Mangans, Watfordback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
One of the closest bars to Vicarage Road football ground, Mangans was absolutely packed. Whilst it does have handpulls, no real ale was available - just Budweiser, Carlsberg, San Miguel, Thatchers Gold, Guinness, Fosters, Strongbow & John Smiths Extra Cold. Once through the busy bar area, the bar opens out a little at the back where there are more TV screens showing live sports and I believe there was a pool table amidst all the people. I eventually escaped through the fire exit at the rear, avoiding the bouncers at the front. This was a better option than the One Bell or the One Crown. But it was nothing particular to shout about.
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Previously called Shakers and the Wine Shack this is an Irish pub with a friendly barman. Just one real ale - Old Golden Hen - but it was well kept. One of the better drinking holes in Watford, although there's not a lot of competition.
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If you are on your way to a game (Football / Rugby) at Vicarage Road this little place can be useful. It is very much a pub for locals and range of drinks is limited but there is plenty of sport on the TV and the bloke who runs the place is very friendly.
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I used this place frequently in the early 90�s when my firm�s building used to be located round the corner, when it was called Shakers Bar (or something similar). Not that it was any good but as there was no real choice in Watford Town centre in those days. The Guinness was the only thing you could reliably drink and the only thing the landlady could cook that was edible was the chile con carne , due to the fact that she used so much chile powder, it was guaranteed to kill anything living in it. And it could attract some hard drinking roughish local clientele.
And my experience from a quick visit yesterday was that the d�cor might have improved but not a lot else.
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Thought I'd try this place out as it was technically my nearest pub. Soon had at regular (I would imagine) come and join me and my three friends. He seemed rather hostile towards newcomers and after a while he just stood there eyeballing us, decided it may be a good idea to leave so did and have never been back! Pub actually seemed ok but lairy regular was a little offputting!
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Has a bit of a working mens club feel about it. Seems to had a bit of money spent on it recently and is now quite a nice looking bar. Uninspiring choice of keg beers and the Guinness didn�t taste quite right to me.
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The landlord is called Ray. I think it is because he is such a ray of sunshine, but I might be wrong.
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Good pub for football, weary travellers(new hotel just over the road!) and for anyone who likes a relaxed atmosphere.
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I came here last Saturday (3 March) with a few of the lads before going to watch Charlton play at Watford. This was a handy meeting place as the Liverpool, United game was being shown on a number of screens and the pub was not �home fans only� pre kick-off. In fact, there was quite a jovial and relaxed atmosphere in here, given the juxtaposition of Charlton and Watford fans gathered conspicuously in their replica shirts. The place was not too busy either and I was served relatively quickly at the bar.
3 pints of Fosters, a Magners and a Guinness came to �16.10, so make what you want from that if anything about the prices of drinks. Overall, this boozer is great if you�re in Watford to watch football at Vicarage Road, given the stadium is close by. In fact, we stopped off in here after the 2-2 draw to watch some of the Pompey, Chelsea game and again, it was not too packed. Would certainly come here again when Charlton are in town and hopefully this will not be next season in the Championship, given Watford � as opposed to Charlton - are likely to be relegated!!
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This was my local for 5 years until I moved away from the area. The usual selection of draught lagers etc and no real ale, however it was always a good pint. Best after work 5-7pm or on a Friday night or whenever a decent match was on...
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