please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Reasonable pub, formerly known as the Bunch of Cherries. Normally pretty full whatever time of the day or day of the week you go in there. Beer is ok but nothing to write home about. Comfortable interior though. Other reviews on here mention the pub quiz, but for us non-quizzers my main point is that the speakers' volume is often up too loud which is off-putting and makes it difficult for those not participating in the quiz to continue their conversations. This is the case in many pubs with quiz nights, but I particularly noted it here.
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Large out-of-town food-led GK pub on the Hatfield Road. The pub is nothing to write home about to be honest: it is too big for the length of the bar, so service is pretty slow, and the ale does not tend to be served very well. The food menu is nice and smart, and obviously has pretensions to be more than basic pub grub, although that's basically what it boils down to. I attend every so often for the Thursday night pop quiz, which as other reviewers have said is extremely well-run, very enjoyable, and probably the best pop quiz (or maybe even pub quiz full stop) in St Albans.
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Not a particular interesting place, but the beer is OK. For me, the main redeeming feature is the brilliant and well-run pop quiz every Thursday night (which even makes up for the sometimes surly bar staff). 6/10
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Great friendly pub...great food.... and the pop quiz on a Thursday is by far the best in the area, if not the country (and I've been to most of them!)
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This is the most un child friendly pub around. We have never been made to feel so unwelcome. We went there and were expected to sit in the small conservatory area. The main pub was very quiet with probably only about 12 customers, however the conservatory was full with a private party which consisted of the majority being adults with only a couple of kids. We were told we would have to wait outside for a table to become available! It is December!!!! Asked why and were told it was to do with the license and no children allowed in the main bar. This pub is in the heart of a family community. We will never return.
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Thinks it's better than it is, food v pricey for what you get. Beer OK, unless you're passing, one to avoid.
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Awful place. The management and staff obviously have issues with kids. On a recent visit with our two (very well behaved) children, aged nearly 3 and 7 months, we were blanked by all staff as we walked in, despite being the only people in the pub. We tried to sit at a table in the conservatory only to be told "that table is reserved" with no hint of niceness in the tone. We moved to another table, I enquired if there were any highchairs and was just told "no". Is it just me that thinks this is ridiculous in a pub of this size and location? it is a shame, as it is local to us, and we would have liked to make a regular occasion of family meals at the weekend. Idiots. Don't bother. There are plenty more nice pubs in St Albans that do much nicer food anyway.
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seemed a nice enough pub to me and I am all for the kids rule
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Thought the previous reviews were a tad harsh but then I don't have kids. Went here last night for a quick drink. Had a couple of pints of "Flanker's Tackle", the Greene King guest beer at this present time, which was in good condition. Good selection of board games and we unexpectedly stumbled upon the music quiz, which I would recommend! Not a bad pub at all.
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Looks likes the sort of place that you can eat with kids , so you try because others might not let you in,but then they are rude and don't want kids , so whats the point of this decidely average craphole? The IPA in here is worse than other GK places which is a feat in itself,so well done on something.
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Nice pub but I am never going back there as you get treated like a leper if you bring in a child. Went their for Sunday lunch and was forced to sit in a conservatory. If I wanted to sit in a conservatory I could have stayed at home (but the wife would have cooked, not sure which is worse).
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As generic suburban chain pubs go, this one is ok. It has been decorated to last another 7 years, in that hotel bar style which is inoffensive enough. The food is awful, straight from the freezer fayre, although the manager told us that he really wants to introduce his own menu soon. Your experience of this place will be largely influenced by the clientele that happens to be in at the time. The girl sat at the table next to us recounting the story of pressing her �front bottom� up against the window of TGI Fridays in Watford almost put me off my half pint of prawns � but that said, she was not representative of the �Friday after work� crowd that seemed to be there.
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Great pub, really good atmosphere and very friendly staff. Have been there quite a few times and always been impressed. Manager has done a great job with the refurb and building up the pubs reputation. One negative point, really annoying guy always drinks there (usually Smirnoff Ice), always talking about Southend United - dont go near him!
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Looks nice, that's about the only positive. The inside of my roast chicken was frozen solid, was offered a free alternative but declined. Souless joint trying to take advnatage of the middle classes living around it.
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Unrecognisable from when it was the Bunch of Cherries. First time I went in to the Bunch of Cherries, I walked out straight away.
Now I love to go there. It's welcoming, the food is more than decent, the beer is good, and the staff are friendly and efficient.
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completely changed from when it was called Bunch of Cherries......more restaurant/wine bar now and very tastefully decorated. Food is hugely improved and candles give it a very relaxed atmosphere. Really cool music quiz on Thursday's and general knowledge quiz on Monday's. Definitely worth giving it a try...
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Too clean and no character somehow.Menu looks reasonable though.Not really worth a diversion if its not your local.
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yes now called speckled hen why i dont know been done up very nice now had a good nite sat great band.Beer has gone up service on fridays early evening is crap Mary on her own be prepare to wait
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This pub has been renamed the Speckled Hen.
anonymous - 13 Sep 2006 10:14 |
Great pub for entertainments (TV + quizzes) and good food is ALWAYS available (meal deals, curry club, Sunday roasts etc). And in the heat of this afternoon, it was a nice touch that there was free iced water available on the bar. There's loads of room, plus a beer garden, plus a car park.
On the downside, the beer is boring: Greene King IPA, and apparently Ruddles County too, although there was none today.
Still, it's not a bad place to take your mates (both sexes). Friendly atmosphere.
anonymous - 5 Jul 2006 20:44 |
Wooooah, those quizzes are leathal! My kennel is within walking distance and I don't go to TBOC very often. Maybe I should? It's always beens rather large and shabby. They DO run wicked quizzes and a take-out service though!
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Excellent general knowledge quiz on a Wednesday and even better pop quiz on a Thursday. Recommended!
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The best!
Extremelly large pub but very cosy. Free beers on the Friday.
Great atmosphere.
Marie Edmonde - 25 Mar 2004 15:54 |
