please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Now renamed as How Do You Do, the interior layout has been completely re-arranged. There were three ales from Wylam brewery on last night (24/12/15) and the one I had (Crisp And Even) was well kept.
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Well, its open again. It's a free house nw and owned by the people who own the Pub & Kitchen. No food yet, but real ale is back on and is decently kept. The interior refurbishment is interesting and plans for more changes are on the way - apparently. The best news is that they have spent money on it and will apparently be spending more; and, of course that bands are back on Friday night's and Sunday tea times. And yes you should really take the photos down they are really old.
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The brewery drove out the last manager, so it's back to being a pub-with-no-beer again. Symptomatic of lots of pubs in North Shields at the moment, the party is over for the big breweries. The only hope is that someone who cares about pubs buys it - and doesn't turn it into flats! Rating is a 2 - as at least its open (some of the time) and it has the best views of the river in North Shields.
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Sunday lunches back on. Generous portions, good quality home cooked grub at a good price. Went in on Sunday 29th August. The place was almost empty. This pub (and the couple running it) deserve better levels of custom.
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Opened again this week (24/06/09). The brewery now has a manager in. Went in on Wednesday. Two beers on (Cumberland Ale & Pedigree) both well kept. This used to be a cracking place, hopefully the custom is going to grow and improve.
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Here we go again the DOLL has again been closed for many weeks with no sign of opening.
I really do not understand how a succession of so called business people, attempt to make this "WHITE ELEPHANT" of a pub into a variety of venues, non of which have worked, I wonder why they do not research as to the reasons why??
Wonderful views yes full stop.
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Will someone please remove all 19 of the crappy photos?
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Took my parents here for Sunday lunch a few weeks ago. Excellent qualtiy food, generous portions and helpful, attentive staff, could not have asked for more.
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Will someone remove Photos 1-9 as they are a previous REGIME. Photos 9-19 are of the current re-furbished "WOODEN DOLL" and a completely new Management team installed.
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A new feature at the DOLL are the QUIZ nights WEDNESDAY 9pm and FRIDAY MUSIC QUIZ 9.30pm. Both nights Free food courtesy of (QUIZMASTER) BILL and CAROLE the new owners.
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Went back in on Friday 1st Feb just to see what the re-opened Doll was like. Very impressive! Re-decoration has tidied the place up and the real ale is back on. Good quality pint of Jennings Cumberland Ale! Must go back to try the food. Having drank in this pub on and off for the last 25 years (including before the major re-build of the late 80's) its good to see the place loved again!
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The WOODEN DOLL has just re opened early January, after having been completely re-furbished and re-equipped by the new owners Bill and Carol.They have turned what had been a wreck of a Pub into a Pub where you can take your family for a meal or a drink in the comfort and tranquility (no bands banging on in the background here)of the new lounge and dining area, have a superb view of the Tyne estuary and Tynemouth and South Shields Piers (Free of Charge)and just watch the boats sailing in and out of Shields.I have been amazed at the rate with which the Pubs reputation for food has taken off in such a short time and is particularly popular with the Sunday Lunchers.New Tel. No is 01912585154
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RE ANONYMOUS 5th MARCH 07, I really think your comments are way over the mark re the "DOLL".I can only pass my own opinion re the pub. As I have been a regular user of the doll for years I have seen many changes and managers, the present LICENSEE I know has a particular interest in the "LOG FIRE" which he usually maintains to a blazing standard, this of course keeps the room very warm, maybe you and your friends visited on the ODD occasion when things were not "ABLAZING" to the usual standard.The ales are normally 2 standards and 2 guest ales, these of course are subject to the thirst of the clientele and can be supped at great speed over a busy week-end as can the other drinks.During the quiet trading times the food is not always available but I know if you ring the pub arrangements can be made with the licensee for groups or parties. Entertainment is usually on at the pub every night maybe you arrived a little early before the pub was running at full speed and the "KARAOKE" girls were not yet in the best of spirits.The DOLL is, in my opinion one of the, if not the best pub I visit.
anonymous - 7 Mar 2007 12:35 |
RE LAINIE 16 JAN 07 THINK YOURESELF LUCKY ON OUR LAST VISIT AND THE TWO PREVIOUS VISITS IN THE EVENING WITH FRIENDS,THE PUB WAS EMPTY, FREEZING COLD AND WITH NO FOOD WHATSOEVER.ON ATTEMPTING TO ORDER SOME DRINKS THERE WERE NO AS YOU SAY "INTERESTING ALES" AT ALL.NO WINES AND TO CAP IT ALL ONLY ONE BRAND OF LAGER AND A COUPLE OF BOTTLES OF BROWN ALE.AS WE WERE LEAVING A GROUP OF WOMEN ARRIVED AND IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO BERATE THE BARMAN BECAUSE OF THE FREEZING ROOM AND IT WOULD SPOIL THEIR "KARAOKE",I THINK WE MADE OUR ESCAPE JUST IN TIME. I DONT KNOW WHAT HAS GONE WRONG WITH THE DOLL BUT SOMEONE SOMEWHERE HAS A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. I THINK TO MANY COOKS SPRING TO MIND BUT IN THIS CASE NOT ENOUGH COOKS WITH NOT ENOUGH STOCK SEEMS MORE APT. GOOD LUCK LAINIE WITH YOUR ARRANGEMENTS , I KNOW WHAT I WOULD BE DOING IF IT WERE MY PARTY.I RATE THE PUB WITH A 1 ONLY BECAUSE IT WAS OPEN (JUST)
anonymous - 5 Mar 2007 09:16 |
A lovely pub, friendly and warm, with a great atmosphere, good music and lots of interesting ales and wines.
So good I've booked my wedding party there! My highest recommendations.
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The DOLL is back in a big way re the MUSIC SCENE with nightly GIGS, BUSKERS, OPEN MIC NIGHTS.Wed evening JAZZ and ROCKING W/ENDS. Check out the BAND LISTINGS In WHITLEY BAYS NEW MAGAZINE "THE MESSENGER""
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Well Done "DOLL" looks like your efforts have been worthwhile with the "MAG" FEELING THE DOLL HOT ON ITS TAIL!!!
anonymous - 1 Nov 2006 13:13 |
On my last visit to the DOLL a few weeks ago it was in a sorry state NO ales at all and 1 brand of the fizzy stuff(LAGER)the chef had packed his knife up and gone to pastures new, the manager at the time of visit recommended a local chip shop if we wanted any food(NO crisps or nuts or any other snacks available at the pub)we made a hasty retreat to a local on the fish quay.On passing the DOLL last week we noticed loads of people sitting in the outside area enjoying the superb views which overlook the Fish Quay the TYNE ESTUARY and TYNEMOUTH /SOUTH SHIELDS PIERS. On entering the pub what a complete transformation,the LA-CASALINGA MEDITERRANEAN PIZZA RESTAURANT has been completely re-furbed and with those superb views from the restaurant the place was very busy.The lounge and bar areas are apparently awaiting re-furbishment in the next few weeks.The ale situation vastly improved with Jennings SNECKLIFTER and CUMBERLAND ales being the DOLLS standards,these were complimented by 3 guest ales and 3 or 4 lagers(The wine list is apparently new and very complimentary)I am not sure why the anonymous comments have been made in such a derogatory manner as on our visits since the new management arrived the staff in both the bar and restaurant areas are caring courteous and very smart.
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I hate this place, its got nothing going for it unless you enjoy loud music, old people, and bad service.
Hope this place falls into the river
anonymous - 8 Aug 2006 13:55 |
This place has had so many attempts at copying the success of others it has alomost become a parody of itself. Nothing original about this place, except for the catilevered room over the hill down to the river.
anonymous - 3 Aug 2006 13:34 |
Just moved to the area and went to this pub on a recommendation. Really pleased I did. The atmosphere was friendly and music available for those who wish... but my favourite is the restaurant "The Strawberry" it is fantastic, never had a bad meal with loads of choice, from Fish (cod, salmon or swordfish) and chips to a la carte.
Wilkinson - 13 Oct 2004 09:43 |
