BITE user comments - Kliff_P
Comments by Kliff_P
Note they appear to have dropped the 'no tracksuits' policy, so it remains as downmarket as the other pubs in town.
19 Feb 2008 17:25
During the day and early evening the service is atrocious, you can easily wait 10 minutes or more to be served by the only bartender.
19 Feb 2008 17:22
The Olde Smack Inn, Leigh On Sea
Despite the previous post, they don't seem to have live music every Thursday. I've often seen it advertised outside, but frequently it fails to appear. Strange that...
19 Feb 2008 17:17
Cheap drinks!? You must be kidding! If you sign up to their loyalty card nonsense then maybe... BTW, their WiFi is not always working, not a major issue for most, but worth knowing if it's important to you.
19 Feb 2008 17:11
Note this pub does not have wi-fi access as claimed, otherwise it's nice enough.
21 Nov 2007 18:50
I'll qualify that last review, staff are usually very busy, but not always friendly! Some of the female staff look soooo miserable and can be huffy. As with The Smack, the gents toilets are a disgrace.
28 Aug 2007 13:25
Nice sleekly designed bar with comfy sofas. Has WIFI too, but that seems a bit out of place with the clientele, which often consists of the "Bruv" chav/criminal underclass, which is the curse of most Southend pubs.
15 Aug 2007 17:51
It's quirky for sure, grungy and likeable, which is great IMO, but staff can be irritatingly slow, preferring to chat to regulars rather than serving.
1 Jul 2007 17:17
Yates Wine Lodge, Southend on Sea
Pretty grim place primarily populated by chavs, the more pleasant second floor area is now reserved for snooker lads and laddettes. Good visibility of the plasma screens on the walls, but some have been faulty for a long time. Service tends to be slow.
1 Jul 2007 17:12
Looks quite pleasant from the outside, but there's nothing else appealing about this pub. Expensive and exceedingly dull.
13 Sep 2006 00:47
Actually Hickey, although it seems like it, the alcoholics aren't nailed there, they spend the entire day staggering/shuffling between The Moon, The Towngate and Cahoots. A truly uplifting sight ;O)
2 Sep 2006 13:20
Seems my original review got lost :-(
This bar was formerly Rubarto and Yates before that. Cheaper drinks than the former and comfy seating, which is an improvement over the sterile atmosphere of Rubarto. Remains understaffed and can take a while to get served.
Apparently has a welcome anti-chav no 'tracksuit bottoms' policy, but only when there are bouncers on duty in the evening.
2 Sep 2006 13:12
The Riga Music Bar, Westcliff On Sea
Was dragged along by a friend, never again! Just full of old chain-smoking guys attempting to relive their youth by watching lame tribute bands and third division no-hopers.
30 Aug 2006 14:24
Despite being populated by 'the usual suspects' at times, this has a better atmosphere to it than most Wetherspoons' pubs. Service is quick, tables are tidy.
30 Aug 2006 13:35
Sprawling old pub, cheap but rather cheerless. Not quite as bad as I thought it'd be though. As others have suggested, more staff would improve it.
30 Aug 2006 13:17
The Olde Smack Inn, Leigh On Sea
They've replaced some of the shabbier seating now thankfully. The toilet cubicles in the gents are still a disgrace, absurdly small and usually with no working locks.
30 Aug 2006 13:10
The Mariners Court, Leigh on Sea
Rather expensive and not a great choice of beers. Always seems to be populated by a group of loud 'lads' in the centre. Okay for a quick drink or meal.
30 Aug 2006 13:04
Another visit has made me change my mind about this place in the evening. It's now as unpleasant as you might think! The so called non-smoking section has now been engulfed by snooker tables, the male bar staff were the most uncouth you could imagine. Couldn't get out of there fast enough!
1 Jul 2006 14:10
Considering the location, this is actually (slightly) better than you might think, albeit clogged full of chain-smoking undesireables throughout the day. Is better in the evening, and the non-smoking section can actually be quite pleasant and relaxing.
26 Feb 2006 18:14
Refreshing that the managment should become non-smoking ahead of schedule, kudos to them for that. Can be difficult to get served, but staff do their best especially considering the chav-tastic regulars who populate it, some of whom appear to live there.
Note that all the chain-smoking chavs have migrated to the adjacent Towngate pub.
26 Feb 2006 17:55
The Olde Smack Inn, Leigh On Sea
Very dark old pub, to the point where it becomes quite depressing at times. It helps to disguise the rather shabby seating though! It backs on to the Thames, which can be pleasant in summer.
26 Feb 2006 17:46
Small little bar, poor choice of drinks. Is far too small as a venue for live music, which tends to be pretty bland and performed by dreary old busker types.
26 Feb 2006 17:43
The Peter Boat, Leigh on Sea
Now under new ownership and what a difference! Some major improvments - some much needed refurbishment has taken place which makes for a more pleasurable experience and the staff now more plentiful and friendlier.
17 Jun 2009 17:08