please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Do not visit this pub.
My friends and I visited there last nightand after a couple of rounds (very expensive beer) were having a good time sitting in the garden. The barmaid came to our table to collect empty glasses and took one look at the three girls in our group and said "are you girls taking the p*ss? You're not old enough to be here, let me see your ID!" They are all 24.
This was the rudest customer service I have ever experienced in a pub or restaurant sp we left and took our custom to the Kings Arms just down the road (nice pub with very polite staff). On the way out I tried to find the landlord to complain but he / she was nowhere to be seen. From talking to other people and reading other reviews I doubt he / she would have been bothered.
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Expensive beer and snobby barstaff.
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One of best pubs in Colchester - good selection of ales - good place to read a paper in daytime and have a few.
As for post below - sorry to hear about your confrontation but ring the pub up and discuss it with the landlord rather than posting on public forum.
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I always thought this pub was pretty average, like to visit with people from work as it makes a nice change from the trendy bars in Colchester. Just had a terrible experience with incredibly rude bar staff, wandered in after a meal and glass of wine in Prezzo (which was gorgeous by the way) and was refused service by the barman as he said that from the look of my husbands eyes....? He had had too much to drink. My poor husband, who had enjoyed a glass of wine with his dinner was humiliated for no good reason other than, I assume ,a member of staff wanted to show off a bit to other patrons. When I asked for the landlords name so that I could complain the barman lied that he was the landlord and said he could do as he wished. Awful experience, awful end to the night, would not reccomend drinking there, the barman may take exception to your eyes!?
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Several different drinking areas in this U-shaped pub with a walled beer garden out the back. Good ale, largely Adnams but guest ales normally available.
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The only pub in Colchester I'd give a 10. Beer is always excellent particularly the Timothy Taylor Landlord which seems to be a permanent guest ale. Staff are hard working and friendly. Out the back is a nice place to while away a leisurely afternoon in the sun. Decent if unspectacular food. Does get very busy early evening Friday and Saturday - often impossible to get a seat after 7pm but often quietens down and clientele head into town. A country pub in the town. It would be good to see a regular guest mild or porter on. Only slight complaint would be that it is a bit pricey.
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Adnams Bitter, Explorer, Broadside, Woodforde�s Wherry, Landlord, Harviestoun Ptarmigan, Nethergate Umbel Magna, one other? Enter to tiled bar area & the 3 Adnams pumps, left to wood-floored mid & rear areas carrying 2 & 3 handpumps respectively, sturdy wood tables, chairs, & high-backed settles, out to concreted beer garden made more welcoming by hanging baskets & flowering tubs, beyond the part-covered picnic sets the rear wall is painted in Adnams �beach style�. To the right of the front entrance is a small carpetted area with nice wood tables & chairs, a bookcase and condiment baskets against far wall. Chalkboard announced homemade dishes & the menu reads very well, most mains ~�6.
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The pub has one of the best selections of Ale's in Colchester, BUT a majority are Adnams and I couldn't find a dark or mild.
The staff were friendly, it was quite busy, but lacked a little character.
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Some good beers on, well kept (I didn't think it was too cold as described below) and thoroughly enjoyed. The pub is a little bland and nondescript, but the welcome was warm and the barman was friendly. I'll definitely be back.
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I revisited this pub today with my missus at lunch time and were were very impressed. They had 7 ales on (Adnams Broadside/Explorer/Bitter) and guests including Woodfordes Wherry, Tim Taylors Landlord and Adnams Old Ale. The beer was clear and very well presented and you certainly got the feeling that the landlord has an interest in good ale.
Some real ale drinkers might find the ale too cold, but I like it cool so that was fine for me.
There was a good choice of whiskeys on too and draft/bottled ciders including Aspels.
They have a good value lunctime menu. We will most cetainly be returning and I suggest to anyone looking for a friendly, clean and laid back pub to give it a go.
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I am still a bit undecided on the Hospital Arms. Yes, it does always have a good selection of ale. It does have a great rear outside area. The wall around the outside of this area has recently had a very Adnams paint job on it. It follows the coastal theme with the covered beach hut area to the right of the garden. I have visited a few times recently and the beer quality is definitely better than when I commented last September. It still could be better and at those prices you expect the best tasting ale.
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Yay - you can always find a good pint of Aspall's here. Mmm
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I think this is part of the reason why anonymous reviews have now been banned from BITE.
I assume the last review was a biased one from the current Land Lord/Lady or one of their staff!
2 years ago this pub was fantastic!
I will visit again soon to give a fair update.
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Went to this pub for the first time in two years with a group of friends in a scepticle mood after last time (2 years ago was a total disaster, bad vibes from surly bar staff and the beer wasn't much better!). We were meant to be on a crawl but ended up staying all night, really good atmosphere, the staff (and landlord and landlady) were cheerful and efficient and happy to talk to you, the beer especially the Adnams Yuletide was top notch (7 ales to choose from!) and the pub clean and tidy, add to this the smoking area outside and you have a first rate pub with first rate staff, it's definately worth a look. I for one will definately be returning!
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Have never been disappointed by the quality of the Carling in this pub. Good laid back atmosphere with another good cross section of age groups.
Outdoor/smoking areas are probably the best in town and is always worth calling in for a few on a crawl round town.
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What has happened to this once great pub?
I regularly go to all the real ale pubs in Colchester. This has definitely gone down hill, both in terms of beer quality and the whole pub experience. These days if you are served by the land lord or land lady or their bar staff it�s an altogether cold experience. I don�t think I saw any conversation the whole night with any customers.
How things have changed since the old landlord and his experienced bar staff have gone.
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Last night I had the worst pint of Explorer that I had ever had in the H/A. I would have complained but for the taste of my friends pint of T/T Landlord. This was nearly as bad as my choice so I thought it was not worth the bother and we should vote with our feet and voices and leave our full pints outside on the table. I do hope this pub is not in the new and forthcoming anniversary GBG. As this would do a big disservice to people visiting from other towns to our good pubs. There are much better pubs than this in Colchester see my other reviews.
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Nice pub, quiet but not dead. Beer selection is good for a tied house, atmosphere is ok whether full or not.
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A haven of peace and tranquility. Four distinct drinking areas,a mix of varnished floor and quarry tiles and secluded rear patio. Stocks the Adnams range plus guests. Look out for the display of copper's helmets!
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Beer usually in good nick, even if the selection is predictable. It's friendly enough, but quite expensive.
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Friendly? Really? Not the impression I've received on my visits, suffice to say. Pricey, with no eccentricities in terms of the beer selection. More busy than it deserves to be, of a Friday night.
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Can't fault it. good little spot with friendly service (characteristics almost unique to Colchester).
Garth - 25 May 2005 17:24 |
The only town centre pub where you can get a seat on a Friday. And that's because there's a lot of them! Good atmosphere + friendly staff for town centre.
Dan - 27 Apr 2004 23:38 |
