Dominie Cross, Retfordback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Tragic and fatal confrontation outside this pub, during the weekend.
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Good selection of ales @ �1.95 pint,friendly and quick service when visited and spotlessly shiny toilets,7/10
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This pub has a lot of good points such as reasonable priced drinks and food and a good atmosphere without loud music. The downside is tables often not cleared and cleaned quickly enough and the worst thing for me is the constant smashing of bottles behind the bar as this is where they keep the trolley for recycling glass apparently! It is the only pub I know that does this sort of thing and it needs to stop as it is horrendous for customers enjoying a drink to be subjected to this and it is seriously making me consider going elsewhere for a drink. Address it please Witherspoons!
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Simple way to make it look less shabby, everyone returns their glasses when finished. Why don't more people do this in pubs anyway? Do we think barstaff don't work hard enough already?
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Called in this pub for the first time as i was in Retford today. A typical wetherspoons pub. What i found on this visit was plenty of tables left full of empty glasses, cups, plates, and cutlery. This gave the pub a very shabby and untidy appearance and certainly didnt give the impression that the staff were keeping on top of the job. The bar was quiet so there was no excuse for the lack of tidying up after people had eaten and left. I walked round trying to find a table free of clutter and settled for a table opposite the main bar, not tidy but better than other tables where more than two people had obviously dined. The most unkempt wetherspoons ive ever been in, not an inspiring choice of real ales either, disappointing.
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This modern style Wetherspoons is a little offputtng from the front, especially being situated opposite the more alluring Turks Head. As others have pointed out, it is far more interesting inside than one would expect although it still has many of the Wetherspoon hallmarks.
The interior can be divided into 3 sections, the front being fairly ordinary with low ceiling, half paneled walls and a large selection of pictures. The main bar in the centre of the building has a high modern vaulted ceiling, a few semi-partitions and some unusual lighting fixtures brought to the fore in the subdued light. Note the unusual golden patterned canopy over the bar, the eyecatching chandeliers and the large �Valhalla� artwork that dominates the walls on 3 sides. Opposite the bar is a raised section centred on a brick fireplace with a couple of sofas, a fancy paneled ceiling and various modern sculptures in the niches. Through an arch at the rear of the pub is a drawing room / library style area with bookcases at each end, paneled walls, tub chairs and some subtle modern lighting. The large windows give the place a more light and airy feel than the rest of the pub and outside is a large secure paved patio with a central shelter and some rather litter strewn shrubs.
The usual �Spoons fare on offer though only 2 guest ales (Cathedral Eight Bells & Caledonian Top Banana) on my visit although to be fair it was early on a Thursday morning, hardly peak time and we were there more for a late breakfast / early pint. Certainly one of the more interesting of the modern �Spoons and obviously they have taken a bit of thought than usual when planning the interior. If you have an open mind regarding �Spoons then it is worthy of having a look in.
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As a fan of Wetherspoon pubs, when I found myself in Retford, this was a must try for me. I was impressed. The decor is modern, smart and a cut above most 'spoons outlets, the pint of Abbott I had was well kept and the food (Rib-Eye steak) was served quickly and efficiently. Everyone knows not to expect too much with wetherspoon places, but as they go, this is certainly one of the best.
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jdw comment :
"named after the stone cross which marked Retford�s southern boundary in medieval times".
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The Dominie is comparatively new. A modern looking town centre pub, a short walk from the main square and bus station. The main entrance leads into a single large room which spreads back a long way to open air seating at the rear, for smokers, etc. The long bar on the right stands under two impressive chandeliers. There is a row of tall tables by the bar for drinkers. The other areas have table seating, for around 200. There is also a separate 'library' style room with sofa seating, as in the front area.
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We called for lunch last saturday. The place was not particularly busy, with a slow trade. There were a few quiet drinkers in, and also a few families dining.
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We ordered from the 2-for-�6.20 menu, along with a pint of Abbot.
There were 10 cask ale pumps, with 8 in use. However I noticed some were the same, and in fact only 5 different ales were on. The Abbot turned out to be in reasonable form, although slightly cloudy. I've noticed that before here. Perhaps they don't have a large turnover on the cask ales.
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I got served quite quickly, and the meals arrived in around 20 mins.
Food was basic but quite acceptable for the price.
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verdict :
pleasant spot for a quick, cheap lunch and good ale. All at a very good price. The place isn't very conspicuous, and might take a bit of finding if you didn't know it was there.
a 7 from me.
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Typical Weatherspoons. Cheap and well put together but totally soul-less. Staff were polite but clearly clocking on and then off. Can't blame them, they must have a shocking headache from all the echo from the high ceilings!
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have called a few times.
can't say I was too disappointed here.
pretty much the average for wetherspoon [which I generally like, for "cheap-n-cheerful"].
reasonable range of cask ales.
haven't had a bad pint yet.
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Good beer, great prices, but Jesus, it is like an aircraft hangar; when it is any more than a quarter full, the sound reverberating off the high (very high) sloped ceiling really does hurt your ears. It is similar to the sound in the swimming baths, but more intense. Thank god there is a covered area outside to escape to.
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Truly awful...like sat in an aircraft hangar...real ale is just not very good, neither is service...
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Newly-opened wetherspoon's Lloyds No. 1 in Retford.
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