please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
I first visited the Earley Retreat a few months ago. On that occasion I found the beer rather strange-tasting, but gave them the benefit of the doubt. The other day I went back and experienced the same problem. It was different beer on both visits, which leads me to believe that the pub isn't storing its beer properly and/or maintaining the pipework well enough. I didn't bother complaining as it was only a half - I just grimaced and necked it quickly. Also, by that stage, I wasn't confident that a replacement beverage would have been any different, given the place's track record.
The food is OK - you get what you pay for. The staff - or at least the barman who served me - was friendly enough, but both he and the chef looked rather unprofessional in sitting down out front at all opportunities to chat with their mates (a habit that has been noted by other posters).
I'm sure the pub would attract more people (and on both occasions I was there it seemed to be slightly lacking in custom) if the managers raised their game in both front-of-house and cellar management.
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Went in on Monday night to find Band playing in Pool table area. When they got going you couldn't hold a conversation in any part of the pub, and its a big pub. Most people in to watch the Monday night football and felt like the locals didn't like strangers in the bar. London Pride only Real Ale on and it was average quality. I won't be going back.
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Went in recently, pool table not working, lager tasting weak, music was nothing but rap and loud thumping garage. Manager was too busy 'upstairs' to come down and deal with my complaint. The staff stood round doing nothing. They had no decent change in their tills so was given shrapnel. Toilets had a rather dirty stench to them. I agree with a previous comment that the staff were far too busy entertaining their friends.
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My local, under new management now who are doing a good job it seems, a decent local boozer with reasonable and good value food, i remember this place from years ago, over those years this place has improved with the refit a few years ago up until now, it does the job basically and it does it reasonably well, so handy to slink away from the big shop for a swift pint.
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Hummmm, not so impressed, have been several times, the staff seem too happy to chat with their riff raff mates who sit at the bar and get in my way.
When we had the meal deal, 2 steaks with a bottle of wine for �9.99 last summer they rarely had a cold white which is pretty poor as we were there at around 7:30pm.
Another time they had no white whatsoever, asked for a substitute and told no deal, no apologies whatsoever, what a poor show, so I had the red and my partner had white from the bar which we had to fork out �5 plus a glass for, what an apalling rip off!
Food though was good for the price in the main.
Atmos leaves a lot to be desired, aforementioned bar staff and their mates who wear vests in all seasons didn't help.
Blue ones.
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This pub is GREAT! Nothing like the Seven Red Roses as mentioned below?! Its a fun lively place to drik and dine and of a weekend evening provides live entertainment and buffets!
GREAT PUB! The staff are very nice and friendly too!
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All ale off on my visit (although it looked like Youngs and Pride if it ever gets on).
Didn't look terribly inspiring, almost identical to the Seven Red Roses inside.
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A local pub and nothing special. But friendly staff, good food and fair prices
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Beer is good price (Cobra is excellent) and the decor is ok. Good if you there are no kids, if there are leave and try the Toby carvery bar.
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WOW! Is this the same pub i walked out of only a year ago? A friend had been in and reccommended it so i thought i would give it a go. We sat outside and had a tasty meal for two and a bottle of wine for a tenner. The staff made me feel welcome and we stayed for the quiz. A little Gem!
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Read in the local rag that the pub had a makeover, went in and got a big shock. Doesnt look anything like it used to inside. Really done a great job with it and even better no kiddies with hoodies or chavs in caps making you feel uncomfortable. Definitely chucked the trash out with the old plastic chairs. Food was great and the team in there were spot on.
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Quite run down looking inside, the toilets are a mess! The 2-for-1 offer that used to be this pub's saving grace has also been stopped, unfortunately. Having said that, the prices aren't too bad and there's a decent selection of drinks. 4 pool tables if that's what you're after, but otherwise a pretty standard Mitchells & Butlers pub.
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the only good thing about the pub is the friendly staff and the cheap monday nights!!!!!!
anonymous - 18 Mar 2005 17:03 |
Great lunchtime vibe!! Fantastic array off entertainment, 3 Pool table, 4 fruit machines, Big Buck Hunter and big screen TV. Extremely friendly bar staff too!!
Christopher Lillicrap - 6 Nov 2003 12:11 |
