The Forth Hotel, Newcastle

Selection of beer is OK, including the ale. But it wasn't kept all that well. Served by a particularly dozy bloke - I asked for two Workie Tickers, the guy said "sure, two Tickets", and then poured two of Deuchars! He was happy to correct his mistake (thirty seconds later he had to ask a girl at the bar what she wanted again having wandered across to the optics and forgotten her order en route).

Cool ambiance though, and they had Astral Weeks playing when I wandered in, and a worth a look as long as you aren't a total real ale anorak.

28 Nov 2006 20:02

The White Horse, Parsons Green

Has a super selection of beer, British and foreign. It's a very pleasant place to have a drink, the food is good.

But the staff are very variable in quality, on a busy afternoon two were busier snogging behind the bar than serving.
Watching other people's pints as well as my own it is also clear that short measures are a menace here.

If you get there at the right time, and get served properly, it's a superb pub. If you get served by one of the poorer staff, you'll wonder what the hell the fuss is about. Even at its best, it does not justify the ridiculous hype.

22 Oct 2006 15:41

Hogshead, Southsea

Horrible soulless barn of a place (converted from a Comet electricals shop). Avoid the ale at all costs, you will be lucky if it is drinkable. The food is OK but the overall impression this pub gives these days is poor. The old standards of the Hogshead chain have gone out of the window in this place and since there are plenty of better options around Southsea I suggest you take one of them.

30 Jul 2006 22:30