please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Pleasently surprised after reading some of the reviews. 7 different real ales on and the ones I tried were in excellent condition.
Arrived early Saturday evening and spoke to very friendly staff, all new, and explained an experienced couple from out of town had taken over.
Spent a couple hours here and enjoyed every minute. It is a bit of a rough diamond, but by the time I left, the place was packed so they are obviously doing something right. I will go back. Keep up the good work.
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Upon visiting the Chough recently, a good selection of 5 cask ales from the Hidden range were available, kept to a reasonable - if not outstanding standard.
Decor seems little changed, although the sofas make a welcome "lounge" area. The toilets are badly in need of renovation - in fact the gents was closed, with the ladies room now relegated to "dual purpose". I'm not sure how clever an idea that is on a Saturday night..
Having said that, a great improvement on what went before, in an interesting building. If the Hidden brewery can build on this, this has the makings of an excellent pub.
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Upon visiting the Chough recently, a good selection of 5 cask ales from the Hidden range were available, kept to a reasonable - if not outstanding standard.
Decor seems little changed, although the sofas make a welcome "lounge" area. The toilets are badly in need of renovation - in fact the gents was closed, with the ladies room now relegated to "dual purpose". I'm not sure how clever an idea that is on a Saturday night..
Having said that, a great improvement on what went before, in an interesting building. If the Hidden brewery can build on this, this has the makings of an excellent pub.
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Recently rescued by the Hidden Brewery. Appears to have dumped the stupid 'Alchemy' prefix. Good range of ales and the food looked good - didn't try.Service a bit slow, but well worth a visit.
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Good central location; close to market, bus station and train station. Brilliant concept: range of local ales plus a guest. Yes there's work to be done on it, but I'm sure this will become over time the first choice meeting place for serious beer drinkers in Salisbury.
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We,, having read the articles in the Journal and the latest posts, decided to give it a go.
Went in on Saturday about 8 in the evening...1only 2 beers on. Stayed around for on hour...down to 1 beer on (apart from the lagers)...stuck about for another half hour...nothing changed.
In Salisbury next day so went back at lunch time. Closed, though had been told they opened on Sundays.
Pity, things did look promising at first.
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Why was alchemy ever added as a prefix in the 1st place? Anyway, now the Chough is offering 6 cask beers from Hidden Brewery & I think we tried ‘em all between us, very nice. A rambling barn of a pub, high ceilinged bar area with beamed offshoots, some flagstoned flooring, loads of room, plenty of seating, unobtrusive tv in bar, plasma in rear room to left. If a couple of locals found it amusing that some of our party wanted two halves each for taste comparisons of relatively new beers then I suggest they go drink their festers elsewhere & mind their own business; I doubt that they would be managing 10 pubs & 13 pints on the day. The barman, btw, was perfectly friendly & polite about the combinations.
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Full of visiting football supporters on Saturday lunchtime who seemed impressed with the hot bacon and egg rolls at £3. Five Hidden brewery beers on, all in good nick. Friendly efficient service. Some refurbishment is needed but doesn't detract from what is an excellent pub.
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This pub is no longer called Alchemy @ The Chough, just plain old "The Chough".
I went in last night and was met by a smiling barman and an array of six handpumps. I had a pint of Old Sarum, which was delicious.
As mentioned below, the pub is under new management by the Hidden Brewery, and it looks like it's going back to being a good, solid pub once more. I wouldn't step in there if I could help it under the "Alchemy" guise - the beer was terrible, and the music too loud.
Chatting to the barman he said that the bar would be refurbished soon to include a total of 8 handpumps (2 will showcase guest ales).
If you like a friendly pub with beams, flagstone floors, and excellent beer, this is your pub in Salisbury. Within the same building there's a separate and slightly 'trendier' area with sofas (with wifi internet access coming soon). Recommended.
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The Chough has just been taken over by The Hidden Brewery. They already own three other pubs in the South of England including the Cornubia at Bristol which is playing to packed houses of beer enthusiasts.
While there is a great deal of refurbishment to do the new owners are offering a range of Hidden Beers (all good) and a limited range of bar food while the kitchens are upgraded. I'm marking high for the beer but expect it won't be too long before I can do the same for the food.
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I visited this pub with my partner and while it was early we where the only two persons in. Maybe its something to do with paying £7.50 for a pint of (average) 6X and a glass of red wine!!
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I worked here in 1989 when this was a Beefeater. a great old pub with lots of happy memories. The patio leading up to the main doors used to be swept by a local called " jimmy the hat"
Only been back once in 18 years but still a great pub
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We came to pay a visit to see the sights of Salisbury and casually stumbled accross what a pub to remember, Alchemy @ the Chough! A truly beautiful pub with open fires,great big comfy sofas,delicious food served by warm and welcoming friendly staff. Most certainly a pub full of character, personality and individual taste. Definately a place worth coming back to even all the way from Surrey just to enjoy a lovely lunch and a lazy afternoon.
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Called for sunday luncheon today. Despite a 40 minute wait for food, the beer, Wadsworts, was in good condition and served with a smile. The sunday roast(s)were well cooked and presented. Nice to have a smoke free area to eat in.
All in all, a good experience and worth repeating.
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I can only dream that someone will open a bar/pub as cool as this in Exeter! I'd practically live in it! If our City had a place anything like as good as The Alchemy @ The Chough it would be the only place to be seen, chill, hang out, party. The great thing about this place is, you can veg in the most excellent sofa zone with a gorgeous big cup of hot chocolate after a good shop, go back again later for a great bite to eat before going out to the movies and back even later to catch a great live band! It's so welcoming, comfortable and unpretentious. I love it! You know they've got it right when everyone from students through to the "young at hearts" all feel comfortable. You Salisburyites don't know how good you've got it!
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I had heard of Alchemy @ the Chough,some saying Salisbury's best kept secret (Salisbury Life Magazine)and others feeling disastisfied. With mixed views on the venue I decided once and for all to put it to the test for myself. I am so pleased i decided to check it out, well deserving its rave reviews the pub is warm and friendly with plenty on offer from comfort to drinks to food all in the one setting. With a gorgious function room upstairs draped in a Victorian Era I was amazed at how huge it is, not just the room but the pub itself is like a maze! Definately one to visit!
anonymous - 11 Aug 2005 22:57 |
I was greatly surprised by this pub. After reading the other reviews on this site I wanted to see how bad it was. I was shocked at the harshness of my fellow reviewers. I thought that the selection of real ales was good, and their food was punctual and tasty, even on the market day. What really made the place great was the welcome from the staff, the sofas and the music. Big fan. Its a jem, and obviously the reviewer's have held a grudge.
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i was well dissapointed with this place, the beer was nothing special and the food was crap, the bar staff looked like they'd just fallen out of bed and the bloke who delivered the food to our table was filthy and sweating like hell... not nice...
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Very unhappy with the service. Having waited for 35 minutes for food, we were very disappointed with the quality, the food was cold, and very expensive. Having odered a pint of Ringwood Best, we had to leave it as it tasted foul.
Unfortunetly, the Chough has made no impovement on service you can't make a silk purse out of a pigs ear!!!
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The Alchemy Bar is in a league of its own! It is a great place to go and chill out in boasting the comfiest sofa's, or live the night to the full with its wicked shots and cocktails!! In addition the food is absolutely fab, especially on Sundays with a musical feast of a roast! It has a unique character compared to other bars as it has more of an individual style and taste that compliments both the people that go in and indeed the friendly staff behind the bar! A definite recommendation to anyone looking for a recipe of unique chemistry...
Elle - 2 Dec 2004 22:19 |
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