BITE user comments - daveinbrum
Comments by daveinbrum
Like its near neighbour the Lichfield Vaults, this has been much improved by new owners who've smartened the place up and improved the beer range. Church Street area is now not a bad place to spend an evening.
20 Nov 2011 16:30
The Lichfield Vaults, Hereford
Much improved with beer range not bad and quality outstanding on my visit. Friendly staff as well.
20 Nov 2011 16:29
The Old Joint Stock, Birmingham
Previously rated this pub highly but after seeing staff woefully failing to deal with a busy Saturday night, I shan't be returning again in a while. Shame.
20 Nov 2011 16:27
Went back recently to see if it had improved. It hadn't, but fortunately as the other pubs in Harborne continue to improve, there's no need to return anytime soon. I'm suspicious of the effusive praise from "conniseur" below, particularly as that was their only review.
12 Oct 2011 21:33
Has finally had a much-needed refurb. If you've been to the Junction, Fighting Cocks, Old Contemptibles, etc, this is much the same, but a vast improvement on its previous neglected state. Beer range is much-improved as well.
12 Oct 2011 21:25
Welcome combination of real ales and decent keg stuff, as well as a vast range of bottles if you get bored of what's on tap. Unusual building and helpful staff.
12 Oct 2011 21:19
Very welcome addition to the city's pub scene - good range of Two Towers ales plus one guest, and probably the city's best range of overseas beers. The friendly landlord and bar staff are an added bonus.
12 Oct 2011 21:16
As a visitor, didn't feel very welcome when being harassed by the unpleasant 'local' which the bar staff didn't seem inclined to do anything about. Beer range not up to much either.
12 Oct 2011 21:15
Cornerstone Cafe Bar, St Peter Port
Would be rude not to pop in if you're at the Cock and Bull; unlike next door it also does food. Beer range is OK but, as noted, a bit on the pricey side.
12 Oct 2011 21:14
The Cock and Bull, St Peter Port
Best pub in town; good beer, atmosphere and music and deseverdly busy most nights of the week.
12 Oct 2011 21:13
According to CAMRA, it is shortly to reopen as the Brown Lion again (so let's hope BITE don't belatedly change it). Apparently it will be the brewery tap for the city's Two Towers brewery. Should be an improvement on its past incarnation.
3 May 2011 18:02
Tucked away in a side street near Euston station, has a pretty good range of beers and helpful staff. Definitely worth a visit if arriving in or leaving the capital by train.
1 May 2011 14:46
Very nice pub with a good range of beers, mostly the full Brodie's range - and only �2 a pint! Well worth heading out to Leyton for.
1 May 2011 14:44
Good range of beers and attentive bar staff, but I am concerned that they are taking liberties with some of their prices. An American bottled beer I had there was double the price that it cost me in another bar recently. Paying a bit more for a quality product is fine, but there should be a limit.
1 May 2011 14:43
Have to echo the views below - great little pub, probably unchanged for years. No real ale but decent Guinness!
20 Mar 2011 18:05
The Old House At Home, Harborne
Hard to know what to say about this. Nothing particularly wrong with it but nothing outstanding either. Obviously aimed at families and diners but there's room enough for everyone.
5 Dec 2010 19:30
The Banks's is �2.10 now but that's not a bad price these days. Comfortable and cosy inside, a good pub for a winter's evening.
5 Dec 2010 19:29
The Calthorpe Arms, Handsworth
Looks like it's recently been refurbished and was nice enough inside. No real ale but not sure how well it would go down here. Not bad.
5 Dec 2010 19:26
It's been smartened up considerably and seems to be pulling in the punters. The well-kept real ales were a welcome addition.
5 Dec 2010 19:25
Nicely done out inside and good-value food but could do with some more interesting beers on.
5 Dec 2010 19:19
The New Billesley, Kings Heath
Oh dear. Enormous pub which was deserted on the Saturday night I visited. Can't see it lasting long in its present form.
5 Dec 2010 19:18
Cut above the a standard Ember Inn - cosy atmosphere and good range of beers
5 Dec 2010 19:16
The Sun on the Hill, Birmingham
Not quite as good as some of the other nearby pubs but a vast improvement on its old guise.
1 Oct 2010 20:24
Beer and food ok but nothing special. Location probably ensures decent tourist trade, though.
20 Jun 2010 20:13
Fairly standard wetherspoons but a good range of real ales at the usual low prices, so is understandably popular.
20 Jun 2010 20:08
Not quite as real ale-focused as in the Skinner's days but still a reasonable range and quality.
20 Jun 2010 20:06
Deserves its good reputation - almost everyone seems to drink the in-house brews with the Guiness and single lager very much an afterthought, and rightly so. Nice historic interior and a decent beer garden as well.
20 Jun 2010 20:03
Royal Seven Stars Hotel, Totnes
Seems popular any time of the day or night, and as previously said the tables out front are a good place to watch the comings and goings on the high street. A few decent real ales as well.
20 Jun 2010 20:01
More of a restaurant than a pub but you can get a drink at the bar. Good range of beers but a bit on the pricey side.
20 Jun 2010 19:58
Nothing spectacular but beer quality was fine and does good-value food.
20 Jun 2010 19:55
Pretty decent pub, more aimed at locals than tourists, but none the worse for that. Enjoyed a good pint of Hobgoblin.
20 Jun 2010 19:53
Was very quiet when I visited so can't really comment on locals but beer quality was poor considering it brews its own.
20 Jun 2010 19:52
Best pub in Totnes - good beer, smart without being pretentious and a decent beer garden out back
20 Jun 2010 19:51
The Weoley Castle, Weoley Castle
Now open again. Nothing special, but not much else in the area so hope it keeps going.
8 May 2010 13:56
Agree with the other reviews - good seafront location but doesn't crank up the prices as a result - in fact the prices were the lowest I've seen in years. If Sam Smiths can do it, why can't the others?
2 Apr 2010 13:37
North Riding Hotel, Scarborough
Nothing special to look at, but the beers were top-notch, with a good crowd of local regulars.
2 Apr 2010 13:35
A likeable little bar, serving decent beer, although very quiet on my visit which is a bit of a worry.
2 Apr 2010 13:34
A bit disappointing, considering the reviews elsewhere. Beer range was average and there's no food any more. Seems to be struggling a bit.
2 Apr 2010 13:32
The Old Scalby Mills, Scarborough
A bit of a trek on a rainy day, but well worth the effort. Decent ales in pleasant surroundings and was deservedly popular, despite the weather
2 Apr 2010 13:31
Very pleasant pub selling well-kept beers from the Bath Ales range. Well worth seeking out.
16 Feb 2010 17:59
Good beer and prices, nice gesture with the CAMRA discount, which I didn't even have to ask for.
16 Feb 2010 17:56
Impressive decor and the Fullers ownership means some different beers to what you'll find elsewhere in the city - always good to see the London Porter on draught.
16 Feb 2010 17:54
The Hillgrove Porter Stores, Bristol
very pleasant pub with a good beer range - a bit quiet for a Friday night when I was there, but hopefully I just caught it on a bad day.
16 Feb 2010 17:52
Lively, busy pub with a good selection of beers. Does the simple stuff well.
16 Feb 2010 17:50
Good decor and food; guest ales were uninspiring on my visit but the Butcombe bitters were excellent quality.
16 Feb 2010 17:49
Rare to see this type of venue serve real ale, but why should the 'trendy' wine bars have all the interesting locations? Great riverside location and good slection of Bristol Beer Factory ales.
16 Feb 2010 17:48
Very nice pub, doesn't pretend to be anything it isn't, but good beer and a friendly barman to help me choose - can't ask for more than that.
16 Feb 2010 17:47
The Canalside Cafe, Birmingham
Maybe I was lucky, but nothing wrong with the ales when I was in. And nice cosy ambience as well.
19 Dec 2009 19:34
Old Moseley Arms, Balsall Heath
Now a free house, hence the greater range of beers. Was a good pub anyway, so looking forward to seeing it get even better.
19 Dec 2009 19:28
A pretty decent pub has just got even better now the pubco has been given the boot. Now a proper freehouse, with a better beer range as a result.
19 Dec 2009 19:26
Much improved now the previous disinerested management have been replaced. Very welcome outlet for excellent Highgate/Davenports beers and, judging by how packed it was on Friday, is definately moving in the right direction.
19 Dec 2009 19:24
Friendly, cosy pub right by the main shopping area with a roaring fire in winter and a decent selection of ales. Went in with my mate last night and he got a round in with me standing next to him; I went up for the next round and the barmaid asked "same again?". It wasn't, as we were working our way through the guest ales, but it was a nice touch.
6 Dec 2009 11:45
It was always a decent pub but seems to have got even better in the last couple of years - and one plus point of Martson's expansion is there's a good chance of getting a Ringwood or Jenning's guest now.
29 Nov 2009 18:44
A bit more than the standard Marston's/Banks's pub, with a couple of Jennings and/or Ringwood beers normally on, all good quality.
21 Nov 2009 19:18
Friendly and cosy, like stepping into someone's front room. A couple of real ales on now, as well.
21 Nov 2009 19:16
Had heard good things about this pub and finally paid a visit today. One of the best new discoveries I've made in years. Great range of beers (real ales and continental lagers), the food looked decent and it was justifiably busy. Superb.
22 Mar 2009 21:58
In a city full of great pubs, always worth a visit for quality York ales and decent guests.
2 Feb 2009 19:57
Still one of the UK's must-visit pubs. Brilliantly eclectic interior with old signs and bric a brac, great range of real ales and bargain lunches. No wonder it's always busy whenever I visit.
2 Feb 2009 19:56
Brigantes Bar and Brasserie, York
Something a bit different to the regular York pubs, but still a few decent real ales on, together with the continental lagers.
2 Feb 2009 19:54
Very welcome new(ish) arrival in York - a couple of decent microbrewed beers and big range of foreign lagers. Nice old building, with more room upstairs if the bar's full.
2 Feb 2009 19:51
Very busy with the post-work crowd on a Friday afternoon but could see why - good, well-kept beer and a well-preserved old building.
2 Feb 2009 19:49
Beer range looked good, but had gone there to eat but food was off despite signs to the contrary and menus on each table. Didn't have time to come back.
2 Feb 2009 19:48
Mr Foley's Cask Ale House, Leeds
Good range and quality of beer, and a lot bigger than it looks so plenty of room for everyone!
2 Feb 2009 19:44
Arcadia Ale and Wine Bar, Headingley
Far better than you'd expect from the exterior or location - but as good as you'd expect for a Market Hall pub. Great beer and a friendly atmosphere.
2 Feb 2009 19:42
Great dark star beers, or foreign lagers if that's more your thing - in a city with more than its share of great pubs, this is one of the best.
22 Nov 2008 22:19
Agree with the other comments praising this pub. Nice selection of real ales and belgian beers, with friendly staff and more space inside than you might think. Definitely worth a visit.
22 Nov 2008 22:18
The Basketmakers Arms, Brighton
Absolutely packed on my visit, even in mid-week, but given the excellent food and beer, that's not surprising!
22 Nov 2008 22:15
Friendly and welcoming with decent beer as well (even the Kemp Town ones in my view!)
22 Nov 2008 22:14
The Prince of Wales, Birmingham
Ignore my last review - I had the wrong Prince of Wales. Have asked BITE to remove it, but they haven't...
21 Sep 2008 20:27
Popular centrally-located pub, with nice range of real ales on offer.
21 Sep 2008 20:26
Nicely done out pub, popular with students, great beers straight from the barrell and friendly staff.
21 Sep 2008 20:24
Welcome outlet for Young's beers a fair way from their normal catchment area.
21 Sep 2008 20:23
The Great Western Hotel, Exeter
Excellent range of beers, but food was fairly average - a bit disappointing considering the place's reputation.
21 Sep 2008 20:21
Nice traditional multi-roomed layout, and the beer's not bad either.
21 Sep 2008 20:19
Doesn't look much from the outside, but is a decent, traditional pub inside. Food is simple but surprisingly good.
21 Sep 2008 20:17
Beer is OK, food is poor quality and obviously aimed at tourists. Often full of children, which may or may not be a good thing, depending on your point of view.
21 Sep 2008 20:16
My favourite pub in St Ives - manages to avoid being an overpriced tourist trap or a 'locals-only' venue. Probably the best beer range in town as well.
21 Sep 2008 20:15
Another big old building that's being sadly underused. Beer and atmosphere not great.
31 Aug 2008 21:45
At a time when most of Birmingham's big roadside pubs seem to be in terminal decline, this one shows what can be done if you put a bit of effort in. Decent beer at reasonable prices, a nice beer garden, decor OK (but not over the top) and the punters keep coming. Other pubs take note.
31 Aug 2008 21:39
The Sun on the Hill, Birmingham
Considering how good some of the neighbouring pubs are, it's amazing anyone comes in here. Poor beer and dodgy atmosphere.
31 Aug 2008 21:23
The Lost and Found, Birmingham
Decent-sized pub with good, though not outstanding, range of beers. Not bad at all, but several other good places nearby.
31 Aug 2008 21:21
The Old Joint Stock, Birmingham
A welcome outlet for Fullers beers in Birmingham, which is usually busy, but with enough room for everyone. Good food too.
31 Aug 2008 21:19
Slightly bewildered by people complaining the beer is flat - real ale is supposed to be! Even better, the head doesn't take up a quarter of the glass here. The Wellington offers probably the widest selection of ales in Brum, graded from A to E on the list according to how light/dark they are, so you're likely to get the sort of beer you like. What more can you ask for?
31 Aug 2008 21:18
A bit out of the way, but worth making a detour to. Good beer and a unique atmosphere.
31 Aug 2008 21:11
Decent pub, in an area with lots of competition. Pleased to see the addition of Jennings ales alongside the old Banks's range.
31 Aug 2008 21:10
Excellent pub, which gets even better during the regular beer festivals. Can take a while to get served, but worth the wait...
31 Aug 2008 21:08
Rare outlet for Greene King XX Mild which was excellent. Very much a locals pub, but welcoming enough to outsiders.
17 Aug 2008 15:11
Most Wetherspoons are much of a muchness but this one stands out from the crowd with an excellent range of beer at great prices.
17 Aug 2008 15:09
Huge range of well-kept beers. Doesn't look much from the outside but very impressive once you get in.
17 Aug 2008 15:08
Probably the most characterful pub in Derby, with a great selection of guest ales. Food range is limited but good value.
17 Aug 2008 15:06
As everyone else says... great beer, great pub. If it was more centrally located it would be packed all the time.
17 Aug 2008 15:02
Excellent range of beers and loads of room for everyone. Always worth a visit.
17 Aug 2008 15:01
Very disappointing for a GBG-listed pub. Only one of the three handpumps was on, and the barmaid aggressively demanded ID the second I walked in (despite being 29 and having no problems anywhere else in years). Won't be going back.
17 Aug 2008 15:00
Hats off to the new owners - they've turned an average pub into a cracking one. Beer range is now much wider and better-quality, and they've now made the most of the large back garden with a big covered drinking area and food of a weekend.
11 Aug 2008 12:43
The Prince of Wales, Birmingham
Hats off to the new owners - they've turned an average pub into a cracking one. Beer range is now much wider and better-quality, and they've now made the most of the large back garden with a big covered drinking area and food of a weekend.
11 Aug 2008 12:40
Yet to be there when the handpump is actually on. And the music is too loud. Could be so much better....
11 Aug 2008 12:37
Visited for the first time at the weekend - a very welcome addition to the Brum pub scene. Great beer and surroundings and the food looked good (I'll be back to sample at some point). Was lively without being too busy, which hopefully is how it will stay although I'm sure the owners will never say no to more customers!
11 Aug 2008 12:35
A bit on the pricey side, but the excellent Belgian beers and food are well worth it as a treat.
18 Jan 2008 16:16
One of the country's finest pubs, with a huge range of beers on draught and in bottles. Not to be missed if you're anywhere nearby.
18 Jan 2008 16:14
Who says it's closing? I've not heard anything... Anyway, like everyone else says the beer's nothing special, but it's the live music people come here for, and it's still one of the best venues in the city for that.
18 Jan 2008 16:13
Recently refurbished and a lot better than it was. The beer range is improved with continental lagers and 3 handpumps, although it's often not all on, so not sure how seriously they're taking it.
28 Dec 2007 12:39
Was once one of Harborne's better pubs but has been overtaken by the competition these days. The beer is expensive and the range uninspiring and the landlord is particularly rude - I had an argument with him because I refused to accept a pint that had been tipped into my glass from another one that had been left standing on the bar, rather than drawn from the handpump. Still busy because of its location, but there are better pubs nearby.
28 Dec 2007 12:37
Not the biggest, but the closest you'll find to a traditional pub in Harborne now, and usually a few decent guest ales on.
28 Dec 2007 12:32
You'd never believe this was in the middle of a big city. Comes into its own in the summer with a huge beer garden overlooking the bowling green.
28 Dec 2007 12:31
The Goose At The OVT, Selly Oak
The only pub in Selly Oak where non-students and students seem to rub along together. I preferred it when there was no music, and old books on the shelves at the back, though. Door staff aren't the nicest.
28 Dec 2007 12:28
Nice cosy pub with well-served beers - I should get there more often.
28 Dec 2007 12:26
Great decor, service, food and guest beers. I don't particularly like the regular Oakham ales, but that's probably just me. This pub proves that, whatever the location, if the owners put a bit of care into running it, people will come.
28 Dec 2007 12:22
Great beer range, if a tad pricey, whether you're into continental lagers or real ale. Decor has been completely overhauled, and a decent outdoor drinking area as well.
27 Dec 2007 20:00
Goose At The Fighting Cocks, Moseley
Decent range of beers since the refurb (although not as good as in sister pub The Junction in Harborne), but unfortunately is now insanely busy at weekends with little chance of getting served quickly or getting a decent seat. Not the pub's fault they're popular, but would still put me off going back.
27 Dec 2007 19:58
The Hare and Hounds, Kings Heath
Has recently been refurbished and the handpumps now have real ale coming out of them. Was very busy when I went (on a Sunday) but still got served straight away. The new owners seem to be making a decent go of it, and there's a variety of live entertainment as well.
27 Dec 2007 19:56
The White Horse, Harborne
Unfortunately, I have to vote this down compared to my review a couple of years ago. I really want to like this pub, and the recent extension was much-needed, but it's fell down on beer quality too many times lately. While its efforts to sell a wider range are laudable, if it's not able to keep that many beers well, a slight reduction may be in order...
22 May 2012 21:52