BITE user comments - chick
Comments by chick
A welcome addition to the sudden splurge of decent pubs in this area of London - also see the recently re-opened Earl of Essex in Danbury St. More Gastropub than pub but a good clutch of decent beers were on cask and keg and the seating is comfortable - it's a pleasant place to while away an afternoon. There's an open kitchen in the main area of the pub and alcoves to skulk in. All in all a decent boozer.
13 Jul 2012 16:53
Wenlock resurgent!
Re-opens Tues 10/4 at 4pm - quotation from yesterday by John B the new cellarman: '11 beers in cellar now, more coming tomorrow. Same beer range, same live music, same quiz. Don't expect too many ticks until we get going - with emergency orders, we're just getting what we can. Only downside is that I'll be cellarman.'
Planned opening hours - Tue-Thu 4-12; Fri 4-1; Sat 12-1; Sun 12-12. Mon closed
5 Apr 2012 08:31
The Old Village Inn, Bembridge
Not been here for ages but will try it again when I go over for a holiday next month. The new gaffer used to run the Fat Cat pub in the hotel at Freshwater (which incidentally is now a pale imitation of what it was). This new venture should be interesting as he's interested in beer. The pub has had a refurb and is now called the Old Village Inn Steak and Ale House. I guess it will be more foodie too. Sounds promising.
28 Mar 2012 09:08
The Exmouth Arms, Exmouth Market
Called in last month as I'd heard the place was under new management and also it's handy to call in on the way to Craft Beer up the road. The pub's looking much better after having had a refurb and the beer, although pricey, was well kept. The old locals seem to have gone replaced by posher, hipper locals - to match the new prices I suppose. It's more in keeping with the rest of 'cool' Exmouth Market now - but I'm not complaining as there's a much better choice of beer. A good choice of bottles too but top up your wallet before you go.
6 Mar 2012 08:38
I usually avoid Greene King beers like the plague but since this is a Greene King pub and I was in it there was no avoiding it. I had a pint of Abbot which was excellent - just don't tell anyone. The pub from the outside is most impressive and castle like as the name implies. Inside the bar is traditional - there is a pleasant outdoor area with bench seating for sunny days and smokers.
11 Sep 2011 14:19
Much improved since my last visit a few years ago when the beer was undrinkable and the pub was dirty with indifferent service. The pub has been spruced up and the beer was well kept. We even ate here this time and it was very good. Back on the list to visit when we return.
11 Sep 2011 14:15
A welcome sight after a walk up the hill - the beers were well kept and the food very nice. The guys running it seem pleasant and friendly and the views from the small beer garden out back have spectacular views around the island. Just ignore the 'prison camp fencing' surrounding you. Necessary I'm sure, but if it was replaced more sympathetically it would only enhance the experience.
25 Jul 2011 10:58
Avoid at all costs. Possibly the worst pub I've been in in 12 months. Against our better judgement we had a drink here. I looked at the menu, ignoring the horrible smell of vomit pervading the area, and found it was sticky with old sick. The manager stood nearby oblivious to the state and smell of the pub. I guess he's just got accustomed to it. Can you give a pub a negative mark?
25 Jul 2011 10:46
The Craft Beer Co, City of London
Spent a lovely day here, drank much more than I intended to. This place is far too dangerous for anyone who likes beer as there is so much to try it encourages you to keep dabbling. It is expensive if you veer off the average strength cask ales and onto bottles, but the beers are so interesting you can't help indulging a little. The decor is great and unfussy with raised banquette seating and tall stools - very comfy-cosy. Upstairs is similar seating but lower level, so no climbing onto tall stools if feeling unsteady. The staff are pleasant and knowledgeable. Liked it very much.
18 Jul 2011 23:40
First time here since it changed - now owned by 'Sizzling Pubs Co' according to a plaque on the wall. The atmosphere is different from my last visit when it was a friendly family pub. Now it seems harsher, more regimented and the food wasn't a patch on the old place. Didn't like my sizzler which was a 'special' from the board - a chicken kebab. It was stuck to the hotplate and had a thick paste of uncooked spices dropped on top (supposed to be peri peri sauce apparently). The rice didn't taste of anything and the two wraps were pappy and a strange texture. My friend had fish and chips - fish ok, chips few and soggy. Not the best meal, doubt we'd go back. The Harveys was still good though.
18 Jul 2011 23:32
The many beer lovers, tickers, locals, tourists and office workers who make up the clientele enjoy this pub. It's not just a 'hard core' real ale drinkers paradise although the beer is the main draw, and is always of a very high quality. The Wenlock is shabby and in need of repair, but it's not dirty.
The pub is on the market as a going concern - apparently the property developers have backed off. It will be interesting to see if it makes the cut for the next GBG when the nominations are counted. After all, there are many pubs under threat and they are not left out of the GBG just in case they close during the year.
10 Nov 2010 14:50
...and lottieh987, you could possibly add to your complaints those people who only log onto this site on to make one nasty review.
Wenlock didn't make the GBG because there was a strong rumour was it was going to close. In the circumstances N London CAMRA gave the spot to another pub. I would urge anyone wanting to come to a decent old boozer with a good choice of ales to come in. The locals are an eclectic mix and not unfriendly - eccentric maybe - and the beer is great. Oh and by the way the bearded chap, John, was back behind the bar last night northman. More unreliable information.
3 Oct 2010 19:28
So northman, everyone is a moron, rude or an ar**hole, unless they are 'young ladies'. You must be a very discerning man so why do you go in such a dump of a pub that needs demolishing? Yes, go to the Fountain by all means - another good pub - but not at the weekend as it's closed.
2 Oct 2010 14:27
The Dog and Sausage, St Helier
Pleasant town pub, reasonable beer if limited choice. Nice atmosphere apart from a drunken nutter who kept muttering insults and making rude gestures to everyone.
23 Sep 2010 14:48
Lovely old mill building dating back to 12th century. 2 decent real ales and a nice outdoor seating area on tiered terraces.
23 Sep 2010 14:44
Best pub in Jersey comfy seating and a decent choice of real ales. Large portions of good food available until 4pm. Also a large malt whisky list - some rare.
23 Sep 2010 14:42
A lovely old pub comfortably furnished, low strategic lighting and a decent pint of Harveys and Pride. I found the staff polite but very rushed and harassed. The food was good but if we'd have got there after 7pm we would have struggled to get a table. Later on the food queue was about 20 mins long, mainly due to the person taking the food order also pouring the drinks to accompany it, then there was a 40 min wait for food to arrive. I had a long wait for a second drink due to lack of staff. Despite these shortcomings I would recommended it here if you're at one of the nearby hotels close to Gatwick. Much better than the alternative hotel bars and food.
23 Sep 2010 10:45
Looks like a cafe or shop at first glance - we walked past and only went back after being tipped off by a local. The pub is cafe style with lots of photos of old entertainers on the walls. The staff were really pleasant, the food was tasty and inexpensive and the beer was good.They also had a barrel of cider on the bar. Interesting place.
12 May 2010 10:37
The Rochester Castle, Stoke Newington
Enjoyable W'spoons. Quite a few local revellers singing and dancing. A reasonable choice of beers on handpull. I left here giggling. What more can you ask for?
30 Apr 2010 21:26
Jolly Butchers, Stoke Newington
Decent pub - gastro though? Not sure. They do a short menu - had the steak and chips which was perfectly respectable. Good atmosphere and a good choice of beers on handpump which included Thornbridge Jaipur and Dark Star American IPA as well as a few local beers.
30 Apr 2010 21:20
Must admit, the name put me off and I nearly didn't bother trying it but was really glad I did. I was expecting a hotel bar and found a really good pub . Great beer well kept and a good choice - 8 handpulls I think.The bar staff were efficient and amiable. .
8 Mar 2010 16:36
Pleasant and friendly corner pub. Nicely kept beer - I think there were about 6 beers on of which our group tried 4 - all enjoyable. Well worth a visit.
8 Mar 2010 16:26
Modern bqr with exposed brickwork and glass partitioning. It was pleasant enough and the beer was well kept. Felt more restauranty than pub-like but it was ok to include on a crawl even if I wouldn't go out of my way otherwise
8 Mar 2010 16:22
Great choice of real ales and efficient pleasant service. Nice and tidy inside - well maintained and workmanlike. Reliably good.
8 Mar 2010 16:15
Atmospheric old pub with a couple of beers on handpump. Comfy seating and dark wood interior makes for a soothing atmosphere. Worth including in a crawl if you're in visiting other pubs in the area.
8 Mar 2010 16:12
Unspoilt backstreet pub with great potential but doesn't serve real ale. If some enterprising soul would give it the attention it deserves it would be a gem.
8 Mar 2010 16:04
No real ale but another lovely interior. Worth a look in for the the glass and panelling.
8 Mar 2010 16:00
Central Commercial Hotel, Liverpool
Ravishing interior with lots of glass, mirrors panelling The beer was boring but it was worth a visit for the pleasure of sitting in such a beautiful building.
8 Mar 2010 15:57
The Everyman Bistro, Liverpool
Extremely busy cellar bar/bistro. Very popular with theatre goers having a meal and drink before the performance. Lots of arty types in there as you'd expect. I liked it although it was nothing like a pub bar. It had lots of conversational buzz. Two beers were on handpull, both in good condition. Would like to go back and try the food which looked delicious and was good value for money.
8 Mar 2010 15:48
Devonshire Arms, Burton-Upon-Trent
A nice enough comfortable pub with well kept beers but not much atmosphere - maybe because it wasn't very busy. Despite checking the week before and being assured they did lunchtime food there was none available. They did let us bring some in from the cafe 3 doors down. With the Coopers so close by they need to raise their game. Good enough to call in on a pub crawl but wouldn't go out of my way otherwise. Nice regulars in there - friendly and helpful with directions.
27 Feb 2010 13:32
The Coopers Tavern, Burton-Upon-Trent
Delightful pub with about 8 beers on stillage in the back room, also a few ciders An old fashioned back street pub with no frills and plenty of character. This is how pubs should be. Comfortable and warm with a real fire and settles with cushions. Perfect - and the landlady was very nice too.
27 Feb 2010 13:26
The Burton Bridge Inn, Burton-Upon-Trent
Stumbled on a beer festival here yesterday. Friendly 2 roomed pub with nice barstaff and decently kept beers. The sausage in a roll at �1 a pop was pretty good too - decently made - no sawdust, but was probably just for the festival. Wished we had more time to stay longer but had to dash for the train. The lady behind the bar was very helpful and rang us a local taxi after we failed to get one booked.
27 Feb 2010 13:18
Didn't realise that this pub had won CAMRA community pub of the year before visiting it. Can see why it did. The beer was well kept and the 2 roomed pub was cosy with 2 blazing fires and everything everything polished and ship-shape without being sterile and antiseptic. The beer was well kept - Batemans - and although we didn't have time to try the food there was a good choice and it looked ok. Well worth the walk out of Lincoln centre - quite pleasant to walk up by the waterside too.
25 Dec 2009 10:42
12 hand pumps and 3 from the wood in the cellar. I wish we'd gone there earlier and not just before we had to leave for the train. All beers we tried were top notch including the beer from their own micro brewery next door - Cathedral. The downstairs bar had a stone floor and barrel tables with stools and a few tables and chairs. The upstairs was full and loud with Xmas revellers so we avoided it, but it looked promising with views out over the water. Definately a re-match needed in the new year.
25 Dec 2009 10:37
A bit of a shock - I was expecting Tynemills and got Batemans but the beer is still kept very well and the food seems to be of the same quality and choice. Another great Lincoln pub.
25 Dec 2009 10:29
Extremely friendly and cosy back street pub - they seem to specialise in them in Lincoln so the reviews could get repetitive. Dogs lounging by the fire, decent beer, snow outside and a chat with the regulars. Think I could move here.
25 Dec 2009 10:27
Lovely back street pub with a real fire and tiled floor. Always call in here when I'm in the area. Though the beer choice is pedestrian it's well kept.
25 Dec 2009 10:24
The beer is always wonderful here and a great range too. I don't know why people are moaning about CAMRA people - they are in a minority. It's mainly populated by office crew and hospital people. Paul is the cellar man and has an interest in beer - it's his job! It's not his only topic of conversation if you bother to chat to him. It's the diversity of pubs I find fascinating though. Even miserable scrotes make up the mix and are welcome here.
25 Dec 2009 10:20
My first visit in years - I wouldn't have bothered as I wasn't impressed with the place then but needed the loo. I dropped in for a quick drink and stayed for the afternoon. Soft lighting and comfortable banquette seating set in a long thin bar. A mixture of regulars, tourists and local workers provided a gentle hum of conversation. The walls are cluttered with pictures, photos and memorabilia. I think there were 4 beers on handpull including a nice Brodies IPA. A laid back vibe but I left when the offices were emptying and I imagine it could morp into a different pub altogether.
26 Oct 2009 10:03
Like mph I thought the pub was closed but was glad we persevered. Fantastic! The landlord was laid back and very nice, the natives were friendly and the 6 ales we tried between us were brilliant. After walking down into Staithes we just had to dash back for another few drinks before we got the bus.
19 Oct 2009 10:45
The Black Horse Vaults, Whitby
Pleasant two roomed old fashioned town pub - small but perfectly formed. A real boozers pub. Reasonable choice of well kept beers on handpump. My favourite of the pubs we visited in Whitby.
19 Oct 2009 10:37
Looks like a loft conversion with beams and wooden floors. Sofas and cafe style tables, newspapers - seems to be aspiring towards the more sophisticated Whitbian. Relaxed atmosphere with a good mix of locals and tourists. The food was good and the beer was well kept. Think there were 6 handpulls on in total.
19 Oct 2009 10:28
Staff seem inexperienced but are very friendly and helpful despite the crush at the bar. Had a very good roast dinner in the evening which was huge and inexpensive. The beer was in good condition but an unadventurous choice on offer.
19 Oct 2009 10:21
Pleasant in the afternoon when not too busy but in the evening it was very busy and the staff were snappy and irritable. Had a below par evening meal here which was disappointing after we'd heard good reports. The beer was kept well but there are plenty of other pubs in the area that do the whole package better.
19 Oct 2009 10:15
A great spot for a pub, high up and a wide angle view, overlooking the sea. Nicely comfortable, warm and cosy - the beer is well kept and the service polite and friendly.
19 Oct 2009 10:10
They were on stillage Maldenman. My complaint wasn't that there was no head on the beer - I know you don't get a head on most ales poured from the cask. It was that the beer was totally lifeless - no condition to it at all I'm afraid. It tasted dull - as if it had been sitting there too long.
5 Oct 2009 15:24
The Hastings Club, Lytham St. Annes
Smart, modern and well decorated club - well, it says it's a club but I'm not sure if you still have to show your CAMRA card to get in as we were advised to do. We weren't asked for any ID before being served. 4 beers on handpull - all well kept - and foreign bottled beer in the chiller. Very nice outside area for Summer months.
28 Sep 2009 13:47
Had 4 different beers here on Saturday - 2 were good and 2 were absolutely flat. The first one they changed with no quibble going back with the second the barman wasn't impressed. I watched the barstaff continuing to pour this flat beer and handing it over to uncomplaining punters. I gave the pub a second go after a similar situation earlier in the year thinking things may have improved. They haven't. Too many beers on and not enough turnover?
28 Sep 2009 09:30
Very comfortable and nicely decorated in a standard pub-type manner. Looks like it's just undergone a refurb. Handy for when you've come off the electric railway gasping for a drink. Well kept Okells.
24 Sep 2009 19:07
Well kept beer - 3 handpulls - and a comfortable bar. Nice outside area overlooking the sea.
24 Sep 2009 19:03
Friendly old pub - wooden floor, round old style wrought iron tables with wooden tops, all very clean and shiny. A nice pint of Okells Bitter, racing on the telly and a pleasant landlady. Could have stayed all afternoon but had to get the boat home.
24 Sep 2009 18:59
Good pub serving large portions of good quality food. and at least 3 handpumps on. Good atmosphere and very popular.
24 Aug 2009 16:16
Nice atmosphere - locals pub. Friendly and the beer was good - only Ringwood Best on though.
24 Aug 2009 16:10
In the process of refurbing and renaming - apparently the landlady thinks 'Fat Cat' will remind people of City bankers and the punters will stay away. I don't think we are that stupid are we? It hasn't harmed the famous Fat Cats in Sheffield and Norwich. Anyway, the pub looks more like a hotel bar now, mores the pity. Tasteful beige bar stools and tables and chairs instead of the old baggy sofas. All character expunged. The beer was a bit pedestrian compared to the old pub too. Well kept though. Maybe it will pick up when the refurb is complete.
24 Aug 2009 16:06
Cask Marque pub - food all day and very nice too. The crab sandwiches are lovely and the beer well kept - a choice of Abbot, Pride and Undercliff.
24 Aug 2009 15:58
A large and spacious Greene King pub - IPA or Fuggle de dum on handpull. Not my favourites but the building and interior are impressive.
24 Aug 2009 15:53
Nice old pub - comfortable, and a pleasant landlord. A choice of Thwaites, Lanndlord and Bass on our visit.
24 Aug 2009 15:49
The Dairymans Daughter, Arreton
We got the No.8 bus from Newport to Arreton Craft Village so it is bussable if you haven't got a car. The pub looks quite old once you're inside with flagstone floors and stuffed animals in glass cases. Maybe it was a farm outbuilding conversion. Anyway, it was very pleasant and welcoming and had a good choice of beers. The food looked good and if you fancy a cream tea with your pint you can nip in the cafe at the front. If you're on a beer trip the White Lion is just 5 mins away with 3 beers to choose from and the Hare and Hounds isn't that far either - take a short cut across the fields if you're feeling skippy.
24 Aug 2009 15:45
'Round midnight Jazz & Blues Bar, Islington
Has emerged from a refurb and shed it's name - now called Round Midnight and is a 'blues/jazz bar with live music. Not much beer to write home about - had a mediocre London Pride and I think they had Adnams on.
25 Jul 2009 11:02
Nearly didn't go in as it's Greene King but was glad I did. We were lucky to get a seat - it's extremely popular. The chap next to me said he'd been sent in by his wife to bag a table while she shopped. You can see why it's so busy - the food was good and the beer choice fabulous - well kept too. One of the best pubs, if not the best, on our trip to the area.
6 Jul 2009 14:45
Great bar - feels like a pub and not a hotel bar. Good beer choice including local ales I hadn't seen elsewhere. A good place for people watching - full of interesting regulars. I'm sure I spotted Elvis.
6 Jul 2009 14:41
Very friendly, good beer choice and has original interior with tiled floor. Cosy feel and handy for North Western station.
6 Jul 2009 14:35
Pleasant pub opposite Wallgate rail station and 3 mins from Wigan North Western station. It's had a standard refit so looks like any other large boozer but is comfortable, friendly and has a reasonable beer choice.
6 Jul 2009 14:33
Not the most adventurous choice of beers but what they do is well kept. The pub is old and comfy and has a good atmosphere - not many snippy types for saying it's near the Angel. Plenty of regulars too which is usually a good sign.
28 Jun 2009 16:36
Pleasant barstaff and a decent selection of beers in this cellar bar.. It has the feel of being there for years although it has only opened in the last few months. Maybe it's sacrilege to say this but I like it better than the old Wheatsheaf.
28 Jun 2009 16:27
Now re-opened as the Compass. Where did the Salmon go? It's a gastro pub - does duck egg scotch eggs and black pudding sausage rolls as well as meals which I can't comment on as I didn't try anything except the beer. There were 3 handpulls on - we had the Whitstable IPA. Very pleasant but the barmaid was a bit vacant. It was �3.40 for 2 halves but if you order a pint it's �3 for the same beer. Cheeky. Does it cost 40p extra for washing up an extra glass? Tut.
28 Jun 2009 16:20
Never mind the quiz - has someone dusted and polished? I didn't realise there were mirrors around the bar. And the toilets....they are cleaner. Feel a bit dizzy, need a drink.
30 May 2009 10:49
Went to the beer festival at lunchtime on the first day - it didn't start til 6pm but there was no indication of that on the posters. The chap I took to be the landlord seemed to take it as a personal affront when I asked when it opened. He just said it would open when it was ready to open and I had to get the information inside from a barmaid. Hostile atmosphere from some staff - seem to dislike tourists which is unfortunate with them being slap bang in the middle of a tourist area.
27 May 2009 23:31
Everyone says it's the best pub in Swanage and it is. Pleasant staff, a decent choice of beers, many ciders and the food is good too.
27 May 2009 23:18
Smart little pub - the beer was good so we stayed for more plus a meal. It was popular so we were lucky to get in - you would be wise to book during the busy Summer season. The food was good but the hungrier members of our party thought the portions weren't big enough. One of the nicer pubs in Swanage.
27 May 2009 23:15
A short bus ride to a shopping centre on the outskirts of Inverness, then a 5 minute walk. The pub is set in a large garden area which must be great in Summer. There were a couple of beers on - nothing unusual but well kept. The large open plan room is comfortable, and although it's geared towards food here, it hasn't lost it's pub feel.
11 May 2009 10:22
Smashing pub with a decent choice of beers - 4 or 5, plus an extensive range of Belgian beers. The bar staff are great - knowledgeable and friendly. The Plough in Rosemarkie is only a short walk away if you want to combine a visit.
11 May 2009 10:07
Lovely looking pub - small bar at the front and a restaurant at the rear. Decent beers and friendly staff.
11 May 2009 10:03
Pleasant enough cafe style bar/diner. Beer was ok but barstaff double as waiters so you may have to wait if you just want a drink.
11 May 2009 10:01
Lovely - small but perfectly formed pub.. Well kept beers and the food looked good. Difficult to get a table though - shame it's not got more space as I'm sure they could fill it several times over at the moment. There is an outdoor area with seating for the few months of the year it's feasible to sit out.
11 May 2009 09:58
A good selection of beers on our first visit but they ran out of guest beers on our next. The customers were queueing single file to be served by the one barman on duty. Staff are polite but there aren't enough of them. We stayed upstairs in the lodge. Despite desperately needing a refurb it was clean, the bed was firm and the shower powerful. Good value despite the chipped paint and fading decor.
11 May 2009 09:52
Friendly welcoming landlady. The beer was well kept and although we had to wait ages for our food it was good - huge portions.
11 May 2009 09:47
A really good Wetherspoons - very comfortable and clean and (gasp) nicely decorated. Better than the old Hogs Head - apologies to any afficianados.
22 Apr 2009 09:38
Pleasant W'spoons with lots of beers - the beer festival was in full swing - and prompt service. Nice to see something other than Ringwood being served.
22 Apr 2009 09:30
Dreadful place - beer not bad and nice barmaid but sticky tables, also rowdy, run down and cheerless. It's just across the road from the station so I suppose they think why put effort and money in when they'll get passing trade anyway.
6 Apr 2009 10:26
The Old Queens Head, Sheffield
I was disappointed with the interior of this pub after the promise of the exterior. Comfortable though. The landlady was a bit terse - one of those dragons who joke with you one minute and get on their high horse the next. The beer was ok if you like Thwaites - not one of my personal raves. Handy for bus and train.
6 Apr 2009 10:20
The Riverside Cafe Bar, Sheffield
The beer was fine but the bar had no atmosphere and the barstaff weren't that interested in the customers. I've nothing against cafe style pubs but this was featureless and a bit grubby. We ate there - the food was just about adequate.
6 Apr 2009 10:09
With stiff competition from Fat Cat and Kelham Island Tavern this is still my favourite pub in the area. A proper pub which stands on it's reputation. Stayed here much longer than planned. Perfect.
6 Apr 2009 10:02
Comfortable pub - you could bed down and stay all day if there weren't other great pubs in the area. Beer was in good shape.
6 Apr 2009 09:58
A great selection of sparkling real ales really well kept. Our only gripe was we couldn't get food as we arrived a few minutes too late - after 2.30pm. Shame they don't have rolls made up behind the bar. We would have stayed longer if we could have been fed.
6 Apr 2009 09:54
Oh dear. The old landlady seems to have left and taken the beer quality with her. Murky beer, sloppily served and overpriced. Disappointed.
6 Apr 2009 09:50
Glad this pub seems to be getting more custom and maintains a good reputation amongst real ale drinkers. It's always kept excellent beers and has a good varied selection from bigger brewers and micro-breweries. Splendid.
1 Apr 2009 19:37
Best pub we tried in Alton and very close to the railway station. I think there were 6 handpumps on - 4 from fff brewery and two others I can't remember. Great atmosphere and locals who didn't seem to mind you invading their space, despite being regularly raided by excited 'Rail Ale Train' tourists and steam enthusiasts.
8 Mar 2009 20:03
Friendly pub . The barman/landlord was very pleasant and helpful and the beer good.
8 Mar 2009 19:52
Unremarkable pub on the square - nice barmaid and beer was ok.
8 Mar 2009 19:49
Comfortable old town pub with dark beams and banquette seating. Good selection of well kept beers.
8 Mar 2009 19:45
The George and Vulture, Hoxton
Solid Fullers pub with the usual beers. I was told by a customer that the food was very good - not the usual standard menu - Italian food and specials on offer at reasonable prices.
6 Mar 2009 16:51
Called in last night after spotting 3 real ales advertised on the board outside. All very nice but at �3.50 a bit on the pricey side. Early doors is pleasant for relaxed drinking - weekends and later in the evening can get a bit noisy for the 'normal' ale drinker. This pub has come on a treat since it first opened in it's current incarnation. Hope it continues it's cask ale policy but it may have trouble getting ale drinkers to cough up the higher price charged here, particularly since the financial meltdown.
6 Mar 2009 11:47
Needs some care and attention - feels like a station waiting room with shabby office chairs, cheap sofas and a bad paint job but the beer was good. Worth dropping in on a crawl.
4 Mar 2009 10:58
Wonderfully maintained Sam Smith's pub - all polished wood and shiny glasses. Just the place to bed down for afternoon drinks in Winter. Very cosy and has the 'proper pub' feel.
19 Feb 2009 16:45
Not over impressed with this Sam Smiths pub which is unusual as they are usually really well maintained. It was unwelcoming and functional and it could be such a cosy nook. The lights were too bright and harsh and the staff uncaring and gave short measure although they did top the drinks up when asked. Prefer the other Sam Smith's Dover Castle 5 mins away.
19 Feb 2009 11:30
Good enough pub if a little sterile - looks like interior designers have been looking at Homes and Gardens magazine. Still, the bar service was pleasant and the beer was fine.
18 Feb 2009 10:31
Shep Neame isn't my favourite choice of beer but the Spitfire I had was well kept and the pub was warm and welcoming. The barstaff were smiley and worked hard.
17 Feb 2009 12:30
Pleasant and friendly locals pub near to the station. Well kept beer, nice landlady and good atmosphere.
9 Feb 2009 14:58
Entertaining if you like watching a fight I suppose but for those of nervous disposition sit towards the back. The beer was in good condition and the staff, although they looked weary and resigned to their fate, made a good fist (so to speak) of giving good service.
9 Feb 2009 14:55
Boring and characterless - has the feel of a waiting room. The staff look bored and listless but the beer was fine though so can't fault them there. Try the Queen's Larder a few doors away for a better vibe but GK beer. It's a trade off.
28 Jan 2009 15:50
I was pleasantly surprised as the pub looks unpromising from the outside. However inside it is modern, clean and spacious. The barmaid was charming and brought our beer over to us as the barrel had just been changed. The manager was very pleasant and chatted about his beer selection. It was late afternoon though - I guess the atmos could change once the suits arrive.
28 Jan 2009 15:44
Handsome looking pub - dark and cosy. Theakston's Old Peculier on handpump, which was delicious, as well as a couple of other ales on handpump.
28 Jan 2009 15:38
Disinterested staff, flaccid looking burgers and fake marble features. Nice. The beer was ok but there are many better pubs in the area.
28 Jan 2009 15:32
The Foresters Arms, Colchester
Relaxed, slightly scruffy round the edges place - but I like pubs like that so it's not a criticism. Feels like a locals bar but not in a cliquey way.
26 Jan 2009 14:24
The Fox and Fiddler, Colchester
Nice enough pub with 6 ales on hand pump. Friendly vibe and the beer was good.
26 Jan 2009 14:19
The Hole in the Wall, Colchester
Pleasant pub with 6 handpulls on - we only noticed the clips on 3 pumps but the barman kindly pointed out there were 3 other beer clips on the wall. Beer well kept and punters friendly - one of whom pointed out the Colchester Winter Beer Festival was on nearby. Oh Joy!
26 Jan 2009 14:16
Very well maintained Fullers pub with a good choice of food and 4 Fullers beers. The Jack Frost and ESB were both in great condition. A friendly back street place which looks popular with the locals.
18 Jan 2009 15:25
The Joiners Arms, South Norwood
Nice cosy pub - 70's decor with no irony. Subdued lighting, dralon seating and a fish tank. The London Pride I had was well kept.
18 Jan 2009 15:16
The building looks impressive from the outside but does not live up to expectations once you enter. It looks shabby and unloved. London Pride was the only beer on and it was murky and unpleasant. The pub was full of kids running round unsupervised. Not worth the walk from the tram stop.
18 Jan 2009 15:10
Nice old pub - the building, tucked away in the alleyway, is the best thing about it. The staff are very strict about moving chairs away from the walls (would the building collapse?) and the beer choice is pedestrian but well kept. Nice for one beer then move on to somewhere less 'rigid'.
7 Jan 2009 10:56
The Shakespeare's Head, Holborn
For a large W'spoons there was surprisingly little beer choice on handpump. The prices for food and drink were higher than the standard. Gloomy atmosphere - maybe the many signs warning of impending theft of your possessions made me feel jumpy. Shifty men with darting eyes came in the main door, cast their eyes around and left thru the side door. Opportunistic bag snatchers? City traders on their uppers?
7 Jan 2009 10:35
Nice choice of beers and the staff are friendly and cheerful. Enjoyable.
31 Dec 2008 14:10
Lovely pub - 9 beers on handpump yesterday. It was so empty though - I don't know how they stay open. The Brunswick, 2 mins away, is often bristling with punters so it can't be that it's too far away from town.
13 Dec 2008 11:38
Pleasant friendly pub 10 mins from the city centre or railway station - handy for a pub crawl, taking in the Brunswick, Alex and Station Inn. The beers are all well kept but unfortunately - for me anyway - usually only pale beers on offer. Yesterday only Bass breached this rule. I'd love a few nice dark beers to mix it up a bit, especially in Winter. Guzzling all these light hoppy beers gives me heartburn.
13 Dec 2008 11:34
The Junction Tavern, Kentish Town
Handsome Victorian pub with reasonable choice of well kept beers on handpump. Gastropubs really aren't my cup of tea though - there's usually a weird feel about them and this one was no exception. Would liked to have been fonder of this pub but it didn't really do it for me.
9 Nov 2008 20:05
The beer festival on Saturday was excellent. All beers listed were available and in great condition. A good mix of strengths and styles too. The pub itself looks good - the conservatory is a nice touch. I'll come back and see if it's as good in 'normal' circumstances.
9 Nov 2008 19:51
The Betjeman Arms, St Pancras International Station
The beers at yesterdays festival were just about ok. Some beers were flat and there was confusion over which beers were ready but I guess it was their first attempt at running a festival.. It turned chilly outside later in the day despite the overhead heaters blasting out - we moved inside. The doors to the terrace were closed with a notice saying the doors would remain locked due to the cold Winter weather. For no reason the notices were removed and the door propped open. We complained to the chap who opened them but he wasn't interested that many customers had to put coats on and were shivering. Perhaps he wanted to clear the bar. He succeeded with us and we left early. This is probably more of a pub for Summer when you can sit outside and admire the station - unless you like sitting in a wind tunnel.
7 Nov 2008 09:29
Dropped in during the W'spoons beer festival - disappointingly few beers on so didn't stay long. Has novelty value in being subterranean and it's handy for the tube but that's all you can say for it.
4 Nov 2008 09:46
The choice of beers was ok but it was the W'spoons beer festival and I expected better. Some of the hand pumps had beer clips diplayed for beers which weren't on yet so we ingnored them, then found from someone else that they had been on for some time. Confusing. We were going to eat there but despite the pub being nowhere near even half full there was a 45 minute wait so we didn't bother. The bar staff were overstretched and one of them undertrained. The pints weren't topped up - even after asking they still weren't satisfactory but they were so hopeless we just took what they offered. Disappointed.
1 Nov 2008 14:07
Very attractive village pub - mix of locals and holiday makers. The beer was very well kept and the food excellent.
27 Oct 2008 10:44
Very welcoming and friendly. Good beer and the food was lovely. Would definitely go back if I was in the area.
27 Oct 2008 10:40
Nice pub, a bit posh for my taste but the beer was very good and the food looked ok too.
27 Oct 2008 10:37
Very quiet, and the beer was flat. You'd be better off in the nearby Lamb or Lion.
27 Oct 2008 10:34
Nice old fashioned pub. Only us two and half a dozen pensioners in at lunchtime. The food looked good and the beer was decent. Deserves more custom.
27 Oct 2008 10:28
The Four Chestnuts, Chichester
Pleasant pub with several good local beers. Well worth the short walk out from the city centre.
27 Oct 2008 10:22
Sticky tables packed very closely together. Not enough staff at lunch time? The food was fine and the service fairly efficient for saying it was very busy. A reasonable choice of well kept beer.
27 Oct 2008 10:07
Confused - it says it's a Fullers pub on the boarding outside but inside the menus and decor don't bear it out. Only London Pride on handpull. Pleasant enough pub if a little pricey.
2 Oct 2008 09:33
The Horseshoe Inn, London Bridge
A lot smarter than it used to be, it's gone all woody like the rest of the refurb gang but hasn't lost it's mojo. A rare thing for a refurbishment to be an improvement. Nice range of Brakespear's beer - well kept. Pleasant bar staff and a nice 'conservatory' type room at the back. It also seems to have a roof terrace but didn't investigate as I was scared of being blown away by the gale force 8.
2 Oct 2008 09:28
Pleasant, good looking Victorian pub, nice refurb job and the Bombadier - the only real ale on - was fine.
2 Oct 2008 09:19
The Betjeman Arms, St Pancras International Station
Cafe style bar, pleasant enough if it's quiet but irritating when busy as it's an odd shaped bar and you are always in someones way. It's better to sit outside and watch the Eurostar passengers coming and going. The beer is good but I had to ask twice for a top up as it was well under measure. The food is adequate but nothing to rave about - not too expensive for saying it's in a tourist area. I preferred the old comfy, beat up Shires bar that used to be on this site. Still, times move on and we must be fashionable or die.
1 Oct 2008 11:07
Since the recent landlord came in there has been a distinct improvement in the feel of the place. The pub looks spruce and the beers are varied and well conditioned. As others have commented, it's a shame it seems so empty. It was well attended at the recentish beer festival so hopefully that will raise it's profile and encourage revisits.
30 Sep 2008 10:27
Pleasant welcoming pub - a couple of beers on handpump - also stocks a wide variety of malts. Despite the narrow frontage it's quite a large, long pub with window seats and booth seating at the front and tables at the back. Near the station and well worth a visit.
29 Sep 2008 11:06
If you want to eat don't sit in the room to the right as you face the bar, the smell of toilet block from the gents toilets is overwhelming. The beer was ok but all from big brewers - no local ales or small breweries represented . OK for a quick slurp on the way to the train.
29 Sep 2008 10:39
Hectic, noisy and packed with workers and tourists early evening. You'll be lucky to find a seat but if you do and you want to eat the food is good and very cheap. The beer is fine, if a bit pedestrian in choice, but the beer isn't really the point here.
26 Sep 2008 16:56
A Nicholsons pub with reasonable choice of beer and the usual range of food. Lovely building - think it used to be a bank. It has plenty of panelling and nice carved woody bits. Gets quite busy and noisy after work.
26 Sep 2008 16:49
Laid back pub with decent food and a good choice of real ales. I had the Goldihops and the Brewdog Punk which were both excellent. Went back in the evening and ate in the back room. The service was pleasant and prompt, despite the pub being full - we got the last table - and the food was lovely.
26 Sep 2008 16:46
Been here a couple of times. It's pleasant enough and very clean and tidy but it's not a pub I'd settle down for a few beers and feel comfortable in. The landlord seems a bit officious with his staff and likes his staff, and you, to know who's in charge. The beer was well kept and very good but the vibe wasn't for me.
26 Sep 2008 16:36
A 'proper' pub populated with pleasant locals - helpful barstaff who were pleased to help you choose a malt whisky or two. 3 or 4 well kept ales were on handpump. The front bar was quite busy - there's a lounge at the back which we had a look at - very cosy, but it was closed. It's not far out town so don't be put off. We went to the Malt Cross in town first and it was only a 10 mins stroll over the bridge to get there. Well worth a visit - best pub in Ayr.
26 Sep 2008 16:06
Pleasant pub with a garden out the back. The beer was good and the staff friendly. Only wish we'd have had time to eat there but had to dash for the train. So many good pubs in Liverpool - note to self - must go back and stay longer.
17 Sep 2008 12:40
A beautiful Victorian pub with plenty of tiling, glass and other thrilling things. Lots of beer on offer -maybe more than usual because I went in the 'pub passport' period when there are generally more beers on in pubs. The 3 beers we tried were in v good condition. Lots of whiskies too. Friendly and knowledgeable barman. Faultless.
17 Sep 2008 12:35
The Argyll Arms, Oxford Circus
Lovely looking pub on the CAMRA Heritage list. It's good that it retains it's compartmented drinking areas despite the pressures there must be to open it up to make more room. Packed with tourists, office workers, casual droppers in etc which makes for an interesting mix. The barstaff were nippy and pleasant despite the crush at the bar and the three beers I tried were excellent - Thwaites Wainwright, TT Landlord and Bee Zone (Highgate Brewery?) Very competitively priced for the area too at around �2.70 a pint and a good choice of beer.
10 Sep 2008 09:42
The Bass from the jug was top notch as always. Black Sheep and Hobgoblin were on handpull - tried Hobgoblin which was crystal clear and delicious. If the door is locked and the pub seems closed in normal opening hours tap on the window and Dave will check you out on the CCTV. If you don't look like a homicidal maniac he might let you in.
6 Sep 2008 13:58
Eeek. Please disregard my last ramblings on there only being one handpump. There were 4 or 5 handpumps which are changed constantly. Out the back of the pub there is a large aviary with about 20-30 birds tweeting away. However my comments about the friendly vibe still stand unchanged. It's a smashing pub.
4 Sep 2008 16:11
Only one hand pull on but pleasant enough barmaid and friendly vibe.
4 Sep 2008 15:36
A lovely old building and good cheap Sam Smiths kept in fine condition.
4 Sep 2008 15:31
Well worth a walk a little way out of the city centre. Well kept ales and personable staff who know their stuff. I went at lunchtime but unfortunately it didn't open at 12 as stated in the York Beer Guide, but at 3pm. Trade is quiet at the moment and it's not worth them opening before then in the week. However there are other good pubs in the area to while away time until the magic hour approaches. A good area for a mini pub crawl.
4 Sep 2008 15:28
A handsome backstreet local with several rooms. The beer was very well kept and tasty but the chap behind the bar, who I took to be the landlord, was chilly. He blanked the chap at the bar trying to pass the time of day although the pub was nearly empty. It surprises me that with pubs struggling for trade in the current economic climate the landlords don't make a bit of effort to raise a smile and welcome custom. Perhaps they just like the peace and quiet of empty pubs.
4 Sep 2008 15:13
Modern Wetherspoons underneath the Travelodge. Nicely decorated - sort of 30's style - and plenty of room. The back of the bar looks out onto the tables on the terrace and overlooks the river. A nice setting and near the city walls so you can hop up and have a walk round in the sky after a few pints.
4 Sep 2008 15:05
The landlord/lady were very friendly, and the beer - mostly from the Batemans range - was excellent. The pub has recently undergone a complete refurb which has uncovered all the original features. Well worth a visit to that end of town with the Rook and Gaskell and the Spread Eagle - both excellent pubs - a couple of mins walk away.
4 Sep 2008 10:39
Brigantes Bar and Brasserie, York
Marvellous beer and delicious food. Been here several times when visiting York and the food has always been excellent. Also has a good choice of foreign bottled beers. A mixture of groups, couples and singles so anyone should feel relaxed due to the friendly atmos.
4 Sep 2008 10:32
A mix of holiday people and locals - very busy when we were in there at lunchtime. The food is cheap and very good pub grub, the service rapid and polite and of the 4 cask beers on offer we had the Harveys Best which was excellent.
27 Aug 2008 10:40
The Mucky Pup, Angel, Islington
I've never bothered visiting this pub as the name put me off. It sounds like something you would avoid like the plague when you're on holiday in Benidorm. I tried it out Saturday after someone recommended it and meant to stay for a quick half before moving on but stayed for a few pints. A bit on the pricey side for the area at �3 a pint but the beer was very good - TT Landlord, Sharpe's Eden and a third I can't remember. A nice Victorian corner boozer. Oh, and a free jukebox with Led Zep.
25 Aug 2008 09:43
Nearly didn't bother going in as the cafe bar style seemed to indicate a cask ale free zone, but I was pleasantly surprised. There were 4 or 5 real ales on - the Timothy Taylor Landlord we tried was well kept. The food here looks lovely but sadly we didn't have time to sample any.
20 Aug 2008 21:17
Nice locals pub with comfy seating and quiet atmos. Restful. Unfortunately only Youngs beers were on offer - the Bombardier had just run out. I chose a Waggledance which seems to be tasteless these days. Didn't it used to be stronger than 4%?
16 Aug 2008 15:45
The Prince of Wales, Wimbledon
Very busy as you would imagine being near the railway station and shopping centre. Fast service and reasonable beer. Nice Victorian building.
16 Aug 2008 15:40
The Wibbas Down Inn, Wimbledon
Had a decent pint and a nice snack here. Bog standard Wetherspoons - no complaints.
16 Aug 2008 15:35
The Leather Bottle, Wimbledon Chase
Barn like and the food was 'chips with everything'. Cheap though, in all senses of the word.
16 Aug 2008 15:30
Pleasant enough 'spoons - the usual mix of punters and the Marstons Old Empire was spot on. Reasonable choice of beers and quick service.
16 Aug 2008 15:23
A beautiful ornate Victorian pub with plenty of tiling, etched glass and screens. Think it's in CAMRA's National Inventory. Should be if not. The beer was ok but played second fiddle to the breathtaking interior.
16 Aug 2008 15:17
Very handsome pub with scrubbed wooden tables and nice outside area. The lady behind the bar was very pleasant. I'm not wild about Hopback in general but the Summer Lightning was the best one I'd had anywhere. If it all tasted like that one I'd be a convert. Didn't have time to try any more but must come back here (and the Trafalgar) to try some more.
16 Aug 2008 15:08
Trafalgar Freehouse, South Wimbledon
Great pub with a good selection of ales. Amazed by the number of beers on offer despite the smallness of the place. Maybe I should move to Croydon. All these pubs nearby and a tram linking many of them up nicely! My copy of the Tramlink Guide to Real Ale Pubs in South London is about ready to fall into dust. Any chance of a reprint Croydon CAMRA?
16 Aug 2008 14:59
A nice backstreet boozer. Very friendly staff and customers and the beer(Fullers) is always top notch. The rooms are lived in - which I like in a pub myself - but clean and comfy with nice niches in the back bar. Definately worth a bit of a walk of the main drag.
14 Aug 2008 09:52
Popular and pleasant. Nearly didn't bother going in having to brave the hordes of shrieking drinkers roped in like cattle on the pavement. Inside all was tranquil. The beer choice was reasonable and pleasant. Not a bad 'spoons (or Lloyds) all in all.
14 Aug 2008 09:35
Lovely pub and the beers are always well kept. A bit cliquey but that's locals for you. Doesn't really detract from the charm of the place. The yard at the back is pleasant if the sun ever shines. Would make this my local if I was a Croydonite.
14 Aug 2008 09:29
Only heard about the Green Dragon in the past few weeks and as a trip to Croydon was due I gave it a whirl. I was impressed with the beer quality and choice. The food was good value and the service fast and friendly. Will make it a regular call when I'm in the area.
14 Aug 2008 09:23
The Claret Free House, Addiscombe
Looks and feels like it used to be a restaurant. Nice and handy for the tram. There was a bit of overkill on Palmers beers which I'm not wild about. I had a fairly average pint. After reading the reviews I was a bit disappointed. Nice enough beer and pub but nothing special about it.
14 Aug 2008 09:17
The Square and Compass, Worth Matravers
You just don't see many pubs like this any more. I loved it. It makes you feel like an American tourist oohing and ahhing at how old everything is. The beer was good too. Would love to go back in the sunshine as everything was shrouded in rain and mist. A good reason to go back and sample some more beers.
11 Aug 2008 15:16
The Duke of Cambridge, Islington
I've tried to get on with this pub as it's just up the road but it's such hard work. The staff are so cool it hurts them to look at you. I don't need smiles or pleasantries but a basic level of communication would be good. A sneer doen't really count. Oh and the beer was, as I was expecting. on the expensive side, but also cloudy and not up to much. Added to all the other irritants I've given up on it.
28 Jul 2008 15:27
Proper pub, good beer choice and you can listen to the trains chuffing past. Lovely place to sit and sip the afternoon away. It definately deserves it's CAMRA IoW pub of the year award.
28 Jul 2008 15:15
Used to come here a lot when it was the Head of Steam and before Fullers got hold of it. Totally spoilt now - boring beers, surly barstaff and the food, which was never the best, is inedible. What a pity.
28 Jul 2008 15:11
Small and friendly town boozer - one of the best on the island. Beer varied and well kept. The locals tolerate tourist infiltration with good grace in limited space.
27 Jul 2008 12:20
A nice old pub - flagstone floor and decent beer. Had some lovely crab sandwiches and not a bad price for food in the IoW. Staff upset my partner who paid by credit card when they asked if he wanted to add a tip before he'd even tasted his food. How would you know yet?
27 Jul 2008 12:14
Had a pint of delicious Fursty Ferret here whilst on a coastal walk. Sat in the large garden overlooking the sea - a beautiful setting. Could have stayed there all afternoon. The pub was geared up for Summer trade and the service was efficient and friendly. Inside was comfortable 'chain pub' seating and decor -individuality in pubs is now mainly a luxury so that's just a quibble in an otherwise excellent visit.
27 Jul 2008 12:04
Well, there are a lot of weird people about and they all seem to like this pub! The lingering smell is from the blocked drains next door, (and not the customers) which they are trying to sort out. The beers are lovely though - always well looked after and there's always a decent choice.
27 Jul 2008 11:51
Sort of non-descript chain pub with various menus and wine lists cluttering the tables. Irritating. Boring beers, not very well kept and miserable manager/landlord. Wouldn't bother - there are plenty of other better bars on Upper St/
21 Jul 2008 10:41
The Rosemary Branch, Islington
Pricey for an off-the-main-track pub - �3.20 for a pint. Can this be right? Chap who I took to be the landlord was a bit odd. I asked directions to another pub and he somewhat forcefully asked if his beer was good. It was but I wanted to move on (and pay less, but was too cowardly to tell him). I thought he could easily get a bit moody if crossed, so I placated him and moved swiftly on.
21 Jul 2008 10:36
Why is everyone in the Wenlock obsessed with toilets and carpets? This is getting distinctly unhealthy. Throw some sawdust on the floor and hold your breath while performing your ablutions. You're in Hoxton not Hampstead.
14 Jul 2008 21:28
The Royal Standard, Lyme Regis
Really good pub food with a specials board offering fish and seafood. Make sure you book a table if there's a party of you as space is limited. The beer was very good too.
26 Jun 2008 14:29
A real locals pub with good beer and friendly atmos. Worth a hike up the hill.
26 Jun 2008 14:26
Went in here a few times over the week we stayed and the beer was good. The house beer (Donegal?) was tasty and there was a couple of guest beers on which changed a few times while we were there. Also ate there a couple of times and it was very acceptable.
26 Jun 2008 14:23
The Royal Lion Hotel, Lyme Regis
The beer was well kept and the bar staff very pleasant and efficient. We ate in the bar - there's a separate menu for the restaurant - very reasonable prices and lovely food which arrived promptly. There is a hotel bar feel to it but it's not 'antiseptic' as hotel bars can be. Nice and woody and a good old building.
26 Jun 2008 14:16
The Pilot Boat Inn, Lyme Regis
Waited an age to get served as barmaid was serving out of turn. Then she turned to a local chap in the other bar who had just come in to serve him first. I and another person waiting gave up and went somewhere else. Reading the beer reviews I'm glad we were spared.
26 Jun 2008 14:10
Called in for a sandwich and a pint while staying in the area. The staff were very friendly, the locals chatty. The Palmers beer was well kept and the sarnie excellent. A nice solid town centre pub.
24 Jun 2008 10:53
Bankes Arms Hotel and Country Inn, Studland
The pub is attractive and the views lovely. The beers were ok but I expected better with it being the home of Isle of Purbeck brewery. The barstaff were pleasant but didn't seem to have a clue how to serve beer. They seemed undertrained and bewildered but they were eager to please the customers and did their best. Despite the pub garden being full the sandwiches we ordered came quite quickly. We also ate there one evening. My seabass was a bit meagre but our group of four thought the food was well cooked and we enjoyed it.
4 Jun 2008 15:28
Impressive building and I think there were 10 handpulls on. One of the best 'spoons I've been in. Empty when I went in midweek mid afternnon - like being in a cathedral of beer.
4 Jun 2008 10:48
Didn't eat at this pub - luckily reading the other reviews - but went to the beer festival over the May bank holiday weekend. It was sunny (gasp!) and we sat outside drinking some of the tasty local beers on offer. It was a bit busy at times but the two barmaids coped well and with good grace. Would recommend the beerfest but can't comment on usual run of the pub. It's in a lovely position with Corfe Castle in the background. Worth a trip, if you're in the area, for the setting alone.
4 Jun 2008 10:43
Our party thought it was the best real ale pub in Swanage by a good margin. 4 well kept ales plus lots of cider and perry if that's your thing. There's a fair sized garden at the back. The bar was small and cosy, and there was a dart board if you fancied spearing the unlucky drinkers sitting underneath.
4 Jun 2008 10:26
It looks a bit tatty but don't be put off. We drank downstairs - Badger Best was very good - and sat outside overlooking the sea. We also ate upstairs a couple of times -the food was good, service was efficient and pleasant and the views over to the Isle of Wight were lovely. If you are keen on interior design then it leaves a lot to be desired. Plush red seating and a 60's feel. I quite liked it - ah nostalgia, it reminds you of holidays with your parents.
4 Jun 2008 10:18
Was pleasantly surprised as most pubs on caravan sites are lager palaces. Good cask ale and we had a lovely dinner there too. The staff were very friendly and helpful.
4 Jun 2008 10:09
Oh and by the way, I concur with past comments. The picture shown is the Kingly St. Blue Posts. Not a bad pub but the wrong one. There seem to be at least 3 Blue Posts in the area. Wonder if there's a reason for this or is it just to confuse the postman?
15 May 2008 14:35
Love this pub. Back to the 50's (English frumpy, not American shiny) Grumpy landlord, miserable staff but very efficient and well kept beer. I like the way the sign on the door to the toilets changes each time you visit - 'Private' one day 'Toilet' the next - depending on the mood of the landlord. To pee or not to pee?
15 May 2008 14:26
Called in after the beer festival and found many other festival people had the same idea. It's a small pub - very cosy, dark and friendly and the beer was well kept.
10 Mar 2008 17:32
The The Old Monk Exchange, Westminster
I used to work near the Old Monk but never went in as it never appealed from the outside. Went in yesterday because it was advertising a beer festival 3-15 March. It looks like it used to be a wine bar - exposed brick cellar and Belgian cafe like tables and chairs. The barstaff were very helpful and seemed keen to promote real ales. Food seemed a bit pricey but didn't try it. Will probably give the festival a go.
28 Feb 2008 14:19
Barstaff were very efficient coping well with the crowds going to the football. One of the better 'spoons I've been to on service alone. Reasonable choice of beers.
21 Feb 2008 14:22
The Hen and Chickens, Islington
Good atmosphere, cosy and candlelit and very friendly and helpful barmaid. Very cheering on a miserable February day.
21 Feb 2008 14:14
The pub was very much alive and kicking when I was there 3 weeks ago. It's the nearby Royal Standard that closed. The old landlady has gone (hoorah!) and the new landlord seems very welcoming. The food is great - the old kitchen staff seem to have been retained - and huge portions. Old Empire seems to be the house beer. A few others were on tap but I only had eyes for the Empire so can't remember what they were.
20 Feb 2008 10:04
If you can get into the front bar it's fine but the rest of the pub has no atmosphere - a bit sterile. You felt as if the staff were doing you a favour serving you - maybe it's because I wasn't a regular. The beer selection and quality was good but the food was fairly bland and boring. Not cheap either. Handy for the station - almost on the platform. Wouldn't rush back.
26 Oct 2007 12:56
Loved this place. Why can't we have pubs like this at our uk travel hubs? Reasonable priced well cooked food plus fabulous ale at E2.10 for 0.5L - I had the seasonal beer. The service was prompt and the place was rammed. Obviously popular with locals and travellers. Makes you wonder why we have to put up with dreadful overpriced pap at our airports.
3 Oct 2007 19:27
Nice food but you'd better be hungry if you eat here -probably the biggest portions in Germany and that's saying something. Nice large comfy place, the staff are friendly and efficient and the beer is ok too.
3 Oct 2007 19:07
Shouty pub full of drunken estate agents - or at least it was when I went in - with a dash of Shoreditch types. I've spoken to old locals who used to go in there but were told they weren't welcome any more after the refurb. Seems to be fairly empty in the week - probably why I've seen more of the old locals in there recently when I've peered thru' the window on the way past. I suppose any cash in the till is welcome when mid-week trade is slow.
31 Aug 2007 20:15
Went for a drink one afternoon in April and really liked the place but have been back since and it was closed. I presume it only opens in the evenings now which is a shame as the views over the sea are marvellous in the afternoon sun.
31 Aug 2007 19:58
Part of the Sandpiper Hotel but the bar didn't have the horrible 'hotel feel' about it. A really nice cosy pub with a games room if you're so inclined. Also an attractive large garden/patio area. 4 real ales on which were all well kept. The staff were very helpful and friendly. We were in a bit of a hurry to get the bus so they did us a take away sarnie. Lovely bread and generous fillings - the meals looked very tasty too.
31 Aug 2007 19:50
Nice friendly pub with a good choice of beers - 5 or 6 handpumps. Usual mix of holidaymakers and locals. It's nice to see the train carriages parked outside when you nip out to the toilets on the platform. I agree with BongoJoe in that there's a bit of a strange feel to the pub as the Blaenau Ffestiniog cafe is tacked onto the bar. Maybe it needs a dividing wall in to give a more cosy feel to the bar.
22 Aug 2007 18:57
I can't believe this pub is Casque Marque. It looks a dump from the outside and remarkably manages to be worse inside.
22 Aug 2007 18:47
Calm down theregent,you're frightening everyone. I know the pub's a bit tatty but it's not scarey or full of misfits. There might be one or two harmless burbling people at times but they won't hurt you. Usually there's a good cross section of ages, sexes and types. The clientele are mostly interesting and chatty and if you like beer there's no better pub. Why not give it another go and next time bring your mum for backup.
6 Aug 2007 10:06
The beer festival was pretty good and we enjoyed all the beers we tried. It's a lovely back street local and an asset to the area. I only hope it doesn't get sold off for redevelopment as is/was rumoured. It would be a tragedy to lose such a fine community pub. Must try and get there more often and do my bit to keep the takings up.
21 Jun 2007 10:18
A lovely little pub and much more appealing now the smoking ban has cleared the air. It was like being kippered in a phone box before. The food is good but if there are more than 2 or 3 of you ordering be prepared to eat in shifts. Tiny kitchen. Great beer on offer and if you flash your CAMRA m/ship card at the bar you get 50p off your first pint.
19 Mar 2007 09:18
I went to the beer festival yesterday lunchtime and really enjoyed it. All the beers were top notch - a good mix of strengths and varieties - and the barman was very pleasant and helpful. We didn't eat there but the food looked lovely. In fact I'm going back Saturday for some more beers and a snack. I still find the bar a bit stark and comfortless but feel like I'm a nit picking. Any real ale oasis in these parts is welcome and deserves praise. However, it would be great if the landlord went the extra mile and made the bar as welcoming as his bar staff. Curtains and cushions please!
15 Mar 2007 10:28
A quiet oasis in the afternoons, away from the bustle of City Rd. Nice and old fashioned - comfy seats and a nice rest before struggling on to the Wenlock. I always seem to drop in there when the Archers is on which suits me fine. Usually about 4 beers on handpump so a reasonable choice.
28 Feb 2007 13:52
The Yorkshire Beerfest was great. Never been to the pub before but will try again out of festival time. The beers were superb and the staff helpful and friendly. A bit of a trek from North London but worth the effort.
28 Feb 2007 13:45
Great beer - huge choice, friendly bar staff, nice food. There's a good mix of ages amongst the punters which you don't often see. A good place to meet up and have a chat and drink with chums. Not too far from town and other nice pubs. Well worth a short walk from the Market Place. They also have occasional Beer Festivals - the next one 29/3-1/4/07 - 100 new beers. Sounds worth a trip out for.
22 Jan 2007 11:59
I was so disappointed with this pub. It's in the heritage guide and looks great. The beer is well kept but the barstaff are miserable and you feel unwelcome. We had to ask the landlord to top up our beer as he gave us very short measure. After tutting and sarcastically asking 'is there enough in there now' after topping us up, he discussed it with one of his barstaff, thinking we were out of hearing range. She obviously asked where we were and as they craned round the bar screen to find us we sat staring at them feeling like criminals. I gave a cheery wave, much to their discomfort, and we made a discreet exit. Don't think we'll be going back anytime soon.
10 Jan 2007 15:19
A lovely pub handy for the railway station - good beer, good food, friendly staff. Have just heard that it was due to close down in December 2006. Can it be true? I hope not. Anyone out there know anything?
4 Jan 2007 15:14
I used to go to the famed Beer Circus when it was in it's old premises and thought it was the best bar in Brussels. I awaited the move to it's new site, just up the road, with excitement. I am really disappointed with it. The new place looks nice enough but the drinkers now are ushered into a narrow drinking area while the tables are reserved for those eating. We did eat there but the food wasn't up to the standard we expected. I hear that the business is having a few problems and is closing an extra day a week because of lack of custom. I hope they sort it out to everyone's satisfaction because it would be a shame to lose one of Brussels' institutions.
28 Dec 2006 15:58
A really great selection of beer - probably too much choice. You could spend more time choosing your poison than drinking it. My only quibble was that on both occasions we visited recently there was only one overworked member of staff to collect and wash glasses and to serve at the bar and locate the beers. As there were about 50 customers to serve when we were there you could end up waiting up to half an hour for a drink. Across the road the Delerium's sister bar 'Floris' serves jenever and absinthe.
28 Dec 2006 15:51
I went in this pub again recently and found it to be really changed for the better. I'd been in a couple of times a few years back and it was terrible. The staff didn't seem to want to serve you and the whole atmosphere was miserable. The service is now slick and the beer choice is huge (14 handpumps) and wonderfully kept. I've managed to tempt several friends back there and they all agree how it's upped it's game. Must be one of the best 'spoons I've visited.
28 Dec 2006 15:42
It's a pleasant pub with a few guest real ales on as well as the usual London Pride, Pedigree etc. You get a wide range of ages and everyone from local people, pensioners, office workers and students. The food is fine - what you expect in any Wetherspoons - and the staff are pleasant and friendly. The only think I found odd was that smoking is banned on Wednesdays from 3pm onwards (honest!) I read it in a beer mag and thought it was a misprint but it's true. Personally I prefer no smoking pubs so no quibble with a ban, but it seems like a recipe for confrontation and makes no sense to ban smoking one afternoon/night a week. I think the staff find it difficult to enforce it and the smokers are confused and cross.
28 Dec 2006 15:32
I too called in after the Pig's Ear Beerfest. I don't know if I had got used to the subdued lighting in the festival, but the Pembury seemed far too bright. The pale wood floors, harsh lighting and absence of curtains to muffle noise made you feel like you were in a school hall. That said, the barman (landlord?) was very pleasant and the beers were excellent. I'll try it again when I'm in the area. It's a shame that many pubs when refurbed follow the trend of stripping out carpets,curtains and any softening effects. Nice pub, but not one you feel like staying in for long, depite the good beers.
13 Dec 2006 11:11
A lovely friendly pub close to the market in Worksop. Does a couple of real ales which change regularly - both in really good condition when we called. The food looked great too so we stayed for lunch. Good sized portions of well cooked, very reasonably priced food, and they even did real chips. It was packed with regulars. There's a good sized separate bar away from the dining area for those who hate to see people filling their faces while they slurp.
22 Apr 2006 21:13
You'll find the Falstaff off Normanton Rd, about 20 mins stroll from the city centre or 5 mins on the bus. It's not a posh pub so don't bother if you want pine floors and minimalism. It's a basic 2 roomed local with a cheery fire in Winter. The locals are friendly and chatty and the beer is wonderful, brewed by the adjoining Falstaff Brewery. You'll probably drop in to try a few beers and end up staying for the afternoon.
21 Apr 2006 11:57
A nice trad pub. I've lived round the area for quite a few years but have only just found this pub tucked away. Like a tardis, it looks small from the outside but is surprisingly roomy. Nice and cosy, good beer and the food looked OK too. A definate revisit is required.
3 Mar 2006 14:47
Well, the Alex has been refurbed - or at least they have painted it and removed some pictures and posters. It's still freezing in Winter despite them opening up the fire, and the new landlord's black look when he overheard us mentioning the cold was enough to chill the marrow. Not a happy chappy. The beer choice isn't as extensive as it was and the bar staff seem to need some training - don't know how to pour or serve a full pint. Teething problems one hopes. However, the beer was kept well and it's busier in there than of late.
3 Mar 2006 13:01
If you're going to eat here make sure you book a table as it gets busy. Great food - the steak was huge and beautifully cooked. In fact the portions of everything were generous. The staff were patient, friendly and efficient. There was no push to get you out as soon as you'd finished the meal and the whole restaurant area was no smoking. The smokers in our party nipped into the bar for inter-course cigarettes which suited us all. Brilliant. The only gripe was that there was no real ale on. The wine was well priced though. All round it was a great night out.
21 Apr 2005 22:55
The Earl of Essex, Islington
Much improved from it's last incarnation and much better after a light touch refurb left the old bar and fixtures in place. It's still feels like a back street local but has a definite Hoxton vibe to it now. Although it does a range of food it doesn't feel like eating is the main event and consequently it has the vibe of a 'proper' pub and not a Gastro. The beer was cracking - well kept and a good range of cask and keg. The Tiny Rebel on cask and the Thornbridge/Odells collaboration were particularly good. If the beer range continues to be this good it's going to be a favourite. Oh, and they are starting to brew their own beer shortly.
13 Jul 2012 17:02