The Red Lion, Shirley

I wrote a comment a couple of years ago (about being turned away whilst on leave and wanting to go for a pint with my brother), and I can see that since then a lot of arguing has taken place, which has all been an interesting read and it does seem that Red Lion regulars are actually posting now. I haven't tried to get in there since as I have been away from Shirley, but in advance of returning home I'd like to ask a few sensible questions - to be passed on to the land lord if possible. What is the actual criteria for getting in? Is it dress, if so what is acceptable? Is it a definite over 25 policy, I ask as I am 27 but my brother is 24 - is the age limit flexible if we are blatantly only there for a nice pint and a game of pool?
On a separate note; I think the days of the violence at the Sara's and the Plume are gone now, I agree there was a problem a few years ago and that drove the pubs down the restaurant path, and because of that they have become boring, but they aren't as bad as made out on some of the posts on here. With regards to alcohol I think its all got a bit out of hand, some people enjoy a good real ale and others enjoy a cold pint of carling, for me it depends on my mood, classifying people by what they drink or how much they spend is a bit immature to be fair. No offence to anyone intended.

13 Oct 2008 15:31

The Strawberry Fields, Shirley

Strawberrys is a nice little bar, good draught beer and cider and good for sport. Probably best place in Shirley to go for a drink.

21 Aug 2006 14:58

The Red Lion, Shirley

I went out in Shirley last week for a drink with my brother and cousin, hoping to have a decent catch up chat and a game of pool. The Red Lion is the only place in Shirley with a pool table and I have been in there countless times in the past and had a good night; I also have friends that work behind the bar (Rachel C. and James B.) and I went to school with the son of the Land Lord (Neil Y.), plus I live about 4 minutes from the pub!!! Apparantly though none of these things constitute me being a local, fair enough I am not in there all the time, but I'm not a piss head and don't go out in Shirley all that much any more. As soon as we walked in the place we got looks of disgust from the "locals", who obviously do go in there every night (and eat and drink a bit too much if may add). The Gaffa (not my mates Dad), think I remember from years ago his name was Joe or John or something escorted us out and said that because he never recognised us we couldn't drink in there! He aid it was regulars only and it as over 25's, we tried to explain our case bt he was having none of t and we weren't allowed back in the door. I'm not quite sure what sort of establishment he thinks the Red Lion actually is, but as far as I can see it is a High Street PUBLIC HOUSE, not a members only social club. I would love to gve the Red Lion a better rating than 4 because it has everything I like about pubs - a nice pint, a pool table, a juke box and fruit machines -but the bloke running it and the stuck up locals need to have a good look at their lives and wake up! If you want it to be a members only club then make it into one, but don't deny me a game of pool with my family on a week night, that's just rude.

16 Aug 2006 21:30