BITE user comments - SpursDiver
Comments by SpursDiver
Friendly "proper pub" with decent ales & capable, pleasant staff. I haven't eaten there but the food looks good. Big screen for screening sport on TV. If I could walk there I would visit it regularly
17 Aug 2013 21:17
As a "neutral" in what seems to be a lively debate - to say the least - here is my impression of The Ale House. I never had a problem with the beer & enjoyed various real ales there. The food seemed good, although a bit expensive for a town pub. It was rarely busy except for during televised rugby matches, but the atmosphere & decor was fine. My reason for not going there any longer is that I don't get on with the licensee, who is not everyone's cup of tea
17 Aug 2013 20:59
This is not really a drinkers' pub, although the real ale is good (the place is run by the ex-landlord of the late lamented Gardeners Arms in Taunton), but like a bistro or wine bar. The food is very good, the service excellent and the atmosphere civilised. It's a friendly place & ideal for family groups or similar
17 Aug 2013 20:49
The Bird in Hand, Bishop's Lydeard
This pub is about 5 miles from my home & was advertising (outside the pub & online) a quiz jackpot prize of �892. So I raised a team of friends & we got a taxi there, only to be met with as hostile a "welcome" as any I can remember. As we approached the bar the landlord said it was a pity people only came in when there was a big prize, then walked away from us
The locals (most of them) were equally unfriendly & commented about us repeatedly. In fact the quiz was a bit of a shambles but we were shocked by the generally unpleasant atmosphere. We almost left early
The premises of the pub are pleasant and the beer was fine, but I won't be going back. The pub is apparently also trying to lose its skittles team (who aren't locals either)
Not a good night
25 Aug 2012 00:42
Now a Tesco Express - a tragedy for everyone who liked the place!
4 Jun 2012 20:06
Previous snotty reviews leave me bemused. The Grove is a proper town/locals pub so not a wine bar or bistro, but the atmosphere is fine & the beers always excellent (recent 5/5 from Cask Marque). I've been on Cotleigh Jubilee & Worthington Red Shield recently. One of the best 3 or 4 pubs in Taunton. The food is good & the Wednesday quiz night extremely popular. I'm not big on music & comedy myself but that's available too
I've been drinking here for 5 years or so - and first got involved with CAMRA in the late 1970s - so feel I'm qualified to comment. Ignore the passing nay-sayers & give it a try
First class fee wi-fi too, if that matters to you (it does to me)
4 Jun 2012 20:03
North Taunton pub with a bad reputation, but now in new ownership & under new management. Promising start with Sky sports, pleasant staff & good atmosphere. Food due to resume in late October 2011. It has inherited most of the custom (and the landlord) from The Gardeners Arms, bought out by Tesco Express
Further review to follow
4 Oct 2011 22:41
North Taunton pub with a bad reputation, but now in new ownership & under new management. Promising start with Sky sports, pleasant staff & good atmosphere. Food due to resume in late October 2011. It has inherited most of the custom (and the landlord) from The Gardeners Arms, bought out by Tesco Express
Further review to follow
4 Oct 2011 22:40
The Kings Arms, Taunton
Ignore the old reviews
This is a proper, well-run, civilised town pub offering good beers (inc 2 or 3 real ales) & decent well-priced food. Sky Sports and (most of) BT Sport shown on several screens - 3 channels can be shown at once. Excellent wi-fi
Bands on most Saturdays. 2 skittle alleys and a beer garden at the back. Carpark outside
No bad behaviour is accepted but it's a lively enough atmosphere with plenty of banter, depending on where you choose to sit/stand. The staff are hard-working & very friendly
Who could ask for more? Not me!
23 Sep 2015 17:57