BITE user comments - ROBCamra
Comments by ROBCamra
I'm sorry to report that The Baum suffered a hostile takeover by Simon's ex wife on Monday.
Not only will I not be ordering beer anymore I don't have a local either.
RIP The Baum. It will never be the same again.
21 Apr 2018 14:19
The Baum has just won Greater Manchester Pub Of The Year AGAIN!
This puts it in the last 16 for the National POTY AGAIN!
Just shows that some people may not know what they're talking about :-))
12 Sep 2013 12:10
The Baum has won the CAMRA National Pub Of The Year 2012. Please don't try and visit on a Friday or Saturday. It's only a small pub and it's been rammed the last three weekends, you may not even be able to get through the door. If you've travelled some distance to get to us that would be a pain. If you're thinking of eating, please book a table well in advance or I'm afraid you won't get one otherwise.
4 Mar 2013 15:17
This pub has been extended fairly recently and now has a separate carvery area attached to the side. The carvery is �3.50 from 12 - 6 weekdays, so I wouldn't expect top class food. The main pub is one fairly small room with no distinguishing features at all. The bar is facing you as you enter and there's a pool table to the right and a quiz machine to the left. On Saturday night all three handpumps had the clips turned round, pathetic. The clientele appear to be a fairly chavvy bunch along with a couple of their kids running around even at 9:30 on a Saturday evening. This pub is the complete contrast to the nearby Success To The Plough where we had just been. I had a pint of Fosters!! and Ms Camra had a glass of a cheap red wine (the only one on offer) that wasn't cheap, if you know what I mean. We drank up quickly and left. I hadn't been in here for about 20 years until last Saturday. I may well never visit here again unless something changes. It's not good.
22 Jul 2010 14:29
Once upon a time this pub was a fixture on the N4 Manchester pub crawl and was in the GBG for several years. It was then sold to a complete numpty who decided that his customers didn't want real ale. They did, and after a while it shut. Happily it's now reopen again and on Friday had two beers from Phoenix on the handpumps Navvy and Hopsack, both at the amazing price of �1.90 a pint. I had a pint of the Hopsack which was very good. The pub's had a bit of a spruce up on the inside, especially the toilets which certainly needed it. On the negative side the pinball has now gone and there were two sweary blokes in the pub who couldn't speak without fffing and this was despite the fact that the barmaid/landlady's young daughter was in the pub. Overall I'm glad it's reopened, but it's going to be a long hard slog to get it back to where it was.
4 May 2010 16:13
Still closed and boarded last weekend and it's beginning to look a real mess.
16 Apr 2010 16:01
Puzzle Hall Inn, Sowerby Bridge
A fine old boozer just up the road from The Works. It's like walking into an isolated moorland pub but it's 200 yards from the centre of Sowerby Bridge. As you arrive you get a mad tail wagging greeting from Poppy the pub dog. You enter into a small lounge area where the bands play a couple of nights a week. Through a door to the right is a comfortable old bar area with a real fire and a few tables and chairs. Six handpumps on the bar serving a couple of Timothy Taylors beers and 4 changing guests. I had a couple of decent pints in here (Newby Wyke Bardia & Summer Wine Sirius) whilst we got talking to some of the regulars. Two lived on boats on the canal, one was a lock keeper and another one was retired and had been a foreman on the refurbishment of the nearby Works. It's a cracking little pub, don't miss it when in town.
9 Apr 2010 13:28
Jubilee Refreshment Rooms, Sowerby Bridge
Nicely refurbished station buffet on the Manchester bound platform. Bar is to the left as you enter and to the right is a large log/coal burner which was roaring away on Monday. There's a good looking clock above the entrance door inside and loads of old railway posters around the walls. Six handpumps on the bar but only three on. These were Old Spot Spring's Sprung, Elland Privilege and Daleside Blonde. I had a pint of the Old Spot and an Elland, both were very well kept. They also sell a variety of snacks including the excellent tooth breaking pork scratchings from Mr Scratchings in Bradford. A great job has been done on this place we'll certainly call again.
9 Apr 2010 11:43
Converted old workshop with some nice touches in the decoration including a large mural on one wall. There's one large room and a much smaller room at the back of the pub. 12 handpumps serving Timothy Taylors on three alongside five changing guests yesterday. I had a pint of Kelham Island Captain which wasn't really to my taste but it was well kept. It can get very full in here at weekends but it's a great place to go for a decent pint.
7 Apr 2010 14:52
Shepherds Rest, Sowerby Bridge
An Ossett brewery pub, so you know what you're going to get. Well kept beer in a well kept pub. This one doesn't disappoint either. You walk into a relatively small lounge which is deceptive as there's a much bigger lounge just around the corner. Six Handpumps on the go yesterday with 3 Ossett beers alongside changing guests. I had a Fernandes Centennial and a long way from it's birthplace a Fullers Bengal Lancer, both were good. The back lounge is decorated with old travel posters and is very comfortable. The pub dog appears to be fairly mad and was merrily ripping up beermats whilst we were in, he's very friendly though. A decent set of regulars and a pleasant place to while away an hour.
7 Apr 2010 14:49
Oh dear, what have they done to this place. I used to call in here quite often when a mate of mine had a boat moored on the canal here. It used to be a decent boozer that welcomed the canal folk (they all go up to the Puzzle Hall now and I don't blame them). There's a dining area to the left as you enter and the bar to the right in a large lounge area. Six handpumps serving the Greene King range. I had a GK Hare Raiser which was pretty poor all round. There's an all-pervading smell of over used chip fat throughout the place and it's full of people who think they're trendy. You're not! I wouldn't bother if I were you. Try The Works or The Shepherds Rest they're both much better.
6 Apr 2010 16:21
This was a pub on the slide for a long time and went keg only for a while, but in October it was taken over by Robert Owen Brown, recently of The Angel. It�s had a sympathetic refurbishment and the bar is now at the front of the pub where the alcoves used to be. The alcoves are now where the bar used to be! It has interesting, if not exactly beautiful views across the river Irwell to Spinningfields from inside the pub through huge arched glass windows. It also has a riverside patio which is great in summer. There are now 4 handpumps on the bar serving Timothy Taylors Landlord and 3 changing guests. I had a pint of Piddle On The Pump from Wyre Piddle brewery and the Bank Top Leprechaun Stout went down a treat with one of my fellow visitors. It�s a bit gastro, but not overbearingly so. It�s nice to see it back on its feet again after a long period in the doldrums. Well done to all concerned.
22 Mar 2010 16:17
The gastro side of the pub now seems to have retreated a bit and it now feels more like a pub that when it first reopened. Now has 8 handpumps, on Tuesday 6 were serving ale and two real cider. I had a Shaws Ashton Masher and a Stringers West Coast Blond, both were in good nick as was the other halfs Copper Dragon Golden Pippin. It's getting back to where it was again.
31 Dec 2009 14:16
Well hidden little bar just off Tib Street. The decor has been changed a bit from the old cord days and it's now a bit more modern looking, still no real ales though. It's a pleasant enough atmosphere with Northern Soul followed by '80's tunes being played. A very mixed clientele ranging from students to a bunch of middle aged guys and some shoppers. The downstairs area is a bit bleak and gloomy during the daytime but has been known to be very lively at nights. It's OK if in the area.
31 Dec 2009 14:04
Way back in the 70s, I and a lot of my peers used to effectively have 3 locals. Here, The Highland Laddie across the road and The Albert (now closed). As with the Laddie it�s probably over 10 years since I�ve been in here. It used to be nicknamed the sixth form canteen as so many of us went in. This pub is one fairly small room with a pool table in one corner and a DJ stand in another. There was karaoke on last night and the music was blasting out to 9 or 10 rather sad looking people. No real ale of course so I had a pint of Carling, yeuk! There�s a sign on the main door that says �Selling stolen goods in here is strictly prohibited, if caught you will be barred�. There�s a sign in the gents that says �Only one person to a cubicle, if you get caught you will be barred�. Oh it�s a class place is this now. I finished my pint of fizzy crap in double quick time and left. I doubt if I�ll ever call in here again. It�s pretty sad really as this was my local for at least 5 years.
11 Dec 2009 15:45
Way back in the 70s, I and a lot of my peers used to effectively have 3 locals. Here, The Bowling Green across the road and The Albert (now closed). It�s not 30 years since I was last in here, but it�s probably over 10. I even remember playing pool against a young Lisa Stansfield (namedropper) in here years ago (she won). Sadly this pubs heyday has long gone and the slide has been dramatic. There are two large rooms, both getting a bit shabby. The one on the left is the lounge and was packed to the gills with four people last night. To the right is the tap room with a pool table and dart board. There was no-one in here at all last night. There are two handpumps but only Lee�s bitter available. The barmaid asked the landlord if this had been pulled through yet, he said no, it was about 8:15 and they were just serving their first pint of cask. �That�s a bit worrying� I thought, correctly as it turned out. The beer was clear, had a decent head but sadly it was pretty crap. I think I�ll wait a bit longer than 10 years before my next visit, although it will very likely have closed by then.
11 Dec 2009 15:35
Quite a strange shaped little locals pub, just off the beaten track, yet only a couple of hundred yards from the main street. Pool table, dartboard and TV in the lounge area as you enter. They actually have a Manchester dartboard in here, but it�s also apparently a Lincoln board as well. Up a few steps to the bar area on the right. 3 handpumps on the bar but only one was on selling Adnams Old Ale. According to the landlord they had had a good week and they�d sold out before the barrels in the cellar had settled. Had a pint of the Adnams which was very good. Very friendly landlord and landlady, it�s a proper local.
7 Dec 2009 14:47
This pub has been opened out and refurbished quite nicely in the wine bar style but it still retains a bit of a pub feel. There are lots of leather settles and dining tables with high seating in the window alcoves and it has pictures of old Lincoln all around the walls. Three handpumps on the bar with the most boring and uninventive range imaginable. Black Sheep, Abbot Ale and Deuchars, for Christ�s sake get some imagination! I had a pint of the sheep and the other half had a Deuchars, both were OK, but not great. They might do great food, we didn�t try any as we�d already eaten at the nearby Victoria so I can�t comment on quality. The menu was very similar to the Vic but rather more expensive and the Vic food was excellent. I know where I�d go.
4 Dec 2009 15:21
In every town or city there�s always one pub that attracts a really eclectic range of customers, this is Lincolns. Leather jackets, beanie hats, piercings, tattoos, dreadlocks and well dressed middle aged couples (plus two superheroes last Saturday, honest) they�re all here and all made equally welcome. One large floorboarded room with an unusual drinking corridor to the right. A real fire in the main room and an impressive variety of things on the wall. I especially like the cartoon drawings of all the staff over the fireplace. 6 handpumped beers on offer, TT Landlord plus changing guests. The pints I had were fine. They also have four, yes four, real ciders available. It�s not a pub for the faint hearted as it�s pretty raucous in a friendly sort of way, but it�s well worth a visit.
4 Dec 2009 14:21
Two roomed pub with a small snug to the left as you enter with a few settles and tables. Straight ahead is the main room which is long and narrow with the bar on the left. There�s a large outside drinking area directly under the walls of the castle. This used to be a Tynemill house, but is now owned by Batemans. They still sell the Castle Rock Harvest Pale though on one of their 10 handpumps over the 2 rooms. Other regular beers are Batemans XB and Timothy Taylor Landlord alongside a range of changing guests. Both pints I had were excellent, I�ve been coming in here for years whenever I�ve been in Lincoln and the beer has always been top notch. They also sell good value quality food, including hand cut chunky chips, none of your frozen chip rubbish here. The best pub at the top end of Lincoln.
4 Dec 2009 13:59
Square Box would be a better name than Square Sail. It�s a pretty featureless Lloyds No1 on Brayford Wharf so it�s full of people going to the cinema next door. There are about 8 handpumps, when we called most of these still had festival ales on, even though the festival finished almost 2 weeks previously. They were selling these at �1.09 a pint, they might have been a bargain or the beer might have been well past it�s sell by date. Who knows? We couldn�t get any as it was full of shoppers and child buggies and they only had 2 staff serving. Not good on this visit, but I have been in on a previous visit when it was OK.
2 Dec 2009 15:56
This used to be a locals local, but with Brayford Wharf now being the up and coming area in town it�s been opened up into another corporate foodie barn. It�s a pleasant enough place in an antiseptic, not really a pub, sort of way. We�ve all been in this sort of place before so there�s nothing much else to say. Two handpumps on the bar selling the really inventive selection of Ruddles County and Directors. Surprisingly the pint of Directors I had was pretty good.
2 Dec 2009 14:04
This place is almost two pubs in one. Upstairs is a large wooden floored, low beamed room mainly set up with lounge chairs and dining tables. There are 4 handpumps on here serving Milestone & Cathedral (the onsite brewery) beers. It�s a nice enough place so we decided to eat here. I had lamb rump and the other half had a sirloin steak. Both were well cooked but the quality of the meat was very poor. Change your butcher guys, not impressed at all.
Downstairs is the Waterside bar. Flag floors, low beams, barrels to sit around and a really cosy atmosphere. 12 handpumps on the bar here, 2 from Milestone, 2 from Cathedral and 8 ever changing guests. I had several pints here over 2 days and all were excellent. They have a wheel of fortune game during happy hour where you spin the wheel to find out the price you�re going to pay. Good fun. It�s a great little bar.
So we have a great downstairs bar that�s at least an 8 and an upstairs lounge that sells overpriced poor quality food that should be a 5. I think I�ll stick with a 7 overall.
2 Dec 2009 13:44
This is a long standing outlet for good beer in Lincoln. Just off the main street so it doesn�t get the circuit drinkers that many of the nearby places do. The bar is almost circular when you enter and serves two adjoining rooms that obviously once used to be separated by a door. The room to the left as you enter has more of a tap room feel with shabby and patched leather seating and a dart board. This is also where the regular live music is played. The room to the right is a bit more upmarket with the leather seating being in a much better condition. There�s lots of interesting pictures around the walls several of Blues musicians. The background music is always interesting with both the Fleet Foxes and the Foo Fighters (the only connection I can see is Seattle) being played whilst we were in. Eight handpumps selling Sharps Doom Bar plus seven guests. I had a Rudgate Jorvik Blonde and a Marston Moor Mongrel, both were excellent. It�s a good pub.
1 Dec 2009 17:18
This is a JDW converted from an old cinema as the name suggests. It�s probably the best of the 3 JDWs in Lincoln as it always has a good selection of guest ales and a decent atmosphere. It has the usual problem of not enough bar staff though.
1 Dec 2009 15:40
This pub has a very narrow frontage but goes back a long way when you get inside. It�s all one thin bare floorboarded room with comfortable seating at the front with some great seating that looks almost ecclesiastical. Towards the rear are a load of bar stools. It�s a fine little pub with a fine pub dog, a Labrador, with a constantly wagging tail and a really friendly attitude. 6 handpumps on the bar, 4 selling Batemans and 2 guests. I had a pint of Batemans GHA which was excellent. Well worth a visit.
1 Dec 2009 15:28
This pub has signs all around outside and at the doorway saying that it serves cask ales including guests. They're lying, or at least they were on Saturday. 2 handpumps without even pumpclips turned round on them. We left.
29 Nov 2009 16:50
Sadly this pub is now closed and has been converted into flats or something similar. A great shame.
29 Nov 2009 16:46
We stayed here for two nights a couple of weeks ago. The main room is a large flag floored affair, there�s a small area round the back of the bar that looks like it used to be a snug and there�s a bistro attached, which is where you are served breakfast. Leather sofas and chairs all around the place along with a large number of dining tables and a couple of large TV screens. 6 handpumps on the bar, 2 with GK IPA, 2 with Abbot and 2 serving changing guests. All the pints I had were OK especially the Hopback Entire Stout. They were also running a promotion here where you get a stamp on a card for each pint of real ale you bought and then get a free one with four stamps. The staff are friendly if a little disorganised. I wouldn�t recommend the hotel as we found it quite noisy being on a main road and the breakfast service was a bit haphazard although the quality was good (Eggs Benedict anyone). Overall it�s a decent enough place and a lot better than most of Worcesters pubs.
17 Nov 2009 15:06
This is the Worcester CAMRA pub of the year for 2009 and rightly so. You enter into a hallway with a few steps up to the bar (watch these when leaving after a few). The bar is right in front of you and there are two fairly small cosy rooms to the left and right both with real fires. Both rooms are full of bric-a-brac and a right old mix of stools, chairs and settles. There�s also a patio out the back where lots of people were drinking even though it was pretty cold it�s also where the gents toilets are. On both our visits the pub was also full of an eclectic mix of people as well, all very friendly. When we went in on the second night we were greeted like long time friends by the landlord and staff. The landlord was telling everyone who came to the bar his �jokes�. It�s an original way of keeping the bar clear for people who want to get served!! 6 handpumps selling Hobson�s Mild & Bitter, 3 changing guests and a real cider. All the pints I had (and I had quite a few over 2 nights) were in excellent condition. It�s a cracking little pub and a must visit if in Worcester.
17 Nov 2009 14:48
Locals pub with 2 rooms. The front room is mainly a tap room and the rear room is a lounge. There�s a large courtyard along the side of the pub with a big screen showing sport, very unusual. The lounge has fruit and quiz machines and is very comfortable. The only food available is paninis that are sold all day until 9 p.m. and at �2.55 these look a bit of a bargain. 7 handpumps on the bar but only 5 on, Old Speckled Hen, Pedigree, GK St Edmunds a real cider and a changing guest. The St Edmunds was a decent pint for a GK offering and was well kept. The staff were friendly as were the locals although some were a bit on the boisterous side. It�s definitely one of the better pubs in Worcester.
16 Nov 2009 15:31
Single roomed pub with a selection of settles, round tables and chairs. There are lots of jokey things around the walls and there�s an outdoor patio with bench seating, for some reason there�s also a bus stop out here. Seven handpumps including a real cider. The landlord also owns the Wellington in Sheffield which is the home of the Little Ale Cart brewery, so there�s always one of theirs on the bar, the others are changing guests. I had a pint of the Little Ale Cart Galtee More and a Weatheroak Keystone Hops both were excellent. The other half had two halves of a beer from Pictish. How come I can get Pictish in Worcester but not in my home town where it�s brewed !!!!!!
It�s a great pub is this and vies with The Plough for the best pub in Worcester award in my opinion.
13 Nov 2009 14:48
The Swan With Two Nicks, Worcester
This pub is three for the price of one. The main bar area is the Swan, the back bar is a venue called Drummonds and upstairs is a 70�s bar called the Lunar Lounge. The pub is a low ceiling and flag floors sort of place with lots of Whitbread and Flowers memorabilia around. There are 4 handpumps on the bar serving Boddingtons Cask plus 3 changing guests all at an amazing �1.59 a pint and no it�s not a JDW. Called in for a couple on both of our nights in Worcester and the beer was always spot on. The real ale is served in the main pub part only though. Mind you a 70�s theme bar should be selling keg Red Barrel and Gauntlet etc anyway. It�s a good pub.
13 Nov 2009 13:45
This pub was an Irish bar long before they became popular and it still is despite the decline of many of the upstarts. It�s a long thin room with seating areas to front and rear. There are several large screen TVs which were showing American racing last night with an audience of none, the sound was muted though. It�s an OK pint of Guinness but the red wine is total crap, don�t buy it! It�s a bit rough and ready as are some of the clientele but its OK.
13 Nov 2009 10:43
Called in here for the first time last night having tried a few of weeks ago when it was supposed to have opened but hadn�t. I�m pretty sure there are 8 handpumps not 6. Phoenix Black Lion bitter is the house beer and Jennings Cumberland is also a permanent, all the others are changing guests. I had two beers from Empire Brewery, Albion and Red Line the other half had two halves of the Black Lion. All were excellent. Decor wise it�s all very smart, but it doesn�t really look like it�s finished yet as several of the walls are bare. It was a filthy night last night and the pub was pretty quiet at about 6 p.m. but we liked it. It will certainly be added to our Salford crawl along with The Crescent, New Oxford and Kings Arms.
13 Nov 2009 09:45
Huge JDW converted from a telephone exchange. There�s a long bar in the main room and a smaller room to the left. When we visited there was also a bar set up on the left which was going to have some of the festival beers on stillage. There are 10 handpumps on the bar and as they were having their own Halloween beer festival there was a decent selection of spooky brews on. I had 2 beers from Blackwater Darkness and Voodoo both were very good. One of the better JDWs in our opinion as the beer was good as was the service.
12 Nov 2009 14:59
Conservatory Cafe Bar, Worcester
This is a cafe bar style place full of 40 and 50 somethings who still think they�re trendy. You�re not, if you were you wouldn�t be in here. Basic square box with comfy sofas and chairs, music on too loud, bar staff who spend their time talking to their mates rather than serving customers. They do however have a cask beer, London Pride on our visit and it was OK, which is more than can be said for this place. It is very popular though with a certain type.
12 Nov 2009 12:18
Old timbered pub with several rooms. The bar is to the left as you enter, there�s a small snug to the right and another room at the rear. There�s also a paved patio area at the back. There was a really smoky log fire going in the main bar area even though it was pretty warm outside which was rather strange. For some reason this is an Austrian bar with lots of assorted lager fonts on the bar. The beer is charged for in body parts. A half of Pilsner was an arm and a pint of the same was a leg. It still tasted pretty much like Fosters to me i.e. it didn�t taste of much at all. It�s not for me, we had one and left, much poorer than when we went in.
11 Nov 2009 15:53
L shaped pub up on a walkway. It looks like it was two separate shops once that have been broken through. It�s fairly basic with wooden settles and stools but it�s also a pleasant place. It�s a bit bohemian, but then again isn�t a lot of Bath. There are 3 handpumps on the bar but only two beers on. I tried a pint of Abbey Bellringer and was served a pint of foul smelling sludge instead. It was changed with no fuss for a pint of Skinners Betty Stoggs which was good enough for me to have a second pint. Maybe I�m being pedantic here but, if a pub claims to be Baths first vegetarian pub then how come they were selling two beers whose breweries use finings (fish swim bladders) to clear the beer. That�s not vegetarian is it?
11 Nov 2009 14:26
This is a fine little pub with dark wood panelling, some good bits of glass around the place and wooden settles and stools. It�s a long thin bar with 6 handpumps serving the Bath brewery range. I had a pint of the Gem which was pretty good. It�s no longer in the GBG (2010) but it�s still a decent pint. We called in on a Wednesday early evening and it was busy but the one girl behind the bar was coping. We tried again on Thursday evening and the place was rammed, there was still only the one girl behind the bar and no-one was getting any beer. We left.
11 Nov 2009 11:54
Two floor pub with a bar on each floor, very busy and buzzy on both of the occasions we called in. There are wood panelled walls, high backed settles and lots of stools around the place. Upstairs has mainly tables and chairs. We sat at the bar downstairs the first time we called, very friendly and chatty staff, efficient as well. 6 handpumps on the downstairs bar, Raven and Raven Gold are brewed for them by Blindmans Brewery, plus 3 guest beers and a real cider. Had four pints here over 2 days including the two house brews and all were excellent. It�s a great little place.
10 Nov 2009 15:55
Many years ago when I first visited Bath this was the only pub I managed to get to as I only had an hour to spare. At the time it was owned by the now defunct Ash Vine brewery and was about half the size. It�s been broken through into the shop behind it since then and is now much more spacious.
At one end is the bar area where an island bar serves the eclectic mix of visitors. Students, punks, bikers, French girlies on tour, they were all in. The newer area is long and thin with assorted seating all around including a couple of tables with Marvel comic characters under the glass. There�s a mural that looks like a religious artefact from ancient Greece until you notice that there is a Bath rugby ball floating in the sea etc. Pigs all around the place as you might expect especially when you go upstairs to the toilets. Every time you look around you see something new. There�s a fish tank as well, oh and Xbox games can be played. There�s loads of stuff in here, the food was pretty good as well.
6 handpumps on the bar including a traditional cider. Abbey Bellringer plus 4 changing guests. I had four different pints in here over two days and all were very good. It�s a great place.
10 Nov 2009 13:45
This is a great little pub. There are 2 small rooms and a drinking corridor all with oak panelling installed in the 1920�s. The front lounge, where we sat, has pictures of World War 2 aircraft all around the walls. Friendly locals and staff ensured a pleasant visit. 5 handpumps on the bar, Old Green Tree bitter, which is brewed for them by Blindmans Brewery and 4 changing guests. Both the pints I had were very well kept. Another definite when on a Bath pub crawl.
10 Nov 2009 11:30
This is a great little local�s local with a friendly landlord, staff and customers. There are two rooms but we only went in the room to the left as there was a meeting going on in the other room. There are tankards hanging from the ceiling and pumpclips around the bar.. Two handpumps on the bar and 3 barrels behind it serving beer using a strange pumping method rather than gravity. It�s a Wadworth pub so the beers were all theirs with Brains SA as a guest. I had a pint of the Henry�s IPA and another of Malt �n� Hops, both were excellent. We only popped in for a quick one on our way back to the hotel but ended up staying for an hour. It�s a pub that�s not on the radar for visitors to Bath but it�s well worth finding. Be warned though it�s not open all day.
10 Nov 2009 09:39
This is a tiny pub on one of Baths many alleyways. There�s just a few settles and chairs downstairs but there�s more seating upstairs. The front windows of the pub are all stained glass and there�s a great picture of the pub and the alley covered in snow on the wall. It�s very cosy and friendly in our experience. There are 4 handpumps which were serving Abbey Bellringer and Heritage, no surprise there as this is the Abbey brewery tap, along with two guests. I had both the Abbey ales and both were very good pints. One to have on the list when visiting Bath.
9 Nov 2009 15:28
Very large one roomed pub that majors on being a music venue, mainly jazz. It looks a bit run down from the outside and nothing much changes inside. It looks a little neglected rather dirty. There�s a bit of effort going on with hop vines on the ceiling and flowers on each of the tables, which means that the place smells pleasant. There�s a bar billiards table to the rear which unusual these days. 8 handpumps on the bar with the beer being as listed below along with the odd changing guest. I had a pint of the Stonehenge Eye-Opener which was on instead of the Danish Dynamite. It was OK but not quite as good as I had expected for a GBG regular. Not a must visit pub but if you�re going to the nearby Star then call in for one.
9 Nov 2009 14:56
This is a pretty basic open plan bar with a further larger area to the rear up 4 steps. It�s very clean and tidy both inside and out and has obviously been done up quite recently. 5 handpumps serving Butcombe bitter, London Pride, Kingstone Gold and Wickwar Cotswold Way. They also had a 5th beer which I tried first, it was total sludge, so I can�t even remember what it was supposed to be. It was changed with an apology and I had a Kingstone instead which was very nice. It was very quiet when we went in mid afternoon on a Wednesday, but it was very pleasant. It's better than it's 4.8 rating on here.
6 Nov 2009 16:01
Small one room pub with a separate cellar bar underneath. Decor wise it�s nothing to write home about but it does have the feel of a local in the city centre. It�s got a unisex toilet as well which is unusual. We didn�t visit the cellar bar as there were about 20 students in Halloween gear going in as we arrived, so I suspect it�s somewhat different to the upstairs bit. Three handpumps on the bar but only two beers on, Bath Gem and London Pride, the Gem was pretty good as well. It�s an OK place but not one that you�d spend a whole night in.
6 Nov 2009 15:22
The One Elm, Stratford Upon Avon
This is yet another Stratford pub that�s more of a restaurant and wine bar. The actual restaurant area is at the rear but the whole place is very foodie. There are a few seats in the tiny room to the right as you enter and lots of high tables and chairs in the main bar area. There are loads of great photos around the walls of guitar players etc. It�s very bright and airy and obviously very girlie friendly. Three handpumps on the bar selling Purity UBU and Gold plus Bombardier. Both Purity beers were in good nick. I thought it was an OK place but the other half loved it so we came back twice in two days.
6 Nov 2009 15:07
The Dirty Duck, Stratford Upon Avon
This is pretty much a restaurant with a bit of pub attached. Its wood panelled all around but doesn�t give the feel of being old compared to e.g. The Falcon or The White Swan Hotel. There are dining tables and chairs all around the place. The menu is exactly the same as The Garrick and The Pen and Parchment, but the beer is worse. 4 handpumps on the bar but only 2 beers on, the others didn�t even have pumpclips on so these may not be used. GK IPA and Olde Trip available, the Trip was just about OK. There�s a patio area out front which is probably nice in summer but we won�t be bothering to come here again.
6 Nov 2009 14:40
The Falcon Hotel, Stratford Upon Avon
This place has changed a little bit since Roger reviewed it nearly 3 years ago and probably for the better. No significant change to the decor but on the negative side there are now 2 plasma screens and the music being played in the bar was from the TMF channel on the TVs.
The good news is that they now have 2 handpumps selling Purity UBU and Mad Goose, the Mad Goose was very well kept. Whether it�s because they have some decent beer on now I don�t know, but it was pretty busy for a Tuesday lunchtime when we called and quite a few people were drinking the real stuff. It is a bit pricey, but it�s also quite a pleasant place. Get rid of the plasma�s and it�ll improve even more.
5 Nov 2009 15:25
The Lazy Cow, Stratford Upon Avon
Large purpose built pub with a huge riverside patio. There�s a venue upstairs with some top rock names from the 70�s appearing. Steve Gibbons Band, Budgie and Dr Feelgood to name but 3 appearing soon. Mind you I wouldn�t have paid �17 to see Steve Gibbons in his heyday never mind now. They only have one handpump which was serving Bombardier when we were there and it was �3 a pint which is very pricey even for a tourist trap like Stratford, it was kept OK though. It was late October and it was still warm enough to sit outside on the patio. We shared a mixed platter involving samosa�s, chicken bites, spring rolls, wedges etc which wasn�t bad at all. The main bar area has a pool table and several fruit/quiz machines, flag floors and some comfy sofas. It�s not great but it�s much better than the pathetic staff at the Pen & Parchment would have you believe.
5 Nov 2009 14:56
The Pen and Parchment, Stratford Upon Avon
This pub has been ripped out and �improved� like most pubs in Stratford. It�s only small but still manages to be soulless, it probably used to be a nice little local. It�s aimed at the tourist trade with the whole place being full of dining tables and chairs. It�s got exactly the same menu as The Garrick and The Dirty Duck so they�re probably all owned by the same people. Four handpumps on the bar all serving beer from the Greene King stable. GK IPA, Abbot and XX Mild (a bit of a surprise that one) plus Morlands Old Original. I had a pint of the mild which was pretty good.
Now for the bad news. They had a Xmas Tree AND a large snowman automaton in the pub, it was still October you muppets! Now for the even worse news. We asked at the bar where Cox�s Yard was as we knew it was nearby, but couldn�t spot it in the dark. We were pointed in the right direction but were told �You don�t want to go there, they don�t sell real ale (they do) and the foods crap (it isn�t)�. They then gleefully pointed out a large framed poster on the wall of a newspaper article criticising the other pub. Sorry guys this really isn�t on, you don�t slag off your nearest neighbour by having negative reviews about it on your walls. Grow up.
5 Nov 2009 12:37
The Windmill, Stratford Upon Avon
The best pub in Stratford? Probably. It�s got a nicely kept white painted exterior with subdued lighting in the windows, which makes it look very welcoming at night. Once inside you�ll find that it is indeed welcoming. The room to the right as you enter is set up for dining, they serve food until 8 during the week contrary to the last post as we ordered food at 7.40 last week. Very good it was too, Suffolk sausage & mash and a Hunters Chicken for �10, great value and very efficient service. On the wall there is a plaque listing all the landlords of the pub since the mid 1700s. Very interesting, everyone in the right hand room commented on it at some point during the evening. The area to the left has comfy chairs and a sofa and an interesting chest instead of a table. The whole pub is quite spacious as they haven�t crammed in loads of tables and chairs, well done. There�s also a fireplace in each room and old pictures of Stratford all over the walls.
The bar is straight ahead and hits you with a double whammy of a step down and very low beams. Concentrate on one and you get caught by the other. Luckily the low beams are all padded. Three handpumps on the bar serving GK IPA and Flowers IPA plus the rather better quality Purity UBU (pronounced Ooo-Boo). I had several pints of the UBU over 2 days and they were all good. There�s also a good varied wine list so the other half was in her element. Low volume background music and unobtrusive Fruit and Quiz machines and a paved garden area to the rear. It�s got it all really.
5 Nov 2009 11:14
The New Bulls Head, Stratford Upon Avon
Not really a pub more of a lounge bar, but a good one. It�s in a row of terraced cottages on the edge of the town centre so not very touristy as they don�t get this far. It�s got a couple of alcoves with comfy seating and some more leather chairs in the main part along with dining tables and chairs. Interesting art on the walls and some strange prints in the gents. There�s also a paved area to the rear for the smokers. 3 Handpumps on the bar selling Uley Pigs Ear, TT Landlord and Pride. The Pigs Ear and the Pride were both decent pints. It�s a bit pricey but it�s a decent place and the other half loved it so we had to call in twice.
5 Nov 2009 09:34
The Lamplighters, Stratford Upon Avon
From the outside and from the name you would think that this is a wine bar, but it isn�t. Once inside it�s a fairly basic boozer with slightly worn red seating and loads of dining tables. The reason for this becomes obvious when you spot the sign that says 2 meals for �4.95!!!! Most people were dining and what they got for the price looked great. The group of guys in overalls in front of us had liver, onions, mash and peas and they got huge platefuls. Can�t comment about the taste as we didn�t eat here, but everyone seemed to be enjoying it. 6 handpumps on the bar doubling up with Banks�s Bitter and Original plus Hobgoblin. A pint of Hobgoblin and a 175 ml wine was �4.50 in here. Compare that to the White Swan across the road at �7.10. The Hobgoblin was a good pint as well. It�s a friendly bar with a buzzy feel about it, we liked it.
4 Nov 2009 14:55
The White Swan Hotel / Good Companions bar, Stratford Upon Avon
This is an ancient bar and lounge within the White Swan Hotel. As you enter the hotel take either of the first two doors to the right for the lounge or the third door to enter the small bar area. The lounge has low ceilings, a fantastic mural on the wall protected behind glass, bookcases, wood panelling and mullioned windows. There are leather sofas, huge armchairs around a central fireplace. It�s a step back in time, a fantastic place for a quiet pint in classic surroundings. The small bar area is also wood panelled and has 3 handpumps on the bar. They were serving GK IPA, Pride and Purity Mad Goose. The Mad Goose was a very good pint. Now for the only bit of bad news, the prices are very modern. This was the most expensive place we drank in the whole two days, �7.10 for a Mad Goose and a 175ml glass of red wine, the rest of Stratford will get to this level in about mid 2012 I suspect. It�s still a great place and despite the prices we called back the following night.
4 Nov 2009 13:26
The Queens Head, Stratford Upon Avon
Nice looking pub from the outside, somewhat ripped out on the inside. 4 handpumps on the bar, all 4 pumpclips turned round. When asked the landlady said "We had a really big do on in here on Friday so we sold out", this was on a Tuesday. I said "Couldn't you have got an emergency delivery?". She looked at me as if I was mad. We left.
3 Nov 2009 15:49
The Old Thatch Tavern, Stratford Upon Avon
This place is a thatched pub of course as you would expect from the name, in fact it�s the only thatched building left in central Stratford. It�s a flag floors and low beams kind of place that is mainly food led with the whole of the back room reserved for diners only. Unfortunately this only leaves a small bar area for the drinkers, however it does have some decent leather sofas and a couple of tables and chairs with interesting red lights on them. There are chintzy curtains at the windows that give it the feel of someone�s front room. A bright red VR pillar box is next to the fireplace and there are some good pictures on the walls. It provides newspapers for the punters as well. 3 handpumps on the bar selling Purity UBU and Mad Goose plus Wye Valley bitter. The Mad Goose and the Wye Valley were very well kept. It�s not one to spend all night in but we popped in for one on both evenings of our stay. It would be a decent pub anywhere, but in a pub desert like Stratford it�s great.
3 Nov 2009 15:00
Walked into this pub at 12.15 on Saturday lunchtime, there was no-one in the pub or behind the bar. We had a bit of a look round the place which is long and narrow with a strange mix of almost Asian decor (any connection to the Hand In Glove which is similar?). After 4 or 5 minutes no-one had appeared to serve us so we left. We could have left with most of the contents of the spirits rack if we�d wanted, the owners being so apathetic or is it trusting? There were 3 handpumps on the bar two beers were on but who knows what they tasted like. Went 100 yards down the road to The Dragon for some good beer and service.
3 Nov 2009 09:32
Unmissable pub when in Bath. A basic and somewhat weathered exterior opens up into a fine Victorian gem. There are 4 rooms all panelled with benches around the outside. The smallest only contains a single bench known as Death Row locally. There are some great photos and paintings on the walls a fine fireplace in one of the rooms and a very friendly atmosphere in the whole place. There were only 4 people in when we arrived and every one of them said hello when we entered. 4 handpumps selling Abbey Bellringer and Steeplejack plus 2 guests. It also sells Bass from the barrel which was the most popular drink with the locals when we were there. Dog friendly as well as there were two in the pub. Love it to bits.
3 Nov 2009 09:15
It's still not open and there was no work going on anywhere inside on Friday. It looks terminal to me.
2 Nov 2009 17:29
The Encore, Stratford upon Avon
I think this place must have had the revamp that it apparently required in 2006 as the whole of the outside of the pub is now painted blue. It�s still got a pub like bar but the rest of the place is very gastro/wine bar style and there�s a restaurant upstairs. Horseshoe shaped bar with stone flagged floors and subdued lighting with unusual zebra striped stools. Apart from that it�s got very few distinguishing features although it is all tastefully done and it doesn�t look like a cafe in IKEA as many of them do. There are 2 handpumps on the bar which is good news, serving Purity UBU and TT Landlord. The Landlord was pretty good as was the red wine according to the other half. It�s a very girlie place now and was full of the after work crowd and tourists. It�s just about OK but it is a bit of a generic modernisation.
2 Nov 2009 14:17
The Golden Bee, Stratford Upon Avon
Stratford seems to have sold its soul for the tourist dollar as far as its pubs are concerned, with only The Old Thatch, The Windmill and possibly Lamplighter retaining much pubby feel at all. They�ve all been turned into wine bar style eateries with little character left.
This is one of the best examples of the type of poor pub that Stratford has been left with. It�s got a fine black and white timbered exterior but inside it�s been ripped out and extended and is now just a large soulless drinking/eating barn. Usual JDW beers on the eight handpumps with the only guest ale that wasn�t �Coming Soon� being O�Hanlons Yellowhammer. I had a pint of this and it was pretty good. As the back of the pub is just bare brick it echoes a lot when empty (we had breakfast here one day) and gets really noisy when it�s busy. The service was good on both occasions we visited but that�s it�s only saving grace. Despite there being a large smoking patio at the back the pavement at the front of the pub was still full of the low life nicotine bouncers that JDWs attract. Even Stratford has some better pubs than this!
2 Nov 2009 10:04
This place was probably one of the first bank conversions in Manchester. It�s a fantastic building inside with grey marble pillars and a couple of busts/statues. The carpet hasn�t been changed since it opened though and it�s pretty tatty in places. When it opened it was a very trendy place with a loud DJ and flashing lights all over the place. It�s changed track since then and is now a Wetherspoonalike with similar menus and clientele to match. There are loads of different types of seating around the one huge room with a raised area to the left as you enter and a number of sofas in the area to the right of the door. There�s also a pool table and a quiz machine towards the rear of the pub. It�s an ornate island bar that has 3 handpumps on. One was turned round, the others were Deuchars and John Smiths Cask. I asked for a pint of Deuchars and was served vinegar instead. It was changed for a John Smiths with no problem though. The John Smiths was OK as well. Now for the shock, a pint of JS plus a 175ml glass of red wine (Blossom Hill) = �3.14!!!! We thought the barmaid had got it wrong but when we sat down and looked at the prices on the menu it was correct. No wonder the clientele has gone downhill, the nearby Waterhouse (JDW) can�t compete with these prices. It�s worth going in for a look at the building but you wouldn�t want to stay for long unless you�re very price conscious.
7 Oct 2009 14:59
This is a brand new build pub next to the new Premier Travel Inn, it�s one of the Table Table chain. It�s so new you can smell it, it�s quite nicely done in a plastic chain bar sort of way, although some of the pictures are pretty good. If you�ve been in one of these places before then you�ve effectively been here as well. It�s a very large place totally aimed at diners, but drinkers are reasonably well catered for, although there�s no lounge style seating, its all dining tables. There are two handpumps on the bar selling Pedigree and Banks�s Bitter. The Pedigree was a very reasonable �2.45 for the city centre and tasted OK if a little cold. There are several big screen TVs around the place showing Sky Sports News along with a Quiz machine. There�s also a large outdoor seating area with fantastic views of the back of the station and the main road. I won�t be visiting again, but I�ve been in a lot worse.
6 Oct 2009 08:57
Called in on Friday and was surprised to find Hook Norton Copper Ale on the bar. I was even more surprised to find it was less than �2 AND it was a good pint. Still very loud though and so many nicotine bouncers outside it's difficult to even get through the door.
5 Oct 2009 16:33
Sam Smiths pub hidden down an alleyway almost in the centre of town. It has two entrances, so it depends which way you enter. If you walk down the alleyway there�s a small lounge area to the right with slightly tired looking red settles around the walls. The main room to the left is opened up into two areas with a mixture of seating. The bar is quite impressive with old wood and glass, but sadly the choice on the bar is not so good. As mentioned it�s a Sam Smiths house but it�s all keg. Sams only do 1 real ale so I�m surprised this place doesn�t sell it really (or perhaps not). It�s an old fashioned working mans boozer really and is even cheaper than the nearby JDW, it�s nowhere near as good though.
5 Oct 2009 16:20
This pub now has now reopened with a brand new landlord and landlady. I called in on Friday and just like The Reed further down the road the music was blasting out playing to a crowd of about six who were leaning on the bar totally uninterested in the music but having to shout to be heard when talking to someone 2 feet away. Once again I�m not sure that this is what is needed here. The pub is a one roomed affair with a couple of separate raised areas. It always used to do well on the food side with the shoppers but I don�t know what they are doing food wise at the moment. It�s a pleasant enough looking pub but the music destroys it. There are 2 handpumps on the bar but no real stuff on, it�s probably going to be closed again soon, there�s just no reason to go in at the moment.
5 Oct 2009 16:05
This pub now has a new tenant and they are giving it a real go. DJ and karaoke on Friday, live bands on Saturday and a poker night during the week. They now do food all day from 9 a.m. I called in on Friday and the music was blasting out playing to a crowd of one, me. The lights were out and flashing strobe lights etc were on the go. I�m not sure that this is what is needed in a pub that is a bit off the beaten track even in the town centre, but we�ll see. Still only had Marston�s Bitter on handpump, it was OK though.
5 Oct 2009 15:57
Has been refurbished yet again since we last called in, that�s twice in the last couple of years. Now has a more open feel about it even though the layout hasn�t changed. It�s effectively one big room with a small raised seating area to the left as you enter and another larger area which is full of dining tables and chairs straight ahead. To the right is another large seating area with some high stools and tables and the bar. The bar has been open up as well and the glass racks above it have gone. There are 4 handpumps with a pretty mainstream selection of Pedigree, Black Sheep bitter and something so uninteresting that I can�t remember what it was, plus St Austell Tribute. I had a pint of the Tribute which was pretty good and the other half assures me that the red wine was good as well. It�s getting back to where it was a few years ago, definitely on the up.
28 Sep 2009 13:51
No it didn't. It was closed last night and still had boarding up at the windows, there were lights on though.
25 Sep 2009 14:22
This is a fine old pub in the middle of a sea of newness. A small front bar leads up a fairly steep slope, through to a smaller snug at the back which seats about 8. There�s a plaque on the wall in the snug commemorating the inaugural meeting of Merseyside CAMRA which was held here in 1974, there can�t have been many of them, there isn�t room. It�s a proper locals pub in the city centre but all are welcome. I had a pint of O�Hanlons Yellowhammer which was very good, it�s good pub.
23 Sep 2009 16:27
Called in again on Sunday and sadly the food was crap, they knocked us 50% off our total food and wine bill after we complained, so they know it wasn't good. I withdraw the recommendation from June.
23 Sep 2009 16:17
Depends what you mean by price increase. Old price for a pint of session beer �2.15, new price �2.50. However if you buy 3 you get the third for half price. 3 pints @ �2.15 = �6.45. 2 pints at �2.50 + 1 at �1.25 = �6.25. No I don't work at the pub, we called in on Sunday again and it was very good and yes I did have 3 pints!
23 Sep 2009 16:14
Yes it's a fantastic looking pub but you just can't get served. It wasn't that busy on Saturday but we still couldn't get beer after a five minute wait. THere were 4 staff on but 3 of them seemed to be collecting glasses! How can the staff here be so crap when after walking 100 yards to the Fly, which was much busier, you get acknowledged as soon as you go to the bar and are served in double quick time. Call in to have a look at Brahms, Liszt and the toilets but don't try and buy beer.
23 Sep 2009 16:04
The Everyman Bistro, Liverpool
Modern cellar bar under the Everyman Theatre that is very popular with a certain type and age of people, you know the type, over 50 but still think they�re trendy. The beers on offer on Saturday were exactly the same as reported by blue scrumpy over a month ago, so maybe they don�t change much. I had a pint of the Betwixt Storr which was very good. Interesting lights and loads of cactuses? cactii? Either way there�s a lot of them around. There�s also a function room which was hosting a 60th when we were there. The place was packed to the rafters and very, very noisy. It�s OK in here though.
23 Sep 2009 15:52
I wasn�t very impressed with this place. 6 handpumps but only 1 beer on at 6 p.m. on a Saturday, very poor. The beer was Coach House Cheshire Gold which to be fair was pretty good. There are a lot of smokers using this pub and we had to push though a crowd of about 20 of them to even get into the pub. It�s very small inside and has 2 large TV screens so everybody is stood watching one or the other of them. A nice touch though is the pub sign which shows a picture of Paddy Golden who was one of the pubs regulars until he died in 2004. He was a local character and was one of the first soldiers to hit the Normandy beaches on D Day. This pub is in the GBG 2010, what are you playing at Merseyside CAMRA? Here, Pilgrim, Munroe, you have got to be joking.
23 Sep 2009 15:24
Well named, it is pretty grim. Full of students and downright dirty. Sticky tables & floors, glasses & bottles everywhere, just not good enough, I can�t imagine why anyone would ever want to eat here, given the state of everywhere else what must the kitchen be like. Four real ales on the bar, I had a pint of Leeds Funfair, it was poor. Had another pint of Funfair in Rochdale last night, it was good, so definitely down to the pub. Why on earth is this place in the GBG 2010? Don�t go unless you like students and grime.
23 Sep 2009 15:03
Called in here for the first time on Sunday as I had been made aware it was now open again. oldboots has described the interior well, so I won�t add anything except to say that the big screen was showing Utd vs City which seemed strange as Everton were also playing. We ate here, the food is basic but very good value for large portions. 2 steak baguettes with crisps & salad + one portion of chips (enormous) for �7.80. There are 6 handpumps with Brains Rev James being a permanent and the others are changing guests. I had a couple of pints of the Betwixt Sunlight as I�d had the other beers on the bar previously. It�s a good pub, we�ll definitely be calling again.
22 Sep 2009 16:08
This was until recently �The Courtyard� restaurant, it still looks rather like a restaurant inside as oldboots mentions with the exposed brickwork. There are 3 handpumps but only Okell�s bitter and Bath Gem were on when we called on Sunday afternoon. The Gem was OK but not totally top notch. They have live music on Sundays from 6 and an open mic night on Wednesday. It�s a bit wine bar ish for me but the other half loved it so I suspect we�ll be back soon.
22 Sep 2009 15:49
This is a one roomed pub that I used to visit regularly when a friend of mine lived just round the corner. I hadn�t visited for a while until last Friday. Nothing much has changed although the cask beer range has improved as it used to be a Boddingtons tied house many years ago. There were 4 handpumps on the bar with 3 beers on, Deuchars IPA, Thwaites Original and Black Sheep bitter, the Thwaites was fine. There�s seating all round the walls of the room along with tables and chairs and a few barstools, there�s also a quiz machine. It�s fairly basic really, but it�s a good friendly local.
14 Sep 2009 15:10
This is an old style pub in a row of terraced houses, a proper workingman�s local. There are 3 rooms, there is a cosy bar area to the right as you enter with a few seats and tables along with a few barstools. To the right is a lounge with faded and slightly shabby seating and a games room with a pool table. It�s badged as a Thwaites pub and has been for as long as I can remember, however the only cask ale on was Black Sheep bitter which was fine and at �2 is a bit of a steal. The landlady has been here for 22 years and as far as I can see the pub hasn�t changed much in all that time. Long may it continue in its little timewarp.
14 Sep 2009 15:00
The Smithybridge, Littleborough
This is almost an estate pub but in a fairly posh area. It�s one of those custom built one storey type of places with no character. There�s a vestibule area as you enter with the toilets to the left, this is a shame as the whole area smells of piss and needs a good cleaning. To the left is a large lounge to lots of dining style tables and chairs along with a number of red leather look seating areas that are beginning to look a bit shabby. There�s also a fake fireplace and a quiz machine and a couple of small TV screen. Last Friday there was evidence all over the lounge of an untethered brat, and look there she is, 3 years old and sat on a bar stool at the bar!! The is a tap room to the rear with a dartboard and pool table. There are two handpumps on the bar selling TT Landlord and Copper Dragon Best. I had a Copper Dragon which was OK but not as well kept as at the Wine Press just up the road. It�s OK but I wouldn�t want it as my local.
11 Sep 2009 14:55
When I was much younger this pub was called The Beach and a good friend of mine used to work here. After a relatively short time as Millers it is now called The Beach again. I would add it to the pub changes section in the forums, but what�s the point, they never get actioned anyway.
This is now a really poor place. It�s another one of those pubs for people who don�t like pubs. It�s all one huge room really, but it�s sectioned off so that it looks like several rooms. There�s a large conservatory at the back which would have good views of Hollingworth Lake if it didn�t have a kiddies play area in the way. The floor as you enter and round the bar is old stone but was wet in several patches when we went and it wasn�t even raining. There�s no real ale of course and even the Becks is a bit pricey. It majors on food, but sadly it�s all bought in plastic stuff. There�s no reason to ever go in here.
11 Sep 2009 14:42
This pub was called The Fishermans a.k.a. �The Fish� for years. It was always popular with bikers and used to have a rock DJ and live bands. Things have changed dramatically in the last couple of years and it�s now more of a wine bar and eating place, but for some reason it�s still popular with some of the bikers. It still has music on some Fridays but it�s not rock any more. It�s one large room split into sections, with lots of leather seating and dining tables, but it�s also got some bar stools for people just wanting a beer. There are no fruit or quiz machines in the pub. There�s a decent sized patio at the front with fine views of Hollingworth Lake. This whole area was known as �The Weavers Seaport� when cotton was king as the locals used to travel here for a walk along its promenade. The public footpath goes all round the lake and is about a 2 1/4 mile walk, well worth a try. There are 3 handpumps on the bar and on Friday they were selling Black Sheep bitter, Moorhouses Pride of Pendle and Copper Dragon Best. The Copper Dragon was on fine form if a little expensive for round here at �2.60 a pint and we sat outside the front of the pub in the early evening sunshine. It�s an OK place in a great location, especially in Summer.
7 Sep 2009 16:18
Called in here on Friday night, boy is it an experience! I�m not saying it�s a good experience, but it�s certainly different. It�s a long thin room with the bar on the right as you enter, there�s no real stuff of course, but it is very cheap. There was a DJ/Karaoke guy towards the rear and a small area that acts as a stage/dancefloor. There�s also a quiz machine. Most of the punters are in the late middle aged bracket and most seem to have some sort of problem. These range from the guy who shouts out stupid answers when you�re playing the quiz machine and then says �I was going to go for that one� when you ignore him and choose the correct answer, to the woman who �dances� to every song despite having no inkling what rhythm or co-ordination is. This place is a perfect example of �Care In The Community� in action.
7 Sep 2009 12:38
This pub was called �The Green Gardens� for years, but everyone knew it as �The Donkey�. This was because there is a public footpath at the side of the pub called the donkey path locally, as there used to be several donkeys roaming free on the land the footpath crossed. Being friendly (and greedy) critters they used to stand at the top of the path and wait for people to pet and feed them, especially the kids. When the dads were going down the pub later that evening when asked where they were going by their kids they used to say �I�m going to visit the donkey�, hence the name of the pub.
It�s a two roomed pub with a large nicely furnished lounge to the rear with good views over the moorland. There are plenty of decent settles and dining tables and chairs along with a number of bar stools, there are also display cabinets holding lots of bric-a-brac. The front room is smaller and is the tap room with a pool table, dartboard and a quiz machine. There are 3 handpumps on the bar, two in the lounge and one in the tap room. It�s a Lee�s tied house and only the bitter was available on cask, although there was a pumpclip for the Coronation Street ale turned round on another handpump. It�s an acquired taste is Lee�s but it�s a decent pint in here and at �2 it�s a bit of a bargain.
7 Sep 2009 12:27
Large purpose built Holts�s pub near Droylsden market. It has multiple rooms including three lounges and a massive tap room. There�s a very mixed clientele leaning more towards the mature end (OK it�s full of fossils really and we were some of the youngest in there). Holts�s cask Mild and Bitter on the bar at very competitive prices as usual. It�s a decent pub but it�s pretty basic and definitely a working mans local.
28 Aug 2009 17:07
This is a lovely little pub, almost from a bygone era. The main room is full of plants, pictures and horse brasses. There�s loads of comfortable seating near the bar and also in the slightly raised lounge area. There�s also a tap room with a dart board. Sadly it�s now keg only, a few years ago they at least sold cask Boddingtons. It�s a nice place but the lack of cask ale means that we usually have one and move on.
28 Aug 2009 16:59
Fairly nondescript pub on the border of Droylsden and Audenshaw. It�s quite wide and narrow with the long bar facing you as you enter. There�s a games room with a pool table and a table football. The main lounge has a number of slightly worn tables and chairs but is fairly comfortable. What wasn�t comfortable on Friday was that there was a DJ playing in the area to the right with far too much volume. There�s a large beer garden to the right and rear which looks pleasant. It�s a keg only pub now, it wasn�t always, but it now attracts a younger clientele who only drink lager. It�s not great and I wouldn�t bother, even Droylsden has several better pubs.
28 Aug 2009 16:52
Pub has been bought by the guys from the New Oxford. Expect good news very soon.
25 Aug 2009 09:06
A bit of a bohemian bar is this one. It�s got a small upstairs area with red walls covered in photos and posters, a stuffed Elks head and a couple of interesting clocks. There�s a mixture of seating in here ranging from leather sofas to dining chairs and tables. Downstairs is an even smaller lounge filled with cream coloured comfy sofa�s and seats. The toilet doors are covered in door knockers which is unusual. There is only 1 handpump on the bar, last night they were selling Dunham Massey Summer Meadow which was pretty good. It�s a very pleasant place and well worth a visit. Be warned though, it gets very full at weekends.
30 Jul 2009 15:39
Trof Northern Quarter, Manchester
Small bare brick style bar with a real buzz. We went in last night at about 4.45, by 5.15 it was full. The main bar doesn�t have any particularly outstanding d�cor but the little lounge area just to the left of the bar is very snug. A whole array of silver lager fonts greet you as you walk in, I�m not convinced that Staropramen, San Miguel and Frulli are that unusual round here though. It�s OK but not as good as ODD a few doors away.
30 Jul 2009 15:12
This is a pub that I and many of my school friends used to frequent when we were much younger and there were a couple of 21st parties held in the upstairs room. It�s a nice looking black and white timbered building, inside there�s a small snug to the left as you enter and a large restaurant area to the right that never seems to get busy these days and is closed at night. Straight ahead is the main lounge. It�s getting very shabby in here these days and doesn�t look to have had much done to it in the past 30 years. The clientele are older than most pubs in the town centre and it looked a bit like a �grab a granny� night on Friday. There was a karaoke rig set up in the main lounge run by a Booby Ball lookalike. He was playing Bucks Fizz greatest hits when I was in!! There are two handpumps on the bar but as far as I am aware they haven�t been used for years. It�s a pretty poor place at the moment and isn�t worth a visit, unless you like Bucks Fizz and grannies of course.
27 Jul 2009 12:40
When I was younger and had just started drinking this pub was called the New Bricklayers. I assume that sometime in the past it was simply the Bricklayers. It has a standard brick built exterior with no interesting features at all really. Inside it used to be a three room layout that has been opened up but the individual rooms are still obvious. There�s a lounge area to the left as you enter with a dart board. The one on the right has a large and very obtrusive big screen on the wall. This is usually used for sport, but when I called in had the VH1 music channel on much too loud. Both the lounges are nicely decorated with blue flecked settles and leather look stools. There�s an area at the rear that has a pool table. This pub has never been known for it�s cask ale but on Friday they had one handpump selling Hydes Original at a competitive �1.95 and pretty good it was too. The other pumps on the bar also sold Hydes smooth and dark. It didn�t used to be a Hydes pub but now appears to have their range on which is a great improvement. It�s OK for one.
27 Jul 2009 12:34
Known locally as �The Tobes� this pub has been here for as long as I can remember as I used to go to school just around the corner. Up until relatively recently it was a Burtonwood pub and only sold keg beers. Under new ownership it now sells the real stuff. There�s a large lounge to the left as you enter and a much smaller one just to the right. In the large room to the right there�s a pool table and a quiz machine. This room is used to show football whenever there�s a big match on. The lounges are nicely decorated and look much better then they have in the past. It can be a bit rough and ready as some of the locals can get a bit raucous at times. There are now two handpumps on the bar but only one was being used selling Brakspears Oxford Gold, it was pretty average really and I certainly wouldn�t have wanted another one. I was also give a Mexican two peso coin in my change rather than a �2 piece as they look very similar, it could have been an �accident�. It�s still not great but it�s better than it has been in the recent past.
27 Jul 2009 12:29
Last night they had both handpumps on the go serving Pedigree and Jennings Cocker Hoop. The Jennings was OK. The main problem was that they simply didn't have enough staff on. The one lad who was serving was rushed off his feet and there were 5 waiting to be served. When he tried to get some help it didn�t arrive. Poor customer service guys, get it sorted. It�s a pretty nondescript estate style pub with a large carvey restaurant to the left and lots of other seating to the right also set up for food. It�s pretty poor all round really.
21 Jul 2009 10:05
The Hare and Hounds, Oakengates
Large L shaped single roomed carvery pub. The area to the right has some partitions that make it look like a separate room though. It looks like a pub that has been dramatically extended at some time in the past with the old part surrounded by a new build style single floor extension. The area to the left is fully devoted to dining and there�s a kiddies play area to the rear. It�s a pretty nondescript pub really. Two handpumps on the bar selling Pedigree and London Pride. I had a pint of the Pride, it was poorly kept. I certainly won�t be bothering with this place again.
14 Jul 2009 11:47
This pub is being refurbished at the moment. The workmen were actually on site working when I visited, so it would be unfair to comment on the d�cor although the small front room to the right as you enter looked to have been completed and looked pretty comfortable. There�s a garden to the rear and a conservatory across the front of the pub. I could see four handpumps although I think there were more in the room to the left, but as that room was being worked on I couldn�t get in to see. Two beers were on Banks�s bitter and Wye Valley HPA. I had a pint of the HPA which was excellent. It looks promising in here.
14 Jul 2009 11:17
This pub has the smell of impending death hanging over it, you can almost hear a bell tolling. The freehold is for sale rather than the leasehold (bong). The landlord and landlady were bickering with each other behind the bar, the landlord looks like a bloodhound and totally resigned to his fate (bong). I was the only person in the bar last night (bong). They have four handpumps on the bar but no cask ale, when I asked why the landlady said �They were left there by the previous owners, we aren�t going to use them� (bong). There is a large lounge as you enter the pub with a dartboard to the rear. To the right of the bar there�s a pool table and a quiz machine. If someone with energy and enthusiasm took it over and spent a few quid on a spruce up, it could actually be a pleasant pub, but it just isn�t currently. There is a sign up outside that says �Support your local � call in for a drink�. Why would you at the moment. (bong)
14 Jul 2009 10:59
Tried to get a pint in here on Saturday afternoon. The beer festival was on in town so you would have thought they would have put some extra staff on. Two staff on, three deep at the bar, not good enough.
13 Jul 2009 15:26
Newly reopened and refurbished pub just across the road from Ye Olde Dolphin. There�s a huge mural on the outside which is difficult to miss. It has a fine old stone exterior along with some black and white timberwork. Once inside there are two rooms both with good fireplaces and nicely decorated with red settles and old photos of the pub around the walls. There�s a decent bit of tiling to the rear near the toilets and the room to the right of the door has parquet flooring. As previously mentioned there are 8 handpumps, all being used when we visited, plus Bass served from the jug. One of the beers Peregrine Pale Ale (PPA) is brewed for the pub by an undisclosed brewer (not local is as far as they�ll go when you ask). It�s to celebrate the fact that the peregrines nesting on the nearby cathedral have successfully produced chicks for the 4th year running. I had a pint of the Apollo from Black Hole which was good. They don�t do food but they will let you bring your own in and will also supply plates and cutlery. Add it to your ale trail in Derby.
13 Jul 2009 13:53
The Merchant Stores, Shrewsbury
This bar now appears to be called Source. It�s a typical late night lager bar which has been nicely done out. There�s lots of comfortable seating at the front and a dance floor with a DJ rig at the rear. There�s a quiz machine and a couple of big screen TVs, there�s also a bouncer even on a Wednesday. It was very quiet when I called in but a few nice looking girlies in short skirts were just arriving as I was leaving, or maybe it was because I was leaving. As there wasn�t any beer I had to have a pint of Fosters. It was only �2, I assume this is a promotion as I can�t see it being �2 on a Friday night.
9 Jul 2009 12:08
This isn�t the prettiest pub in the whole of Britain, it�s not even in the top 10 in Shrewsbury. See Loggerheads, Nags Head etc
The �ancient painting of the Last Supper� has a plaque underneath it that says SOME people have said that it MAY depict the last supper. Lets be honest it�s too faded to be sure what it shows.
Shrewsbury isn�t in the SE of England.
Now let�s have a reality check.
It�s a pub with a great exterior with black and white timbers which overhang the street and mullioned windows. Sadly once you get inside it�s been opened out into one room from what obviously used to be at least two and possible three. There are low beams, lots of brass and bric-a-brac around the walls along with pictures of old Shrewsbury. For some reason the beams are all hung with fairy lights. There is blue covered seating to the left which is pretty decent and two dartboards to the right as you enter. On the bar are a standard range of lagers, there is a handpump but there wasn�t even a pumpclip on it, so I have to assume it�s not used. Last night the clientele consisted of two p*ssed up old farts, swearing at each other and a slightly dodgy looking couple surrounded by shopping bags sat in the window seat. All this action whilst listening to the adverts played on the local radio station which was the �background music�. There is so much potential here, sadly it�s pretty crap all round at the moment.
9 Jul 2009 11:13
Lloyds in the Town, Shrewsbury
Called in yesterday to check out the refurbishment. The toilets have been painted and generally cleaned up. There�s new carpet all around the place apart from the �dance floor� of course which doesn�t seem to have had any attention. It�s also been newly wallpapered throughout. So what we now have is a newly wallpapered and carpeted chav ridden dump with clean toilets.
9 Jul 2009 10:35
L shaped pub split into two rooms. The front room has a pool table and Beatles posters on the walls. The rear room has a load of framed beer adverts along with a fantastic Wychwood Brewery mirror with the usual picture of the dog on it, the slogan underneath is �The Dogs Bollocks � brewed exclusively for sad bastards�. They also have live music on Fridays. Eight handpumps on the bar doubling up in each room selling Enville Ale, Wye Valley HPA and two from Ironbridge, Gold and Golden Gate. Got talking to the friendly landlord/barman about Ironbridge beers as the two I had here were better kept than any I�ve ever drunk in Ironbridge itself. It�s a fine little pub and well worth the walk from the city centre.
8 Jul 2009 14:58
Pub with a community local feel. It�s been opened out into one large room with what looks like an extension/conservatory at one end, there�s also a raised outdoor seating area. There�s plenty of red comfortable seating to the left as you enter and a couple of wall display arches along with a few rather faded Johnnie Walker prints and a quiz machine plus a big screen TV. To the right there�s another couple of seating areas and a few bar stools. There�s some unusual mullioned glass over the bar but it�s not anything special d�cor wise. There are six handpumps doubling up with Banks�s Bitter and Original and last night they had Marston�s Lord Taverner�s Ale on as well. I had a pint of it and very nice it was too. It�s a pleasant enough pub.
8 Jul 2009 14:31
Combermere Arms, Wolverhampton
This is a proper pub with three small rooms that has somehow managed to avoid being ruined by the �improvers� who should be beaten off with a large stick. The front room has lots of sporting pictures on the wall mainly of Wolves of course, there�s also a display cabinet full of bric-a-brac. The first room on the right has old Marston�s displays on the walls and a quiz machine and jukebox. The rear right room has a golf machine and a large TV. There�s also a smoking area out the back which is probably illegal as it�s got 3 sides and a roof. There�s a full sized tree growing through the floor in the gents and upwards through the roof, very strange. There are 5 handpumps, last night they had Banks�s Bitter and Original along with Triple fff Alton�s Pride, Moorhouse�s Blond Witch and Shugbrough Farmer�s Half. I had a pint of the Farmers Half (can farmers buy pints of this?) which was really good. It�s a great little pub. Note to any developers/pubco's. LEAVE IT ALONE!
8 Jul 2009 13:43
Clarendon Hotel, Wolverhampton
Well what can I say, it�s just like Archivist says. However the small room at the back of the bar has leather seating which is ripped with the stuffing falling out, which is a bit of a mess. There are loads of interesting pictures around the walls and it also has a quiz machine and a function room for hire. When I visited last night the beer range was exactly the same as when Archivist visited. It was about 6.30 and despite the pub being very food led there was no-one eating in any of the rooms. The menu is very Wetherspoonalike with special offers and 2 for �x type of stuff. I had a pint of the Wizards Staff which was served way too cold, almost lager temperature. It�s not my favourite pub in Chapel Ash I�m afraid.
8 Jul 2009 10:47
Now serving Hobsons Bitter which has been added to the Punch list. It was a very good pint as well when I called in last week.
6 Jul 2009 16:30
This pub has a slightly unusual cream and green painted exterior that really works. Inside is one L shaped room with several sets of dining tables and chairs to the left and a comfortable looking sofa with loads of cushions to the right along with a couple of bar stools and a quiz machine. There are old black and white pictures on the walls along with some display shelves featuring a tea set and other knick knacks. There�s a small patio outside with a couple of tables and lots of potted plants. Across the road is a large beer garden on the banks of the river, which was very pleasant last night. There are four handpumps, three were on selling Everard�s Tiger, Hobson�s bitter and Twisted Spire. I had a pint of the Twisted Spire which was very good. It�s a decent pub is this so I�m a bit surprised that it hasn�t been reviewed before.
3 Jul 2009 14:08
This pub has a large Banks�s sign on the roadside and also a Banks� plaque on the wall of the pub, so it�s a pleasant surprise to find two handpumps with two Goff�s beers on, Jouster and Galahad. The Galahad was a very good pint. There are two small rooms, both set up for dining with black and white d�cor and horse brasses around the walls. There are two outside terraces with seating and a beer garden at the side which has some kids play equipment. It�s a decent enough looking pub and the beer was good but there were far too many untethered brats around for my liking.
3 Jul 2009 13:39
Coalbrookdale Inn, Coalbrookdale
You have to walk up a few steps to get into this pub and as soon as you walk through the door the bar is immediately in front of you. There�s a separate dining room on the right and a great piece of stained glass with the pub name in it. On the left hand side are a few settles, tables and chairs. Plenty of stuff around the walls relating to the pub which has apparently been around since the 1830�s, I suspect it�s not changed that much since. Six handpumps on the bar, five on selling Ironbridge Pale and Gold plus one each from Stationhouse, Hobsons and Three Tuns. I had a pint of the Ironbridge Pale which tasted very good even though it looked a little hazy (I�ve had several beers from the Ironbridge brewery and they all seem to struggle to clear fully). I was on my way down into Ironbridge and was therefore in the car, so I could only have one. The car park is interesting to say the least. You have to back out on to the road that passes the pub. It�s very narrow at this point and so it�s traffic light controlled. You have to scoot out as soon as the lights change or you get caught facing the wrong way with a stream of cars heading towards you. Great fun. It�s a good pub is this, well worth a visit.
3 Jul 2009 12:13
This pub is very food led and has two rooms both of which are effectively dining rooms. It�s got a very modern feel about it, although the building itself may be old, it�s difficult to tell. There is an area of raised outside decking and across the car park there is a huge beer garden, which is where I sat last night. It backs on to the river and is overlooked by the 4 massive cooling towers of Ironbridge power station. It is quite spectacular to see these brooding giants completely surrounded by trees in the middle of the gorge itself. It�s very peaceful down here, the only sounds I could hear were the river, a wood pigeon and some sheep in the distance. They have 3 handpumps, 2 were on selling Wye Valley Bitter and Holden�s Golden Glow. I had a pint of the Wye Valley which was pretty good. It�s not a traditional pub in any sense, but it is pretty good at what it does.
3 Jul 2009 11:43
moclips2002 must be psychic or visited this place in the future!! After the refurbishment there are now 4 handpumps on the bar directly facing you as you walk in. Banks�s Original and bitter plus Wychwood Wizards Staff and Marstons Lord Taverner�s Ale. I had a pint of the Wychwood it was OK but could have been better. The pub is much nicer inside than it was previously. The room to the right now has dining tables and chairs so they maybe planning to do food soon. The small back room has a pool table, large screen TV and a quiz machine. The small area to the left has a couple of settles and tables. It�s a pleasant enough pub now, money well spent would be my opinion.
2 Jul 2009 15:29
The Prince of Wales, Birmingham
The last time I was in here until yesterday was 2 years ago and I�m pretty sure the same beers were on then as they were yesterday. It�s got a good looking exterior and inside it�s full of decent wood panelling, wood partitions and glass. There are loads of interesting things hanging on the walls and sat on the numerous ledges. The barmaid was very efficient despite having to deal with a load of girlies calling in for Blue WKDs whilst queuing for a concert at the ICC nearby. They have live bands on a Sunday usually jazz and swing. There are eight handpumps Ansell�s Mild, Deuchars, Pride, TT Landlord, Brains SA, St Austell Tribute, Adnam�s Regatta and Bombardier. I had a pint of the mild which was excellent as usual. It�s a good pub which sadly appears to be up for sale.
1 Jul 2009 14:38
Massive L shaped Wetherspoonalike bar with little in the way of interesting features although the bare brick and wood d�cor looks pretty good. Everywhere was very clean and the chatty barmaid was very efficient. There are a couple of huge TV screens and a quiz machine. Six handpumps on the bar but only three were on. Banks�s bitter, TT Landlord and Pedigree. I had a Landlord which was surprisingly good (TT doesn�t usually travel very well). It�s OK but there are a lot better places hidden away round here, none of them actually on Broad Street though, so get off the main drag and discover them. Better than it's 3.2 rating on here though.
1 Jul 2009 14:07
The Canalside Cafe, Birmingham
This pub is in a tiny lock keepers cottage right on the canal towpath. It�s at the junction of the Birmingham Mainline and the Birmingham � Worcester canal where there used to be a bar stopping boats going from one canal to the other which means that all the cargo had to be unloaded from one boat and then reloaded on to another boat on the far side of the bar. Then they came to some arrangement (in 1815) and built a lock between the two canals and therefore, probably this cottage. It looks like a caf� once inside with cakes etc on display on the bar. It was red hot in here yesterday late afternoon so I wouldn�t have been up for buying a cream cake that wasn�t stored in a fridge. It�s got a good looking black & white exterior and several tables and chairs on the towpath. Inside there�s loads of mismatched seating and a covered courtyard area (also tiny) with plants and brass bits and pieces on the ledges. Four handpumps on the bar, three with Enville Ale on the pumpclip. I went for the Outlaw Buckeye which was OK and went to sit outside. The guy served after me went for the Enville and was served a pint of cloudy sludge that he took back. I�m not convinced about the beer quality here, but it is a nice place to sit and contemplate.
1 Jul 2009 13:38
Featureless lager bar with loads of outside seating. Inside is full of generic tables and chairs on a wooden floor. I can�t think or anything else to say about it. It�s a very �so what� kind of place. I wouldn�t bother if I were you and would walk the extra 10 yards to the excellent Old Fox across the road.
1 Jul 2009 12:04
Fine little corner pub with a magnificent blue tiled exterior and a good looking cornerstone above one door. Inside is full of red leather settles and dining tables and chairs. The settles have small mirrors set in the back of them for the vain types. The neat wooden bar has mirrors at the back and some interesting lights above it. There are two green tiled fireplaces and a DJ rig in one corner. The windows are nicely done and are engraved with the name of the pub. There are three handpumps but only two were on, these were selling Pedigree and Hobgoblin. I tried a pint of the Hobgoblin which was fine. The menu on the table had some fairly standard pub grub on it but at very competitive prices e.g. Steak Pie, Chips & Peas for �3.95, I didn�t try any though. It�s a neat little pub and a far cry from the plastic bars in the Mailbox just along the road.
1 Jul 2009 11:56
This is a massive pub on two floors. It�s got loads of canalside seating and also an upstairs outside terrace with good views over the canal. It quite nicely done inside in a featureless barn sort of way and there are loads of dining tables everywhere. It has a dance floor area upstairs but I don�t know if this is used, it certainly wasn�t being yesterday at about 5 of course. There�s a huge TV screen over the bar and there�s also a quiz machine, they also have live bands on at times. There are an incredibly optimistic 10 handpumps on the bar, some look as if they�ve never been used. There were only two beers on and these were the really boring Bombardier and Directors, come on guys show a bit of imagination. I had a Bombardier which was pretty good really and promptly won �8 on the quiz machine, so all in all I was pretty happy.
1 Jul 2009 11:23
Small pub in the pedestrianised area of Wellington centre. There�s a horseshoe shaped bar to the left as you enter (if you can get past he crowd of smokers outside that is). It�s a one roomed pub that has a dartboard and a quiz machine at the rear of the bar. Keg only on the bar and there are no interesting features at all within the pub. It�s pretty seedy really, I wouldn�t bother if I were you.
29 Jun 2009 10:55
Very smart bar with an upstairs restaurant, it�s the sister bar to Babycream just round the corner. We�ve eaten in the restaurant twice recently, it�s a bit pricey but it is very good. The bar has a live DJ who has always been playing things at a sensible volume when we�ve been in (up until around 10), but I expect it ramps up later at night when the bouncers are on the door (it�s open until 2). It�s nicely decorated in the fairly minimalist style that seems to be popular round Albert Dock. It has subdued lighting and a mix of comfortable seating. Only fizz on the bar of course and I had to drink Amstel, but they are efficient at serving you. Beyonce hired the whole place when The Brits were on at the Echo Arena across the dock, it�s that sort of place.
26 Jun 2009 15:05
This is a bit of a strange place in my opinion, I think it�s something to do with the layout. It�s a big place but as you walk in you almost walk into a pool table. There are two smart rooms to the left with dining tables and chairs and some decent wood fittings etc but there was no-one in either of them. There is a seating area to the right, but this looks a bit bare, there is also a couple of comfy chairs/settee in the main room to the left of the pool table. The bar is facing you when you enter, there were two handpumps on the bar but only Old Speckled Hen was on. I tried it and it was pretty average. There were quite a few people in last night at about 8. Some young girls who looked like they were just starting out for a major night in town, a few people sat in the window seats and a few bar leaners like myself. It looks to be doing OK but it still feels a bit wrong somehow to me.
26 Jun 2009 14:06
This is a three roomed pub with a large garden that was a real suntrap last night. The room to the far left has a pool table and a dartboard. The middle room has a decent fireplace and a large table in the window along with some smaller tables and chairs. The right hand room is mainly a standing up area with another dartboard and a quiz machine, although there are some settees around the fireplace. If you sit in one of these seats everyone will be watching you though as the large screen TV is directly above the fireplace. There are three handpumps on the bar serving Pedigree, Bombardier and London Pride, so not the most inventive of selections. I had a pint of the Pride which was OK but not totally top notch. It�s a nice enough place for one.
26 Jun 2009 13:25
The Oddfellows Arms, Wellington
As trenchlad says this place has reopened after a decent refurbishment. Some comfortable seating in the lounge area at the front along with a quiz machine, slightly more basic bar stools etc towards the back. The two handpumps were still selling Landlord and HPA so it doesn�t look like they�re going to be selling changing beers. No matter, it�s a big improvement getting cask ale on at all. I tried a pint of the HPA which was fine. It�s a pleasant little pub now and worth a visit. A bit of a culture shock going on around here, Wellington appears to be getting some decent pubs and boy did it need some more!
26 Jun 2009 11:41
This place has now reopened and has a large Smith & Jones pub sign outside. There is new carpet throughout and the place certainly smells a lot cleaner. They have a huge sign above the bar that says �Try our award winning cask ales�. They certainly haven�t won any awards for their cask ale and the selection on the bar hasn�t won that many either. They now have three handpumps Greene King IPA, Everards Tiger and Bombardier, ALL three turned round, pathetic. The clientele haven�t changed either, it�s still a kiddies playground. It�s better than it was, but that�s not saying much. I�ll up my rating by 1 to reflect the improvement.
26 Jun 2009 11:27
After ETA�s review from a couple of weeks ago I went into this pub with some trepidation. It is getting a bit shabby as were some of the clientele. It�s mainly one room with another area to the rear that obviously used to be a separate room. There�s a dartboard and a quiz machine in the rear area. There were 3 handpumps on the bar but only 2 in use selling Bank�s bitter and Wychwood Wizards Staff. I ordered a pint of the Wychwood, fully expecting it to be a poor pint. Happily I was wrong and the pint was pretty good. It�s not a great place but I�ve been in a lot worse places in Wellington (Black Horse, Rasputin�s, Three Crowns, Pheasant to name but a few).
26 Jun 2009 10:51
This pub doesn�t look very welcoming from the outside as it often has the curtains drawn. To be honest it�s not a lot better on the inside. There�s a large room at the front and a smaller one to the rear, both have a dartboard. In the front room there�s also a pool table and a huge screen TV. They must be good at pub games as there are loads of trophies on the ledges. There are 2 handpumps on the bar but both look unused. Last night they didn�t have any Becks or Stella either. This left a choice of Carling or Worthies smooth. Oh great. There were more people outside having a fag than there were in the pub and most sentences seem to involve the word f**k. It�s pretty poor really and I certainly won�t be calling in again. Having said that, it�s by no means the worst pub in Wellington, which is a scary thought.
26 Jun 2009 09:48
Not really sure why this is on here. There's a bar sure enough but it's a typical residents hotel bar. There's also another bar onsite called The Dugout which is attached to the leisure club. Neither are really worth a look.
26 Jun 2009 09:24
Typical Ha Ha lager barn with no distinguishing features at all inside. It sells all the standard lager stuff at inflated prices. A pint of Becks and a small wine = �7.20 which is a bit of a rip off even in the city centre. The only redeeming feature is the outside patio overlooking the River Irwell which is a real suntrap, which is why we were there. It wasn�t my idea!!
25 Jun 2009 16:11
This is a large L shaped bar and restaurant in the Northern Quarter. The restaurant area is to the right of the door as you enter and smartly decked out. The main bar area is straight in front of you. There are some leather seats and sofa�s but there are quite a few poor quality tables and even poorer quality plastic chairs in here as well. Why would you want to put those in? There are a few items of interest dotted around the bar, but in general it�s a pretty nondescript lager only barn. It does get very busy though at weekends for some reason. If you want a decent pint of the real stuff then go round the corner to the English Lounge.
25 Jun 2009 14:22
This is a smart wine bar that is part of a small chain of three bars, the others being The Queens Arms and Edmunds. The other two bars sell real ale, sadly this one doesn�t. Come on guys, I�m sure one handpump wouldn�t go amiss. It�s got high settles covered in leather in the main room and leather sofa�s and chairs in the room to the left. There was a decent atmosphere in here and as there was no cask I had a glass of the draught Leffe instead, which is a decent alternative. I quite liked it in here and the other half would love it.
25 Jun 2009 13:37
This is an Okells pub, so it�s a sister pub to the excellent Fly In The Loaf. This pub is also very good in its own special way. There are three rooms, the one to the left is where the main bar is situated, this was packed on out visit at about 6 on Friday. Good selection of ale with Okells bitter and IPA being offered alongside 4 guest ales. Some tables and chairs in this room, but it seems to be aimed more at the stand up drinkers. The room at the back is small and comfortable and filled with dining tables and chairs. The room to the right is also aimed at dining but we managed to find a seat and were told that they were happy for us to sit in here as long as they didn�t run out of spaces for diners. This room is table service even for your drinks and has some good looking wooden panelling and some stained glass. I tried a pint of Holdens Thigh Bones and a Wooden Hand Cribben Ale. Both were excellent. I wish Okells ran more pubs on the mainland judging by the quality of the ones I know. It�s a really good pub.
23 Jun 2009 14:10
Fine old pub with a partially tiled exterior that is adjacent to the living hell that is the Cavern Quarter. It�s a bit of an oasis from the madness around but it still suffers a bit from the scrote element, especially beggars and CD/DVD sellers, however the landlady gives them the heave ho as soon as they are spotted. The front bar was packed when we called in with a bunch of post work idiots who wouldn�t move away from the bar. Four beers on tap that I could see, although there may have been more. I had a pint of the Bowland Sawley Tempted which was great. We moved into the back room, to get out of the way. This room has red leather settles and loads of pictures/memorabilia of the White Star line (no surprise there then). It�s OK in here and it�s definitely the best pub in the Cavern Quarter.
23 Jun 2009 12:15
This pub has a narrow frontage but goes much further back than you�d expect. The rear area is used for dining only whilst the kitchen is open. The front part of the pub is the main seating area and has leather seating, books by the yard and display cabinets filled with plates, figurines etc, there are also old photographs of the pub in it�s previous incarnation as a smart dining room. Three handpumps on the bar but only two were in use selling Cains bitter and Deuchars. I tried a pint of the Cains, it was OK, but not really great. As this pub is within the shopping area it attracts a mixed bunch, in fact all human life is here. Mature couples having a quiet drink loaded up with Primark bags, 6 lads just starting off on a stag do, three girls out for a post work drink and a couple of scruffy and rather smelly drifters. Not a place for a long session but it�s OK for one on the way past.
23 Jun 2009 10:19
This pub is a Victorian gem. It�s not that impressive from the outside, although the shutters are an interesting feature. Once inside though it�s a real treat. You walk in to what is effectively a drinking corridor, with the bar being a few steps inside on the right. There are two snugs, both on the right on either side of the bar, both have old murals on the walls which are getting a bit faded these days. Both snugs have unusual round tables with a grill in the centre for stubbing out fags and decent fireplaces. The front snug has musical instruments hanging from the ceiling. The room to the left has two seating areas with a piano between the two along with a further raised area at the rear (closed when we were there). There are three bikes along the ledges, pictures covering almost every bit of the walls and transistor radios hanging from the ceiling. There is also the biggest Pelham puppet of Pinocchio that I�ve ever seen. On the bar are five handpumps serving Abbot Ale and four guests. I had two from the Cambrinus brewery Deliverance and Yardstick, both were excellent. A bit pricey at �2.70 a pint though. It�s a bit of a walk from the centre but its well worth it. Top pub.
22 Jun 2009 16:18
This pub has a huge island bar and had loads of staff on (at least 8) on Friday night at about 7 p.m. It was so busy it was difficult to see much of the pub d�cor, but the staff were so efficient that we were served in no time. There was a German Beer Festival alongside an English Cider Festival on at the time. Thirteen handpumps on with a fantastic range of styles. I had a Salamander Serpentine (Dark) and a Westerham Grasshopper (Light). The other half had a red wine which she also though was good. It�s a top pub, I think we�ll try and visit when it�s quieter next time though.
22 Jun 2009 15:46
Richard John Blackler, Liverpool
Judging by the past comments we may just have been lucky on Saturday. We had no problem getting served at about 10.30 on Friday night, there was a good range of beers available and we even stayed for two. I had a pint of Oakham White Dwarf and a Hawkshead Brodie�s Prime and both were in good nick. The two staff who served me were both friendly enough so we didn�t have any problems with the place. As for the decor, well it�s a huge featureless JDW. Not bad at all.
22 Jun 2009 15:18
The ongoing refurbishment continues. The toilets have been moved upstairs since our last visit, still not fully painted up yet but they are much better than the cellar hole on offer previously. Now opens for breakfast on Saturday & Sunday. All handpumps on the go on Saturday evening, I tried three of the beers and all were excellent if a little similar to each other. Still a top pub.
22 Jun 2009 15:09
Part of the Cains brewery site, in a rather downtrodden part of Liverpool. I don�t think I�d want to be walking around here at night. It�s a pretty basic one roomed boozer with a couple of raised seating areas to the right as you enter and tables and chairs dotted about the place. A few decent bits of wood and glass that are probably remnants of it�s previous incarnation, but it�s certainly nothing special inside. On Saturday all the handpumps were on the go with the full Cains range available including the seasonal. I had a pint of the IPA which was good and the other half had a glass of rose wine that she thought was much better than she expected. This is the top rated Liverpool pub on BITE (with 25+ reviews). It shouldn�t be, it�s OK but it�s not even the best Cains pub in Liverpool nevermind overall.
22 Jun 2009 14:42
The Fly in the Loaf, Liverpool
We were here again on Saturday, Lions were on the TV so it was very busy. All the handpumps in use, good service, good beer, not a bad refurb in sight in my opinion and I've been in most of the pubs in a "two minute walking radius" and this is still one of the best.
22 Jun 2009 14:24
As mentioned below this pub has now been taken over by the landlord of the Lion Tavern. In the advert for the pubs in MerseyAle he asks for people to bear with him as the pub is refurbished. The refurbishment has obviously started but there�s still some way to go in my opinion as the outside is particularly shabby, in fact the other half didn�t want to go in at all. Inside it�s a very olde worlde two roomer with a fine old wooden bar in the right hand room. The room on the left has what could be described as an eclectic mix differing styles of chairs and table, there�s also a couple of Bob Dylan posters but apart from that the walls are empty. Four handpumps on the bar two serving beers from the Betwixt brewery. I had a pint of the Betwixt Skyline which was very good. It�s good pub that will no doubt improve again over the next few months.
22 Jun 2009 14:08
The Augustus John, University of Liverpool
Called in here after a short visit to the adjacent modern RC Cathedral (pretty impressive it is too). There was a demo going on outside the cathedral by Iranian anti government supporter which added to the fun. It�s a fairly nondescript looking pub built into what is effectively a concrete block. It�s actually within the university grounds, but all are welcome. There are plenty of seats outside (plastic glasses only outside). Inside there is a pool table facing you as you enter and seating to the left, there�s also a quiz machine. There are TV screens all over the place, so you won�t miss them no matter where you stand or sit. Four handpumps on the bar Tetley�s bitter, Abbot Ale plus 2 changing guests, Cains Sundowner and Hidden Fantasy when we called. I had a pint of the Cains which was pretty good. Friendly welcome from the landlord when we arrived. It was pretty quiet as it was about 1 p.m. on a Saturday lunchtime, but it�s OK in here.
22 Jun 2009 12:12
It's not in my copy of the GBG 2009 or 2008.
Did you mean the Good Pub Guide? They're very different things.
22 Jun 2009 11:43
I had a chat to the relief landlord of this pub last night. This is a Punch pub and he�s been asked to keep the doors open for them. He�s not getting paid at the moment as Punch have just bought his lease out on a different pub so they can sell it. Part of the buy out deal was that he would run this place for a few weeks for them. It�s got a pool table and also a dartboard, it still has an active darts team and there�s karaoke on Saturday night. There�s also a friendly little pub dog called Trixie who now appears to be my friend for life! As trenchlad says there�s no real ale. When the landlord first arrived he put it on but had to throw half of it away as it didn�t sell. If someone buys this from Punch and spends a few quid on it there�s a chance it will survive as there are newly built houses just behind it, but I wouldn�t hold your breath.
18 Jun 2009 11:44
This is a great name for a pub given that when you look out from the entrance St. George�s church is on the left and the sports club�s cricket pitch is to the right. It�s a two roomed pub with separate doors as you enter. The room on the left is fairly nondescript and is full of dining tables, the pub obviously majors on food in the early evenings. The room on the right is completely different. It�s almost ecclesiastical in design with churchlike lighting, leather seats and sofas, an old bike and a piano. There�s also a mini red phone box on the bar. Slightly strangely, there�s a quiz machine in this room. I think it would fit in better next door. Four handpumps on the bar but only two on selling the inevitable Bank�s bitter along with Jennings Honey Bole. I had a pint of the Jennings which was pretty good. It�s a very smart pub, if it wasn�t nearly a mile uphill from Oakengates station I�d probably call again.
18 Jun 2009 11:24
This pub is getting rather tatty, with ripped seats patched with tape and peeling paint inside and out. There�s a dart board to the left of the bar as you enter and there was a game of dominoes going as well. No positive distinguishing features at all, unless you like f**k being used as part of every sentence and Tina Turner playing way too loud on the juke box. There were more people outside on the steps having a fag than there were inside. Has two handpumps selling Banks�s Original and bitter, I had a pint of the Original at the bargain price of �2.15. To be fair it was a much better pint than the one at The Albion earlier in the evening. It�s a bit rough and ready, but it looks to have a lot of regulars. I don�t think I�ll become one of them though.
18 Jun 2009 11:05
As I walked up to this pub I thought it was closed, happily it wasn�t. It�s a real locals local, the landlord and landlady and their two kids were all in the bar. It�s a really nicely appointed pub with loads of wood panelling, wooden settles, and a slightly strange sight of drawers in the pub walls in one area. It also has a nice looking fireplace, but sadly that was all but hidden behind one of the biggest TV screens I�ve ever seen, floor to ceiling, and it was showing the BBC News! There�s also a pool table and a quiz machine. Three handpumps on the bar but only Banks�s bitter was available. I had a pint and it was OK. I had mixed feelings about this pub, it�s OK but there�s something that doesn�t quite work, and I can�t put my finger on it.
18 Jun 2009 10:41
This is a very neat little pub, with light wood panelling all around. It�s a split level pub with a pool table to the right down a few steps and a lounge area to the left with red banquette seating. There�s another dining style area at the rear of the bar that the barmaid says is usually used for playing cards, there�s also a dart board. There�s a big screen to the left as you enter and a load of trophies on display. Beerwise there are two handpumps selling Bank�s Original and Black sheep bitter on my visit. I had a pint of the Black Sheep, it was a very good pint. It�s a nice place is this and definitely one of the better pubs in St. Georges.
18 Jun 2009 10:28
The �5 minutes� from Oakengates took me 10 as its all uphill. The pub is just as trenchlad describes, there�s also a large TV screen to the right showing the Spain v Iraq match last night and a quiz machine. It's a very pleasant looking pub. I had a pint of the Banks�s Original, it wasn�t that good to be honest, I think it was getting to the end of the barrel. It�s OK, but I'll probably not bother again.
18 Jun 2009 10:14
This place has just been taken over by a new landlord. He is currently on a 6 month trial and if all goes well will take on the full lease at the end of the 6 months. It�s a fairly nondescript pub with a pool table in the front room and a seating area through an archway that obviously used to be a separate room. It�s also a little shabby and needs some TLC, however it�s owned by Punch so it�s unlikely to get any given the current state they�re in. There are live bands on a Friday and free pool through the week. There are also plans afoot to serve Chinese food in the rear seating area. There are two handpumps on the bar but no real ale as yet. He hopes to put one on when trade allows, this is likely to be Bombardier. He likes real ale himself, so the sooner the better would be my opinion, if you can�t sell it then drink it yourself. He�s a pleasant chatty guy, who has run several pubs in the past and he�s trying to get this place out of the doldrums. Best of luck to him, I hope he succeeds.
17 Jun 2009 10:42
Rumoured to have been sold by Punch recenty for circa �122,000. No idication yet as to whether or not it's going to reopen as a pub.
17 Jun 2009 10:31
Lion and Pheasant Hotel, Shrewsbury
Says it is currently closed for refurbishment, but there doesn't seem to be a lot going on.
16 Jun 2009 13:47
Currently closed and up for lease. I used to play darts here years ago. It's a decent old style local. Let's hope someone gives it a go and gets it reopened.
16 Jun 2009 10:47
This pub has only been on here for a couple of weeks and it's been closed for refurbishment all that time. Yet someone has rated it as a 6. How would you know?
16 Jun 2009 10:38
Going through some hard times at the moment with several short term relief managers recently. It should really do better than it does as it�s a nice pub. Currently awaiting yet another mug to lease it and give it a go. The brewery Bank�s (Marstons) aren�t helping, the relief manager used to sell two cask ales Bank�s bitter and Jennings Cockahoop, trade dropped off which meant that he could only stock one ale. The best seller was Cockahoop, so with stunning ineptitude the brewery insisted that he sell Banks�s alone. The relief is being paid a percentage of the wet sales so you can understand why he�s not happy. Hello Marstons, real world calling, anybody in?
16 Jun 2009 10:31
The Old Nag's Head, Manchester
Slightly hidden away up a side street just off Deansgate, this pub doesn�t get the Deansgate crawl lads and lassies in, which is a serious advantage. It�s a long thin pub with lots of old wood, cosy alcoves and old paintings all over the walls. There�s also a roof terrace which was being well used on Saturday when it was sunny. It has two handpumps but only one was being used, which is often the case in here, it was serving Old Speckled Hen. I had a pint of this which was pretty average. It�s a lovely old pub but the beer selection and quality always leaves something to be desired. It�s OK to call in for one.
15 Jun 2009 10:49
This pub has been closed the last twice I've walked past. There's a huge pile of mail behind the door. It's not looking good.
12 Jun 2009 14:47
This is a two level pub that has been opened up into one large room. The lower level has a pool table, table football, a big screen and a quiz machine. The upper section has red, velvet covered seating along with some high tables. The front part of the room has regimental shields on the wall along with loads of pictures of Shrewsbury in flood. There are also a number of caricatures over the bar. There are lots of handpumps but most were doubled up. On tap were Draught Bass, Worthington bitter, M&B Mild plus London Pride. I had a pint of the Bass which was pretty good. It�s an OK pub that I�ve called in on a couple of occasions when in this part of Shrewsbury.
12 Jun 2009 14:39
Called in here for the first time last night. It's a proper locals pub with darts, pool and last night they had two tables set up for the dominoes league match against the nearby Cross Foxes. It�s now a one roomed pub that obviously used to be two but it�s been opened out at some stage. There are pictures of whales and dolphins around the walls which is unusual. Over the mirror in the gents there�s a sign that says �Looking Good Nice�. It�s a little shabby both inside and out but that just adds to the character in this case. Three handpumps selling Worthington bitter, Ruddles County and M&B Mild. I had a pint of the mild, it was the best pint of M&B mild I�ve had in ages, maybe ever!! I got talking to the landlord and a couple of the regulars almost before I�d had a taste of my pint. There are load of characters in here and the banter was very amusing. As I was leaving I thanked the landlady for the excellent pint and a number of the locals called out to me to say goodbye, even though I�d been in less than 30 minutes. I think I�m going to have to call back next time I�m in this part of Shrewsbury. What a contrast to the Boars Head just up the road. Thanks guys.
12 Jun 2009 14:17
The Old Post Office, Shrewsbury
This is a food and music led pub with loads of dining tables towards the rear of the pub. The front part of the pub has comfy seating with leather sofas it also has a big screen TV and a quiz machine. It�s effectively one room but has several distinct areas. There is an adjoining venue called The Loft that has an admission charge at nights. Would you really want B & B at a place that�s got a late night music venue? It�s got lots of old wood inside and a good looking fireplace. There is a cobbled courtyard that stretches round two sides of the pub for a bit of peaceful and sheltered outside drinking. There are three handpumps on the bar, last night they were selling Banks�s bitter, Jennings Cumberland and Wychwood Hobgoblin. I had a pint of the Hobgoblin which was pretty good. It�s quite a nice place for one.
12 Jun 2009 13:38
The Actress and Bishop, Birmingham
Large music driven pub with wooden floors and a number of alcoves to the right of the door as you enter. It�s getting a bit scruffy and could do with a spruce up. There are four handpumps on the bar but only three were on. Springhead Roaring Meg and Puritan Porter along with Everards Sunchaser. Tried a pint of the Sunchaser, it was vinegar. Took it back and it was changed with no problem once the manager had been called. The young lad behind the bar had no idea whether it was off or not. Tried the Roaring Meg instead which was fine. The staff were all very friendly and were having a laugh and joke even though I was effectively complaining. Good background music when I was in but there was obviously going to be live music on later. It�s OK, not one to go out of your way for but I didn�t think it was as bad as some of the previous reviewers.
12 Jun 2009 12:34
Still closed, more things stripped from the inside, broken window. I think it's the end for this one.
12 Jun 2009 11:57
Still closed, more things stripped from the inside, borken window. I think it's the end foe this one.
12 Jun 2009 11:57
Closed for refurbishment on 11/06/09. The outside already looks a lot better, lets hope the inside gets a decent job as well.
12 Jun 2009 11:47
I don�t know, I suggested this pub and then trenchlad steals my thunder :-). As he says it�s next door to The Station pub and across the road from The Crown, both of which are renowned for their cask ale, so it�s got quite a bit of competition. Has a paved �garden� style area at the front with large umbrellas for the smokers. The left hand room is painted green and has a pool table, it�s usually quieter in here. The right hand room is a red painted lounge, effectively split into two by a dividing wall with a large screen TV at the bottom end of each side. It also has a quiz machine in this room. Four ales on when I called last night, Banks� Original and Bitter, Bombardier and London Pride. I�m always a little wary of having anything but the Banks�s in here as I�ve been served a couple of ropey pints in the past. Decided to have a Bombardier anyway and it was pretty good this time. It�s OK in here, but I only ever have one as the microbrews next door start calling to me.
11 Jun 2009 15:45
It�s about 2 years since I last called in here before last week. Nothing much in the pub has changed, but the several of the buildings around it have been demolished. The barmaid said that they are having trouble getting people in at the moment as quite a lot of their post work crowd aren�t around anymore.
It�s an elegant old pub both inside and out with some interesting stained glass. The front room has green leather seating and the smaller back room has red. It has a very ornate bar incorporating three clocks. There are five handpumps but only four were on selling Banks�s Original and Bitter, Jennings Cumberland and Ringwood Seventy Eight. I had a pint of the Seventy Eight which was very good. There is a large screen to the left of the bar which was showing Emmerdale when I was in. I�m not convinced that showing soaps helps a pub get customers in, it would drive me away. It�s still a decent pub, but I fear for its future unless the area undergoes some redevelopment.
11 Jun 2009 15:17
This is a cracking little pub. I hadn�t been in for about 2 years until last week and the only thing that has changed is that there is a large roll down screen for the TV. Eddie says this is only used when it�s quiet as he likes to watch the TV but his eyes are going so he couldn�t see the small screen!! The front room has red covered seating around the wall with small tables, there are also some barstools. The alcove above the bar is full of trophies. There are 6 handpumps serving Stanway Stanney bitter and Churchend Gravediggers mild and up to 4 changing guests, these included Summer Wine brewery�s Helios when I called which was excellent. There�s a further room at the back that is used for functions, but I couldn�t have a proper look as the local Morris Men were in there practising. It�s a very good pub with a friendly landlord and locals, not to be missed whilst in Digbeth.
11 Jun 2009 10:41
This pub is the local CAMRA pub of the year for 2008. I�ve been here a few times before and I think that this time I�ve just been unlucky. It�s a fine old pub in a pretty derelict part of Birmingham with an interesting layout across several rooms and lots of original features. When I walked in I was disappointed to find that only four of the handpumps were in use, every other time I�ve been in they�ve had at least 7 or 8 on. The blonde streaked barmaid was reading a magazine and even though she had obviously seen me, she didn�t bother to put her magazine down and carried on reading until a few strategic coughs and an excuse me eventually got her to move her backside. I had a pint of the Hill Climb from Prescott brewery which really wasn�t very good. It wasn�t poor enough to take back but I wasn�t really happy with it. I hadn�t had anything by Prescott before so it might just have been a poor beer and not the pubs fault. I�m not impressed this time, but as I have been in the past, I�ll give it another chance next time I�m around here.
10 Jun 2009 15:09
Another pub with a decent exterior, once you get inside though it�s a fairly standard pub. It does have some interesting glasswork over the entrance porch though and also some interesting lighting. There are pictures of old Birmingham all around the walls. The back room is seemingly aimed at diners, it also has a quiz machine. There are 3 handpumps selling Landlord, Deuchars and Brew XI, I had a Landlord which was pretty decent. It�s an OK pub that has nothing outstanding about it, but nothing that would put you off either.
10 Jun 2009 14:05
This Lloyds No 1 is getting a bit shabby these days, it�s much better viewed at night when the lights are dimmed. It has no distinguishing features really, it�s just a large barn with some seating and a dance floor, although there is an upstairs bar with seating which is open at busy times. Three handpumps on the bar serving Pedigree, Abbot and Highgate Dark. I had a pint of the Highgate which was surprisingly good and was only �1.59. There are three quiz machines in here, one downstairs and two upstairs. I wouldn�t want to be here for a session, but it�s OK for one.
10 Jun 2009 11:31
This pub is now part of a small chain of three bars, the others being Edmunds just along the road and The Rectory. The old brick built exterior includes a fine Mitchells & Butlers cornerstone but sadly once you�re inside it�s been ripped out and been given the wine bar treatment. It has a wooden floor and lots of high tables and chairs along with some standard dining ones. There are 2 large screens showing sport and there�s also a good looking wooden bar back complete with a clock. Six handpumps in two banks of three doubling up the beer which was London Pride, Mordue Workie Ticket and a beer called Most Wanted which didn�t have an identified brewer, it just says it was brewed by �Punch Cask Ale Champions�. I had a pint of the Most Wanted which was OK and at �2.85 a little cheaper than Edmunds. The barmaid was very chatty and friendly and the food looked to come in huge portions, although I didn�t try any. It�s OK in here, although I would have preferred a more traditional layout inside.
10 Jun 2009 11:06
Imaginatively named new build pub facing the Holiday Inn Express. It has a small bar area to the right as you enter and a large restaurant area to the left. No real ale on the bar and even the fizzy stuff isn�t of the premium variety. Has a large outdoor seating area with outstanding views of the surrounding business park. I can�t think of any reason why I would ever make the mistake of calling here again. It was very busy though at about 5 p.m. on a Friday, with quite a few office groups in along with a few families. It serves its purpose I suppose by keeping the people who don�t like pubs away from all the great ones in Derby.
9 Jun 2009 15:51
This is a large ground floor bar with a Thai restaurant on the floor above. It�s not just a pre/post dining bar either. It�s a well appointed lounge bar with very varied seating. You can sit at a dining table, relax in a leather chair or even sit on the floor mats and cushions in one raised area. As might be expected the d�cor is very Thai oriented with statues of various deities etc on the window sills. No real ale of course, only fairly standard lagers but it is a nice place for a drink to soak in the lively but laid back ambience.
9 Jun 2009 15:26
Very smart small bar actually inside Telford shopping centre. This means that the opening hours are restricted during the week, although they are open later at weekends. It�s full of comfortable seating, including leather sofas and chairs. The d�cor is very Asian influenced especially the pictures. It�s a very nice looking bar. Now for the downside, they don�t sell any draft beer at all! If I wanted to drink a bottle of Becks I�d buy one from Asda round the corner at �8 for 12 rather than pay �3 each here. No wonder it�s quiet.
9 Jun 2009 13:45
This used to be a cinema so it's now a massive high ceilinged one roomer that has a DJ at weekends. It doesn't open during the week and doesn't get busy until after 10 when it is open. It's a really chavvy lager barn. My mates daughter had her drink spiked here one night. Avoid it.
9 Jun 2009 12:02
Long thin JDW with a much greater lowlife level than most. I had no problem getting served at the bar, but the problem was that they didn't have any beer to sell. All the handpumps said "Coming soon" or "Not currently available" except the Ruddles and Abbott. Two JDWs in Birmingham in two days and neither had any beer. Pathetic.
9 Jun 2009 11:49
Called in again last week. No beer. Handpumps say they had Purity Gold and Pompey Royal amongst others, but they didn't really have any. Not happy, down goes the rating.
9 Jun 2009 11:42
Somewhat shabby cellar bar within the main pedestrianised area. Fake beams, worn carpet, slightly musty smell. Could have been used as a set for �Life On Mars?� Has 6 handpumps but only 4 were on. These were Brakspear Oxford Gold, Ringwood Seventy Eight, Marston�s Merrie Monk and Wychwood Rye Smile. I had a pint of the Merrie Monk, it wasn�t very good, not bad enough to be sent back, but it was getting close. I was here last Wednesday and I suspect that I had pretty much the last of the barrel that Archivist tried on the previous Saturday. Another negative was that there were 3 guys stood at the bar all a bit pissed and one of them just wouldn�t stop swearing despite a large number of females present. Having someone loudly shout �You F**king C**t� every couple of minutes is really not needed. I can think of lots of other places to stop off on my way to the station, so I don�t think I�ll be bothering with this one again.
9 Jun 2009 11:18
Very ornate cellar bar under the MacDonald Burlington hotel. If you like churchlike interiors with a medieval theme alongside suits of armour, tombs of old warriors, alcoves and subdued lighting, then this is the place for you. It�s pretty impressive really. It has two banks of three handpumps doubling up with Pedigree, Bombardier and Everards Sly Fox on the bar. Over two visits last week (I was at a meeting at the hotel above) I had a pint of the Sly Fox which was only OK and a pint of the Bombardier which was pretty good. It is a little expensive at �3 a pint but someone has to pay for the decor. Slightly surprisingly it has a quiz machine, which is a little out of place. I didn�t know they had those back in the dark ages. It�s an OK place to go if you�re after a bit of private conversation in smart surroundings.
8 Jun 2009 16:40
This is an Italian themed bar and restaurant. It�s mostly a restaurant but they have a number of bar stools for people who just want a drink at the bar and they�re happy for you to come in just for a drink. The walls are chock a block with Italian memorabilia, pictures, mirrors etc around the walls and the service is quick and friendly. No real stuff of course, in fact the draught selection is limited to Peroni. The food is very good though, they specialise in the Italian version of tapas, which is Piattini. It�s a pleasant place to sit and watch the world go by.
8 Jun 2009 14:58
This is a two floor pub, one at street level and a further floor at canal level. You can�t stand on the canalside as the door is shut and no drinks are allowed outside. It�s getting to be a bit dated decor wise and could do with a rethink. It has nine handpumps with possibly the most boring selection of real ale available anywhere in Birmingham for a pub with such a selection. One of the handpumps does sell Addlestones cider though. I had a pint of Jennings (Marston�s) Cockerhoop, it was OK but I was charged �3.10 for it!!! What a rip off for round here. It has loads of potential and used to be a decent pub, but at the moment it�s just not very good. I won�t be bothering again for a while.
8 Jun 2009 14:39
The Figure of Eight, Birmingham
Large JDW that can be really busy due to its location. I�ve been in here loads of times and usually the beer and clientele are OK. Called in last Wednesday for the first time in a while and nothing had changed really. The guest beers are on the middle bank of handpumps not those that face you as you enter. I had a pint of Sadlers Stumbling Badger and a Milestone Maid Marion, both were good. Apart from that, well it�s a fairly standard JDW.
8 Jun 2009 14:10
This bar used to be the Cornerhouse, prior to that it was a Hogshead. It�s now part of a small chain of three bars, the others being The Queens Arms and The Rectory. All three of these are smart wine bar styles bars and two of them including this one sell real ale. It�s got leather chairs and sofa style seating along with some high stools and tables, it�s much smarter than it used to be. It has 3 handpumps selling Old Speckled Hen, Sharps Doom Bar and Purity Gold. I had a pint of the Purity which was served in a glass with the brewery logo on it. It was a very good pint, although it was �3 which is pretty pricey even for the city centre. The staff were very friendly and chatty and there was a background track of 70�s/80�s music. It�s a good, smart bar if you can afford it!
5 Jun 2009 15:37
Tiny bar with an upstairs restaurant. There�s nothing in the way of distinguishing features here. It doesn�t sell the real stuff with only a couple of lager/keg beers fonts. It�s not somewhere to go for a drink at all really unless you�re eating. I�ve been in several pubs in this small chain and this is the worst so far, the ones in Glasgow & Edinburgh are fine.
5 Jun 2009 13:46
This is a new build bar that has definitely been designed with the girlies in mind. It has large windows, high leather seats, orange lighting and is very bright and airy. It has an impressive menu that tells you exactly which farm/shop etc they source their ingredients from. We were there on a Sunday lunchtime when it was pretty busy as it was fairly sunny outside. About half the people in there had sunglasses on their heads, it�s that sort of place. It does however have one handpump that serves Copper Dragon Golden Pippin AND it was a good pint as well. As the pint was good I agreed to go back in the evening as the other half loved the place. It was so packed we couldn�t even get through the door. So the verdict is, don�t go on weekend nights unless you want to play sardines but it�s actually OK for a wine bar style place at other times.
5 Jun 2009 13:09
Cellar bar that majors on live music. It�s a rock pub and that is pretty obvious as soon as you enter the bar. Two pool tables on a raised area to the left and comfortable seating to the right, also has 2 quiz machines. 3 handpumps on the bar serving Adnams Bitter, Ruddles County and Abbott Ale, not the most inventive selection of ale. Had a pint of the Adnams which was on special offer for Cask Ale Week at only �2. It�s usually �2.30, still very reasonable for Harrogate. It was pretty quiet as it was late afternoon but I bet it�s a lot busier later on. It's OK but I doubt if we'd make a special effort to visit again.
5 Jun 2009 13:03
Smart wine bar with an upstairs brasserie. Lots of leather sofa�s etc, it�s a very comfortable bar. Surprisingly it has two handpumps selling Black Sheep Bitter and Golden Sheep at a quite reasonable �2.60. The bitter is served through one of those new fangled illuminated handpumps. The bitter was pretty good but the Golden Sheep was a bit iffy to me, but as it was the first time I�ve tried that beer it may not be the bars fault. It�s a pleasant place to watch the hordes of tipsy girlies making their way to Wetherspoons or the clubs further down the road, without having to join them.
5 Jun 2009 11:36
This pub is actually called "The Park". It's a typical Brewers Fayre pub with comfortable seating and plenty of dining tables as you might expect. It's got very little character, but the bar staff are very friendly. We've been in here a few times whilst staying at the Premier Inn next door. The surprise is that they have cask ale, only Pedigree and Bank's Bitter when we were there last, but, hey it's more than I was expecting. The bigger surprise was that the Pedigree was pretty good. Not bad for what it is.
2 Jun 2009 15:43
L shaped pub with a large outdoor seating area at the front. Obviously food led as almost every table had condiments on it. It�s one of those bare brick type of places that either work well or just look stupid, this one works pretty well. There�s a separate dining room round the corner from the bar that looked very nice. There�s a quiz machine in the area to the right of the bar along with a few comfortable chairs. They have special offers on during the week as I found out when I was charged �2 for my pint of Hancocks HB, what a bargain, and it was a nice pint as well. They also had The Reverend James from Brains on which was more expensive. The landlord was friendly enough when I arrived and the other people in were a decent bunch. It�s a pleasant pub and I�ll certainly call in next time I�m in Ironbridge.
2 Jun 2009 15:28
It�s a much smaller bar than it looks from the outside. As you enter through the main door you walk straight into a pool table. There�s a small number of tables and chairs and a few barstools. The bar has an unusual archway at the back that almost looks like a tunnel. There are 4 handpumps on the bar selling Bank�s Bitter and Original, Spitfire and Everard Tiger. The Original was off when I called. I tried a pint of the Tiger which was a little hazy but it tasted OK. It feels like a proper community local. It�s OK but nothing special.
2 Jun 2009 15:23
Decent hotel bar directly facing the iron bridge that feels more like a pub. Loads of interesting paintings etc on the walls along with other memorabilia. Lots of different styles of seating as well. Some comfortable sofas, some leather sofas and a couple of chairs with the backrests made from wagon wheels. Two banks of three handpumps doubling up with Salopian Shropshire Gold, Corvedale Norman�s Pride and Wye Valley Butty Bach. The Corvedale was a decent pint. It�s a hotel from a bygone era apart from the prices, my pint was �2.80 which is pretty expensive even for a tourist trap like Ironbridge.
2 Jun 2009 15:18
Nicely appointed pub both inside and out just off the main pedestrianised area. It�s actually one big L shaped room but has two distinct areas with the back part of the pub leaning more towards dining. It�s badged as a Marston�s pub but didn�t actually have any Marston�s cask ale on although they are all from the extended stable. Four handpumps selling Ringwood Fortyniner and Bold Forester along with Brakspear Oxford Gold and Banks�s Bitter. Had a pint of the Bold Forester which was very good. Has live music on regularly as well. It�s a good pub, well worth a visit.
2 Jun 2009 11:04
The Bird in Hand (bottom Bird), Rochdale
This pub is known locally as the �bottom bird� due to the close proximity of another similarly named pub (top bird). It�s a Sam Smiths pub (as is the top bird) but sadly it�s keg only. Has a large lounge to the right as you enter and a tap room to the left with a dart board. It�s slightly shabby but very clean and tidy, there was a huge dog sitting on one of the sofa�s, it took a double take to realise it was a toy, very lifelike. Low prices and friendly regulars, it�s a proper working mans local.
1 Jun 2009 15:08
Small modern bar with an upstairs restaurant. Lots of comfortable seating although everywhere seems a bit cramped as there are too many seats for the available space really. No real ale of course just several lager fonts. The other half thought that the red wine was OK but not as good as some of the other places visited. Fairly loud �background� music which probably gets even louder later on. Lots of girlies in, it�s that sort of place. Not for me really, but the other half quite liked it.
1 Jun 2009 14:30
Smart wine bar and restaurant that sells real ale. The wine bar area is one fairly small room with the restaurant adjoining it, it also has letting rooms. Bare brick walls with lots of mirrors around, including most of the bar back. There are dining tables throughout with some stools around the bar. It is quite food led but it does have two handpumps, only one was in action when I visited with Stonehouse Station Bitter being on tap. The menu says that they have a changing guest ale on here, the next two pumpclips were another Stonehouse beer and a Woods beer. They also sell a range of bottled beer from Stonehouse. The pint I had was very good although it was a little pricey. It�s a pleasant little place
1 Jun 2009 14:21
Typical Beefeater type pub which is much bigger than it looks at first. There are loads of alcoves to the right of the bar, in fact it�s a proper rabbit warren. This works pretty well if you�re eating as you get a bit of privacy rather than eating in a huge barn. There are quite a few areas of comfortable seating at the other end of the pub along with a quiz machine. Sadly the only real ale on the bar when I called was Pedigree, however it tasted OK. Very food led but with a bit of a nod to drinkers as there�s a small Premier Inn across the car park, so they have a bit of a captive audience. The only other place to drink around here is the White House Hotel which has a much better beer selection. It�s OK for one as it�s not quite as bland as many of these places tend to be.
1 Jun 2009 12:23
Smart hotel with a bar that is open to all. Has a decent bunch of regulars as there�s nowhere else to get a pint around here except the Clock Tower round the corner. Unusually for a hotel it has a good range of changing real ales, five on when I visited. They have three local beers on, plus a couple from further afield. I had quite a few of them as I was staying here. All were well kept as well. It�s obviously a hotel bar from the d�cor, with some comfy seating along with high tables for dining (bar food available) and a quiz machine but it doesn�t really feel like one. A bit pricy as you would expect, but worth it.
1 Jun 2009 12:16
Arrived at about 7 p.m. last night and the only 4 people in were playing dominoes in the corner. One of these turned out to be the landlord. There are 3 handpumps on the bar but only Salopian Shropshire Gold was on and this needed pulling through before he could sell me any. I was a bit worried that if this was the first pint of the day at 7 in the evening then how much are they selling? As it happens the pint was pretty good so my fears were unfounded.
It�s a bare floorboards and stone flags sort of place with a large TV screen in the right hand room which also has a quiz machine. The walls looked pretty bare to me, almost as if the decorating hadn�t quite been finished yet. There�s a beer garden across the road at the front of the pub with fine views over Ironbridge Gorge if you look straight ahead or to your left. The view to the right is dominated by the very imposing sight of Ironbridge power station and its giant cooling towers. Who the hell had the great idea to build that there and who let them? It�s impressive but looks totally out of place in this scenic area. It�s an OK pub but I wouldn�t go out of my way to visit again.
21 May 2009 11:55
I think it�s about time that someone else reviewed this pub apart from stevane, who obviously loves the place.
This is an ex Greenhalls pub according to the sign outside, it�s a very steep walk up from the gorge area and it doesn�t help when there�s a torrential downpour on the way! It�s pretty much a one roomed pub although there is a dining style area partitioned off to the left of the door as you enter. There�s also a pool table at the other end of the room. It has a decent looking fireplace and a number of high backed settles around the place, plus a couple of bar stools. It also has a quiz machine.
3 handpumps on the bar selling Draught Bass, Theakston Old Peculiar and Tetley Dark Mild, so nothing from a micrbrewery, just the nationals. The Mild is probably unusual round here though. Had a pint of the Bass and a Mild whilst waiting for the weather to calm down a bit. The Bass was OK, the Mild was excellent. There were a few regulars in, with a load of boisterous banter going on between them and the landlady which was amusing. It�s an OK pub. I�d probably call in again if in the area but it is one hell of a climb to get here.
21 May 2009 11:06
Nice little one roomed brewpub (Worfield Brewery) almost facing the Victorian Town museum (although well hidden from it). Plenty of pictures of the pub and the surrounding area around the walls. Has a pleasant looking beer garden as well. It was quiet as it was only about 5 p.m. but I got a cheery welcome from the landlord and some mad tail wagging from the dog. 5 handpumps with one serving real cider. The other had Worfield Dabley Ale, Dabley Gold, Coalport Dodger Mild and a guest, Western Arches from Cottage. Had a pint of the Gold @ �2.30 which was good. This pub reminds me of the Anchor at High Offley, it�s a timewarp pub, a little gem. Sadly I was driving so I had to depart after one. I think I�ll be calling in again though next time I�m on my way to Ironbridge.
21 May 2009 10:17
The Hole In The Wall, Shrewsbury
This pub is a bit of a Wetherspoonalike but without the beer choice. The menus look like JDWs and the d�cor is fairly similar but with more comfortable seats. Two handpumps on the bar selling Bombardier and Old Speckled Hen. The main problem was that I couldn�t get any!!!! There were only two people in front of me and one of these was just paying. Five minutes later I still hadn�t been served. The girl behind the bar seemed to have no idea how to use the till and the couple in front of me had ordered main meals and some side orders. Another bloke wandered behind the bar served himself a drink and toddled off during this time. Get some decent staff on or at least train the poor sods who�re working here! No wonder it was dead at 8:30 on a Thursday. I walked up to the Yorkshire House and got myself a pint there, I suspect I�d still have been waiting in here. Pathetic!
15 May 2009 10:50
Lloyds in the Town, Shrewsbury
Perhaps someone out there is reading this !!!
It was closed for refurbishment on Thursday. It has to be an improvement no matter what they're doing to it, even closing it would be a step upwards.
11 May 2009 14:17
New manager Mark has been in place for a month now. It's still a Robinson's pub as it's a tied house, but the pub now has 5 handpumps selling Unicorn on 2 of them alongside 3 ever changing beers from the Robbies portfolio. Last night these were Cumbria Way, Old Stockport and Double Hop, all better kept than under the previous management with the Old Stockport on top form. There is also a much improved choice and quality of wines available. It was pretty busy last night from around 8.30 all the way through until closing. One that's on it's way up, worth a visit again now.
11 May 2009 11:47
Small music oriented pub just up from the station. Several comfy sofas around and a small stage with DJ equipment. 3 handpumps on the bar selling Courage Best !!!! alongside Stonehouse Station Bitter. Needless to say I had a pint of the Stonehouse which was OK. It�s a bit cliquey in here as everybody seems to know each other and as a visitor you tend to get ignored. Check out the cartoon drawings on the toilet doors. If you choose the wrong one, even when bladdered you�ve no excuse. It�s probably very different later at night and at weekends as it was pretty quiet last night a around 7.
8 May 2009 11:47
The Coach and Horses, Shrewsbury
This is a very pleasant looking pub with lots of wood panelling throughout. It�s very cosy and has several areas all quite small. The front room has wooden settles all around the walls. Six handpumps serving mainly local beers with Sharps Spring Mild as one of the guests from further afield, it also sells Cheddar Valley cider on one handpump. The service was a little slow as they seem happy to accept card payments for 1 pint. I�ve been in here a few times and I�ve always thought that the beer is OK rather than really well kept. Last night was no exception with the mild tasting as if it had just gone over the edge to me. Not bad enough to send back, but not great either. It�s a nice enough place but I think the beer is better in the Admiral Benbow almost next door. It�s a good two pub crawl though as they have 11 beers between them.
8 May 2009 11:00
The Admiral Benbow, Shrewsbury
Initially this looks like a one room pub but there is another room with a dartboard down a few steps at the back. The main room is nicely done with a white painted ceiling with small wooden beams. The walls are decorated with mainly maritime memorabilia as might be expected from the name. There is a large TV screen on the wall on the left which was showing the cricket when I was in but it�s not obtrusive. Lot�s of candles around which probably makes for a very homely feel once it gets dark. Six handpumps on the bar serving mainly local brewery beers. Ludlow Gold, Wem Shropshire Stout, Wye Valley HPA, Six Bells 1859 and Worfield Coalport Dodger Mild alongside GK IPA. I had a pint of the Stout and the HPA which were excellent. Friendly regulars and staff made for a very pleasant hour.
8 May 2009 10:48
O'Neills Irish Bar, Wolverhampton
Was closed last night around 7 with all the posters on the windows advertising future events removed along with quite a lot of the seating etc. inside. Not exactly a great loss, let's hope it returns as something rather better.
7 May 2009 11:19
The Prince Albert, Wolverhampton
This pub had all the blinds down last night at about 7 and had a sign outside saying it was a night club.
7 May 2009 11:16
This place hasn�t been reviewed for nearly 2 years and contrary to the last reviews I can think of lots of bad things to say about it. It is undergoing a refurbishment in one room at the moment so it may well change but�. It�s a tatty, sticky floor(even on a Wednesday) place with a mixture of comfortable seating at the back of the main room and high tables with bar stools in the front part. Everywhere looks dated and would be seriously improved by turning the bright lights off. Cheap and nasty decorations on the wall don�t help. It does have loads of TV screens and was probably heaving later on when the Chelsea vs Barca game started. Nothing of any interest on the bar with Carling being �2.75 which is a bit steep for the worst lager in the world. It�s a bit of a dump to be honest, in fact it�s the worst Walkabout that I�ve ever been in and that takes some doing for a chain of poor bars.
7 May 2009 10:52
This is a proper traditional workingman�s boozer in the city centre. It has a small front snug with worn, but not tatty, green leather seating round the outside. Three rooms at the back the left one and the right one are both lounges and the middle one is a covered courtyard leading to the toilets. In the front snug there were a couple of flat caps in evidence and a couple of beanie hats as well. I�m 51 and the average age in the snug was reduced considerably when I walked in! There was a load of amusing banter going on between the barmaid and some of the regulars in one of the lounges. She seemed to have a nickname for each of them, most seemed to involve the word knob! There are 4 handpumps with Banks�s Original and Bitter doubling up. The Original was in very good nick, one of the best pints of this beer I�ve had in ages and at �2.15 it was a bargain. They advertise that they do midweek lunches for 99p with a list on the wall including faggots and peas, sausage casserole and catch of the day and chips. It�s not what you would call genteel and I wouldn�t bring the other half in, but I�d be happy to call in again.
7 May 2009 10:35
The Litten Tree, Wolverhampton
Called in here last night to watch the Chelsea vs Barca game and was suprised to see 3 new handpumps on the bar. There were two ales on, Bombardier and Deuchars. I asked for a pint of the Bombardier. The girl serving had little or no idea how to serve the beer but after a request for a top up (she tried to serve me a pint with a 2 inch head) I found the quality to be surprisingly good. A major step forwards for this pub if not for Chelsea. I'm going to have to up my rating by a point or two. Keep it going guys.
7 May 2009 09:48
The Plough and Harrow, Wolverhampton
This pub has obviously gone seriously downhill since the last review in 2006. It's shabby on the outside and the inside isn't much better. There is no cask ale at this pub any longer, in fact last night they didn't even have any keg ale. The only option available was lager, so I left. This area of Wolverhampton is full of bad pubs, this isn't even one of the worst, but it is still crap. It won't be around much longer on last nights showing anyway and it won't be any kind of loss.
7 May 2009 09:29
The Baum has just won Rochdale, Oldham and Bury CAMRA Pub of the Year 2009.
5 May 2009 15:53
It's the usual large lager barn. This one's a bit smarter than most and has several distinct areas rather than just one large room. It's overpriced as usual and has quite a high dipstick level. You could go in pretty much any pub or bar round here, except Walkabout and find yourself in a better place.
5 May 2009 15:45
Very smart lounge bar in Derby�s central square. Has some fantastic seats carved out of old tree stumps, I suspect they cost a fortune. The rest of the inside is on two levels and is all very classy, the beer and wine prices reflect this as a pint of Becks Vier and a glass of red wine was �7.30. There was no real stuff on the bar but as some of the food contained Derby brewery beers I found that a bit strange. We didn�t eat here but the food looked very good. A sharer for two, full rack of ribs, buffalo chicken wings onion rings and chips was �9.95 and the portions were massive. There�s also a large outside area overlooking the market place. It�s a smart place.
5 May 2009 15:16
The Smithfield is a little bit out on a limb from the city centre, across Exeter bridge, but now the Derby Brewery Tap @ The Royal Standard is open which is on the way, hopefully more people will visit. Having said that it was pretty busy on Sunday afternoon when we called in. It�s rather tatty from the outside and it�s a little old and worn on the inside as well. It does however have a nice patio area at the back overlooking the Derwent which was very pleasant in the sunshine. The back bar is worth a look with its old furnishings and collection of football related coffee mugs. It�s the sister pub of the Flowerpot so you�re always going to get a good selection of beer on their eight handpumps. They usually have two or three on from Whim and one from Headless alongside a number of changing guests. It�s a decent pub that could do with having a few quid spent on it to brighten it up, well worth a visit when in Derby though.
5 May 2009 11:51
A real Irish bar without all the gimmickry that comes with an O�Neills etc. Two level bar with wooden floors, there are a few Irish signs etc but nothing too garish. Plenty of flowers and plants around the place, it�s a bit of a haven of calm in the city centre, hidden up an alley next to St Peter�s church. The jukebox plays a wide selection of good stuff, not just Irish music (or James Morrision). No real ale as previously mentioned, but it�s a very friendly place to come for a decent pint of the black stuff.
5 May 2009 11:23
Currently undergoing a refurb on the outside so it�s covered in scaffolding, don�t worry it�s still open! There�s an island bar in here with stained glass windows and dining tables round 2 sides. The back room has interesting futuristic cartoon murals all over the walls, well worth a look. This room also has comfortable chairs and sofas, very lounge like. Four handpumps on the bar but only three on, Wye Valley Bitter and Butty Bach plus Purity Mad Goose. The bitter was in good nick. I didn�t eat here but the sandwiches being served whilst I was there looked huge.
30 Apr 2009 15:14
The Sun on the Hill, Birmingham
No cask available on Tuesday. It was rammed as the Chelsea vs Barcelona game was on. The toilets were disgusting. Go to the Briar Rose or the Wellington not here.
30 Apr 2009 15:05
The Shakespeare Inn, Birmingham
This pub and the Briar Rose close by used to have constant snipes at each other as to which one was the first non smoking pub in Birmingham. I don�t know the answer but it means that the d�cor is still all bright and clean in here. The back of the bar is all polished wood and one of the walls is still tiled. Quite a few high tables near the bar and dining tables further back, it also has a quiz machine. There are 3 handpumps but they never seem to have anything unusual on e.g. Wednesday night Everards Tiger, Bombardier and Deuchars. The Tiger was a decent pint, it�s OK in here although it�s not my favourite pub in Birmingham.
30 Apr 2009 14:59
This pub advertises itself as a theatre bar which means that it gets busy pre/post performances at the Hippodrome and Symphony Hall nearby. The front bar is like a small tap room with stained glass windows all around and a few dining style tables. The back bar is much more of a lounge with several sofas and comfy chairs. The walls are covered with theatre posters as you might expect. There are at least 10 handpumps but I�ve never seen all of them in use. On Wednesday at about 8 they had Tetley Bitter, St Austell Tribute and Old Speckled Hen which are regulars plus a couple of guests on in the front bar Goffs White Knight and Hanbys Wem Golden Honey. The Goffs was a well kept pint, drunk whilst talking to the friendly and chatty staff who were pretty efficient as well. It�s been in the GBG since 2000 and quite rightly.
30 Apr 2009 14:41
This is quite a smart JDW with stone floors and a lot of wood around the place. It was quite busy when I visited around 8 on Wednesday but there were enough staff on, so I didn�t have to wait. The girl who served me was very pleasant and chatty and poured a pint perfectly, including letting it settle and topping it up without me having to ask. The beer festival was on and I had a pint of the Sinebrychoff Porter which at 6.2% was rocket fuel. It was very tasty, although it took me quite a while to drink it. It�s pretty good for a Wetherspoons is this place.
30 Apr 2009 11:11
Still going from strength to strength especially during the beer festival. 8 Festival beers on at any one time with a real mix of styles. Much better than the last festival under the old management when they only ever had a couple of the festival beers on. Keep it going guys, up another point for me.
27 Apr 2009 10:44
Traditional local just on the edge of the town centre. Pool table in the room to the left as you walk through the door. The rest of the pub is one large room. It was very busy on Friday night as they were having a charity do. One guy who was doing a sponsored head shave was a real hippy with 2 foot long hair down his back, brave man. Only has one handpump which serves Theakston�s Best Bitter. Not one of my favourite beers as I think it�s really bland but it was kept well enough. It�s a friendly enough place in a noisy sort of way, a proper local.
27 Apr 2009 10:32
This is a pub for people who don�t like pubs. It�s a new build on a business park near the cinema. It has two rooms, the one on the left is a cavernous barn with tables and chairs dotted about, the room on the right is smaller but is just the same. Has two handpumps on the bar but I suspect that these have never been used, they certainly weren�t being used last night. You know your food is about to be served when you hear the �ping� from the kitchen area. Why do they build these stunningly crap places, it wasn�t busy even through it was pre film start, which I would have thought was a peak time. It�s very poor. Don�t go.
24 Apr 2009 10:31
This pub is a long walk from the station, but I decided to go as according to CAMRA�s GBG 2009 this is Ember Inns flagship pub. Well I�m sorry, but that says a lot about Ember Inns. It�s a bland conversion of what looks like a very large old house. It has the typical logs in the wall, cheap and nasty prints and generic furniture that a lot of their places have. It�s major difference apparently is that they have a large range of cask ales on. They do, there are 9 handpumps, six were being used, one of them had an interesting beer on, Kelburn Red Smiddy, the rest were boring e.g. London Pride & Brew XI. It was full of people who have no imagination when it comes to pubs, eating bland bought in food. For�s god�s sake if you want a curry then go to a decent Indian restaurant not a pub! It has a large beer garden and a car park if that rings your bell, otherwise I wouldn�t bother.
24 Apr 2009 10:07
Decent locals pub just across the Welsh bridge. Central bar with a raised tap room at the back which has a pool table and dartboard along with a quiz machine and a video game machine. The lounge has a black and white timbered ceiling with tables and chairs set up round the outside and a large open fireplace that no longer has a fire. Two of the tables were set up for dominoes last night. Two handpumps on the bar serving Salopian Oracle and Ruddles County. Had a pint of the Oracle which was very good. It�s a nice little place this, I�ll call in again.
23 Apr 2009 10:34
Small locals pub on the big roundabout in Frankwell. Small lounge on the right as you enter with a fireplace/chimney breast that effectively cuts the room in two. On the other side of this is a dartboard. There is a further room at the back with another dartboard and a pool table, also has a quiz machine. Only has one handpump on the bar which had Spitfire on, it was a decent pint as well. Friendly bar staff and a good ambience about the place. It�s a decent pub.
23 Apr 2009 09:56
Small lager only bar that lives two lives. During the day it is food oriented and serves lunches to the shoppers etc. It doesn�t open on weekday nights but at weekend it transforms into a loud DJ bar which is full of youngsters and opens until the wee small hours. It�s a strange little place that really doesn�t know what it wants to be. Not really worth the effort as there are plenty of other better bars in the town.
21 Apr 2009 14:43
As predicted this pub has now closed and all the external signage has gone.
21 Apr 2009 09:41
Has a had a spruce up on the outside since our last visit. Needs some TLC on the inside as well though. Loads of handpumps but only Everards Tiger, Tetley Bitter and Adnams Bitter available. 3 rooms, wooden floors, stone walls, beer garden, it's got loads going for it but it just isn't really working at the moment. Needs a breath of life one way or the other.
20 Apr 2009 16:41
One of my regular haunts in Shifnal and has the best beer selection in the town. Has 6 handpumps dispensing assorted Shropshire ales on 4 and guests from further afield on the other 2. I�ve never had a bad pint in here and I�ve been in quite a lot. Two rooms, both effectively lounges, both nicely decorated. Friendly staff and regulars, I always end up talking to someone at the bar in here. A must visit in Shifnal.
20 Apr 2009 15:30
Lloyds in the Town, Shrewsbury
This is a desperate lager barn that specialises in live sport and chavs. Also has karaoke on at weekends and has a dancefloor (well a sort of sticky wooden area anyway). Needs a major refurbishment, especially the toilets. Has a quiz machine and a pool table. It's a dump!
20 Apr 2009 14:49
Only six handpumps in evidence on Thursday 16/04. 3 from Titanic and 3 from Bateman�s. Had a pint of the Bateman�s Eggs-B and a pint of the Titanic English Glory. Both were well kept. Nicely refurbished pub with a seating/dining area to the left of the door, dartboard to the right. Had a pleasant chat with the landlord and one of the regulars. They�re having a beer festival next week for St George�s day and intend to have more throughout the year. All in all a good pub that should be added to any crawl round Wellington.
20 Apr 2009 11:59
What can I say that oldboots hasn't already said. Daleside Special was on tap rather than the bitter when we called. The Daleside Blonde was in very good nick. Has a large tropical fish tank at the opposite side of the pub to the pool table. It's a nice pub.
16 Apr 2009 16:37
The Scarborough Arms, Scarborough
Called in for the first time in a while as I had heard that the useless muppets who ran it have moved on. Much brighter and cleaner than last time we were in and the tap room especially has been transformed. Has 6 handpumps but only 1 beer was on which was Wold Top�s Voluptuous Vicky, it was fine. One other pump had a turned round TT Landlord clip on it but the others were empty. Still a way to go before it gets back to where it was, but at least a start has been made. Keep it going guys.
16 Apr 2009 16:31
Very large pub with entrances on both Prospect Place and John Street. Sells a decent range of changing cask ales, usually with one or two interesting microbrewery beers. Majors on sport and food, there are loads of TVs all around showing all the live matches. Not very impressed with the food as it was slow coming, was nowhere near as good as it sounded and was overpriced for what you get. You can hardly get through the door at weekends and the clientele are a bit boisterous to say the least. Not really my type of place.
16 Apr 2009 15:31
Tiny pub that still manages to have live bands on all the time, the stage takes up at least a third of the space in here. Has 4 handpumps serving changing guest beers, the two we tried were excellent. There�s a fantastic sepia coloured mural on the wall picturing some of the Blues greats. It�s a fine little pub with a friendly clientele and staff.
16 Apr 2009 12:01
Pub has indeed closed and is up for let. Many of the fixtures and fittings have been removed.
16 Apr 2009 11:13
Rocky's Bar at the New George Hotel, Scarborough
Whole hotel closed and up for let. Most fixtures and fittings have been removed.
16 Apr 2009 11:10
It�s always sad to report the death of an old friend, but I�m afraid that is what I�m going to have to do. This once brilliant pub has changed hands since our last visit, I believe it�s been bought by S & N. Gone are many of the beer pumps and the bar area has been brightened by putting in what appear to be 1000 watt bulbs. Only 3 customers in at 10 p.m. speaks volumes for what has happened here. I asked the manager why they how come they didn�t have Roosters on as it was their best seller. He said I haven�t had it on since I arrived! That�s what I call a stupid decision then. Only 3 cask ales available and a tired selection they were too. 2 Robinson�s seasonals and the Holts seasonal. No microbrews at all. Had a pint of Robinsons Trouble & Strife, it was just about OK.
R.I.P. Indigo Alley, you�ll be sadly missed.
16 Apr 2009 10:44
If this isn't the worst Wetherspoons in the country it's certainly making a gallant bid. Tuesday lunchtime, every table dirty and sticky and it was reasonably quiet. The useless pink haired git behind the bar only had 3 people at the bar and managed to serve a person who arrived after the rest of us first, we walked out. Total crap, avoid it.
16 Apr 2009 10:31
This is restaurant with a separate bar that feels like a proper pub. It�s quite small and has a dartboard at one end along with a machine with golf etc on it. Has two handpumps on the pub side which were selling Banks�s Bitter and a Roosters beer last night. I asked for a pint of the Roosters and the barmaid walked round to the restaurant side of the bar, she came back with a pint and I said �I asked for Roosters� and she assured me it was. It was definitely a keg beer. I don�t know what was going on here, whether it was a mistake or not, but the bottom line is that I was served a keg beer when the pumpclip was on a handpump. Not happy.
9 Apr 2009 14:36
This is a newly reopened pub after a major refurbishment. A large amount of money has been spent to create band new �oldness� in this pub. It�s got a bit of an ecclesiastical feel really. As you enter there is a dining lounge to the left and another smaller one to the right. The one on the right has wood panelling all around it. The one on the left has panels on the walls depicting arches or windows. There�s a seating area at the rear with leather sofa�s and chairs. There are �old� beams over the bar, these may even be original, it�s difficult to tell. My first impression was �It looks like a hotel bar�. It�s very foodie, but there are two handpumps on the bar serving Marston�s Pedigree and Brakspears Bitter (Ho hum). Had a pint of the Brakspears, it was drinkable, but not very good. It�s not really my sort of place but I can see it doing well with the �doing lunch with mummy� set.
9 Apr 2009 13:46
Old pebble dashed building that is completely at odds with the newly refurbished interior which looks more like a wine bar. Sadly it�s a lager emporium, you would have thought that they would have tried a cask ale as almost everywhere else in Shifnal sells cask, so there�s obviously a market for it. Large TV screen in the area to the left of the entrance, so it�s good for watching the football, also has a pool table to the right. This is Shifnal�s kiddies playground, DJ on Friday/Saturday plus karaoke on Sunday. If you like the ponytail, tracksuit bottoms and trainers look a la Vicky Pollard then this is the place for you, if not then avoid like the plague.
9 Apr 2009 12:12
Fairly nondescript L shaped pub with a lounge area and a pool table to the right as you enter and a further lounge area with a dart board and a quiz machine at the end and a door through to a conservatory, also has a decent sized garden with benches. It was a keg only pub for some time but now has two handpumps although I�ve only ever seen one beer on. This is usually Banks�s bitter and the quality has been rather in an out the last few times I�ve been. Never undrinkable but never excellent either. They probably don�t sell enough for it to be really good. Last night they had no cask ale on at all, given that they have huge sign outside stating �We now sell cask ales� I don�t think that this is acceptable. It�s a very average pub and I wouldn�t make a special effort to go. If I call in I�m usually on my way to/from The White Hart as I was last night.
9 Apr 2009 11:22
Very big pub with a tap room to the left and a huge lounge straight ahead. Tap room has a pool table, darts and a quiz machine. Lounge has banquette seating round the outside and dining tables/chairs in the middle. Does a very reasonably priced food every day. Six handpumps on the bar but only 4 beers on tap, Banks�s Bitter and Original plus Jennings Snecklifter and Marston�s �John Marston�s Golden Ale�. Had a pint of the Golden Ale which was very good, better than on previous visits when the beer quality was only OK. It�s always been almost empty when I�ve been in on a midweek evening, there were 8 in last night eating and 3 more at the bar, it may be busier at weekends, if it�s not it�ll be in trouble soon.
9 Apr 2009 10:53
Seven Bar and Restaurant, Shifnal
Square shaped one roomer with an award winning restaurant upstairs. The downstairs bar has a large TV for sport, some comfortable seating and a quiz machine. It was heaving last night for the Liverpool v Chelsea match. Only one handpump on the bar and every time I�ve been in it�s been serving Bombardier. This is not one of my favourite pints but it�s kept well enough in here. It�s a decent enough place to call in for one whilst on a crawl through Shifnal.
9 Apr 2009 09:23
This pub is a bit of a strange shape really. It�s an island bar with a lounge that effectively runs round 3 sides with a tap room on the other side. Shows lots of live football in here. It�s a comfortable pub with plenty of seating around, including banquettes with small round tables plus dining tables and chairs. Has a bowling green out the back with a pleasant patio overlooking it. Also has a friendly pub dog (a boxer) wandering around the place. The bar has three handpumps usually serving Moorhouses Pride of Pendle, Pendle Witch and Black Cat, although as far as I�m aware it isn�t owned or tied to Moorhouses. All the beers are generally well kept without being totally top notch. It�s a nice enough pub.
8 Apr 2009 13:51
Large Sam Smiths pub with the almost obligatory white painted exterior. As you walk in you enter a small lounge with the bar facing you. To the left is a larger lounge area and to the right is a big tap room with pool table and dartboard. Very competitive pricing even for Sam�s with the bitter even being a penny or two cheaper than the nearby Rifleman�s. Sadly it�s all keg, but it is a pleasant pub to call in for one.
8 Apr 2009 11:30
Large pub with a carvery restaurant attached at the back. It was designed to look like an Alpine Gasthof in the 70�s by the well known mountain brewery Sam Smiths from the alpine region of Tadcaster. I have no idea whose loopy idea that was! The main part of the pub is one large room with banquette seating and dining tables. There is also a further room upstairs but this is rarely used these days as the pub simply isn�t busy enough. It used to be very busy until Sam�s upped the price of the lease by a stupid amount and the successful landlord, Alan, left (what a good move that was). It�s had several tenants/managers since then and the first ones in took out the handpumps, another good move. So we are left with a quiet, keg only pub, with a carvery that doesn�t get full either. It�s still a decent enough place but we only visit occasionally. Why would we want to go more often?
7 Apr 2009 16:27
Many years ago, when the earth was young, this was my local. I was the captain of the darts team and even played cricket for them. I also used to DJ here in the 80�s. It�s changed a bit since then, but it�s still basically the same. White painted walls outside lead to a corridor with two doors off. These lead to the pubs two comfortable lounges although one is still used for darts & dominoes. It�s a Sam Smiths pub so prices are very competitive, however it has no cask ale, even the OBB is keg. It�s a pleasant enough pub but the lack of cask ale means that I don�t visit that often anymore.
7 Apr 2009 15:27
Tiny cellar pub that almost reminds you of one of those small family run English bars in Spain. A few tables dotted around the bar and a couple of bar stools make up the seating. A limited menu is available but it all looks very tasty. Three handpumps on the bar serving ever changing guests. The two we had were excellent. It might be small but it is perfectly formed. The landlord used to be the editor of the local CAMRA newsletter Pub Mirror, but the pub has been so successful that he can no longer perform that role as well. Well worth a visit.
7 Apr 2009 15:03
Another one of our regular haunts on the Rochdale real ale trail. Impressive stone built exterior directly facing the even more impressive gothic Town Hall. Inside is one large room divided into several areas by wooden partitioning and seating. There�s also a pool table in the area round the back of the bar. Has two large TV screens often showing sport of one kind or another. Has nine handpumps on the bar but usually only 6 of these are in action, the other 3 are used when they have a beer festival (usually twice per year). Serves Lees Bitter, Taylor�s Landlord and Best Bitter and 3 changing guests, one is always from Phoenix and the other two regularly feature local breweries such as Green Mill, Hornbeam and Moorhouses. It can get a bit raucous when the football is on, but it�s a decent pub.
7 Apr 2009 14:43
This is indeed owned by Derby Brewery. Great refurbishment of a dead pub that looked like it was more likely to be demolished rather than reopened. Large horseshoe shaped bar with 10 handpumps, at least 5 from Derby and several guest ales. You can also buy a sampling tray of 5 Derby beers in 1/3 pints along with a selection of local cheeses. It�s a little bit echoey (is that a word?) as it�s all hardwood floors but very pleasant all the same. Good quality beer served by friendly, knowledgeable and efficient staff. Has an upstairs area that has acoustic gigs on some nights as well. A fine job done here by Derby Brewery, well done guys.
6 Apr 2009 15:33
Recently opened pub converted from a restaurant which is now the Spitting Feathers Brewery Tap. This is a fine old building, sympathetically converted leaving most of the old stonework, ceiling timbers etc intact. It was originally Gamul House which was a Jacobean great hall, the brick fa�ade was added in the 18th century. Has a large sign outside that says �Because life�s too short for crap beer�. It still has a small restaurant area but is now more wet trade led. It has 8 handpumps, usually serving 3 from Spitting Feathers, 4 guest ales and a real cider. I�ve never had a bad pint in here, it�s a class act all round. I wish all pub conversions/renovations were as good as this one. Well done Spitting Feathers Brewery.
6 Apr 2009 15:00
This is a pub I visit regularly. It used to be the home of the McGuinness brewery, but after a fire the brewery equipment was sold on. It�s now being used by Offa�s Dyke Brewery who also took the brewer along with the kit. The pub interior had to be completely refurbished after the fire and is now a modern looking L shaped one roomer, slightly at odds with the old stone exterior. There�s a pool table on the right as you go through then door and a large lounge to the left with some comfortable chairs along with some dining style tables and chairs. Three handpumps on the bar one of which always serves Phoenix Navvy, the other two are changing guests often from Hornbeam and Moorhouses. Some of the clientele can sometimes be a bit rough and ready but the other half is happy to visit regularly, so it�s not rough really. Has live music on Sundays as well. Tony and Jackie run a good pub.
6 Apr 2009 12:15
Nice little 2 roomer with an outside area on raised decking. It�s two lounges really, the one on the right has a real fire and a very ornate fireplace, quite impressive. Three handpumps on the bar serving Bombardier, Ludlow Gold and a third one that my brain seems to have forgotten. Had a pint of the Ludlow which was good. Another nice bar, Bridgnorth is full of them.
3 Apr 2009 14:07
Large L shaped drinking barn, a bit of a Wetherspoonalike with 2 meals for �5.99 etc, only it doesn't sell cask ale. Lounge area at the front, massive TV screen at the back. Watched the England vs Ukraine match here on Wednesday. Won't be going in again unless there's another big match on though as it's pretty poor really.
3 Apr 2009 13:31
Small tap room with dart board at the front decorated with sporting memorabilia, large lounge plus a conservatory at the back. Half a dozen handpumps in the lounge selling Bank�s Original & Bitter, Bathams Best and changing guest beers. Had a pint of the Bathams which was very good and went to sit in the conservatory which was very pleasant. Very popular pub it was pretty busy early on a Wednesday evening. Only negative was that I won �6 on the quiz machine and the thieving sod only paid out �5 as it said the hopper was empty. It�s a good pub and I�ll call in again next time I�m in Bridgnorth.
3 Apr 2009 12:25
This pub hasn�t been reviewed for well over 2 years which is surprising. It�s a large food led pub with comfortable seating and dining tables. Very modern d�cor which means it feels more like a wine bar than a pub. Has 4 handpumps selling changing guest beers but only 3 were on. I had a pint of Ludlow Gold which was pretty good. It seems friendly enough and everything was clean and tidy, it�s a pleasant enough pub.
3 Apr 2009 12:03
This pub doesn't have any handpumps. It's being confused with the Bull Inn on Butcher Row that is not currently on BITE but has been added to the suggestions for inclusion.
3 Apr 2009 11:35
I'm not surprised that nobody has bothered to review this pub, there's not much to say about it really. It's a shabby, keg only pub that didn't even have any Guinness on last night. Having been told that even this wasn't available I left without having a drink. I can't be bothered wasting my time in these places. I went around the corner for a decent pint at the Black Horse.
2 Apr 2009 17:15
This place was closed last night and most of the fixtures and fittings removed. The bar and the beer pumps etc are still there though so it looks like it's getting another refurb.
2 Apr 2009 12:12
Jewel Of The Severn, Bridgnorth
Called in for a pint last night. All tables clean, prompt service at the bar and a decent pint of Banks & Taylor Golden Fox. Must be a different duty manager on or something. A massive improvement from my last visit. Keep it up guys.
2 Apr 2009 11:26
Neat looking white painted pub with an outside patio with views over the river. Called in here twice on Monday, once on the way out and again on the way back. Has 3 handpumps but only 2 beers on Deuchars and an Ironbridge beer. By the time I got back only the Deuchars was left. Both beers were OK but certainly nothing to rave about. It�s a pleasant enough place once inside but doesn�t really have any outstanding or even distinguishing features. It�s OK.
1 Apr 2009 15:30
The Robin Hood Inn, Ironbridge
Smart locals pub away from the main Wharfage area. Low ceilings with exposed timbers, photo�s and maps of old Ironbridge along with the history of the pub on the walls. It�s a Holdens pub and was serving the Bitter and Golden Glow. As is common with Holdens pubs it had a sign up claiming that the guest beer was Golden Glow which of course it isn�t as it�s brewed by Holdens. I had a pint of the �guest� which was pretty good. Nice enough place which is probably packed in summer as it has a nice terrace.
1 Apr 2009 15:13
For some reason this pub is painted bright yellowy orange. It�s a large pub with two lounges/bars. Obviously aimed at the tourist and dining trade as it certainly doesn�t have the feel of a pub. The bar serving cask ale is to the left of the door, it has 3 handpumps but only Bombardier was on and that wasn�t very good either. The right hand lounge is decorated with hearts/pouting lips type memorabilia. It would be fine for Valentines day but just looked cheesy to me. Can�t think of any reason why I would ever visit this place again.
1 Apr 2009 15:08
The Horse and Jockey, Ironbridge
Pleasant little locals pub overlooking the gorge. It�s one of those horse brasses and prints of gentlemen in frock coats type of place. Very food oriented, when I went to the bar the first thing I was asked is �Are you eating with us?� Three handpumps on the bar but only two in use, serving Salopian Hop Twister and Thwaites Original. Had a pint of the Salopian which was very good. It�s a nice enough place and the food did look good. I may have to brave the hill again and eat here next time I�m in Ironbridge.
1 Apr 2009 12:03
Montgomery's Tower, Shrewsbury
Very smart Lloyds No 1 bar, not to be confused with the desperate, chav ridden pub called Lloyds across the road. Lots of comfy seating and alcoves. Has two bars, with several handpumps on each, although both bars had the same beers. I tried a pint of Shropshire Lad which was a little hazy, by the end of the pint (when it was too late to take it back) the slightly off taste was getting worse so I left some of it (bit of a first there). Nice enough pub, but the beer quality was definitely questionable. I'll give it another chance in a week or two.
31 Mar 2009 14:06
This is my local, it�s not my closest pub being about a mile from where I live, but it�s my local, because it�s such a good pub.
It�s next door to the Co-op Museum in the conservation area so it looks the part. Wine bar meets real ale bar feel with wood panelling and floors, has old metal adverts all over the walls along with hundreds of pump clips from past guest ales. It�s one large horseshoe shaped room really, but with several distinct areas including a conservatory. Large walled garden with 2 boules pistes and lots of bench seating out the back.
Has 5 handpumps selling ever changing guests which always include one from Phoenix. Large range of bottled beers from around the world and a good selection of wines. Also does food throughout the day, both tapas and larger meals.
GBG regular and won the Best Bar None award 2008. What can I say, it�s the best pub in Rochdale, come along and try it.
31 Mar 2009 12:15
Called in last night as part of a mini Ironbridge crawl. 5 handpumps including Three Tuns XXX, Shropshire Lad and Abbot. Had a pint of the XXX which was very good and sat at the window overlooking Ironbridge Gorge. It would have been a great view if the trees hadn't got in the way. It's quite food led but not as much as other pubs in the town. Great range of Belgian beers too. The decor is quite basic really with dining style tables and chairs in the main. It all looks very neat and tidy though. It's a good pub, but boy do you need a drink after climbing up the hill to get here.
31 Mar 2009 11:30
Really unusual place that looks like a wine bar but with 3 handpumps. Flowers IPA, Copper Dragon Golden Pippin and Wem Golden Honey. Pretty pricey though at �3 a pint. Downstairs has some comfortable sofas and a lot of dining tables. Has 4 Bison heads on the wall over the entrance (I hope they're not real, as we had a number of close encounters with Bison in Canada last year and they're brillian in the wild). Also has loads of interesting artwork around the walls. Upstairs is another bar that opens from 5 til late. This bar has a huge station style clock in the middle and more comfy sofas. Very friendly & helpful staff, nice atmosphere throughout early on a Saturday evening. We'll definitely call back as the other half loved it.
30 Mar 2009 14:37
Called in again on Saturday, much better range of beers on this time with 7 of the handpumps in use. Had Allgates Jabba The Hop and Howard Town Wren's Nest. Both were good. Keep it going guys!
30 Mar 2009 14:20
Had a pint of Hopping Mad the Lees seasonal which was �2.71 on Saturday. I still don't think that's bad when a pint of GK IPA is �2.75 in the Lass O Gowrie.
30 Mar 2009 11:45
Some confusion going on here I think. The pub voted the No 1 Wetherspoons is the Babington Arms a couple of hundred yards away from this one.
28 Mar 2009 08:51
This pub is now a Wetherspoons Lloyds No 1 bar called The Squire Knot. It's been really well refurbished with comfortable seating near the entrance and leather look chairs at the dining tables. Decent range of beer for a Lloyds as well with 2 guests ales alongside the JDW regulars. We were in on a Saturday late afternoon so it probably gets very busy later on. Pretty impressed all round really.
27 Mar 2009 15:20
Called in last night as I'd heard it had reopened, so my report of it's potential demise was incorrect. Tap room with dart board & pool table to the left and a lounge area at the back where they have live music on. It was dead when I went in at about 7 with only 2 others in the bar. The landlord Colin was very friendly, but when I asked him why he didn't stock cask ale he told me that he couldn't sell it here! Given that almost all the other pubs in Oakengates do, I couldn't really buy in to that argument. I pointed out that on-one else sold cask Thwaites in the town so it was a potential niche for him. He just said "I like my smooth! Best of luck then mate as the only area of growth recently has been cask ale and I probably won't bother calling again. By the way I had a pint of Guinness, it was just like Guinness, boring.
27 Mar 2009 11:08
Large studenty drinking barn with TVs, quiz machines and fruit machines all over the place. Large array of lager pumps selling nothing of any interest whatsoever except possibly the Frulli Strawberry beer if you like that sort of thing, I don't. Can't think of any reason for me to ever visit this place again. It's pretty poor really.
26 Mar 2009 12:19
Large two roomed pub in the shadow of the Molineux stands. Lounge to the left and another room with a pool table to the right. Lot's of comfy seating in the lounge along with a real log fire. Large array of standard lagers but no real ale which is rather disappointing. Loads of football memorabilia around the place as you would expect. It's OK, probably won't bother visiting again as it doesn't sell the real stuff. Won a tenner on their quiz machine though. Every cloud...................
26 Mar 2009 12:10
Pub will be taken over by a new leaseholder and manager in early April. The leaseholder is also the owner of the GBG listed and Best Bar None award winning Baum. The manager has worked in several GBG listed pubs in the town. Improvement expected. Watch this space!
25 Mar 2009 16:57
Great pub for the ticker with it's 12 changing guests plus the 4 standard beers. What can you say about this place that hasn't been said before? Not much is the answer. Needless to say the beer was great as usual I had a ABC Birmingham Standard, a Coastal Weird Beards No 1 (I think there were at least 4 weird beards in the pub) and a Wold Top Voluptuous Vicky. It's still a top pub with great service.
23 Mar 2009 21:44
I've always thought that this was one of the better JDW pubs and this visit hasn't changed my mind. Nicely furnished with some deep leather sofa's and chairs along with the normal dining table style ones. Always has a couple of decent and unusual beers on alongside the usual suspects. This time it was Holdens Lambswool, which was very tasty. I quite like it in here.
23 Mar 2009 21:40
The Old Joint Stock, Birmingham
Typical Fullers London bank building conversion, but in Birmingham. The usual impressive high ceilings and old paintings, it's fine but nothing unusual these days. Had the whole standard Fullers range on tap plus a "guest" Gales HSB who are owned by..........yep Fullers, so it's not a guest at all. Had a pint of Discovery which was served cold as usual. Has a theatre upstairs which is pretty uniquel, also has jazz session nights. It's OK for one.
23 Mar 2009 21:36
Used to call in here every time I stayed over in Birmingham, but I hadn't been in for over two years until last week. Nothing seeme to have changed at all. To me this place looks like a typical London pub, old wood, glass, mirrors etc. Nothing spectacular but generally decent looking. They were having a special 6 nations promotion with a beer on from each of the home nations so the cask ale was �2 a pint. Dirt cheap for Birmingham city centre where I regularly pay �2.80 - �3. They had Pedigree (England), Brains S.A. (Wales) and Harviestoun Bitter and Twisted (Scotland). No idea what happened to Ireland. It's still a decent place, I'll call in yet again when next in Brum
23 Mar 2009 21:30
The Old Contemptibles, Birmingham
There's been a massive change to this place since my last visit over 2 years ago. It's now been done up very impressively by the Nicholson's chain. Lot's of old wood and glass with several distinct areas even though it's one big room really. Six different beers on handpump. Pedigree, Landlord, London Pride, Stonehenge Sign of Spring, Hopback Crop Circle and Dark Horse Whip Cracker. Had a pint of the Whip Cracker which was pretty good. Got this served in a standard schooner glass, as were all the other pints around the place. Maybe they've realised that people prefer these now! It's not bad in here, much better than it was at least.
23 Mar 2009 21:16
Nice enough new build pub if you like huge drinking barns, this one is a better class than many of the others though. Copper bar but at table level with all the handpumps etc at the back of the bar. Strange idea that as I hadn't brought my reading specs so I had trouble making out what was on the pumpclips. The answer was Backyard Blonde, Oldershaw Mowbrey's Mash, Cottage Whippet Gold and Wye Valley Butty Bach. Not a bad selection at all. Had a Backyard and an Oldershaw, both were fine if not totally top notch. The back wall is covered with a massive wine rack, so plenty of choice there as well. I'm not too sure about this place really, it's not my sort of place, but the other would love it.
23 Mar 2009 21:08
The Prince of Wales, Shrewsbury
Two roomed pub with the main room being aimed more towards food as the tables and chairs are all dining type ones with red coverings, all in good condition. Loads of plates around the walls along with several "yards of ale". Large bowling green out the back that has some of the seats from the old Gay Meadow football ground round the outside. Five beers on the bar GK IPA, St Austell Tribute, Salopian Golden Thread and Blarney plus Theakston's Mild. Had a pint of the Blarney which was fine. Friendly bar staff, but hardly anyone in at 8 p.m. even on Paddy's night. It's not a 9.2 really but it's well worth a visit though.
23 Mar 2009 18:16
Long narrow pub with 2 small lounges either side of the entrance. In the back there's a pool table, fruit machine and quiz machine with cricket photo's around the walls. Three handpumps with Marston's Pedigree and Burton bitter plus Jennings Cumberland. I had a pint of the Pedigree as the range wasn't very interesting, it was a decent pint. I wouldn't make another special visit, but it's fine if you're on a crawl round this part of town.
23 Mar 2009 18:07
The Belle Vue Tavern, Shrewsbury
Long thin pub, but left to right rather than front to back. Dart board to the right and a small lounge to the left. Decent seating all round. Friendly locals and bar staff. Four handpumps serving London Pride, Draught Bass, Three Tuns XXX and Offa's Dyke Barley Gold. Had a pint of the Offa's Dyke which was very good. It's a nice pleasant locals pub, well worth a visit.
23 Mar 2009 18:02
Called in again on Saturday after Oldham Beer Festival as promised. I've changed my mind after this last visit. I had to take my pint back to the bar as it was foul, it was changed with no problem, but the second pint wasn't great either, even though it was from a different pump. When I got back to my seat the other half said "This wines off". Back to the bar again. When I told the landlord he shouted "What do you want ME to do about it?" I pointed out that as the landlord I would expect him to change it and apologise rather than get stroppy. This went down like the proverbial "lead budgie". He did change it though and after smelling the bottle threw the rest of it away. Still no apology though. Won't be getting another chance I'm afraid. Down goes the rating to a 2.
23 Mar 2009 16:54
The Boars Head Hotel, Shrewsbury
Called in this pub last Thursday, all the curtains were closed which didn't make it look very inviting. Had a roaring log fire going in the hearth, over the mantlepiece is a black and white photo of a young George Best. Huge TV screen just to the right of the fireplace showing the football (Man City vs Aalborg). A game of dominoes going in the corner and a large pub cat sprawled across two stools. Pedigree, Banks's Bitter & Original plus Jennings Snecklifter on the bar. Had a pint of the Jennings which was very nice. So far so good. Tried to talk to a couple of locals and the landlord, got blanked. It was a bit of a strange place and whilst leaning on the bar I overheard one of the locals say to his mate "You need to be careful what you're saying tonight, there's strangers in". Very dodgy. I didn't have a second pint even though it was a good pint as it really wasn't very welcoming
16 Mar 2009 16:42
Large pub next to the river just across Greyfriars Bridge. Small lounge area to the right and a much larger lounge with a conservatory and an outdoor riverside decking area on the left. Three handpumps serving Banks's bitter & Pedigree plus a changing guest, Wychwoods Paddy's Tout last night. Had a pint of the Wychwood which was very good. Nicely appointed pub with various types of seating ranging from dining tables to high stools along with some comfortable seating round the walls. Several screens around the place showing the football. Reasonably busy at 7.30 last night. It's a nice pub is this, I'll call in again.
13 Mar 2009 13:59
Called in here last night. Walked past the cask marque sign and the advert for real ale. Two handpumps, no real ale. The bar staff must have changed somewhat in the last few years, judging by the comments from 2005, as I didn't fancy the grey bearded guy behind the bar at all. Didn't stay for a pint, no real beer = no pint for me, especially as there were only about 3 people in the bar. Not impressed on this visit, may try again in a few weeks.
13 Mar 2009 11:37
Pleasant little one roomed locals pub just across the English Bridge or the Greyfriars Bridge. Nice lounge with comfortable seating and old wood fittings, plenty of shields etc on the ledges. Had Bass, Worthington and London Pride on handpump. It also has a handpump with M & B mild on it, but when I asked for it I was told that it was in fact keg (naughty, naughty). I had a pint of the Bass which was well kept and had a go on the ancient golf game in the corner. Everyone seemed very friendly, it's a nice comfortable pub, nothing special, but still worth calling in when on a pub crawl of this part of Shrewsbury.
13 Mar 2009 11:27
Tried to call in here last night but it was closed and looked to have been so for some time. It's not boarded, but most fixtures and fittings have been removed.
13 Mar 2009 09:16
The Benjamin Huntsman, Sheffield
Decent enough Wetherspoons, close to the living hell that is West Street, but far enough away to avoid a lot of the muppets. Another big barn as described by reynard below but pleasant enough. Had a couple of local guest beers on alongside the regulars. I had a pint of the Acorn White Oak which was very good. Easy enough to get served even on a Saturday evening around 8.
9 Mar 2009 13:30
This is pretty much an Irish pub without the "theming" of O'Neills etc. It was packed on Friday as there were three guys playing acoustic guitars in the back room. Pretty good they were too. There's a tiny lounge on the left as you walk in with a real fire, very comfortable. The large back room also has a real fire but we couldn't get in to have a look as it was so busy. Had Tetley Bitter and Abbeydale Brimstone on handpump, the Brimstone was pretty good as well. Most people were drinking Guinness or Magners though. It's a decent enough pub and very popular.
9 Mar 2009 12:11
The Wig and Pen by Milestone, Sheffield
Nice enough bar with that "late night" feel about it. We were here about 11 p.m. last Friday and Saturday. Lot's of comfy seating, brown walls for some reason and fairly quiet background music. Has 4 handpumps but only two were on, Acorn Gorlovka Stout and Brew Company Browned Off, so no light beers on at all. Had a couple of pints of each over the 2 nights and both were fine. I thought it was OK but the other half loved it, hence the second visit. She also said that the red wine was very nice, mind you she did have the most expensive "by the glass" one on the menu. �4.10 for a 175 ml glass!!!! The beers were �2.95.
9 Mar 2009 12:01
This is a nice enough pub built on two levels. Quite comfortable but not really an outstanding interior, or exterior come to think of it. Has 5 handpumps but not a very inventive selection and they never seem to change either. Black Sheep Bitter, Adnams Broadside, Landlord, Deuchars, nothing to write home about. I had a Broadside which was very good, the other half had a Deuchars that she wasn't impressed with (and she's had quite a bit of experience of drinking Deuchars). It's OK but not one to go out of your way for.
9 Mar 2009 11:46
Was in again on Saturday. Excellent beer quality again. I forgot to mention that the Mexican is called Que-Tal. Ate there on Saturday as well which was also excellent (it's better than it looks from the outside)
9 Mar 2009 11:29
Tried to get a pint in here on Saturday evening. Three deep at the bar and only 2 serving. We gave up after 10 minutes. Get some more staff on guys!
9 Mar 2009 11:09
The Riverside Cafe Bar, Sheffield
Tried to call in on Saturday 7th March, but for some reason it was closed at about 3.30
9 Mar 2009 11:04
Relative newcomer to the "Valley of Beer" ale trail. 10 handpumps with a fine array of beer and styles including a mild, a porter and a stout last Saturday. A couple on from Northern as well to please the lighter ale lovers. The two pint I had Goffs White Knight and Brew Company Winter Tan were excellent. The pub is on two levels with comfortable seat all around. There is bric-a-brac on almost every available space with everything from Wallace wearing the wrong trousers to seated Indian Chiefs. I think this place is a in a good location myself as it's 5 minutes from Kelham Island on the way back to town. 5 minutes is long enough to wait for a beer if you're on a crawl.
9 Mar 2009 10:55
The Telegraph Vaults, Shrewsbury
Large pub that is effectively one large room with different areas. Has pool table, fruit machine and a quiz machine. Irish and Welsh flags adorn the walls which is a bit different. Two handpumps on the bar one selling Banks's, the other, Skinners Cornish Spring Tide. Had a pint of the Skinners which was just going over the top, although not bad enough to take back. It seems like a friendly enough place although it looks very empty when only a few are in due to it's size. To be honest I probably wouldn't go again as it needs a bit of a special trip out of the centre.
4 Mar 2009 17:07
The Dog and Pheasant, Shrewsbury
Despite the previous sentiment from 18 months ago by some anonymous muppet I called in here last night. It's a nice little locals pub in a residential area well away from the town centre. It has a comfortable lounge reached via a separate side entrance or through the bar. This was full last night as there appeared to be a meeting of some kind on. I had a drink in the tap room which has a dart board, fruit machine and a quiz machine. Three handpumps on each bar serving Pedigree, Brakspears Oxford Gold and Jennings Cockerhoop. Had a pint of the Oxford Gold which was excellent. It was pretty quiet in this room but everyone seemed friendly enough. I'll certainly call in again.
4 Mar 2009 10:06
Slowly drifting downhill from it's entry in the GBG last year. At it's height it always had 4 or 5 interesting ales on tap all well kept. Went in last week on a Friday and they had 1 on and it was OK rather than great. They also close at 11 now even at weekend. I don't know what has changed behind the scenes, but it's not really worth a visit anymore unless you happen to be passing.
2 Mar 2009 14:19
Once upon a time circa 1969 or 1973 this must have been a very smart hotel. You can still see the quality of the original fittings in the dining room. Sadly the rest of the public rooms are looking rather shabby these days with rips in the seating, some of the lights are out and the tables need a good polish. Two of the letters on the sign outside are out as well so you are welcomed to the F Bar. Has Banks's Original and Bitter on handpump, I had a pint of the Original which was OK. Only 2 other people in the place so it was a bit quiet. It advertises that it is a great place to have your wedding, only if you hate your new wifes family, would be my opinion. It's from a bygone age and probably needs a lot spending on it to make it decent again. I won't be calling in again.
27 Feb 2009 13:33
I walked in through the first door into the porch area, over the second set of doors is a sign that says "Crackheads F**k Off To Hell". Oh great I thought, but I went in anyway. I was half expecting a scene from "Toughest Pubs in Britain" so I was slightly disappointed to find a huge shabby lounge with a couple of real crusties sat at the tables and a couple more at the bar. I went to the bar which had Banks's Original & Bitter on handpump. The barmaid finished serving a person at the other end of the bar and then went back to reading her paper. After a couple of strategic coughs she looked up and then started reading again. I thought bollocks to this and left. I suspect the beer was crap anyway. It's a desperate dive, don't go in.
27 Feb 2009 12:11
Large Sam Smiths pub with a huge lounge area. Plenty of old wood and glass along with memorabilia of the racecourse that used to be at the back. It's not been there for about 100 years and is a new build estate now. Typically cheap Sams prices but only has keg. It's a pleasant enough pub.
26 Feb 2009 15:09
This pub is on BITE twice, so I'll post a review on each. In total contrast to the Bull in the Barne nearby, this pub was empty when I called in at 7.30 last night. It's a two roomed pub, but one room was in darkness. The room I was in had a dartboard and some comfortable seating round the outside of the room along with tables and stools. Three handpumps but only Bombardier was actually on. It was a decent pint. The landlady told me that she also has Draught Bass on at busier times and used to have London Pride as well (how can you tell it's owned by Punch). Sadly trade now dictates that she can only support one beer at a time. It's a nice enough pub, but it looks to be struggling at the moment.
26 Feb 2009 11:44
The Bricklayers Arms, Copthorne
This pub is on BITE twice, so I'll post a review on each. In total contrast to the Bull in the Barne nearby, this pub was empty when I called in at 7.30 last night. It's a two roomed pub, but one room was in darkness. The room I was in had a dartboard and some comfortable seating round the outside of the room along with tables and stools. Three handpumps but only Bombardier was actually on. It was a decent pint. The landlady told me that she also has Draught Bass on at busier times and used to have London Pride as well (how can you tell it's owned by Punch). Sadly trade now dictates that she can only support one beer at a time. It's a nice enough pub, but it looks to be struggling at the moment.
26 Feb 2009 11:41
This place was bouncing last night. Red Scouse vs Real Madrid on the telly, plus it was dominoes night. A proper local, I suspect I was the only person in that wasn't from the immediate area. Very friendly though. Has four handpumps but only three were on. I don't know if this is actually a Salopian pub but the beers were Salopian Shropshire Gold, Golden Thread and Oracle. Had a pint of the Oracle which was excellent. It's a nice looking pub in the middle of a terrace, but it was so busy that it was difficult to see much of the inside. I'll have to come back and check it out again. What a chore, having to go back to a good pub with great beer. Oh well, someone has to do it.
26 Feb 2009 11:33
Living a bit on it's past reputation at the moment. Decent selection of cask ale including Landlord, a couple from Phoenix, a Bank Top brew and a guest or two. The beer is still OK but its just not up to it's previous standard, despite the same landlord, Mike Huck (Old Hucky in music circles), for years. Pub is slowly getting tattier and the excellent restaurant upstairs sadly closed late last year (a real loss). The music still keeps the pub rockin' though. Could do with making a comeback beer wise.
25 Feb 2009 16:56
This brilliant pub won the CAMRA award a couple of years ago for the sympathetic restoration and attention to detail lavished on it by Osset Brewery. Well done guys. Has 7 handpumps usually with a couple of guests alongside the Osset brews. The beer is kept in perfect condition. Each of the rooms has it's own character and all are a bit quirky. Friendly, attentive service and great beer in a classic ale house. What more do you want? Its' worth a visit to Halifax on the train for here and the Pump Room alone.
25 Feb 2009 15:23
Great pub with a constantly changing range of & or 8 well kept guest ales. A couple of years ago they had a beer festival to coincide with the main CAMRA one just up the road and had 30 beers on. Didn't have it last year for some reason. Two rooms, one to either side of the entrance door. The one on the left has some comfy seating and chairs whilst the one on the right is more bar stools etc. Loads of interesting photo's and bric-a-brac. It's a really good pub. We never miss this one when in Halifax. If you call in here and then walk a bit further on to the Three Pigeons you'll find enough different beers for anyone.
25 Feb 2009 14:29
The Sanctuary House, Westminster
Fullers house that has pretty much all their range on, including seasonals. It's usually a decent pint as well. Has wooden panelling all around the walls which make it look like a boardroom. It's an OK choice when my colleagues want to go out for a pint, but I wouldn't make a special effort if on my own.
24 Feb 2009 15:40
Can't disagree with Maldenman. I've been calling in this pub for the last 10 years whenever I'm working in Westminster, which is about one night per month. The beer is always well kept, but only occasionally does a more interesting beer appear. The thing is when one appears they come along like buses, two or three at once, and then it's back to the same old tired selection. It's always packed after the offices turn out, so perhaps they think they don't need to bother. Still a decent enough pub though.
24 Feb 2009 15:36
Appears we were following gillhalfpint around the Fleetwood pubs this weekend. We tend to call in here on the Saturday evening after every Fleetwood beer festival. This year it was very quiet compared to previous years. Maybe Wyre Light across the road is taking some of their custom. It's one of the better Wetherspoons is this one, it's not always got a great range of beer but it's always well kept. Had a pint of the George Wright Pure Blonde which was very tasty. It's alright in here.
23 Feb 2009 13:48
Called in on Saturday after the beer festival. This is a popular pub that seems to have benefited from the poor refurnishment of the Wyre Lounge as several of it's ex regulars were in here. Has a very badly designed bar that has wooden pillars every 4 feet or so which makes seeing what beer is on pretty difficult. Also has entertainment on, this was a 80's disco night on Saturday with several people in the bar with Keegan curly wigs on etc. Had a couple of pints of St Austell Tribute which was very good. It's not really my sort of pub this, but it does what it does very well.
23 Feb 2009 13:34
Called in on Saturday after visiting the beer festival for something to eat and to watch the Utd/Blackburn game. It's a massive pub with two huge ornate rooms and several smaller ones which must take a lot of upkeep. It used to be a hotel but the top two floors are no longer in use. The pub has been slowly improving over the last 2 years and the food is perfectly adequate quality wise and the portions are generous. Has 3 handpumps selling Adnams Bitter, Cains Bitter and another beer that didn't really register with me as it wasn't very interesting. The Adnams & Cains were perfectly well kept and the service was efficient. Like I said before, this place is improving. Well worth a visit.
23 Feb 2009 12:05
Until not very long ago this was a pleasant lounge bar with comfortable red banquette type seating, a fairly mature clientele, motown or similar style music playing in the background and 8 handpumps dispensing Moorhouses Premier and 7 ever changing guests. In this guise it won the local CAMRA pub of the year 3 times in about 7 years. Sadly it has now been ruined. The walls are painted light blue and all the red seating has gone to be replaced with high wooden tables and dining room style leather covered chairs. All the mature clientele have gone and have been replaced by empty space at 8 p.m. on a Saturday. The music was pumping R & B style and much louder than previously. There are now only 3 handpumps and the only thing that hasn�t changed is that Premier was still on the bar along with Pendle Witch and a Three B�s beer when we called in on Saturday. The bar is now only open Friday � Sunday as well. The bar staff (one of whom has worked there for 30 years) are extremely unhappy with the changes and I don�t blame them. It�s now a characterless place that certainly won�t repay the councils investment in the �improvement�. It�s a real shame.
23 Feb 2009 11:51
This is possibly the best pub in Hull, especially for the real stuff. At least 6, rapidly changing ales on at any time. Very friendly staff & regulars, quick efficient service. Often has live music on in the side room, also has a quiz night. What's not to like. Usually call in here for one and end up staying for three. It's that sort of pub. It appears to be built on a wormhole, where hours disappear without you ever noticing. It's a great pub.
18 Feb 2009 15:53
Fine old coaching inn on the way out and up (a lot of up) from Littleborough with a somewhat chequered past. In the 70's/80's it was a disco bar and was where I had my first ever pint of Oranjeboom (I've got older and wiser since then). These days it has a large restaurant area with a separate and much smaller pub part at the front. It's a very comfortable pub with 3 handpumps usually selling Timothy Taylors Landlord and a couple of guest ales, one of which is often from Pictish. Has a massive wooden terrace at the back with a fantastic view over the local moorland. It's great during summer (which only lasts about 10 days up here). You pretty much have to drive or get a taxi, but it's worth it.
17 Feb 2009 15:47
Fine old stone pub just under the railway bridge from Littleborough centre. It's pretty chintzy in the main rooms but less so in the front bar. Has 5 handpumps, one of which has a really weird dispense system with a high neck, very interesting. Comfortably furnished, well behaved dogs appear to be welcome as there's always been a couple in whenever we've called in. The ale is prertty well kept as well. Don't expect to be able to get a phone signal either inside or outside the pub, it appears to be a dead zone. It's a nice pub.
17 Feb 2009 15:39
Smart little pub with a pewter bar top and comfy chairs. Up the stairs, across the landing and then down some more stairs is a back room where there are more tables and comfy chairs. This area is used for dining only at weekends. Had Deuchars plus Nottingham Extra Pale and Cock and Hoop (rebadged or brewed for the pub). Had a couple of pints of the Extra Pale which were OK. It's a nice place but it is very small. Try the Keans Head just round the corner if it's too full.
16 Feb 2009 14:23
Called in on Saturday after visiting the Bell. It was packed full of shoppers, buggys and untethered brats. We didn't bother having a drink. Shame it's normally better than this, but then again I've always called in at night before.
16 Feb 2009 10:46
Called in on Saturday lunchtime prior to heading to the Canalhouse for the beer festival. Flag floor entrance with a small room on each side. Larger room at the back with the Belfrey restaurant upstairs. The restaurant sells exactly the same food as the pub but has full service rather than order at the bar. The small bar on the left has a couple of handpumps but the back bar has 8. Nottingham Rock, Legend, Extra Pale, Holdens Devil Dunn plus a couple of nationals. Had a Rock and an Extra Pale, both excellently kept. Pub was pretty full with shoppers even at 12.10. It's still pretty good is this place.
16 Feb 2009 10:42
Shabby old pub, very close to the Theatre Royal and the Royal Centre. This means that it, and everywhere around it was heaving on Saturday as it was Valentines night. I've been coming in here for years and it never seems to change, which I think is a plus in this case. Had 4 ales on the bar. I had a pint of the Marston Moor Brewers Droop which was pretty good as usual. A pleasant oasis away from the Market square. Not at the very top level as Nottingham has plenty of great puibs, but well worth a visit if in the area.
16 Feb 2009 10:32
Called in here twice over the weekend to visit the SIBA Champions Beer Festival. This was held upstairs in the impressive function room. Free entrance, 55 beers, all on handpump, all gold medal winners. Overall champion will be announced in early March. Well organised festival with good staff. Well done guys.
16 Feb 2009 10:24
I'm not really surprised that no-one has bothered to review this pub before. It's a pretty nondescript pub in a town full of great ones. The outside looks OK and the inside is clean and bright. Two handpumps on the bar but only Banks's Original was on, it was OK. Youngish clientele and barmaid but all perfectly decent really. It just doesn't stand out around here.
11 Feb 2009 11:50
Judging by the last reviews way back in 2007, someone must have refurbished this place somewhat recently. It's a great looking pub from the outside, all black and white and matches the fantastic old town hall facing it. The inside isn't as striking with modern tables and a pool table, plus a quiz machine. Two handpumps on the bar Banks's Bitter & Old Speckled Hen. Had a Banks's, served by a trainee barmaid called Petra, it was OK (the beer not the barmaid, she was nicer than the beer). It's still not great in here, but I suspect it's improved since 2007.
11 Feb 2009 11:19
This is a great pub. Two distinct bar areas. The Stables bar at the back is the Bridgnorth Brewery Tap, which is where you'll find their beers on. Had a pint of the Bridgnorth Apley Bitter which was really good, had another Bridgnorth beer on plus Hobsons Town Crier & Best and Exmoor Gold. Also has an upstairs room over the Stables bar which seems to be more foody. Pretty busy for a freezing cold Tuesday. Ended up in the front bar which has two "real" gas fires, talking to a couple who lived a few miles away. Very pleasant.
11 Feb 2009 10:57
Walking into this alleyway pub is like walking into someone's front room. Very homely. Long thin pub with a small restaurant area at one end. Loads of bric-a-brac around the walls, ledges and tables. Bar has 4 handpumps but only two were on, Ludlow Gold and Pardoe's Original. Had a pint of the Original which was pretty good. Got talking to the barmaid and her friend who were both pleasantly chatty. Very quiet but seems friendly enough. Not bad at all.
11 Feb 2009 10:44
Smallish pub with several little rooms/areas. The whole ceiling is taken up with old vinyl LPs and assorted musical instruments. Very unusual. Had Bathams and Six Bells Golden BB on tap. Had a pint of the Six Bells, very nice it was too. For some reason the signs on the toilets are upside down. Had a real fire in the lounge as well. Pretty good this place.
11 Feb 2009 10:31
Jewel Of The Severn, Bridgnorth
Called in last night, had a pint of Shropshire Lass rather than Lad. It was OK. Small town, large town, city, it doesn't seem to matter to Wetherspoons, they all seem to have the same basic staff problems. Slow service, dirty tables etc. If the staff training keeps winning awards(according to their posters) then why doesn't it work. Or (sudden light bulb in brain) ARE THEY ACTUALLY BEING TRAINED TO BE LIKE THIS. Maybe we've all been getting it wrong, Maybe IT IS company policy to be really average/poor. Hadn't thought of that before, time for a lie down.
11 Feb 2009 10:14
The Golden Lion Inn, Bridgnorth
Stayed here last night. Decent ensuite accomodation & breakfast @ �40. Pub has two lounges along with another room simply called the Bar. 4 real ales on tap GK IPA, Hobsons Town Crier, Holdens Special & Salopian Hop Twister. Had a pint of the Special which was OK and a pint of the Hop Twister which was excellent. Came back for last orders and had another pint of the Hop Twister it was so good. It's a really nice pub with some real characters in the bar. I'd happily stay here again. In fact I probably will in a few weeks time.
11 Feb 2009 09:54
Very average London pub with a typically boring range of real ales, Pride, Youngs Ordinary, GK IPA. All served at the usual inflated prices round this part of London. It's a tidy enough pub on two levels but it's nothing to write home about. Sanctuary House or the Adam & Eve are a better option.
9 Feb 2009 16:49
Smallish Wetherspoons with an unusual seating arrangement at the back of the pub. Usually has 3/4 guest ales on alongside the usual crew, pretty well kept in my experience. Service is pretty good but being close to the bus station/railway station it gets it's fair share of pondlife. It's OK for one.
9 Feb 2009 16:26
There are only 2 reasons to ever go in here. They have large screens for the football when no-one else is showing the match and the clientele aren't the sharpest knives in the block so I can always win on their quiz machine. Poor.
9 Feb 2009 16:17
Excellent pub with a good array of ever changing guest beers, always well kept. A couple of quirky rooms with lots of interesting photo's/objects to look at and real fires. Conversation only in here. Don't expect this place to be open all day, check for their opening times before visiting.
9 Feb 2009 16:12
The Swan and Three Cygnets, Durham
Very average Sam Smiths pub in a great location. It has outside seating areas at both the front and back. The back ones overlook the river. Sells OBB at very low prices, but because of this it gets full of students talking b*llocks. Lots of better places in Durham.
9 Feb 2009 15:56
Not bad for a theme Irish bar. Decent seating and flooring, usual suspects on the bar, no real ale of course. The toilets are in the entrance corridor. You can nip in if caught short without even having to buy a half of fizz. Decent enough music plus a quiz machine and a pool table. Been in worse.
9 Feb 2009 15:50
Nice looking L shaped pub on two levels. High tables with seating at the front and dining tables on the upper level at the back. Sells Theakstons beer as standard but usually has a Mordue and a Houston beer on as guests. It's a pretty decent pub this that has been in and out of the GBG for a few years now. Always call in for at least one whenever I'm in Durham.
9 Feb 2009 15:45
The White Horse and Bower, Westminster
Sheps pub that has been refurbished and generally brightened up fairly recently. I've been served a couple of very average pints in here, one of Masterbrew and one of Kents Best on different evenings. So I'm not convinced about the beer quality generally. I only go in if some of my work colleagues want to call in. It can get very busy early evening when the offices empty out. To be honest I'd rather go to the Speaker (along Monck Street and turn left) or the Royal Oak (100 yards along Horseferry Road and then left into Regency Street). Both sell much better beer.
6 Feb 2009 12:19
This is my local in London when I visit the Home Office just across the road about once per month. Four handpumps, one is always Youngs Bitter and there are always at least 2 guest beers on. Very friendly place that is packed in the early evening, but quietens down after about 7.30. Has some interesting pictures on the walls as well. If you want to go to the toilets upstairs you need to check that no-one else is coming down as the stairs are certainly one at a time (unless you're a size 0 supermodel). It's a really good place. My only negative is that sometimes you simply can't get into the place as it's so small. Can't blame them for being popular though.
6 Feb 2009 11:14
Called in last night for a look. I don't think it's quite as bad as the last review painted it, but then again I was there on a Thursday evening not a Friday night. Small DJ/dance floor area in the middle, pool room towards the back. Decent pictures of film stars/pop stars etc ion the walls. Has a couple of small areas with leather sofas, one of which has a fish tank. Only fizz on the bar of course, however it is only �1.70 per pint. I don't think I'll become a regular, but it wasn't too bad just for one.
6 Feb 2009 10:09
This place was closed last night at 8 p.m. Has a large board on the wall outside stating what is on each night at the pub. It stops on 20/12. It doesn't look good for this one.
6 Feb 2009 10:02
This pub has a great looking black and white timbered exterior. Has a very large tap room to the left dominated by 2 dartbords (I in use) and 2 huge TVs. There is a small lounge to the right with comfy seating. Two handpumps on the bar, both badged Bass. No Bass was actually available. The landlord was so busy talking to the lounge customers that he had to be told by one of them that I was waiting to be served. Ended up having a pint of fizz. I should have walked out really as the clientele consisted of half a dozen loud blokes whose every third word started with F. Has accomodation available but nothing could persuade me to stay here for a night. Not good.
5 Feb 2009 11:23
Called in here for a pint last night. Had GK IPA on at 99p of course. But they were selling Badger Tanglefoot( 5.1%) at �1.09 !!!! What's all that about ?? Very nice it was too. I didn't have the cheek to try and use a 50p CAMRA token as well.
5 Feb 2009 11:14
Locals pub half way up Coton Hill. Has a decent enough exterior, if a little shabby. All the curtains were closed which doesn't make it look welcoming. Has two entrances, the one on the left goes to the bar and the one on the right into the lounge. You can't get from one to the other without going outside. Which is how I noticed the covered smoking area out the back with seating and a lit chimnea to keep people warm. A nice touch that. Has 3 handpumps but only two were on serving Deuchars and TT Landlord. Had a pint of the Landlord which was very average, and that's being kind. There were 3 or 4 people sat at the bar and a couple playing pool which pretty much filled the room. I went to sit in the lounge to read my paper, where you could almost hear the tumbleweed rolling through. It's not really a bad place but looks to be struggling. I don't think I'll be coming back to be honest.
5 Feb 2009 10:41
Pleasant pub in a little backwater. Was originally the Rose & Crown, changed to Tap & Spile and then back again. Usually has 3/4 real ales on tap. Can get very busy when Bury are at home and during Bury Beer Festival. Have been coming in here once or twice a year (I don't live in Bury)since it was the Tap and John & Helen were the landlord & landlady. I still see them occasionally although they are no longer a couple. It's a nice little locals pub. Recommended.
3 Feb 2009 16:05
As Wetherspoons go, this isn't a bad one. It doesn't have a great deal of character, but it does have a decent location/view next to the river Foss with plenty of ducks/swans etc around. Has a better selection of guest ales than many Wetherspoons, always a well kept pint and usually easy to get served. Had breakfast here once whilst staying at the Novotel (who wanted �14.95 for breakfast). Got served easily at about 10, but as we were leaving they were actually queuing through the bar for the one till that could take breakfast orders. It's not bad for a first/last one whilst staying in this part of York.
3 Feb 2009 11:50
This is a proper locals pub in the heart of the city. The welcome is what I would call boisterous. Everybody's friendly in a loud and slighty tipsy sort of way. Has a couple of guest ales on the bar. I had a pint of Adnams Explorer which was OK. It wouldn't appeal to most of the tourists that abound round here, which is why the regulars probably consider it to be a bit of a haven. It's OK but there are better pubs in the vicinity.
3 Feb 2009 09:29
This could be the best Wetherspoons in London. Always a good selection of well kept ales, decent bar staff and even quick service for the food. Has a second bar/room downstairs that stops the upstairs one getting too crowded. I always call in here when walking down Holborn and I've never been served a bad pint.
2 Feb 2009 16:30
This pub is a total one off. I'm not a great fan of Sam Smiths beer but I'm a big fan of the way they look after their pubs. The back bar is a massive baronial drinking hall, with vast barrels above the bar. I believe these were in use until the 2nd World War blitz made it too dangerous to have huge quantities of flammable liquid above the staff & customers. Also has a strange triangular heater in the middle of the room and churchlike alcoves down one side. It's a very impressive place. Go in the afternoon 2 - 5 or after 7 to see it though, as it's very popular at lunchtime and after the offices close.
2 Feb 2009 16:24
Typical London pub, all dark wood and glass, with several cask ales on the bar including a guest or two. I had a pint of Sharps Doom Bar which was very good. I was wearing a suit (yes I know, but you have to sometimes, even if you don't want to) but I was the only suit in the bar and there didn't seem to be many tourists either. Nice place, well worth a visit.
2 Feb 2009 15:45
I always used to call in here for a beer when working in the area. A good honest boozer with less suits than most around it. Sad to read that it's gone.
2 Feb 2009 14:59
Large pub catering mainly for the diners. Brews it's own beer but whenever I've called they have only ever had one on handpump. As a northerner some of the prices in London are a surprise to me at times, but with working down here so often I've got used to it. Until I bought a pint in here for the first time that is. What a rip off. It's a pleasant enough place to call in, especially in Summer as there's plenty of places to sit/stand outside. Only call in occasionally now, even when working in the area, as I refuse to support the rip off attitude. Not that they'll notice, it's always busy. You have been warned
2 Feb 2009 14:53
It's a bit strange for a Wetherspoons is this one. It's long and thin and sort of L shaped. The decor and the tables/chairs etc aren't the usual fare for a Wetherspoons either. They also close very early. Thursday night 10:45, all the sparklers removed and being washed. We managed to get a drink, but they started to lower the shutters (also unusual) at dead on 11. We had to drink up fairly sharpish. Not very welcoming but at least they did have a guest beer on the bar. Given the early closing and that food service finishes 1 hour before, there were still lot's of tables with plates on. Not the greatest experience.
2 Feb 2009 13:48
Decent enough wine bar and restaurant. No real ale of course and it's a bit pricey. Pretty comfortable in here, although it can get both busy and noisy later at night. It's not bad.
30 Jan 2009 15:45
It's a fake Irish bar of the type that is dying out all over the country. Has a decent interior though with several distinct areas to sit/stand. No real ale of course. Full of squealie girlies (and boys come to think of it) later at night. Not my idea of a good night out.
30 Jan 2009 15:41
The Town Hall Tavern, Manchester
This place is really getting a bit shabby these days, rips in the seating etc. Only had Deuchars on sale, which was very average and that's being kind to it. Efficient bar staff though. Needs a few quid spending on it to get it back to where it used to be a couple of years ago.
30 Jan 2009 15:30
Interesting little bar with several quirky rooms, one feels like an outdoor courtyard, even though you're inside. Has a couple of guest beers on, one is usually from Phoenix, always well kept. It's a bit of a walk out of town, but it's worth it.
30 Jan 2009 15:24
It's a Holts's pub, so you know what to expect. Cheap tasty mild and bitter in a slightly shabby pub. This one is a bit different though as it's pretty decent, given the large amount of people that pass through. Also has an upstairs bar that seems to be a bit of a secret (damn, that's blown it). Can be packed downstairs and 2 deep at the bar, but if you go upstairs it's quite peaceful, easy to get served and it has great views over the milling throngs on Portland Street. It's a decent pub.
30 Jan 2009 15:15
The Hare and Hounds, Manchester
Fine old pub, a local in the city. Great tiling and some excellent glasswork round the bar. It's not actually a Holts's pub as far as I know but that is the only bitter they sell. It's a good, well kept pint as well. Has a strange thin table in the back snug. Full of characters who will start a singalong at the drop of a hat. A dying breed sadly. If you're doing the N4 pub crawl, then add this pub to the crawl. Not for the beer selection but just for the craic.
30 Jan 2009 15:04
Fizz only bar adjacent to the gay village. Has no outstanding features at all. Dead as a post when we called in on a Thursday. What's the point of this place?
30 Jan 2009 14:56
Obviously I meant better places. You beeters will have to go elsewhere.
30 Jan 2009 14:50
This is a very average fizz only bar, seriously lacking in atmosphere, with too many tables in a small space. It's just not comfortable. Lot's of beeter places with 50 yards.
30 Jan 2009 14:48
The Brunswick / B Lounge, Manchester
This pub is now called the B Lounge it's a chain of only 2 pubs, both in Manchester, the other is the Bridge, hence the name. Sells Theakston Best and Old Peculiar plus Thwaites Bomber. The beer is pretty averagely kept but the wine's OK according to the other half. It's OK for one occasionally. If you apply for a free B Lounge card you get 10% off at both pubs.
30 Jan 2009 14:42
Ye Olde Bucks Head Inn, Frankwell
Fine old black and white timbered building just over the roundabout across the Welsh bridge. Had 3 handpumps but only 2 were actually on. Serving the well known local beers of London Pride and Draught Bass (why, why, why, you're in Shropshire!). No fruit machines and very low level background music. Mature clientele, who were a little standoffish in my opinion. I had a pint of the Bass which was pretty good. It's a nice enough pub but a bit cliquey.
30 Jan 2009 10:22
This place hasn't been reviewed for almost 2 years, no idea why, it's got plenty of customers. Very nice looking pub in a fantastic riverside location just across the footbridge from Victoria Quay or across the Welsh bridge and bear left at the roundabout. Has six handpumps on the bar but only 2 beers were actually on, Shropshire Lad and Spinning Dogs Muttleys Revenge. They were pulling one of the empty pumps through as I left so I may just have been unlucky. I had a pint of Muttleys which was excellent. It's getting a bit of a spruce up at the moment as they were obviously painting (large pile of paintpots & brushes covered with a sheet in the corner). I suspect this place will be packed in summer. It's a good pub. I'll try again in a couple of weeks and hope for a larger beer selection.
30 Jan 2009 10:15
Nicely kept locals pub just across the Welsh bridge. 3 handpumps on the bar serving Spitfire, Deuchars and Old Rosie cider. Supporting good local brews then? Er no. Efficient service, I had a pint of Spitfire which was well kept. There was quite a lot of banter going on between a bunch of girls in one corner and a bunch of guys who looked as if they had just finished work on a building site somewhere close by. Very amusing. Not a bad little pub, I'll call in again.
30 Jan 2009 10:02
Very smart Lloyds No 1 bar, not to be confused with the desperate, chav ridden pub called Lloyds across the road. Lots of comfy seating and alcoves. Has two bars, with several handpumps on each, although both bars had the same beers. I tried a pint of Shropshire Lad which was a little hazy, by the end of the pint (when it was too late to take it back) the slightly off taste was getting worse so I left some of it (bit of a first there). Nice enough pub, but the beer quality was definitely questionable. I'll give it another chance in a week or two.
30 Jan 2009 09:52
Typical T&J Bernards pub mainly catering for the masses of tourists that throng the streets round here. Called in on Friday to find a nice peaceful pub with candles on the tables. Good selection of real ales, if not particularly inventive, on the bar and a genial atmosphere. Called in again on Saturday to find a total madhouse with hardly anywhere to stand nevermind sit. This is an OK pub most of the time. Keep the unadventurous tourists here and stop them finding the better pubs not very far away.
29 Jan 2009 15:48
This is a Banks's pub but you'd hardly know it as they have guest beers on. A couple were from the same extended stable but there were a couple on from outside the tent. Very well kept beer as well. I called in at about 5.45 to find a whole bunch of women from a shop or office out on a birthday do. Very amusing they were too. It's OK in here.
29 Jan 2009 14:46
Pleasant enough, one roomer, with a more mature clientele. Four real ales on when I called and the pint I had was very well kept. Not a lot of atmosphere as it was pretty quiet. It's a decent pub.
29 Jan 2009 14:34
The Great Western, Wolverhampton
Called in here last night for the first time. It's not that easy to find now the railway bridge over Sun Street is closed. You need to go under the subway to the left of the station main entrance and then turn right at the end and then keep going, even though it looks like a dead end. Multi roomed pub with two real fires on the go. Holdens pub with Mild, Bitter, Special and Golden Glow on, plus two "guest ales" according to their chalkboard, Holdens Old Ale and Devil Dunn. Someone needs to explain the meaning of "guest" to these guys. Had a pint of the Golden Glow and Devil Dunn, both were well kept and tasty. Good,quick, friendly service with a smile. Sat in the main long room. All the walls are covered with railway memorabilia as you might expect from the pub name. Pretty good this place. Judging by the previous reviews, some people have an axe to grind with this pub. I've reviewed it as I found it (eventually) on a first visit.
29 Jan 2009 10:09
O'Neills Irish Bar, Wolverhampton
I'm sure that not everyone who goes in this bar is a total scrote. However they were all in last night at about 6.30. Walked out without buying a drink it was that bad.
29 Jan 2009 09:54
Called in again last night. Had a pint of Harviestoun Bitter & Twisted which was very nice. 20p off my pint as I had remembered my CAMRA membership card this time. New quiz machine installed since my last visit. So far so good. Then I visited the gents for the first ever time. What a mess. Dirty and smelly, didn't look like they'd been even wiped down for at least a week, never mind cleaned properly. Disgusting. Do something about it guys. Rating goes down a point or two.
29 Jan 2009 09:50
The Litten Tree, Wolverhampton
Medium sized, square shaped Litten Tree, with some comfy seats to the left hand side of the door. A massive array of tasteless fizz on the bar but no real ale. Sterile, mass produced, city centre blandness. Don't bother.
29 Jan 2009 09:37
The Giffard Arms, Wolverhampton
The outside of this pub is pretty impressive, with mullioned windows and fine stonework. Walk inside and it's also pretty impressive in a completely different way. A massive throne is facing you as you walk towards the bar. Coffin shaped tables all around you and a mix of leathers and more mature clientele. Had Roosters Yankee and Wychwood Hobgoblin on the bar. Had a pint of the Roosters which was well kept. Upstairs is a Goth/Alternative venue at weekends. If you like the Yorkshire House in Shrewsbury you'll like it here and vice versa.
29 Jan 2009 09:23
The Kelham Island Tavern, Sheffield
This great pub has reached the final four in the CAMRA Pub of the Year competition, for the whole of the country, not just Sheffield, and deservedly so. Good selection of real ales, all well kept. A good place for a chat or even to sit in the corner and read the paper. The only negative is that this area is on the edge of the red light district so you might get approached by the occasional "working girl" later at night. "Over the river going out of town" to quote the Arctic Monkeys from "When the sun goes down". It is a great pub though, give it a go.
28 Jan 2009 11:36
The Frog and Parrot, Sheffield
A few years ago this place was a must visit when in Sheffield when I used to visit the Probation office across the road (only for work purposes I hasten to add). Sadly this is no longer true anymore.Only one cask ale on when I called, they used to have at least 4. The refubishment has totally changed the character of the pub. OK it needed a spruce up, but it's just not the same. Shame.
28 Jan 2009 11:23
Brilliant pub in a city with a lot of good ones. Ever changing guest ales plus of course several from Kelham Island, all well kept. Had a major flood a little while ago but you wouldn't notice anymore. Very friendly, but then again you have to be as it's tiny. At busy times if you want to get your handkerchief out of you pocket you have to apologise to 3 people for making them move. It's great.
28 Jan 2009 11:17
Great end of terrace pub with a very smart interior. Well kept cask ales from an ever changing range. Fast service and friendly locals. Always call in here for one when in Sheffield. There's a decent Mexican restaurant just down the road as well.
28 Jan 2009 11:01
Very inconsistent Wetherspoons. Sometimes it's busy, but you can still get served. Sometimes it's quiet but there's hardy any staff around so you can't get a pint. Typical Wetherspoons really. Impressive building that looks like it's had exactly the same conversion team in that did the Standing Order in Derby. Standard range of ales plus a couple of guests. It's OK
28 Jan 2009 10:49
Excellent bar with a relatively upmarket clientele, although can be filled with students at times. Great range of ever changing cask ales always including a couple from Abbeydale. Seating varies from dining tables to armchairs & sofa's to high tables for standing. Plenty of staff on as well. Nice place to call in.
28 Jan 2009 10:44
Definitely not closed. Has undergone a serious refubishment which has brightened up the place considerably. Friendly, chatty bar staff, decent food (only sandwiches, hot or cold) and a nice atmosphere. We would be classed as tourists but have been to Dublin on many occasions and have been in here every time. Almost honorary regulars. When new tourists do find it, they always look amazed, as if they can't believe they've found a local in the city. Recommended.
27 Jan 2009 15:29
This is one of the best bars in Dublin. Massive island bar with all the usual Irish suspects on draft plus a few unusual ones. Excellent food, served quickly by the efficient bar/waiting staff. Very smart bar really and not much more expensive than a backstreet boozer. It's not that easy to find but if you're near the theatre it's down 2 flights of steps through the doorway across the street. Always come here for at least one, every night, of every time we're in Dublin.
27 Jan 2009 15:23
Overpriced barn with rock memorabilia attracting the unimaginative drinker. No real ale of course, poor service, full of tourists. If you're going to visit Manchester don't visit a crap "global" chain bar. There are loads of great places in Manchester, go and find them!
27 Jan 2009 14:27
One of the worst Wetherspoons in Manchester (there are several). Poor choice of guest ales, loud music, chavvy clientele. Not really worth it. Try the Waterhouse or Paramount if you can only afford Wetherspoon prices. At least they're decent pubs with decent people in them.
27 Jan 2009 14:23
The Manchester and County, Manchester
There are several Wetherspoons in Manchester and this is the worst, although the Lloyds No 1 at the Printworks is trying hard for the title. As it's on Piccadilly it attracts all the deadlegs from the surrounding area, 2 railway stations, 2 bus stations all supply their fair share of the clientele. The 99p pints of GK IPA even attracts the pondlife that couldn't afford Wetherspoon prices previously. Don't go.
27 Jan 2009 14:16
Run down pub in serious need of a refurbishment of both bar and customers. Sells real ale but it's not very well kept. Full of scrotes later in the evening. Been on a downward slide for some time now. Don't bother.
27 Jan 2009 14:10
The Crown and Anchor, Manchester
Used to be a proper ale house with loads of changing guest ales. Still has real ale on but the offerings are all safe, tried and tested regulars now. It's still an OK place to go, but has bouncers on whenever there's a match on at City and at weekends. It never used to need those. Not the force it once was.
27 Jan 2009 12:04
The Crown and Anchor, Manchester
Used to be a traditional Holts's pub before the refurb. It was getting a bit tatty so it needed doing, but this has changed it's character completely. Now has large video screens which are very obtrusive. Seating is much better than it used to be and the Holts's Bitter was still OK, but it's just not the same anymore.
27 Jan 2009 11:58
This pub has changed several times over the years, it was a piano bar for a while. It's now an open airy bar with huge windows rather than a proper pub. Has a couple of handpumps but only Deuchars was on. It was OK. The other half had a glass of wine that she enjoyed. She also liked the huge windows as we sat on the high stools very close to one. She can then pursue her favourite hobby of people watching. We usually call in on a Saturday afternoon/early evening so the loud music hasn't started then and it's quite peaceful.
27 Jan 2009 11:52
Typically basic Holts's small town street corner boozer, except that it's not on a corner and it's slap bang in the middle of the city. Sells Holts's Mild & Bitter along with the Seasonal offering at times. Has a real mix of people from city suits to smelly drifters. Efficient staff who are always welcoming. Expensive for a Holts's pub but cheap for the city centre. Has an upstairs bar that opens at busy times. It's OK in here.
27 Jan 2009 11:31
Oops, wrong Globe, I was supposed to be reviewing the one on the High Street. We'll try this one next time.
26 Jan 2009 15:35
Fine pub with strong Robert Burns connections. Due to this it can get rather touristy and it is on the Burns trail so suddenly 12 Americans descend on the place all asking for a "glass of British ale". Has a tiny snug in the middle of the pub which is full of local characters, one of whom played us a tune on his mouth organ. Has a couple of cask ales but nothing out of the ordinary, but it's worth a visit for the friendly welcome and the craic. If you're over 6 foot remember to duck.
26 Jan 2009 15:32
The Coach and Horses, Dumfries
Nice little flag floored pub with a tiny bar that only had draught Bass on. It was a very well kept pint though. It was pretty cold in here, so we only stayed for one as the other half needed warmth. Not bad.
26 Jan 2009 15:30
Traditional small bar, some very strange regulars and some of the worst cask ale I have been served for some time. I took the first one back and it was changed, but the pumpclip wasn't turned round. I didn't even leave the bar with the replacement as I could smell that it was off without even tasting it. Once again the pumpclip wasn't turned round. The third pint was drinkable, but even that wasn't particularly good. Don't go if you like good beer.
26 Jan 2009 15:14
Must have improved recently. We had no problem getting served even on a Saturday night. Usual Wetherspoons fare with a couple of guests. Usual Wetherspoons clentele with a couple of dipsticks who'd had a couple too many. Not bad though.
26 Jan 2009 15:07
We found this to be a very welcoming place (and we're English). We ordered our drinks and looked around for somewhere to sit, but it was a bit full in the bar area. The landlord instantly said "Give me a minute and I'll get the fire going in the other room" which he promptly did. Several guest ales a couple of which are from micro's, loads of malts, even had a decent wine for the other half. Called in again the following day for more of the same.
26 Jan 2009 15:04
Fine pub with strong Robert Burns connections. Due to this it can get rather touristy and it is on the Burns trail so suddenly 12 Americans descend on the place all asking for a "glass of British ale". Has a tiny snug in the middle of the pub which is full of local characters, one of whom played us a tune on his mouth organ. Has a couple of cask ales but nothing out of the ordinary, but it's worth a visit for the friendly welcome and the craic. If you're over 6 foot remember to duck.
26 Jan 2009 14:58
This pub has the best kept ale in Dumfries, my only gripe would be that is very, very full on a weekend night. Can't blame them for being good though. Several guest ales including one from Phoenix which is my local brewery. All the way to Dumfries to be served something I get at home all the time. Oh Well! Very friendly and efficient staff. It's a very good pub this.
26 Jan 2009 14:53
The Yorkshire Terrier Inn, York
Nice pub, well hidden from the masses behind the York Brewery shop. Several well kept York beers plus a guest or two, always a good atmosphere in here. Upstairs is another room that used to be the non smoking room. If you can get the seats at the table near the window you can watch all human life pass by on Stonegate especially on a busy Saturday night. We watched the bouncers at the Olde Starre trying to eject a drunk, the police arresting a beggar and about 20 girls wearing very little (probably from Newcastle) flashing their bits at all and sundry. It's great.
22 Jan 2009 11:45
Thank God for this place. A shining beacon in a town full or dire pubs. Beers on were Hobson's Mild & Bitter of course, plus Sharps Special, Titanic Chocolate & Vanilla stout, Vale Bernwode Forest, Ludlow Gold and Black Rat. Had a Vale, a Mild and a Titanic. All well kept. The mild is �1.96 and the Hobsons Bitter �2.20, compare that with �2.50 for GK IPA at The Wickets along the road. Keep it going guys, you're the only saving grace for occasionally having to stay in Wellington.
22 Jan 2009 09:52
Called in for another look. Only had Old Speckled Hen on but it was fine. Busiest pub I went in on the night apart from The Cock. The dog took an instant dislike to me until I bought a bag of pork scratchings and suddenly he's friendly. You little scruffy mercenary. I like pub dogs/cats they add character to a pub. It's alright in here.
22 Jan 2009 09:42
This place looks like a pub but it isn't really. Has a sign outside that says bar and restaurant but it's more of a restaurant with a bit of a bar area now. Looks very pleasantly laid out for food with all tables having flowers on them etc. HAs two handpumps on the bar which were supposed to be Enville White and GK IPA but of course the Enville was off. I was served with the coldest pint of IPA I've ever had, which removed what little taste it would have had and was then charged �2.50 for it. Guest ales coming soon were Abbot and Old Speckled Hen. Someone needs to get some imagination in here. Food may well be good (I didn't try it) but I wouldn't bother if you just want a drink.
22 Jan 2009 09:37
Another pub that hasn't been reviewed for over 2 years. The main change from the previous reviews is that this bar now sells real ale. OK they only have one, which was Bateman's Jesters Pale Ale, but they're trying. It was pretty good as well, keep it going please guys. Large stage area in one room with loads of decent looking seating. Two pool tables in the other room. Friendly welcome from the staff. It was pretty quiet, but it's alright is this place. You can't say that about many places in Wellington.
22 Jan 2009 09:29
This pub is currently closed amd Fleurets have a sign up outside selling the freehold rather than the leasehold. I think it's the end for this one.
22 Jan 2009 09:24
Tried to call in for one last night. I couldn't get through the door for a couple of thick, chavvy knobheads smoking in the entrance hallway who wouldn't move. Having already been in 2 nightmare pubs in Wellington last night I suddenly decided to give this one a miss. Wellington is a dump!
22 Jan 2009 09:22
It's obvious that a few years ago that this place was a nice pub. It's not now. Leasehold is up for sale and the pub is a mess. Sticky worn carpet, missing or worn through tiling. 3 handpumps on the bar but no real ale. One old guy sitting at the bar and 4 postmen having an after work drink. I leaned on one of the tables and stuck to it. Don't try and lease it guys, knock it down and put it out of it's misery. Wellington is a real dump!
22 Jan 2009 09:18
This place is currently closed for refurbishment. It claims that there is going to be a grand reopening in early February. Personally I think a grand is roughly what they're spending on the rerfurb having looked in last night.
22 Jan 2009 09:13
This place hasn't been reviewed for over two years and there's been a lot of changes. Has a large sign outside advertising that this place serves real ale. It has 3 handpumps but no real ale, only 2 other customers in the bar, one of whom left just after I arrived. It's now very tatty, with wet & smelly toilets and a general air of being unloved. I called in The Cock later and mentiioned that I'd been in here. The barman said "Oh God is that place still open, I thought it had closed ages ago". I assured him that it would be closed soon. Sadly, this wasn't the worst pub I went in last night which is why I'm giving this place a 1. Wellington really is a dump!
22 Jan 2009 09:11
This is an excellent pub that is almost always very busy. Has quirky things around the walls e.g. an old 1p slot machine that still works. Great selection of ever changing beers that are all kept in peak condition. Very friendly with a good mix of locals and tourists. A must vist pub whilst in York.
21 Jan 2009 15:58
Doesn't look much from the outside, but is an old, small traditional local inside. You have to bend down to order at the hatch in the back room which looks like a 1930's sitting room. Good selection of well kept beers always available. Has a charity do once a year when they close Fossgate and have stalls/seats spread out across the street. Proper pub.
21 Jan 2009 15:36
Nice pub down an alley away from the Micklegate madness. Always has two or three guest ales on alongside a Roosters brew. Used to be really smoky before the ban and somehow still feels a bit that way. It's probably just my residual memory playing tricks. We always call in here for one ot two whilst in York. I picked up a copy of Ouse Boozer to read here. When we got back to the hotel I realised it said "Pub copy - please do not remove". We were going home the following morning so couldn't drop it off. Sorry guys.
21 Jan 2009 15:29
Brigantes Bar and Brasserie, York
One of the Market Town Tavern small chain of pubs (10 I think). Converted from a shop so fairly rectangular in shape. Always has a great range of ever changing beers on tap, often involving Roosters, York and Leeds. Serves really great pub grub, it's a little more expensive than you'd expect, but when it arrives it's well worth it. Has been no smoking since it opened so everything is still looks very fresh, even though it's been open a few years now. Great place..
21 Jan 2009 15:22
Great little bar with a literary past. Alcoves, quirky seats, upstairs bar, interesting things on the walls. Barmans middle name should be "Lethargic" though. Tip or not no-one gets served quickly. Still come back for more though.
21 Jan 2009 14:57
Magnolia Pub and Brewery, San Francisco
Fine pub and brewery that sells some of it's ales on handpump. Has won medals for many of it's brews. Very friendly and chatty when we sat at the bar. Good place to while away an hour drinking cold beer in an air conditioned pub having just spent some time walking around the nearby park in 80+ temperatures.
21 Jan 2009 14:51
The San Francisco Brewing Company, San Francisco
Great little two roomed bar that brews some good beer. It has a strange paddle fan on the ceiling that moves the air around (a bit). This place has a happy hour in the afternoon AND another one between 12 - 1 a.m. Imagine that in the UK. Try Vesuvio just round the corner as well.
21 Jan 2009 14:47
This place is one of the better Wetherspoons around. It's in a fine building that has been sympathetically converted. It always has a good range of guest ales on usually about 8. It has 3 separate bars so you can usually get served at one of them. Even if it's a bit of a scrum downstairs you can usually get a seat or at lease a decent bit of standing room upstairs. If you're sneaky and a CAMRA member you can use three of your 50p off tokens in one visit, one at each of the three separate bars, when of course you're only supposed to use one per visit. It's pretty good really.
19 Jan 2009 16:33
I like this pub, but once again I'm not really sure why. Has a good range of ales, usually with one or two interesting ones, usually well kept, but occasionally not. Always looks a bit scruffy and they are very prompt to throw you out at 11 in midweek. You're often made to feel really uncomfortable even if they've only just served you a pint at last orders when 3 minutes later some loudmouth is constantly shouting "drink up please". I only go in early doors these days due to this, but I still like it. Strange.
19 Jan 2009 16:25
Welcoming pub on the "wrong" side of the A167M which means that you have to make an effort to get here. It's well worth the detour. 4 handpumps serving ever changing guest ales, alcoves with leather seating, friendly bunch on both sides of the bar. We had lunch here, it was only a baguette and chips each but it was served quickly and was good quality, no scrimping on the fillings either. Had a couple of pints of well kept ale, the other half had a couple of glasses of red wine. What's not to like? Go and have a look.
19 Jan 2009 16:15
Keel Row Lloyds No 1, Newcastle
This is effectively a shop that sells beer. Slow service, no guest ales on, only GK IPA and Pedigree. Why do people go here when there's loads of great pubs within a 5 minute walk. Can't recommend it unless you're totally devoid of imagination.
19 Jan 2009 16:07
I don't really like this place but I can't put my finger on why that is exactly. They have a several real ales on the bar however they're all usually safe, tried and tested nationals. The beer has always been kept OK but never really great. It's a bit scruffy and gets it's fair share of the lowlifes. like any pub near a bus station. I think it's a combination of things, but I would never go out of my way to have a beer here. Still call in for one occasionally when passing though. Just to see if my opinion has changed. It hasn't this time.
19 Jan 2009 16:00
I usually call in here on a Tuesday or Wednesday night when I'm in Newcastle, so I don't know what it's like at weekends. During the week they always seem to have at least one very unusual real ale on so it drags me in like a magnet. It's pretty quiet then as well so you can get a seat if you want or lean on the bar. Not bad at all if you can withstand the student b*llocks being talked about all the time.
19 Jan 2009 15:53
The Goose at the Gardens, Newcastle
Typical Goose, large & busy with a couple of real ales on, nothing very exciting but always drinkable when I've been in. Very easy to get served despite the crowds, has a couple of quiz machines to while away the time. It's Ok for one.
19 Jan 2009 15:47
Fitzgeralds Newcastle, Newcastle
Pleasant enough bar that is much larger than it looks from the entrance. Gets very busy when there's a show on at the theatre next door both before and after the show. Comfortable for a sit down when I'm with the other half and she says the wine's OK. Has a couple of real ales on the bar usually including a Mordue but nothing too inventive. It's OK.
19 Jan 2009 15:41
The Duke of Wellington, Newcastle
Fairly standard traditional boozer in the T & J Bernard style. Sells several guest ales but most of these are from the large regionals or the national brewers. They give away free nibbles at the bar around 17.30 weekdays which is a nice touch. It's an OK place without ever really excelling in my opinion.
19 Jan 2009 15:33
Great looking pub that still has the feel of a multi roomer despite having been opened out. One of my regular stop off points on the way down to the Crown Posade and/or the Cooperage. Has a good range of real ales usually locally sourced with the odd long distance traveller and they're all well kept. Can get pretty busy at weekends but I've not had much of a problem getting served in here.
19 Jan 2009 15:24
Fantastic old pub, long and thin, known as "The Coffin" locally. Has a tiny snug in the Irish style on the left as you enter. Also has comfortable seating at the rear if you can get past the bar. Has 5 ever changing guests usually including one form Consett Ale Works. Has an old style gramaphone at the end of the bar which is usually playing in the evenings. A classic, you must try this place when in Newcastle. I suggest you combine it with a trip to the El Torero tapas bar a little further up The Side which has a great atmosphere and good food.
19 Jan 2009 15:17
I think this place is pretty good for a Lloyds No 1. OK it could do with a bit of a deep clean but it's a decent design with 2 outside areas for the 3 days per year when it's sunny up here. Obviously the clientele are dressed for summer whatever the weather. Has a couple of guests ales on tap and they've always been pretty good when I've been here. Had breakfast here once as well and that was OK too. Seen a lot worse.
19 Jan 2009 15:07
Nice bar down near the Quayside. Has 5 handpumps serving changing guest ales. Also runs a promotion where you get a card stamped when you buy a pint of cask ale and then get the seventh free. Has a lounge area on the left that really does look like someones front room and a small bar area to the right, also has a quiz machine. Did make it into the GBG a couple of years ago, not in it currently but still well worth a look.
19 Jan 2009 15:00
More of a bar than a pub with many pictures of ships around the walls. To be honest it does feel like a ships lounge when sat in the seating area at the back. Has a decent range of ever changing guests on the bar a little pricier than most around the area, but still not too bad. The main problem for me is that it really is a big barn with a wooden floor and the noise really echoes around. It doesn't matter if it's music or loud conversation it's still noisy. Not bad though.
19 Jan 2009 14:50
Fine one roomed pub with a magnificent dome ceiling. Sells a good range of ever changing guests, usually with one from Mordue and one from Durham. Has a couple of alcoves and a separate area to the rear but it is effectively one large room. Always had a decent pint here although one I had from Brewdog was a serious shock to the system (it turned out to be 7.2% and I hadn't noticed when ordering). Has a quiz machine with a strange greenish hue to the screen. Noel Edmonds on the Deal or No Deal game looks like Shrek on here!. Good pub that I always call in when staying at the Holiday Inn Express just round the corner.
19 Jan 2009 14:38
One roomed pub right in the shadow of the stands at St James's Park. As you might expect it's full of Toon memorabilia. Has 4 handpumps one usually serving Mordue No 9 along with 3 changing guests. I usually call in here for one when in Newcastle assuming that either there is no match on across the road or the match is still being played. I don't think I'd want to be in here before or after the game. Beer has always been good, also has a pool table plus a quiz machine. Not bad at all.
19 Jan 2009 14:00
Now under new management. I believe the new manager used to manage the JDW in Huddersfield. Has certainly started to turn this pub around. Called in for a couple on Sarturday, George Wright Cheeky Pheasant and Hook Norton Double Stout. Both well kept and we had no problem getting served as there were plenty of bar staff on (Yes, really, in a Wetherspoons). I'm going to have to up my rating to a 6 for now. Likely to go higher if the upwards trend continues.
19 Jan 2009 11:56
Traditional city centre local with an excellent range of ever changing guest beers. I've never had a poor pint in here and I've been in a lot. Has two TVs only showing sport, two quiz machines and pleantly of comfortable seating. Can get pretty busy when ANY match is on TV never mind Newcastle. Highly recommended for the beer.
19 Jan 2009 11:50
Traditional city centre local with an excellent range of ever changing guest beers. I've never had a poor pint in here and I've been in a lot. Has two TVs only showing sport, two quiz machines and pleantly of comfortable seating. Can get pretty busy when ANY match is on TV never mind Newcastle. Highly recommended for the beer.
19 Jan 2009 11:46
Recently spruced up (again) pub that used to be a traditional local but is now more food oriented. Has 6 handpumps serving Timothy Taylors Best & Landlord, Black Sheep Bitter, Tetley Bitter, Lees Bitter and Old Speckled Hen. Very very occasionally one of these is replaced by a guest beer. Beer quality is OK but not top notch. Under the previous landlord this pub spent 9 consecutive years in the Good Beer Guide. Called in on Sunday for a couple of pints of the Black Sheep which was OK. The problem was that there were six loud, drunk, foul mouthed oiks leaning on/around the bar. Two of these were women and none of them was exactly young. Not a great experience when out for a quiet pint. The new management need to get rid of the dipsticks or they'll lose everyone else.
19 Jan 2009 11:34
Called in again. Had a very nice pint of Purple Moose Glaslyn Ale. I now notice that they've got all the daily papers hung up for the drinkers to read. Good idea. I had a look at the Guardian (I'd already read the Mirror and the Sun was already being used). Nice place.
16 Jan 2009 15:37
The Shrewsbury Hotel, Shrewsbury
Called in last night and asked for a pint of Bath Barnstormer which was on the bar in front of me. It's off she said. "OK I'll have a pint of the Shropshire Lad then please". That's off, she said. I said "Why aren't the pumpclips turned round then" she just shrugged. "Have you got any guest ales on then?" Oh yes she said Pedigree and Abbot. Goodbye I said. What a poor attitude. Down goes my rating of this place yet again (and it wasn't that higjh anyway). Not much further before rock bottom guys. Get it sorted.
16 Jan 2009 10:04
Very bright pub that obviously majors on food. There are bench seats in the window that are so high off the floor that my feet didn't touch the ground when I sat there and I'm 6 foot tall. If I had been with the other half I would have had to lift her on and off. What a strange idea. 4 handpumps on the bar Bank's Bitter and Original, Jennings Cumberland (all a bit bland for me) and the superb Ringwood XXXX Porter. Guess which I had! A very good pint it was too. Not really my type of pub put pleasent nontheless.
16 Jan 2009 09:57
This pub is now the most northerly outpost of the Castle Rock (Tynemill) chain of pubs based out of Nottingham. Named after the last two people (sheep rustlers) to be hanged nearby. Always a couple of Castle Rock beers obviously along with several guests. These usually include a dark beer or two. Very friendly place that does good sandwiches until early evening.
15 Jan 2009 17:01
When you walk in it is immediately obvious that this is a rock joint. Has live bands on some nights. Has a couple of handpumps dispensing a Phoenix beer and a guest. It's not a bad place to go for a pint. Not great decor, OK beer, as I said it's not bad.
15 Jan 2009 15:49
This place has a bit of a sterile atmosphere, at least it did at 6.30 on a Saurday evening when we called in. Very modern bright interior with large pictures on the walls (probably from The Range or Wilkinsons) which is not unpleasant. I had a pint of the Lees Bitter which was fine. May well call in after Oldham beer festival in a few weeks as it's better than a lot of places in Oldham.
15 Jan 2009 15:40
Fine old street corner local. 3 rooms with some excellent tiling and snob screens etc. Has a decent range of beers but not that inventive. Having said that the pint I had was in great condition. Close to the impressive artwork of a revolving section of the old Yates's building facing Moorfields Station. Have a look at the artwork and then pop in here to contemplate.
15 Jan 2009 15:27
Doesn't really sell Newton & Ridleys and is as rough as a robbers dog. Called in on the way back to Victoria Station, won't be doing it again. No real ale and far too much "atmosphere" for me.
15 Jan 2009 15:12
I'm not sure why I like this place. It's got no real ale, it's often difficult to get a seat and when you do they're really uncomfortable (well the bench seating is anyway). They sell a decent selection of wine though which is why the other half likes it. It is quirky. Maybe that's why I like it.
15 Jan 2009 15:06
This place isn't really a pub, it's not really a wine bar either. It's like being in a cafe in Ikea. However it usually has 5 real ales on tap and serves a pretty decent pint of them as well. It also has a good selection of wine. It's a big place but it still gets full. OK to call in for one but I wouldn't want to spend all night here.
15 Jan 2009 15:00
Mick the landlord still won't tell me who brews the beers. Even Judy the landlady doesn't know as Mick says that if she knew so would the rest of the village 3 minutes later! Had another couple of good pints. Real fire in the main room was very welcome as it was a bit chilly outside. Will be opening 4 letting rooms in a few weeks time as well in an adjoining building. Traditional local that is on the way up.
15 Jan 2009 14:43
Called in a couple of times over the weekend. Could still get served! Once again had 3 guests on all well kept. Had breakfast here on Sunday morning. Ordered at the bar as usual, sat down, food arrived! Great service, 11 minutes from ordering to being on the table. It was pretty busy as well. Well done guys.
15 Jan 2009 14:14
A decent pub ripped out and ruined. Used to have loads of character and customers. We called in for the first time in a while to find one of those wooden table joints with cheap chairs and totally soulless. Sells 2 real ales, Boddingtons (poor) and Theakston Old Peculier (Average). What a mess. Downhill all the way now guys.
14 Jan 2009 14:47
The Slug and Lettuce, Manchester
Poor even for a Slug. Overpriced fizz in a place with no atmosphere whatsoever. How do these places survive? Must be the totty factor later on as there's nothing else to recommend it. If you want a pint of fizz in much friendlier surroundings try Beluga just round the corner. I'm not saying it's great but it's brilliant compared to this place.
14 Jan 2009 10:45
Mr Thomas' Chop House, Manchester
Historic old pub with a fine interior in the back bar and restaurant. Great tiling and a floor to ceiling wine bottle store. Real ale is usually Black Sheep and Boddingtons with Lees bitter making an appearance at times. Beer is kept OK but not top class. Very pricey even for the city centre (same policy as Sams Chop House across the road). We often call in for one on the way back to Victoria Station. Well worth a visit for the fine interior but take extra money out of the A & L cash machine next door if buying a round.
14 Jan 2009 10:35
Visit this place on a regular basis to have a drink and have also eaten in the restaurant 3 times. Has 4 handpumps usually selling Black Sheep, Boddingtons and Sams Special (which is brewed for them by Coach House). It's an OK pint but pricey. The food is good and also pricey. It will cost you about �12 for homemade pudding and chips, but it is excellent. Not really a place to go for the beer, we go more for the friendly chat, always has a buzz about the place but can get very busy just after 5 p.m.
14 Jan 2009 10:24
Great bar on the N4 crawl. Eclectic mix of regulars (and staff), lots of tattoos/piercings/bright hair dyes in evidence. Almost always busy in here. Has huge rats & bats adorning the walls along with cartoons. Has a sign over the ladies saying "Caution Moose Crossing". You get the idea. It's a really interesting place. 5 handpumps but often only 3 or 4 on, usually involves a Bank Top beer. It's always a decent pint in here. Loads of Belgins draft and real cider as well. We always call in for one or two when in the Northern Quarter. Give it a try, you'll like it.
13 Jan 2009 16:30
Decent pub that used to be a court house many many years ago, hence the ornate ceilings etc. Originally the whole of the ceiling was intended to be restored but they ran out of time and maybe money to complete it. Has a good selection of real ales on tap, always well kept. Relative newcomer to the N4 pub circuit so give it a try.
13 Jan 2009 16:14
Still the best in Manchester for both beer and atmosphere. It's got a great looking interior as well (beware of the sloping floor). Full of postmen from across the road at knocking off time and almost always busy. Great selection of cask ales from Marble themselves and several guests plus a decent range of bottled ones. Don't miss it when in Manchester.
13 Jan 2009 16:01
Have called in a couple of times recently and whilst it's not the Beer House anymore it's still a decent enough pub for a drink. The foody side doesn't overwhelm it and there's still plenty of room to sit/stand whilst drinking. Down to 4 handpumps but it's been fairly quiet when we've been in so I doubt that it could support any more at the moment. Beer was pretty well kept as well. One to watch as it's got a chance of getting back to it's best.
13 Jan 2009 15:56
This place used to be the Portico Library and has had most of the main features retained since it's conversion to a pub originally by the Firkin chain quite a few years ago now. Has decent selection of real ales (up to 6) at a reasonable price for the city centre. Choice and quality has been improving lately beer wise and the service has been getting better as well. Definitely on the up at the moment. Well worth caliing in for one.
13 Jan 2009 15:47
Large rambling Wetherspoons with multiple rooms. It's a great place to go for a beer if you can actually get any. The bar design means that you can't get many people at the bar and it's got a post halfway along it. When you add that to the usual barstaff problems at Wetherspoons it means that we sometimes have to leave and go for a beer elsewhere. When you can get a beer though it's well kept and a pleasant place to sit and drink.
13 Jan 2009 15:33
Small pub with a large selection of real ales, usually 8, all well kept Has been changed a bit over the years but not so much you really notice e.g used to have an old wooden glass rack over the bar. It's often busy in here especially early evening and weekday lunchtimes. The hatch down to the cellar is actually behind the bar so the barstaff have to be careful when a beer's being changed. It's a very friendly pub and one we call in all the time.
13 Jan 2009 15:22
They've done a great job on this pub since it was Galvin's Irish Bar and previously a run down Vaux pub. It's been brilliantly restored and some fine touches added. However someone has to pay for this and it's you. This place is very pricey even for the city centre, there's not much change out of �7 for a pint of the real stuff (usually a choice of 4) and a small glass of wine. It's open until 2 a.m. at the weekends which is a bit of a surprise. The other half likes it so we normally call in for one on the way to The Knott.
13 Jan 2009 15:11
The Briton's Protection Hotel, Castlefield
Impressive pub with a fine exterior and an even better interior. 3 small rooms two with "real" fires (OK they're gas really but still look good) plus a drinking corridor with pictures of the infamous Peterloo massacre on the walls. Sells Robinsons Unicorn & Jennings Cumberland with a guest ale or two often from Coach House. Beer is pretty well kept with the occasional blip. Can get very busy, it doesn't take many people to get this place full. Sells the excellent Grunt, Gobble, Zoom, Coo Pie (Wild Boar, Turkey, Hare & Pigeon). A quirky place, try it you'll probably like it. I do.
13 Jan 2009 14:45
Modern pub converted from an umbrella factory, hence the name, rather than the Manchester weather. Lee's pub selling Bitter, John Willies and at least one of the seasonals. Pricey for a Lee's pub but pretty cheap for Manchester city centre. Decent beer, good wine list, good range of food. It's a nice place to go with the other half. Packed in summer at lunchtimes and early evenings with the office crowd, but very pleasant early evening at the weekend.
13 Jan 2009 14:31
Great pub serving Marble Brewery beers and a couple of guests often from Pictish and Phoenix. Always a friendly welcome but can get very busy on Friday/Saturday nights. Always a well kept pint, also has draft Belgian beers. The spicy wedges are great, especially with a sweet chilli dip. One of our regular haunts in Manchester. Give it a try you won't be disappointed.
13 Jan 2009 12:05
Definitely looks like a cafe bar inside but feels like a traditional publ Room at the back contains a massive TV screen with table seating whilst the front room has seats round the walls and a couple of high tables. Fantastic range of real ales, it's a beer festival every day in here. Does food at lunchtime through to late afternoon/early evening (at least it did on the Saturday we were in). A must visit for the tickers as the beer range changes so quickly. Plenty of other characters in here as well though. We call in every time we're in Salford.
13 Jan 2009 11:52
Great location and interesting if not beautiful views across the Bridgewater canal/River Irwell to Spinning Fields from the outside seating area and main bar. Used to sell Timothy Taylors beers, now only sells fizz. Almost empty when we called in. As it still didn't have any of the real stuff we only stayed for one. On a downward slide in an area that is up and coming. How have you managed that guys? It's sad really as we've had many a good lunch here and many a beer at night as well in the past. I remember having to queue to get in one Summers evening a few years ago. Needs a new broom!
13 Jan 2009 11:39
Fine pub on the Salford real ale trail. We've been coming in here every couple of months for years now whenever we're in Salford. Good range of real ales usually involving Bazens' and Phoenix, all well kept. Always a friendly atmosphere. Attracts a new breed of regulars from the posh flats around it now as well as the established crowd which makes for a good mix of people. Has a separate room behind the bar and another one upstairs that hosts live music. Also has a stained glass window with a picture of.... yes you've guessed it, a Kings Head rather than his arms! Don't miss it when doing the Crescent/New Oxford crawl.
13 Jan 2009 11:29
Brilliant pub that continues to excel. Large array of cask ales spread over two rooms. Sadly the horse sized dog that used to live here has passed away but nothing much else has changed since the upheaval a few months ago when the pubs future was in doubt. Mixed clientele, real fire, frequently changing ales, all well kept. What more do you want from a pub?
13 Jan 2009 11:20
Good little pub that used to be even smaller, you can still see where it was extended into the cottage next door if you look closely. A mix of locals and students with a couple of visitors (us). Good range of real ales, the two we had were both well kept. Loads of things around the walls and on the ledges, every time you look you see something else. Difficult to find the first time but after that, well it's easy!
13 Jan 2009 10:57
Little locals pub with a small but well kept range of real ales. Has a couple of tiny rooms that mean if you sit in one of them you're almost obliged to talk to the other people in there as you're nearly sat on them. Very friendly, got talking to a couple of locals plus a visitor from Nottingham. Good pub.
12 Jan 2009 15:53
Pleasant enough pub serving Cains and a couple of guests. We called in on a Wednesday early evening and it was very quiet. Has some nice bits of panelling etc around the bar. Friendly guy behind the bar who let the other half try one of the guest ales to see if she liked it. Seems fine to me.
12 Jan 2009 15:47
Cains flagship pub serving the whole range of Cains beers, a good pint as well. Has a fine tiled room to the right of the bar with an interesting fireplace as well. Not as ornate as the Philharmonic but pretty impressive.
12 Jan 2009 15:40
Fine pub serving as many of the Wapping range as they can get on the bar. Had 3 pints here, all were OK, but tasted very similar to each other. The other half liked the wine, which is why we had 3 and the fact that it was lashing it down outside. We sat at a window table right at the pointed end. Candles on the tables, very cosy. We'll be back the next time we're in Liverpool.
12 Jan 2009 15:34
This place has recently been taken over by the guy who used to be the landlord at the Wardwick when it was good. Now has 4/5 real ales on the bar. It still looks pretty much the same though and lacks character. Worth a look in if on a crawl through Derby centre.
12 Jan 2009 11:43
Fine old pub serving 5/6 real ales. As this is a Marston's house the range has improved since they took over Jennings. Now serve Jennings Dark Mild which is a great beer. Lots of things around the walls like old clocks and a portrait gallery of film stars. Well worth a visit especially if combined with a visist to Derby Brewery Tap at the Royal Standard 50 yards away.
12 Jan 2009 11:37
Great little pub owned by Castle Rock(Tynemill). Has a good range of their beers plus 5/6 guests. Always a great pint in here. Has a real fire which was very welcome on Friday night when it was freezing. Has 3 (It think) letting rooms as well. No music, conversation only, which can be very enteraining given the characters they get in here.
12 Jan 2009 11:20
It's probably a bit longer since I was last in the Lass than I thought as I don't remember the Space Invaders tables (on the other hand I might not have been paying attention last time). I do realise that it's difficult to keep the supply line running all the time and I was probably just unlucky the last twice I've been in. I also know that Howard Town brewery has been known to have consistency problems. I'll be in again soon for another try.
8 Jan 2009 09:42
Nice looking pub with several distinct rooms. Used to have a tap room but that was ripped out as part of a refurbishment quite some time ago (15 years?). Still retains some character especially the bar. Has a good bunch of friendly regulars. Robinsons tied house with Unicorn and sometimes Mild or a seasonal on tap. Beer quality varies tremendously. Never really good, usually OK, sometimes very bad. It's expensive for the area as well.
7 Jan 2009 16:53
Only opens at weekends and even then it's dead as a post until after 11. Only sells fizz of course. Give it a miss.
7 Jan 2009 16:45
The Yorkshire House, Shrewsbury
Very interesting pub. Has a full size statue of a wizard in the window and a larger than life green faced Slayer type character statue inside. Has weird gargoyles and skeletal arms etc on the bar. All the back room has murals on the wall celebrating the likes of Metallica. Has 3 handpumps, but only GK IPA and Old Speckled Hen were on. The IPA was fine. A real mix of characters as you would expect, but all very peaceful really (in a raucous sort of way). I like rock music myself (I was a bit of a long hair in the 70's)but most of the stuff played in here was a bit heavy even for me, pretty much Thrash Metal, but it may not always be like this. I like it ! Even if you don't like the music it's worth a visit for the curiosity value.
7 Jan 2009 09:46
Called in again. Had all four handpumps on the go. Banks's Bitter and Winter Warmer, Wychwood January Sale and Jennings Cross Buttock Ale. Had a pint of the January Sale and it was very good. The landlady said that they're going to try and keep 4 beers on tap if they can sell enough to turn it over fast enough. Give them some help my giving this place a try, you might like it!
7 Jan 2009 09:35
Real mix of people in here for a Tuesday. Locals round the bar, football fans watching the TV and a few people in for the food. Real fire in the main room but freezing in the separate restaurant area. 3 handpumps but only London Pride and GK IPA on tap. Had a pint of the IPA, it was OK, but then IPA is only an OK pint at it's best. Looks like a popular pub and it's certainly one I'll call in again when in this part of town.
7 Jan 2009 09:30
Now has two handpumps, however one was turned round on 6th Jan, mind you it was a freezing cold Tuesday with not many people around. The one beer on was Youngs Bitter. For some reason there seems to quite a bit of Youngs and Fullers around in Shrewsbury, why is that when there's plenty of good local beer around. Friendly locals pub with a roaring real fire. Close to the station and well worth a visit.
7 Jan 2009 09:25
The Bricklayers Arms, Shrewsbury
Pleasant locals pub just outside the town centre. Two handpumps selling Draught Bass and Old Speckled Hen. I tried the Bass and a very good pint it was too. A reminder of how good Bass used to be when kept well. Friendly service with a smile. Has a pool table and a quiz machine. Good pub.
7 Jan 2009 09:15
This Holts pub is definitely styled on the Wetherspoon/Goose type pubs that are all over the place now. Sells Holts Bitter and whatever the seasonal is. Lsst time we called in I had to take the seasonal beer back as it was total vinegar. It was changed for a Holts bitter but it had obviously "gone" quite some time ago to be so bad. Food is also Wetherspoonsalike although the quality is a bit better. Smart for a Holts pub, but only OK really.
6 Jan 2009 16:14
This place is nowhere near an 8.0 rating. Small cosy space at the front, large barn at the back. Thwaites house, so not great beer although they do the best they can with it. Always a strange atmosphere in here, can't put my finger on why. Fairly quiet even when the beer festival is on across the road.
6 Jan 2009 16:04
Best pub in Oldham town centre by a street length. 5 guest ales usually a real cider, friendly welcome. Gives away free food during Oldham Beer festival. If you only have time to visit one pub in Oldham make it this one. If you have more time then stay here!
6 Jan 2009 15:49
Desperate fizz only pub in the centre of Rochdale. A fine old building ripped out and ruined. Just a large barn with a dance floor. Nothing to recommend it at all unless you're a chavvy 19 year old.
6 Jan 2009 13:40
Sam Smiths pub just on the edge of the town centre. Has a loyal following of regulars plus some passing trade at weekends from people on their way into town. Decent pint of OBB, competitively priced of course. Has a interesting if rather bedraggled number of stuffed critters around the pub in glass boxes. Friendly welcome from the staff and a very varied clientele.
6 Jan 2009 12:18
Has been suffering some hard times recently. The landlord left under "interesting" circumstances and the pub is now in the hands of his daughter. Restaurant used to be OK but never really caught on. The good people of Rochdale are ready for a good "bar and restaurant" JohnB but sadly this wasn't it as it's rather out on a limb from the town centre. Pub is now beginning to recover after some financial issues caused by the previous management. Beer range isn't as good as it was and not as well kept as it was in it's prime, but still worth a visit. Has a staunch band of regulars who have supported it through thick and thin. Hopefully it's now on the way back up again.
6 Jan 2009 12:11
Locals pub a few hundred yards from the town centre. 3 handpumps usually serving Phoenix beers + Thwaites Bomber. Very competitively priced. Separate Pool room, large screen TV, often has karaoke sessions. Due to the shape/design of the pub with the bar being immediately through the door this pub always looks busy. Beer is kept OK but not always top notch. Worth a visit when in the area.
6 Jan 2009 12:02
Called in for a pint between Xmas and New Year, first time we've been in for a few months. Is it just me or has some of the Goth memorabilia gone? Really nice looking pub with great wood and glass. Had a pint of Wadworths Olde Timer, really well kept beer it was too. Always a friendly welcome, good pub.
5 Jan 2009 16:31
The English Lounge, Manchester
Usually have 3 or 4 beers on tap. Nothing particularly exciting, Deuchars, Black Sheep etc and always kept OK if not really top notch. Very comfortable pub with with leather sofa's/seats in parts. It's close to Victoria Staion as well which is why we usually call in on our way back for the train. Wouldn't do a major detour to visit though.
5 Jan 2009 16:22
10 handpumps, only 3 beers on tap, all the rest turned round. Either I'm really unlucky or this place is always like that these days. It certainly didn't use to be. When asked the barmaid said "we're waiting for a delivery". This was exactly what I was told last time I was in. Has changed a bit recently and has old Space Invader machines as tables and new band/singer photo's on the walls. The pint I had, Glossop Monks Gold, was OK but not kept as well as it used to be. It was reasonably busy for early evening so it could certainly support more than 3 beers. Sort out the ordering guys!
5 Jan 2009 16:16
Called in twice recently, the last time between Xmas and New Year It's in the GBG 2009, it really shouldn't be. Both pints I've had have been at best average and in my opinion poorly kept. It's a decent enough place in a studenty type of way with birdcages hanging from the ceiling and other quirky things around the place. You need to step up to the mark with the real ale though guys.
5 Jan 2009 16:06
Pleasant pub at the top of Coton Hill. Good range of real ales. Had a couple of pints of Wye Valley, very good. The clientele in the tap room are a real bunch of characters. Well worth a visit.
5 Jan 2009 14:56
Called in for a couple of pints on Friday 2nd January. The number on the board was 1810. I made sure I looked this time.
5 Jan 2009 10:16
This pub had a "Sorry closed today" sign up on Saturday 3rd January. Claims it's closed for "essential repair work", it looked a little more serious than that to me.
5 Jan 2009 10:14
Small comfortable lounge bar that has a large array of fizz pumps but sadly no real ale. Good place for a quiet chat. Get a couple of handpumps on guys and the bar will be a lot better for it. We left after one due to the lack of beer despite the fact that the place was very pleasant.
5 Jan 2009 10:12
Had few ups and downs over the last couple of years. At the moment it's not as good as it used to be, but not as bad as it's been either. Still sells a decent range of real ales, but a lot of the punters seem to have moved elsewhere, so it's not been that busy the last couple of times we've called in. Worth the short walk out of town for a good pint.
23 Dec 2008 13:49
Great place to come for some good ale and it's just around the corner from some of the best restaurants in Scarborough. Modern bar that's actually part of a hotel but doesn't feel like it. Usually has 4 beers on handpump often featuring Durham and York breweries. Always a good pint and the service is OK as well. Can get noisy on a Friday/Saturday night as it's on the circuit for drinkers in this part of the town.
23 Dec 2008 13:44
This pub is nowhere near as bad as it's been painted by previous reviews. It hasn't been reviewed for 2 years so there must have been quite a few changes. Has 3 handpumps on the bar but only Taylors Landlord was actually on. Not the best pint of Landlord I've ever tasted, but quite acceptable. Landlord is renowned for not travelling too well anyway. Walls have black & white pictures of rock stars/bands on them, which works well. Still a bit shabby but has had some TLC recently, new carpet or no carpet should be the next thing on the list. Someone is trying here to bring this place back to life. Give them some support.
23 Dec 2008 09:46
The Admiral Benbow, Shrewsbury
This place isn't quite as good as it's current 8.5 rating might suggest. I suspect there might have been a bit of a concerted effort going on here. Having said that it has 6 handpumps, one selling cider (Cheddar Valley) and including a couple of guests. It's a nice place but there are quite a few "elitest" types in here. You know the type, aged 57, peroxide blonde, pink fingernails, says things like "I'm going to visit mummys after I've finished here, another G & T please darling". The Wye Valley HPA was good though. Worth a look for a decent pint.
23 Dec 2008 09:34
Called in here for lunch with a colleague. I ordered a sausage baguette and he ordered a brie and cranberry one. Both were supposed to come with a side salad. I got a few straggly bits of green stuff with 1/2 a cherry tomato for �5.99. My collegue didn't even get the tomato. Overpriced crap.
22 Dec 2008 16:12
I stay at this hotel when I'm in Kendal and whilst it's a hotel bar it still has some regulars who call in. The two beers have always been very good and the service is cheerful and chatty. Not the cheapest pint in Kendal either but it's a good bar for a last one/two whilst staying here. Most hotel bars only sell overpriced fizz, so top marks to the Riverside for trying. Keep it up guys.
22 Dec 2008 15:50
One of the few proper pubs in Carlisle city centre. Usually has Yates's bitter and a changing guest, although the last few times I've been this has always been from Phoenix. Always well kept ale and relatively low key atmosphere. A good place to sit and read your paper with a nice pint.
22 Dec 2008 15:43
OK pub for a station pub. Sells a couple of real ales usually at least one is from a micro. Has several large screens for the football so it gets busy when there's a match on. Service is usually OK here even when busy. Not much character has been left in here as it's simply a big room, has an upstairs though that opens at busy times.
22 Dec 2008 15:39
I like this pub and often call in for one when I'm in Carlisle. The main problem is that the beer quality is very variable. Every so often you get served a pint of vinegar, OK they change it for you, but it simply shouldn't be on the bar. It's a good pub and friendly but sort the beer out otherwise I'm going to have to start giving it a miss.
22 Dec 2008 15:31
Great for watching football with loads of big screens. Also has loads of lowlifes later on. A couple of scummers were smoking in here the other week and the manager/door staff were too scared of them to do anything about it. Not the greatest pint of ale in the world but it's OK. Hen night capital of Carlisle on a Thursday.
22 Dec 2008 15:20
Has a good selection of real ales on tap, better than most Wetherspoons. The beer is usually well kept, but I have been served one or two dodgy ones in the past, changed without complaint though.Apart from that, well it's a Wetherspoons.
22 Dec 2008 15:16
This place is always strangely quiet whenever I go in. Has 2 real ales on tap Cally 80 /- and Deuchars. The pint has always been OK but don't think they turn over enough for it to be top class. Has a DJ on at weekends when Botchergate is a place to avoid if you're over 20.
22 Dec 2008 15:06
8.5/10, you have got to be joking. Large barn of a place with no real ale. Always feels like it's just about to kick off in here even on a midweek night. Has a late licence though which is why it does OK. Poor.
22 Dec 2008 14:56
Almost 4 years on from the last time someone reviewed this pub and it's still a good pub. Usually has 3/4 handpumps selling changing guest ales. In good nick each time I've been in. Has two large screens for the football so can get very busy when there's a big match on. Sells huge portions of food at reasonable prices, friendly locals. Like I said, still a good pub.
22 Dec 2008 14:53
Good Beer Guide listed pub down a small street in the centre of Penrith. Always has a good range of ales on, usually at least one from a micro brewery. Always been well kept when I've been in as well. Can get very busy at times. I'm not too impressed with the food it's all a bit fried for me, but the beer is good.
22 Dec 2008 14:48
Gloucester Arms Hotel, Penrith
Nice little pub in the centre of Penrith. Has a good range of real ales, usually including Black Sheep and Timothy Taylors. Is quite family oriented during food service times and there can be brat problems when the tourists get in here. Much better later at night. Has a pool table and a quiz machine in a separate room. Always call in here when in Penrith.
22 Dec 2008 14:41
Nice looking exterior, shame about the interior. No real ale on when I've been in although I'm pretty sure there was a handpump. Not much to say really, it's a pretty unexceptional placee with not much to recommend it.
22 Dec 2008 14:37
Decent enough pub with the full Jennings range on tap. Always a good pint whenever I've called in. For some reason this pub just doesn't feel right to me. I can't quite put my finger on it but there's something. I'll keep calling in for the beer until I work out what it is !!
22 Dec 2008 14:34
Average Robinsons beer served very, very, very slowly. We actually had to walk round the place to find someone to serve us. Very trusting as the till was open and there were several people in the bar. Nice outdoor area but I wasn't impressed. Walk the 100 yards or so to the Brook House for a much better experience.
22 Dec 2008 14:27
Nice pub/hotel with a fine range of real ales. All the ones I tried (all of them over the night) were well kept. Accomodation is nice if a little overpriced but most accomodation is in the Lakes. Choice of restaurant or bar menu. We ate in the restaurant but the food was pub standard really. Nothing wrong with it, but if you're going to sell things at higher prices in the restauarnt you need to up your game. Over the evening a number of locals dropped in along with some other hotel guests. We found ourselves talking with a couple who live less than 2 miles from us and a couple of regulars. I suspect a lot of the dogs round here get quite a few "walkies" that involve a stop here as there were several dog walkers called in during the evening.
22 Dec 2008 14:23
Facing the Crown Court and named after three different reverends who used to run the church across the road. One of the better pubs in the chain as it always has several guest beers on. I've always been served a decent pint here as well.
22 Dec 2008 14:09
Great old pub reached by an alleyway. Has a decent if uninspiring range of real ales that never seem to change. Everytime you visit you notice something that you haven't seen before. The unusual layout means that at busy times seating is at a premium. Well worth a look but don't expect to see a micro brewed beer in here.
22 Dec 2008 14:03
A proper gem of a pub although not somewhere I'd like to walk to at night as it's a bit derelict round here. Sells a couple of it's own beers Diana Mild and Neckoil bitter along with a seasonal rocket fuel whose name escapes me. Add a couple of guest beers, a very affable atmoshere and you have a very good pub. Well worth a visit, but get a taxi at night.
22 Dec 2008 13:58
Up and coming modern bar with a good range of ever changing real ales. Comfy seats, decent selection of wine, no fruit machines. All in all a nice place if you want a chat with some peace and quiet. The beer has always been top notch when we've been in as well.
22 Dec 2008 13:53
This Lloyds has a poor real ale selection, even worse than most of the others in the chain. On a couple of occasions when I've called in it has had none on at all. Even when they do have beer on it's difficult to actually buy any. Not good.
22 Dec 2008 13:50
Very modern bar (it's not really a pub) with several real ales on tap. It's great in midweek but we called in on Saturday at 8 and it was already packed. Very minimalist design but a very good pint. Try it on a Wednesday and you might even get a seat. Service was good though even on Saturday.
22 Dec 2008 13:44
This place used to be an amusement arcade, so it's a bit shoplike. There are quite a few lowlifes around in this part of Hull and at times this place gets it's fair share. The beer has always been good when I've been in but getting served can be difficult as all the regulars lean on the bar so you can't get to it. I'm not sure why I like this place, but I do. There's always a friendly welcome when I call in on the way to/from Pave.
22 Dec 2008 11:55
This was a good pub for a while with at least two Wold Top beers on tap. Went back recently to find that the real ale had gone, as had all the customers. Not worth a visit now.
22 Dec 2008 11:47
This Wetherspoons has been consistently well run for two or three years now. Very varied clientele but all seem to be welcomed with a smile and good service. Not the biggest range of guest beers but always a couple on. It's OK for breakfast as well. One of the best pubs in the chain in my experience.
22 Dec 2008 11:43
Not the place it once was. Still OK for a decent pint but the beer quality seems to have slipped recently, it used to be fantastic every time you came in. The atmosphere in here seems to have taken a bit of a dip as well. We don't call in half as often as we used to.
22 Dec 2008 11:39
Typical Slug, no real beer only fizz and overpriced. Still gets full though for some reason. Called in for a pint of Vier as the other half likes the wine. The compromises you have to reach to keep everyone happy eh! Went down to the Spitting Feathers Brewery Tap for some top class beer in a top class pub afterwards .1 pint of fizz gets you 4 pints in a good place afterwards. Compromise reached.
22 Dec 2008 11:17
Nicely appointed pub right next door to the Crown Court as you might expect. Two handpumps one with Black Sheep and the other usually serving a changing beer from Wylam. It's always a good pint in here if a little pricey, but that's how Harry the landlord likes it as it keeps out "certain elements" that aren't welcome. It has two letting rooms upstairs with a kichen where you make your own breakfast. I stay here whenever I'm in Durham.
19 Dec 2008 13:13
Decent enough pub with several well kept beers always including one from Durham brewery. Two very distinct areas in one room. A good place to watch the football as there are two large TV screens in the top part of the bar. Only problem is that when a big match is on it's hard to get to the bar for all the people watching TV. A good pub for a quiet pint if you sit in the bottom part of the bar.
19 Dec 2008 13:07
This place really isn't a 7. Has a poor selection of cask ales usually Bombardier and Theakstons Old Peculiar that are at best averagely kept and on one occasion total vinegar. Needs a serious refurbishment. Not a patch on the Half Moon next door.
19 Dec 2008 13:03
Typical Lloyds No 1, well designed for a new build. As usual the guest beers are very limited but I've always been served a good pint here. Normally call in midweek so I don't know what it's like at weekends but I've always been able to get served on a Thursday when it's pretty busy.
19 Dec 2008 12:59
Black and white timbered building in the pedestrianised area. Called in on Thursday as part of a mini crawl of Wellington pubs. Only real ale on the bar was Wye Valley Butty Bach. I had a pint which was OK. Only 4 people in the pub including me at 8 p.m. and yet the barmaid still had to be told by the other customers that I was waiting to be served. Not a patch on The Cock no matter what the earlier reviews say. No chance of ever getting in the GBG on this performance.
19 Dec 2008 11:59
This pub has a sign outside stating that it is "Under New Management". Small horseshoe bar with a small lounge to the left of the entrance. Has another room at the back with a pool table. Two handpumps on the bar, one with Timothy Taylors Landlord and one with a handwritten pumpclip saying Rockin' Rudolph when I called in. I asked the barman who brewed this, he said he thought it was Taylors. I think it was more likely to be the Hardy & Hansons(Greene King) version as Taylors don't really do seasonals, but I had a pint of it anyway. It was pretty good as well. Not a bad little pub in a town full of poor ones. I'll call in again next time I'm in Wellington.
19 Dec 2008 11:50
Called in last night for the first time. 8 handpumps. one serving real cider(Black Rat). Hobsons Mild & Bitter, 3 from Wylam, 1 from Titanic and 1 from Weetwood. Had a pint of the Wylam Haugh Porter. Very tasty and very smooth. I sat at the bar and was soon engaged in conversation with the chatty barstaff. I then decided to walk into Wellington centre to see what was there. This was a mistake. I should have stayed here. It's by far the best pub in Wellington. I'll be back the next time I'm staying at the Whitehouse, which will be soon.
19 Dec 2008 09:40
Has been opened up and is now one large room. It's L shaped so still has a multi roomed feel. The back part of the pub is now a restaurant with a carvery/grill style menu. The front part of the pub still has a pool table. Three handpumps on the bar but all badged with Salopian Shropshire Gold. Had a pint of this which was fine. Not bad.
19 Dec 2008 09:32
I'm not surprised that no-one has bothered to review this pub. Run down boozer on the High Street. No real ale. Smelly wet toilets. Expect it to be a "victim" of the recession any time soon.
19 Dec 2008 09:25
Gastro pub? More like Youth Club. I've never seen so many chavvy oiks in tracksuit bottoms in one place at the same time. If you're 20 you'll feel old. Empty Stella cans all over the pavement outside give you a clue to the type of clientele. Admittedly it was a Thursday which is cheap drinks night, but even so it was bad. Needless to say, no real ale. Feels like it's all going to kick off even at 8 p.m. Not a place for the discerning drinker.
19 Dec 2008 09:17
The Fly in the Loaf, Liverpool
Visited 3 times over a long weekend recently. Great pub with a decent selection of real ales, Okells + guests. We ate here one lunchtime and the food was good, it looked a bit pricey at first, but then we realised it was buy one get one free! The beer was excellent on all 3 visits as was the service. It was absolutely packed on the Saturday night, still got served OK though. One to visit.
18 Dec 2008 16:53
Top marks to Wetherspoons for their sympathetic conversion of this building, I believe it cost an arm and a leg to complete. Usual Wetherspoon suspects on the bar but with 3/4 guests on as well. Whilst it has always been busy whenever we've called in, we've never had that much trouble getting served. We may have just been lucky, but we've been in quite a bit on different days/nights. Pretty good for a Wetherspoons.
18 Dec 2008 10:58
Multi roomed pub with good selection of real ales. Has a blackboard up stating how many different reals ales they have had on since opening with an asterix next to any ales currently on tap that have added to the total. I can't remember how many it is, but it's certainly in 4 figures. I've never had a bad pint in here and it's a nice place for a quiet chat. Just up the road from the Coach and Horses. Try both.
18 Dec 2008 10:52
Large corner pub with 2 distinct drinking areas, one with large leather chairs and sofas. Has only ever had one real ale on whenever we've been in but it may have more at busy times. Has live music on regularly. Handy for a last one before catching the train as it's facing the station.
18 Dec 2008 10:47
The Coach and Horses, Harrogate
Nice pub on the edge of the town centre. Small, but well kept range of guest ales, usually involving Roosters and Daleside. Horseshoe shaped bar that gives the impression of several rooms when in fact it's just one. Friendly place that seems to get quite a few of the "ladies who lunch" set in. None the worse for that though. Only food we've tried are sandwhiches which were pretty good. Well worth a visit. It's just along the street from the Tap & Spile as well, so you can have a mini pub crawl.
18 Dec 2008 10:43
The Old Bell Tavern, Harrogate
One of the small chain of pubs owned by Market Town Taverns, they were a no smoking chain even before the ban. I've never been in a poor pub owned by this chain and this is one of the best. Great range of ever changing guests, usually involving a Roosters. Bar food is good and there is a top class restaurant upstairs (recommended). This pub was extended into the adjacent shop relatively recently and gets so packed on a Saturday it could do to extend again. The bar staff manage to deal with the waiting masses very well. It may take a few minutes to get served at busy times but you'll be served in turn. Don't miss it.
18 Dec 2008 10:28
Great bar that we call in regularly when in Harrogate. Because of it's Victorian design and gas lighting and the efforts of the staff this place does Halloween brilliantly. Skulls and cobwebs everywhere, a must visit on the 31st October. It's also great at all other times of the year. The draught Bass is very well kept and reminds you of how good Bass can be if given a little TLC. Usually a couple of guest ales on alongside the regulars, all well kept in my experience. Go and try it, you won't be disappointed.
18 Dec 2008 10:17
This pub has been under new management for a while now and the beer range and quality has slumped dramatically. After two bad experiences we've stopped going in now.
16 Dec 2008 15:14
This is one of the better Wetherspoons around the country. The manager likes to have different real ales on the bar and tries hard to keep these on tap at all times. Even though the place is heaving on a Saturday you can still get served relatively easily. It's a good pint as well. This pub is in the Good Beer Guide for 2009.
16 Dec 2008 15:11
It was indeed Citrus a few years ago. The club bit downstairs has now been turned into a pretty decent restaurant, we have eaten there a couple of times in the last 12 months.It's fine here for a pre dinner drink but it's not a place to spend the whole night. They only sell one size measures of wine as well, huge.
16 Dec 2008 14:48
I walked into this place not expecting much as I've been to a few Varsity bars before. This one's a bit different though. It's much more pubby than the large drinking barns I've been to before and it also had 2 real ales on. Tried a pint of the Bombardier and it was good, it got even better when the barmaid said �1.95 please, pretty cheap for central Wolverhampton. Not bad at all.
16 Dec 2008 14:13
Called in here for a pint recently and couldn't get one. They were busy which is fine, but having waited a good few minutes for my turn the landlady/manageress who had been talking at the end of the bar and leaving all the work to one poor lad suddenly looked around, went round the bar, served a bloke who was stood behind me with whatever he was drinking (she didn't need to ask him) AND THEN WENT AND STOOD AT THE END OF THE BAR AGAIN! Don't even think of going in if you're thirsy.
16 Dec 2008 10:40
Pleasant little cellar bar at the top end of Valley Road. Has been all sorts of bar in the past but is now the best that it has ever been. Good, well kept selection of real ales, usually from micros. We often call in on a Saturday lunchtime when it's pretty quiet, but always friendly. The artwork on the walls is for sale, some of it is pretty good as well. Being in the well known cider producing region of North Yorkshire, it's obvious that they should have been voted the Cider pub of the year. I'm not a cider drinker myself but top marks for getting the award. If you're going to this place try Cellars just further down Valley Road as well. The Valley Road pub crawl, short but good!
15 Dec 2008 17:07
North Riding Hotel, Scarborough
Up and coming pub right at the end of the North Cliff terrace. We often stay just up the road from here and have been in every time we have visited since the landlord and landlady moved down from the Cricketers. Great selection of ales always on tap and always well kept. We called in recently and whilst the TV was switched on the sound was muted (I can't remember having been in when it was loud) and there were a whole bunch of holidaymakers in. To be honest they were so thick that almost everything they said was hilarious. We and the regulars sitting at the bar were having difficulty trying not to laugh out loud. But it's that sort of place, everyone is welcome as long as they behave. It's people that make pubs what they are and this place has a whole bunch of characters.
15 Dec 2008 16:52
It's a Wetherspoons and not a particularly good one, so you can't get served half of the time. Upstairs is usually a bit quieter, but not much. We have left several times recently. This is a long standing issue that never seems to get resolved. Takings improve if people can get beer, therefore you can afford more staff at busy times!! This is not rocket science.
15 Dec 2008 16:40
Still the best pub in Scarborough in my humble opinion although the North Riding is making a strong bid these days. Several real ales available, always including one from Roosters. I've never had a bad pint in here and I've had a few over the years. I think the clientele is what they call an eclectic mix. Always a friendly welcome from staff and regulars alike, despite some fearsome looking piercings and tatoos in evidence. The door gets shut early at weekends, but once you're in, you're in and they serve fairly late.
15 Dec 2008 16:33
The Hole In The Wall, Scarborough
This place used to be a "must visit" on the Scarborough drinking circuit. It now appears to have fallen on hard times. The beer range is much reduced and the quality isn't as good as it used to be. Still a bit of a quirky place though with a quirky crowd to go with it. Try it, you might like ti.
15 Dec 2008 16:21
This is effectively a hotel bar, but with a load of regulars from the surrounding flats. Used to be a top place when it had it's own brewery several years ago. It's still OK, with pleasant decor and a fair range of real ales, although not as inventive as previously. They now tend to stick with larger breweries beers. I had Hobgoblin last time I called which was pretty good. Still probably the best pub on the South Cliff.
15 Dec 2008 16:17
Good range of real ales, well kept. The food is pretty good as well. This is a very small place, yet it still has live bands on. The big screen TV can be a bit obtrusive but this is due to the size of the pub. Call in the Valley as well further up Valley Road.
15 Dec 2008 16:12
This pub is certainly not an 8.4 as it's rating currently stands. Decent range of beers when I called and the Black Sheep was OK but nothing special. The crowd that were in were a bit boisterous and loud. Due to the shape of the place it's pretty difficult to get from one side to the other when even averagely busy. Lots' of better places in Scarborough.
15 Dec 2008 16:08
Not the force it used to be when Malton Ales were regularly on tap here. The Theakstons I had was very average. Definitely on a downhill slide at the moment.
15 Dec 2008 16:04
Looking at Frodsham you wouldn't think it would be a chavvy mess on a Saturday night, but it is, especially in Summer. This place tends to get them all in (and outside). Having said that the beer range and quality have been improved over the last couple of years. Not a place for the faint hearted at weekends.
15 Dec 2008 15:20
The Shrewsbury Hotel, Shrewsbury
A decent enough Wetherspoons really, but it suffers from the usual Wetherspoons problem of not enough bar staff. I've called in 4 times recently and left twice due to lack of service. When I have managed to get served the beer has been pretty good. The service issue is a problem across most Wetherspoons. Give the managers the budget to employ extra staff at their discretion Tim and you'll sell more beer !
12 Dec 2008 10:53
A bit rough and ready this place. Only Wells & Youngs Bombardier on when I called. I ordered a pint fearing the worst. I was wrong, the pint was well kept. If the pub interior was given the same TLC that the beer had been given it would be a lot better.
12 Dec 2008 10:49
One roomed pub with a couple of pool tables. Only real beer on sale was Bass which was OK. I called in on a Thursday night and it was dead. Lot's of better pubs in Shrewsbury.
12 Dec 2008 10:45
Old pub with multiple small rooms, all with a diffferent character. Low ceilings, flag floors in parts. In other words a proper Olde Worlde gem. Beer selection is OK with Banks's Bitter & Winter Ale plus Pedigree and Ringwood XXXX Porter on when I called in. Had a pint of the Winter Ale which was very good. I'll certainly call in again.
12 Dec 2008 10:43
Looks old from the outside but brand new on the inside. Had Banks's bitter and Original on handpump when I called in. Had a pint of the bitter which was fine (Banks's isn't my favourite beer anyway). The pub interior looks like it's not quite finished yet as there were still pictures waiting to be hung on the walls. Roaring fire next to the doorway and several nooks and crannies in what is in fact one large room. Not bad at all. I'll call in again in a couple of weeks.
12 Dec 2008 10:37
Large, high ceilinged barn of a pub with books bought by the yard around the walls. Not much atmoshere even with a couple of small Xmas do's on. However the beer range is excellent with 7 handpumps in use when I visited. I had a pint of Worfields Dabley bitter which was well kept. Well worth a visit for the beer.
12 Dec 2008 10:31
Oldest pub in Derby centre I think. Black & White timbered building with several small rooms. The beer quality is good and they have a decent range of beers from the national brewers and large regionals. If you want new and interesting micro brewed beers go to the Flowerpot or the Babington. If you want a well kept pint, sitting on an old settle, whilst reading your paper, then come here. I do regularly.
10 Dec 2008 14:49
This pub is no longer in the Good Beer Guide after one or more changes of landlord/tenant in the last couple of years. Beer range is much reduced as is the quality. Good place to watch football due to the big screens, but no longer worth calling in for the beer.
10 Dec 2008 14:43
Traditional local, close to the station as you would expect. I usually call in here on my way back to the hotel when staying in Derby. Always has well kept Bass served from a metal jug, usually has Cally Deuchars or XPA or both on tap. Great place to go if Derby County are playing as the landlord doesn't let any dipsticks in and you can have a quiet couple of pints talking with the sensible fans and the regulars. Peoples opinions differ about this pub and the landlord, but I like it.
10 Dec 2008 14:39
Impressive ex Bank building with an island bar. Fairly typical Wetherspoons conversion of a bank building, very similar to the Bankers Draft in Sheffield. Loads of handpumps, all with pump clips on them, almost all showing the same 3 - 4 beers. Does have a couple of guest beers on, but you have to walk all the way round the bar to find out what they are. Whilst you're finding out what beer is on, it would also be a good idea to find out where there is someone serving and stand there. I've been in this pub loads of times and have left more often than not due to problems getting served. I sometimes think it would be quicker to walk to the Babington a couple of hundred yards away, buy a pint and bring it back here!
10 Dec 2008 14:32
Old pub that is now effectively one long thin room although there are alcoves etc. Beer on tap was only Pedigree and Bombardier although the "A" board outside says it has guest ales. Had a pint of the Bombardier that was OK.. Get's rammed (pun fully intended) when Derby are at home, but ususlly quiet in midweek.
10 Dec 2008 14:20
You can start and finish a pub crawl in Derby in this pub. I usually call in on a Monday or Tuesday when they don't have much beer on, only the 12 - 15 guest ales plus their own beers from the on site micro brewery. It's a bit quiet then, but they always have a good selection of beer literature around, Derby Drinker, Nottingham Drinker etc. I never miss coming here when in Derby.
9 Dec 2008 17:03
Still doing a great range of beers. It's always nice to see a brewpub doing guest ales as well as their own. Very pleasant pub with a friendly set of regulars and needless to say, good beer. I always call in when in Derby.
9 Dec 2008 16:56
Best selection of beer in any Wetherspoons I've ever been in and it all seems to be well kept. At least I've never had to send a pint back and I've had quite a few in here. The foods not bad either for a Wetherspoons. The kitchen seem to understand that if you order a steak medium rare this is not code for "please cremate me".
9 Dec 2008 16:51
Correction. This pub has just reopened. It's now called the Blue Lounge and has been given a pretty good facelift. It has several handpumps but only Thwaites Bomber was on when we called in over the weekend. I didn't try it as I suspect they don't sell very much. They certainly didn't when it was Yates's and the quality was always dire. In theory it also has the real Czech Budweiser Budvar on draft but it wasn't available. Definitely aimed at the younger end of the market with very loud music but has a quieter lounge bit on the left just as you enter.
9 Dec 2008 15:38
Traditional pub with oak beams and a roaring fire. 2 Banks's beers plus Hobgoblin and Ringwood Old Thumper when I visited. I had a pint of the Hobgoblin which was in fine fettle. There are loads of daily newspapers available for the punters to read as well which is great. A nice little pub. I'll call in again next time I'm in Shifnal.
9 Dec 2008 15:04
This is a sticky floor Wetherspoons always with a pretty "ratted" crowd when I've visited. If you go upstairs with your drink you'll find another small seating area which is much quieter and relaxed. Beer quality is a bit variable but I've never had a really awful one in here. Nowhere near as good as the Wetherspoons just round the corner.
8 Dec 2008 16:41
The Vat and Fiddle, Nottingham
Castle Rock Brewery tap with most of their fine range on tap. A proper pub with a mixed clientele and a pub cat with the most superior attitude that I've ever come across. I had a pint of the Preservation Ale and a pint of one of the guests from Oldershaw. Both were in good nick. There's load of beer/pub literature in here as well which is great for catching up on what's going on in the area. A must visit when in Nottingham.
8 Dec 2008 16:37
The Salutation Inn, Nottingham
Always has a decent range of real ale on and I've never had a bad pint in here. Last time I called the landlord was polishing his helmet at the bar. I kid you not! Attracts bikers and rockers which is fine by me as it means decent music. CAMRA members get 20p per pint of with their CAMRA membership card as well.
8 Dec 2008 16:23
A traditional style pub owned by Tynemill. The pint of Sheriffs Tipple I had was well kept but the beer wasn't really to my taste. It's always been fairly quiet when I've been in, even on a Saturday. This may be because it's a little bit out of the way. Worth finding.
8 Dec 2008 16:18
The Company Inn is one of the better Lloyds No 1's I've been in. Has a better choice of the real stuff than most. It's still quite smartly done out as well. Had a pint of the Nottingham bitter which was pretty good. I tend to be in Nottigham in midweek and this place is always reasonably busy. I have always got served pretty easily as well, which is a new experience for a Wetherspoons.
8 Dec 2008 16:14
Very small square pub that is very food oriented. It's a Tynemill pub so mainly Castle Rock beers. I had a pint of the Elsie Mo and a plateful of sausage and mash. Both were very good. It's well hidden away but worth finding. Not very pubby but it's still good.
8 Dec 2008 16:06
Fellows Morton & Clayton Ltd, Nottingham
Very pleasant pub, right next door to the Canalhouse, so great for a pub crawl when it's wet. Had a pint of the Mallard which was pretty good. Pub supplied daily papers for the customers as well which is a nice touch. Well worth a visit.
8 Dec 2008 16:01
Tynemill pub, so mainly Castle Rock beers. Great location and the unique feature of the canal inside the pub. The 2 beers I had were well kept and the bar staff were very friendly. Tynemill run a promotion called "one over the eight". you collect 8 stickers, one with each pint, over as many days/weeks/months as required and then get the ninth free. Unusually, the promotional beer in here was a lager, I've never seen that before. The quiz machine is of pensionable age, but that is true of several Tynemill pubs in Nottingham e.g. Vat & Fiddle, Newshouse. A great little pub chain though.
8 Dec 2008 15:52
Unusual to find real ale in a pub like this, relatively young clientele with a live band on. Had a pint of Mallard Bitter which was good. The band weren't bad either, but I can't remember their name, sorry.
8 Dec 2008 15:43
Nice little pub surrounded by other historic buildings on Wyle Cop. The beer range wasn't too inventive when I visited, mainly the Greene King range. I had a pint of the guest beer Black Sheep Bitter, which was very good. Well worth a visit though.
5 Dec 2008 10:28
This place is really a wine bar with lots of real ale. Bright red walls and comfortable leather sofas. Not really my sort of place when I'm on my own but when I'm out with the other half it's a very good compromise. I get good beer and she gets good wine. 10p per pint off for CAMRA members as well.
5 Dec 2008 10:23
Proper locals pub with several handpumps. 4 were in action when I visited, sadly none of them from the onsite brewery. Had a pint of Wye Valley Brew 69, this was well kept but on reflection was a little strong for a first pint. Pub also has a quiz machine.
5 Dec 2008 10:17
Closed and boarded on 29th November with a To Let/For Sale sign outside.
4 Dec 2008 16:08
Corbieres Wine Cavern, Manchester
Manchester's finest subterranean drinking den? It certainly is. The Bazen's Pacific is always on good form. Good selection of wines for the other half. A great jukebox AND a pinball machine. I only wish the other handpump was in use more often though.
4 Dec 2008 16:00
B Lounge @ The Bridge, Deansgate
This pub is part of a chain of only 2 pubs, both in Manchester, the other is the Brunswick, hence the name. Sells Theakston Best and Old Peculiar plus Thwaites Bomber. The beer is usually OK but not first rate. We call in here because it's a comfortable pub and the other half likes the wine. If you apply for a free B Lounge card you get 10% off at both pubs.
4 Dec 2008 15:52
This pub is now called the B Lounge it's a chain of only 2 pubs, both in Manchester, the other is the Brunswick, hence the name. Sells Theakston Best and Old Peculiar plus Thwaites Bomber. The beer is usually OK but not first rate. We call in here because it's a comfortable pub and the other half likes the wine. If you apply for a free B Lounge card you get 10% off at both pubs.
4 Dec 2008 15:51
Pretty dire even for a Wetherspoons. Whoever is supposed to clear the tables needs a rocket. Almost every one was dirty and it was only around 7.30. The main cask ale on several handpumps was apparently "coming soon" which is hopeless for a Saturday night. Having said that the one pint I did have was OK.
3 Dec 2008 15:36
I wasn't aware of this pub until it earned an entry in the 2009 Good Beer Guide, so I had to go and try it. It's a back street locals pub with a couple of guest beers on. The pint I had was in very good nick. It was a Saturday lunchtime and a whole bunch of locals were playing the unusual bagatelle game and enjoying a whole load of banter as well. A proper local, I'll call back again.
3 Dec 2008 15:31
Good choice of real ales and a great view over the canal moorings. It's a bit out on a limb though. We usually go there for a late lunch, so I cannot comment about night time. Ususally call in for one whenever I'm in Chester though.
3 Dec 2008 15:23
Great range of beers but is definitely a hotel bar rather than a pub. Still call in whenever I'm in Chester though as the beer has always been in good nick.
3 Dec 2008 15:16
Up market pub with a great range of beers. Don't expect it to be cheap though. Food is OK but it's mainly bought in from Brakes/3665/other and it shows at times. Selection of beers is ever changing and I have never been served a bad pint on any of my several visits. Handy for the top class Siam restaurant (Terriyaki or Thai) as well as it's above the pub but with a separate entrance.
3 Dec 2008 15:12
Great little pub away from the main drag so the dipsticks don't go here on a Friday/Saturday. Roast Beef baguettes are brilliant. Usually has 4 or 5 real ales on tap. Usually an Okells beer and one from Spitting Feathers plus changing guests. The upstairs lounge area is very comfortable with leather sofas etc. Don't miss it when in Chester.
3 Dec 2008 14:44
Very friendly old style pub with darts & the unusual "ring the bull game" 3 or 4 Hydes beers plus usually a guest. Joe & Anne certainly know how to keep a good local running in top gear.
3 Dec 2008 14:33
The Tap and Spile, Wolverhampton
I walked into the pub and everyone turned to look at me. The League of Gentlemen sprung to mind. There were 4 cask beers on, I tried Ludlow Boiling Well, this wasn't really to my taste but there was nothing wrong with the way it was kept. The pub could do with a general spruce up but overall I liked it.
2 Dec 2008 15:58
Nice little town centre local with several cask ales on tap. I had a pint of the Fyne Gold. I'd forgotten my CAMRA membership card so no discount for me. The beer was well kept though. Well worth a visit.
2 Dec 2008 15:51
Moon Under Water, Wolverhampton
Typical Wetherspoons except that I could get served quickly. A good selection of beers. I tried the Sadlers Mud City Stout and the Beowulf Hurricane which were on good form whilst chomping on a mixed grill. I had intended eating in the Chinese Buffet on School Street but they informed me that they were now doing their Xmas banquet. Same food �3 more expensive on Dec 1st!! Sadly there was one dipstick in here who claimed he wanted a fight with anyone. He didn't get it happily. Pretty good for a Wetherspoons.
2 Dec 2008 15:48
This is probably the best of the new style Hogs Head's that I have ever been in. A typical one roomed chain bar but a great selection of cask ales. I tried the Enville Ginger Ale which was very well kept. I'll be back next time I'm in Wolverhampton.
2 Dec 2008 15:42
Goose In The City, Wolverhampton
Large barn in typical Goose style. 6 handpumps but only 3 beers on, none of them very exciting. Had a pint of Bombardier, it was OK.
2 Dec 2008 15:38
Great range of beers (8 handpulls) and the 2 I had, Brown Cow Benedicts Pale and Vale Gravitas were both in excellent condition. Very friendly place with lots of banter going on between the locals. I like this place. I'll be back soon.
1 Dec 2008 15:33
Final stop of my Thursday Oakengates mini crawl. Decent range of beers but not as many as The Station across the road. Had a pint of the Falstaff Micky The Idiot. It was OK not one of the Folly's best. I spent quite a bit of time drinking Folly ales when I worked in Derby. The pub was very quiet although it looked as though some live entertainment was due on later.
1 Dec 2008 15:28
Called in early on a Thursday evening recently. Very quiet as it was about 5.30. They had 4 cask beers on. Two from Worfield and 2 from Black Country. I had a Worfield Coalport Dodger mild and very nice it was too. Needs a bit of a spruce up but overall it was pretty decent.
1 Dec 2008 15:22
Pub is now called Last Orders and is part of a chain. Not the same at all.
24 Nov 2008 16:57
This pub no longer exists, it's been knocked down and flats built on the site.
24 Nov 2008 16:55
Large food based pub facing Telford's main Police station. They do a carvery for �3.99 midweek. I haven't tried the food but at �3.99, how can you get stung!!! The only real ale on was Pedigree which was passable. I can't remember how long quiz machines have been in pubs but the one in here was last upgraded in Roman times.
24 Nov 2008 16:41
Large Beefeater pub next to Telford Central station. Looks like it concentrates mainly on food but did have Banks's Bitter on handpull when I visited which was a decent pint if not very exciting. Worth calling in if your train gets delayed by 25 minutes!!
24 Nov 2008 16:36
I'm not exactly sure what this place is trying to be, but it certainly seems to be working judging by the number of people who were in when I visited. It sells a good selection of real ale but seems to be aimed more at the food and wine set. The Three Tuns XXX was on good form as well.
24 Nov 2008 16:28
I travel the country with work and I've been in a lot worse Wetherspoons than this. OK it's small and packed and a VERY mixed clientele but where else are the locals likely to go in central Telford? Both the beers I tried Everards Equinox and Highwood Jolly Ploughman were well kept AND I managed to win �5.50 on the quiz machine so not a bad visit all round.
24 Nov 2008 16:19
Very friendly locals pub. Had two beers on called Anvil Best Bitter and Anvil Ridgeway. They're either brewed for the pub or rebadged, but the landlord wouldn't tell me which brewery brews them. No matter they were both in good condition. I only called in for one but ended up having a second. I'll be calling in again now I'm working in the area.
24 Nov 2008 16:04
The Baum, Rochdale
Now taken over by the team that have the Flying Horse in the town centre. A long way to go, but it's definitely on its way back up again.
2 Mar 2019 14:58