BITE user comments - ganger
Comments by ganger
All those moaning about this pub being sexist??? or violent obviously are the type of wilting snowflakes that permeate todays bars. I've been in here when its quiet and when its rammed on a Saturday night and I've never felt worried about my own safety. Great pub of the type that Camden used to be chock full of but are now sadly gone to be replaced by middle class eateries full of prats with their screaming spawn in buggies. I'm glad this places keeps the "Ruperts" out. Eff off and stay in the Parkway!
23 Feb 2018 08:50
The Rochester Castle, Stoke Newington
This pub used to be called the Rochester Castle but its layout was a lot different back then. You walked in and the bar was a curved affair that was on your right with seating around it along a back wall. Don't remember it being as large as it is now so I guess it did have a larger room at the rear for private functions/gigs etc?
Weatherspoons took it over around 83/84 and gutted the old interior and turned it into the pub we know now with lots of booths and a glass atrium at the rear. They also renamed it the Tanners Hall. They changed the name back to the Rochester Castle years later but I can't be sure when as I left my employment and Stokey around 85. I always remember this place as being one of the first Weatherspoons in London, not including the other Weatherspoon house The "Marlers Bar" across the road that predated the Rochester by a couple of years if memory serves me.
31 Dec 2011 07:01
The After Office Hours, Barnet
Now closed down. Shame as it had promise but never lived up to it.
31 Dec 2011 06:44
Winchester Pub Hotel, Highgate
Popped in here in the week. First time and the place is very large but with no atmosphere what so ever. A few people were seated at the bar on the right hand side who seemed like locals or indeed the landlord/landlady.
Attractive young girl serving behind the bar who was very friendly.
Ok and friendly but like previously stated devoid of any atmosphere but maybe it because it was midway between Xmas and new years where most establishments are at their dullest?
Still would probably be a lot better in the height of summer considering its ample outside seating and size. :)
31 Dec 2011 06:41
Spent a few hours last Wednesday with a friend and we both thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Partook in the pub quiz(1pound each) and came second from last.
There was this cute American barmaid who made the best bloody Mary's ever. She explained that she was from LA and this version was the Californian version of a BM.
Exactaly the same but with added Port. Mmmmmmm.
Great pub/bar that is both sophisticated but unpretentious.
31 Dec 2011 06:01
Apparently this used to be the Windsor Castle.
Is anyone aware that there were 4 pubs in Camden, all named as castles representing the nations of the British Isles. They were the Windsor Castle, the Dublin castle, the Edinburgh castle and the Pembroke castle. The reason for this was because the Victorian railway builders (Navvies) came from the four nations, and to prevent fighting between the workers they built four pubs and named them accordingly. Irish navvies would drink at the Dublin castle, English at the Windsor etc. Thankfully three of the original names still exist, but the Windsor WAS re-named the NW1 a couple of years ago, presumably to attract the trendies who I would hazard a guess come into Camden rather than live there.
This is social/cultural vandalism of the highest order in my opinion and anyone who may consider drinking there should think twice.
Yes I did pop in a year ago for a quick beer and it was rubbish!
7 Apr 2011 12:51
Went in here last Saturday afternoon for a quick pint on my way home from a shopping expidition in Wood Green and noticed a sign on the window advertising a Saturday night open mic jam session. As I'm a amateur guitarist I asked the barmaid if the jam had to booked in advance, or can I just turn up with my guitar. She obviously didn't have a clue as to what I was saying and just shrugged her shoulders in a don't bother me unless you want to order something! Surely if your going to hire a barmaid then at least that person needs to have a basic understanding of English?
16 Feb 2011 00:04
Had a pint in here last Sunday and I must say the management do need to address it's housekeeping duties. The cubicles in the mens toilets do not look, had no soap in the 2 liquid dispensers and to top it off someone had left a full colostomy bag sitting on the radiator. I would expect this sort of thing down the road in the Springfield but this lack of hygeine awareness is simply not on in a pub that prides itself as a gastropub! And one that charges top dollar for everything as well. Also the garden area is a complete mess with the wall mounted cigarette bin overflowing with butts and litter strewn on the floor.
Still nice pint of Sierra Nevada :)
15 Feb 2011 23:45
Spent an hour or so here last night after having a long forgettable lunch down the road at the Narrow.
Tiny little traditional pub with limited seating/standing space.
All dark wood and low door frames lending a cosy atmosphere particularly when it's cold and damp outside.
Young Asian girl behind the bar was very friendly but the landlord could have been a little more so.
Overall very pleasant with an olde worldly charm.
17 Nov 2008 10:14
Went there last saturday (The first time in 10yrs!) and found the place to be drab and souless. Asked the barman who sounded Canadian for a pint of Molson and after getting the pint glass ready he told me "Oh the molson is off!!" I then asked for a pint of canadian instead "Oh that's off as well!" .. So have you got any canadian beer i replied. "Well we've got moosehead in bottles" Came the reply.
What has happened to this place over the decade that i last drank here? It used to be a warm cosy inviting pub that sold the tastiest beer in the area, but now it seems to have lost it's way. This pub used to be a proud happy & confident fellow but now it's like someone who has been evicted, living on the streets who can't look themselves in the mirror in the morning!
21 Feb 2007 10:19
Well said Zeppo, This pub was a belter back in the day. I remember the table football & posters on the ceiling. Your right that it hasn't got half the character as it had then. I'd rather drink in the mixer instead!
P.S. Anyone remember the Debbie Harry lookalike that used to frequent this establishment in the late 80s?
8 Oct 2006 07:08
If you prefer to spend your evenings in a cosy All Bar One with friends, having a sophisticated conversation about Bob Geldof's chances to rid the world of poverty. If your music collection consists of the whole back catalogue of hits that are regulary played on Capitol/Heart radio. If you only wear Designer labels. If buy your groceries at Marks & Sparks/Waitrose and not Tesco's. Then
Dont even think off coming here!!
Welcome to the last bastion of greatness in Camden Town. Wecome to the Good Mixer...
2 Oct 2006 11:08
Totaly agree with the previous comments. To be charged an additional cost because your original order was off just about sums up the narrow minded headlong pursuit of profit that blights this city in most things especially customer service.
I have just returned from a weekend in Hamburg and the difference there in customer service is unbeleivable! In fact a particular bar (Fabrik) in the Altona district of the city did supply 2 rounds on the house. This would never happen in london irrespective of how much was being spent at the bar!
In regards to the Old Dairy I have had several bad experiences in this establishment, but reading recently that the management have changed I was hoping that it would now start to improve.
Unfortuanatly it appears not. I guess it's like the Who lyric. "Meet the new boss, same as the old boss"
27 Mar 2006 10:25
Hmmmmmmm, Oh come on! If i wanted to hang out with a bunch of student "rockers" I'd go to any union bar and drink for a whole lot less than this pretentious dive. In fact the only good thing about this place is the original "milking & grazing" murials, and the are on the outside!!! Save your wallet and your souls and go the Fallback instead
18 Jan 2006 22:39
Dear oh dear, every review that i read about this pub gets worse! It appears that if you want to hang out with the student crowd "Rockin" in a latter day waynes world stylee then this is the place for you.
But if you want to spend your time in more sophisticated surroundings then try the fallback up the road.
11 Oct 2005 20:20
Totaly agree with KatGrl, The barmaids are well fit (What is it about Amsterdam, every bar/coffeshop you go to the female staff are hot. Still I'm not complaining!)but this pub was designed for the UK party weekenders, ie British footie on the TV in a English pub stylie. There used to be a sign outside the back entrance that said "Hello lads, pint of Lager!!" No joke. But saying that it is one of the better bar/coffeshops in the redlight area but it's still a tourist trap. Take my advice and head out to the University district for the real "Geheldaheit".
20 Jun 2005 12:33
The last time i was in the Ranelagh was just before the refurbishment and it was a bit of an old locals boozer, not particulary bad but not good also. But now it's the preverbial dogs bollo7ks! The beer garden is multi leveled with ample seating and the interior is contemporary. Didn't try the food menu cos we weren't hungry but judging by everyone else's plates the food looked great. They serve a wide range of Belgium beers ( just try the cherry beer & forget the rest!)and you can smoke nearly anywhere which will be unpopular with the non-smokers. The only minor whinge that i can think of is that the day of my visit (Sunday) the German? bartender's english was just passable and he nearly overcharged us by double for the round we purchased, but that was just a honest mistake. All in all another great pub that improves the area by leaps & bounds..
13 Jun 2005 11:59
The Ferryboat Inn, Tottenham Hale
If you live in the area this is THE place to go for a classic Sunday lunch. Good selection of beers and the beer garden is essential on a barmy summers evening.
21 May 2005 15:04
The Hamilton Hall, Liverpool Street
Yes it's a weatherspoons! So when your horizontal on the floor you can admire the stunning celeing!
21 May 2005 14:52
Hillarious power boozer for the city boys. Plasma screens showing the stock prices, Essex girl's pissed on shampoo and suited & booted floor traders throwing their gold cards behind the bar. Great venue for an anti-capatalist reunion!!
21 May 2005 14:48
BRB at The Gate, Alexandra Park
In response to danrkelly (10 May)
Thats what i like about this pub. It's a five minute walk from the hustle of Wood Green but when you arrive it's like your miles from there. True the Pizza's are just OK and it is a bit of a student hang out, but thats fine by me. I'd rather drink with a bunch of students as opposed to the power drinkers & Chav wannabees at any of the other Wood Green pubs.
Of course it's not the best pub in London, but it's definatly my favourite local.
21 May 2005 10:46
Well i dont know why i'm bothering to write this review cos everytime i write something about this pub the people at beerintheevening.com delete it! Well here we go again.
The Dublin is a Great pub for watching live up & coming bands. It's reputation is now truly international (People were spouting about it in San Francisco when i was there recently) It still has a bit of a Grunge hangover to it, but so what. It's still way better than that "sterile" venue that opened in the Angel recently. The beer is Ok if Pricey and the atmosphere is large when full.
All in all a great pub/venue. Just a pain in the ass that everyone uses this site to advertise their bands!!
20 May 2005 10:47
Ha Ha Bar and Canteen, Muswell Hill
Yes i was "HA HA" when i first entered, but i was soon "BOOHOO" when the barman gave me the price of the round i'd just bought!
12 May 2005 09:50
BRB at The Gate, Alexandra Park
I have recently moved into the area (Bounds Green) and having passed this pub several times on my way to Alley Pally I decided to go there yesterday with a friend, and I'm glad that I did.
The pub sells a limited selection of beers but who cares when they serve Erdinger on draught. The decor is striped down wood (almost Hoxton trendy) and the atmosphere is laid back. The wood fired Pizzas are inexpensive and tasty. The only complaint I've got is that at first the bar service was a little slow but it soon picked up when when the Obi Wan Kenobi look alike went upstairs for a break and 2 girls replaced him. All in all a relaxwd afternoon was spent there and i came away looking forward to returning soon.
8 May 2005 15:58
The Dagmar is now most definatly CLOSED!
Not a bad thing considering that it ended up as a crack house of epic proportions. A point of interest is that during WW2 the packed pub took a direct hit by a V weapon and all inside were killed!
15 Apr 2005 22:50
Been to the Victoria a couple of times. Irish pub with live C&W music at the weekends. The last time i went i was with a Greek Cypriot mate and unfortunatly the reception was unfreindly so wont be going back in the future.
15 Apr 2005 22:45
A great free-house, friendly service, good beer at reasonable prices. I'd be more than happy if this was my local.
7 Apr 2005 01:19
A bit rough round the edges but so what. Still better than any chain pub by a country mile!
7 Apr 2005 00:55
The Hill Restaurant and Bar, Muswell Hill
It's having a major refurbishment at the momment (April 2005) Might be worth checking out when completed.
7 Apr 2005 00:52
What can i say, they always let me use the john when i'm passing. Great pub!
7 Apr 2005 00:49
Why "oh" why is it that when someone gets the capital to open up a place like Monkeys doodahhs or whatever it's called do they always fu%k it up? Chris you've got it right (8 Jan). What we all want in Crouch End is a Live music venue that has some bol&&cks. Exactaly something like The Hope & Anchor. Instead of another BOOORING middle class venue that overwhelms the pocket and underwhelms the senses!
"BRING IT ON"..
7 Apr 2005 00:40
Yeah this pub still retains some of it's Oldie-Worldy charm, but i'm not convinced. If thats what you're looking for then can i suggest the Queens round the corner in Crouch end. Or the Railway tavern up the road,near to Tottenham Lane. I'd rather drink at All Bar One!!!
2 Apr 2005 01:45
The Black and White, Amsterdam
I've been going to the Black and White on and off for years, and i still keep coming back for more. Located on the Leidseplein which is a square near the Rjikesmuseum the Black & White is a rock bar that gets real busy at the weekends. The bar staff are second to none and the customers are friendly. The music policy is hard rock (No dance music)so the place gets lively. Also you can chill with a doobie if you want to. Get to the Dam and check it out!!
28 Mar 2005 18:45
My friend introduced me to this pub last summer and i was pleasantly suprised. The Dove is a great pub selling a fine selection of imported beers. The atmosphere was laid back and the food ok. It's now possible to get imported Belgium beers at your average local, but i've never seen this varied a selection outside a branch of bierodrome(You have to try the strawberry beer). If you fancy a chilled out summer drink you could do a lot worse than heading here. Another plus point is that across the street is the best pie&mash shop in the east end. Enjoy..
28 Mar 2005 18:27
The only thing going for this pub is it's amazing views over north London. The pub itself is mediocre and the service can be poor.
13 Mar 2005 20:11
The Punch And Judy, Covent Garden
Got to be the worst pub in central London. Loud, noisy,too busy(Why?)and expensive. Rather have a beer with the winos on the Southbank than go there.
12 Mar 2005 14:27
Great Canadian pub. Best in the winter when it's cold outside, watching Ice Hockey on the screens supping on a cold Molson's draught.
12 Mar 2005 14:21
Comedy Francophile boozer. Check out the clientele smoking gittanes while drinking Ricard, no joke, i'm serious. If they had a juke box they'd only have Edith Piaf on it. Like something out of allo, allo.
Priceless..
12 Mar 2005 14:14
A great bar/venue that is quickly becoming the place to go in London. Located behind Hamleys on Kingley St this excellent live blues venue has all the atmosphere of a real juke joint to be found in the US, but in the heart of London. It's free before 8pm so get there early, especialy if you want to get a table at the front by the small stage. Great beer, Excellent live music, fantastic atmosphere. The only downside is that it gets crowded real early.
Not to be missed..
12 Mar 2005 14:07
Does anyone realise that George Orwell used to be a regular when he lived in Fitzrovia?
12 Mar 2005 13:53
The Kings Head and Dive Bar, Chinatown
Yeah what did happen to the Dive Bar? It is sadly missed. Any one know what this secret is (Posted on 19 Jul 2004 by g) All i can make out is that it is on either Goodge/Gower St? Another place worthy of your attention is the Phoenix Club on Charing Cross Road. It's a private members club but it's cheap to join and it has late closing most nights. Also check out the Toucan Club which is located on that curved street that runs between Tott Ct Rd & Oxford Street.
No membership is required and its like going round someones front room for a drink.
12 Mar 2005 13:05
Been in here just the once. Absolute pretentious cr*p for the psuedo middle classes that can't afford to live in Crouch End. Should do us all a favour and turn it back into a Dairy..
12 Mar 2005 12:40
Great little pub stuck at the back of a housing estate near Broad lane. Sells good old fashioned English grub inc Pie & Mash, roasts etc. Freindly staff and clientelle. Typical commercial beers on tap and bottle. If this pub was on the high road it would be realy popular, but because it's out of the way it's usualy quite. A gem in a sea of mediocracy..
11 Mar 2005 15:23
What a disaster it was when they enlarged the Worlds End at the end of the 80s. I remember when it had only one bar and it was the nuts. You could crash on the floor, talk to a host of real Camden characters, paid next to nothing for your drinks, and then they bought the property next door and enlarged the pub. Put in another bar, hired a DJ and just about managed to ruin what was once a great pub. They must have spent a fortune on it, cos the prices shot up as soon as it opened. Maybee they should keep back some of their enormous profit and invest in some toilet cleaners.
11 Mar 2005 15:07
You could do a lot worse in Wood Green than end up in the Nelson. I've been using this establishment on and off for about 12 years. I remember the "Rattle & Hum" days when there used to be posters on the walls and the occasional live band playing, but i prefer it now. Great pub for watching live football on the big-screen (Can't be beaten when England are playing) and it has a Karaoke and late license Thu>Sun. Busy young crowd from the area but never any trouble. I highly reccomend the Nelson..
11 Mar 2005 14:39
The Jolly Anglers on Station Rd used to be my regular pub when i was a student at Middx Uni. You knew that you could get a cheap pint, meet up with your mates for a few games of pool and get a garaunteed invite to a party. But since they closed down the Quicksilver Place campus in Wood Green, the pub has gone a bit downhill. I popped in there recently on a friday evening for a quick pint and i was suprised at how quite it was.
Now i drink in the Nelson around the corner.
11 Mar 2005 14:28
Great little pub on the high street that has a well stocked bar selling everything from the usual commercial beers through to imported Belgium fruit beers. Great looking decor that resembles a collectors front room and it displays local art. Foods good but you've got to try the �2 hot dogs.
11 Mar 2005 10:01
The Bricklayers Arms, Shoreditch
Ken&bob and tip top tommy you've all got it on the money about this boozer!
11 Mar 2005 09:53
I used to drink here in the late 90s when i was a bus driver from the garage across the road in pemberton gdns. Entertaining pub full of friendly locals who like to have a sing along when the karaoke is on. The pub is on Junction Road, Archway, which is a bit of a rough area but you'll always feel safe and welcome here. It's a shame that when the gentrification spreads to this area from Kentish town, this pub might not last for too long and be replaced by a chain pub. So get down there now before "The Drum" dissapears forever.
P.S, myself and all bus drivers only drink after finishing our shifts..
11 Mar 2005 09:44
The Rochester Castle, Stoke Newington
Well it's a Weatherspoons so on the positive side it has cheap drinks. A reasonable selection of guest ales, inexpensive food (as long as you dont mind burger & chips). And, and... Well thats about it realy! So if your looking for a night out hanging with the local meths brigade or fancy an evening playing the fruit machines in a haze of roll-up baccy? Then this is the place for you.
10 Mar 2005 15:18
The Faltering Fullback, Finsbury Park
I've been to the Faltering Fallback several times in the last year and it is without doubt the best pub in Finsbury park. True the large room at the back does come across as a student union bar, but so what! There is a small beer garden that is open in the summer months that because of its size does get a little cramped. The best thing about this pub is the great "horseshoe" bar at the front which serves good beer and food. But because of its popularity it is recomended to get there early if you want a seat. A great pub for the summer evenings.
10 Mar 2005 14:54
Yates's Wine Lodge, Wood Green
Yates at Wood Green eh! Mmmm, what can i say other than "TEENAGERS IN DRUNKEN RUMPUS SHOCKER" Need i say more!!
7 Mar 2005 14:47
I totaly agree with anonymous (23 May 2003). I used to drink in this pub in the late 80s to the early 90s and it was a great pub, full of atmosphere and characters. There used to be old rock posters pinned to the celling and the juke box was stocked with classic tunes from the 60s-70s. I went back there recently and was shocked that they'd turned it into a generic Camden Town boozer, decked out with comfy leather sofas adorned with media types. Oh the Horror!!
5 Mar 2005 15:29
The Nelson, Wood Green
The Rattle & Hum has reopened. It must have cost a fortune as well as its decked out in large screens to watch the live sports and has its own pizza bar inside. Great interior and decent prices to boot and has a pool table. Can't talk about the food but they have draught red stripe at £5.50 and a very well stocked selection of spirits. Its even has 2 dart boards and is def styled as a sports bar. Busy as well this place could turn out to be the best pub in Wood Green.
14 Nov 2023 15:23