please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
The beer after Saturday's race meeting wasn't that special, perhaps 6 or maybe 7/10. In other towns, the NBH wouldn't get into the GBG but Stratford serves poor beer in a lot of places. I settled for the TT Boltmaker after the guest golden ale proved disappointing. Plate of local faggots and mash filled a gap and was well-priced. Service was good.
|
Still GBG listed and Cask Marque and the TT Landlord was again good tonight. But too many golden beers this time with the other choices being Exmoor Gold, Oxford Gold and Fortyniner.
|
Went to this pub in July 14 on our annual visit to stratford. We make a point of going to every pub, in truth it is all we do, basically just a boys jolly, we loved this pub, a bit off the beaten track but worth hunting it out. I have met friendlier bar staff, and we were asked to stop playing pool, as the World Cup was being shown, bit rude as only 2 people watching this match and we did not block tv. That said we went back the next morning,
|
A better beer selection than most of the pubs in stratford upon avon although as a community pub would have expected more support for local micros. Food is reasonable pub standards and shop very useful for the local area.
|
An Enterprise Inns free of tie 19th century pub that still has Timothy Taylor's Landlord as a permanent ale with Hooky as a semi-permanent. Also on sale last night were Old Hooky and Brakspear's Oxford Gold with the clip for Timothy Taylor's Le Champion turned around. Listed in GBG 2014.
|
Pleasant enough boozer, with a decent choice of ale
|
Vile vile Landlord! He's miserable, aggressive and not worth you parting your money with! Avoid and visit a friendlier establishment nearby like The Salmon Tail.
|
Modern looking pub that is far less touristy than most others in Stratford. The beer range was good - Hook Norton Lion, Timothy Taylor Landlord, Robinsons Dizzy Blonde, Jennings Sneck Lifter & Banks's Black Diamond. I opted for the latter, which was more of a black IPA and a little too hoppy for my liking. Located in a quiet back street, a few minutes walk from the centre. It's also handy for parking on a Sunday. The cake was still on the bar - hopefully not the same one!
|
Renamed The New Bulls Head, I made a detour to visit this pub as it is Good Beer Guide listed, big mistake, the Robinsons Dizzy Blonde was undrinkable, asked to change it for a Timmy Taylors Landlord - 'that will be 5p extra please' - really?
The Landlord wasn't much better than the Dizzy Blonde.
A few stale looking cakes were on offer on the bar.
No idea why this pub is GBG listed, presumably it's the local for one of the local CAMRA committee, I certainly won't be returning.
|
A new name, a change of décor and some new red leather bucket seats but otherwise still the same as before. The cask ales on offer today were Reverend James, Doom Bar, Hook Norton's Cotswold Lion, Wye Valley HPA and Timothy Taylor's Landlord. Stowford Press and Thatchers Gold for the cider drinkers and Becks Vier, Carlsberg Gold and Grolsch were the lagers.
|
Now called the New Bulls Head. A bit open plan modern interior that doesn't really suit the building but the ales I had were okay. Worth a stroll down from the town centre to.
anonymous - 26 Feb 2013 16:31 |
No beer festival this weekend so just the regular Millwards Musket (just �3.05), Doom Bar and Timothy Taylor's on the handpumps. Again not very busy (maybe 20/30 people) and that was with the "attraction" of the England football on the big screen at the far end of the pub. If local history is more your thing, then there are some fascinating old photos of Stratford's Old Town on the walls and, if you talk nicely to the landlord, he will sell you his walking tour pamphlet which accompanies the photos.
|
I would echo what ROBCamra said in 2009. It lacks a little atmosphere (too open plan for me) but the ales were excellent and helpful service from behind the bar. Timothy Taylor's "Golden Best" and "Landlord", Concrete Cow "Black Monk", Inveralmond "Thrappledouser", Cannon Royall "Millward's Musket" and Doom Bar.
|
Best pub we went in stratford all day. Very helpful waitress behind the bar helped me choose a lovely ale (can't remember the name, taylors maybe). very friendly locals whom we had a good bit of banter with and a few games of pool. Speak as i find as the post below gives the place a bit of a bashing.
|
Well where do I start? The bar staff are great whereas the Manager and the Manageress are a complete waste of time. We found them to be rude and extremely bigoted. You don't expect that in this day and age. Trust me there are much better pubs to visit in this lovely town than The West End I advise you try them!
|
This has indeed the feel of a lounge bar as ROBCamra describes so well below and caters mostly for locals along with those from nearby hotels. The atmosphere is a little subdued, probably because it's so spread out. We had the TT Landlord, which was so-so. Not the most exciting place to visit, but reasonable enough, a visit and go sort of place.
|
Not really a pub more of a lounge bar, but a good one. It�s in a row of terraced cottages on the edge of the town centre so not very touristy as they don�t get this far. It�s got a couple of alcoves with comfy seating and some more leather chairs in the main part along with dining tables and chairs. Interesting art on the walls and some strange prints in the gents. There�s also a paved area to the rear for the smokers. 3 Handpumps on the bar selling Uley Pigs Ear, TT Landlord and Pride. The Pigs Ear and the Pride were both decent pints. It�s a bit pricey but it�s a decent place and the other half loved it so we had to call in twice.
|
A very pleasant pub, the first pub stop on a brief Stratford trip. Pigs Ear was a particularly fine beer.
|
Went in here and stood at the bar next to some poncey people. Waited for some service (there were 2 staff and the manager behind the bar). Waited some more. Noticed that one of the bar girls had spotted a chum come to the bar and she went to talk to him and serve him. Waited a little longer. Ponce next to me finished his beer and turned to the barman (knowing I was waiting for service) and shouted over to the manager whom he obviously knew and asked for another round. Manager came scampering over and served him without acknowledging me being there. Waited a little longer for the manager to see me even though I was waving over to the two bar girls who were busily trying to flutter their eyelashes at some bloke who was buying champers. The manager notices my attention seeking arm waving motions. He completes serving the ponce next to me and wanders off and then goes to get himself a drink and starts chatting to the bar girls. I finally walked out.
Bring back the sportsman... I always wondered what happened to that big fish that was in the tank by the door after the refurb. It was there for most of my life a suspiciously disappeared the moment the pub was ruined... sorry refurbished.
|
I agree I miss the sportsman but 'The West End' is one of Streatfords best places. Recommended.
|
Beer and food were ok but I have one thing to say; "Bring back 'The Sportsman' this pub was class and 10 times better!
|
Just to update my earlier review. I have since eaten in the West End and the food was fantastic - rump steak with peppercorn sauce.
I have been in here several times and the beer is always excellent. I think Old Spot could be the best beer served in Stratford. The service is never less than excellent.
A great place to relax, chat with friends, eat and drink.
|
Excellent beer, probably the best selection of real ale, kept in tip top condition, in Stratford. Uley beers particularly good. Atmosphere good although the decor is a bit too Ikea.
|
Went in here on a Wednesday night. The place was quite full with people eating. Not too many just drinking. Had 3 beers - Timothy Taylor Landlord (possibly off, maybe just stale), Adnams Explorer (very good), and Pig's Ear (also very good).
It's a nice relaxed place, not too smokey, big comfy settees and a more mature clientele. Decor is straight out of an Ikea catalogue!
The food looked very good from what I saw. Well worth a look.
|
Just to add to my comment from two years ago: this is still an excellent pub with fine Uley Old Spot, good if fairly expensive food and with a pleasant terrace on which to sit out in summer (should that happen this year). Whilst one will not see RSC actors after a show here, the beer is so much better than at the Dirty Duck.
|
This is my local- we found a house to buy so that we could say it was our local!! It's relaxed; has good beers (Timothy Taylor's Landlord, Old Spot, Hooky- need I say more). The food is good and reasonably priced. There's an outdoor heated patio. The music is ambient and not too loud. Clientele 30-60 yr olds at a guess.
anonymous - 4 Nov 2005 12:31 |
The beer is indeed excellent: the only outlet I know of in these parts for Uley beers (usually either Old Spot or Pig's Ear) as well as Landlord and Old Hookey all in good condition. It is a good place for a post theatre beer. The food looks very good. Outside there is a heated patio.
tim - 28 Mar 2004 17:10 |
Food orientated but served good pint of good range of ales in comfortable modern surroundings.
Not so many youngsters found here as elswhere but that might be due to it being Mothering Sunday
lout_from_the_lane - 22 Mar 2004 13:15 |
