please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Now an American diner Blues smokehouse doing the steaks ribs etc you would expect. Not been in as the American theme would suggest no real English ale and im no lover of oevrly hopped American microbrewery ales or their dreadful attempts at lager - but have heard positive comments about the quality and quantity of the food
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Appears to open and close when it feels like it. Friday 3rd May 2013, Bank Holiday Weekend, in darkness, sign on door "Closed Until Further Notice"
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Last visit here was for a CAMRA meeting, but the beer ran out at 8:45. Staff very apologetic but that misses the point rather.
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Had a lovely meal here recently - place was very busy but the service was good and friendly. The staff will stop and chat is they have time, and they have personality, which is unusual these days. The Flying Scotsman I had was very good if a little too cold (a general comment, rather than a complaint about the real ales). My only gripe - the lovely Coffee Porter was very much on its last legs (flat and a touch acidic) so I returned it for more Flying Scotsman. No problem there, but I was unimpressed that the Porter was still on sale an hour later when I left.
Benefit of the doubt this time, just don't make a habit of it please - customers will not drink the real ales if they're on sale when they shouldn't be.
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Now very much an upmarket bar/restaurant, but with a distinct bar/drinking area (other Bracknell food-led pubs please note). Efficient, friendly staff, good quality food lunchtimes and evenings (enjoyable steaks). Most importantly, 4 Caledonian beers kept in good condition including some not seen usually in the area. Seem CAMRA-friendly too, which is good.
This is a pub that the area needs to balance the other pub types in the town. Hope it all works out, I will certainly continue to go when I can.
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I can confirm reports that the Red Lion has indeed reopened a couple of weeks ago, having visited this (Sunday) lunchtime. It's now styling itself as a "Bar and Restaurant" rather than a pub, though the bar area does seem quite large. It's been very nicely refurnished, lots of exposed brick, natural woods, and quite tastefully decorated. The majority of the space is given over to the dining area though, not sure you'd call it a pub any more really. They are serving beers from the Caledonian Brewery in Edinburgh (which I used to pass on the bus to and from school every day thirty odd years ago - nice to find out it's still brewing!). I had a pint of the Flying Scotsman, which I hadn't tried before but it was very good indeed. We stayed for lunch, the Sunday menu is all roasts (quite a variety), I'm told the chicken was good, I have to say the only veggie option (the "no meat" roast, basically all the trimmings with a sauce instead of gravy) was fairly (ok, very) unimaginative, but they do have a couple of (slightly) less boring options on the menu for the rest of the week. I hope the new owners can make a success of this place, Bracknell (particularly central Bracknell) has been a wasteland as far as decent pubs and food is concerned for a while, and this place has the potential to change that.
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The local newspaper is reporting that the Red Lion is under new management and has just reopened following a five week refurbishment. Yet to try it but will report when I do!
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Went past this run down pub last night (Friday @ 9pm) and it was shut!
Has the place been closed down does anyone know?
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Just popped in for a pint and was dissappointed not to see the irish lady who was there about a month ago. She always had a smile and a warm welcome and good clean beer, and as was made in the last comment she made it possible to drink the speckled hen and guinness. Seen a few faces back which makes me think it will return to the loud crowd bullies, but i hope it wont. Nice old building worth saving.
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came upon this pub by chance, an oasis in the desert that's bracknell town centre..speckled hen was everything it was supposed to be...the locals were pleasant and chatty,and were saying good things about the new landlord 'tee',who'd only been there for just over a month but had made a recognisable impression...lovely old building that needs some money spent on it...if i'm in the area again i'll definitely pop in.
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Mistakenly gatecrashed a funeral in here. Served quick, drunk up and left. Average
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Oh dear. What a disgusting place this is. Went in with a mate for a lunchtime pint. Woman behind the bar was serving two girls (food order and 2 cokes - why dont these people go to a cafe ?) We were quite clearly next and yet she served 2 other people before us, again they ordered food 'can we have chips as well please'....again they didnt order alcohol. I had the temerity to politely mutter 'excuse me' to the landlady purely to gain her attention that we were STILL waiting. She launched into a tirade which went something like this "you'll get served when IM ready..these people are before you". Apart from the original snackers we were the only people in the pub. The latter couple arrived after us. As we all know there is an art to serving people in order. Indeed there was a chapter in a book called 'watching the English' devoted soley to the very same. Perhaps the harridan in this pub should have a read someday.
So after 20 minutes of frustration we got a bus back to work spitting feathers. Disgrace.
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I'm convinced there should be laws against allowing listed buildings like the Red Lion, to become so run down. It's mainly a cosmetic thing, I suppose, but the flaking walls, filthy carpet, stinking toilets and unwelcoming atmosphere, dont do this beautiful building any justice. The staff are ok, the range of beers is limited, but by no means the worst in town. Most times I've gone in there, the London Pride has been off (not available). The food is poor, and there are no suprises on the menu. A pub is often made or broken by the folk who drink in there, and the folk who drink in the RL would probably consider sleeping on straw, and urinating in private, posh and suck up. It's a new town local pub for new town local people, and at times has the atmosphere of a drop in centre for the culturally disadvantaged. Best avoided.
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Not as bad as the signs on the doors stating that as a condition of entry that you accept that the management and security staff may carry out body searches might suggest. Not quite.
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Despite being a bit overpriced a damn fine pub to have a pint during a weekday lunchtime. Cannot fault it, spacious, a garden (yes summer has arrived) and compared to the other horror show joints in bracknell this is the best on offer.
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Bring back Ken and Pat. The pub has not been the same since they left. Service is atrocious, went in for a sandwich one lunchtime and after being told 3 times it was on it's way I eventually had to get a refund as I didn't have time to wait any longer without being late back to work. the pool table recently installed is not level so the balls tend to just go in one direction. I used to drink here frequently but now only go there to meet people and move on.
Bring back Ken and Pat - 12 Jul 2004 08:55 |
