BITE user comments - garyatthebar
Comments by garyatthebar
I quite liked being called "dear" by the barlady, but this is really an old folks' pub and we were totally out of place. The London Pride was OK but nothing special.
Back to the Verulam Arms, lads (again).
29 Apr 2007 13:19
The beer's really good, the service OK, but the Gents' toilets are absolutely disgusting.
I might venture here again but not yet.
26 Apr 2007 21:37
Hey, what is it with St Albans and the 1980s? Visited Mokoko at the weekend and it seems to be vying with Harry Smiths up the road for mega-tripping on 80s Nostalgia. The differences are that Mokoko has a younger crowd, more girls, more cocktails, NO Sky Sports (houurah!) and more space - so I guess it's the better option. But there's still Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet etc playing in the background, the words "Wine bar" were spoken several times and everyone talks about money the WHOLE time. Very odd.
3 Apr 2007 09:49
Yeah, I've just checked the Snug Bar's website and they're quoting May as the reopening date.
Actually I'm intrigued about what the new Fleur will be like. It might form a rather romantic pairing with The Boot opposite: middle class and hoity-toity in the Fleur, down-to-earth and a bit scruffy in The Boot. Nothing wrong with that, and they do say opposites attract!
16 Mar 2007 16:03
It's easy to overlook this pub, but only coz the competition in St Albans is so fierce. We had a very good lunch, and a couple of pints of quite decent stuff. At the front of the pub there's an amusing mix of OAPs on one side and SkySports watchers on the other. They seem to get along alright! 7/10
7 Mar 2007 11:44
Very nice pub, with several bar areas and a separate restaurant bit. 4 beers to choose from, all reasonable quality, and an astonishing TEN choices of meals at lunchtime. The barstaff are friendly and efficient.
I can't think of anything bad to say about this pub!
28 Jan 2007 21:00
Great to find a really good Shepherd Neame pub in Brighton!
1 Jan 2007 14:48
Outdoor toilets! Very loud Sky Sports! Locals crowding the bar! Visitors obviously not welcome. Back to the Verulam Arms, lads.
10 Nov 2006 13:24
Locals call this pub "The Dip". I wondered what they were on about at first, but that's the answer! One of the better pubs in Hampton now, tho' I'm told that there are also some good ones down the High Street. Shall go there next.
10 Sep 2006 08:29
Stayed up in the beer garden/roof longer than we intended because it was so pleasant. Quite a nice pub with a good selection of drinks. Several "media" types hanging round the bar in their suits and talking rubbish but we ignored 'em. Would visit again.
2 Sep 2006 08:12
Time Loop Factor Ten! The atmosphere here was quite good in a funny sort of way, but I felt really out of place. The customers were smart but definitely in their 30s and 40s, and everyone was really, like, INTO the 1980s! At 8pm the gaffer behind the bar dashed over to change TV channels to an 80s "Clenched Fist Rock" programme, and we were entertained by Alice Cooper and Belinda Carlisle (who??). So I didn't stay long last night but might return in 20 years; I expect all the customers will still be here, and might have reached 1990, but don't bet on it.
31 Aug 2006 10:32
The beer festival this weekend was good! As a rule I steer clear of these, but the one at the WLion was laid-back, friendly and with loads of good beers. Now I've found it, will visit this pub again when next in StA.
29 Aug 2006 10:39
Young people not welcome! Old Gimlet Eyes behind the bar almost scorched us in two with hostile laser beams. We did get served, mind, but only stayed for the one. A pity, it looks like a nice pub from the outside.
25 Aug 2006 12:55
Love it, love it, love it! The Boot's not much to look at (!) but the drinks and barstaff are great and most of the other customers are friendly too. The pub is also in a brilliant position, right at the centre of the city.
Why can't we have at least one decent pub like this where I live?
Oh yes - and it was funny to see that after I said the Fleur de Lys opposite was rubbish, it's closed down. The Curse of Gary strikes again!
24 Jul 2006 15:17
Back in Oxford at the weekend. The White Horse is a small, pleasant pub and since most students have now gone home for the holidays that makes it even better. (Sorry students!) Good beers and friendly barlady.
My personal opinion is that the Kings Arms is a BIT better, but the 2 pubs make a nice couple!
13 Jul 2006 11:33
Yeah, nice little pub. I felt a bit embarrassed, not having a posh accent!! but people were friendly and the drinks were fine.
8 Jul 2006 20:07
Been here late afternoon after work. It's not bad. One of the better Wetherspoons.
29 Jun 2006 16:07
At least this pub is fairly clean and painted, unlike the Royal Standard - That's the worst around by the station. But the RB is full of old folks, or young folk pretending to be old. I woz pleased to get out.
28 Jun 2006 17:21
The Basketmakers Arms, Brighton
I think this is the best pub I have been to anywhere, any time, ever, in the world, in space!
21 Jun 2006 21:20
Really nice, friendly pub. 2B honest I got sick of being stared at in other pubs in St A for being "too young" (what the **** is wrong with being 20???!!**???) but the Blu Ancor was really nice and not judgemental. Lots of good beer and food. If I lived here I wd be here all the time.
18 Jun 2006 21:24
God, what a rubbish pub. It looked nice but me and my mates were snapped at so many times by the bar ladies. Were we supposed to drink lemonade or something?????
went back to The Boot which was great!! Lovely girls, really funny young & friendly barman, so much better.
Gr8 place!! I'll be back!! (the Boot I mean, not the Rose&C)
18 Jun 2006 21:16
Scruffy pub. Got stared at by some other young blokes, so we drank up quickly and left. I didn't think St Albans was supposed to have rough pubs like this?!
Then found the Verulam Arms, which was much much better.
15 Jun 2006 09:46
Its in a very good position and decent enough for "just the one" on your way into town. But its hardly a pub really, more a restaurant with bar attached.
15 Jun 2006 07:51
It's OK this place, and not just for oldies I assure you. Most Uxbridge pubs are disaster areas but this one is alright.
14 Jun 2006 19:10
Seemed OK to me. Beer was nothing spesh, but there was a nice atmosphere.
14 Jun 2006 19:07
The Battle of Trafalgar, Brighton
Ace pub, very close to Brighton station. I thought it would be full of old men, but no. AU CONTRAIRE!! Soem very fit girls and nice guys, and the drinks were great.
14 Jun 2006 19:03
Liked this one too - nice friendly barstaff. Last week visited the Boot, Verulam, and the Fleur, which was total pants.
14 Jun 2006 18:57
Yeah its nice, I passed thru with some mates last week and had a good time.
14 Jun 2006 18:55
One of the nicest pubs I've ever been to. Service wasn't brilliant but the place WAS very crowded.
14 Jun 2006 18:51
Back to garyatthebar's profile
The Boot, St Albans
Good fun and lively, and I've always enjoyed OK service here. A couple of the punters were so p****d they could hardly stand, but I suppose that's normal for a Saturday night.
The barman was telling EVERYONE about his haircut, which was quite funny. Hey, mate, we all have those from time to time!
I think the Boot's at its peak at the moment. With a bad manager it could go downhill fast, but let's hope that never happens.
I'll give this place 9/10.
29 Apr 2007 13:24