please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Last week I decided to go along to The Bull as they had their first ever Real Ale Festival. I thought that this would be interesting as this place is well know for its live music. I found my way into The Soundhouse which is located at the rear, and to my surprise there was a brilliant selection of 16 ales on a rack. Not all were on but a pleasant surprise, a great selection of ales from Colchester Brewery were available plus Banks & Taylor/ Spitting Feathers. I had a great time, shame there were not more people there to enjoy them. Anyway I moved back into the Main Bar later on and finished off with a nice pint SA Brains awakening.
Still a great place for a pint and great music, will be back soon
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Popped in here on a Friday night - the first time for many years. Fairly large pub with a beer garden out the back. There were three (unusual and interesting) ales on (including a raspberry beer and a honey beer). The place was busy but the serving was done efficiently so I didn't have to wait long to be served. Had a rock/pop covers band in the main pub and a punk covers band in the room out the back. Not the place for a quiet drink on a Friday night but a friendly and lively evening all the same.
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The Bull was, for many years, known to the residents of Colchester as somewhere to steer clear of unless you spent your working day playing �G.I. Joe� over Fingringhoe Ranges. You can now drink here without the fear of having your head stamped on by a psychotic squady; and what a good drink it is too.
The Bull now have live music on certain nights (sometimes the have music in the front and also in the rear music room). I saw an open mic night recently and the local showcase of talent was actually very good.
The pub has been refit � it�s clean, there�s a good selection of drinks and I found 3 Real Ales on tap, all of which were kept very well and fairly priced at �2.65 a hit. There was also a good selection of snacks and the staff were very friendly.
Music is normally quite loud on a Friday and Saturday (which was fine by me) and local bands can be seen performing every week. If you want to meet up to a quiet chat, go in on a Monday or Tuesday.
I was dubious about visiting. I�m not anymore. If you, like me, wanted another good Ale and music pub in town but normally steer clear of this place, give it another chance. I think you�ll be pleasantly surprised!
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I was really disapointed with this pub. Went there the other Friday and the music was very average and not much atmosphere. It's not the sort of pub you could go for a quiet drink in as there is music blaring out every night of the week. Does not live up to expectations, I'd give it a miss.
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An update of my previous rather scathing review is clearly needed due to a nice refit - The Bull is really nice now with a good outside smoking area, nice food, especially the nacho's, (other meals tend to be a little on the pricey side though IMO), the bands are good on the occassions that I have visited on a Friday night although never seem to start on time but that's just me being picky! All in all a great turn-around, well done.
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What a great pub now they cater for Real Ale lovers, Would not have set foot in it a while a go, but now with a choice of 3 good ales, and the food is good.
Friendly girls at the bar !Nice atmosphere on sporting Saturdays.
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also, The landlord.. Dave your one of the nicest guys i have ever met!!
great pub!!
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Its about time a DECENT band comes along.
Do yourself a fav and get down The Bull on the 29th of March, a STOMPING band. Rammed the place out everytime they have played...!!
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Brains SA, Joseph Holts 1849, Moorhouse Pride of Pendle. Busy, buzzy, 3 plasmas showing the rugby, plenty of celebrating from the Welsh contingent. Food being served. Yep, a good all round vibe Sat afternoon, don�t know whether the evening continues in this vein � the layout was almost reminiscent of a sort of upmarket �spoons if that can paint a picture without being disrespectful to the Bull. Thanks to the lovely ladies at Owen Aves opticians, over the road, for fixing my exploded glasses Sat.
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What a difference this pub is from a year or so ago. Well worth a visit.
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We took another visit to The Bull on Friday night. I am still unsure who owns this pub. The 3 ales that are available on hand pump seem to be all revolving so I guess it is a free house. On Friday on handpump Dr Okell's 'IPA', Caledonian '80' and Buckleys 'Best'. A mate and I had the Dr Okells 'IPA' which was very nice indeed.
Entertainment was again on offer on Friday night. An individual perfomer quite talented with his guitar work was playing tonight. Quite impressed again.
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Hooray, At last a pub in Essex has got the rock. It's the best and only way you can eat a steak. I had it on the Isle of Wight and couldn't find anywhere that had it near home.
Nicely done out place with good old Tribute on as a guest ale when I was there.
We will definately be back, so please keep the Black Rock Grill.
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Update - visited tonight and 3 ales were originally on according to one of our mates. He also likes to visit a lot of pubs on a Friday Evening and advised us that there may be a sparkler on the pumps. By the time we got here tonight they were down to 2 ales Brakspear 'Best' & St Austell 'Tribute'. When we arrived there they had sensibly chosen to remove the sparklers from all the hand pumped ales so we did not have to ask.
The pub is very traditional and suits the new make over. As I previously commented the carpets and furniture all seemed new. They seem to already have made the transition to the more mature (30+ Market). A wise move as we seem to have more money and are able to drink more and also not cause trouble.
Tonight they had entertainment on, which was a singing and music playing duo. I must admit some songs they played better then others.
They also seem to provide quite a mainstream menu on the food side. Quite a choice of homemade pies and quite a choice of burgers. Apparently it�s currently a burger festival for the next two weeks.
I am not sure who now owns this pub!
Is it a Freehouse, Pub co or a chain?
Who ever it is, it is moving in the right direction.
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Agreed - no more sticky carpets. It did look much more pleasant and inviting inside this pub from what it used to.
However if you are looking to enter the more mature real ale drinking market please ensure you have some next time.
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I was walking around Colchester the other eveninig and happened to walk past The Bull. What has happened here, completely changed, it is even nice to go inside, no more sticky carpets and awful beer. The atmosphere was really pleasant, the staff were really polite and helpful. They have a nice selection of beers and real ales. There were also people eating. The staff were telling about the plans and especially for the rugby world cup( great idea needed somewhere to watch the games - 10ft screen). If you fancy somewhere nice to go for a pint I highly recommend this pub now
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i seen what this pub like, i was married to a para and they are all after one thing in this pub, the married an all.... but hey some gals like that...
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wa.;0er paras...
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Don't go in here accompanied by anyone male, tall, slim with short hair who is not a squaddie, as the conversation will go something like this:
"Where are u based then mate?"
"Er nowhere"
"So you're not a hat then?"
"No"
"Well get the f**k out then!"
is the general script for anyone daring to look as if they might be a member of thier gang, in my experience.
If you go in here minus the above described person, and you are female under 25 (or 35 on a dark friday night) then look forward to lots of free drinks!
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If you like cheap beer and the potential for a fight, go here.
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Cheap and nasty. Avoid.
Garth - 25 May 2005 17:02 |
This is a dark, traditional squaddie pub.Good prices but rough.
Wade - 3 Sep 2004 09:46 |
Only �1.50 a Stella!
Magnus - 25 Nov 2003 14:55 |
