BITE user comments - Clive_Pendleton
Comments by Clive_Pendleton
Why the English want to go to a city rightly famous for it's beer houses, and come here, beggars belief. However, I realise that on Saturday/Sunday afternoons, we start hankering for live footy. There are far better (but rarely great) places up the sideroads off Wenceslas Sq, where you can get a decent local pint, watch the latest boring Prem' match on giant screens, and mix with skulking stag parties. Get your football fix and go search out something more interesting.
5 Aug 2008 12:57
I agree with almost everything here... we went for the beer, and were turned away, which seemed a bit rude (but that service is typical in central Prague). Returned a day or so later, in the afternoon, and had beer along with fried bread and raw garlic - a snack which lived with us for days. Great big, very interesting, brewpub - but there is better beer to be had.
22 Jul 2008 13:24
The sinister staring locals, unfortunately, simply aren't as scary as some of the reviews here make out. It's a locals boozer, fair enough, but I've had far worse experience of cold shoulder than anything the bunch of old duffers which make up the clientele could muster. They seem reasonably genial to me, and I only visit every six months or so. The only pub, I know of, with a pewter bar. Quite odd. Actually that goes for the whole pub. Reasonable ale though. One of the best pubs in Harpenden, which doesn't say as much as it should.
22 Jul 2008 13:00
Seems to be perpetually changing hands, and clutching at straws. A pity because, not so very long ago, this was a decent boozer. Visited last Saturday night - place was deserted, before a sudden rush of local youths... and five minutes later a rush of local OAPs. Can't imagine either group can be much impressed. Neither was I, one pint and out.
22 Jul 2008 12:51
Having been giving the place a wide berth for quite a few months, I re-visited the Gardeners in June... and, now there's a decent guest beer, it all seems quite decent again. Not sure how long this will last, but whoever is running the place now seems to be doing alright.
2 Jul 2008 13:15
Bar tends to get packed, while the adjoining Thai restaurant remains comparatively empty. Fair food there, by the way, nothing terrific (except staff clothing).
The pub is best avoided, really, when it's packed; but when its quiet, this is a great place. Beer a bit overpriced, but there you go.
19 Jun 2008 13:12
The Carpenters Arms, Harpenden
Ordering lager in this CAMRA bolthole would almost certainly induce a frosty reception. Quite right too.
Full of ageing ale coinnesseurs, all seem very pleased with the pub & themselves. And good luck to 'em, it's a great little place.
Also good as, pushing 40 myself, this is one of the last places where my girlfriend and I can still go and feel young.
19 Jun 2008 13:01
I'd say the beer, unique to this pub, is something quite special. Yes, it's a real pain - the staff are ridiculously persistent with the Becherova. They take no for an answer eventually... but they'll be back in five minutes to pester again ("but it is tradition"). Bar staff in Prague are famously surly, but I've no problem with "beer plonk" service, especially when it's this good. Full of singing Teutons, encouraged by the Oom-pah band. I've never been in early enough to miss a German singalong, but advise getting here as early as possible. They have a sing-along cabaret most evenings... if ever there was a MUST-MISS night in Prague, that has to be it.
13 Jun 2008 12:49
I might suggest that "nice enough" is enough to make a place special in Luton... meanwhile, dependable stalwart though it is, is Tiger ever special? But, anyway, apologies "Bart" for any offence. Thankfully the pub has managed to accrue enough negative feedback (no doubt from discerning local drinkers) to take it out of the Top 40...
2 Jun 2008 10:55
Great pub. Shame about the clientele. My girlfriend and I visited for the cricket and naturally, with the huge amount of memorabilia on the walls, this was a very interesting place with decent ale. We would�ve stayed longer but for the group of ridiculously drunk and leery locals, clearly old enough to know better, taking the p*ss & trying to pick arguments with people (ourselves included) they�d identified as �up for the cricket�. Still, apart from the pondlife, a great pub.
2 Jun 2008 10:40
Blimey, getting into the �top ten� certainly attracts the bitchy comments doesn�t it? Maybe it isn�t the best pub in the world, but then I�m not sure how much value can be held in the opinions of recent contributors such as Mr �bilbosballbags�. Meanwhile comments about BITE �coming of age� from a contributor calling him/herself �Bart Simpson� should be given the respect they deserve.
One wonders if Bart and Bilbo are old enough to get into pubs, let alone ever visited The Brickies in their lives� or are just sad detractors blighting what, in the main, is a decent site? Just don�t let your local dare creep into the Top Ten.
Still, for what it�s worth, and as it�s five minutes walk from my house, The Bricklayers Arms is an excellent hostelry � and welcome to all (including fictional characters, if they can behave).
29 May 2008 10:47
Back to Clive_Pendleton's profile
Buckwilds, Luton
Now reopened as "The Green Room".
6 Oct 2008 12:42