please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
The Hotspur is conveniently situated for Haymarket metro station. It's a small, but basic city centre pub with a nice atmosphere and a decent selection of 5 ales and 2 ciders. The ales were Cullercoats Jack The Devil, Wylam Cascade & Galaxia, Anarchy Strait Jacket and a house beer - Warden of the East Hotspur Bitter. The 2 ciders were both from Westons - Old Rosie & Rosie's Pig. A pleasant place to enjoy a swift one or a longer session.
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I'm going to add to the "it's not very pleasant but (apart from the toilets which are an outright disgrace) I cannot put my finger on why". It has it's share of idiot customers as do most the pubs around the haymarket station area. It's staff range from polite to downright surly. It allows customers to prop up the bar at the expense of new prospective customers getting served. But it isn't any of those things - it's just the sum total of the pub doesn't fit for me. It should, the potential is there, but it doesn't work for me.
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Should be good, but isn't. Scruffy toliet; the area near it stinks of urine; too many out of focus televsions. There's usually a good range of beer, however. Clientele is a bit dodgy on Saturday.
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this pub would be ok but the little squirt behind the bar is in the wrong job..he obviously lacks the right amount of testosrine and feels the need to bully and intimitate women. His welcome is not a warm geordie one and i wonder why he lives in such a wonderful city or why he works in the hospitallity industry.. rude.!!
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Opposite the bus station and near the uni. Had a quick pint in here after an interview for a job ( which I didn't get) beer was ok, didn't like the tv tho! Lacked atmosphere, although I put that down to the time of day, mid afternoon. Would probably try again!
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Agree with ROBCamra - not sure exactly why but don't really like this place. Tried it a few times but will give it a while before my next visit. Beer OK
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'Victorian city pub' gone a bit scruffy with OK but quite expensive beer. Could do with a bit of tlc - shame Sir John Fitzgerald doesn't take it on.
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I don't really like this place but I can't put my finger on why that is exactly. They have a several real ales on the bar however they're all usually safe, tried and tested nationals. The beer has always been kept OK but never really great. It's a bit scruffy and gets it's fair share of the lowlifes. like any pub near a bus station. I think it's a combination of things, but I would never go out of my way to have a beer here. Still call in for one occasionally when passing though. Just to see if my opinion has changed. It hasn't this time.
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Great selection of real ale, about 7 or 8 to choose from, which is the best around Haymarket, but somehow lacking in atmosphere. Don't know if that's because it's been opened out so much, or if it's the abundance of widescreen TVs or what. Not bad at all, but feels like it should be better.
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Yeah dont mind The Hotspur for a couple. Normally go through the day when on an all day session. Aye is ok!
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Popped in last time Spurs were up here. Average (just like our performance).
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�2.00pint on all ales,6 pumps with only 2 on, however they were packing up to close for a refurb so will give them a 7/10, prob worth checkin out at a later date
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It needs a bloody good clean. Too many TVs; too bright lighting and some dodgy clientele. Beer continues to be good an varied, however.
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Probably picked a bad time to visit, walking in during the Liverpool v Chelsea European Cup tie to find it packed with boisterous student types in Liverpool colours. Having bought a pint it was promptly almost sent flying by spotty youths pogoing around when Liverpool scored. Best avoided on televised football nights if you want a quiet pint. Otherwise seemed reasonable though.
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Another first for me, 5 real ales on tap and liked the note on the other three pumps, "cleaning beer lines" some pubs show the beer even though there was none. Another friendly place, will return.
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I worked here in the '801's when the little fella was the manager. Forget his name. It hasn't changed much, but the back room has gone. Beer is better maybe.
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Awful. Horrible tellies, horrible lighting, stale smells, Courage Directors (CAMRA-types who put it in their GBG need re-educating).
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This is a great pub. Used to spend at least 2 nights a week here supping a fine pint of workie ticket. Jimmy the manager is a great guy. Not been in the bar for a couple of years now, but have fond memories. Hotspur I miss you!
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Love the large selection of well kept real ales which change frequently.
Hate the loud and obtrusive TVs which seem to be kept on even when there is no sporting event showing.
Having had several pleasant afternoons in this pub it was a shock to find that on a Saturday night they crank the stereos and TVs up to the max and compete for the 'standing up drinking alcopops' Saturday night crowd!
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Prices ok, and sound enough bar.
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This used to be the meeting place when we I was at Newcastle University (and it's worth mentioning how tolerant the locals were of us drunken students). I get back to Newcastle with work now and again and I'm glad to say the place is as good as it used to be - with well kept beer, standard byt good pubby food and a great mix of customers. Watching England games in here is an experience that shouldn't be missed.
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Good pub with well-kept beers. Match days are hectic, but you have to expect that. saturday night crowd very different from the weekday lot (and kinda scary, but I haven't seen any trouble).
anonymous - 18 Apr 2006 20:40 |
GREAT PUB VERY RELAXED, GOOD SELECTION OF REAL ALES AND SOME NICE CHEAP OFFERS, ONLY PROBLEM IS MATCH DAYS WHEN IT IS FULL TO THE RAFTERS.
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Boasts at least 3 well-kept ales at any time (normally 4). Beer is a bit on the expensive side. Staff know their stuff and are quick at serving. No loud music, which is a plus, so you can have a chat over your pint, quite quiet during the afternoons and lunchtime, plus most evenings if there isn't a match on. Tend to get a fair number of students in here, especially in the early evening (4-7pm). A nice enough place.
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Better beer choice than most central pubs, served well by friendly staff.Mixed crowd.
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Fairly typical T&J Bernard place. Beer is kept well enough and it feels fairly authentically 'pubby' (dark wood). Fairly typical steak pie etc menu but none the worse for that. Shows the footie so does fill up with rabid 'toon fans but is probably the best pub in the town centre.
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