The King William, Bath

The area around the King William may put a few people off - right on the London Road with the traffic snarling past, it's location is not the best, but to enter is to drift into another world. I haven't eaten here for several years, it has one of the best beer ranges in Bath for Christ Sake, and with the wonderful management and good knowledge, this is a place to go if you want a good pint or two. On on our last visit was the gorgeous, dark Bristol Exhibition and I would recommend that to anyone. Yes, the King William can lay claim to being small and often crowded, but compared to the Coeur De Leon and the Green Tree (both the same), it can stand up to any pub in Bath when it comes to a good, honest, interesting pint!

1 Apr 2010 17:46

The Assembly Inn, Bath

I'd read the blurbs in previous posts about an upgrade on the old Assembly and having heard that it had been bought by Abbey Ales, I entered eagerly hoping to find a new pub bursting with Black Friar and all of the trappings of Abbey Ales success?? Sorry to report I found an Assembly still struggling to extracate itself from its own old skin. No Abbey Ales seemed to be on, and the old girl seemed tired and a little worse for wear honestly.... And, this was a Saturday night when Bath's pubs really look to make their week pay off? The Assembly of old used to be a bit of a dive to be honest, but now it's just a bit sunken in the mouth. Come on Abbey, give it a face-lift!!

1 Apr 2010 17:41

The Crystal Palace Tavern, Bath

Still going strong on the back of the new development in Bath's shopping area, the Crystal Palace has I feel reached a bit of a nadir? The beer is always good here - we tend to go in on a Sunday in the last throes of the weekend when it's a little more peaceful than some - but complacency is looming. Will it go all swish like the many tiny (and exceedingly overbooked) restaurants around it, or stay as a good, honest pub? At the moment, the jury's out on this, the place is like a diver standing on the board about to drop off or dive for the top.... but just a tweak with the staff, a few more good beers and success awaits.... I'm cautiously optimistic.

1 Apr 2010 17:35