The White Lion, St Albans

An excellent pub run by a manager who is first rate at being a publican. Food is good, beer as good as it can be outside a free house. A beer garden that can accommodate a crowd and is regulalry full of families and groups of all ages.

Well worth a visit if you can't be bothered to cook your own Sunday lunch.

12 May 2011 13:21

The Lower Red Lion, St Albans

The travails of The Lower Red are enoughto break your heart. The pub was once a true gem of national note. It was managed by people who cared about the business and took pride in the reputation. One bar was CAMRA beards, the other locals of all generations.

That all drifted away over the years and every time it looks like it is moving forward it falls back again. Manager after manager has come and gone, some better than others. This pub needs a long lease to a tenant who is left alone to build it back up again, not be treated as a cash cow.

The beer is fine, the friday fish and chips great, and even the replacement of beards by haords of children might be progress to some. However, because of its decline it just isn't a welcoming place to be. Please somebody buy it and make it better again!

12 May 2011 13:17

The Six Bells, St Albans

A traditional pub run by people who like, and are very good at, being publicans.
Having eaten there dozens of times I have never had a bad meal; Portions reflect the appetite of the Landlord and are very generous. There are constantly changing real ales that are looked after well and served by friendly enthusiastic staff. I took some American friends who had never visited Britain before and their comment summed it up: "This is exactly what a British pub should be like."

12 May 2011 13:08