BITE user comments - OldRogue
Comments by OldRogue
First visit here having passed it many times. Great pub food at a cheap price, decent pint with what looks like a regular changing selection of ales, and friendly staff (no sign of the surly landlord referred to in the posts below...).
Looks a bit rundown from the outside, but in a way that adds some charm as most other pubs in central Woodstock are done up to the nines and obviously focused on dining tourists. Inside it's cosy, with a big wood stove by the bar. In all I found it a friendly place with some genuine character, and will be back to enjoy the garden in summer.
16 Nov 2014 18:38
Great pub, full range of Wye Valley ales on in good condition. Cosy interior and a nice welcome from both bar staff and the regulars. Definitely worth a visit
8 Nov 2014 22:33
Another fine session last night, great welcome, efficient staff and as always superb choice of seasonal and local ales.
24 Dec 2013 12:11
Fair comment below, it's a pretty overrated pub by the standards of others around it, the nearby Kings Arms for example has a much more interesting choice of beer. I'd still go in for a drink but it wouldn't be first choice. I guess it's in every tourist book (as a "hidden gem" perhaps!) and the setting is pretty quirky, but sadly as a result it's got a complacent attitude.
2 Jan 2013 14:02
The Craft Beer Co, City of London
Another good trip down here, and impressed once again by the range of ales (not to mention other beers) and knowledgeable staff. The choice of pumps seemed a bit more varied in style this time rather than just having say lots of types of IPA as I remember in the past.
Enormous pork pies are maybe a bit steep at a fiver for a half, but damn tasty and I'd buy one again.
2 Jan 2013 13:57
Agree fully with the review below. Not a place to go for character or a quiet pint. But a good atmospher, and a suprisingly good range of ales including at least two stouts when I was in over Christmas. Certainly a good bet if in the area.
2 Jan 2013 13:54
This is a really excellent little pub, tucked in a small back street with an unspoilt interior and a world away from the sprawling city bars nearby. Several well selected ales on pump and a friendly knowledgeable landlord who insisted we taste another ale after he'd already poured our pints! A true gent.
2 Jan 2013 13:49
This pub is amazing, it's the type of village pub you close your eyes to imagine but then rarely find. Unspoilt cottage style interior, with tiled floors, old benches and a fire. But then you go out back and there's this huge garden on a lawn, with attractive planting all round it (rather than the "benches dumped in a car park" look you often see...).
Friendly lady I think was the landlady and bar staff, the food is also excellent and good value at �8-�12 a main dish. And then there's the great ale - particularly from the XT brewery a mile up the road - the XT1 is the most mild in the range but packs so much flavour.
21 Aug 2012 13:28
Has to be one of the very best pubs in north Oxford, just gets everything right. Old Hooky always on, think Shotover is pretty regular too. The courtyard garden out back has a mediteranean feel with vines above and yellow painted benches, while there are also a few chairs out front on the attractive street.
The landlord Andrew is a brilliant character, classic moment the other evening when one of the bar staff asked if I wanted a handle or straight glass, he just came over and gently explained Old Hooky should always be in a handle. Just don't use your phone in the pub (and quite right too...)
21 Aug 2012 13:22
Finally paid this one a visit, didn't eat there but everything else is spot on. Cosy unspoilt interior, good ales, and a decent sized well looked after garden out the back. Maintains a real local feel. I just wonder if anyone's told them most ales aren't vegetarian...
21 Aug 2012 13:16
Pies are excellent, and a nice vantage point above Walton Street on their outside terrace. Forget what the ales were but think there were one or two good ones. Slightly odd inside with the weird level changes, but adds to the quirky feel.
21 Aug 2012 13:14
Great makeover and seems to be doing well. Quite an intimate interior with old books round the walls and mood lighting, but still somewhere you can go as a group also.
Very much still a pub where you can still just go for a drink, they also do some tasty random bar snacks from the kitchen (sausage rolls a while back but think it changes weekly).
21 Aug 2012 13:12
Still a good bet, and a surprisingly nice large garden out the back I only recently found! Fullers beers well kept, agree the inside lost something with the most recent make over but still a great neighbourhood pub.
21 Aug 2012 13:08
The Bookbinders Ale House, Oxford
Back in fine form, having been shut for a while after a few dodgy months. The free monkey nuts have also returned, several good ales on, think they're doing food too.
21 Aug 2012 13:06
Excellent place, with a truly large selection of Belgian beers that would put many a Brussels bar to shame. Food very nice and good value, and friendly staff. Absolute must if you happen to be in south Paris
12 Jun 2012 13:21
A superb place, well worth a visit in its own right. At least 6-8 aleas on pump when I went, with several from newer local breweries like XT (on fine form). Good vibe in there too. Only minor negative would be the courtyard which was a bit tatty with rusting furniture and junk out there.
12 Jun 2012 13:19
A great local village pub, with a traditional feel inside and nice garden out back. I found the staff very friendly, and particularly helpful when I got stranded there with a flat bike tyre.
12 Jun 2012 13:15
Fantastic pub, great to see it back in use after a few years closed. Excellent beer and the landlord is passionate about it - climbed down into the cellar to bring me a taste of something he'd just racked up./
There's a box of old records in the corner and a record player to put them on, and an awesome pub cat called Malcolm I think.
Regarding the list of "rules" I couldn't see one I disagreed with! Sanitised chain pub this aint, but if you want a cracking pint and some real Bristol atmospher pop in.
29 May 2012 18:09
Absolutely superb, and in my view one of the best pubs in England. It's a Hook Norton Ales pub so no problems with the beer, and a really good unspoilt traditional interior of an old coaching inn. Open fire and friendly staff - though sadly the much feared pub cat Cromwell passed away in July.
Spent new years eve there, the place was heaving with a hog roast and good band, free entry, and if that's not enough they brought round bottles of fizz to everytable, on the house, to toast the new year. And even better they had excellent Hooky Double Stout on draught.
2 Jan 2012 17:53
Renamed to the Lady Ottoline and totally refurbed. Not sure what it was like before, but a good bet now. The revamp has been sympathetic to the original interior, and it has an old time uncluttered feel while remaining intimate and cheery. Friendly bar staff, they came over before last orders to ask if we wanted anything else, and when we said yes served it and brought it over! Now that's service. And the gents must be the finest pub toilet in London.
Beers were good, Mad Goose on I think, plus a couple of others.
2 Jan 2012 17:47
A great traditional Victorian pub, remains one of the best in the area. Usually 3-4 ales on, the Woodforde Wherry was in fine form when I went in the other day.
2 Jan 2012 17:42
Great vibe and a few good ales on - Sharps Abbey Christmas was tasting good. Yes it's a bit trendy and not where to go if you want a traditional boozer but quite like it and offers something for most people.
2 Jan 2012 17:40
Dire, not one Hobgoblin ale in sight, and a strange dark interior, think they must be aiming for the goth crowd.
2 Jan 2012 17:37
Had a nice vibe to it, and friendly barman. Had Doombar still, but also a lesser known Sharps beer called Coaster, which was on good form. Was pleasantly surprised overall, have passed it over the years and never stopped in before.
2 Jan 2012 17:36
Great pub with a good range of ales. Manages to have the feeling of a lively local, despite being 5 mins walk from Waterloo. Having never managed to get to the Kings Arms when open, so far this would be my favourite pub in the area.
2 Jan 2012 17:31
Interior a bit quirky, personally quite liked it. Didn't sample the ale so can't comment on it but decent pint of Broklyn Lager.
2 Jan 2012 17:28
A great find in an unpromising area. Suddenly appears coming round the bend from Queenstown Rd station and dominates a corner spot. The inside is farily traditional with the odd quirky bit, and ales in good form. Well worth a visit and looking at the reviews below wishing I'd had a burger!
2 Jan 2012 17:26
Pleasantly surprised as this one gets some mixed reviews. A really good choice of ales on pump, and a pretty unspoilt Victorian interior. I would agree service at the bar was slow (why only two staff on when it was busy and there's a long bar?), and some of the ales listed on the blackboard turn out not to be available. However you could do a lot worse and better than an identikit chain pub as it has some real character.
2 Jan 2012 17:23
The Royal Standard, Wandsworth
Lacked much in the way of ale, just one on I think. Felt a bit bare inside.
2 Jan 2012 17:20
Superb place, a real genuine pub that ticks all the boxes. Open coal/wood fire burning and a good range of local and other ales. The back opens into a spacious room with a pitched roof, when we visited they had a massive (real) Christmas tree and mulled wine on.
2 Jan 2012 17:18
Nice solid local, probably wouldn't make a special journey but has a nice feel and would drop by if in the area - a short walk from Barnes station across the common. A few good ales on pump.
2 Jan 2012 17:15
Good riverside location with some nice tables up in the bay windows looking out on the Thames. Rest of the pub is a bit cavernous and bland with a chain feel. We went on a quiet afternoon but guessing in summer it's rammed with people eating.
2 Jan 2012 17:12
Great neighbourhood local, prominent location on a corner in a residential road. Nice wood stove burning and a good atmosphere. Choice of ales could be improved with just the two normal Youngs beers Bitter and Special - the latter was on good form tho. Put a few more ales on and it would be a solid 8/10.
2 Jan 2012 17:10
Nice cosy feel, with a good selection of well kept Fullers ales, ESB was good. Lots of rugby memorabilia on the walls.
Not sure where some of the offensive reviews below come from but I'd ignore them this is a decent pub.
2 Jan 2012 17:07
St Margarets Tavern, St Margarets
Nice spacious feel, shame it's a Greene King so beer choice a bit limited.
Off topic, but recommend the butcher opposite for a pork pie on the way out!
2 Jan 2012 16:59
Good beers with a few local breweries on the pumps. Also a good range of bar snacks - scotch egg particularly good. Definately worth a visit if in the area
2 Jan 2012 16:56
The Squire Bassett, Kidlington
Seems to have its ups and downs. Went in the other day, had a good Hobgoblin but they keep it a secret - no pump clips on the bar!
Atmosphere could be improved a bit but the weird manequins have gone...
28 Dec 2011 19:04
The Highwayman Hotel, Kidlington
Somewhat improved from its worst days, however lacked atmosphere inside, and the pub garden which could be lovely as its on the canal instead has wonky tables and a nice view of some industrial units. A bit of effort and it could be a real hit like the Jolly Boatman at Thrupp. On the plus side Old Hooky was on tap and in good form.
28 Dec 2011 19:01
Popped in last weekend, just as good as ever. Nice log fire going. Dragon's Blood was drinking well.
27 Dec 2011 15:44
Stopped in here last year, fantastic range of ales and friendly feel. Food excellent value. Totally unexpected find on a mini-roundabout at the edge of town but certainly worth a trip.
11 Oct 2011 13:28
The Halfway House Inn, Kingsand
Good ales on tap, sampled the Doom Bar and a tasty Sharps seasonal Autumn Red, both very good and a friendly landlord behind the bar. Great starter of whitebait at the bar, followed with excellent fish and chips.
A mixed crowd of locals and people eating with a friendly feel, at least three large dogs in there too (brought by punters not the landlord's!). Nice cosy feel, and two large wood burning stoves, which would make for a nice place to dry out in winter. Everything a local seaside pub should be.
11 Oct 2011 13:25
Nice interior, packed out on a Friday night, full of locals in good cheer, nice to see a local pub doing so well. Perhaps a victim of it's own success as we didn't stay for a pint and went down to the Halfway House, will have to return on a quieter evening.
11 Oct 2011 13:20
Nice view over the bay, not a very traditional feel to the interior, but quite cosy. Unfortunately the first pint I had was off, but it was changed without a fuss (although the barmaids admitted they didn't like ale!)
11 Oct 2011 13:18
Think this deserves a better rating than 5/10 - not a traditional pub, but does now have some good ale pumps, plus a very good choice of bottle beers like Coopers Green and a range of Belgians. Quite a decent area for drinking plus a nice covered outside area. A great bet for a Saturday night for a chill out pint and chat, when everything else on nearby George Street is sweaty and rammed with stag dos. 7/10
5 Oct 2011 13:49
Superb pub, with a welcoming barman who was very enthusiastic about the beer. Recommended the Purple Moose Brewery beer, which packed a lot of flavour despite a low %. Think the other ale on pump was Bass.
A great unspoilt interior with a lot of local history, and also a pleasant seating area out front in the pedestrianised lane. A real must if in the area.
26 Sep 2011 13:24
The Craft Beer Co, City of London
A great addition to the area, popped in yesterday for the first time. Staff very enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the beer, must've been 15+ ales on (many I hadn't even heard of) plus a long line of interesting looking lager pumps. And then there are the bottles to choose from! Oh and they sell massive pork pies.
Farringdon/Clerkenwell has so many good pubs already but this is another essential on any pub crawl round there.
26 Aug 2011 13:27
Nice pub, modern feel but gets the atmosphere right. Very good Old Hooky on tap when I went.
13 Sep 2010 13:16
What a stunning find, on a cold December eve. Open wood fires with armchairs, the full range of Timothy Taylor ales including a stout I think, and teeth breaking pork scratchings. V friendly atmosphere too, a real break from the usual identikit pubs.
1 Feb 2010 13:54
All change here, under new ownership. Complete makeover inside, with a really welcoming feel. Trational feel with exposed beams etc. Interesting menu, a foodies pub with exotic specials such as half lobster, and big wine selection, but also more reasonable down to earth pub dishes at around �8-�10. Nicely kept ales, and open on a Sunday too! Really nice to see a success made of it.
9 Aug 2009 20:44
How things change. Terrible visit yesterday. Under new management, food now possibly the worst ever. Grisly, grey burger (prob picked up in Iceland) in just a bun, not even a leaf of sald. Soggy limp chips, and rank peas. You'd get much better from a roadside burger van and pay less too.
Atmosphere inside depressing, back in with the all-pine look and no decoration. What a shame to see a really nice pub local transformed into a run of the mill boozer. Perhaps the fact we were the only people in at 2pm on a nice Saturday says it all.
9 Aug 2009 20:39
Nice traditional pub, good ales on which were well kept. Friendly locals and bar staff.
10 Jan 2009 19:02
The Prince of Wales, Kennington
Really good feeling neighbourhood pub - and people said there were no good pubs in Kennington. I'd be pleased to have it as a local.
10 Jan 2009 19:00
Fairly uninteresting interior, but friendly place. A couple of aleas on.
10 Jan 2009 18:59
Decent place for a few pints, well kept ales and a nice spacious feel - imagine if it's busy there's a good atmosphere.
10 Jan 2009 18:58
This place has an incredible selection of German and Belgian bottled beers, really impressive. Nice local feeling comfy pub, absolute must if you're in the area, and worth a trip in its own right.
10 Jan 2009 18:56
Closed for sometime, burn out by a fire apparently. A shame.
5 Jan 2009 14:09
Good busy local with a nice pint of ale, and a friendly atmosphere.
5 Jan 2009 14:06
Bit of a walk from the station, but well worth it. A thriving little Youngs local, with an excellent range of their beers, well kept. Nice island style bar and good seating areas, plus a few stools at the bar. This is how a proper Youngs pub should be. Really good bet for the area.
5 Jan 2009 14:03
Vibrant place with a nice bar to sit at, pretty busy mid afternoon. Can imagine it's rammed on a Friday night. Pint I had was decent, one or two ales to choose from.
5 Jan 2009 14:00
Sligtly quirky feel inside, a Victorian building stripped back. Good choice of beers although I didn't get the best pint of Deuchars. The crowd probably are a bit more "upmarket" than the average round these parts, but a good bet anyhow.
5 Jan 2009 13:55
Nice cosy feel with open gas fires. Good choice of Hopback beers and definately worth the trip if you're in the area. Outside patio would be good in the summer months.
5 Jan 2009 13:52
Trafalgar Freehouse, South Wimbledon
What an amazing find, and well deserving of its CAMRA award. You would never think to look for the place, tucked in the middle of an estate in a tiny old house. Fantastic choice of beer, and also perry on tap. Retro feeling bar and cosy front area. Lookout for the magic "Narnia" cupboard in the gents. I only wish it was my local!
5 Jan 2009 13:51
Good pint of Guiness, no ales however. Bit of a rowdy feel to it but friendly.
5 Jan 2009 13:47
The Shires Bar, St Pancras Station
Happy times spent here waiting for the train back to Derby - it felt more like something from there than a London pub. Not tried the replacement Betjeman Arms, but somehow I don't think it will quite match the character of this place. Still, it beats the portakabin temporary replacement on platform 12 which I guess has (thankfully) gone.
2 Jan 2009 11:19
A L'Imaige De Nostre-Dame, Brussels
Excellent place to stop off in, near a cluster of other good pubs. Good choice of beers and a friendly landlord.
31 Dec 2008 16:49
The Lamb and Flag, Covent Garden
Quality little place, pretty well unspoilt, and interesting public alleyway running right through the middle. Good ale on pump, probably one of the best round here if you're looking for an authentic cosy pub.
31 Dec 2008 16:28
Brilliant place, only discovered it recently. Execellent pint of Butcombe, pool table, cosy atmosphere and a friendly landlord. Great bet for a pint on the way into town, and handy for the station.
25 Aug 2008 19:16
Not great on the beer front, no real ale on at all when we went, though there were two pumps visible so perhaps we picked a bad night. Very local feeling crowd but friendly enough. Loud music inside and a bit lacking in atmosphere. Prob the best part is sitting out front of the old building with a good view of the market square.
15 Jul 2008 13:22
The Crown and Tuns, Deddington
Great pub, they specialise in pies of all sorts, all home made and very nice. Ok, a bit pricey at �10 a pie, but they're massive and come with plenty of chips or mash. Found the staff friendly and service very good.
On the beer side you couldn't complain at the selection of Hook Norton beers, including some seasonal/less well known ones. Had a bottle of the Double Stout so can't comment on how the draught is kept, but no complaints from my friend who had it.
A sound bet for a bit of good pub food and a nice pint.
15 Jul 2008 13:18
The Squire Bassett, Kidlington
Yeah I certainly agree it's better than it was in the days of the Squire Bassett, and they are trying hard. To be fair I haven't tried the food. They could do with improving the front forecourt if they want to attract more people in.
24 Jun 2008 14:10
Ok it's a bit chavy and has a dance floor, but they did serve a decent pint of ale when I was in, and it had a lively pretty good vibe to it. The best of the 3 in Kidlington centre.
24 Jun 2008 14:07
A weird place, very yokel feeling. Of the 3 pubs in that bit of Kildington I'd say the worse, although in terms of athetics it's better than the Red Lion.
24 Jun 2008 14:06
Great place, well kept ales, two different bars. Stayed the night there and the staff kept their word that the bar would be open as late as we wanted. Rooms are decent, clean and comfy, and a cracking breakfast too.
Interesting old building also, with some period features retained in the bar areas. Supposedly Charles I spent his last night there as a free man, certainly not a bad choice!
24 Jun 2008 14:03
The Nell Gwynne, Covent Garden
Nice little place to pop in, good for a couple of beers but maybe not a whole evening. Found the bar staff pretty friendly when I was there.
24 Jun 2008 13:59
Really nice place, and an interesting building. Food was excellent and good ales on. I found the service pretty good, though it was a quiet lunchtime.
Definately worth a visit if you're in the area.
24 Jun 2008 13:56
Recently burnt out after a kitchen fire. Don't go looking for beer or noodles anytime soon.
15 May 2008 14:10
Well the food may be getting better shortly. The Cock and Camel is now CLOSED, and gutted. Rumour has it that Jamie Oliver is opening some kind of bistro in its place, although George Street would be a strange choice. I guess we'll find out soon enough.
19 Feb 2008 22:22
The Squire Bassett, Kidlington
Nothing special, modern interior and lacking a bit in atmosphere. Service ok and reasonable beer, just nothing to get excited about.
11 Feb 2008 13:58
I can't believe I've forgotten to review this for so long. The other reviews are spot-on, a brilliant place and totally unspoilt for the area, plus handy to meet in from the tube. An absolute must.
4 Jan 2008 13:54
Florrie I don't "begrudge" good food of any cuisine, and I'm happy to pay for it, but at the same time I'm discerning about it, especially when I'm being charged those sorts of prices. It was pretty good overall but overly rich with cream, and no sort of balance to the main dish.
Maybe the chef has layed off the stuff a bit recently which would be good news. If it's a consolation I thought the starter was highly imaginative and first rate.
The point is that what was there before was a great authentic pub with very good traditional home-cooked food at sensible prices. In it's transformation they seem to have lost some of that character.
But yes it remains a great pub and I wish them well too.
2 Oct 2007 13:50
An improvement on what was there before, a bit overpriced but nice sofas etc. Ok if you're in the area
12 Sep 2007 13:36
Not the best place but you could do worse. A decent pub if you're in the area and want a few pints before heading on somewhere else.
12 Sep 2007 13:32
Now closed and being turned into a Wagamamas. No great loss looking at the place.
12 Sep 2007 13:27
A quality place, good pub grub and a cosy interior with little rooms an alcoves. Occasional live fiddler nights as well. Sadly no real ale on when I visited just a drab pint of McEwans, though they've got a good selection of whisky to compensate. I'd have to agree with flatcapman though the bar was heaving while the landlord enjoyed his pint with the locals. His perogative though I guess!
12 Sep 2007 13:21
Fantastic pub, really good menu with lots of fresh fish at reasonable prices and a daily specials board. The smoked fish platter was amazing. Deuchars IPA on pump and an impressive selection of single malts. Gets popular in the evening for food so get there early.
12 Sep 2007 13:17
Cotswold lager was lovely, a nice change if you fancy a lager on a hot day. Have to agree with Marylou on the refurb tho, while very nice, the prices were steep. The cheff seems to have a cream adiction too as everything came in a rich cream sauce, even the veg!
Having said this it remains a great bet if you're in the area, second perhaps only to the Black Horse at Naunton.
29 Aug 2007 13:43
Such a shame, the tale of Smiles' demise is a sad one indeed. How many places are there in the 21st century where you can be in the trendy city centre, and have a pint of ale brewed in the brewery next door. And we're not talking micro-brewery scale, every barrel of Smiles made originated from this place. The �10 brewery tour with generous "tastings" and a meal thrown in was fantastic.
Sadly once Smiles sold their 7 or 8 pubs to Youngs, they lost the outlet for most of their product and things went down hill. Too small to compete in the UK ale market but too big for micro scale. And getting lorries down Park Row can't have been easy.
The brewery closed and the atmosphere in the tap never really recovered. When you consider the excellent pubs all around that area, plus the opening of the very nice Zero Degrees over the road it was never going to last.
Just a shame that such an icon has turned into presumably yet another tacky block of overpriced flats.
19 Jun 2007 13:22
Amazing to return here, feels like coming home. Good beer list and the litre draught glasses are good for when you want a nice light lager after all those 12% trappists!
7 Jun 2007 13:33
Distinctly unimpressed. Yes they have hundreds of beers, but the staff are ill informed, and for atmosphere think cheap english student basement bar and you're not far off. Plus packed with sweaty brits on the pull, there's no reason to bother with going.
7 Jun 2007 13:31
The high ceilings and faded walls give this a relaxed air, like an old Parisian brasserie. Beer list is good, supposedly the origination of Mort Subite, a decent (in non-authentic Lambic). Well worth the stop.
7 Jun 2007 13:29
This place is stunning, not just because of the simple, unfussy interior, but as it's about the only place you can get authentic draft lambic beers, including kriek made with real fruit not the syrup rubbish.
An absolute essential if you're in Brussels and want to understand Belgian beer.
7 Jun 2007 13:26
Nice to see a contemporary type of place making a virtue out of on-site brewing. Most of it tastes great (tho I wasn't too convinced by the mango beer...) and think of all those food miles they're reducing...
Food is very nice tho service wasn't very attentive, the beer sat on the bar 10 minutes before the waitress brought it over.
Prob best at lunchtime or a quiet evening, weekends it's rammed and the open plan steel n glass form makes it loud.
7 Jun 2007 13:24
Brilliant place, cosy interior with cushions and low lighting, plus some interesting wines. An eclectic gig list, they were promising live drum and bass the night after I went!
Naguilahs create a truly special atmosphere, get there before the smoking ban to enjoy it!
7 Jun 2007 13:18
Very nice, interesting genuine feeling interior, comfy stools at the bar and good pump ales. They do tabs as well which can prove dangerous! Would make a cracking local.
7 Jun 2007 13:15
Another sad example of a country pub that could be so much more than it is. Lets start with the prices: �8.40 for a single G&T, a small lemonade n lime, and a bag of crisps?? This is rural Oxfordshire not Covent Garden.
Onto the food, the cosy private dining room was lovely, and the menu promising. But the food took ages to come and was pretty disapointing. Worse it came in a plate at a time, so with our large group the first people served had cold food by the time the last peoples' turned up. Being a weekday night and having booked days in advance it's not as if they should've been stretched that much. Liver and bacon for �13 really shouldn't have lumps of tough grisle in it, while one person got new potatoes that were hard as rocks.
This place could be so much better and it must piss the locals off no end that their only pub is such an overpriced poor value place. Lets hope a change of management comes soon.
30 Apr 2007 14:09
The Sun Hotel and Bar, Lancaster
Every once in a while you visit a pub that it truly brilliant. This is one such place. 8 pump ales, the ones I tried were excellently kept, and the imformative barman insisted on me trying some of them before making a choice! If pump ales not your thing, well then there are several continental lagers on tap, and several dozen bottled beers. Wine list looked good too. Prices very reasonable.
The food menu was varied, and the light lunches we ordered truly well done, with even the accomanying salad of a high quality with a nice dressing, rather than the usual pub salad of a sad lettuce leaf and orange tomator slice.
I just wish I lived nearer!
30 Apr 2007 13:53
Was pretty impressed with this pub, lots more to it than you see from the road. The inside is modern but nicely done, avoiding the all-pine look you find so often. And they've got bags of propper butchers pork scratchings.
Good ales on pump, food menu looked nice and there's a lovely garden out back with swings for kids. Someone clearly goes to a bit of trouble over the flower beds too.
2 Apr 2007 13:19
The Highwayman Hotel, Kidlington
A little bit dingy, but the atmosphere improved as the night went on. Greene King IPA and Ruddles on pump bith fairly well kept, plus a very friendly landlady. A massive alsation roams around the back of the bar and sometimes comes out to say hello.
Garden by the canal looked good and will be trying it out in the summer.
2 Apr 2007 13:10
True its upmarket and on the pricey side but the food was excellent, really well done, and yes there is a large roaring real log fire. The inside has been renovated with some respect for the old interior, certainly with more than many other pubs. And the walls are lacking all the usual commercialised tat and instead have interesting unusual photos of the area in past times. There are still a number of cosy little rooms tho as I didn't visit before I wouldn't know what they stripped out.
Ale-wise there was 6X, Hooky Bitter and a Hobgoblin so a decent choice, and there were plenty of people in just having a pint even though it was Sunday lunchtime. They even allowed the odd dog in.
Staff seemed friendly, and when my friend left her ring in the loos they found it and looked after it, not what you'd expect in most pubs. Only grumble was the service which tailed off towards the end.
6 Mar 2007 14:19
The Duke of Hamilton, Hampstead
Unless this pub has had a change of management or something since I was there on 24 Dec I cannot begin to see how the recent negative comments reflect this pub which remained an unspoilt, un-gentrified non-chain pub when I was there. The landlord was a genial old bloke. The atmosphere was cracking on xmas eve and the ale well kept. Got to agree with Ladnewton really.
Funny how Tala, Carlosk and Kayastar have only ever reviewed the DoH. Having never once felt the urge to review any of Britain's glorious pubs, within days they all write damning reviews of what is frankly a sound pub. And the latter two both mention how amazing the White Bear is (yet haven't bothered to even review it - if it's so great which I don't doubt then tell us about it). I wonder if there could be a connection here?? As for "annonymous" (who also mentions a "good pub" a minute down the road) who can tell?
31 Jan 2007 13:26
Not a bad bet, food pretty decent if not outstanding. Pool table and a theoretcical choice of ales, tho when we went we drank the last two pints of well kept 6X, and after that they'd run out so it was onto the Guiness. A shame as we might have stayed longer. Pool table and Sky footie matches shown.
29 Jan 2007 13:36
It's a perfect little country inn, located in the pretty village of Shenington. The food really is first rate, a small but excellent range of dishes chalked up on a blackboard. The claim to make everything themselves except the bread and ice cream!
Beer-wise the Hooky was very well kept. The atmosphere is snug and welcoming. Also an excellent base for a brisk country walk to work up the appetite.
29 Jan 2007 13:32
Dragged here against better instinct, standard O'Neils fare really, packed out, blaring music but decent-ish vibe if it's what you're after etc.
It was when went to the bogs that things got worse - the man with the towels and soap in there (a sign of a crap pub any day) accused me of supposedly stealing a cheap lolly-pop, grabbed me hard by the wrist, threatened to smack me in the face, then got his bouncer mates down, who were actually going to throw me out! Only after putting two quid in his poxy bowl did they all calm down and let me stay in their shite pub. I should hope so too having just spent �14 on a round of just 4 drinks. And I didn't even get a lolly-pop. Oh, and they charge to get in after 9.30.
Only redeeming feature is a couple of unusual Irish ales in bottles, which make a nice change from the 'xtra cold black stuff.
16 Jan 2007 13:31
It really is amazing, a date over the bar says something like 1546 - so by my reckoning that must be older than almost every other building anywhere near it. Just think, as St Paul's was opened in 1697 folk had been enjoying their ales here for 150 years!
Anyhow the pub is superb, a great cosy atmosphere with no sense of tackiness - it's all genuine stuff. And the beer is first rate. Splendid.
10 Jan 2007 19:55
Does anyone know if Graham and Pat are still running it or were there rumours of a new landlord? Used to be my local but sadly now 100 miles away...
4 Jan 2007 14:09
The Clapham North, Clapham North
Had a decent bottle of red, as yes the beers are somewhat lacking. A good place to chill with a paper on a Sunday afternoon. Some decks behind the bar. As Mooky says it's all about the urban brown loungy thing.
28 Dec 2006 14:00
An amzing gem this, complete with an old 7" jukebox with some classic vinyl. A tiny street level bar and a slightly larger cellar bar. Not really like anywhere else, and reminds you there are some classic places tucked away everywhere in London, even right behind the bland corporate strip of Oxford Street round the corner. Had a good pint of Bittburger. Of course real ale would be a bonus but then it is a Spanish bar!
28 Dec 2006 13:58
Not sure what it was like before but it seems ok now. Interior not amazing but at least they have some good Youngs.
28 Dec 2006 13:54
The Prince of Wales Feathers, Warren Street
Seemed ok, a reasonable place for an ale and propper stools at the bar. Not a bad bet if you're in the area but nothing special.
28 Dec 2006 13:52
Yes beer is good and the setting interesting - we had a panorama of the bus station complete with a tramp passed out flat on his back! An amusing accompaniment! Very handy if you're waiting for a train.
28 Dec 2006 13:50
Yes the true Irish pub feel is certainly here. Not been for many years so it was a pleasant surprise to rediscover it.
28 Dec 2006 13:48
My first trip after the renovation so it was a bit of a shock - where's the second toilet gone?? Can't help feeling it had a better atmosphere before, tho it's been done quite well and needed more than a lick of paint. Feels more gastro pub now than boozer.
28 Dec 2006 13:47
The Assembly House, Kentish Town
Detoured here on our Northern Line pub crawl as the Oxford was closed. It had just opened so we were almost the only ones there. OK kind of place, tho the pumps were a disapointment - a very bland Greene King IPA. Staff friendly however.
28 Dec 2006 13:44
Agree with the last comment, on the surface it's not got a lot to recommend - no ales and a rough and ready feel. But in a way it has a nice independent old-boozer feel to it. And it was capped by watching a young east asian lady flog rip-off DVDs out of a carrier bag to the punters!
28 Dec 2006 13:40
Quiet and relaxed, with newspapers to read and a nice choice of beers, including something brewed by the Grand Union brewery somehwere in West London - not something I'd had before but was good.
Staff seemed friendly on our visit. After spilling the remaining inch of my friend's ale on someone else, the barmaid replaced it with a glass of Leffe. I'd be pretty chuffed if I lived in Archway to have this as a local.
28 Dec 2006 13:37
The Old White Lion, East Finchley
Have to say I found it quite nice, it's had a full renovation so not many original fittings, but has relaxed low-lighting with comfy sofas, and good ales also. Avoids that overlit harsh feel that so many renovated pubs have. Didn't have food though.
28 Dec 2006 13:34
The beer is decent but that's about it, not much of an atmosphere. True the garden isn't bad in summer. Ok for a local.
28 Dec 2006 13:29
The Hole In The Wall, Waterloo
Upon entering you have a choice of walking on 40 year old carpet or 40 year old lino. You would never come here for the ambience, and I wouldn't have ventured in had a friend not insisted. But I was very glad I did.
Around 4 or 5 ales were on, Brodside, Bombardier, London Pride and Youngs I think. Broadside very well kept, and the little front room is quite cosy once you get settled and the nice beers makes its way down.
So a surprisingly good bet if you're in the area and well recommended for a pint of ale.
26 Dec 2006 14:07
Excellent unspoilt interior and a good choice of Youngs beers (both the usual pumps plus a good range of bottles). Agree with the last comment though as the Winter Warmer I had wasn't quite the best kept I've had.
Never the less a fine pub and essential stop off if you're in the area.
22 Dec 2006 23:57
The Duke of Hamilton, Hampstead
What a regrettably ill-informed comment. The Duke of Hamilton is a fantastic place, a cosy old school pub where you can enjoy a good pint of ESB and have a chat. A rare thing in London and especially this area of pretentious wine bars, chains and gastro pubs etc.
Last visit I made the Landlord was serving behind the bar, a genial and cheerful bloke happy to have you in his pub. Long may it continue unchanged.
22 Dec 2006 23:51
A home from home, if you fancy a great pint of propper English ale. A choice of around 4 or 5 beers, the ones I had very nice, and you get a propper pint glass not those silly schooners. Definately a good place to drop into.
7 Dec 2006 13:47
The Cotham Porter Stores, Cotham
Guess they're softening their line then, it used to be a choice of scrumy or scrumpy! An amazing place where blokes were playing dominoes when I used to pop in, far more an authentic place to drink the stuff then the Corrie tap over in Clifton.
30 Oct 2006 14:05
Not one I'd choose, maybe ok for watching the post match highlights but that's it. The Bank of Friendship is a far, far better bet.
30 Oct 2006 14:00
Actually a modern pub but to the casual eye it looks like an old Cotswold building so blends in well. Recently taken over by Youngs so maybe it's improved, as I thought it wasn't bad. Comfy leather seats, and chess sets dotted around to use. They seem to be going for the smart-casual type look. Beer choice limited to Youngs Best and of course now Bombardier, so would be nice to see a few more. If you're in the area not a bad bet.
30 Oct 2006 13:58
An all round great place, part of an ancient hotel but retaining a genuinely old interior. Split into two parts, with a bar in the middle. The real outstanding part has to be the garden however, feeling like a genuine country manor garden with all sorts of plants and a neat lawn. Clearly someone is very dedicated to it.
The beer is a simple choice between Old Hooky and 6X, the former I tried and it was well kept. Food looked very nice.
Rated by the an ale pub guide (forget which) as one of the 12 best in the country so well worth a trip.
30 Oct 2006 13:53
The Sekforde Arms, Clerkenwell
Pleased to see it's remained pretty much the same since th change of management, well kept beer and a great place.
Not sure their darts team is doing so well though, a giant cabinet hangs on the far end wall, empty but for 2 small trophies, and dust rings visible where several have been removed! Expectthe good beer is affecting their aim...
30 Oct 2006 13:44
The Jerusalem Tavern, Clerkenwell
Fine beer, nice orginal unspoilt interior with no music or other distractions from enjoying a good pint and a chat. Best spot is right at the bar to ensure the next pint is never more than arms reach away.
30 Oct 2006 13:40
Ditto the last review really, we waited an hour for curry on curry night, were told the "chef" hadn't defrosted enough! And thene ventually my friend was told there were none left!
The vaulted ceiling gives it a nice atmosphere tho, and it's not a bad place to start the night with a few ales.
28 Oct 2006 14:47
Not bad as a local, but an example of a place that could be something a bit better, say when compared to Ye Old Dolphin round the corner. True it was being repainted when we went so maybe not at it's best.
28 Oct 2006 14:44
Rubbish, why do people buy into this fake-aussie thing? Wait ages for a pint, it's overpriced 4X in a glass so cold it numbs your hands, then see if you can carry it across the room without some wasted bloke in a burbery cap knocking it out of your hand. And why should you have to pay to get in??
28 Oct 2006 14:43
Pretty dire, mostly pissed-up office lads on a Friday night. The original victorian dining room out back is now a disco complete with a mirrored ball!!
28 Oct 2006 14:38
Again, not a place for Beer in the Evening as it's a Vodka bar! So don't expect a well pulled pint of Marstons. I suppose the vodka helps numb your mind at least.
28 Oct 2006 14:37
Serving a good choice of well kept ales is not the be all and end all of determining a good pub, but it's a damn good way of telling one. Looking after ale takes time and care, if the landlord puts the effort into this then chances are other aspects of the pub should be good too.
All Bar One is far from the worst chain, in fact I think the one in Oxford is pretty decent, for what it is, and somewhere I've enjoyed a pint a few times. And yes it certainly does have some fine German beers on tap, which can be a welcome change. Juicylou is right to the extent that good independent ale pubs could do with serving a few more decent wines, something they're hardly famous for - a bland aussie bottle or two if you're lucky, that has probably been open a few days.
The point about these chains is they rarely offer anything new from place to place; the seats, the beer, the menus etc. are all the same from place to place. Were it a standalone pub, ABO Oxford wouldn't be a bad place at all, it's the fact you could be in any other one across the country. It is this creation of national brands that threatens our diversity and choice.
25 Oct 2006 14:26
Just another crappy corporate concept of what an Irish pub should be like, feels like any other O'Neils.
25 Oct 2006 14:08
Kew Brew discontinued by cracking bottles of Oatmeal Stout. Nice to see a Youngs pub (especially with so many tourists and students) making the effort to stock some of their more unusual beers. At �2.50 a bottle I wouldn't say it was any more expensive than any other pubs round that way.
25 Oct 2006 14:02
Yes it blatantly doesn't belong on Beer in the Evening as it's no where you'd go for a beer unless you like forking out �3.50 for a bottle of Nastro. And yes some of the clientelle are Sloaney.
But for cocktails it's a good bet. Despite looking rammed from the street you can usually get a perch, service is always very quick and friendly (unlike in Raouls where they only serve blonde girls or blokes braying with their �20 notes). And the cocktails are dead good, happy hour is certainly a good deal.
25 Oct 2006 13:58
It's a pretty decent place given the touristy location, food surprisingly good and tastes fresh, usually 3 or 4 ales on. Though true the Royal Oak is definately worth the walk further on up the road, this is a fine place to break your journey!
25 Oct 2006 13:52
Nice unspoilt relaxed interior, well kept pints and a friendly dog. Great for a quiet beer although there was a bit of rubbish music on when we first arrived.
22 Oct 2006 13:40
You know you're on to a good thing when on ordering your first pint, they offer you a handle mug. Tucked away in North Parade it's taken a while for me to find. Noting quite like it, exceptional ales (Adnams, Old Hooky) on tap, cosy room and a little courtyard too. Friendly landlord, shook hands as we left!
It's open til some point after 12, but doors lock before then so get there in good time. Amazing. Only downside is it's a bit pricey.
22 Oct 2006 13:39
I'd love to be able to review it - but it's shut on Sundays!! A sign boasts it's open from 4pm the other 6 days. Great. Surely a missed opportunity in these parts.
The lease is presently being advertised, and hopefully this will see some better opening times. Looked generally a bit neglected with a faded banner for Sky Sports and cobwebs over the windows, could certainly do with some TLC.
10 Oct 2006 13:57
Absolutely brilliant place, really tasty well made food and a great range of well kept ales, plus wonderfully preserved interior. Ditto the last 2 reviews really.
My tip is to get the chair at the end of the long table that backs on to the bar - then you literally just stand up each time you want to order and you're at the bar without moving your feet. Genius.
26 Sep 2006 14:01
Yes it's a trendy type place, but for the style it's not bad, and can't fault them for an interesting range of German beers on tap plus a good choice of continental bottles. Had a pretty good evening there. But have to agree with thedts on the pricing.
26 Sep 2006 13:57
The Exmouth Arms, Exmouth Market
Yeah it's rubbish, a Chav dive, full of people who look like they're after a punch up, but keeps them out of all the other good pubs round here. Was a half decent place until it was refurbed.
31 Aug 2006 13:44
The Old Manse Hotel, Bourton-on-the-Water
A bit of a tourist trap like most pubs in Bourton, but the setting is lovely, with outside seating right on the river. The inside is bland beyond belief, despite the ancient stone building. Service a bit slow too, waited 5 mins at the bar with no sign even of a barman! However, the pint of Old Speckled was really first rate, one of the best kept I've ever had.
7 Aug 2006 13:28
This pub is pretty much the perfecty country inn. Great ale, lovely cosy interior, top notch home made food (the roast half shoulder of lamb is something special).
Not many tables so book if you want to eat, a few outside as well. Friendly staff and good service. A real treasure.
7 Aug 2006 13:24
What a shame. Back around 97/98 this was one of the best pubs in that end of Camden, a quiet, unspoilt and interesting interior. Dark booths, and heavy curtains drawn at closing time for the odd lock-in. Then one day it was gone, transformed into yet another bland pine furniture 'n burger menu pubs. Never went back after.
7 Aug 2006 13:20
Not bad, best aspect is probably the lovely terrace, overlooking the high street. A reasonable choice of ale, though not the best kept, draught scrumpy also. Inside modern and comfortable, though a bit plain. But in all not a bad place to stop by.
24 Jul 2006 15:32
This pub is truly amazing, the more so considering it's survived in the middle of Knightsbridge. Located in a pleasant back street, there are a couple of tables out front for warm weather drinking. The inside is more like a tiny country inn, untouched by the modern city around it.
Good ales, and a decent range of sandwiches and food.
19 Jul 2006 16:40
The Admiral Codrington, Brompton
No ales on pump, looked pretty standard to me so I didn't bother staying.
19 Jul 2006 14:33
Now closed down. Looks like groovycool was right and all the customers have left!
19 Jul 2006 14:32
The Bunch Of Grapes, Knightsbridge
I'd have to agree the original interior is the high point. Sadly one of the bar maids said it would shortly be closing for a refurb and they're running down the beer stocks. I somehow doubt it will retain it's present charm.
19 Jul 2006 14:30
The Pakenham Arms, Clerkenwell
I liked it, watched the World Cup final in there, good mix of people from Post Office workers (it's behind Mount Pleasant) to old geezers and young professionals.
Beer was ok, London Pride, Greene King IPA, Bombardier and Adnams, the latter not so well kept. Food good honest pub grub, good quality and a decent price. And a nice relatively unspoilt interior. Definately worth dropping in.
12 Jul 2006 13:46
Good as ever when I popped in on Saturday, but the bar billiards have been replaced by a table-top 80s arcade machine! Why?! Cash machine is a useful addition if a bit out of place since they don't take cards here.
3 Jul 2006 12:29
Emulating Wetherspoons, to be fair the "Goose" chain gave what was the Bristol Flyer a much needed rennovation, and it's not a bad place for a cheap meal and to watch the football. They had a few ales on too. Not the pick of the crop on Gloucester Road but worth counting in on a pub crawl.
3 Jul 2006 12:27
Complete rubbish, yet another over-rated "It's a Scream" pub. You'll be screaming for air as you fight past the sweaty chavmen to order your pint of extra cold Carling at the bar.
3 Jul 2006 12:25
Now called something else (I forget what), but it looked the same deal from the outside. Nothing too awful about it but lacks anything great either.
Once took a pint of Smiles (R.I.P.) back as the pint was off and tasted bitter, the bar manager said "It's ale so it's supposed to taste bitter". This sort of ignorance spoils what looks at first glance to be a reasonable pass at serving a few ales.
3 Jul 2006 12:22
The Prince of Wales, Bishopston
Altogether an improvement, a failry sympathetic modernisation of what was a poky grubby local. Decent beers. Toilets were unisex when I visited! (well, except the urinals at least).
3 Jul 2006 12:19
A great one this and surprised it's not already on here. An unspoilt boozer basically, friendly and a varied crowd from regulars, students and bikers. Plus they have some home brew, "Moles Ale", worth a taste though a bit on the weak side. Footie on and a pool table.
3 Jul 2006 12:14
I went there the week it opened (back in 2002 I think) and even then the beer was awful, yet the lines must've been clean since they were brandnew! (or do Wetherspoons recylce car brake fluid lines for their pumps?) What do they do to the stuff?
Atmosphere is the usual, could be a nice place as it's got a spacious high ceiling but I'd go the the Pipe and Slippers over the road any day.
3 Jul 2006 12:08
The Pipe and Slippers, Montpelier
I certainly liked it, interesting beers with some good ales, Erdinger Pils plus some continental bottles. Comfy armchairs and a spacious feel. DJs spin some hip-hop and other tunes some evenings, it's open late as well.
Definately an improvement on the dingy Berkely Castle which used to be here, and a world away from the 'spoons Magic Box across the road. It's good to see some new decent places open down this end of town.
3 Jul 2006 12:06
Tucked away in the backstreets behind Montpelier station, the Cadbury House is definately something special. Cosy rambling rooms inside, with a large lawn out back and a pool table. People just sit on the grass in summer months. Good beers too.
Used to have an interesting collection of working old pinball machines and 2p slot machines (the type where a little ball whizzes round a spiral and if you're really lucky you might just win 4p back), sadly these have gone but remains a really quality pub.
3 Jul 2006 12:03
A nice one this, the inside is fairly cosy although the exposed stone makes it a bit drab in places, the best part is the massive and very nice garden round the back - just how a beer garden should be. Ale not bad either, plus they shopw footie. And there's a pool table too. Think they do food also, so a good bet for Kidlington.
16 Jun 2006 13:56
The only other pub in Dittisham, the Red Lion is at the top of the steep lane up from the estuary.
A cosy friendly feel, an also a few good ales. Food menu looked good although didn't try any.
8 Jun 2006 12:04
At the bottom of a crazy steep lane lined by stone houses, with a great view across the Dart estuary, the Ferry Boat Inn is an amazing place. Some good ales on, friendly landlord and locals, plus unusually a selection of English wines from the near-by Sharpham Vineyard. Apparently lock-ins have been known also.
The food is great too, home cooked and very tasty. Make sure you book though as they only have half a dozen tables. It's so small they had to put the gents in a building next door!
If you do drive, pay heed to the amusing photos of cars flooded by the high tides. Better still, arrive by boat from Dartmouth, �5 for the return trip.
8 Jun 2006 11:48
It's funny how the other 4 reviewers of the dire pub have all only reviewed this pub and no others, plus all seem to know "good 'ol" Jan and Rich - could they possibly be any relation I wonder?
If this really is the best pub you've been to I can't even imagine how bad the others you've tried are.
The atmosphere is dire, the beer rubbish and it's got a real attitude to it, I'd avoid it unless of course your one of Jan and Rich's mates.
8 Jun 2006 11:03
Lovely pub on the banks of Loch Lommond, fantastic food and well kept Deuchars IPA, friendly staff too. The garden at the back is nice, while the inside is snug.
Take a trip on the little ferry near-by to walk off lunch on the tiny island of Inchcailloch (and try saying that after a few whiskys!)
23 May 2006 14:06
Modern pub-bar type place, good beers with a range of lagers and belgian ones (no ale tho). If you stay after 1am you have to buy a bowl of fried rice for a quid due to some licensing issue! Nice rice tho!
On warm evenings you can enjoy the tables outside on the street.
23 May 2006 13:57
The Bookbinders Ale House, Oxford
Ok I've tried the food now - Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings there are some dishes on a 2 for �6 offer, pretty decent cooking too (sausage and mash etc). Did I mention the free monkey nuts before too?
Chav_man you should get out of London a bit more often, you certainly won't find many pubs like this there. If you like a cosy, interesting, friendly pub this is the place for you.
23 May 2006 13:46
Amazing sun-terrace out the back overlooking the Avon gorge and the Clifton suspension bridge. Good drinks if pricey, and service is rubbish on busy days but it's worth the wait!
18 Apr 2006 13:46
Hardly a pub! But if rammed student nights are your thing and you live in Bristol you'll probably know it well! Good pitchers of cocktails, Vodka RedBull etc, cheesy beats, and not too expensive (when I last went there anyway). Stories of violent bouncers circulated every so often.
18 Apr 2006 13:43
The garden is the real winner, perfect for a sunny afternoon, with plenty of tables available. Inside nice though a bit shabby, beer also decent if not amazing.
18 Apr 2006 13:39
Nothing special, and a bit tatty round the edges. My sofa cusion had half the foam stuffing coming out, two windows had large cracks in them and it felt generally grubby.
Having said that the drinks selection is good, some interesting fresh-squeezed juices and a good position to people spot in Exmouth Market. But I'd choose Caf� Kick anytime over this one.
10 Apr 2006 13:49
The best pub I found in Dublin, split over several levels of crazy little rooms, original interior with Guiness as good as it gets (certainly a ton better than what we get here in England). No blaring music either.
Jammed most evenings so get there early for a table.
20 Mar 2006 14:05
Decent middle-of-the-road type place - modern pub/cocktail bar feel, some good continental beers of draught. Not an amazing place I'd cross London for but a good bet if you're in the area, and you want somewhere a bit snappier than a boozer.
20 Mar 2006 13:54
The Sekforde Arms, Clerkenwell
Unbelievabe interior, unchanged is decades, a dying breed of original pubs in this part of London. Good Youngs ales on tap, and the smell of pipe smoke wafting across the bar. Just a shame it's shut Saturdays.
20 Mar 2006 13:49
Has stoner had a bit too much weed? This place is quality, the table football a cracker, good cocktails, sound staff, could do with a couple of draft lagers on tap as the Sagres at �2.65 hurts the pocket after a few, but otherwise a great place.
The slightly run down, slightly edgy feel just adds to the apeal, a world away from all the chrome 'n glass type cocktail bars. And it's open til 1am Saturdays. Brilliant.
20 Mar 2006 13:46
Dead nice food and decent prices, beers excellent tho would be nice to see a few more on draft as well as all the bottles. Try the Dentergems. Feels a bit more like a restaurant than a pub, friendly service.
20 Mar 2006 13:42
Agree with the last two, mojito's excellent, and happy hour dangerously good value - yet it retains a feeling of a small cuban bar, without all the glitz and fakeness of most cocktail bars. The crowd is good too, giving the place a relaxed, chilled out feel but with the zing of some awesome cocktails.
16 Mar 2006 13:53
Pretty shit when I went there, same old pissed up crowd thinking they're having a good time just cos the music's too loud to speak. I thought the whole fake Irish pub thing would die out but this proves me wrong. And do you still have to pay to get in? What a f*cking cheek.
16 Mar 2006 13:50
Very nice original interior, with a grand victorian bar in the centre, faded comfy furniture , and the bonus of some outside seating. A reminder of how pubs in Islington used to be before the brand men got hold of them, spot on for a few ales mid-pub crawl. Not found the service too bad myself.
16 Mar 2006 13:48
Range of beers does seem to be on the wane - on my first visit the menu filled a whole side of A3! Nevermind tho it's still a good one, sticks of schnapps always deadly and still plenty of interesting beer. Closing time seems to vary a bit but usually open til around 1am on my last few visits.
Don't forget Belgos were serving Belgian beer since the early 90's up in their Camden restaurant, long before it became trendy everywhere, and it remains head and shoulders above most of its imitators.
16 Mar 2006 13:41
does "Genuine Characters" mean people looking to kick you in? True it was on an England match day but that's no excuse, they shouldn't let crap like that go on. Of all the pubs on Midland Road/Railway Terrace I can't think of a worse one, just full of pissed up old geezers glaring out the windows.
14 Mar 2006 14:08
Fantastic, everything a country pub should be. Good ale, excellent food (with some interesting and more unusual dishes such as mutton stew and roast pheasant), good deserts board too. Friendly, efficient service, make sure you book a table though on weekends.
Brill makes a great place for walk to burn off lunch, and you can park by the old windmill. The pub itself has excellent views over the surrounding country, and no doubt the terrace will be popular in summer.
14 Mar 2006 13:58
The Angel and Greyhound, Oxford
Excellent Youngs beers, nice place, perfect for a few beers after work, combines an old pub feel with an airy, open atmosphere. Bar staff were fine for me or maybe I'm just too thick skinned! Definately one I'll head back to.
24 Feb 2006 08:22
Sorry I meant the Goose at Gloucetser Green not the Gloucester...
10 Feb 2006 13:52
Pretty good bet for George St, tho avoid on Fri/Sat night. A good place for mid week, although not as good an atmospehere or choice of beers compared to the Kings Arms (Also a Youngs pub). But certainly better than the Gloucester round the corner.
10 Feb 2006 13:50
Pretty deary, chavy and something of a cross between an airport pub and a student union. Nothing interesting beer wise, tho Guiness was decent. Good for playing pool and they do seem to show all the footie so you could do worse.
10 Feb 2006 13:42
So there is a decent pub in Kidlington! Got there the other night, very much a local type place but good for a quiet pint, well kept Bomabardier, interesting trinkets on the wall and a friendly landlady who remembered all our drinks (6 of us) when we went up for the second round!
All in all a very welcome discovery in the area.
10 Feb 2006 13:39
The Bookbinders Ale House, Oxford
Perfect, friendly cosy feel, free boardgames and monkey nuts, strange collections dotted all over (look out for the upside down toy train track on the ceiling for instance...) while the Old Speckled Hen I enjoyed was very well kept. Food looked nice and good value. And the best thing is it's so well hidden it's not overrun with tourists.
24 Jan 2006 13:18
Nice local, Dave the landlord always a laugh with his dry humour. Go there a few times and he'll bring you free bar snacks. Usually a few good ales too, plus a pool table. A world away from the shitty Crown and Castle round the corner.
5 Jan 2006 13:38
Complete dump, ended up here after an otherwise excellent pub crawl, real downer. When will we get an end to these clone pubs of crap beer?
5 Jan 2006 13:34
The Porterhouse, Covent Garden
The beer list is simply amazing, with some amusingly candid descriptions of certain piss-poor well known brands found in other pubs.
Expensive? Not the cheapest no, but then you can easily spend �3 on a bog standard Stella anywhere else round there, plus figure some of these beers aren't on the usual disributors lists. Cruzcampo may be 50p/l in Spain but then we're not in Spain (sadly...)! Blame Gordon Brown!
It's good to see somewhere modern and vibrant promoting genuinely interesting and unusual beer.
5 Jan 2006 13:03
The Sir Richard Steele, Belsize Park
I used to love this place, unique character with all the littel alcoves, fires and books. Closing time was a loose concept, and they even let you eat Chinese takeways brought in from the place next door. So was disapointed with it somehow when I returned recently, terrible terrible pint, and seemed to have lost something. But still worth a visit.
5 Jan 2006 12:15
Yeah ok it's a Whetherspoon, but on that standard it's one of the better ones, does at least retain some pub character. Not worth a special visit but you could do worse. 5/10
5 Jan 2006 12:11
The Elephant Inn, North Finchley
A cracking Fullers local, great range of beers and a lovely ambience. Some complain of it's name change from the Moss Hall Tavern, but never mind it's the best bet in North Finchley for a drink and a chat without loud music and a the beer-boy crowd.
5 Jan 2006 12:07
A dump, full of wanabe chavs and overpriced beer. If you're pissed up and just want a dance then it's fine, but otherwise head somewhere decent. Dress code policy is obviously pretentious crap (surely they're not trying to imitate the even worse Yates down the road). Was far better as an O'Neils.
5 Jan 2006 12:03
Didn't know they did Belgian beers, will have to look out for that! Always worth a trip, good Fullers ales. Atmosphere could be improved slightly but it's still a fine pub.
5 Jan 2006 11:56
One of the best in Barmouth, tho rammed in the evenings. Beer usually good when I've been. Look out for the spring fed pond inside the pub, complete with fish!
5 Jan 2006 11:51
I'd say it's a good bet if you're in the area, though Sam Smiths isn't my favourite. Being made to drink out of plastic glasses just beacuse you wander outside is a downpoint, but the setting and atmosphere is great.
5 Jan 2006 11:48
The Duke of Hamilton, Hampstead
This is a real gem, was in there xmas eve and can't think of a better pub to spend it. Perched at the bar, a bit of banter with the genial landlord and plenty of well kept ale. Not one to go to in a group though, enjoy it quietly with a few friends to really appreciate it.
3 Jan 2006 11:44
A fine choice when out in Highgate, good Youngs and Fullers, reasonable wine list, nice atmosphere with candles and flexible closing. The odd lock-in wasn't unknown in the past either...
3 Jan 2006 11:41
The Punch And Judy, Covent Garden
Complete rubbish, wandered in as it was still serving but wished I hadn't. If you want loud beer boys and rip off lager then you'll be in heaven else steer clear.
3 Jan 2006 10:57
The Marquess of Anglesey, Covent Garden
I'd like to say this is a greatpub as I'm always a fan of Youngs pubs, but sadly have to agree with John and others. No atmosphere, and the single doors meant we were blasted with cold air everytime someone wandered in or out. Only the minimum of aleas on, and none of the usual Youngs bottles behind the bar. Still worth dropping into if you're in the area but nothing at all special.
3 Jan 2006 10:41
Gordon's Wine Bar, Charing Cross
Fantastic. Tho maybe not strictly for this site as not sure they do beer. But who cares, the wine is good value for central London (starts �12 a bottle), and very nice at that. Supposedly they've served it since the 14th century so know their stuff! Most of the vaulted cellar has yet to see an electric light, so candles on each table give it a real atmosphere. Nice food as well. Definately one not to miss.
3 Jan 2006 10:33
Things must have really improved since the terrible reviews further down the page. Popped in three times over xmas period and each time enjoyed a good pint and nice atmosphere. Youngs Bitter and London Pride were both on, and the place had a bustling feel but without being overcrowded. Has this monster landlady been kicked out or just improved her ways?
3 Jan 2006 10:27
The cider is deadly! But you convince yourself it's just apple juice! Best on quiet weekday evenings when you can get a table, Ushers on tap too if you want a safer bet. Being puked on by a sloane wasn't the highlight mind...
20 Dec 2005 16:31
Found this one on a wander out over the bridge one night back in 2000 and loved it, nice food and port by the fire. Went a few times since but not for a while, had heard the food isn't what it was but worth a trip for sure.
20 Dec 2005 16:29
Obviously not "the best pub in Bristol". It's just another Scream dive, poor beer, poor food, poor atmosphere. Yeah I'll agree it's the same as any scream in London but that's not a good thing. The sort of place where the floors are always a bit sticky, and the tables smeared with someone's burger remains. Good beer? You could get better tasting stuff out of the drain. And what's the fascination with the Yellow Card? You have the buy the thing first.
20 Dec 2005 16:26
Just how a pub should be, nice relaxed place, nice booths and partitions but not poky, and random pics of sinking ships on the walls.
20 Dec 2005 16:18
The Reckless Engineer, Bristol
Looks a bit intimidating from the outside but don't be put off, friendly inside and handy for Temple Meads.
20 Dec 2005 16:15
A nice place that had liberal interpretations of 11pm when I was there! San Miguel on tap makes a nice alternative to the excellent ale. Just not figured out why they sell model buses behind the bar...
20 Dec 2005 16:13
Apparently in the 60's they boasted the Guiness was rolled straight off the quayside from Dublin and racked up behind the bar. Times change and it's nothing special now, go to the Old Duke for a propper pub.
20 Dec 2005 16:11
It's a strange one - back a few years ago you couldn't find a better pint or nicer place - gas lamps and all. Ales rotated every Thursday, and there were always at least 7, plus many continental bottles (and that's before all the trendy bars got into Leffe).
And then it just went down hill after the departure of Gordon - on my last trip the pissed up barman had his stereo sat on the bar, with rubbish music full blare, and some wasted mate of his was being lary. That was 2 years ago and stayed away since. A real shame.
20 Dec 2005 16:03
Several evenings spent here enjoying the laid back reaxing feel, good place for a cigar (until they ban it anyway!), food nice too and top range of Brains beers. The pub is dedicated to The Goat Major, a Goat apparently assigned to the Welsh army, so good pics of it looking cheeky among dignified soldiers at ceremonies.
20 Dec 2005 15:57
I don't know why but the Dew Drop just doesn't get it right. It should be a good pub, but the atmosphere feels cramped and poky rather than cosy, the beer mediocre and the locals a bit edgy. Give it a miss.
20 Dec 2005 15:47
A good bet, try the Kew Brew. Some parts better than others, interesting stuff on the walls tho and on the list for any Oxford pub crawl. Don't know about the food.
20 Dec 2005 15:39
Not a bad pub, lively with a good atmosphere, a couple of good ales on pump, decent wine as well and a nice little garden.
20 Dec 2005 14:57
The Three Horseshoes, Wessington
Top little pub between Alfreton and Matlock, nice ales on tap, friendly cosy feel. Good food too, I had an amazing steak and ale pie, although the veg could have been better. They've won a recent award for Peak District Cuisine. Perfect place to start or end a walk in the Peaks.
20 Dec 2005 13:26
Always worth a trip, well preserved bar with mechanical cash registers and gas lamps! Best to get there early for a seat. Bar staff friendly when I've been. A few years ago on a quiet night in there we got chatting to a bloke at a table, who then bought us all a round - claimed he was the owner's son! Was it true? Who cares! But it's the kind of thing that happens there! Christmas Eve spent there one time was also memorbale.
19 Dec 2005 12:56
The Duke is fantastic, the best pub on King Street by far, retaining a truly great ambience, with old gig posters plastering the walls. Music is superb, beer good and when I last ate there food was good value.
19 Dec 2005 12:49
Though it looks unpromising from the outside (buried beneath the 70's Assembly Rooms), this place is great inside. The design makes it feel sophisticated without being poncy, something like a Manhatton cocktail bar.
Cocktails are a bargain weekday evenings at �2.80 each, though the beer is all lager and not the cheapest. There are some interesting bottles however such as Leffe.
A first rate place to relax for a drink after work, a world away from the Walkabout over the road.
19 Dec 2005 11:29
Always my choice when in Camden, like all the different parts. The food was a little disapointing last time I ate there, but that was quite some time ago so it may be better. Well kept ales, and a good place to people spot.
19 Dec 2005 11:16
This pub is terrible, stay well clear unless you want a sound kicking. Don't remember the pint I had as I was too busy trying to calm a guy who wanted to lamp me one. Considering the number of pubs in this area it's amazing it's in business, but then I guess it's useful to have somewhere to soak up the chavs. 1/10
19 Dec 2005 11:13
Definately worth a trip, some great pump ales, and also some good German and Belgian beers. Slight annorak feel with all the train pictures tho, but friendly, cosy and welcomming, everything you could want for a quiet pint.
19 Dec 2005 11:07
The Blessington Carriage, Derby
Overrated. Pump beer not much good, personally I wouldn't bother with it, although I do know a lot of people who swear by it!
19 Dec 2005 11:05
Yeah a good place, always interesting and well kept ales. Quiet on weekday nights, friendly staff. Opening hours now extended on Friday/Saturday nights I think.
19 Dec 2005 11:02
The food was excellent, and the atmosphere cosy, with perhaps the largest logs I've ever seen on a fire (we're talking tree trunks!). However at �12 the Sunday roast was on the expensive side, and there could have been more veg. London Pride was nice, while Tribute was on as a guest. Definately worth dropping in.
19 Dec 2005 10:50
I found it disapointing. Looks great from the outside, but the inside is very bland. Sam Smith's ales not bad, look out for the weissbeer. Ok if you're in the neighbourhood but I wouldn't make the journey to it.
29 Nov 2005 12:59
Not bad, beer a little limited but Marstons was good, nice fire too though strangely draughty. Good atmosphere though overall.
29 Nov 2005 12:54
Agree with the last comment - terrible beer, I gave up buying draft all together on my last few visits. Give it a miss.
24 Nov 2005 09:07
Lovely pub right by the Cathedral, regular guest ales, several good rooms with a nice fire. The steaks are excellent too, and there's a beer festival once or twice a year.
22 Nov 2005 16:18
This is the all time perfect pub, fantastic atmosphere, intimate and cosy - almost every seat is in its own alcove. Since the demise of Smiles it continues to offer other great beer - the Youngs ales plus Brains and others. Bar billiards too, home cooked grub and a heated garden. Apparently prisoners were brought here in the middle ages for their last meal before facing the gallows - if I had to have a last pint I'd choose this pub anytime.
22 Nov 2005 16:11
This is a sound pub, located right by the uni but not too studenty. They're got a good quiz on one night, plus good ale.
22 Nov 2005 16:04
Yeah a nice place, very unusual feeling, something between a wine cellar, bar and a dungeon. Good beers and wines too, though not the cheapest on the block, it has a good atmosphere.
22 Nov 2005 16:02
Great place, agree with everything said - heaving on weekend nights, yet somehow you still get a seat, served quickly, and with great ales and ciders. Cosy with lots of differnt bits, and infinitely better than the Morgan round the corner. Two gardens as well. Lookout for the amsuing disclaimer about the low ceiling beams on the blackboard by the entrance.
22 Nov 2005 14:31
Tucked away in Sawnsea, been to this pub a few times, excellent ales racked up on barrels behind the bar, plus jars of cockles on sale make an unusual bar snack. Visited here the same day as the Brunswick Derby - not a bad pub crawl if you don't mind the 4 hour train journey!...
22 Nov 2005 14:27
Quality pub, worth missing the train for! Thursday night jazz worth a visit, food excellent too. Was in there a while ago and they apologised for having too few ales on - well I guess 7 aren't that many when they usually have 12+. Half of them are brewed by Graham on site too - try the Old Accidental.
22 Nov 2005 14:19
The Bank of Friendship, Highbury
Brilliant pub, my local for many years, just a nice place you can enjoy a good ale (London Pride always on good form), cosy without being poky or dingy, the type of pub that has become all too rare in Islington.
22 Nov 2005 14:16
Star Inn, Pershore
Decent meal and a decent pint of HPA too, real log fire going and friendly staff, certainly deserves more than its score and worth a visit
29 Dec 2018 17:21