BITE user comments - jamie.nakin
Comments by jamie.nakin
This pub has been made famous by a visit last spring by Nigel Farage. It is here where the "Farage Wave" was born. If I see you Gary, the beer's on me!
22 Nov 2014 21:14
Craft Beer Company's newest and maybe their best pub. On the corner of High Holborn and Endell Street, within 5mins of Tottenham Court Road Tube and reachable from what seems their corporate bus route, No.38 (serving their pubs from Victoria to Islington) pub on two floors, service on ground floor only, and the basement can appear gloomy especially if empty /quiet. Again over 30 beer choices and what looks like a huge spirits selection. Often busy especially at night but staff numbers seemed adequate on my two visits in recent weeks, with less than a 5min wait to be served in a packed pub. All the staff seem to enjoy their job, and the manager (big tall, loud guy) has a unique entertaining style behind the bar. Food is the chain's usual limited burger menu, for varied food outlets take a stroll across the road for shops of all nationalities in the square by the Google building. If you bring your coat, you'll be wearing it all night as there's nowhere to hang it up, making it more a summer pub than a winter one.
20 Nov 2014 00:15
Standard Craft beer excellence, in a more 'pubby' back street pub. Adventurous cask and keg range. Mostly friendly staff, chirpy manager and delightfully camp and enthusiastic assistant doing a brilliant job. Youngish crowd with one or 2 older regulars. Food menu is 'posh' McDonald's, no complaints there as surrounding area awash with restaurants and eateries of all kinds. Whether intended or not, pub can be reached by Bus route 38 which links to the chain's branches in Victoria, Holborn and Clerkenwell. One word of warning, don't bring a coat unless it's cold or wet outside - there's nowhere to hang it, like at all branches in the chain. Come on, how about a few clips under tables or hooks up somewhere?
19 Nov 2014 23:56
Not used BITE for a year. There is no moderation, no responsible person reachable by email telephone or any other means. It is no longer a professionally managed site, nor is it any longer a reliable one. Of course a lot of sensible well-written reviews still appear, and good luck to those of you writing them, but there are plenty of other sites offering a proper service to their users, and their pubs, e.g. displaying correct phone numbers and not fraudulently showing a false number for pubs that don't have one.
19 Nov 2014 23:34
If you read previous reviews and not just the last one, people have been kicked out or refused service even for BUYING a soft drink as part of a round. Like the last reviewer before Shoulders says it is irresponsible. If I am 'DES' for the night drive the lads to and from the Dispensary, why should I deserve this treatment for looking after my licence and my job, as well as bringing business to what is otherwise a great pub. That Dave character is the only obstacle to a great session. I have drank in pubs all over the UK and never seen owt like this.
8 Nov 2013 08:58
Excellent back street pub, good replacement for the Wenlock Arms over the City Road that's now a building site. Friendly, cosy vibe. Top class lineup of cask ales, Dark Star and Crouch Vale were favorites of mine. Didn't try any of the keg beers this time but some unusual names were on. Easy to miss from the City Road but well worth coming down for a pint or maybe half a dozen of them. If you need to contact the pub at all, click on the link to their own website. You'll find the proper 0207 number there. Great pub. 9/10
11 May 2013 19:09
The Southampton Arms, Gospel Oak
Now for review of the pub, after going last week. Was quiet-ish at first due to most punters enjoying the warm evening in the beergarden. Pianist started up about 8pm with steadily more people coming in, and atmosphere livened accordingly. Seemed at its busiest by around 9-10, comfortably full but not congested. Live piano session ended around same time replaced by equally enjoyable vinyl selection behind the bar. Had brief chat with guy over from Canada who was going through the 'range' of beers with a large group he'd brought with him. All beers great but Fyne Ales Jarl had to top the list. I just wish I could take the pub back north with me and have it as my local. Still 10/10
11 May 2013 18:47
The Southampton Arms, Gospel Oak
Nowt wrong with the pub - still doing everything it has been, as per every review. Just one thing. DON'T try calling up the pub on the number displayed here. The Southampton has no phone and you will be charged by Beer In The Evening for making the call. This scam is as widespread as the amount of pubs in the country without a phone number or whose number has changed. The disclaimer at the bottom of BITE's homepage says how much you are charged but does not offer you any way to claim a refund for calls to numbers that do not exist but are still displayed on BITE. If you use the contact email address you will get an autoreply and nowt more than that.
11 May 2013 18:34
Top class venue. All the beers on tap were in good nick last time I was in, and you can't but fall in love with the barmaids who are as professional as they are attractive. One of the male staff who acts as a bouncer isn't so nice, but one fly doesn't spoil the picnic. Harvey's is a regular, and Dark Star features fairly often, 10 times in 15 visits over 4 weeks. Not a criticism, as Dark star brews fantastic beers. Look out for Crouch Vale and plenty of lesser known micros. And remember Fri and Sat evenings can get rammed, so visit only if you're in the mood for a crowd! The Harp will not let you down.
4 May 2013 11:52
The Craft Beer Co, City of London
Still a first class joint. Was among last to leave on recent trip. Luckily I had friends who could afford some of the prices. Another reviewer has suggested thirds of a pint measures, I would like to second the idea. Brew Dog camden (not listed on BITE because free listings ended two years ago - use ratebeer instead) serves third pints which is a great idea for the stronger beers and certainly the dearer ones.
4 May 2013 11:36
The Magpie and Crown, Brentford
As someone who has popped in the Magpie once or twice in recent months for a quick half when passing thru I am pretty sure what B4E says didn't happen. It's just not that type of pub. It's a decent alehouse that keeps a good pint, I've not had short measures but I can't judge it on just two halves. For the record the bog was no dirtier than anywhere else.
3 May 2013 22:00
Cambridge has so many better pubs to offer - check out Kingston, Cambridge Blue, St Radegund (no food) all take a pride in their real ale and if you're unfamiliar with a beer you'll get a taster. The reason the Panton doesn't give out tasters is cos it's greene king IPA. Who wanna taste that??
3 May 2013 21:47
The Craft Beer Co, City of London
By the looks of it Craft has the right pricing policy if the last reviewer can't afford the beer there's wetherspoons all over London that'll keep him happy. My only moan is there's no food but there are fair amount of places for a bite close by. Avoid on Fridays, but it's much quieter rest of the week.
20 Jan 2013 14:53
THIS PAGE IS OUT OF DATE
Pub closed in the summer and new pub on same site called the Craft Beer Co.
Please send me a PM if there is now a way to get the new pub listed as the links on the site "tickets" do not work.
27 Dec 2012 16:25
Not so sure about the review left on 13/4 but anyhow it is good that the Wenlock is still open, I have to stand corrected on my last doomsday post there! Despite all the odds against seeing the pub open now, and just about on its feet. That is a credit to everyone who has supported the pub. Well done!
5 Dec 2012 17:55
The Southampton Arms, Gospel Oak
Proper pub, real beer and cider, and only two kegs on. Compact but comfy garden, and friendly staff. Age range 18-100 all enjoy their beer side by side. Can overcrowd at weekends. Easy to reach from kentish town and gospel oak stations, about 5mins walk from either. Beware of one thing: no cards taken - that can leave you caught short as nearest cash points are a bus ride away. Food: pork, cheese, bread.
2 Aug 2012 23:47
Demolition of this pub was rejected by Hackney Borough Council 6 weeks ago, It seems that one of the owners will use any loophole he can find to get the pub shut and knocked down. Surely there's some way to stop this (although lifelines I fear are running short for the Wenlock!!!) Can the bar staff complain against unfair dismissal, or perhaps even sue? (If the pub is making money, and earning them their livelihood, why should any of them lose their job???) And don't forget there's at least one tenant about to be made homeless - all this is wrong on so many levels, and so unnecessary. And it's just before Christmas how cruel can people get?
13 Dec 2011 18:46
Sadly pub's being allowed to go to the wall, this is because owner steve wants place demolished and is still turning down cash offers higher than amount offered by developers Wenlock LLP. Same thing is gonna happen like the Oakdale, closure and demolition of which all boiled down to one person versus the world! Sad, but there seems little anyone can do :(
27 Nov 2011 13:09
1st visit since pub's refurb. Seems a little 'cosier' than before, and there's been a lot of staff turnover since last visiting at beginning of the year. Beer range still excellent but prices are way over the top. Food has slipped downhill - they are cutting corners. Fish and chips described in menu as a beer-battered North Atlantic cod is in fact a frozen 'catering' portion quite small and cold in the middle. I remember 2 years ago it was fresh and prepared on site. Apart from that the Cask is doing well for itself and deserves to given staff all round effort and beer quality. But you can get some of these beers cheaper elsewhere in London.
30 Oct 2011 11:23
For those of you that won't beleive a word I say go onto hakcneys website. Flats going up on site when the pub's knocked down. Planning app went in on 7 Sept 'Last Chance Saloon' springs to mind.
13 Sep 2011 00:58
The Craft Beer Co, City of London
Here for the 1st time last week.
Totally awesome venue. Huge line up of cask ales with all of them "on". Their "house" pale ale from Kent Brewery was top class and so was Fyne Ales Jarl. Was there 9pm-10pm very full despite most local businesses having closed hours earlier. Friendly staff and some customers looked quite "recognisable" from London's other top pubs. Well done to the Cask team for giving London another prime pub, and it's worth a special journey to visit. Not the cheapest pub in the whole world, but you'll not do too badly if you stick to the cask ales at the lower strength end. I'll definately be back, and hope to try out a keg or two when it's a mate's round :)
10 Jul 2011 16:27
Days are numbered :(
Pub sold and will be closed & demolished in a few short weeks make the most of it!
12 May 2011 23:51
Sad to see it go.
Problem was Steve (manager) wanted rid of this pub for 6 years, his wish has now been granted, at everyone else's cost
7 Apr 2011 09:43
Recent visit a week or two ago, 1st since last year, pub a little frayed round the edges, especially when you've just been down that brand new place in Victoria, but it's still a real PUB and that's what's good here. Dark Star/Mighty Oak always a good choice on the ale front, good sized sandwiches and [revolting] pickled eggs - Ban them!
Jokes aside pub still cracking place, gets full of a Friday night and still going strong, pub can get a little overcrowded, and it's sometimes easier to stop outside to have a conversation.
But all in all, staying good, beers were reasonably good last time and above all, cheap!
I guess I'll be back then.
25 May 2010 00:54
The Southampton Arms, Gospel Oak
Totally awesome pub. Came in Sunday from an afternoon by the ponds, and couldn't beleve my eyes when I saw all the ciders on top of 7 beers, all in one tiny pub. Quite old fashioned with an outside loo, and the pub's stripped bare inside. Good to hear some real jazz piano music from a lady that I think I remember from the Wenlock years back.
Guys, there's a good vibe here now and it's brought real ale to Gospel Oak. Great stuff, I'll be back.
25 May 2010 00:26
Good end to the night after going in the Ocean nearby for pigsear fest. Pub in good shape and miltons in good nick. Bar staff friendly and cheerful, makes a change from a lot of pubs ive been in of late
2 Dec 2009 00:27
Popped in recently on a London pub crawl after seeing recommendations. 10p a pint cheaper than Hackney's newest, the duke of wellington up the road, and good beer choice (two crouch vales on last Fri, for example). Mixed mainly young punters all seeming to have fun, and good, but pricey food - check out the fish and chips. Closing routine could be a lot gentler than it was tho - look out for the security woman who wants you out 5 mins after you've bought your last order's in, so that's 5 mins to drink a full pint.
Still gets 8/10 as everything else about the pub was good, worth coming down again to do this one.
7 Sep 2009 18:58
The Duke Of Wellington, Hackney
Very nice pub, well looked-after Sambrooks wandle, food is really good but the beer, at �3.30 a pint, is way over the top in price. The Wenlock and Pembury taverns eitherside of this pub are much cheaper beerwise. Otherwise everything else good, including choice of music, and big screen for the football.
7 Sep 2009 18:43
I got wind of the festival from fellow Camra friends and popped in on my own at the end of last week. Long time since I last came, and there's been changes, already written about like the smoker area, screen games etc. I had a mixture of halves and pints and the burgers were good. I can't work out how the heirarchy works in this pub, but I was in part of the pub where people were being hurried up to go when everyone at the bar had full pint glasses. That's another change since 2 years ago, it's turned cliquey.
I went away when told to, but felt the top had been taken off a good night's drinking.
22 Apr 2009 18:09
1st call since Oct last year, spotted a few changes. Carpet gone, pub a little noisier as a result, still comfortable. Same faces (permanent fixtures by the looks of things) generally punters friendly, new young staff in the bar, one with the long black hair is much friendlier than the shaved-headed guy. Brewers gold was lovely, and good to hear the piano-player (think his name's Tom) correct me if I'm wrong. Still 100 percent worth doing a beeline for this pub when coming to London and Monday was proof of this.
8 out of 10 this time.
26 Aug 2008 19:29
Crackin nite last Sat (6th). Challis & his band on good form - new trombone player, doing some funky stuff and Holly (at least think it was her) playing Bass Guitar - she was good and threw in 1 or 2 solo's. Great stuff.
With that, and the dark star hop head - and the Oscar Wild Mild, the Wenlock seemed to me to be a very, very good place to be!
7 Oct 2007 21:30
Pub full to the rafters last sat. evening for John Challis Blues gig. Great nite too for lovers of Dark Starr brews and the no-smoking ban hasn't stopped anyone coming
9 Jul 2007 23:12
Unbelievably cheap Dark Star Hop-Head (notice the beer chalked up as "Op-Ed" on the board, only �2.30p a pint - extended tour of Croydon was well worth it. Great to see pub still running after threat of closing.
18 Jun 2007 10:28
It's not just rumours - The Oakdale Arms IS better than it has been for a while now. I came in last week for the first time in about 3 months, spotted new staff (charming lass on the bar) and you could not beat the Sparter or Dionisyus (I'm sure I've spelled that wrong??) that were all perfect. 3 or 4 other good beers. Still no food but 1 or 2 guys brought pizza in from take away up the road.
This is great news.
18 Jun 2007 10:22
As usual, the best pub to end a N.London pub crawl due to late licencing. Top range beers - as per usual, and the pick & mix selection of eccentrics and oddballs provided entertaining drinking company.
The new housing project over the road seems to have attracted some yuppie types to the Wenlock but all seem keen on real ale, jazz music and the general time-warp back to the middle decades of last century. If this pub is (as some guy told me) under offer from local land owners then they should take it down brick by brick and rebuild a replica somewhere else in Hoxton/Islington
12 Mar 2007 22:35
Pem still as good as ever, one year on from its opening date. Staff seem keen-as-mustard on their beers - and food - and the pub has now a more homely feel. Minotuar and pegasus (both milton's) on 10/10 form.
And the ban on smoking has certainly Not stopped people going in as it was hard to find a seat last time. Staff and management here deserve a round of applause for what they have done with thePembury, long may it last!!!
12 Mar 2007 22:25
New staff since end of last week (?) Still less beers (and not as good) as a year or 2 back. Will stick to the Pem next time in N.London.
12 Mar 2007 22:17
Free playing juke box good innovation here. Beer range has come down since I were here at the end of November. Last Friday just 2 strong beers (7% or higher) plus "Pegasus" (about 4 %) These strengths are OK if you're an alcoholic but was slightly let down by the lack of "session beers", this I found a bit strange considering pub's website showed a lot more beers than that,and still does.
22 Jan 2007 17:31
The Pride of Spitalfields, Shoreditch
Believe it's a free house, but there were two fullers beers, brewers gold and another guest beer. You'd never have thought someone tried to burn the place down - looks like it's been untouched for decades. Brewer's gold is their best pint, and it's hard to leave the place once you've started on it.
Top marks JN
11 Dec 2006 20:24
You must have missed out on the Milton "Neaurosis", 5%, v. good, and "Rutterkin" from the back bar (festival beer) that was on great form. My journey to the Oakdale, with a train ride and 2 bus changes, was well worth it. I didn't have the Nero or the Hoptimistic beer as other punters moaned about the beer and later on the clip was turned back.
The lack of festival beers on was my own fault for only coming in on Wednesday when the festival began a week ago.
30 Nov 2006 10:05
Worthy of an un-arguable 10/10. Unbelievable people are doing this . Should only be able to mark pubs when you review them - that'll sort this out.
Country gem with unspoilt insides. Has been reviewed in Camra's "Beer" mag that comes with What's Brewing JN
10/10
29 Nov 2006 18:04
Yep guyz. Certainly under new boss called Julie (?) now. She seems to have kept pub the same. Live music (mention by "ladnewton" 7/8/06 still on. Fewer beers, but still good ones with Miltons and guest beers. Good 2 see still making an effort to keep the place going, and good luck. Only get to come here once every few months so well worth trip into london.
18 Sep 2006 19:19
Relief management in last Sat. Jazz band great, but music stopped early (no piano players!) All on holiday at the same time? Please say that's a 1-off!
jn
18 Sep 2006 19:10
Nice little side-street gay bar in the rainbow-flag part of brighton. Real ale still there so ladnewton's 2005 posting is still up to date. Small and friendly.
8 Jun 2006 22:48
Top pub not pretending to be anything else. Great to see its not changed in a year and everyone's chilled here. And hophead may be the one and only attraction to some but remember theres 6 or 7 guest beers on handpull as well as all those dangerous belgian and dutch alternatives. If O N L Y there were a pub like this further north!
8 Jun 2006 22:45
The Live and Let Live, Cambridge
Quality food and good beer range still there on a recent visit. Down-to-earth punters. Food good without being to heavy on your pocket either. Worth including in any crawl.
29 May 2006 15:25
sorry to hear of the pub's demise - a sad day for Croydon drinkers and the likes of us who come to Croydon for this pub only! Make the most of it while its still open
24 May 2006 18:01
Edward The Confessor, Stevenage
This town-centre modern pub, built in the late 1950s, is something of a "statement" about Stevenage in general. You will need to go in and have a drink to see what I mean.
26 Jan 2006 19:19
The Pem' will need a bouncer (given its location) to stop the pub being overrun by pikeys like last Thursday. Site readers - don't be put of coming here by last weeks events - they were a 1-off and the pub's great. Another thing, the no-smoking ban here should keep the right clientelle in the Pembury and the wrong ones out.
26 Jan 2006 19:13
The Standard Bearer, Stevenage
Archetypal town-centre 'Spooner. Does everything it says on the tin. Range of beers a bit on the bland side tho. Staff are nice here.
26 Jan 2006 11:28
A huge pub with sixteen hand pumps. Part of the same chain as the oakdale arms. No smoking, which is good. Friendly staff. Very promising pub.
11 Jan 2006 14:24
8.2% Xmas ale on at the weekend. Johnny Parker's Original Band with three blowers up front and a guest guitarist and great drummer (not "Pete" but a plump looking guy who's done a few gigs here before)doing new orleans and trad.
Great stuff.
20 Dec 2005 18:29
Handy for food when there's none at the Artillery, long rectangular corner pub doing everything it says on the tin. Cheap guest beers, etc, but more of a place to have one pint & a bite to eat than somewhere to spend the entire evening.
20 Dec 2005 18:21
The Artillery Arms, Old Street
Nice pub where people speak to you. ESB in good form usually. Gets crowded some nights and in the summer drinkers spill out into the street. Worth making a special detour for, and when no food is on in the Artillery, there's a Weth.......s over the road.
20 Dec 2005 18:18
Traditional fine pub squeezed in between a car park and a flyover, but don't let that put you off. The inside's welcoming enough and the staff's even more so. One of "London's" best outlets for consistently good fullers beers, can get crowded Saturday nights tho.
When food's on it's good too, else there's plenty other places nearby to eat before downing a few ESB's.
Good pub all in all.
20 Dec 2005 18:12
The Assembly House, Kentish Town
Pub has just been done up inside, and doesnt look too bad. Green King I.P.A. still on hand pull, still OK. The female bar staff are friendly, and the whole pub seems to have "cleaned its act up" generally - also cheaper than the Oxford or the Pineapple.
20 Dec 2005 17:55
Now a gastro-pub type of pub in Hampstead. No more gas lighting like there were a few years back. Pub gets packed at night any time of the week and if you eat here you will see why. Harve's beer is in tiptop condition.
The pub deserves ten out of ten for its efforts.
17 Dec 2005 19:54
Make most of the 1 and only decent pub in this part of north London. Rumors floating about that it's for sale in a year or two. Be a shame to lose a pub like this.
17 Dec 2005 19:48
The Charlotte Despard, Archway
Used to be called the Dog now modernised and turned into gastro pub. Not as friendly as it used to be.
15 Dec 2005 18:39
The Old English Gentleman, Waltham Abbey
Pub may be closed now, as the tel. no. displayed above doesn't take incoming calls.
15 Dec 2005 12:40
Beer is the main attraction here but if you make conversation with the locals you will find they don't bite, speak english and will let you get to the bar if you're buying a pint.
The pub is small, so it gets crowded sometimes like other small pubs, but I have been treated well here by staffs and local drinkers.
If its still as good as last summer the mean points score on this webpage is a bit below par.
27 Nov 2005 21:38
The Basketmakers Arms, Brighton
Just seen a copy of what's brewing. Bad news is that gales has been taken over by fullers and might stop brewing the beer for this pub (and all other gales's pubs). Make the most of it!
27 Nov 2005 21:31
The pub is re-opened as a gastro-pub, but with quite reasonable prices, friendly staff and a nice feel to the place. Usually two real beers on, something like Deuchars IPA amongst them. Handy if you're stuck for a place to eat in Kentish & the food's very good for a pub.
4 Nov 2005 18:42
Took a mate here recently. Staff from the Angel over the road were there doing cover. Since I were last here in Aug '05 beer range even better than last time. Raz should have tried out a real beer! Conceded sometimes you have to wait a bit for the food, somethin they could improve a bit, tho if that meant bringing in microwaves to do all the "cooking" then its worth the wait. For the record I had to wait only 20 minutes for food, but the pub was well staffed then.
24 Oct 2005 18:04
Loud and clubby. No real beer. Popped my head in thru the door see if any hand pulls, didn't see any. Not a conversational place. Everyone under 25 by the look of it.
24 Oct 2005 17:51
The Jerusalem Tavern, Clerkenwell
Gets so full on a Friday night you can't sit down. Last time I were there I had to stand at the bar with less than a metre square standing space. So a popular pub. Beer not bad tho, a bit dear maybe, all St Peters beers. Needs a building twice the size to make drinking more comfortable inside.
Worth going in when "crawling" Faringdon which, I am finding out, is full of good pubs like this.
24 Oct 2005 17:47
The abbey has a late licence. Midnight closing week days and I think 1 or 2 o-clock fri/sats. Prepared in advance for new drink licencing law.
24 Oct 2005 17:38
Typical Wetherspoons. Does everything it says on the tin. The steaks are good here tho. More foreign beer than most other branches, so quite good really. Handy for Highbury & Islington station, and for the shops on Upper Street. Not the best beer range in the whole wide world, but havin been there myself can't really say there's much wrong with the pub either.
Groovy sixties(?) pattern on the back wall, pub looks like it were once a theatre or maybe a cinema. A Wetherspoon that I don't mind going in, so it must be good then.
24 Oct 2005 17:34
Not great. Handy. Cheap. Wetherspoons. Not a nice place to be at 11 on a Saturday nite cos you are kicked out into the street, and they open the doors wide open even when its cold outside. Not the worst pub in Croydon, could do with chilling out, tho.
17 Oct 2005 20:58
The Claret Free House, Addiscombe
Worthy indeed. Last time I were there, got treated to Palmers IPA and Palmers 200 (?) and both were nice.
Found it in Camra Good Beer Guide 2003 don't know if it's still in.
16 Oct 2005 18:34
The landlord's very friendly here, best take any complaints about "bad" pints straight to him because he wouldn't see a punter leave unhappy. I dont think I have ever taken a "bad" pint back to the bar here cos I've not had one.
Note that this is a SPBW (Beers-from-the-Wood) friendly pub.
12 Oct 2005 01:45
Agreed the pub's a bit modern, maybe a bit wetherspooney. Worth going in, tho, for a good pint of Grande Union beer when its on. Can't say its the best london pub at eleven in the evening regarding staff who want you out of the pub at 11.15 on a friday night.
Not too bad a place to begin a crawl, tho.
12 Oct 2005 01:40
I disagree about the condition of the EKG as it were the best pint on last weekend. But only 'cos brewers gold weren't on that I had to go for it. Still worthwhile making the journey for all the other beers. Another thing not mentioned previously: the wenlock appears to have its own cricket team - I have seen stumps in the pub - and they play against other good real-ale pubs like the evening star (brighton) and oakdale arms(north london).
After last visit still 10/10 tho.
12 Oct 2005 01:29
The top bar was refurbished some years ago, and is more like a "pub". Cabaret is still done in the downstairs part of the venue. It's toned down a bit, cleaned up and more welcomin than it used to be.
27 Sep 2005 16:47
Could do with a clean up, but being close to the station attracts anyone the head of steam won't have in their pub, giving the head (now the Doric) the edge over it. There are better pubs along the Euston Road if you have the time to try them without missing your train.
18 Sep 2005 16:16
Pub is now known as the Doric Arch. Fullers now runs it as a "freestyle" pub, with the full range of Fullers plus about 4 guest beers on.
I stopped in for a pint a few days ago, and it's not been ruined as I originally thought, but its early days yet guys. Staff are friendly, and all the station sign boards are still up.
The gents could do with a spruce up tho...
18 Sep 2005 16:10
John Challis played on just about the best form he (and the band) have been on. Keep it up! Top guitar playing aswell.
4 Sep 2005 14:07
Sorry to hear of Eio's bad experiences here - ours were simply of a friendly country pub with crooked walls, keeping McMullen's Country Bitter in very good condition (My mate and I had two jugs of it each).
The landlord's friendly, and the pub was very relaxed at closing time because there's no trouble here (or at least it seemed like that). The fourth, and last pub on what had turned out to be an excellent crawl of Waltham Abbey Village, well worth the mile-or-so walk from Waltham Cross station.
3 Sep 2005 15:41
A little gem this pub!
Number 3 on our friday night crawl, this was about the most welcoming pub we'd been in so far. Immediate conversation was struck up with some of the locals, including quite a bit of "harmless fun" at my mate's expense! All added to the experience I'd say. AK is kept here in top condition, and is the only beer on. Live semi-karaoke, using a real guitar backed up by MiniDisc, had us all singing along.
The White Lion is very much a locals' local, but compared to one place we'd been in, we were treated like VIPs! 10/10!
3 Sep 2005 15:33
This pub, the second on our 'crawl' is warm, friendly and welcoming. The Mac's AK is on good form and the landlord is friendly with a good sense of humour aswell. The locals in here were friendly to us aswell, and the pub is to be recommended. The only reason they are not in the Good Beer Guide is Camra's purely political stance on using (or not using) cask breathers. If I were editor of the book, the pub would be in it.
3 Sep 2005 15:27
The Old English Gentleman, Waltham Abbey
The pub has changed, sadly for the worse, since all the good experiences people had over the last year. If I knew about this site then I would have been recommending the pub aswell.
I visited with two mates yesterday and found the attitude of the female behind the bar less than friendly toward my friend who was buying the round in. There were 20 "jugs" (handled glasses) at the bar but she flatly refused to let us have our beer in them saying they were "for the regulars only". I asked where their names were on the glasses as they all looked the same to me, but nothing was said. In the end my friend felt so embarrassed he got us halves instead so we could head to another pub quickly.
Closure is due on November 5th and, given our experience here compared to Waltham Abbey's remaining ale pubs, I can't bring myself to feel as sad as I once would.
3 Sep 2005 15:22
The beer quality has gone down since the beginning of the year. Ladnewton's posting is out of date, because the brewer has either changed or the recipe has been changed for the kemptown bitter. After all the recommendations from mates and on this site I popped in over the bank holiday weekend to find that the beer was flat and watery, nothing like it should be.
Even though everyone in the pub's friendly and accommodating, I hadn't the staying power to stop for another. Hopefully I was just there on a bad day because everyone else's experiences seem better than mine!
30 Aug 2005 15:02
I was in the FLASK the other week with a friend. All remarks about this being a bad pub are now outdated. The food's good enough to compare with west-end restaurants and the beers are better than they have been. What ever they're doing in there keep it up. Now worth a visit, it's about 15 mins away on foot from the Northern line station.
25 Aug 2005 17:00
Cheap and handy wetherspoons on the top of High gate hill. Standard JDW beer and food ranges. Try the flask and angel pubs nearby.
25 Aug 2005 16:52
Do not sell OUR pub to Fullers! They have a pub in Euston already and this is a valued Free House, one of very few in London!
27 Jul 2005 21:00
And now: The Wenlock is maybe the only pub in London with its very own shoe-shining machine. Go there and see for yourselves - have a pint while you're there!
17 Jul 2005 23:38
The Junction Tavern, Kentish Town
I have to commend this pub(restaurant) on 2 counts. I had my lunch there yesterday (07/07/05). The salmon was just perfect, perhaps the best dish on the present menu. Bitburger "DRIVE" alcohol-free beer went down nicely.
And, WHO was that gorgeous blond waiter with the open-toed sandals who dropped my cutlery & knocked over the peppermill? You can serve me anytime!
10/10
8 Jul 2005 09:38
"Burn"'s comment of 22/4/05 is out of order. Although the pub is, by all accounts, awful (and Redhill has far better pubs - try the Garland) the language in the comment brings BITE into disrepute.
The abbot is not my idea of a friendly local pub, but when visiting a place like redhill you should bring the good beer guide with you and look for the recommended pubs. Then you can all leave feeling you had a great night out.
5 Jul 2005 17:58
Essential pub for a Cambridge crawl. Unique. Excellent Milton Habit Ale and guests. A crawl without this pub is rather like a bicycle without wheels.
5 Jul 2005 17:47
The beer in the priory may be a bit dear, but its worth it for the chilled-out relaxed atmosphere in the pub. Worth the journey. Staff are quite friendly here and the food's not bad either. Wish I lived near enough to make it my local.
5 Jul 2005 17:40
The Portobello Gold, Portobello Road
The pub has reopened 4 months ago and is back serving beer and food like before the fire. Try it out.
5 Jul 2005 17:36
The pub is not too bad. The food menu looks good but I havent eaten there. I have nevertheless drunk Adnams and Pedigree in the pub, which aren't bad but the glasses could be a lot cleaner than they are.
I am giving 4/10, but if they clean the glasses I'll change it to 7 - watch this space.
5 Jul 2005 17:23
GREAT jazz last Friday (01/07/05) - nice to have a double bass - a real one - together with the piano and trumpet. While the usual banjo player is very good at playing his instrument, the bass sound really brought out the best in the pianist, by the simple fact he plays in an octave below the piano thus not conflicting musically with it. So: lovely to hear the trio play so beautifully.
AND: What was that VERY bitter Yorks beer on the handpump furthest away from the band area (the one on the extreme left as you come in?) Have more of that one definitely!!
A well deserved 10/10!
5 Jul 2005 17:15
What came over the pub! Two weeks ago visitors to the beer circus were greeted with Christmas carols, turkey sandwiches and Xmas cake whilst tinsel and baubles hung at the bar with a tree - yes a TREE glistening at the end of the bar. It was the middle of JUNE unless there's a misprint in my calendar (and it was about 30 degrees C!
PLEASE tell us this was a 1-off!
5 Jul 2005 17:07
Traditional L-shaped, beer-focused pub, close to Brussels Midi station. Jupiler and Hoegaarden beers on draught. The floor is quarry-tiled along with the riser of the bar. Coving all around the ceiling and wood panelling on wall opposite the bar. Background music loud at times but not bad musically. Three gaming machines plus a nut dispenser are added features.
4 Jul 2005 18:43
well done to all the staff for a great festival, and the friendly barmaids from the check republic make the place worth going to even without the beer. DO ***NOT*** close down this pub - Harringey Council are you listening???
30 Jun 2005 17:58
The Live and Let Live, Cambridge
Best call the pub first and get the opening hours then! Great pub with wood everywhere, excellent homecook food by the chef out of the Kingston Arms, and of course a beer range to keep you in there until closing time.
18 Jun 2005 20:39
A good real ale pub which "breathes" thanks to no-smoking policies within. Well worth seeking out. Gwydir street is not far from the statoin.
18 Jun 2005 20:35
Great pub - food is spot on, one word of warning tho, arrive early if you are choosing specials off the board. These really are "special" and sell out very qiuckly - especially the fish dishes. One of Cambridge's best ranges of beers in the Kingston. It's worth the train fare coming here.
18 Jun 2005 20:34
One of the best pubs in this patr of Surrey - everyone is so friendly here. Do visit the pub. Food great. Live music.
18 Jun 2005 20:28
CAN'T BELEIVE THE PUB MIGHT HAVE TO CLOSE. MAKE THE MOST OF IT - BEST REAL BEER PUB IN NORTH EAST LONDON NOT THAT EASY TO GET TO THO, BUT WORTH IT!
14 Jun 2005 01:49
The Southampton Arms, Gospel Oak
Unsure about the last review. Decent pub everytime I've stopped in.
2 Mar 2015 22:31