please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
The only pub in Hedge End, this is a Greene King pub which offers six casks, several of which are guest ales not from within the Greene King family.
It's a solid, well run pub. Food is limited - it's a Greene King menu which doesn't offer much if you don't like meat or chilli. though there is a haloumi sandwich. There would originally have been three rooms - these have now been knocked through to create a roughly horseshoe shape around the central bar. There is a beer garden, accessed through the well used covered smoking area. On a cold day sitting near the smoking area is not advised, as the door will frequently be opened, letting in the cold. The serving staff are keen to please and to encourage more custom, though it felt a little artificial and forced. Bar flies hang around the pump handles so it is difficult to see what is on offer - though they are friendly enough, and will make way.
All in all a decent pub. A good place to have a drink and some lunch when shopping in the Hedge End area.
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The summer menu has been superb - my wife really loves the salads. The prices are excellent, you cannot beat them anywhere. The staff are friendly and come and ask if everything is all right with your meal.
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Can’t believe this place has such a low rating.
I was in here last Saturday about 1.00pm and it was fine in fact very good for a Greene King house.
6 hand pulls = 2 for Abbott, 1 each for IPA, Old Hoppy Hen, Dark Star Pale Ale and Redemption Big Chief.
I tried the OHH @ £2.89 a pint and the DSPA @ £3.24 a pint and both were excellent.
They have a dart board and some pipped music was playing.
A large plasma TV was showing the Peterborough v Leyton Orient footy.
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Hedge End Hobo....
I think you might be that lanky, dark haired "where's wallyish" character who used to work at Quik Save/Somerfield next door to the Barley....??
You were always chattin up older women at the bar (men too)
Rumour has it that you had an affair with the old guy in the boiler suit (who used to stand on the corner by the co-op) ?
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I have lived in Hedge End all my life (other than a brief spell inside for a crime I didn't commit - possibly).
The Barleycorn holds a lot of special memories for me, I've wined and dined a few ladies in the Barley in the past.....admittedly with little success - but I think that's just me.
The Barley might not be the Cheryl Cole of pubs, but it does try.....and I prefer Cheryl Baker anyway. Big up the Baker!!!
Fairee: Are you the same Fairee who used to hide under the tables in the 90's?!
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The Barley gets a big thumbs up from me! :)
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Mendes: you lie.... like a cheap watch.
(No matter - we can't change you - only your conscience can do that)
For all the people who actually want to know about the Barleycorn....
Newsflash!!!! The Barley has been getting a little "star quality!"...
Fred Dineage (from meridian news) was drinking in the dear old Barley only last week!!
Good old Fred. He knows a good pub when he sees one. :)
Does anyone know if Fred's a local? (we should probably warn him about Mendes and his "chav/piky" slander of Hedge End residents if he is)
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Both Mendes and Alezilla - you are clearly the cold-hearted and immoral scum who stole the charity box from the bar (resulting in ban)
Stupid enough to get caught. And stupid enough to give yourselves away on a public forum.
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hahahah faireee must be tongue-in cheek surely!!!! The only business that will be taking place in this joint is for paramedics!
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This pub is sophisticated, charming and elegant; it personifies all that is Hedge End.
A tempting menu and extensive wine list make the Barleycorn a great venue for business meetings, special occassions or simply socialising with friends.
A warm and friendly atmosphere can always be guarenteed from the locals. Rustic decor combined with contemporary features help to make you feel at welcome and relaxed.
This much-loved pub is at the heart of the village.
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went in here the other night following a desperate search for a pub withouth a pub quiz...surprise! ANOTHER pub quiz! Everyone in Britain becoming old before their time...anwyay, rough-looking teens and locals were lining the bar but at least there were two bar staff. The smell of wet dog and fag butts and the lifeless voice on the pub quiz forced a rethink and I froze to the spot...a glance into the kitchen revealed a filthy carbon-caked oven and I was convinced- at the speed of a passing train (not a british one) I stormed out and into the fresh air...thank heavens- what a dive. Avoid! Gets a 2 as I didn't try the beer and at least it doesn't pretend its anything other than an absolute dump.
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A rare occasion today. I walked out of the place. Stood for ten minutes while pushy locals were served before me (I was there first), and they are no offering cheap food, but apparently with no more staff, so those that are there are now trying to run a pub and a busy kitchen.
I didn't need a pint as badly as some of the others it seems!
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This pub has gone from a delight to be in to one of the worst I have been in. Problem is it is the only one in the village now, otherwise people would vote with their feet without a doubt. Fighting on occasion, very poorly kept beer and even poorly kept lager, miserable hosts who are never around in busy periods at tea time etc leaving poor staff to struggle all the time and customers to wait for their beer- and when you get it the staff are instructed to serve short measure, but apparently 5% under full is ok? People only go in there to see their friends as there is no other local, they certainly do not go in to enjoy the beer or the company of the hosts. Shame on Greene King too for neglecting the decor. The carpet flooring stinks from the poor toilet facilty, the ceiling is coming down in parts, and I am sure the smoking area is illegal as it is attached to the main building, I will see what the local council says. No wonder pubs are closing down all over the place if this is the attitude of local and head office management to their customers. Would be interesting to see a response from the brewery to the comments, probably never will.
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Any reason they advertise 2 meals for �7 'all day, every day', but that 'every day' doesn't include Sundays?
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It used to be fantastic but as usual with the bruisers from Bury St Eds, decent beer goes by the wayside when they foist their foulsome muck on us. As does customer service and any suggestion that they are good for beer, pubs or the brewing industry. Can we start a campaign that challenges this Britain's Favourite beer nonsense? I'd rather drink coke. How can a half decent pint of Adnam's, Harvey's, Badger or indeed 1000 other beers not be considered as more likely to be described as a favourite?
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Been drinking here for nearly 30 years, been a bit busier latley but thats only because fountain closed. the present management must be the most miserable on green kings employ even heard the staff complain on more than one occasion.
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Custom seems down at the Barleycorn of late, I hope this is not an unwelcome portent of things to come. Even later in the evenings, there are still seats available. Has anyone else noticed this trend at the Barleycorn?
BTW, I have upped my rating, as it is less frenetic than it used to be and seems cleaner.
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Your right, been drinking at the Barleycorn for over 25 years, but all the locals that want a decent pint and no agro have all moved to the Brewery Bar in Botley. We may return if ever it gets better. Green King and the landlord don't seem to care as long as long as there selling lager and getting money across the bar.
Brewery bar beer is not brilliant (Green king again) but the pubs ok.
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Whats happened to this place. Used to live in hedge end, Chris and Dawn were the guvnors, the pub was buzzing, good beer, good service, always busy. Been a gap of five years since my last visit, no atmosphere, beer shit, service crap. Is it now a tenency or do Greene King not give a shit about there pubs anymore. Where do you drink in hedge end now? Botley?
anonymous - 7 Jun 2007 11:58 |
I give this pub high marks for its traditional setting of a working man's pub -- no customers with their jumpers slung across their shoulders.
I dislike the smokiness, however, and shall be very curious to see what happens when the new legislation comes in next summer.
I don't find it a particularly friendly pub. This is not to say it is unfriendly.
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The latest exploitation trick of Greene King is truly devious. As of 06/07/06 the price of a �half� is no longer half the price of a pint. Greene King has decided that their customers will pay 5p, 6p, or 7p more (dependent on brand) than the �genuine price� for a half.
Typically:
Kronenbourg �2.50 a pint (�1.25 a half) Greene King price �1.30
Strongbow �2.55 a pint (�1.28 a half) Greene King price �1.35!
Other brands are similarly increased.
AVOID ever having an �extra half� at any Greene King pub or, better still, vote with your feet and transfer your custom to breweries that don�t play �rip-off� tricks!
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this is a great little pud its so warming to be there and the bar staff are great laugh
anonymous - 12 Nov 2004 12:35 |
the customer sevice is very good at the barleycorn your alway greeted with a nice manor the staff work very
anonymous - 19 Apr 2004 16:25 |
I do not know why everyone runs this pub down. It is a great pub with great custmers and in the main good staff.
Jack3 - 31 Mar 2004 21:00 |
The phrase customer service does not appear in the Barleycorn phrase book. the staff are to busy talking amongst themselves or friends and it does seem a real incovience to actually serve a paying customer i have frequently had to wait 10 mins to be served while the assitant manageress attends to her small children who shouldnt be behind the bar anyway. what used to be the best pub for miles is now the worst.
anonymous - 15 Feb 2004 12:30 |
The practice of using beer mats seems to have vanished from this pub. The customers feel very strongly about this and wish to have the mats returned, as not having them ruins your clothes!
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