BITE user comments - The_Inspector
Comments by The_Inspector
I made this place my "local" during a visit to London last weekend. I found the staff to be very efficient and I never waited long to get served a drink at the bar, even on a busy Sunday afternoon when food takes priority. (something other London pubs should take note of). The pints of Ruddles went down very nicely and they were perfect. The ale here retained its head throughout and held its flavour from the first sup of the pint till the last. Probably the best I've had in London. Bit pricey at �3.50, but worth it. I'd rather spend a bit more to get a decent pint than pay sod all for some of the muck they serve elsewhere.
I didn't eat here as I was meeting up with friends further afield for dinner. A decision I now regret as the menu was imaginative and the food served up to those seated near me looked fabulous. And they certainly didn't leave the place hungry. I made a mental note to make the Stags my first port of call on my next visit to London for a bite to eat. Again, the menu is a little bit pricey, but not excessive. In fact, given the location (across the road from the Imperial War Museum) the price is quite reasonable. You'd pay a lot more a five minute walk up the road near Westminster Bridge. You could eat for less by walking five minutes in the other direction (heading out of town), but don't expect the same quality and service.
I found "The Three Stags" to be an excellent pub and evidently well run. The staff seemed to take pride in their work and despite being busy, the place was always spotless, including the toilets (which many pubs neglect).
Ample seating outside for smokers if you can put up with the constant noise of sirens from police cars joyriding around South London. (You'll get used to it).
I'll give "The Three Stags" 8 out 10. A point lost for the poor selection of ales on offer when I was there. (3 pumps, but only 2 available at any one time).
I recommend this pub to anyone visiting London and look forward to returning there myself.
3 Sep 2010 05:22
Nothing wrong with this pub if you have orange blood running through your UVF veins and you're loyal to the crown and Glasgow Rangers.
I don't no who was more nervous. Me, for having the nerve to set foot in the place as twenty pairs of eyes sussed out that I'm from south of the border.
Or the barman who had the look of someone knowing a good kicking was coming his way for serving me. I finished my pint quickly and got the hell out of there. There are some parts of Belfast where the peace process means nothing.
My Lady's Inn is one of them. I hope the locals didn't go too hard on the barman.
10 Jun 2010 02:26
I visited Leicester for the first time on Thursday and was surprised to find a lack of pubs in the centre of town serving real ale. Maybe I didn't look in the right places and ended up settling for a pint of Guinness in "The Market Tavern" which I couldn't finish. Later in the evening I found "The High Cross". Normally I don't seek out spoons pubs as they lack something in character and the staff are usually robotic and soulless. However, this pub is something of an exception. The service was efficient and overall the staff (and other customers) were friendly. It happened to be curry club night when I dropped in and I enjoyed a generous serving of lamb rogan josh and a pint of Ruddles ale in comfortable surroundings for �4.99. The High Cross is a clean well run pub but there is nothing about the place that would make me rush back. It lacks charisma and feels like it is missing a few heartbeats in terms of atmosphere. I'll give it 6.
5 Dec 2009 02:32
Ryans Of Parkgate Street, Dublin
If you ever have time to kill before getting a train to Galway I can recommend Ryans of Parkgate street. Its less than a five minute walk across the river from Heuston Station and is a relaxing place to enjoy a pint and a bite to eat away from the hussle & bussle of Heuston. If you are visiting Dublin as a tourist its a good spot to rendevouz before and after a walk in The Phoenix Park.
But enjoy it while it lasts.
There is a huge new branch of the law courts being built nearby as the famous Fourcourts further up the Liffey are bursting at the seams. So I reckon Ryans looks set to become a watering hole and lunchtime haunt of barristers, solicitors, etc.
Good news for the pub, but maybe not for those who come here to escape the noise.
The nearest Luas tram stop is Heuston (Red Line).
23 Sep 2009 02:50
Did the tour last month. �15 now.
On the 5th floor there is a bar where you can pour your own Guinness, with the help of a Filipino girl who uses scripted instructions to guide you through the process. Although she was pleasant I would have thought that a true Dublin barman with a local wit and sense of humour would have provided a more genuine experience. I did enjoy the pint I poured for myself.
Two floors up in the Gravity Bar I was taken by the views and saw a city I now quite well in a different light. But I have to disagree with some of the posts below. The Guinness here was ok, but far from the best I've ever drank. Again there were no local barstaff serving behind the bar. I found this disappointing, not because I have anything against foreigners doing a good job, but surely in Dublin's busiest tourist attraction those of us who pay admission to the place can expect to meet some of the people who's city made Guinness the institution it is today. Would anyone visiting the Tower of London be impressed to meet Beefeaters with Italian, German, or Latvian accents.
As for the tour of the storehouse, I wouldn't put anyone off seeing it. It is a good 21st century museum with audiovisual displays housed in a beautiful early steel framed building. (The first of its kind in Europe).
While I'm here, tomorrow is Arthur Day, when Guinness celebrates it's 250th birthday around the world.
I'll no doubt raise a glass somewhere at a minute to 6. (17.59).
Happy Birthday Guinness.
Slainte !
23 Sep 2009 01:27
I always thought "The Approach" was a yuppie wine bar until i called in the other day to use the "facilities".
I often stood outside in Friar Lane waiting for a bus to the airport when I could have supping ale in here.
I'll know better next time !
11 Apr 2009 04:23
The Salutation Inn, Nottingham
I did say I'd be back.
Made time for two pints on this occasion.
I Think something called "Old Moor Porter" was one of them.
Twas bloody good whatever it was called.
My other pint was a local brew called "Rock".
Locals might mock it, but if I could bring a keg of the stuff on the Ryanair back to Galway, I would.
You can't get real ale here. (Rant for another day).
"The Salutation" is quite possibly the best pub in Nottingham'
I haven't been in them all, (Yet).
Some of the barmen look the illegitimate sons of Ozzy Osbourne but they are damn good at their job.
I'll be back.
(Again)
11 Apr 2009 04:05
This is possibly the cleanest pub I've ever been in. It is spotless.
Whoever keeps the place clean deserves a pay increase.
This pub is situated around the corner from the University, so I'm not sure why it is such a shock to other reviewers on this site who happen to find students drinking here.
I love the artwork on the walls.
I only had time for one quick pint here and I can't remember what it was. But it was nice.
One quibble -
The barman seemed incapable of serving more than one customer at a time. I queued for almost 5 minutes to order one drink, there were only four of us in the queue and two people in front of me were only paying for food. The pub wasn't busy at the time.
Quibbles aside, I will tell anyone to drop in here when they visit Nottingham.
Good pub, good beer.
Did the place undergo a refurb lately ?
It's so clean !
11 Apr 2009 03:22
The Hole in the Wall, Nottingham
I've been to Nottingham a few times and a friend here in the West of Ireland always suggests a visit to "The Hole In The Wall".
So I made the trek up Sherwood Road around lunchtime on Wednesday to suss the place out.
It was closed.
The signs on the door said It opened at 12 noon, but the door was shut the other day at 12.45.
The place did look nice, from the outside
11 Apr 2009 02:32
Yet another pub in Nottingham that claims to be the oldest inn in England. Why?
Who really gives a toss how old a pub is ?
The Bell inn looks small from the outside, but once you cross the threshold there are various bars all over the place.
A narrow hallway leads you to the main bar where most of the action takes place.
I just happened to bump into 2 people i knew there.
He was eating a something that looked like steak wrapped up in Yorkshire Pudding with lots of chips and green stuff. It looked nice.
Unfortunately, I treated myself to a wholesome portion of fish & chips in Nottingham Racecourse an hour earlier so I wasn't hungry. (Had 3 winners though).
She was drinking mineral water, so I have no comment to make here.
I invested some of my winnings in a pint of "Rock".
No complaints.
I'm looking forward to going back to The Bell to try one of the smaller bars nearer the door.
11 Apr 2009 01:50
Handy place for a pint before catching a train or bus from the station across the street. The food is good and reasonably priced. Much nicer than the bar in the station but that wouldn't be difficult.
12 Mar 2009 18:55
Guinness at �3.75 seems a bit on the steep side right enough. Haven't been here for a couple of years.
Do they still hike up the prices on match days ?
The Patch was my meeting place to pick up match tickets when I lived in London.
I usually stayed for one or two swift ones but always wanted to get out of the place as soon as possible. Overcrowded and over rated.
Often called in on quieter evenings when London Irish played their home games in The Stoop. (Before Quins got jealous of London Irish's success and threw them out)! That was about 10 years ago so it's too far back to comment on the pub now.
16 Feb 2009 15:23
Thomas Reads Bar 2, Dublin Airport
Bland airport bar with views of the bus stops outside.
The old Skyview Bar upstairs with its views overlooking the runways was much nicer. Alas that's been turned into a buffet restaurant.
16 Feb 2009 14:33
Taaffes is the city HQ for Connemara heads and Aran Islanders who drink soup here in the afternoons and porter in the evenings while talking irish to each other. The locals come and go about their business oblivious to the spontaneous Trad music sessions that the tourists come in to see. It is a nice place to while away a few hours with friends in the early evening but it can fill up later on and get quiet crowded. So much so that those sitting near the front door may quicker nipping across the street to McDonald's to use the loo rather than making their way through crowds to get to the toilets at the back of the pub! Taaffes is always worth a visit.
30 Jan 2009 22:28
The best pub in Galway. The recent addition of an outdoor bar in the garden is a nice touch. It can get a bit crowded, especially for Connacht Rugby home games but no visit to Galway would be complete without a visit to O'Connells. The tiled floor and ornate ceiling are a throwback to a more oppulent era, and while the gents toilets are indeed a bit small and "rustic", but they are clean. The barstaff are excellent and the beer is always top notch. Look out for photographs of Ernie (from Sesamie Street) on a World tour, they're guaranteed to make you laugh.
8 Jan 2009 02:34
Nottinghan Forest Pub. Sorry Eamonn but I couldn't resist that. In all fairness anyone who has thick skin and is not afraid to have the piss taken out of them should drop in here for a slagging. This is a great place to watch a soccer match if Paddy Cox lets you in. (Just slip him a fiver and kiss him on the cheek). He llikes that sort of thing. Get Paul Hick behind the bar to tell the story of the Ballinasloe Soccer Club trip to London in 1986. Priceless. If you support Leicester City and have a shirt to prove it, call in. You'll probably get your photo taken as proof that such fans still exist, Good pub. Full of headers.
28 Nov 2008 05:31
The Salutation Inn, Nottingham
Had a nice pint of something here last Wednesday but I can't remember what it was. Milestone rings a bell - 5%. Music was a bit loud but at least it was good music. Would have liked to stay longer but didn't have time. Good barman too. As The Guvnor of California might say - I'll be back.
9 Nov 2008 04:25
I hate Athlone. Fine town it may well be, with a big river named after an airport running through it !!! But Its my duty to hate Athlone because I grew up in the town down the N6 and "friendly" local rivalry was an essential part of my upbringing. Athlone has shopping malls, A castle, lots of factories, loads of hotels, more shopping malls, a shop in the train station where you can buy Malteeeezers and Sean's Bar. Down the N6 in Ballinasloe we have hospitals, the oldest horse fair in Europe and .... erm eh? Here's the deal - You give me Sean's bar and I'll give you one of our hospitals. The one with all the Athlone people in it. Its nearer. You've already nicked our rugby team. Fair is fair. Speaking of the fair - I'll throw that in too. Sean's Bar in Athlone is no more the oldest pub in Ireland than the cat on its windowsill. There has been a drinking den on this location for centuries but it wasn't trading under its current name for all that time. Cromwell would have sorted that out. Who cares? It ranks amongst the best pubs in Ireland and is a must see on your way to Ballinasloe. By the way - The N6 will soon be replaced by a new motorway called (wait for it) M6. And I still hate Athlone.
1 Nov 2008 07:36
The best thing about this pub is the door out. The flies must have a taste for bad beer. If you must come to this place, bring a sickbag, some air freshener and a few spiders with you.
1 Nov 2008 04:57
I like this pub. It may be a tad overpriced but it is the Prime Ministers local after all. Although I've never bumped into Gordon Brown here, or Blair or Major or Thatcher either. Although I did see John Prescott here once or twice (surprise surprise). Lots of senior civil servants and MP's leave the barstaff with many a good story to tell which makes the place worth a visit. RogerB describes the place perfectely.
31 Oct 2008 17:29
Excellent food served upstairs with nice views out the window of the Royal Bank of Scotland. It does get very busy on rugby weekends but then, so does everywhere else in Edinburgh. The beer was perfect and the staff were friendly and efficient. Given its location in the heart of the Royal Mile, it does get lots of tourists but then - if you're not a local what are you? Yes - Tourist.
31 Oct 2008 16:49
The Prince of Wales, Burnt Oak
Shame to hear that The Prince is closed. Paraic and Margret ran a great pub. The Guinness was always perfect. Anyone know where they are now? Poured many a pint for myself here in the small hours. Where are the regulars drinking now (especially big Phil)? Hardly The Broadway or whatever its called now. Is Pat Nolan still on the scene? I know I'm asking lots of questions but I'd love to hook up with them for a pint again.
31 Oct 2008 16:05
The Bald Faced Stag, Burnt Oak
I used to do my weekly shopping in The Stag when I lived in Burnt Oak. There was a chap there (we'll call him Jim the gent for legal reasons) who would take your shopping list and nip nextdoor to Tesco to "obtain" what you wanted while you sat back and enjoyed a pint. After about twenty minutes, Jim would return with four bags full of shopping. You then handed him a tenner and bought him a beer but never questioned him on how the shopping bill was so cheap and certainly never mentioned receipts. One day a girl sent him out to get some hairspray and shampoo (because she's worth it) and a few minutes later we saw police cars pulling up outside the shop. Jim didn't return to The Stag with the L'Oreal for a long time. (3 months on this occasion i think). The Bald Faced Stag had a bit of a reputation when I lived around here but that was often stirred up by the local bullshitters who never drank there. True, it has seen the odd battle but if you made the effort to get to know some of the regulars, you would never get any hassle in Burnt Oak. Gerry and Lyn always made you feel welcome. I haven't been there since the refurb but I hope the piano is still there. One quibble - it was primarily a lager pub and the Guinness and beer was muck. Although this applies to most pubs in the Burnt Oak / Edgware area. Places serving real ale are few and far between in this corner of London. < INTERESTING FACT> The first ever Tesco shop opened in Burnt Oak just up the road from The Stag and as we all know, it is now the biggest supermarket chain in Britain. So leave Jim the Gent alone !
31 Oct 2008 15:00
The Argyll Arms, Oxford Circus
This is a beautiful cosy little pub in the middle of the hellhole better known as Oxford St. I love all the little snugs and any attempt to remove them would be sinful. It can get a bit packed but there is an open floor area to the rear of the pub where it can be easier to find seats. I didn't venture upstairs as I got the impression that it was a dining only area and I wasn't hungry - just thirsty. It was was the large blackboard outside the front door with big lettering advertising "FULLERS LONDON PRIDE �2.50" that lured me in here to quench that thirst, so it was a bit annoying to be told then at the bar that "the Pride is off today". On tap were Bombardier and Landlord Ale and both were fine. There was also a guest ale but I didn't have time to try it. What lets this pub down is the service. The staff looked as though they didn't want to be there and didn't seem to care if the customers wanted to be there either. They weren't rude - just nonchalant. Perhaps, with one of the Worlds busiest shopping streets on your doorstep you are always guaranteed a passing trade so who cares if customers want to return or not. Pity because The Argyll has the potential to sell itself as one of the friendliest pubs in the West End and it doesn't have to cost a penny. 10 out of 10 for beer (when available) and decor. Null points for service so I'll give it a 5.
28 Oct 2008 13:38
I was having a lovely pint of Mordue here on the evening the news broke that Kevin Keegan was to be reappointed as manager across the road at St. James' Park (16/01/08). Within minutes the place started to fill up as excited members of the Toon Army began arriving at the ground to celebrate. In less than an hour the pub was wedged and I went outside to where thousands of fans had gathered in high spirits to welcome home a true local legend. I got the impression if God exists in Newcastle, His name is Keegan. Some of the optimism must have rubbed off on me. As I left the area to get a Metro back to the airport, I genuinely hoped things would improve at Newcastle United. Earlier this month I was back in Tyneside. Keegan is gone. Newcastle are struggling around the bottom of the table. I returned to the Strawberry. One of the locals told me the fans are boycotting the clubs official merchandise shop and bar across the road. Things are looking bad, I still hope they improve. Nine months is a long time in football. I ordered a pint of Mordue. It is still lovely. Fortunately some things don't change.
28 Oct 2008 12:46
Best Barstaff in The UK. Great selection of good beers. Probably the best pub I've been to in a long time. Take a bow. 10 out of 10. I cant wait to return.
21 Oct 2008 21:17
The Albany, Great Portland Street
Surprisingly quiet when I dropped in here to meet a friend on Sunday evening. Only about half a dozen customers in the place which didn't do much for the atmosphere. Nice pint of Spitfire though and they tasted even better when the landlord sent us over 2 pints on the house! Thank you sir! I didn't find the place grubby at all, and was actually impressed at how tidy the bar is. Amy, the barmaid is a gem.
21 Oct 2008 18:47
R.E.anonymous - 29 Dec 2006. Its been 3 years since An Ta�n expanded and as far as I can see, the old bar downstairs hasn't changed a bit. I can't see where the extension has "taken away from the craic agus ceol". The Wednesday night trad sessions are as popular now as they have ever been. I still find the place nice and warm for a pint after work and I don't understand what you mean when you say the staff are at a loss. I agree when you say its the little things that count but you won't find much lacking here. The staff in An Ta�n go out of their way to look after their customers. You say that the extension to An Ta�n may "also be the downfall after the first burst wears off". Over 3 years on and no sign of any downfall yet.
1 Sep 2008 18:54
O'Reillys, is a handy place to meet up if you are on a night out in Brussels being right in the heart of town and easy to get to with Bourse tube station just outside the door. There are enough big screens here to keep any sports fan happy. Try and get a seat out on the balcony if you're having a meal here. Its a nice place to watch the World go by below and overlooks the impressive Bourse (stock exchange)building across the street. I was here on the evening Spain beat Sweden to top their group in Euro 2008 and after the match hundreds of flag waving Spaniards converged on the steps of the Bourse opposite while a similar number drove up and down the street below in a noisy motorcade of fans leaning out of car windows and sunroofs. It was an incredible atmosphere and although the celebrations had nothing to do with the pub, O'Reillys, was the perfect location to witness it. A pint of Guinness was �5 and it was pretty good, a pint of Hoegaarten cost about the same and it was faultless. The staff are good and table service cuts out the queue at the bar. Irish theme pubs in Europe are not my favourite places. I normally adapt a "when in Rome" attitude and prefer to sample local brews where locals drink. But the Irish and British style pubs do serve as handy focal points and places to meet in most cities before going further afield. In Brussels, O'Reillys, fits the bill. A good well run pub.
24 Jun 2008 21:28
Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, Nottingham
Dating from 1189 this is one of the many pubs claiming to be the oldest in England. Nothing unusual there. It can however, with confidence claim to be one of the most unusual pubs in England. Set into the side of Castle Rock the interior appears to be dug from the side of the hill supporting the castle high above. It is full of caves and little nooks and crannies and makes for a cosy spot to enfoy a drink. There is also an outdoor seating area and a well lit dining area downstairs. It could be described as a tourist trap, but not being a local myself I must admit to being one of those that got trapped. I'm not complaining. It would be a shame to visit Nottingham without calling to "The Trip" for a beer. I had a pint of Ledgend Ale and it was faultless. When I visited (Wednesday / lunchtime) the upstairs area was catering for a group of 60 diners from the continent. The staff seemed a little overwhelmed by this volume of people and locals arriving for lunch were told to expect a half hour delay. I found this a bit strange for a pub that regularly attracts visiting groups. The toilets in the courtyard date closer to 1989 than 1189 and were spotless. The staff were friendly and the unique setting of this pub makes it well worth the trip !
7 Apr 2008 14:48
This is one of the better pubs around Harrow. It is clean, well run and the beer is excellent. I always found the staff to be friendly. It has a strong core of regulars, many of whom also use The Castle up on the hill. There are lots of pubs in the town centre that could learn a thing or two from The Kingsfield.
28 Dec 2007 02:20
The Castle, Harrow On The Hill
This was my favourite pub when I lived in Harrow and one of my favourite in all of London thanks to its gem of a garden. I lived a 10 minute walk away and made it my local despite the bitch of a walk up the hill. True to say that compared to the all crap pubs in Harrow town centre any pub in the area would look good but The Castle is miles ahead of the rest. Thank God it doesn't suit "the more sophisticated younger drinker" (Harrowboy 08 Aug 2005). Reading through all the comments below it is noticable that most of them are generally favourable from the first one in Dec 2002 up to a period around March 2004. Then with one or two exceptions it seems to attract more harsh critisism until June 2006 whereupon the more positive comments begin to dominate once again and I'm glad to say, they have continued to do since. It's 5 years since I lived in Harrow so I cannot explain the reason for the apperent 2 year lull in the Castle's reputation. But, having visited the pub last month with some friends for the first time since I moved, I was glad to discover it was just as good as ever and we had a great night. One final word about the clientele. I remember enjoying a pint of pride with the same friends in the garden here about 10 years ago when one of them nodded towards an adjacent table and asked me if I recognised anyone. I did. It was the late Richard Harris albeit drinkng what looked like orange juice. But given his illustrious past surely he knew a good pub when he saw one and The Castle was then, and still is, a good pub.
28 Dec 2007 01:14
This is a country pub on a quiet lane between Harrow and Watford with a huge beer garden offering fine views over north west London. Its family friendly atmosphere and kiddies play area in the garden make it an ideal place for Sunday lunch during the Summer months for those with young children. I often came up here with the girlfriend and kids and we never had any problem with the food. The menu was impressive and the specials board was always imaginative. The staff were always friendly. The service could be slow however and getting a drink at the bar was torture. You had to join a lenghtly queue while a lone bartender served one drink at a time to one customer at a time. My idea of a good barman is one who can serve at least four customers a different round of drinks at the same time. (Visit any pub in Galway or Dublin City Centre on a weekend night to see how its done). Such a shortage of staff in a pub with the potential for a large volume of customers is baffling and I believe this is reflected in some of the negative comments posted below regarding service. Maybe Barlady's post reveals more. If budget restrictions from head office result in poor service in a pub with such good prospects then something is obviously wrong with method of budget allocations. As Barlady says The Case Is Altered is busy in Summer and quiet in winter, so a seasonally adjusted budget is an obvious suggestion. I suggest the manager invite the bean counters down from HQ to come and work behind the bar on a busy Sunday afternoon. Finally well done to Barlady for your handling of those customers on 09,July,05. Nobody working in a pub deserves abuse like that.
27 Dec 2007 23:20
Whats your opening bid there Spotcheck ? Those pool tables must be worth a bob or two for their antique value alone. Let me know when you do buy the place. It will take a lot more than Martin Egan and his Mr. Muscle to clean this place up. I was here a couple of weeks back and it hasn't changed much in seven odd years since I was in it last - just a bit grubbier. Good pint though.
8 Dec 2007 23:16
The Shepherd and Flock, Shepherds Bush
You cannot seriously be talking about the same pub here algis100. What do you mean there is no decor? The "Flock" is a little gem of a pub and very cosy and tasteful the decor is too. The beer here (especially the Guinness) is excellent and the staff are spot on. It's my favourite pub in Shepherd's Bush and one of the nicest in London.
8 Dec 2007 22:44
Closing time in pubs in Ireland is 23.30 from Monday to Thursday. However I've yet to find any pub in Ireland that actually pulled the plug at this time. The vast majority of pubs will continue to serve until at least Midnight, it's like an unspoken rule that suits all parties. Unlike London where closing time is eleven o clock upon which a bell gets hammered and the barstaff inform you you that you legally have 20 minutes to drink up before the tills are whipped away in case someone has the cheek to request a packet of crisps. Despite being the most money driven country in Europe, Ireland still prides itself in being able to enjoy a pint at 1 o clock in the morning, (Take note, It is frowned upon to enter a pub in Ireland after 23.30). This post was supposed to be about The Abbey pub in Trelee but I've taken up enough space with my rant about closing times.
I will do The Abbey tommorrow.
Tralee is a great town
7 Sep 2006 08:04
Any more shock announcements Gill_Scott....?
Good luck to the new management.
I heard rumours about the take over that I won't reveal on this site.
If you want to make money in Monroes, read my comments below and take note. Furthermore. The place is a goldmine if you get good staff and look after them. This is something the Monroes could never achive.
7 Sep 2006 06:25
How to die in 5 easy steps _
1. Walk into the Linfield Bar wearing a Glasgow Celtic jersey.
2. Ask the barman to check the hurling and gaelic football results on ceefax.
3. Propose a toast to the Queen (in the Irish language)
4. Then announce that you would acually like to toast the Queen, (literally).
5. Count to 10 and run.
If you make it as far as the door alive the pub must be empty.
22 Aug 2006 06:51
Harrods, the tourist trap cleverly designed as a department store has its own little "pub" tucked away in the basement beside a hair salon. The "Green Man" attempts to capture the essence of a traditional english pub with lots of plush wood, cosy leather seats everywhere and ploughmans lunch on the menu. Maybe it tries too hard because no matter what they do with the place, you can never escape the fact that your'e having a pint in a designated part of something greater (i.e. A huge shop). Its a bit like an airport pub in this respect. They call it a pub, they make it look like a pub and its fine for a pint in comfortable surroundings but you know, and they know its not a real pub. Nothing wrong places like this. They just lack the atmosphere the try to create mainly because of their restless clientele. In The Green Man most of the customers are just here for the novelty of having a pint in Harrods and few spend more than an hour here. There maybe a small core of regulars here but not enough to have an impact, and of course the pub keeps the same opening hours as the rest of the store, so forget about a lock in after hours. The service is excellent and I can't fault the beer. The London Pride here is as good as anywhere else. The Guinness was OK. The food menu is straight out of any traditional high street pub and its the only place in Harrods with a smoking area. There is no point in comparing the prices here with your own local boozer and in fairness its not much more expensive than other pubs in the area. Knightsbridge is expensive, everybody knows that. If you want to visit The Green Man but wish to avoid the throngs of shoppers and tourists simply enter the store by the Basil Street entrance and walk down the stairs. This cuts about 20 minutes off using the main entrance and you won't be poisoned from the odours coming from the perfume counters on your way in. Worth a visit.
16 Aug 2006 01:42
Callaghan's Irish Bar, Piccadilly
Callaghan's is about as Irish as chicken tikka with with basmati rice. It IS a plastic paddy bandwagon joint. Yes nomild_walkout_mac. I did say PLASTIC PADDY. Don't try playing the race victim here. If you're that sensitive you shouldn't go near a pub. The Guinness here is not worth mixing cement with and they didn't have pint bottles of Magners (Bulmers) when I dropped in. I can understand why they serve baseball cap chavs. The overheads on a pub like this in the heart of the West End must be huge, thus anyone over 18 with a wallet will be served. In fairness when I was in here (early evening Monday) the clientele seemed ok and the staff were friendly but not overly efficient. I've been in worse pubs but there is nothing about Callaghan's that will entice me to return in a hurry.
Having read some more comments by nomild_walkout_mac I can safely say, if he walked into a pub I was in I'd get up and walk out. Get a life.
7 Aug 2006 06:31
Recently refurbished with new bar upstairs complete with roof terrace. Downstairs hasn't changed too much although the the seating area at the bar near the window seems set to dissapear. (It was boarded up when I called in last weekend). Hopefully its not gone as it was a nice place to sit and watch the world go by outside. However, with the new roof garden above us smokers no longer have to inhale exhaust fumes with our fags in the street outside. The new look Roisin is an improvement and as a music venue its still amongst the best in the country. The crowd who drink here seem to know a good pub when they see one unlike the unfortunate tourists across the road in Monroes. I'll up my rating a notch since my first review of the place 18 months ago.
31 Jul 2006 06:10
The decor in Murphy's probably explains why it is so popular with most of the people who frequent the place. It is one of the few pubs left in this town that hasn't fallen victim to a developers axe and sledgehammer. Unlike most pubs in Galway, Murphy's has changed little down the years. And they ALWAYS serve a good pint. Add to that its location right in the heart of Galway city's so called "Left Bank" and you should have the makings of a great pub. And it is a great pub. But - and there is a but. It can be very clannish. Perhaps for for some of the reasons I mentioned above. Anytime I go in there I get the feeling that I'm somehow intruding on some of the long stanting punters who regard the place as a second home. All the customers heads turn when you walk in the door with numerous pairs of eyes glancing towards you to suss out whether you are a local or a stranger or just another german tourist asking for directions to the nearest bicycle hire shop. You can expect that in remote rural pubs in Ireland where the pace of life is slower. But it can be off-putting in the heart of the fastest growing city in Europe. I often got the feeling I was sitting in someone elses seat even though the usual occupier of that seat might not be due in for another 2 hours. I don't believe for one second that anyone who drinks here regularly deliberately sets out to come across as unfriendly, but the overall atmosphere in the place appears to be one of a pub that is very set in its ways. I hate to be overly harsh about this pub because despite it all it is a lovely spot. However, I do feel it dines out on the fact that it hasn't changed in decades and as such it has nothing else to do in order to make newcomers feel welcome. I know some of the locals who have been drinking here since before I was born and perhaps they feel entitled to a degree of ownership to the pub at this stage such is their lifelong affinity to the place. Such a long standing patronige, however admirable and earned should never be used to make newcomers feel uncomfortable. It is a public house, not a private club. The staff are very efficient and Gerry is one of the best Barmen I have ever seen. (On a curious note, all the barstaff are male. Why no women behind the bar?) At least in Murphy's one can get the feeling that some things never change, and in a city which is fast selling its soul to the mighty �uro that is a comforting thought. But can a real pub with an ageing clientele continue to survive the developers axes and sledgehammers in the heart of this city over the coming years? I honestly hope so. Perhaps its the old "what you see is what you get" attitude needs to be axed first.
8 Jun 2006 06:48
This wasn't a gay bar when I lived in the area but if it is now then thats no harm at all. Its about time Colindale was dragged into the 21st century. I'm not gay myself but I'll still visit the place again as I know a few of the regulars (male and female and mostly straight). Fair play to John for being the first publican in the area to exploit the pink pound. I'm one of those people who don't give a damn whether a pub is straight or gay or painted bright pink with purple and yellow polka dots as long as the beer is good. Does Anne Marie still work there?
6 Apr 2006 07:09
Only a few minutes walk from Bray DART Station This pub is within easy access from central Dublin. It is the original sire of the Porterhouse pub gruop who also have bars in Temple Bar (Dublin) And Covent Garden (London). It has set a trend in Ireland by brewing its own beer on site. Thankfully this trend is gradually catching on with more and more micro brewerys emerging in Ireland. The end result is a wider choice of beer for those of us confined to the standard option of 3 or 4 lagers or Guinness, Smithwicks, and Bulmers, which is currently all there is on offer in most pubs in Ireland. One of the things I used to love about living on England was the vast choice of real ale which varied from pub to pub. Such choices simply don't exist in Ireland yet, despite the vast tracts ot agricultural land available for cultivating the necessary ingrediants used in the brewing process. Even the Irish Government acknowledged the potential in the micro brewery industry by granting them tax relief in a recent budget. Hopefully things will will improve as a result. The Porterhouse in Bray has led the way and with branches in prime locations in the middle of Dublin & London they must be doing something right. The potential is there. So is the market. As for the pub itself, it is located on the prom in Bray overlooking the Irish Sea. The best in the area and the range of beer here makes it worth a visit. Anyone in Dublin for a short break should give it a try if only for the trip out on the DART, which is an enjoyable journey in itself with lovely views over Dublin Bay on the way out. It is also less crowded and more relaxed than its sister pubs in Temple Bar & Covent Garden. The food here is good and the menu is reasonable. Although it's not the most cosy pub in the World you won't go wrong here.
13 Mar 2006 04:43
I like this pub. Many people wrongly assume it is an Irish Pub. It's not. This is an attempt at an English pub. And they don't do a bad job. But The clientele is half English/Welsh and the other half is Irish with a few French strays looking for a proper drink. It's within walking distance from Montparnasse Station. An area most Parisains would look down and I can see why. (Bit like the Euston Area of London back in the 60's.) And although I love Paris with its Caf�s and Zinc bars I still find the need to visit a proper pub everytime I visit the town. The Financier is better than most. The beer is as good as anywhere else in town and the price of a pint does this pub no harm at all. If You are or from Ireland or the The UK and in Paris for 2 or 3 nights you could do a lot worse than find yoursef here for one before you get the Ryanair home next day. You've done the Restaurants. Now Meet Maya here. Best Barmaid in Paris.
9 Mar 2006 05:53
Sod the Galway Hooker - Its the ante room to Limbo. Head upstairs to Dicey's instead. Ahh Dicey's. Drinking Snakebites. Overcrowded kip. Shite music. Asshole bouncers. Beer soaked floor. Front row standing room to watch the weekly fights outside. Not a sober living thing in sight. And waking up the next day beside the girl you pulled there. All in all its a bloody great place.
22 Feb 2006 06:35
The Lord Moon Of The Mall, Whitehall
SOLUTION TO CHIPS CRISIS -
1. Order your burger in The Lord Moon Pub.
2. Nip across the road to McDonalds.
3. Get large fries to take away.
4. Smuggle said fries into pub.
5. Put fries on plate beside burger.
6. Eat.
DISCLAIMER
While I understand that the chips you get in McDonalds taste like damp cardboard, I must also point out that this will in no way interfere with the quality of your Weatherspoon burger. In fact, you will do well to find any difference in flavour between the two.
22 Feb 2006 05:26
Although primarily a restaurant, the Back Bar has the ambiance of a traditional pub. Although it is far removed from your local boozer. You won't get a game of pool here and the idea of throwing spears at a dartboard with a packet of pork scratchys in hand would probably give the clientele heart failure. Thankfully there are no fruit machines either but we probably couldn't afford to play them here anyway. The place is owned by an aristocratic scotsman called Ranald Macdonald and an upmarket scottish presence is reflected in the menu and decor. If Boisdale was situated in the Highlands it is the place hunting folk would adjourn to after a hard day out shooting grouse. Speaking of which, there is a fine collection of whisky here. As it is the place is more likely to be frequented by those out hunting financial targets in The City all day. The walls of the entrance lobby portray memorabilia and family history of the owner and the atmosphere is bijou opulence with more than a hint of tartan with live jazz thrown in for good measure. The food is excellent and the price reflects the location (i.e. a bit on the steep side). The cosy back bar is well wotrh a visit for something different. Dress up smart and bring your American Express Gold Card.
20 Feb 2006 13:05
RE my comment below.[Druids Rock] "barstaff are on the sall". It should read - barstaff are on the ball.
18 Feb 2006 07:39
The Druids Rock is a younger but bigger sister of The Druids Den a few minutes walk away (see below). It is a child of the 90's, located on a corner of the Piazza to the rear of the Santa Maria Maggiore church within walking distance of Rome's principle railway station (Termini). It offers facilities unavailable in The Den. Upstairs has a function room. There is also a stage for live music and a pool table. However, unless there is something going on upstairs the the place is shut off although the pool table is always available. The main bar downstairs is worth a look if only to find out what time it is. Look up to the ceiling at a clock and prepare for confusion. The decor is where where Ballinasoe meets Rome, complete with internet terminal. This pub can get a bit loud and crowded inside in the evenings and is not a place for a quiet pint. But there are plenty of tables outside and if you find yourself in Roma with a gang of friends for a weekend you could a lot worse than make this your base. The barstaff are on the sall. The draught beer is not the best but the hot weather doesn't help. Try a pint bottle of the local brew in a glass with some ice, nice. Everything seemed to cost �5 after 9 o clock and a lot less prior to that time. Despite the profusion of clocks telling the wrong time they always know when happy hour ends. There is a sporting theme to the place and they cover all major GAA, Rugby and Premiership fixtures. Its The place to be during a 6 Nations weekend in Rome. Visit.
18 Feb 2006 07:31
To formworker123. From my experience of this pub I can tell you that anyone is welcome no matter where they are from. I have been back here since my origanal post and can confirm that it is still a "Decent (clean) boozer with good beer and friendly staff...." There are as much English regulars as there are Irish. You suggest you are English but judging by your other pub reviews on this site (29-01-06) it is obvious that you haven't a clue how to speak or write your own language. Perhaps you had one too many in Weatherspoons across the road. The atmosphere in The moon under Water is enough to turn anybody's brain into mush. Even your friends The "Low Lifes".
30 Jan 2006 06:10
The Druids Den claims to be one of the oldest Irish pubs in Rome and it shows - albeit in an endearing manner. It has a warm lived in charachter which sets it apart from the usual gaudy appearance of so called Irish bars on continental Europe. Any attempt at a refurb would destroy the place. The cavelike interior makes for a cosy atmosphere which contrasts greatly with The Druids Rock, its sister pub nearby (see above). The staff are sound and the beer is as good as anywhere else in Rome although the Guinness was perfect. It can be difficult to locate being tucked down a side street near the magnificent Santa Maria Maggiore church but its well worth seeking out. The smoking ban in Italy gives this pub an added touch of Irish authenticity as you are likely to encounter a group of smokers congragating outside the front door - Just like they do in Dublin but with better weather here !
9 Jan 2006 09:19
Skylark (T1L), Heathrow Airport
Bring back the old Tap And Spile pub. Flying from T1 just aint the same anymore.
2 Jan 2006 06:20
Having been mugged for �9 to sample a badly served pint of bad Guinness in a pub down the street ironically called "The Guinness Tavern" it was a relief to find this place and have a decent pint at a reasonable price - �5. (Still a lot, but reasonable as Paris prices go). It was great to find cask contitioned real ale in the heart of Paris and it was hard to fault the Inseine beer which compares favourably with much of the real ale brewed in the UK. There was a live Premiership match on the box when I dropped in (Bolton v Spurs)so I secured a seat at the bar and made myself at home. I wasn't hungry enough to try the food but it looked the business. The clientele seemed to be Multi-European but it was predominantly full of Irish and British expats in for the match. This is a busy bar and the staff are friendly and on the ball, but they could try and find more time to change the ashtrays. In an area of Paris where most establishments are only to willing to rip you off, The Frog & Rosbif is one of the few places around here where you can find some hint of value for your round of drinks. I'll be back again.
By the way, Bolton beat Spurs 1 -0.
2 Jan 2006 05:56
As railway station bars go The Galway Hooker is not bad.(A hooker, by the way is a type of sailboat associated with Galway Bay). On the plus side, it is a large spacious and comfortable place away from the noise and hassle of the station concourse. There is an outside seating area and a decent carvery serving much better food than the muck you'll get on the train. The Guinnes is perfect. (It would want to be considering the brewery is directly across the street). On the minus side, the toilets are a bit of a trek up the stairs although they are always spotless, and in the early evenings the place can get a bit crowded with men in suits called Fintan and Maurise drinking bottled lager as they await their train to take them home to their heavily mortgaged semis in Co. Kildare. There are some other pubs about 2 minutes walk across the river but "The Hooker" is a good a spot as any for a relaxing pint before catching the rattler to Galway.
20 Sep 2005 19:24
Cranky old landlady. Kids are not welcome, even in the afternoon, when there is nobody else in the place, and its pissing rain outside, and all you wanted to do was call a taxi and have 2 cokes while you wait for it. She put me off ever going back there. Shame, because with the big park across the road and beer gardens this pub would make an ideal family pub if it was run properly. The management in this pub could learn a thing or two about manners.
9 Jun 2005 18:25
The name of this pub might suggest a gaudy over the top victorian establishment with little snugs everywhere and those stupid pictures of dogs and monkeys playing billiards gracing the walls, but its not like that at all. The Gin Palace in Dublin's Abbey St is as much in the 21st century as most other pubs in this area. And in that sense it is no more interesting or boring than the rest. But this pub shines above the rest when it comes to drinking Gin & Tonic. Not so much for the quality of the Gin (Cork Dry Gin which is ok) but for the price. �4 for a G&T in the heart of Dublin is not to be scoffed at. Expect to pay �6+ elsewhere. And I'm not talking about any old yellowpack tonic water either but a proper little baby bottle of Schwepps. Although come to think of it, Schwepps is sold in yellow packets. But anyway if you like G&T (and I love the stuff),then The Gin Palace is your only man. And its not just gin for good value here. A Jameson and Coke is only �4.50 and again its a bottle of Coke. None of that dash lark from a tap. In a city where pubs are recieving an increasingly bad press for charging over the top prices, The Gin Palace is a reassuring sign that there is still some places left in the centre of town where you can enjoy a drink without being ripped off. The pub is located just a few yards from Abbey tram stop on the red Luas line.
26 May 2005 20:44
I�d forgotten about this pub. I used to drop in the odd time when I worked in Stockwell. Don�t tell me that dog is still alive. Nice one !
13 May 2005 02:34
This Pub in the centre of Ballinasloe is soon set to treble in size with an extension being added into the building nextdoor. When completed in the coming weeks it will feature a live music venue upstairs and an additional two new bars. As it is, An Tain is among the best pubs in town. All the staff are excellent and the beer is always in prime condition. All major sports events are shown. The clientele spans all age groups and there is an open trad session every Wednesday night. There are beautiful works of art in the shape of hand painted murals along the walls depicting scenes from Irish folklore. The newly installed toilets are spotless and it seems no expense was spared on them. I give An Tain a 7 while the extension work is taking place but that looks set to improve when the new look pub completed. Watch this space.
13 May 2005 01:55
Cobblers no longer exists. It shut down a few months ago and following a face lift it has been reborn as "BIERHAUS". The pub aims to specialise in beers from around the world. The beer menu is impressive to look at and you won't get your pants pulled down over the prices in the way you might expect in similar establishments in Dublin, but the selection in the menu did'nt match availability at the bar. In fairness, it was barely open a week when I visited and deserves more time to find its feet. I dropped in during the early evening and with no TVs and loud music its a fine place for a quiet drink, however the presence of a DJs equipment in one corner suggested that would change later on in the night.
10 May 2005 16:36
I've passed by this pub a million times (give or take 2 or 3 ). It never occourred to me to have a look in and suss the place out. Where pubs are involved I tend to judge them by their exterior. If It doesn't look too good on the outside then I'm damned if I'm goin to part with my hard earned bullion inside. My rationale being "Dirty outside, Rotton inside". [Follow that logic, I guarentee 95 times out of 100 it will hold through.]
However, "MIXERS" is a different story. A friend of mine arranged to meet me in Mary Street just after Christmas.... I protested and suggested coffee houses. I even volunteered to drink cappucinnos in the Radison. But she insisted on going to "MIXERS'...
And now I'm glad she did. From the outside it looks like the kind of place Ronnie & Reggie Kray might have fun with you and a bit of measuring tape. (See Photo Above).
But judging books by covers is easy. If you're in Galway for the first time you could do worse than call in here for an hour. 2.95 a pint and spotless. The Menu is harmless but far more reasonable than the usual rubbish in any fast food outlet.
4 Mar 2005 01:22
Imagine that you've never been to Britain before and arrive here for the first time on the Eurostar into Waterloo Station. You step off the train, walk a few yards down the platform and call in here for your first pint of beer on English soil. Christ, you'd be back on the train again and on your way down that channel tunnel to frogland before you could say "Why does this beer smell so bad".
24 Feb 2005 21:52
Fibbers was the most famous pub on the Planet for about 3 days last summer when it became the first pub to openly flout the smoking ban. A publicity stunt ? Maybe, but it seems to have worked. Despite being fined a couple of grand for their defiance the pub recieved worldwide attention. I got a E-Mail from a friend in New Zealand telling me she read about it in a newspaper
down there. ( At the time the New Zealand parliament was debating a similar ban ). I visited the pub during the mini rebellion and
had to clambour over TV equipment from RTE, TV3, Sky News, ITN, BBC and others just to get to the bar. The newspaper reporters seemed to appreciate being able to smoke on the job. Smoking was confined to the upstairs area only and even then, you could'nt smoke at the bar. Even though I favour the ban I thought this was a fair compromise.
As for the pub itself, its on two levels with the upstairs section being marginally more intimate the downstairs which has a slight American theme to it. A fair dash of neon and a prominence of Coors & Bud. The clientle is mainly of the 18 - 25 age group with a few permantly anchored around the jukebox. I had a Guinness when I was here and it was'nt the best. But one gets the impression this is'nt a Guinness drinkers kind of bar. The pub recently dropped its prices to �3 a pint in response to increased public disquiet on the price of drink. It was one of the first pubs in Galway to do so and I applaud the move. Even so it will take more than cheap beer to encourage me to return. Nothing wrong with the place, just not my Cupan Tae.
24 Feb 2005 20:14
Not bad at all, It can lack atmosphere when its quiet but when it begins to fill up in the evenings you know you're in a good pub. To the rear of the pub is one of the best live music venues in Galway. It plays host to some very reputable bands and sells out most nights although tickets usually tend to go at the last minute so you should get your hands on one by calling into the bar early in the day or the day before a gig. The pub itself is warm and cosy with little nooks and crannies to sit in. They don't bother doing stuff like food here. Galway pubs are for drinkin and Roisin's do drink in style. Good staff and good beer.
A clean joint with toilets up to scratch.
24 Feb 2005 19:29
Hagues Bar and Lounge, Lisburn
I recently visited Lisburn for the first time on the way from Belfast to Dublin. It was a midweek afternoon when I dropped into Hagues, but there was a few around and I felt comfortably welcome here by both staff and customers. Not like the feeling you get when you walk into some pubs in strange towns, You know the type - Heads turning, Eyes glaring over
the tops of newspapers, The guvnor wondering if you're from the weights and measures office and staff worried that you might be a spy from the dole office. None of this in Hagues though. It was the real deal. No airs and graces about the place. I liked the little plaques on the bar indicating the seats of long serving regulars. Nice touch. Got talking to a few locals and stayed for longer than intended. Had to leave and catch the train to Dublin before I got too comfortable.
24 Feb 2005 18:38
The Crown Liquor Saloon, Belfast
There must be a law somewhere that states every visitor to Belfast must visit The Crown. And fair enough. Its well worth a visit. Its said to be the oldest building in town and is still lit by gaslamps ( i think ). Its the only pub owned by the National Trust and as such, you are drinking in a museum. BUT, it can get very crowded in the evenings and hence a bit stuffy and uncomfortable with standing room only. Try to get here early to secure some seats. It will make all the difference. I don't know what its like during the daytime but i intend finding out the next time I'm in Belfast. If only to get a chance to sit at the bar for an hour or two and try some more of that "Belfast Ale".
24 Feb 2005 18:08
Not much happening here when I dropped in. Lovely pint of Smithwicks. The staff seem fairly sound and the few customers that were in the place were minding their own business. Unusually quiet for a city centre pub.
24 Feb 2005 17:51
Recently found myself stuck in Belfast on a boring Tuesday evening. Sampled a few taverns near the university before making my way into town. When I got to Robinson's the day ceased to be boring. Settled in here for the remainder of the evening no problem. Delighted to discover it was open till 1am. Had a bite to eat upstairs and the food went down a treat. Downstairs then to the front bar and a few quiet pints and a read of the paper, then into the back bar called Fibbers where there was a cracking band dishing out some great music. This pub knows all about atmosphere and I reccommend it to anyone visiting Belfast. I can't wait to return.
24 Feb 2005 17:43
This pub used to have the best pint of Guinness north of Marble Arch when I lived in the area. Always a good spot to watch a match or the gee gees. (Handy for the betting shop nextdoor). Big John (the guvnor) is one of those gentlemen who knows how to run a decent boozer. Clean pub, Good beer, Friendly staff, no fancy menus or cappucinos, half decent music at the weekends. A good a place as any to while away a wet Saturday afternoon watching the footie and throwing a few quid on the nags.
24 Feb 2005 17:23
Shame to hear this pub seems to have gone downhill. Kilburn has changed a lot in recent times. I remember this pub when it was called The Colepitz a few years back. It was the place to be then.
24 Feb 2005 17:02
A No Nonsense Pub With good beer and atmosphere. Strong local clientele and friendly. Good staff who know their job. A good spot to meet up with friends for a drink if you're heading further afield with the tube nextdoor. Good pub to watch a match. Handy for the Oval Cricket ground.
24 Feb 2005 03:57
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The Kings Arms, Longford
Is this pub still open?
Tried calling in for a pint recently (the day of the royal wedding) but it was closed.
Seemed a little strange as it was around 6 in the evening.
20 May 2011 08:00