Red Lion, Cliftonback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Closed again. Unfortunately, Nick the landlord lost interest several years ago, and the regulars disappeared. Clive the manager did an excellent job running the place and trying to keep it alive. However, despite his best efforts, he was fighting a losing battle.
Shame, because it was a great little pub, but since old Charlie passed away, I think it's days seemed numbered. Perhaps nick will be third time lucky and try to resurrect the pub. However, I very much doubt it and I think the future for a pub that has lost one of it's bars and all of the upstairs accommodation looks very bleak. Hope I'm wrong, but won't be surprised to go past here soon to find it's been turned into more student digs. SAVE THE LION!!!!!
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This is now back to a proper pub after it’s fairly brief outing as a trendy wine bar. Decor wise it has changed little, if at all, although obviously the deli counter has now gone to be replaced with a few tables and chairs and the hams are no longer hanging in the wine cellar.
A couple of plasma screens were dotted around although these were not in use on our visit, and there was a trophy shelf at the rear along with a couple of signed football shirts. The fire-place had a large selection of church candles burning away, whereas a proper fire would have been nice on a cold December evening.
Beers on tap were Doom Bar, Cornish Coaster and Hook Norton’s Lion whilst the ciders were Thatcher’s Gold and Thatcher’s Dry. Unusually there was a slow cooker on one of the tables next to the bar which was presumably dispensing a mulled drink of some sort.
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Now known as the Red Lion Wine House, it is as it�s name suggests, very much more of a wine bar now as opposed to your traditional pub, and this is clearly reflected both in the ambience and the drinks selection (or lack of). At one time it was a bit of a cider house, so it would have been nice to see at least one choice of cider available in a nod to it�s past, but alas not. Then again, I can remember when there was a gentleman�s club further up the road (now an apartment block), so clearly the area is moving up market.
The front bar is slightly larger and has whitewashed walls, an old flagstone floor, low ceilings and large windows at the front. There were various old advertising signs on the walls and all the tables had candles in old wine bottles, which created a pleasant ambience. The smaller rear bar seemed a little cosier with it�s black walls, old prints on the walls, a brick fireplace and some old leather sofa�s. There was glass viewing window in to the wine cellar, and this also had a couple of hams hanging from the ceiling.
Food choice appeared to be limited to just a platter of charcuterie and cheeses. These were available to select from a deli style counter in the rear bar, and I believe came with a few hunks of bread and olives. Although I didn�t try it myself, it seemed a little pricy at �11.50 for a choice of three, or �20 for six.
No ales on tap unfortunately, real or otherwise. In fact, nothing on draft at all. There was a barrel on the end of the bar, but this is apparently not in use yet and in any case is destined to hold wine, not beer. A large blackboard listed a good choice of wines, many available by the glass, but these too seemed a little on the steep side with a small 125ml glass costing �3 - �4. There was a very limited selection of bottles available, on this visit it was just Hop Back Summer Lightning and a Samuel Smith�s organic lager, although the friendly barman did say that they�d had a busy night the night before. A bottle of each cost me �8.50, so I don�t think I�ll be in any rush to return.
On balance, it�s nicely done out, and it is of course nice to see it re-open, but unless you�re after a glass of wine and a plate of charcuterie, and don�t mind what you pay for it, I�d suggest that there are other far more appropriate places nearby.
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I stand corrected......... Like a man in orthapaedic shoes.
It's undergone some transformation, they've been working on it for a while.
Not sure about things on the beer front as I've not been in yet, but with regards to the wine, cheese and charcuterie I've seen some very complimentary reviews and it's been busy which is a good sign.
It looks like they've done well with the place which is great to see. Shall go check it out and report back.
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Hi Cliftonclive. Yep, it was shutdown around Christmas. A shame really as Rob had done well with what he had to work with and it was a good laugh with the regulars.
I live very locally and we've just had a notice of planning for 9 flats above the pub (they haven't made their plans for the actual pub clear yet but how else are people going to access the 9 flats?) so it seems obvious it will be finished.
However, I along with a few others that I have spoken to oppose the planning applications so we'll see what that brings.
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Closed when I visited last week , and looks to have abandoned .does anyone have news on this pub.
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Friendly landlord, pub recently changed hands I think.
A decent beer is on offer here with a few ales to choose from. They offer regular drinks promotions and overall prices are low to start with.
For those that don't fancy the sometimes rowdiness of Roo-Bar, Sloanes etc, you may be interested to know that this pub has just installed Sky Sports.
Pool table has recently been removed but the dart board remains if you want to throw a few arrows.
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BS8 OK this is quite a long way from the other pubs luke d reviewed that evening ? but that aside a vast improvement , and proves you don't have to do much to improve a pub , chatty bar person , choice of 3 c.best , doombar and butcombe ,sufficed ,a bit of a way to go ,but you could do worse.
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It is interesting that bs8drinker hides their identity, only registered on Wednesday 8th July, has only made three comments, and all three of these comments are having a go at LukeD. Is it possible that this person signed up to purely to have a go at Luke? Could they be closely associated with one of the three pubs LukeD commented on? Draw your own conclusions!
By the way I think it perfectly acceptable that a landlord should comment on other pubs, particularly when HE is NOT hiding his identity.
MrKiA - 10 Jul 2009 17:38 |
LUKED-VERY PROFFESSIONAL-LANDALORD OF CORNUBIA SLAGGIN OFF OTHER PUBS IN TOWN-WANDER DOES HIS BOSS KNOW
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6 PUMPS but 3 displaying Doom and 2 displaying Courage . Although I suspect if they arent really busy enough to warrant more than two. Friendly service though from this GBG listed pub, 6/10
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yes have to say more or less the same , very spartan inside ,and as said choice limited ,two , but then to some people that might be HUGE . Altogether an unwelcoming place .
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Went in on Monday evening. We were the only customers, the very friendly lady behind the bar explained that she was the relief manager and had only been there for two days. This explained why there was six handpumps and only Sharps Doombar and Courage Best available. I had a Gin and Tonic.
There vere two dogs, (staffi's I am told) not just behind the bar, but with dog baskets behind the bar. After ten minutes, the lady's brother took the mantle. It would not be fair for me to comment as for the next half an hour he did not say a SINGLE word to us. not even hello or goodbye. this was clearly because the pub had NO other customers. Radiators were on full blast and the front door was propped open.
LukeD - 23 Apr 2009 10:18 |
Recently freshened up with a lick of paint, one of the few decent pubs in the area. Could be more ambitious though; why have six handpumps with only three slightly dull beers on? Old Charlie from Crockers/Penny Farthing holds court at the end of the bar (so that's Happy Hour gone for a Burton, then!)
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Good beer, good interior, friendly staff, footy as well.
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