please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
After a visit to the nearby Tame Bridge (not listed on here), I thought I would try the Port 'n' Ale Bar & Grill. It was one of the busier establishments I visited all day in the West Midlands. But, real ale is no longer served. The pub appears to be Indian-owned. Although, I didn't see anybody eating. The keg selection was Guinness, Carling, Carling Black Fruits, Stella Artois, Cobra, Coors Light, Thatcher's Gold, Worthington's Creamflow & Strongbow. Would have tried the food, if I'd have had more time available. Disappointing, as expected.
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Now re-named the Top Star (which it used to be known as) and mainly a Chinese restaurant.
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Well I don't frequent any pub to just drink so I cannot comment on the beer or ale here but me and my wife and daughter found this pub on the way to stourport and were really surprised at the
Quallity of the Carvery and the variety of real fresh veg, But also the generous serving of a choice of 3 different meats and all perfectly cooked, Today (fathers day) Our son treated us to a meal and he is a soldier and he was amazed not only of the great carvery but the fact the price for 5 meals and drinks came to just £30--00 And on top of this we had great service from the chef and his wife , This is th 5th time we have been here and now we find this pub is much better food than many other pubs in I would say a 20 mile radius, So some of you may be more quallified on beer and ale than I am but just try their carvery one sunday. We had used the Malt Shovel in the past but for price and quallity and freindly staff why not give the Port n Ale a chance as it would be a shame to lose yet another pub
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Oh dear dear me.. What on earth has happened. This used to be a lovely pub, but now its a grotty hole far fetched from what it was when it first re-opened.
The place was a real ale lovers haven, decent beers, good food and great staff. NO LONGER.. Its just... well.. erm.. gone. I would be very surprised if it remains in the Good Beer Guide much longer, if it hasn't already been removed. The beers are to put it frankly, crap. Gone is the wide choice, two beers and to say they are mediocre would be an understatement of gargantuan proportions.
When John Denston took this place on he started well. The beers were the best in the area, better in fact than in his Bilston pub. Now being frank, I'd struggle to say anything nice about the place. Its quite frankly gone to the dogs, and I am afraid its been going this way for a while now.
Can John bring it back to its original glory, I very much doubt it. Its too far gone now. The management are ill trained, not knowledgeable about real ales and are just there to pick up a wage. No passion for the place, which is so far fetched from how it all started about 7 years ago.
As I said, used to be the best real ale pub in the area. No longer..
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My first time in years to visit this pub and my, how it's changed - and not for the better. Where once there was a smiling face behind the bar, now there was a scowl who seemed to consider it a privilege that I was being served. Where there used to be a range of well-kept real ales, there were two on. It was dark, dingy and didn't seem particularly clean. Small wonder that at 10.30 on a Thursday (not the quietest night anywhere) they had four customers when I arrived and two when I left some 15 minutes later.
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Not being funny Mags but it strikes me that the port n ale BITE page has become a place where you advertise your forthcoming events and promotions. Strictly speaking it's meant to be a pub review site so this kind of info is a little beyond its scope. As the Port now has a facebook page can I suggest you post this kind of stuff on there as it's more relevant and will also have a wider audience than the BITE regulars can provide. Cheers.
Kev_M - 13 Jul 2011 14:07 |
"iam"? That's pet food isn't it?
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thanks kev iam doing my very best here , food has never been better here new menu up, we also going to do bbqs every saturday afternoon as long weather holds out!!! themed fancy dress nites as last one was great!!!, iam holding a skittles night on 9th may start 6pm should be a laff , keep a look out for more updates :D
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well thanks you kev for your comment , can i just add they are still a decent crowd that come into the port and ive had no trouble since i took over management few weeks bk, and weekends are still very busy here , the real ales here are good and ive yet to get a complaint!!!!!, disco karaoke i dont have on every weekend!!!! , and the port will never turn into a dive as i wont let it , as for a pool table that was just a comment, i cant myself see that happening , i was brought in to attract young and old , and i tell you this things are picking up here!! if customers are happy iam happy , iam sorry that the port is no longer for you , i have plenty of customers coming back and its growing , give me a few months and this place will be booming
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I'm afraid I must agree with cannockchaser. At one time the Port was different to most pubs in the area - it attracted a decent crowd (packed to the rafters on weekends), served good real ale, there was no loud music and there was rarely the prospect of any trouble. For me an ideal local, and at one time I couldn't sing its praises highly enough. But now it seems to be heading the way of all the other chavvy dives in Tipton. Disco/karaoke, and now talk of a pool table? It'll be going the same way as the Lounge Bar and the Nag's Head before you know it. Ok if it gets the crowds in thru the door (but I'm not convinced) fair enough, business is business, but it's not for me sad to say.
Kev_M - 30 Apr 2011 18:52 |
will see what i can do ok
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Any chance we can have a pool table ?
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well thank you for your comment cannock chaser , iam sorry if karaoke disco dont appeal to you, but 99% of the customers here are looking forward to next friday night, as u know pubs are struggling so yes you are right on one point iam tryin my darn hardest to get bums in the door and its working , iam also sorry that the port dont appeal to you now , but thats your choice end of day
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Disco... Karaoke....fancy Dress.....
Oh come on... what happened to it being a real ale pub like the Olde White Rose......
Why not wham in Sky Sports as well and go the whole hog...
Was planning a night here on the 29th with friends.. Not now.. If I want loud noise and bad singers I'll go to a Spice Girls concert...
We had high hopes for this place when it opened. Now its just another pub resorting to Karaoke and discos to try getting bums in the door. Obviously the real ales aren't enough anymore. When people stop using real ale pubs theres only one conclusion that you can draw from it.
Why do they bother with the real ales.. Just stick on lager, alcopops and coke for the kids ( and I don't mean the drink either ). Its what the pubs obviously about now.
BYE BYE ANOTHER REAL ALE PUB..
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disco/karaoke themed nite 60's fancy dress party 29th of april 8pm prize for best singer plus best costume :D
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sat 16th of april disco from 8pm onwards :0)
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thank you for your comment old grog :D
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Nice pub with friendly person in charge - deffo improvement on previous.
Thursday Quiz is a bit cheesy and nowhere near as good as the one run in the pub owners other pub in Bilston.
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stout chappie!!!!! you know that aint going to happen :D, hahaha
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hi kev iam sorry that your first impression did not go so well for you , as for the music being loud i have problems with the sound system and yes i was asked to turn it down which i did requested by a customer . as for the blokes wrestling with the kid in the bar area they were doing no harm kev just having a fun day out with there family, i hope this does not put you off from coming back to the port n ale, i only took over the port on wednesday kev so your comment is most helpfull to me, anyway i will from now on monitor the noise levels in the pub , last thing i want is to lose customers, thanks again for your comment
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Hi Magsy. Good to see you contributing to this forum and I sincerely hope the Port works out OK for you. Funnily enough I popped in with the family early on Sunday evening to find loud piped music that we could hear from out in the car park (one customer had already requested it be turned down) and a couple of blokes wrestling very noisily with kids in the bar area. Sorry to be negative but the two things combined did not create a great first impression.
As for things we want and you will see what you can do - for me you can forget the Carlsberg at �2 a pint. The Port has always been known as a real ale venue and that's essentially what I come for. Please don't turn it into a chavvy lager emporium as you will lose my custom for sure.
Secondly, your prices are far too high for this area. I do realise that your gaffer is a money-grabbing git and would rather sell less beer at a high price than have a cheaper but thriving pub, so I'll not hold my breath on that one.
Kev_M - 10 Apr 2011 21:09 |
thing is i want to know what customers what you tell me and i will see what i can do for you ?
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No concessions on proper beer as drunk by us human people then?
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magsy's opening offer wednesday 6th april onwards calsberg will be �2 a pint wooo hooo :D
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hiya kev let me introduce myself first as from wednesday i will be new manager for the port n ale , previous manager know as acky has sadly left us to take up another job, anyway as for only 3 real ales on!! the pub trade has been very quiet so we only keep limited stock in till the the trade picks up, as for disco/karaoke acky organised this due to it was his last weekend working for the port n ale this will not happen every weekend i will assure you, but i will be having a karaoke disco once a month but will advertised, i hope you will pop back in , thanks for reading mags
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Popped in the Port for a swift couple last Saturday for the first time in ages. Sadly only 3 beers on and I guess that the disco/karaoke man is now a regular feature. Nice to listen to a bit of music but it made conversation somewhat difficult.
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Since the new manager's been charge, the Port 'n' Ale has really turned itself around after the debacle of the previous gaffer. Really friendly pub, the beer is back on form and the place is being redecorated. All looking good! Also noticed that the Quiz night is back on (Thursdays now) - So excellent effort all round!
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ive know acky for just a short while and i also think hes doing a good job at the port and ale, as for the last managers who run it!!! thats history!!! , instead of trying to drag the place down its a lovely pub with good staff , its now getting redecorated and looks great!!! sure does brighten up the whole place, well done guys
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The old manager you are praising has more flaws than just his taste in girlfriends when it comes to running a pub he didnt know anything !! the new manager acky is doing a good job and has picked the pub up and all the customers are starting to come back. the pub is a great success thanks to him !!
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the new boss ackee has turned the pub round from ian who had a good start but blew it and alienated all the locals by s**ting on his doorstep & doing
f**k all for months
the pub was heading for oblivion the new gaffer works hard and if was allowed to run the place would do a good job he's hard working and starting to knock the staff into shape the music is back to mor & classics and the regulars are starting to come back it needs a lick of paint & the menu overhalling but lets not forget this pubs generous customers have raised �20000 in two charity events in 12 months .so please john give us a refit and some investment and you will have a thriving pub again
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the new boss ackee has turned the pub round from ian who had a good start but blew it and alienated all the locals by s**ting on his doorstep & doing
f**k all for months
the pub was heading for oblivion the new gaffer works hard and if was allowed to run the place would do a good job he's hard working and starting to knock the staff into shape the music is back to mor & classics and the regulars are starting to come back it needs a lick of paint & the menu overhalling but lets not forget this pubs generous customers have raised �20000 in two charity events in 12 months .so please john give us a refit and some investment and you will have a thriving pub again
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I would desperately like to argue against all the previous posters. Tell them they are lying and that they are wrong.
I cant.
Its been coming a long while, and being honest, its not one of the managers faults. Its the pilock who owns the place. He seems to have it in his head that he is doing us all a favour by being generous enough to run a pub in our area, and we should bow and scrape to him. The philosophy of the customer being king doesnt apply here. He says what goes, if you don't like it tough.. its how he runs the place and how dare you argue.
The pub has ran because of the good nature of the staff. Ian, Kevin, Jim, Ian.. all decent managers, but the owner treated them all like dirt. Paying them a pittance and expecting them to work every hour god sends. I once got shown a payslip from one of the owners, and when you worked it out, the poor bloke was working for �3.
More than one manager has been accused of stealing from the owner. Given the way he treats them, I would too. �3 an hour to work for that greedy ignorant tyrant.. Those that slag off the managers really should hear some of what they had to put up with. Phone calls at 1am in the morning telling them they are sacked, because the owner is so drunk. His wife threatening to hit members of staff. Rooting through their flat when the managers go on holiday and going through personal files...
Theres alot more that the managers have had to put up with than people are letting on here,...
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I'm shocked to read that the Port N Ale has changed hands and gone downhill badly- i've not been here since Dec 2009 and I can say it was one of the UK's top pubs- and I've been to a few...this had cracking selection of beers- all well-looked after and a great variety- and the roast dinner every day for about �3 with as much as you could eat and as good as anywhere else- what a steal!!! This place was just brilliant prithy reviewers contradict thyselves and tell me its not true!!!!!!
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After visiting the pub after a long while yesterday i was appaled to see that the new manager was alowed to go out with a member of bar staff after the previouse manager ian and sam was put through by the owner lets hope the same is done to the new manager!
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'Under New Management' it says outside. Sadly, not for the better. I had the misfortune to visit the 'Port & Ale' last night with a couple of mates, all real ale drinkers. I had the most awful pint and, when I took it back, I was greeted with such indifference. I quote, "It must OK as we have sold a lot of it !". I intimated that we not be visiting again to which I got the reply, "You will not be missed".
Frankly, I was appalled.
It appears that this establishment wishes to appeal only to the 'Carling Club' or the beer bus crowd. It is loud, leery and, if you really like your real ale then stay away. That is what I intend to do
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after starting to drink in there on a more regular basis the pub has gone down hill, fao previous poster ian has left, it seemed to most people in there that he had been pushed out whilst ill. its not the same now the beer seems dirty blame the owner.
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'The Port' is the closest thing I have to a decent local and I've been a semi-regular there ever since its original refurb. It's always had a great selection of good quality real ales, a good menu and a friendly atmosphere. I tend to take the family there at weekends but have been disappointed to note of late the decreasing choice and declining quality of the beers on offer. On a number of occasions I've had to return pints because they just weren't fit for consumption, but they've always been replaced without fuss. From the very beginning Scott, Ian & Chris, Kev & Eileen (albeit only for a month!) and Jim & Di all kept good houses, but I'm afraid it just hasn't been the same since Ian took over. I'd like to explain the problems to Ian in person but he's never there, so through the pages of this site I'd like to say c'mon Ian, pull your finger out and make the Port a good pub again.
Kev_M - 27 Oct 2010 14:27 |
It saddens me to say this but what has happenned to the port n ale.It was a really good pub serving some good quality real ale.
But on my last two visits the quality and amount of ales on has been shocking!!
On my last visit a couple of friday's ago there wasnt another customer in there and the staff were really unfriendly.
There were only a couple of beers on and the quality was
shocking.
I hope the pub can turn its self around but it doesnt look good
and i cant see me returning anytime soon and what has happenned to the beer festivals!!!
come on port n ale sort it out and get this pub back on the
right track if its not to late!!!
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Fao KennydaglishJbnr,
Firstly, I am not sure who you think I am, but I think you have your wires crossed a bit. Manage a pub.. be serious.. I drink in them and thats about as far as it goes.
I am not barred as the previous poster suggest. In fact I was in only last week for a drink with colleagues. And i re-iterate. The manager is being bullied by customers and the owner. ( I actually like the bloke if you must know ).
That doesn;t alter the fact that the food is poor, the beer isnt very good and that is solely down to the owner. Like it not that is a fact. Look at the other reviews. If I were the only one saying it you may have a point. But I am not.
Great manager. Nice pub.. Crap owner.. that's the bottom line of it.
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the pub is ok but needs some investment as it's looking tired as for tipton red's comments it's better than when he run it at least there's change in the till and the pub team is not being ripped off by him too has he's keen on facts perhaps he would like to remind us why the owner came and checked his floats every night before firing him
the music is good on a saturday playing a good mix the community needs to support local pubs because you never miss them till there gone and with a real lack of pubs in the area this one needs to survive because the customers make it a good atmosphere to drink in
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I visited the pub for the first time in ages on Saturday night, the entertainment was amazing, it created a fantastic buzzing atmosphere witch realy made the night. The manager and bar staff were welcoming, service was swift and quick. The pub is on the up. I will defiantly be back for more.
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tipton red has obviously not set foot in the pub for a long time we believe he is a barred customer who has a grudge. as he has ages and factual information wrong. ian the manager is yes being bullied a bit by a few customers and owners but is the best thing to happen to this pub in a long time a new chef started recently who is brilliant and although some sour faced staff are still left the more friendly and bubbly ones have been forced to leave but the pub is still on the up with entertainment every saturday now if you dont like it drink somewhere else and leave the rest of us alone to enjoy ourselves x
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Wont be setting foot in this pub ever again and anyone with half a brain will follow suit. Just plain awful now.
Out of date snacks, beer is awful and an 18 year old running around like she owns the place. Customers making threats to the manager.
What the hell is the owner doing ? For someone who claims to know about real ales and black country pubs, he seriously doesn't have a clue what he's doing.
Back to the rising sun for me...
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The new managers great, friendly and happy to help at all times. Food has never been better. Keep up the good work Ian.
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ian the new manager is great hard working and the pub is on the up with a new menu including the carvery, the boss in bilston should take note though that due to victimisation he is loosing one of the best and smiling bar staff in the pub and is at risk of loosing the best manager we have seen here in ages. keep it up ian a great job and those being victimised take legal advice.
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the good news a new manager cleaner pub
new chef just got to lose the couple of lazy
bar staff who are always on the phone texting
or gazing in to space fair play to the new boss
he's not got a pervert retarded idiot working all the
shifts so the female population might come back
without fear of the dribbling gimp looking at there
t**s
it looking up hurrah well done ian the new boss
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To all the people who have slagged the port off why do you keep putting your money over the counter you obviously know of better pubs in tipton so why not use them instead of keep going in . The staff could do with a bit of a shake up otherwise the pub is on the Up
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Oh and the latest good news
The current managers are departing. They've got a job elsewhere and are leaving to run a pub somewhere else.
The problem now is what clowns the greedy owner brings in to run it.. Bring back the second manager they had.. him and his wife were great and ran the pub properly.... Unlike the last two clowns.
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Taken from another website
Went on Sunday the 10th Jan. Not a very good carvery I'm afraid. Dried up vegetables and they limit you to just two roast spuds per person!!!!! I had to drown my lunch with gravy just to give it some blooming taste! Even then I left two thirds of it. �5.95 for these dried up offerings from the day before? Never again!
About sums it all up really..
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I honestly can't think of why anyone would want to eat or drink here anymore. The food is recycled from the previous days trading and the other pub in Bilston. The beer is badly kept and served in dirty glasses.
The manager (Shrek) and his wife (Princess Fiona) seem to think that any level of service is at their discretion and not a right of the customer.
When the staff (with few exceptions, and you know who you are) are not stealing from the till or the customers, they can barely pour a decent pint. One of the exceptions is the resident retarded chimp who can't even use the till let alone steal from it.
When they host a beer festival the prices are over inflated and if you notice, no money is ever put in the till. I can imagine what HMRC will say about this when they find out.
I'm sure interest will also come from the HSE, Environmental Health and the Food Standards Agency as more and more complaints filter through.
If there was an 'Idiots Guide' to pub management, both Shrek and Princess Fiona would certainly be requested to write a few chapters. Sadly I don't think either can write.
If ever there was an advert for how to run a pub into the ground then this is prime time.
Just a dirty place managed by dirty people.
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I have drunk in this pub since it re-opened after the refurbishment. Or should I say, I did drink in this pub.. not any more..
When it was first taken over by the bloke that owns the White Rose, it was a joke. The clown put in to run it didnt have a clue and had the personality of a dead frog.
Well he didnt last long, and they got in a new management couple.
Things got alot better, and the pub began to thrive, and it was brilliant. THere was atmosphere. The food was great, and everyone was really friendly. The place was clean and well kept and the real ales were top draw.
Then that couple just left suddenly. They were replaced by what can only be described as the Tipton branch of the Gestapo.. They were an absolute comedy pair. No one dared even laugh at the bar. To do so rendered you liable for a frosty glare from her, and that was enough to scare anyone.
Well they didnt last very long at all. They literally upped and left overnight. The stories that came back were that the owner was just impossible to work for.
Then they got the couple that are currently there... and god knows where the owner found them from, but Shrek comes across as being positively clean and tidy in comparison. He is filthy, and his personal hygiene is not poor.. its non existent. Mind you being fair, his customer service skills are non existent too..
Anyway, enough about the managers, lets move onto the pub itself. Well beer wise its OK. Bloody expensive, but OK.
Food.. having been in and around the pub for the last 3 years, you get to hear tales, and stories. I have it on very good authority that the kitchen was shut down by the EHO because the kitchen was over ran with mice and there was mouse crap everywhere. The bloke that owns the pub was inches away from being prosecuted.. Not that he apparantly cares. Again I have it on good authority that Sandwell council were not going to issue him with a license to trade because he was that flippant about health and safety.
Half the food is leftovers from his other pub, brought in the back of his filthy four by four, mixed with raw meat.. imagine sitting in the beer garden and seeing peoples meals being taken into the pub.. You just wouldnt want to ever eat a thing there, and being honest, we never did. We saw what the owner was doing and that put us off ever eating there.
The previous poster talks about the glasses. Well its 100% true. The whole place is going down hill and fast. THe place started off bad. It got better, now its got worse again, and all the owner seems bothered about is getting his prices up as high as he can. Customers - he couldnt care less about.. hes just money mad... how he ever got anywhere in this trade I will never know, because his standards are so poor its unbelievable. And reading reviews on his other pub, the same thing is said there too..
ITS BLOODY DIRTY AND UNHYGIENIC..
It about time someone told the owner a few home truths, because his pub has gone to the dogs. he had a cracking pub, and its now sinking fast, and you only need to see how few people use it now to realise customers are talking with their feet.
Not that the owner will care. He'll just whack the prices up and charge the few that still use the pub even more...
COuld have been a cracking boozer.. And for a year or so it was.. Now, I wouldnt touch it.. Theres far better places to drink within a mile or two....
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It�s unusual for me to write a review like this but sadly feel the need to. As a regular at this pub for quite a few years now, I have seen the standards drop dramatically over the last 2 years. Maybe this is by default or by design, either way it is now at a pretty unacceptable level.
Although far from being a clone of Kim & Aggie, I still rate good basic hygiene as being high on the list of musts for any pub or eatery. Numerous things have now resulted in me taking the time to write this review and highlight just a couple.
It started back last summer where I still recall with disgust, the manager of this pub sat in the beer garden. He was in full view of a number of patrons, smoking with one hand and scratching his arse with the other. Disgusting some of you may agree. It gets worse.
He was clothed in his chefs� whites. Too disgusting some of you may now think if you are openly advertising the fact that you handle and prepare food. Yep, it gets worse. He then proceeds through the back door to the kitchen area and continues to prepare and serve food. Did he wash his hands on the way through you ask? Well no. Straight to the food prep area with stale nicotine on one hand and god knows what else on the other.
Over the course of this summer I have witnessed dozens of meals being sent back to the kitchen with remarks ranging from awful to inedible. As I very rarely mix drinking and eating, this only serves to remind me to eat somewhere else.
As a big fan of drinking beer I felt that the food side of the pub could be left well alone and continue to enjoy a pint in the blissful knowledge/hope that his version of �added value� would never pass by my lips.
Well that�s what I thought anyway. Over 6 months ago the glass wash machine started to malfunction and as a result, yup, dirty glasses. Have they repaired it? Well no. It�s now held together with beer mats keeping the door wedged shut and prayers. The state of the glasses has now escalated to a point where a member of staff had to search through a whole shelf before a glass was found to be useable. This continued throughout the whole bar. Comments have been made to �the mismanagement� and to date have fallen on deaf ears.
We recently did a quick test of how clean the glasses are when inspected immediately they are taken from the glass wash. A simple test. When still warm and steamy we took a clean kitchen roll and simply wiped the rim. The result? Well all I can say is that the colour of the, once white kitchen roll, had been changed to something that resembled the managers fingers when he prepared those meals all that time ago.
With people�s spare money getting even tighter and the consumers cash being more �king� than ever, it is no surprise those pubs are closing at the rate they are. Why do we as the consumer continue to be subjected to lowered standards at increased prices? Surely if a business wants to survive today, they should treasure what they have and build on it. To continue to lower standards to a point that is unhealthy is business suicide, especially when this is just an example of a poorly trained and ill disciplined manager.
So now most of the readers are thinking �well shut up and vote with your feet�. Good point, well made. A lot of the regulars have been frequenting other local pubs and I had seen numbers reducing every week. It�s worth noting that the �Horse & Jockey� close to Sandwell Hospital is well worth a visit. A couple of visits on Sundays have proved where the regulars now dine and enjoy their afternoon. It�s a nice pub, great atmosphere, superb food and it�s clean. Top marks to you and long may you continue.
So what�s the future for the Port & Ale? Well, the manager and manageress have been applying for other pubs for some 18 months now. Have they been successful? Well, no. They are still there and so is the brown film that now protects the glasses.
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used to be the best pub in tipton now its expensive poor service
unhygenic staff poor food and dirty
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Large suburban boozer a short walk from Dudley Port station. It's very much a locals place' as not many tourists round here, and serves an impressive range of real ales and ciders, mostly from microbreweries but some larger names such as London Pride are in there. Had a pint of Cottage Mini Cooper which was very well kept. Re price- at �2.45 it's not really bad at all by national standards, although possibly slightly above the average for these parts. The pub itself is a bit barn-like, with a central bar serving one large room with traditional furnishings. it was busy on my visit with many people eating. Enjoyed my beer but found it a bit lacking in character, a bit Wetherspoons-like. I'd return though, and would say it's definitely worth a visit.
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In a climate where money is tight you would think whoever owns this place would have the common sense to keep prices down to attract customers. Not increase his beer prices for the 4th time in the space of a year.
The dearest pub in the area now by a long shot.
And the 2-4-1 meal offer is a rip off. All hes done is doubled the prices for average microwave meals you can get at any Wetherspoons for a fraction of the price..
I used to love this place, but not anymore. Just too expensive and the owner gets greedier by the day. He forgets there is a choice and a short bus trip can get you the same for a hell of a lot less money.
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We were on a tour of pubs in the area, and following a recommendation we went here. Apparantly this is the other pub owned by the same person who owns the White Rose in Bilston.
The two pubs could not be any more different if you tried. Where the white rose is dirty and unattractive, this is a bright airy pub, very clean and the staff are exceptionally well presented. They were helpful and made the visit well worth while. The beers were of a good quality. I would definitely say better than the White rose. So congratulations are in order to the cellarman.
The beer choice wasnt as prolific as the White rose, but still good.
Thats the good bits. Now to the bits that disappointed us. We ordered food and sat waiting.. and waiting.. and waiting.. After what seemed an eternity we were approached by a lady who told us that sadly they hadnt got one of the items we had ordered. I must admit to being a bit displeased. I can understand that food runs out when busy. This was hardly the case here. The pub wasnt very busy at all in fact as far as we could see we were the only people eating. Obviously a lack of communication between the bar and the kitchen.
What we did eventually eat was OK. Nothing great. For the prices we paid I have to say it was disappointing.
That said, the staff in the kitchen were very very helpful and the waitress had to be congratulated on her customer service. A poor experience was made 100% easier to swallow by her friendly nature and the way she handled the situation.
If you could take the beer choice from the White Rose, put it into the Port and ale you would have the best pub in the midlands without any doubt. The Port is clean, tidy, the staff are fantastic. Its a shame the food doesnt match the surroundings.
The two pubs are a world apart in many ways, which is a shame. If you could merge the two and take the best bits from each you would have a beerdrinkers heaven.
SOmething for the owner to think about..
I rate this pub 8/10 but sort the food out and get the range of beers from the White Rose and you have a 10/10 pub everyday of the week.
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Friendly pub with great range of beers - all in excellent nick
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Okay, right off I'm giving this a 9. terrific selection on, i counted 10, and it was my first stop so no double vision. then again... anyway, lovely pint of treacle stout, and a beautiful cask mild, think it was actually green king. the staff in here were great and really helped me and my comrade out. they listed the next best 7 pubs in the area into dudley through netherton (heaven) and to stourbridge.
I was slightly disappointed by the appearance, i had read earlier reviews about similarities to old white rose, but the beer selection is where it ends. there was a distinct lack of any other drunkards, day sessioners, wine-o's and smack heads so it was a little dull. also the door/entrance is similar to a conservatory and i wasn't sure if i was going into someones house. nevertheless, top place, good beer, great people, i'll be back.
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This has to be the best pub in Tipton. Great range of beers and ales, always something new to try here. It is also a purveyer of very fine foods, and the atmosphere is also good in this pub too. Much better than a few of the places down the road in Great Bridge, where the atmosphere is either unfriendly or rowdy.
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I enjoyed my visit to this pub but was a little disappointed by the short supply of real ales. I had heard there were 10 on, but we called on the Thursday of Dudley beer festival and there were only about half that number on. The beer was excellent though, and it is a lovely pub with a large conservatory.
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Fantastic Pub, always a good selection of Real Ales, but the Carling & Stella are always good in here as well.
The food is unbelievable, from Sandwiches to Steaks; you can�t go wrong with the selection (I recommend the Boozy Braised Steak!)
No Smoking section in the conservatory, and a nice Beer Garden.
Very Friendly staff. My favourite Pub in Tipton.
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Great pub. Friendly staff and the foods great.
Only one small gripe. They never have many beers on early in the week. Great selection at weekends, but never enough choice early in the week.
Potential to be better than the Olde White Rose, but not if they dont offer the beer choice you get there.
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On the corner of Tame Road.
The second and posher version of the old white rose, same owners, same good reports, A genuine CAMRA Publican. Dont miss this pub, clean tidy, large spacious bar.Good seperate eating area.Up to 10 constantly changing well kept cask ales. Currently includes Sarah Hughes Sedgley Surprise, Burton Bridge, Stairway to Heaven, Bathams Bitter, Archers Golden, Exmoor Gold, Pardoes, Entire, Oakham JHB, Fullers London Pride. and an ever changing range, Excellent good value food. A Must VisitPub.
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