BITE user comments - pioneer
Comments by pioneer
The Spyglass and Kettle, Southbourne
had drinks and lunch here today. All round quite reasonable, food basic but good, and not over expensive. It seems to have had a good scrub up since I last visted but still a little tired around the edges.
23 Jun 2009 22:00
Had some Sunday lunch here, the food was great. There was a wedding party in the main eating area so we sat in the bar area. The beer was good, the food good, the atmosphere relaxed. Really enjoyed it.
21 Jun 2009 12:52
Gone down hill. Avoid the food, the weekend menu is limited and the food is rather plastic. I've now ended up twice with bad experiences with the food, firstly a vegi roast 'meat' gravy on it... which bit of vegi was not understood. The second a chicken soup on the menu, which arrived as mint and pea, an easy mistake you might say but when staff just gave you a dumb look - oh its the wrong menu. Surely they should know what menu is on today, considering its such a limited.
The beer is expensive and the decor now getting grubby.
21 Jun 2009 12:39
Poor example of a JDW. Family area grubby and uncleaned tables. Upstairs toilets filthy. The main bar area seemed odd as there were not many tables, and gave the suggestion it was a prime city centre get sloshed quick stop off for the local boozers.
13 Jan 2009 19:58
This pub is like a large front room of somebody's house. Dredfull decor, nothing matches. The most uncomfortable seating and its truely dire. We managed one pint then enough was enough! Do youself a favor and bus to Bournemouth or Southampton so you can enjoy a 'gay' pint without driving.
13 Jan 2009 19:53
Been a few times, always excellent real ale. The pub quiz can be long and boring.....
13 Jan 2009 19:33
An unexpected visit to The Exchange, whats changed.... not a lot. Bad lager, locals told me you'll be ill unless you have something in a bottle. I ignored this, and found out why....it was almost undrinkable. Disgusting toilets still.... urine running out of broken plumbing on the floor... Place is riddled with damp and smells. There are really so many better places to drink, I just avoid it.
13 Jan 2009 19:30
The Branksome Arms, Bournemouth
Thank goodness for a change in management. The new (and slightly older generation) bar men are polite and the place has settled down to being a nice gay venue again. Still a very mixed crowd but friendly and never a bad atmosphere.
13 Jan 2009 19:25
Bankes Arms Hotel and Country Inn, Studland
Myself and my partner had been exploring the local area and this pub was well advertised in Studland village and on the ferry. Adverts said food all day, likewise on its own web site. We arrived to an empty pub at about 5pm (tea time!) to be told no we dont do food until 6. Is that all day? The pub was fairly grubby looking too so we thought better than wait we went elsewhere. We also noticed a ramshackle marque outside with the micro bewery which really didn't look well presented. I'm no snob but the whole place is no longer very inviting.
13 Jan 2009 19:22
Goat and Tricycle, Bournemouth
Lost all its old charm, and the quiz was run like a military rule book. Not on my list for a return visit, shame it used to be so nice.
7 Aug 2008 23:29
Not sure what to make of this pub. Its coining in on the pink pound of the gay scene which it bang in the middle of location wise. Lots of space, very tall ceiling and marble, guess it was an old bank or something? Loads of squishy leather sofas, but they are not comfy on your back.
Bar stuff are quite clueless and would rather use their mobile phone rather than take your order correctly. Since when did a pint of Solar Power ale mean 3/4 pint of Soda Water? They also had NO gin? whats that about?
Currently throughout August local caberet stars Diane and Lee perform on Wednesday nights which make it worth going, otherwise I think it would be quite dull.
7 Aug 2008 23:26
at �1 per drink, any drink, on a Wednesday night its certainly worth a visit.
6 Aug 2008 15:30
The Duke of Cambridge, Islington
Visited this pub for a spot of Sunday lunch the other day. Its a mixed bag, and I'm afraid to say the food wasn't up to much. Organic or not, it was expensive and rather tasteless and poorly presented. I specifically asked for no chutney on my roast pork, but it still arrived flopped on the top. Everything on the plate was basically just mounded on top of a few roast potatoes in a heap. Talking of roast potatoes which were boasting being cooked with duck fat, the really tasted like they had been microwaved, they had that twang to them, not light a fluffy and crispy as you would expect. The pork had no crackling, or had much flavor it was rather bland, slightly overcooked and dry, and was swimming around in a watery juice which was supposed to pass a gravy...I think.
On to the beer then, I didn't think it was too bad, quite selection of organic beer on tap and the usual endless choices of bottles.
Staff....not so impressed, not very polite, didn't listen to simple menu orders, and not even a thank you when I paid my bill. Two roast porks, and two pints and one starter nearly fifty quid you would expect a thank you, wouldn't you? or are Islington bar keepers so up their own bum?
Decor....trendy? not sure...a lot of old wooden tables with chairs that don't match and floor boards and blue paint carelessly applied.
Avoid sums this pub up in one word unless your blind with more money than sence.
6 Aug 2008 15:14
Seems to of had a make over recently, much much better....however the sound system is dredfull and they seem to insist on shouting down the microphone so nobody can understand a dammed word. Reasonable booze prices and all seems clean for the moment. Avoid the Karaoke, unless your very drunk.
17 Jan 2008 21:56
Dirty grubby pub, overpriced beer, and frankly vile. Typical gay pub squeezing the pink pound. Was also the set for a dredfull naff gay porno getting frisky on the pool table.
17 Jan 2008 21:52
Gay bar with club below. Upper bar open all day and serves food, very pub chain style with hit and miss quality and service. Large outdoor decked area for sitting out to eat, drink or smoke. Always seems busy even mid week lunch times. Close to the tube station easy to find next to carphone warehouse.
17 Jan 2008 21:45
Truely Vile now.... even more filthy, damp, and overpriced.
17 Jan 2008 21:39
The Branksome Arms, Bournemouth
oh dear... its like shoveling a packet of cards. The dredfull chain smoking dj from the across the road has taken a home in The Branksome... dredfull pub quiz, so best avoid a mid week drink. The only thing worth heading there for now is Sunday night Caberet acts, or Miss Jason's Camp Bingo which will have you in stitches...if he turns up....
17 Jan 2008 21:37
Bazaar is a new bar opened under Rubyz Caberet Restaurant. It is offer the only chill out gay bar in Bournemouth, with a Morrocan theme decor, comfy sofas and live music on Sunday nights. Drinks seem a little expensive, and no on tap beers which is a let down, but the ambiance and music make up for this. Its not a bar you'd go to on your own though but one for spending time with friends.
6 Feb 2007 13:49
Very trendy decor, with a restaurant. The main bar though seems to be out of place with video projection and plazmas showing sport. Why? this venue doesnt deserve that kind of down grading, as quality seems to be at its heart.
22 Sep 2006 14:15
Large gay bar on three levels in Glasgow city. The main bar is restored Victorian decor with much splendor, and offer a haven of comfy sofas and open fires. The upper mezzane level more sofas and Pool. The bar also extends what appears to be an extension where its highly modern and trendy, but oddly also serves Pizza! The basement is a loud clubby area.
22 Sep 2006 14:12
Large food based pub in a nice setting under the Two for One Food chain. Average meal price around a fiver each, but dont expect a gourmet dinner more like microwave pie. We visited with a group of people on a Saturday night. We all thought it odd that unless you were sat eating there were no tables or chains to sit on to drink a pint, infact large areas of the pub were open space. You really felt like cattle waiting to be hurded through the eating system. The local as its name suggests is right next to a huge pond.
22 Sep 2006 14:05
Smugglers Inn, Osmington Mills
Visited on a summer friday night. Food very good, and a lovely setting. The River Cottage Stinger beer was very nice (organic nettles!). I would imagine it can get over busy at times, but our visit was plesant and enjoyable. The pub is clean and the staff polite.
10 Jun 2006 13:47
The Churchill Arms, West Lavington
Nice pub for social, and drinking. Tastefull decor a mixture old but new. Large restaurant to the rear, but the menu is limited to meat basically and the service terrible. Stick to the drinking side and you'll be fine.
6 Mar 2006 22:50
The pub from the outside is looking shabby and run down. The bar area is ok for drinks, but food in there can be awkward as its not that big, it looks a bit run down too.
8 Dec 2005 18:03
Near to Camden Town Tube station, The Black Cap is a friendly gay bar on two levels. Food is reasonable and well priced as well.
8 Dec 2005 17:59
Smugglers Haunt, Tricketts Cross
Typical road side chain pub. Bit worn out and not very nice in he day light. Food ok, but not a lot for your money.
16 Sep 2005 22:23
A trendy looking bar in the popular Triangle area of Bournemouth. Primarily a gay bar, but straight friendly it offers a more relaxing atmosphere than that of the Exchange which is next door. Decor is plesant with leather sofas and cafe type tables and chairs. Good selection of drinks at the bar, although I the toilets were in need of completion the last time I went there. Quiz on Thursday and entertainment is held sometimes.
3 Sep 2005 18:38
The sports bar was loud and roudy, seems to accomodate cheap tradesmen lodgings. The other bar was rather large if not boring. At least 20 mins walk from the centre of town.
7 Aug 2005 20:28
The Spyglass and Kettle, Southbourne
Reasonably priced food, and lots of it for your money. Decor ok, tired grubby looking carpets could use an overhall. Nice mid week lunch time to sit at the front windows for drink/food. Too busy Sunday for food.
7 Aug 2005 20:21
Long running gay pub in centre of Bournemouth's Triangle, near Clone Zone. Dirty decor, poor toilets and a repetative DJ doesn't seem to stop people enjoying themselves though. Open until 1 or 2 am most nights.
7 Aug 2005 20:12
Sunday visit for lunch. Excellent roast beef, and good beer. Very good value food. Bar a bit small so will get crowded at busy times. A big LCD tv hung over the piano suggests a 'youf' or 'sports' presence.
8 Mar 2005 12:00
Goat and Tricycle, Bournemouth
Great traditional pub, serving snacks at lunch time and evening food. The courtyard outside is great in the summer a haven of flowers. This pub is tucked away near Poole Hill and if you didn't know it was there you'd not stop. But do!
8 Mar 2005 11:53
Considering this is a Wetherspoon, and you would expect it to have got a bit over used and grimy, this JDWS is ok.
I have only been during mid week during bargain hunting at the Clarks Village, but service and food were fine. Toilets looked like they had been in a fight as some of the door glass was missing, but they were clean.
8 Mar 2005 11:49
The Moon in the Square, Bournemouth
This pub is located right in the middle of the town sandwiched between the two sides of the shopping centre. It gets little old ladies eating fish and chip dinners during the day, and the loud crowd at night. I would say the only sensible time to go their is early evening mid-week. Its becoming a bit dirty round the edges and not very nice. Service at busy times is rubbish.
8 Mar 2005 11:46
Long established village pub. Bar and skittle alley areas and a seperate non smoking dining room. Sunday lunch was excellent!
8 Mar 2005 11:35
A long established gay pub in Bournemouth's Triangle area close to the other gay pubs and club. Pop/dance music after 11pm and open until at least 1am.
6 Mar 2005 19:47
The Branksome Arms, Bournemouth
Its a gay pub, and excellent for all week entertainment not just the fri/sat nights. Tuesday's Miss Jason's pub quiz is a must!
6 Mar 2005 19:39
Started out as a trendy concept in Weymouth in a much needed regeneration of the town. A visit today for "coffee" advertised on the chalk board outside was horrific. The coffee was slopped at the bar, served in a grotty chipped mug. My hot chocolate was served in a cap, still dirty with lip stick from the last user. Complaining to the bar man, gave the attitude of couldn't care less. We decidied to leave not drinking anything.
The decor looks like it has not been cleaned for ages, the sofas, and carpet areas are crusty with filth.
6 Mar 2005 19:36
The Branksome Arms, Bournemouth
This place has turned in to a dirty worn down squaller hole, best avoided I think.
7 Mar 2010 11:12