BITE user comments - tombsie
Comments by tombsie
The Olde Victoria, Burton Latimer
love this pub. My local since August 2011 and I have eaten there about 20 times - the carvery on a Sunday is awesome and the 2 for 1 meal offers are brilliant. Seafood medley, Steak Pie and Beef wellington are my personal favourites but there is shedloads to choose from. Great ales, London Pride and guest ales etc.
Atmosphere is nice, barstaff friendly and service efficient. This is a proper boozer and the best in the area by far.
11 Apr 2012 19:30
i play here in my duo and its an awesome boozer, perfect for those wanting live music and happy with it being busy from 11pm onwards. Open to 1am, run really well and I highly recommend it
14 Nov 2010 16:05
Paddington Packet Boat, Uxbridge
nice pub, well run, really nice locals and well worth a shout - played here tonight with my duo and a ruddy pleasure.
24 May 2009 01:12
Have to say I was pleasantly surprised by this place - food is very good and cheap - the breakfasts are superb value and tasty. The service is good, although the bar staff could smile more. Mind you, given the fact that 80% of their clientele are smelly pissheads and old mumbling dribble merchants (plus the occasional pikey contingent), you can hardly blame them.
I like a pint here, would go back, its a bit like watching a soap opera as there are some colourful characters in there. Yes.
1 May 2009 18:40
top boozer, great people, warm friendly atmos. New Years Eve was a blast, I played here and found everyone to be on great form! Come see Donut play here Sunday 3-7. Might even dedicate a song to you, so I will.
17 Jan 2009 17:25
ventured here last night for the first time and found it to be a decent boozer. The bitter aside from IPA was quite nice, forget the bloody name now. Nice looking asian barmaid very friendly. Would come again.
17 Jan 2009 17:18
The Crown and Sceptre, Uxbridge
An absolute shithole and an invite for violence. The kind of place you go to once in a blue moon when younger and then when you age, you realise it was absolutely dreadful and you would be better off cutting off your penis with a rusty bread knife.
25 Dec 2008 09:43
Great if you are 18. Lost a lot of its character from years back. One of only a few pubs in Uxbridge to have live music, but the shape of the pub does not allow it to be a great venue. Beer on tap tastes rank, I think the landlord is only bothered about getting young oiks in to spend their ���s than to run a great boozer. Won't be sad when this place gets closed down, which I hear on several grapevines could be on the cards.
25 Dec 2008 09:39
nice boozer, excellently run by Martine and Andy, much improved from the days of the Sunday fortnightly jam sessions which saw the same house band play Mustang Sally every time (they even got annoyed once when my band tried it - did they have nothing else to play me wonders?) - bar staff are excellent and very friendly and Martine has really got a well run ship here.
Top stuff.
25 Dec 2008 09:35
I sing in a duo and played here the other Sunday - what a lovely pub. Its so nice to see proper pubs still standing amonst the cack of todays boozers - Uxbridge has Baroosh, Slug and Lettuce, Naz, Zanzibar etc and they are all well and good but the proper pubs are disappering from our streets thick and fast - the Load of Hay is worth a visit asap.
It was quiet in there when we played but the guys who watched were really good to us and joined in etc - we are back in January and I can't wait to gig here again, will try and get a few bods down. Grant was running the show when we played along with Siobhan and another lovely barmaid, so can't comment on the previous entries here, but I was pleasantly surprised. Try it!
15 Dec 2008 16:47
The Pig and Whistle, Walthamstow
Ha ha! Like it Alzheimers! Although with a name like that, is it possible you have forgotten the real prices? Sorry, could not resist.
Like I say, not tried it yet but I have eaten in and around London all my life (39 years) and have had some superb steaks in that time that take some beating, so all I am saying is I would like to test for myself and then I can fairly compare.
The owner of the Plough eats in the Pig? This is hardly rare, I know most local pubs all get on with each other and share business, its not a bad idea doing it this way and if he likes the food then maybe I should ask him too before trying it! Thats got nothing to do with the pub itself though, The Plough is a nice pub in my opinion, I don't actually care who eats where!
By the way, I can get a 10 oz steak in Ealing for �5 which still hasn't been beaten for taste and value, so maybe I will come along next Wednesday, before I hobble back to my soup kitchen...
21 Nov 2008 15:06
This is a great boozer - I played here with my band, The Capris, on Saturday and they do have a superb sound system, engineer and stage that is such a buzz for any real musician!!!
This place deserves more clientele though, it was very quiet and for a proper music venue, thats unfair! Don't be put off by it being in Leytonstone, without being rude to people who live there, its not the sexiest place going, but u tend to find some of the best music venues are in manky areas. (Spotted Dog, Willesden).
300 capacity, friendly staff etc - we loved gigging here and will be back. Its one of those places that needs to be experimented, and then the word needs to be spread.
13 Oct 2008 12:58
went in here about 8 years ago when i lived in greenock - just recall it being a tad odd but ridiculously cheap boozer. I think i had a double JD and coke for about �1.20 or something.
Would love to know what its like now please, greenock chums!
27 Sep 2008 07:52
Went in here for first time last week as I am soon to gig here with my band, The Capris.
This pub has a fantastic history, with legends such as The Rolling Stones, The Who, Jimi Hendrix and many many more having played here in the old days, in the function room upstairs which is sadly now closed.
Pubs like this need to be promoted for their nostalgic value and wherever possible, rejuvenated to that state or as near as possible - this could soon turn into a leading live music venue which would be awesome considering the number of pubs closing down or stopping live entertainment. New landlord has right attitude and I think you may see this pub go from strength to strength over the next year or two. Watch this space..
Matt
27 Sep 2008 07:49
The Coach and Horses, Ickenham
Bit harsh Martin! The Coach attracts a young crowd and on the odd occasion you will get an oik that can't handle his beers and kicks off - sadly that can happen in any pub at any time. But u make it sound like a 'trouble' pub which is simply isn't.
I have drunk here for 16 years or so and witnessed a fight on the very first night i was in here - some idiot picked up a stool and went to hit this bloke but ended up hitting his missus instead - that was approx 1991-1992. Since then I have seen the odd scuffle but nowhere near the same league as the stool incident.
Its still a decent boozer (although as soon as it changed to Ember Inns a few years back the character was lost, which was a shame cos the old coach was far better) - food is decent, they do decent range of beers and its still the venue that people will go back to after years of being away for a catch up in Ickenham.
22 Sep 2008 16:52
As previous comments, the pub has got better and better since changing to The Old Fox. Food was good, staff friendly (especially Karen and Jon who run the show) and good atmos - show the footy and live music here regularly. I have a gig here in January with my duo and am looking forward to it!
Hoorah!
22 Sep 2008 16:44
went here with my work crowd on friday night. must say i was sceptical before getting in but it was a decent bar. Music was good, dj played 2 mins or so of various 80s/90s songs in a mix and got us dancing!
Got served quick considering it was busy and barmaid served with a smile which must be hard after a night of serving boozers like us! Nice one!
Was only here for about 45 mins as we got there late but worth another try one day methinks. One moan - like a lot of places in this country, closes way too early. 12am for a friday night in a busy vibrant place is way too early. it should be more like 2am finish (maybe last entry at 12:30 or something) and last orders at 1:45. But thats the government for ya!
27 Apr 2008 20:09
rogerthedodger...hmmm, i wonder if this would be the same roger who runs 2 pubs in walthamstow and was barred from here for having a go at 2 barmaids??? If not you, then I apologise - if it is you, SHAME ON YOU!!!
Its not full of alcoholics - some people get confused - its full of people who actually have a good time. Its frequented by regulars who don't seem to get hammered every time, they just like the atmos and enjoy themselves. that is, after all, what pubs are all about really. this pub does seem to be getting bad press from rival boozers so please don't take whats being said as gospel - i am not biased to this pub - I sing here with my band and used to drink here when i was local. Just telling it how it is.
27 Apr 2008 20:03
I drink in here sometimes after work with my workchums and its a decent boozer to unwind in. I like the beer and the old look of the place. The landlord has been in charge for years so the anonymous chap was wrong as previously said.
Not the cheapest pint in the area (The Met is your best bet for that), but sometimes a nice change from same old same old and at least its a cheap option to somewhere like Baroosh. Which is why Uxbridge is not as bad as some say it is for boozers - you can choose between a load of pubs depending on how much moolah you have in your wallet. Take a score out to the tuns and you will still manage to get a fair few pints. Take a score to baroosh and you won't get that far.
16 Mar 2008 12:37
by the way teg, have you not noticed there are already 2 coral bookies in wood street? i think the flower pot can rest easy on that one.
24 Feb 2008 17:58
hear hear offthewagon. the fight in the pub you mention was caused because of a lot of strangers in there who looked up for a fight from the start of the night. This is a regulars pub who know how to have a good time. its not about the place, its about the people. you put those who wanna fight into a 5 star hotel in mayfair and they would still kick off. take away the saddos who just want to fight and hey presto, the pub is back to a nice boozer with a good fun crowd. If you have not been to either this or the dukes head, your best bet is to go down and visit both and make your own decision.
24 Feb 2008 17:56
played our first gig at this venue on friday night. Its a nice boozer, great layout and in placed very quirky. Small stage area but we still managed to have plenty of space as a 5 piece. Its an Arsenal pub but its not overdone in here like some boozers. Nice bar staff, clientele were quite young crowd and for that probably did not know much of our material as we are a 60s and 70s band, but still got up and danced to some of them. Worth a look - there are 2 floors too, so plenty of room.
24 Feb 2008 17:49
much better now the chavs have gone. great burgers, great for footy, a decent boozer
29 Dec 2007 15:43
decent boozer, comes across as bit pretentious but its not, beer a tad expensive but its a tad classier than some of the boozers around ux.
29 Dec 2007 15:42
offthewagon is a bit harsh. place is not full of losers at all. nice warm atmos in here. lots of live music, live sport, decent beer. u want losers, go to the duke next door. ugh.
29 Dec 2007 15:40
The Duke of Edinburgh, Wanstead
I sing in this pub with my band, The Capris. The landlady is great, very approachable and loves live music. Crowd always into the music. Its worth a visit for the music alone but they serve a good pint and everyone always looks happy in there!
1 Nov 2007 13:42
I was fortunate to play live in this excellent pub on Saturday night with my band (The Capris) - for a function that Paul and Mark had put on (guys I hope I have got your names right!!!) for my Aunts birthday and everyone enjoyed the night. We loved playing there, but what people might forget is that its not always the band that makes the night. We found the pub to be a really nice boozer, clean as you like, well stocked of decent beer, friendly locals and all in all, a night we will remember for some time. I popped in again Sunday for a cheeky shandy and sat in the beer garden at the front in the sun and found the place once again relaxing and just right! Nice one gents, I will pop in for the curry night soon and sample the cuisine as well as the pints! Cheers
Matt
16 Apr 2007 16:39
I had a gig here last night - I am the vocalist with The Capris - the pub does not look as inviting as it could do from the outside which might put some off, but you should definitely pop in to see for yourself. Decor wise, as last post says, it needs the refit that is happening in March but it also has the beauty of being a proper Eastend boozer - not a place trying to be a trendy wine bar or such like - depending on your favoured type of place to drink, it could be seen as a decent boozer with character rather than a hole that some might unfairly deem it.
The gig was great fun and sadly was only to a small crowd as the pub looks to bring in more people alongside the refit - BUT those that were there were extremely positive about the band and its playing to people like this that makes the gigs feel more enjoyable. We are back in the Tavern Feb 23rd and will invite more to this gig to savour the proper boozer days before the likes of J Wetherspoon and co try and get their mitts on every pub and destroy drinking fun as we know it.
4 Feb 2007 11:11
Great music venue - sorry, have to plug my own band here, The Capris are back at The Flower Pot on Jan 26th from 9pm - 70s rock, motown, 60s cool and contemporary fat music played!
This pub is superb for music as they do not charge as a rule (theme night gigs may carry a small charge) - come support live music in your community!!!
9 Jan 2007 16:21
Just spent Xmas Eve at the Pot - what a top atmosphere. Good company, great live music from The Oscroft Brothers and no better way I can think of to spend the Xmas period.
28 Dec 2006 09:02
i played there last night (DONUT) - and we had a great night. This is a good boozer and worth a visit, its big, long bar, various screens and a great place for the bands to play. Jason who runs the bar is a top chap and just the right attitude for a pub like this.
Best pub in Ruislip by far.
15 Apr 2006 14:37
I played a gig here last week and although it was quiet, it was a great night and this is honestly a top boozer (no, Alan is not paying me!!!) - small stage is perfect for us (Donut, duo for all occasions - could not help the plug) - and Alan is very supportive of the music here. Bit of a seasoned pro himself, he really takes an interest in what you do. Good beer, warm welcome, live music. SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC!!! Too many pubs don't go with it and they SHOULD!
Worth a visit for the music room alone.
27 Mar 2006 21:03
The Old Kings Head, Hampton Wick
Excellent pub - decor inside is fantastic and I have to agree with the comments about the toilets, they are better than The Ivy toilets and I am not joking!!!
Live music in here at weekends. Friendly bar staff and owners, fast service and a really happy atmosphere. Well worth a visit. Just off the roundabout from the Kingston Bridge.
6 Feb 2006 09:45
Lovely boozer, great music. Go see Donut, Don't call me Jane and Toad if you get a chance. Ruddy nice bar staff, and I especially like the table to the right of the stage next to the partition - they always clap - thank you Kate and Lucy!!!
Matt from Donut/Toad
14 Jan 2006 20:19
went there for my work leaving do the other week and its a cracking looking pub - not as bujsy as i thought it would be but good time was had by all of us. Served pretty quick and the beer was fine - food was ok too.
Should not be compared to the Fullback - too different. Its like comparing Little and Large with Pepsi and Shirlie.
4 Nov 2005 08:20
Cleats is ok but its not that big and it gets packed at weekends so it loses its value a tad. It has another bar downstairs where club music is played but again its size makes it very hard to enjoy all night.
Top doorman called Alan though - he has carried me up the stairs before (cheers mate). Tombraider.
15 Aug 2005 08:02
They do a great breakfast here as well, and open early on a Sunday morning which was perfect - I ordered my full english at 9:45 and it arrived 20 mins later and tasted superb. Friendly bar staff. This place gets packed in the evenings especially when the weather is nice.
Sit at the back looking out to the river and hills, especially on a nice day and its bliss - from a Londoner's point of view, its nice to have a view when munching your fry-up.
15 Aug 2005 07:58
The Coach and Horses, Ickenham
Had another revamp - looks nice I suppose. Even during rehearsals for 'Bruce Fest' at the village hall on Saturday afternoon, it was frequented by us Coach legends. Well done Bryan for ordering Bombardier and pronouncing it Bom Ba Dee.
5 Jun 2005 19:03
this is a small, quirkly pub that did actually used to be the ticket office for the station that backs onto it. It has a high ceiling and the bar is still in the shape of the ticket booths.
There is live music there fridays and saturdays, the pub serves nice yet rather expensive food and only a couple of lagers but due to its size I suppose thats expected.
Lit by candles, this enchanting and moody pub is almost hidden and if in windsor, it must be tried.
6 Mar 2005 12:12
Nice atmos - live music at weekends. DONUT playing live there March - check out the details with landlord, yes its my duo and I am biased but we are ruddy good.
6 Feb 2005 12:50
Gorgeous pub, good size, out in the sticks, large car park opposite. live music, pool table, tv, big fire, friendly landlady and bar staff just won an award for best team - always happy and the atmos normally excellent. Definitely add to the site.
6 Feb 2005 12:49
Hi, can anyone who drinks here let me know by posting a comment or two, what the venue is like for live music? Toad is coming...
6 Feb 2005 12:34
The Soldiers Return, West Ruislip
Can't knock this pub - doesn't try to be anything other than a decent pub. Ruddy nice for Xmas too.
11 Dec 2004 12:22
Four Horseshoes, Luton
WARNING to bands: do NOT book a gig here. My band gigged last night and they stitched us up on the money. After agreeing a reduced fee than normal, the pub said in midweek that they would not be able to pay that amount as they 'forgot' to pay the doorman. After deciding we would still do the gig and use it as a paid rehearsal ( as the fee was heavily reduced from normal), we did the gig, went down well to the few people who came into the pub and then went to get paid.
The 'manager', basically a barman who has the title but cannot manage to save his life, said he could not pay the fee as they had taken little behind the bar through the night. Ironicaly a chunk of that cash came from the band members and our friends buying drinks!!!
He said he was 'prepared' to pay half of his takings (£100 to the band) - upon us arguing the case and telling him it was not our problem, he didnt even apologise and stood his ground. No apology, no solution to sort things out, nothing.
TO THE OWNER OF THIS PUB: you apparently have 2 people managing this pub. One cant remember to pay the doorman and mucks the band around, the other has attitude and no customer service skills. Although i do wonder if you actually give a toss. What a HOLE. Luton is bad enough as it is, but this pub has the potential to be ok as a gig venue, just run by useless idiots. AVOID THIS PUB AT ALL COSTS.
27 Jul 2013 11:36