BITE user comments - u03cka
Comments by u03cka
This place has been going down the pan for the past 10 years and is in a sorry state, now.
Even when is started doing food, I was warned by the barman when asking if they did "Mind, Stevie's cookin it!". I wasn't sure who Stevie was, but I swerved that one.
In the years which followed, what must be poor management has attempted to attract students with themes, horrid drinks promos, loyalty cards and the like. Not a good beer selection, with the Caffreys being taken off being the killer. I always drink Dog when I am there.
Because of my memories of the place, I keep going back, but it just makes me sadder and sadder.
Get rid of all the tat, get some good ales in, and find someone who can book a band or two. If you want to introduce a loyalty card, make it to do with the number of bands you have come to see, not the amount of crap you hoy down your neck.
9 Dec 2010 10:46
Sgt Peppers Disco Bar, Newcastle
I had my first ever pint here when I was 15! Haha.
Only been in a couple of time since. I think you know what you are in for when you go here, so it is pointless criticising it.
People having a good time. Nice to see, but I won't be getting involved.
9 Dec 2010 10:41
Great pub. CAMRA folk would not be disappointed. Regular beer festivals, which are apparently great. Having looked a the beer lists I am not surprised. Great place to pop in at any time of day or night. Friendly locals and visitors alike. One of the things I like is that it is tucked away, so you will rarely get folk just happening on the place i.e. idiots.
Guest ales and local ales constantly on. Barman is really enthusiastic and friendly.
9 Dec 2010 10:39
Really great pub. The ales were fantastic, with really knowledgeable and friendly staff. Eclectic decorations. I have only been once and it was really, really quiet, mid-week, so would have to go again to be able to properly sample it, I reckon, but would highly recommend it.
9 Dec 2010 10:32
The Kelham Island Tavern, Sheffield
I must have missed something, here. Went in on a Tuesday. There was a quiz on, so was immediately told to shut up when I tried to get a drink in the ridiculously small bar. There was no mic being used by the quizmaster.
Ale selection was fantastic, obviously, but I need a bit more than that to rave about a place. I can't see what all the fuss is about.
9 Dec 2010 10:30
Imagine being in your friend's front room, except they are not your friend, no one is, and you may very well have you teeth kicked in at any moment for simply asking for a drink, and you are somewhere close with this hole.
Went in a few months ago with a mate of mine visiting the area. It was a pub near where I live, walk past every day, but had never been in. About 4pm on a friday, no one behind the bar. Some 'ladies' sort of behind the bar, right at the bottom, totally not interested in serving us. One deigned to, commenting that she was going to give someone a lift, as if we were lucky to catch her! No real ales, no ales at all, nearest thing was Guinness, which was not very nice.
Horrible client�le, especially on a Saturday afternoon judging from the braying morons outside it. Go to The Masons Arms if you are in the area.
9 Dec 2010 10:02
A very god pub overall with a courteous and knowledgeable landlord. Definitely the best one in the area. Fullers Ales always in good condition. Apparently the food is very nice. Nice beer garden. Darts, nice wooden d�cor, with a homely feel.
Client�le all very nice and the staff are very good. Good prices. If you are really good at music quizzes, then have a crack at the one here that is on the first monday of every month. You will have to be REALLY good to stand a chance though.
There is a cat who likes attention too. A truly great pub needs a pub cat, I think we can all agree.
My one very very very minor gripe was with a member of staff (I wont say who but those who go there will guess) taking off with a punter for them swearing. Not even a particularly bad word, but there were kids around. It is a pub, not a restaurant. You can't have it both ways love. That sort of bloke is who keeps your business in the black the 99% of time when folk are not eating. I wouldn't bring a kid in a pub either, but if I did I would expect a lot worse than what that poor sod said.
27 Apr 2009 10:24
Usually 3-4 ales on. Hobgoblin is a mainstay and always very nice.
The client�le can be a bit on the mad/chavy side but they don't seem overtly horrible and I have never seen any bother in there. In fact, the tourists who seem to wander in, look around and then wander out are more of an annoyance as far as I am concerned.
Staff always efficient and friendly enough, although I get the feeling that if I were a posh student with plumbs in my mouth, this would not be true and rightly so.
27 Apr 2009 10:18
This place is awful.
Terrible music and a garish decor greet you and it just gets worse from there.
Was served a blatantly wrong pint of abbot which was churlishly replaced. A table of 10 of us were there for food. The staff seemed incredulous with rage that we would deign to come in in such numbers and then proceeded to be rude, obnoxious and serve really bad food, if any at all. One of our party thought it would be amusing to stick it out and see how long it would take to get served. An hour and 15 minutes, which the staff denied until he produced the receipt which showing it was actually an hour and twenty minutes! incredible. Another amusing one was where a server presented one of our party with a plate of bangers and mash, absolutely nothing near what he had ordered and then got upset that he did not want it!! This particular server was a right horror, an effeminate chap, possibly italian.
No need to go here with the FAR superior Britannia being so near.
AVOID
22 Feb 2009 15:11
The Pakenham Arms, Clerkenwell
I agree with some of the comments about this interior being non descript.
There are two huge tellys for watching football, which is good. The punters are a bit rough around the edges, but harmless enough. Poor selection of ales, in case that is what you are after.
Staff are efficient.
26 Sep 2008 16:37
My favorite pub in London.
Great pub, committed to real ales, run with pride by a nice Landlord Adrian, who has a real culinary flair. Speaking of which, the food is excellent and really good value with everything < �5. The Sunday Dinners are superb, with proper meat and yorkshire puds!
The staff are always well mannered and polite.
The locals are lovely and you are never stuck for someone to chat to if you want. A rarity in this city.
The fact that the pub does not have sky sports is a real plus as it keeps the idiots at bay who tend to frequent the inferior pubs in the area.
Fine choice of ales.
26 Sep 2008 16:35
The Chequers Inn, Headington
Hell-hole. I went here on a monday night, because I forgot that The Masons Arms around the corner opens at 7pm. Never been there before. Looks lovely from the outside in a nice village setting.
Went in and was greeted by dance music on the speakers and sky sports news on large screens. At the bar, at least they had Hobgoblin on . .. until I tried it. The worst pint of Hobgoblin I have ever had. Vile and you could tell by the seasoned-looking barmaid that she rarely served it.
It had a few dart boards, but no atmosphere at all. A few sinister-looking eyes watching you and a few pockets of people waiting for The Masons Arms to open.
Avoid.
9 Dec 2010 10:51