The Purple Dog, Colchester - pub details
Previously called: The Clarence
Address: 42 Eld Lane, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1LS [map] [gmap]
Tel: 0871 951 1000 (ref 31873) - calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras
Colchester Town (0.2 miles), Colchester (1 mile), Hythe (1.2 miles)
> Current user rating: 6.5/10 (rated by 17 users)
other pubs nearby:
Brewers Arms, Colchester (0.0 miles), Little Crown, Colchester (0.1 miles), Rileys, Colchester (0.1 miles), Fashion Cafe Bar, Colchester (0.1 miles), Silk Road Lounge and Cocktail Bar, Colchester (0.1 miles) - see more nearby pubs
user reviews of the Purple Dog, Colchester
please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
5 most recent reviews of 17 shown - see all reviews
| Street corner pub in the old town, around 6 real ales on and courteous service from the bar staff. The renaming seems to have been done in an attempt to make it trendy and the interior, whilst comfortable seems to be particularly sterile and not very welcoming. 10/10 for beer selection but the interior leaves much to be desired. manx_888 - 20 Jan 2015 20:26 |
| Third port of call on Saturday 18 after starting at the Odd One Out, New Inn, Foresters and ending at the Victoria. This pub used to be the Clarence and I’m pretty sure I’ve not been in more than once in my lifetime, and can’t see myself returning. There was nothing wrong with the beer, mainly Adnams but also the ubiquitous and ghastly Doombar; we all plumped for the Woodforde’s Wherry which apart from being slightly cold was otherwise excellent. The building is clearly old yet the inside was curiously lacking in character and atmosphere, it was painted an off white (with a hint of purple?) and had a bare soulless feel to it. I suspect at night the clientele is a lot younger and livelier; hence not being my type of pub. Curious but interesting addition to the beer guide by CAMRA but not as odd as the stupid name. I’ll still give it 7/10 for the beer quality and choice. Monkdawallydahonk - 25 Apr 2014 08:34 |
| We were looking for a meal and a pint one Saturday evening, but practically everywhere we looked at was heaving with rugger buggers watching the Calcutta Cup. We eventually stumbled over the Purple Dog and very nearly ignored it on account of the self-consciously quirky name. That would have been a mistake. As it happened a quick glance through the window revealed an empty table so we decided to give it a go. Result. I think I counted five proper beers: Two Adnams, Doom Bar, Brewer's Gold and Woodforde's Wherry. The Gold and the Werry were well up to spec and the food, while being standard pub grub, was absolutely fine, arrived quickly and was relatively cheap. It's not often I get change out of £30 for two pints and two meals. And despite the daft name it's not particularly horribly purpley inside. Mostly the decor is English Pub; I notice one radiator painted purple. So, I said to Milady as we drained our beers. Just what on earth was wrong with "The Clarence" ? Someone, she said, probably said something similar when they changed the name in 1881 Royed - 9 Feb 2014 09:39 |
| Formerly known as The Clarence, I normally presume catchy names such as 'Purple Dog' synonymous with bad can't be @rsed served ale (if you're lucky)...and I'm normally right! In this case however I am wrong - four ales on cask (two local) and one on gravity (also local). Had two Colchester Brewery ales and both in good condition - friendly staff and mixed crowd - believe it is open until 1.30am weekends. kernott1 - 7 Oct 2013 20:03 |
| It;s hard not to be at least mildly approving of any pub that has wherry on tap but this did prove to be something of a disappointment. The atmsophere is a bit clinical and Britain's Brightest beaming down from the big screens was a superfluous addition. A cut above other modernly furnished pubs but only by a whisker. BoehmBawerk - 10 Feb 2013 11:51 |
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