Volunteer, Honitonback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
On my brief visit to the Volunteer I marked it as the one where I would drink were I a resident. Ordinary folk drink here, the ale was good and cheap too. I was there on a Tuesday and everywhere else in Honiton was dead but there were a few in the Volunteer. Time to fix your signage though folks.
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This is the best pub in Honiton (most are poor) and a real boozer.
It was packed when me and my girl went in there on a saturday afternoon.
We found a seat down the far end of the beer garden that catches the sun a treat.
There were some dodgy looking folk in this place but in my experience these kind of people are more polite and friendly than some stuck up sorts.
Very good selection of drinks on the pumps and not all that expensive either.
A real boozer and would revisit.
8/10
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nice pint real ale
landladys daughters nice
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First impressions really do count and my first impression of The Volunteer was that it was underconstruction. We walked in to sand all over the floor, but we soon realised this was all over the place on purpose. A beach theme taken far too far I fear...!
We were the only people in the whole place without tatoos on display. And it appears in The Volunteer skin is not the only thing that is graffitied, the ceiling and walls have also been scribbled all over with messages as prophetic as 'Shirely came 'ere'.
On the plus side there is a very cheap happy hour and the deafening music will drown out the locals. But as the only pub with Sky on Honiton highstreet this pub will have to be a necessary evil at certain times. Enjoy!
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Best pub in Honiton By miles, Always made to feel welcome. Pete and wife absolutely fantastic hosts, beer sound, clientelle bit scruffy round edges. JUST RIGHT, cant wait to go back 6 Months and counting.
Ronnie M (EVERTON)
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Often call in here for a couple of pints while my chinese takeaway is being cooked. Its a down to earth no fuss boozer which gets surprisingly busy when there is a band on! Posh its not, friendly and gloriously tatty. Keep it that way!
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With ripped seats and scruffy deco it would be easy to slam the Volunteer, but it has a rough diamond feel and the beer is cheap and drinkable. It is what it is - an old boozer full of old boozers.
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A cream rendered, end terrace building, with thatched roof and red paintwork. There is also a beer patio area in the alley, where there was Sky TV and i think, a BBQ area.
The interior had a small bar room area, but was in fact all open plan, as i think the musicians blocked the route between the two areas, rather than a door. I didnt hear the musicians as they were setting up when i visited. The decor was white, with lots of signatures on the ceiling. It was a little scruffy, but i would rather say more lived it feel. Service was friendly, it was very busy with a mixed clientele.
Beer; usual tap stuff, with a decent enough drop of Courage Best.
Would i go again, yes, definately, but with a mate rather than family! Would like to see another real ale on, but worth a visit.
Maybe the low mark is down to the fact that it is desribed as "Widely acknowledged as the best public house in Honiton (& the district)", and people are, like me, saying that is perhaps a little exaggeration
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I just don't get the low rating on this pub. There are less and less real "boozers" these days and this is the real deal. Still the best pub in Honiton by some way and the prices are very competitive, especially during "happy hour". The Management are first class people who run a very tight ship.
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A lively, well maintained pub. (the bar maid that Burnsy alludes to has long since departed). Widely acknowledged as the best public house in Honiton (& the district). The only pub in Honiton that hosts live music EVERY weekend.
A night in the Volly may be your last chance to experience a genuine (Devonian) night out, in a genuine old fashioned pub. The local characters surpass the Good, the Bad & the Ugly. All of their hearts are made of solid Gold. They fuse together in a riot of colour: often depicted yet not often seen in sit-coms and soap operas.
Happy Hour 5-7PM Mon-sat 7-9pm Sun. House Doubles, Guiness, Courage Best, Thatchers Gold, Carling, Fosters, Strongbow, all at �1.80 a pint. (& all well kept).
A local pub brimming with Local colour.(Pool table 0.50 per play, juke box, skittle alley, fruit macine & quiz machine).
The patrons are honest, friendly and varied, willing to engage all in conversations concering, Politics, Local Policy, Architecture & Cultural Heritage.
If you are espescially lucky you may catch one of the Volly treats such as: the alternative Xmas(June), Beach Party (Easter, Loads of Sand in the pub & fun), St. George's day Parade, Volly Stock, 70's day or the Wimbledon extravaganza.
Don't just read it come and see it.
Posted 26.04.07 Happy hour subject to variation at the owners discretion
anonymous - 27 Apr 2007 15:04 |
A friendly local pub. A nineteenth century coaching inn (and the only thatched pub) in Honiton, a real contender for the oldest pub in town. Charming and witty bar staff, who are the perfect compliment to the colourful contingent of regulars.
The most professionally poured pint of Guiness in a ten mile radius.A very fine pint of Thatchers Gold, is also available.
Live music every Saturday & Sunday (blues/rock).
I regularly travel trough Honiton, and have frequented The Volunteer many times, I have always been made welcome by the patrons, and whilst colourful language may be used occasionally, I've always found it a charming honest local pub, and give my highest recommendation.
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