please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Went to The Grapes the other night. First time after the re-fit. Looks a lot better inside, but it does seem to have lost a bit of it's old character. The staff were friendly enough and it didn't take long to get served even though it was jam packed. Beer was good, even had real ale on. Had a nice pint of Black Sheep (dip). Overall an improvement on the old pub. Recommended.
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Hopefully the beer will improve under new management. Always been a good music pub let down by rubbish beer, even tried cider once & that was worse! and an ex 'pop star' landlord who seemed to look down on everyone except his own little clique. Jam nights also let down by this.
anonymous - 22 Feb 2007 17:11 |
No real ale here
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I've been recently, on a Thursday and then again on a Saturday - and was not impressed. The rudeness of the staff and the cheek of the regulars. It's a meat-market mentality for the ageing rocker. There are classier places in Stafford - which I would recommend missing this one.
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It's a shame that "anomymous" is tired of partying. There has been a few changes recently, no two thursdays are the same for example. Rock night rocks! If you want to go out and enjoy yourself where there is live entertainment, just get down the Grapes. It's ace.
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The pub is okay if your newcomer, but it gets old after awhile - the same musicians week after week - regurgitated with a new name stuck to them - playing the same tired songs, in the same tired place with the same tired people. I didn't find the staff to particularly friendly or helpful - the toilets are disgusting and I've witnessed one or two really bad punch-ups there! I'd avoid it!
anonymous - 13 Jun 2005 13:58 |
Good live music venue - one of a dying breed. John Farrell isn't exaggerating when he calls it the best live music pub gig in England. It definitely is now the Wheatsheaf in Stoke has been taken over. Don't go if you're expecting a quiet time!
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I am only 20 and upon visiting stafford for a night out i stumbled into the grapes and found that although the mixture of people were alot older than me it was quite a good experience and me and 2 mates danced the night away.(we also went back the next week) thankyou
darron booth - 21 Sep 2004 12:30 |
I used to visit this great live music pub over 10 years ago, when I was on courses for BT at Yarnfield. I was in my late 30's, early 40's then and very much enjoyed the music,the atmosphere and the real ales. Now that I am back in a rock & blues band, drumming and singing and also providing and engineering the sound and lighting for other local Middlesex bands, I realy appreciate venues like this one.
John - 8 Oct 2003 09:22 |
Steve Bobson's comment about aging rock bands is a mite unfair - The Grapes has launched the careers of a lot of young bands and musicians over the years since Derek Holt has been there. The clientele also happen to be mostly mid 20's to 50's - so they obviously cater more for that audience. It's the best live music pub gig in England - and I've been to most of them. The quality of music is better than anywhere else around - that's why it is rammed with people every night!
John Farrell - 2 Oct 2003 19:47 |
I don't rate this pub at all. It is in a really good location and does have a lot more potential than the aging rock bands that play there exploit.
Steve Bobson - 26 Aug 2003 16:07 |
Live Music Bar. Owned by Derek Hiolt, founder member of Climax Blues Band - live bands 4 nights a week - best gig in the midlands
Colin Cooper |
