BITE user comments - popiellajones
Comments by popiellajones
It's dirty with rough clientele and rude staff but once you're sat down you can generally ignore that and look at the waves.
On a recent visit though we were given plastic glasses (at 1pm on a rainy day) we asked for glass but were told the manager had told them to serve plastic, they could get fined/shut down if glasses kept being found on the beach etc, I asked if the plastic is for good now and a server woman came out of nowhere and said it will be plastic all throughout the summer(!).
When we sat down we realised everyone else in the place had glass and they were serving in glass. I went up to the bar and asked why this was and the same server grumpily told me the manager had just been over and changed his mind. I asked for 2 glasses and she poured my drink into a filthy glass and demanded I bring the other plastic one up for her to do herself. I asked her to just give me a glass and she rolled her eyes really stroppily (for a middle aged woman!) said 'fine!' and sent me away with another dirty glass.
My partner and I are both in our 20's and were reasonably well dressed. Being clearly discriminated against then repeatedly lied to really was a bit much.
Why is it places with the best potential are often the worst?
12 Jul 2009 12:31
The William Morris, Merton Abbey Mills
What a disapointment, really left a bad taste in the mouth in more ways than one.
The (expensive) Aspell cider tasted off and a guy on the table next to us actually took his lager back because it tasted of vinegar!
Even through this it was nice to look at the river (and try to ignore the staff having a great time and marching about the place/going outside for fags every ten minutes) so we ordered food which really for a place like that was far far too expensive, only to get cold soggy fish absolutely full of bones with undercooked chips and mushy peas out of a tin (the veggie burger was off) and a burnt beefburger.
The pub itself was in need of a very good clean if not whole make over.
Definitely would not recommend it.
12 Jul 2009 12:01
I'm not sure how but it seems to have got EVEN worse since last year. On being told kronenburg was off and the barguy failing altogether to pour a different pint we were told none of the taps were working but were offered bottles which came to nearly �8 for 2.
This was after a considerable wait anyway.
Same filthy stink, same horrible drunk 'families' with millions of toddlers running about screeching.
Never again.
12 Jul 2009 11:46
Really really nice surprise. Reasonably priced beer, reasonably priced good food, friendly staff. It is very small but doesn't feel crowded.
Big screen was showing Wimbledon but with the volume down and they turned it off when it finished.
Always avoided the place assuming it would be expensive and pretentious given the area but it is happily neither.
12 Jul 2009 11:34
Goat and Tricycle, Bournemouth
After the stag party/lap dance incident I avoided the place for a while, now with the quiz gone, and food basically gone it hardly seems worth the treck up the hill. Maybe when the winter ales come in I'll venture back. Such a shame to loose the only decent pub in town. =(
2 Sep 2008 13:13
Only been once. Normally an ale drinker, but don't like Ringwood (why don't more places have Badger?!) sat in the garden on a fairly miserable day in July. Can imagine it would get very busy as it's such a nice place (though the staff were more concerned with the locals than us...which is fair enough I suppose).
There is a climbing frame for the kiddies, but while I was there the kids playing outside were fairly well behaved.
About a million times nicer than the forest heath. In future I will take the extra ten minutes to walk up there for a pint while waiting for a train!
14 Jul 2008 22:07
They must have changed the bouncers since the last few reviews as they have all been really really friendly every time I have visited. I walked in once to see the bouncer patiently giving directions to some clueless tourist.
The food and drink is average for an o'neills (pretty good).
One complaint: 9 o'clock on the dot the volume goes up hugely, and the lights pretty much go off. Nice views of the photo spot in china town though.
There are too many staff if anything, most of whom seem to be friendly.
14 Jul 2008 21:51
Huge fat families being incredibly loud. Little tiny children running about screaming.
I didn't feel intimidated by the locals, just annoyed. More of a nursery than a pub.
14 Jul 2008 21:31
Umm, I'm slightly confused by the comments so far. When ever I visit the place (when waiting for the train) I never feel welcome. It is VERY locally, there is generally only one member of staff working both bars, the toilets are a disgrace and it's �3.05 for a pint of Fosters.
I suppose they just take better care of hotel guests than they do people just wanting a drink or two.
19 Apr 2008 16:36
Goat and Tricycle, Bournemouth
They still have fantastic ale, so I can overlook the 'modernisation'. The only problem was that friends of the staff (or perhaps they were the managers) came in with a small child who kept screaming to get attention. Everyone just looked on adoringly. Ruined The experience of a quite drink somewhat, though it was hopefully a one off.
23 Feb 2008 20:34
The Moon in the Square, Bournemouth
To all the staff posting on here saying that it isn't your fault that you're incompetent...Yes it is. I have never been to a pub with ruder more useless staff ever in my life. The only reason people drink here is that since the Tap&Hobbit shut there isn't an alternative.
p.s. the bouncers are still as aggressive as ever
23 Feb 2008 20:18
Only been during the day. Very large outside area, perfect in the summer. Food/beer/staff much like any other walkabout though the steak was actually rare like ordered for once! Huge empty floor area I assume is for dancing...
23 Feb 2008 20:05
The Foresters Arms, Brockenhurst
Definitely the best in Brockenhurst. Very friendly staff, lovely cosy atmosphere, time just seems to drift away from you in here!
Highly recommended.
23 Feb 2008 19:57
Been in there twice. Both times had to wait a long time to be served as there only seemed to be one guy working (dealing with the hotel and everything). Very hot, very loud music, but still a lot nicer than any Eldridge Pope I've ever been in!
The food looked very unappealing and the prices were insane. Seems to be trying very hard to be posh, but failing.
23 Feb 2008 19:51
The Snakecatcher, Brockenhurst
Looked a bit 'locally' from the outside, but staff/atmosphere were friendly enough. Hobgoblin was perfect but the Brakespere was off. A friend got an upset stomache from 2 gulps.
23 Feb 2008 19:46
The Sir Percy Florence Shelley, Boscombe
A bit grimy, mad toothless old ladies and mad bearded old men. 2 pints of kronenbourg for under �4 though. Dunno if I would trust the food.
If you want "character" at wetherspoons prices this is your place.
23 Feb 2008 19:40
No obnoxious music or giant TVs, just a warm quiet friendly atmosphere. Beautiful ale, if a bit on the expensive side, though apparently the lager is worse. Very nice retreat from all the millions of weatherspoons.
7 Dec 2007 14:22
Theres always loads of staff, but only ever one guy serving (which equals ridiculous waits at the bar), the rest seem to wander about the pub aimlessly looking for empties. Some staff very friendly, others incredibly rude, just depends on the visit I suppose.
Food is fairly good, but a place to avoid if you have a fear of large amounts of flies
27 Jul 2007 16:15
my local. not too bad, not too good. gets very loud and busy when the footballs on
10 May 2007 11:04
Possibly a bit 'local' and the outside bit always seems to be in the shade?!
The nasty landlady now works in the 'famous olde pines' in winton
10 May 2007 10:57
Went once when I was blind drunk, didnt have much of an opinion.
Went another time when sober, realised its an absolute dump. Drinks are really expensive, weird crowd, and far too many bouncers. The place to go if you want to dance/puke/fall down
10 May 2007 10:51
The Tapp & Hobbit, Bournemouth
Not too bad, nice to sit outside in the summer and get some food. Wouldnt recomend it at night though, unless youre 17 or under. Ale isnt very well kept. 1000 times better than the moon though
10 May 2007 10:44
Strange that such a small nice gig venue (the green room) is attached to such a horrible pub. The decor is aweful, theres dog shit all over the 'beer garden' and the staff are not only rubbish, but mildly terrifying!!!!
10 May 2007 10:37
Been to a few gigs here, never had a bad time. Nice atmosphere
10 May 2007 10:31
The Moon in the Square, Bournemouth
Nothing has improved in this place. Same aweful stench of vinegar and sick, same terrible rude staff, same filthy glasses. For such a good location I had got my hopes up that the refurblishment would improve the place. It hasnt. Avoid at all costs.
10 May 2007 10:27
Goat and Tricycle, Bournemouth
fantastic pub, probably the only place in Bournemouth where they actually look after the ale. majority of staff are friendly and chatty. Nice outside area.
Only problem is its a bit pricey...but well worth it!
Highly Highly recomended, with fantastic food
10 May 2007 10:19
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The Portsmouth Hoy, Poole
Lovely atmosphere and good selection of beers/cider. Shame about the boy behind the bar who had a tantrum when asked to fill a drink to the pint line. I later saw him kicking up a fuss over getting an old guy a glass of water (who had just spent an extortionate amount on plain looking food.)
Recommended, just avoid stroppy-mcgrumpy-knickers.
28 Dec 2009 12:20