The Golden Farmer, Bracknell

Dont bother. Seriously, just dont bother. Unless of course you are conducting a sociological study into the pondlife who drink in this hell hole. They are like parodies of themselves, and the pub itself has all the welcome and charm of 'The Slaughterd Lamb' in 'American Werewolf in London' although without the range of real ales of course. If you enjoy drinking amid a feeling of surpessed violence, and amongst people who consider anyone who can write their own name as a 'ponce' then TGF could be the pub of your dreams. Otherwise, it's a waking urban nightmare, stalked by all the most horrendous chavvy urban ghoulish characters you can imagine. And that's just the ladies.

6 Mar 2008 19:00

Old Manor, Bracknell

I fell out with the Old Manor years ago when, on a Friday night, I walked in to see someone lying on the floor with blood gushing from their slashed face. As a rule of thumb I've always felt that pubs with bouncers on the door are probably more trouble than they're worth. However, I have recently started going back to the Manor, on the strength of it's excellent range of beers. It does seem to have changed. I've not been there in the evening at the weekend, but during the day, The Manor is a pleasure. I dont know if they still have bouncers on the door..

The range of ales is the best you'll find in Bracknell, with contributions from local breweries as well as excellent standards like Marstens Pedigree. Their Guinness is also excellent. The food menu is not spectacular but it depends what you order. Burgers, breakfasts and standard pub grub is very good indeed. Sunday roasts, especially the beef is a little dissapointing, although in terms of value for money you cant really go wrong. The staff and management work very hard to get it right, and it's good to see them succeeding in a town where running a pub cant be the most pleasant job going.

6 Mar 2008 18:26

Bridge, Bracknell

The Bridge has it's good days and its bad. As you enter the pub you do get the feeling that everyone has turned to look at you, but that 'western saloon' syndrome is by no means exclusive to The Bridge. The bar staff are pleasant enough, although sometimes service is a little slow. The range of beers is fairly standard for Bracknell boozers, and caters predominently for the tracksuited, lager swilling idiots who inhabit any new town. The Bridge actually claims to be a real ale pub (or as near as a Bracknell pub can be) and I have indeed had many a decent pint in there over the years. However, the ale often runs out quickly, and is sometimes not looked after that well. The choice is also limited to just two beers (not including bog standards like John Smiths or GK IPA)

The food is pretty good. Their 'Deluxe Burger Menu' is excellent, as is their Steak and Ale pie served with mash and peas, although the pie is better in the afternoon, than it is in the early evening, by which time the meat resembles Pedigree Chum. They have a curry night, and a weekly poker club. Generally, the Bridge is ok. I dont like the banks of TV's pumping sport at you all day long, but I accept that many do. Not bad. Best visited at lunch time IMO.

6 Mar 2008 18:18