BITE user comments - rovingricey
Comments by rovingricey
Gets very busy when there's a match on the TV but at other times you can usually get a seat. I love the green leather banquettes and the beer selection. Over ten real ales were on when I visited last weekend and the Morrissey & Foxy beer I had was surprisingly excellent. I also had a pint of Bitter & Twisted which is reliably good. Steak pie and chips was perfect pub fodder too. A great pub when it isn't too busy.
20 Sep 2009 15:03
Great selection of ales. Gets busy at market times so don't count on getting a seat but lovely friendly atmosphere awaits you inside.
4 Oct 2006 19:54
Good beer selection including real ale and Belgian beers. On my last visit they were serving Liefmans Frambozen which was delicious (if you like fruit beers).
The live music is a great draw for many of The Tyne's drinkers. You can combine a visit here with the nearby Free Trade Inn for a mini-pub crawl. The location is definitely a big part of this pub's appeal and it really comes into its own on Bank Holidays or when there are daytime events down the river.
4 Oct 2006 19:51
Love the large selection of well kept real ales which change frequently.
Hate the loud and obtrusive TVs which seem to be kept on even when there is no sporting event showing.
Having had several pleasant afternoons in this pub it was a shock to find that on a Saturday night they crank the stereos and TVs up to the max and compete for the 'standing up drinking alcopops' Saturday night crowd!
4 Oct 2006 19:44
A pub with good points and bad points. It serves reasonable food (although I think it is a bit overpriced for what you get) but the atmosphere is so smoky it can put you off eating. A non smoking area has been created at the back but it is not well ventilated enough to make this meaningful. The selection of continental and bottled lagers is good but the real ale is disappointing. As other reviewers have noted there is very little choice of ale and one gets the impression that, since little real ale is drunk there, it may not be as well kept as it should be.
The DJ nights attract a studenty crowd and it can get very busy when there's a popular gig on at the nearby Carling Academy. Local artwork of varying quality is displayed in the back half of the pub.
4 Oct 2006 19:37
Great view of the Tyne. Very good selection of real ales with guest ales changing regularly. Some of the most original toilet grafitti (in the Ladies!) that I have ever seen. And I've seen a lot......
4 Oct 2006 19:32
Do pubs get any better than this? Not in this lifetime I reckon. Great selection of real ales, friendly atmosphere, lots of activities going on without ever being 'in your face', the sandwiches served at the bar are tasty, substantial and great value with lots of veggie options. There's also a beer patio with views over the Tyne. The only thing wrong with this pub is that it isn't at the end of my street.
4 Oct 2006 19:29
This isn't just a pub, this is an institution! With a huge selection of real ales on tap plus the bonus of live music this is a great way to spend an evening or ten.
4 Oct 2006 19:23
I think this might be my ideal pub: great selection of real ales including their micro-brewery beers, lots of seating including a no smoking area and close enough to the train station to make a pre or post journey pint pretty much unresistable.
4 Oct 2006 19:22
Good selection of real ales and a great atmosphere. I love the fact that there is no loud music playing and that the interior has been preserved to such a high standard. However it can get very busy at weekends so if you need a seat, get there early.
4 Oct 2006 19:15
Good selection of real ales. Sunday lunch is good value and there is a vegetarian option (roast veg and veggie gravy). This pub is massive with different seating areas including my favourite booth type seating. I have only seen it since its refit so can't comment on the changes. There is a carpark right next to the pub too.
4 Oct 2006 19:12
The Skinners Arms, Kings Cross
I just phoned to see if they do food on Saturdays and the person answering said the pub isn't open at all at weekends - thought this was worth mentioning!
4 Oct 2006 19:05
The Babbity Bowster, Glasgow
For me, this place feels more like a restaurant than a pub. Admittedly it was very quiet when I visited and there wasn't any music on. I did have a very decent pint of real ale (there was a choice of two when I visited) but I would have to visit again when it's busier to rate the atmosphere as it was dead when I went (around tea-time on a Saturday).
20 Sep 2009 15:18