BITE user comments - a_cheeky_half
Comments by a_cheeky_half
As you would expect of a German pub, the beer is excellent. I like the food but I'm hardly a connoisseur. Last visit I enjoyed a decent bratwurst. The crowd seems to vary - I have been in there when it was full of German ex-pats and other times, even on a Saturday night, when it is half full and clearly mainly Brits. Obviously the atmosphere is better when it's crowded so if you have a dull night in there, might be worth trying another time.
I've only seen FC St Pauli games in there and that is worth a visit on it's own if you aren't familiar with this radical German club and it's anti-fascist fans.
2 Apr 2015 22:07
Nice enough beer, nice enough bar staff, cheap prices. Not much more to say really. It's ok.
11 Dec 2013 23:16
I went in on a Monday around 11.30am so very quiet. Had a really nice pint of London Fields Pale Ale from the pump and could see a good selection of beers on both pump and keg. The barman was certainly gruff but not actually rude to me. I felt more concerned for the tourists behind me who asked for a "glass" of beer and a mulled cider. It didn't go well but ultimately I think he was reasonably patient with them. I would happily return to work through all the beers.
11 Dec 2013 23:12
The Blacksmiths Arms, St Albans
Probably the best selection of beers in St Albans - I had a few nice pints of Oakhams Inferno this weekend. The beer garden is good, it has a lot of tables squeezed into it but it has clearly been thoughtfully designed and there is even a TV screen outside if you want to follow the sport. I thought the food was reasonably priced and the seafood platter I had was pretty good.
It is not the most atmospheric or historic looking pub in St Albans but it certainly seems well run and the staff are happy to talk to you about the beers and give a little taster if you are undecided.
4 Jun 2013 20:57
I've been drinking in The Mitre for 25 years and it's been the best pub in High Barnet for virtually all of that time, even with various changes of management / ownership.
The selection of ales is a little predictable - I would like to see more local beers from London / Hertfordshire brewers, especially with so many small breweries opening up. But what is served is invariably well kept and the choice does vary. Some interesting bottled beers wouldn't go amiss though.
Sadly Barnet has lost many pubs in recent years, although to be honest none that I can think of were very welcoming, but The Mitre remains the best bet for a decent night out.
6 Apr 2013 09:57
I visited on a Saturday night - it was standing room only when I arrived around 7.30 but emptied out as the evening wore on so I think more people were there to eat than drink.
I had a few pints of Old Hooky, which were very good, and a few of the house brew "Barnet Brewery" I think it was called - a golden ale I would describe it as. It was pretty good but I really should have asked for the pints to be topped up as they were well short of a full measure.
I also had a bottle of Punk IPA - a great beer but a bit expensive to drink all night. They had a small but tempting range of bottled beers as well as a host of beers on pump and tap.
Overall a nice enough place but the small numbers of customers as it got later didn't help the atmosphere.
6 Apr 2013 09:40
The Mayflower, Welwyn Garden City
Amazing that a pub can survive with only 4 punters and a bull terrier on a Saturday night. And the punters all seemed to spend as much time coping with their terrible, nose streaming colds in the toilets than drinking their cheap lager or neon coloured alco-pops. Nice of one of them to drop his trousers towards our table though. We were thankful to leave this pub without getting stabbed - probably the worst bar on the planet.
28 Jan 2013 19:59
More of a restaurant than a pub really but did a very nice pint of Red Squirrel Hop Fest. Staff seemed nice and they have the most space-age taps I've ever seen in the Gents.
28 Jan 2013 19:52
Only one ale tap from what I could see but they had bottled ales too. I was in here for New Year's Eve and probably had the best NYE I've ever had. The crowd was glamorous but also friendly, there was free pop corn and snacks and the bar man's party piece of setting his groin alight while the clientele sang along to "Sex on Fire" has to be seen.
I hope to get back in here again soon to see if every night is as good.
24 Jan 2013 21:01
Friendly landlord and staff, clientele rather more mixed, ranging from retired couples enjoying the food to rowdy local football teams.
Ale is almost always spot on and the choice pretty good although it would be nice to see more local ie London, Hertfordshire or Bedfordshire, brews available. Choice of lager both on tap and bottle is pretty disappointing though.
Most sporting events are shown on the TVs and it gets pretty busy for big games.
Overall not a bad pub, although if you want a more refined crowd probably best to move on to The Elephant & Castle.
26 May 2012 08:49
Been here a couple of times, most recently last week. The pub was less busy than other pubs in the area, maybe because it's hidden round a corner.
Staff seemed friendly, I drank Deuchars IPA which was ok but not outstanding. Good selection of early punk tunes being played - good if you are my age anyway - at a volume that could easily be spoken over. The selection of beers was a bit unexciting but generally this is a good little pub.
26 May 2012 08:42
The Fest - Octoberfest Pub, Fulham
Always worth visiting if I'm going to Craven Cottage or most recently, Stamford Bridge. Drinking a pint of Paulaner or any of the other imported lagers reminds you just how insipid most lager served is in English pubs. I bet the bottles are even better but they are a tad expensive.
The barmaid was exceptionally friendly and the low cut Bavarian top was very eye catching. I have to say I've always found the staff here really welcoming. I had a good sized and reasonably priced plate of bratwurst to soak up the beer while watching some football on the big screen.
It has to be said that the layout of the bar, in a converted shop, doesn't make the place feel very much like a Bavarian beer hall. However, everything else is spot on.
1 Apr 2012 09:21
Stopped for a quick one - staff seemed friendly enough despite other comments here. There was plenty of room and the decor was impressive - the floor looked like a Roman mosaic. A good selection of beers available, I had a Meantime London Pale Ale and I'd happily go back to work my way through the cask and kegs from various good quality brewers - Redemption, Meantime etc
1 Apr 2012 09:09
Spent a very pleasant hour or so in here. Had a lovely pint of Discovery - not really a winter beer but very refreshing, and then a bottle of Fullers London Porter I saw hiding at the back of the fridge. Service was good, the clientele was varied and friendly and the pub itself is really warm and atmospheric. I wish I lived next door rather than a long train ride away.
3 Dec 2011 09:35
Popped in last night for a quick one. This pub seems to have changed personality many times over the years but I like what has been done recently.
The pub was fairly quiet but this was only a Tuesday night so understandable.
I had a good pint of Brewdog 5AM Saint - from the tap so presumably a keg but very good and a great alternative to a cask real ale. Other interesting beers were available on draught and in bottles so I will probably go back to try a few more. The food looked tempting too.
5 Oct 2011 22:27
The Elephant and Castle, Amwell
I can't understand how this pub can be rated lower than others in the area. The staff are friendly, the ale well kept, if a little limited in choice, and the ambience very pleasant. And the pub dog is remarkably intelligent. Easily the best place for a drink around Wheathampstead.
30 Nov 2010 21:48
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The Mermaid, St Albans
I visited during a beer festival and the place was full of St albans City football fans, who were rowdy but good natured. Excellent selection of craft and Belgian bottled beers as well as ales and good to see some decent lager including Pilsner Urquel available. It's a mixed but friendly crowd in here and I think I might start coming more often.
10 May 2016 21:50