King Offa, St Albansback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
CLOSED and shortly to become flats.
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This was Benskins last pub they built before being absorbed by Ind Coope. CAMRA are trying to save the pub based on this and not on the Ale (or lack of).
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Previous reviews are a bit harsh. I went in last night and my mate and I had a very pleasant chat with the Kiwi landlord who informed us that, sadly, it was likely the council would take back the lease in a month's time and close the pub. This is an estate pub and yes there's some swearing, and yes, the décor doesn't appear to have been upgraded for 40 odd years, and yes a couple rolled out completely pissed as we walked in, and no there's no real ale (this is a lager pub).
Having said that, this is a community pub in an otherwise pub-less part of town, and I can't say that the clientele were at all threatening. It reminded me very much of the uniformly brown town pubs I used to go to in Newbury when I started drinking in the 70's. So, in all, a bit of a journey back in time which evoked pangs of nostalgia in this correspondent. Visit it while it's still here!
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Does GRIM fit the bill? VERY VERY GRIM should do.
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Nightmare. prepare for penicillin. This place is the king of estate pubs.
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This pub isn't just rough round the edges, it's rough left, right, centre and to the core. If you're looking for a fight, or the black market, etc - then head on in.
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Gypsys, Tramps And Thieves.........you know the song!!!!
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Better than it used to be. The Offa is now a well-run estate pub, and the barmaid even said "Thank you, sir" when I left, which rather threw me! But �2.90 for a pint of Flowers IPA was a bit steep, I thought.
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I've got a soft spot for the Offa. It is what it is, an estate pub and not a bad or a rough example of the genre. If you're foolish enough to go to an estate pub and then be horrified by all the howwid, howwid commoners drinking there it's probably better for you and the world if you don't breed.
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It's a real shame that many people judge this pub on its past reputation. Finally this pub is moving in the right direction. Since Valerie & Roger have taken over, this pub has been transformed. A lively atmosphere, good beer, and regular entertainment. All you old cynics might be pleasantly surprised!!
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Sorry, I ought to quantify my shocked and hysterical remarks below. Really, this is a grim pub in a fairly grim part of town. The choice of drinks was limited, and the bargirl seemed to have a fierce internal battle with her conscience before deciding to serve me. The jukebox in the corner looked promising, and there was a big TV screen too, but both were hardly visible through the fug of cigarette smoke. The place was certainly busy (this was at 5pm), but I've never seen so many children in a pub before. Overall: Very much a locals' den - best to leave them to it.
anonymous - 24 Mar 2006 09:40 |
Dear Lord, Please believe me, in the hour of my death, I've tried to be a good man, but nothing I have ever said or done has prepared me for for death or shame at the hands of the King Offa. As I pass away, surrounded by chavs, chavattes and chavlings, I realise now how useless my whole life has been. No doubt it's too late, but I pray for forgiveness. PLEASE give me another chance! Either in this world or the next.
anonymous - 23 Mar 2006 21:38 |
Only pub I've ever seen with a "meat raffle" on a Sunday afternoon!
Richard - 7 Sep 2004 01:11 |
Good local pub with well kept beers and super free entertainment
Peter Hastings - 9 Aug 2004 14:12 |
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