (ten), those I tried in excellent condition. Friendly staff and locals. Unbelievable brewery memorabilia on walls. Will be back
aleatheart - 17 Oct 2009 16:05
Excellent real ale pub in centre of Rugby. at least 8 real ales. Only problem is you find one you favour and the following day it has all gone!! you have to be quick. Great atmosphere and great pub.
basa - 1 Sep 2009 14:04
Just gets better in every respect. Pub utopia.
rugbydrinker - 2 Apr 2009 19:44
Great pub with a decent range in beers, massive wooden tables and benches in one part and more cosy stuff in the other. Memorabilia all over the walls. Pleasant clientele. Do their own festivals, in which Dr.Busker can usually be found, as well as a fantastic Belgian Evening each year.

Dimple_mug - 19 Jan 2009 18:49
Always a good bet for a fine pint. A veritable treasure trove of Breweriana adorns the walls and it's worth a visit alone to browse this museum dedicated to another age of brewing. One of the essential pub visits on any discerning drinker's crawl of Rugby!
coulsdoncrawler - 28 Dec 2008 22:50
Superb old Tudor pub in the town centre, the best of the five Rugby pubs I tried. I was lucky enough to catch it during a beer festival featuring a wide range of ales served in excellent condition.
Rich66 - 16 Nov 2008 13:26
A great pub for all. Good selection of real ales ( even better when they have a festival on ) plus some very tasty food. Service is good even when they are full. My first and sometimes only port of call.
lotus - 11 Nov 2008 16:49
A very interesting pub with loads of Memorabilia hanging on the walls. A serious ale drinkers pub with a fine selection of ales. I enjoyed this watereing hole on my recent trip to Rugby.
madmoz - 5 Sep 2008 14:26
As a middle-aged homosexual I thoroughly enjoy this pub.

sparts73 - 18 Jul 2008 19:18
Called in early afternoon, and just in time for an excellent meal to go with the excellent ales. Lovely interior.
gillhalfpint - 4 Jun 2008 18:56
A fine pub with excellent selection of real ales and a good standard beer festival each year - pretty impressive but the big sized pub helps that along. A good service from the attentive staff and a mainly quality clientele make this one of the better places to go in Rugby. Often seen eastern oriental gentlemen here enjoying the ales by the bar as they chat away - glad you could join us boys now get supping!!
Mcloj - 15 May 2008 12:59
Used to be a great pub but greatly misses the influence of the late landlord, Paul. Unfriendly and rude staff who make you feel like you are putting them out when you ask for a drink and can't wait to get you out at the end of the night so they can go dancing in the local Walkabout. The beer isn't what it used to be either. There are much better Real Ale outlets in Rugby. And what is it with Saturday night? Seems to be mostly populated with Rugby Players and middle-aged homosexuals. So if that's your thing.....
rugbyregular - 19 Mar 2008 21:57
This must be Rugby's best pub. 9 real ales (some or all served directly from the barrel) plus a real cider, apart from all the other draught and bottled beers spoil you for choice. Also, a warm welcome and a great atmosphere make this the pub you will want to have a good, long, relaxing stay.
BruceMasters - 15 Mar 2008 00:06
Top pub - stone floors, wooden beams, brewerania, around seven real ales, over 21s only (apparently), it is one large pub broken into smaller areas and the food was good.

I went in just after New Year when in Rugby for a wedding. I'd found the Merchant's on the internet beforehand and I was so glad I decided to go and find it.

I was in Rugby for four days, I made the effort to visit the Merchants on three of them. All the ingredients were just right. Possibly a perfect pub.
Killian42 - 8 Mar 2008 14:17
One of the best pubs in Rugby A very good atmosphere coupled with a good selection of ales make this well worth a visit. Friendly staff even if one or two had no idea what they were selling. Food good especially the Sunday roasts.
snip - 20 Nov 2007 22:44
Impressive large backstreet pub. All the ales were served in excellent condition. The staff offer you a taster of something you've not tried before. The hand pumps have two taps on them - one with a sparkler and one without - which I've never seen anywhere else!

The food is good too. Polite staff. Loads of breweriana all over the place makes it feel like drinking in a beer museum. Good mix of customers.

I've visited a couple of times and will go again.
Slake - 2 Nov 2007 14:33
Undoubtedly one of Rugby's best pubs. Nice atmosphere, traditional interior and a good selection of real ales and other bottled beers. On the downside I think over the last year many of the real ales have been bought on price instead of quality. They appear to sell too many dark ales for my liking and there permanent ales Tiger and Shefford don't set a good example, however look out for many good guest ales. The manager and most of the staff have always seemed very friendly apart from a couple who profess to know a lot about real ale and quite obviously don't. If you're visiting Rugby this is a must visit but then definately move on to my favourite the Victoria Inn.
anonymous - 10 Aug 2007 13:37
Very good pub. Doesn't offer anything fancy but does the basics very well. Good friendly service when I visited and plenty of choice on the beer front. Will be visiting again next time I'm in Rugby.
paullyp - 15 Jul 2007 18:42
this pub continues to impress , having staged an excellent beer festival in spring another ones starts next week which i am very much looking forward to, the range of belgian beers just continues to grow , and at any time 9 real ales ( not 6 as was sadi below ) there is always something for everyone. i like the fact that no alco-pops are served which makes it a real pub , the over 21 policy is fantastic for many reasons . the staff are very knowledgeable about their stock , how this pub hasnt won the camra pub of the year award is beyond me .
anonymous - 25 Oct 2006 12:58
This is a top notch pub, Ive never seen the beer in anything less than top notch condition and the staff have always been great with me (And I include the times where I've been absolutely hammered. My only minor complaint is that they serve Tiger, which I can't stand. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to drink one of the other five ales on offer....
gazbert - 24 Oct 2006 13:43
Excellent range of ales great atmosphere, no chavs which for a pub in rugby is very rare, by far the most welcoming place, friendly staff, great for sunday lunch but a little anoying they only serve food 12 till 2.30 can be very busy at weekends arrive early find a table and dont leave till they close nowhere else worth visitind
anonymous - 23 Sep 2006 00:34
Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't this site all about people's personal opinions on a pub?
Maybe the person who listed this pub on here should have said "no negative comments please". Its called constuctive criticism, take the rough with the smooth.
Different people want different things from a pub. It doesn't necessarilly mean the pub is bad it's just not to EVERYONE'S taste and that is not a crime.
I visited this pub a few weeks ago and got a frosty reception from a girl behind the bar. No please or thank you, not even a smile or proper eye contact. She made it feel like it was an inconvenience serving me and that is not good.
I HAVE worked in a pub and club and always tried my best to make customers feel welcome, even at 1am when I was shattered, I always smiled and had manners (after all, they cost nothing). If you cant do the job properly, then dont do it at all!
One other thing I found funny with some of your comments is how personally you take the negative feedback and how outraged you are by it. If any of you are the staff from The Merchant then I find it rather sad and immature that you pass the buck and say its the punters problem rather than addressing the issue and doing something about it (whatever happened to "the customer is always right"?) If indeed you are drinkers from the pub then I find it pathetic that you behave in such a defensive manner towards this pub. YOU cannot say all these people have not had bad experiences. If someone was complaining about my favourite pub in Leamington Spa, I would not say they were wrong or think I had the right to get personal and say it was them who had the problem. Someone doesnt like a pub you do, big deal. Whoever you are, your manners and immaturity says a lot for the pub you profess to worship so much. I know The Merchant wins a lot of awards but I also notice who is always the runner up - The Bull which is quite a dive in my opinion. Of course, Im sure people love The Bull and I would not dream of saying they were wrong for liking it, just as you have no right to say people are wrong for disliking your place of worship. I dont like ANY of the pubs in Rugby, not just this one. People go in this pub different times of different days and get served by different members of staff so you dont know what goes on in that pub every second it s open. Grow up people, let people have their opnions, they arent talking about fire bombing the place.

P.S Even though you have so many staff working all the tables are cluttered with bottles and overflowing ashtrays (on Saturday night).
Jamie667 - 29 Mar 2006 16:38
Great pub - dog friendly, staff especially are very friendly and made us feel very welcome. Definitely be back again, those people who complain about the staff - find another pub then, it's obviously you with the problem!
Stants - 8 Mar 2006 13:22
First visit, will be back again and again, next time without the car. Very nice pub
beer_hunter - 19 Feb 2006 12:15
Pbobably the best drinkers pub in Rugby. Always friendly and inviting. Food is good at lunchtimes and there is plenty of live music during the week. The landlord and his staff have a real passion for real ale.
twogun_action - 16 Feb 2006 15:22
By far and away the best pub in Rugby. A drinkers paradise, open and airy, good lunchtime food and a real passion about beer. Not to be missed.
Pughy - 15 Feb 2006 09:55
it is quite blatantly obvious that none of you have ever worked in a place quite like the merchants , those members of staff work their fingers to the bone for you to have a few drinks and this is how you repay them ... by slagging them off on the internet? well if you ask me there is one simple soloution.... dont drink in there , i personally think it is the best pub in town a choice of 8 real ales and wide selection of belgian beers . i find the staff there to be polite and helpful which is nothing more than you could ask for , compare those to some of the other staff round town and they are angels . it is not uncommon for me to walk past at 9 am and see them taking barrels into the pub , go in at lunchtime and see the same member of staff and again in the evening . so dont criticise them untill you have walked a mile in their shoes- or even try treating them with a bit of respect and not talking to them like a pile of crap - which people do and you still expect them to have a smile on their face ? - so think about it next time - just smile and be polite and chances are you will get the same treatment . in short treat them as you wish to be treated and dont single them out because of one individual and if you cant do that i suggest you dont go back .

Quote The Legend.
youwish - 3 Feb 2006 22:30
I am a staff member of this pub (the blonde spiky haired one)and have been for 2 and a half years and am absolutely dismayed to read the comments on this pub. As a 'student type' i have to divide my time between Reading and Rugby for months at a time so it is odd to see the massive changes mentioned here. I worked under the guidance and friendship of the old manager Paul who would be distraught to see the comments posted about the staff and so when i return next I shall pass on these opinions. Professionalism dictates that we should remain upbeat and happy (however an 8 hour shift on a saturday night always has a looming sense). I thoroughly apologise if ever I have come off as rude to customers as I always try to remain happy. Also, if it was me that blanks somebody sometimes and talks to them other times - oops! It has to be remembered that we serve a great deal of people throughout a day and when you are away for a while it can be tricky to remember faces! Also, I'm not sure what you would like in your pub apart from a 'motley crew.' Perhaps some autonomous machines? All of the staff have a loving enthusiasm for the pub and the range in staff offers more character. I resent being named a 'student type' because I absolutely adore working in the pub and have a great relationship with many of the regulars despite not being the age you want.
johnnybreaker - 23 Jan 2006 14:44
This place hasn't got the same sparkle anymore, I guess that is true. Used to adore this pub, but now it bores me.
Staff are a bit up and down, and a very motley crew, from student types, to archeologist types, all probably not even old enough to drink in there!
Now just another average pub!
anonymous - 5 Dec 2005 00:38
I agree, if you notice, this pub does only get 6.6 out of 10, therefore it hasn't been given a good rating has it? If you look through this site about pubs some actually get 10 out of 10, for being a good pub.
anonymous - 3 Nov 2005 22:03
Obviously the staff react differently to different people on different nights. Maybe you cant understand their comments because you arent them, everyone gets treatment. You dont have to be "dregs of society" to not get very good service. The manager is never in when I go on so you obviously go in on a diff night.
anonymous - 2 Nov 2005 22:55
To rugbydrinker, you may have had good experiences in there - good for you but I HAVE NOT. Just because I havent had the best of times in there doesnt make me a dreg of society. Obviously you dont get moaned at by the bar staff about their lives, their jobs etc I go in a for a drink NOT to hear the staff moaning. I am well known and liked in that pub and while some of the staff are ok (girl with very curly, mousy hair) - some arent! As you dont know me and nor I you, I dont think it is right to pass judgement on other people just because they dont like a pub, I speak as I find. Sure you dont work there to take it so personally? Dont cry because someone doesnt like the same pub you do!
anonymous - 2 Nov 2005 22:42
Also meant to add, when I have been going in there (over a year now), I don't know where I am with the staff, one in particular speaks to you one time and then totally blanks you the next.. that's manners, that is making you feel welcome?? But there again nobody HAS manners in Rugby!
anonymous - 2 Nov 2005 22:39
Actually Im not a "dreg of society", I bet I earn more in a week than you do in a year, maybe it is because you are a man and you get treat better- who knows, I tell it like it is and you have no right to say I am wrong, you have had a good experience in there, well good for you, I haven't LATELY! I am saying this pub isn't as good as it was, some people agree with me, maybe a Saturday night isn't the best night to go into for the staff.
anonymous - 2 Nov 2005 22:35
Hi there don't usually write comments on boards like this but thought it best this time. Been using this pub for a couple of years and is the only reason I go into rugby town centre - I live slightly out of town. Indeed the atmosphere is great as is the beer BUT most importantly the staff and manager have always been excellent. Can't understand the previous comments. More than in any other pub I've ever been to they make an effort with the customers, the manager especially appears to work very hard at making everyone feel welcome.What he does do ( and somehow without the use of bouncers)is keep the dregs of society out of a town centre pub ... can only inagine that's where the previous comments have come from. In my opinion (and judging by its popularity a lot of others too) this is one of the top pubs around and the staff are always more than excellent with me.
rugbydrinker - 28 Oct 2005 21:43
Good layout, good beers but lousy staff and non smoking area is a joke (2 tables). Got the piss taken out of my accent (and I mean they did it like I wasnt there) when I went in there during the day... what charm!
Lioness79 - 25 Oct 2005 23:14
This pub was okay when I began going in a year ago. Now it is very boring and don't get me started on the staff! Most are ok, but theres one in particular who angers me, I think he is a manager? He usually wears a rugby top, and has lots of hair, he is very rude and ignorant, very unfriendly to his customers, he shouldn't work in a bar with his attitude, esp not being in charge of it. Also one in particular bar staff member talks about nothing but themselves and this person moans about the job everytime you see them, NOT what you want to hear on a weekend when you are trying to enjoy yourself! Whatever happened to "Hello, how are you?".
Beware of "Norman Bates" customer too, he is in every saturday night usually in a red or black tee shirt and is always alone, he looks around suspiciously and preys on women esp if they are in twos, he is weird!
All in all this pub has gone a bit downhill, needs better customer service from it's managers and the staff should be told not to moan about their job to customers.

sexyladyofrugby - 25 Oct 2005 22:24
great pub, great beer
anonymous - 19 Mar 2005 18:26
great pub, superb beers
anonymous - 19 Mar 2005 18:24
Great pub,lovely atmosphere, have seen some great bands there on a Tuesday night. I just wish it was within walking distance, but 12 miles is a long way to walk home after about 8 pints of real ale.
Dave from Coventry - 4 Oct 2004 23:42
brilliant pub with great live music. sorry to say though that the manager Paul died suddenly this week, terrible loss and he will be missed by all his customers and staff
jux - 30 Sep 2004 23:34
A good pub with cooperative staff, and a constantly varied but always good selection of beers.
Flying Mouse - [email protected] - 12 Apr 2004 22:54
Great Beer, food very good if a little pricey. Barmaids could be a little younger.
Egbert - 2 Apr 2004 14:07
Many Thanks to Paul and the staff for allowing us to fund raise on Saturday for our Huskie trip,very generous.

Neil & Robby
neil65 - 21 Mar 2004 19:31
Without queation the best pub in town. A statement that actually dosen't do justice to Paul and the team.

For the record: Phil, not all the people you assume are public school kids are, I'm getting annoyed by these bland assumptions!! Plus its over 21's now mate... Dry your eye!
Nick - 3 Mar 2004 16:56
Oh yes! This is *Mecca*.
Manager is getting a but assumptive from winning so many awards, but what the hell.
Great atmosphere, mellow staff, big big screen + massive selection of beers.
Flanked by two mellow restuarants either side + texmex 100yrds away.
This place rocks donkey nads.
nimnimnim - 1 Mar 2004 21:49
Top for music, live bands 2 or 4 times a week... folk, jazz, blues etc. Try the leffe.
Scarffy - 29 Feb 2004 21:54
Please stop telling everybody how good this pub is,they arrive and drink my favourite ales. Just imagine if the pub ran dry and I could not enjoy one of the many great ales this pub serves.
John Cotton - 5 Feb 2004 22:38
Great Pub. Handsome& Generous Landlord !! Pretty bar maids.

Beers not bad either

Neil & Rob
neil waugh - [email protected] - 5 Feb 2004 08:49
Fantastic bar, great selection of beer, and fantastic live entertainment.
Belinda - 29 Jan 2004 01:45
Absolutely brilliant pub. it's hard to find the likes of it anywhere locally. the staff are absolutely brilliant, thorough and efficient at their jobs aswell as being incredibly friendly. Never short of choice as the beer selection changes frequently.
John Simmonds - [email protected] - 27 Jan 2004 22:37
Probably the top pub in Rugby, great atmosphere, good people and helpful staff. The Beers always great too.
It's always voted number one on the local website drugby.co.uk
The Creators - [email protected] - 25 Jan 2004 20:38
As per other review. Top pub, my favourite in town, its calm, relaxed, and ok when busy. Top ales guys real mens drinks, not silly alco-pops
Pete Thompson - [email protected] - 11 Dec 2003 12:39
Hey Becky! Its Pete.
Top pub, good barmaids ;) and the best selection of beers in town. Well worth a visit!
Pete Thompson - [email protected] - 11 Dec 2003 12:36
No doubt that for the real ale drinker this is the best pub in town. 6-8 real ales on at any one time. It has become increasingly busy and is now packed on Friday and Saturday nights. A very mixed clientel and friendly staff make this a pub to suit most people. Ideal for a quite pint at lunchtimes.
Pughy - 21 Oct 2003 19:24
Nice Pub and ok selection of beer. However it's full of Public School kids on the weekends, which can be quite annoying as none of them can handle their drink.
Phil - 22 Aug 2003 17:58
Traditional Pub close to town centre. Boasting 8 real ales (6 guest), draught Leffe Blonde & Brune, Hoegaarden & Budvar. Occasional real cider & perry.
All this & regular live music.
Paul Kennedy - 19 May 2003 17:01
A great atmosphere with extremely helpful bar staff. Fantastic range of real ales to try and an assortment of bottled belgian beers as well as the original Budweiser, from Czech Republic.
Becky rowe

got anything to say about this pub?

Please read our reviews policy before posting.
Only registered users can post reviews. Please log in. If you don't have an account yet, register here.