BITE user comments - Hzy
Comments by Hzy
Didn't enjoy it really. Staff were friendly enough, but beer was expensive, even for this part of town, and it's just a bit grotty really. If you're in the downstairs bar you can smell the gents from inside the bar. The gents, incidentally, should be condemned. I (honestly) had to go outside for some fresh air afterwards. Won't say avoid it, because I'm not really sure what was wrong with it (apart from the toilets, of course). But something was, something.
16 Sep 2006 16:14
Too loud, (far) too expensive and too much up its own arse. Beer (Staropramen) was watery and flat, cheeseburger was, frankly, a torrid affair, and the least said about the (excruciatingly slow) service the better. I know other people who like it, and I don't understand it. OK, compared to some of the other pubs round there it's not bad, but for goodness' sake don't take that as a recommendation. Not keen at all.
16 Sep 2006 15:56
Soulless and spiritless. My rating's only 1 and not 0 because they serve beer here (slowly). The pits, really. Rather go to the Costcutter next door, buy a can of Kestral and drink it sitting in the middle of the (busy) road. Well, not really, but you know what I mean. If you like pubs, don't go here.
16 Sep 2006 15:48
Quite a nice pub let down by appalling staff who were very, very rude. Worth not going solely for this reason, which is a shame really, because it's got potential: even the "beer garden" (which is basically a cul-de-sac round the back) doesn't ruin it. It's just the staff. Maybe I just caught them on an off day, but I don't think I'll risk going again to find out.
16 Sep 2006 15:43
Excellent. Great staff, lots of character, fine ales. What more do you want? Gets a little crowded at times, but so what? Can't fault it, really.
16 Sep 2006 15:32
The Marlborough Head, Marble Arch
This place is the pits, but I like it. It's kind-of fun inside, it's in a decent location and the Kronenbourg's good. Now here comes the river. It's extremely smoky. The toilets are grim and have flies in. They never fill your pint up to a reasonable level: I ALWAYS have to ask them to top it up (and I like a head on my beer); this happens so often, it must be on purpose, must be. They have a habit of turning the music up now and then to just above the level that it's feasible to have a conversation at, just when you're having an interesting one. Staff can be extremely stroppy. But - some of them are very attractive. All that said, I still like it. It's a good, nasty, fun place to get pissed on a work night. And it's not too busy. Love-hate all the way. The best thing is to watch tourists with their kiddies come in off Oxford Street to experience a traditional English pub, turn round and leave immediately scared beyond belief. Absolutely classic.
16 Sep 2006 12:50
Decent pub in a area populated with bad ones. Staff have been a bit stroppy lately, mind you I usually go on a Friday after work when they get really busy, not that that's an excuse. Good things: it's cheap, the beer's good, the pub itself is traditional (check the stained glass windows) and it's in a damn good location. Bad things: when it gets busy you have to stand outside on the pavement, which is (although obviously not their fault) not quite so much fun. And the staff should cheer up. Come on - you're not doing me a favour here, you're doing your job.
16 Sep 2006 12:40
Ye Old Bell & Steelyard, Woodbridge
Rather nice this pub. Staff friendly. Can't say there's a massive selection of beers but the IPA I had went down well. Have eaten a steak'n'ale pie here on two occasions, very, very tasty indeed. They do have themed nights but I haven't been to one (wouldn't want to spoil it :)). Don't miss the old steelyard machinery on the side of the building, it's quite impressive.
16 Sep 2006 12:35
Surprisingly good pub in Brentwood. Really nice beer garden. Inside's a bit rough round the edges (in terms of furnishings) but hey. One too many TVs inside. Bar staff pretty friendly, which makes a real change around here. When you consider the other (horrific) pub options in Brentwood, this one's pretty darn good.
16 Sep 2006 12:31
Wonderful. Very easy to spend all afternoon here. Nice selection of ales and very friendly bar staff: even the young ones look happy to work there which makes a change. Beer festival in August well worth a visit. Walk back to Ingatestone on country roads always good for a laugh. Best pub in the area by far.
16 Sep 2006 12:23
The Railway Hotel, West Horndon
Not good at all. It's the sort of pub where everyone looks round at you when you enter, and proceeds to stare at you until you leave. Staff not particularly friendly. Beer nothing special: ale was pretty tired. Didn't eat so couldn't comment on the food. Avoid.
16 Sep 2006 16:21