Blue Lias, Stockton

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user reviews of the Blue Lias, Stockton

please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.

Arrived just before noon and moored up outside this large pub on the hottest October Sunday since "records began". Tens of people sitting outside waiting to be let in! 12:00 opening no exception! They were a party booked into the pub's separate function room, so when they did open up it was something of a crush. 6 real ale pumps, but only 2 beers on. Sat outside by the canal, but decided against a second as the queue for the bar snaked nearly back to the toilets .

This is a large and well-appointed pub, but on the day we visited ,it was completely disorganised.
henrythenavigator - 13 Oct 2011 16:49
The Blue Lias Inn is a converted Farmhouse by the side of the Grand Union Canal. I have visited it twice in the past two weeks, firstly on my narrow boat [not a barge] and secondly in my car to treat my old mum to lunch. Its a nice clean pub in lovely surroundings with plenty of seating in and out. It has a reasonably priced pub menu and the food was served hot, freshly cooked and within a short while of ordering. The only down-side was only one member of staff serving drinks on both occasions so queuing was a pain and sometimes quite lengthy as food orders were taken by the same person. Worth a visit in case the ghost of the murdered farm hand appears chased by the one legged farmer.. . . . . . . . . 8/10 and will go again.
v4mpire - 23 May 2011 22:58
Went here on Bank Holiday Monday....nice clean and tidy Pub, with a well manicured Garden. Beers on offer were the dreaded Abbot Ale, and a well kept Hook Norton offering. In all, I counted 6 Real Ales on Handpull, which indicates that this place does a fair amount of barrel-age. Lady behind the bar perfectly happy and friendly, and it's in a nice location...certainly worth a look for the Beer alone!!
bitterboy1970 - 31 Aug 2010 22:32
Lovely setting, absolutely divine by summer and warm and cosy by winter.
Menu is very very basic and quite pricey for what you get which is just normal frozen food cooked for you.
Staff freindly and helpful.
scully91 - 16 Oct 2009 16:09
a real pity- a lovely setting and a pub designed for summer dining outside, but totally unable to cope with customers. had to send undercooked food back twice before they acknowledged that cooking chicken kiev was beyond thekitchen's abilities, and they even got an order for "chocolate ice cream" wrong - wuite an achievement. the queue for the tiny bar stretched out of the door and some barstaff couldn't cope with remembering more than 2 drinks at a time. Such a shame, such potential, but no chance we are ever going back there.
darleya - 1 Aug 2008 08:06
Superb location - perfect for a summers day and there are plenty of outside tables by the canal. Cosy inside too. This is no gastro-pub, the menu is quite short and fairly basic, but on the other hand the food is well-cooked and wholesome (and who can complain at that?).
ploddie - 29 Jun 2007 21:42
Good food and a superb canal side location - plus some excellent ales on offer - the Deuchars IPA was great! Well worth a visit.
JohnnyL - 31 Aug 2006 22:46
Hey folks, forget the bad reviews this pub has changed hands in the last year, friendly folks, had a really great mixed grill, we were well looked after. Also had a good lunch there as well. So give it a try. Nice spot by The Grand Union, good parking and outside tables for the kids. (No I am not the landlord !)
dugsey - 16 May 2006 18:16
visit the day after New Year's Eve. It was packed, however the friendly staff did offer us a reserved table for lunch. Not an awe inspiring menu, I had the Steak and Ale pie was ok... Real ale selection was ok as well and the Boardside tasted good.
As canalside pubs go this is go for a few beers and a couple of packs of crisps not sure I'd eat there again though
bondr - 3 Jan 2005 11:11
Went to the Lias on a warm sunny saturday evening. Very busy by the canal but managed to get a table. Me and my wife ordered Lasagne with chips. Arived promptly. It was the worst Lasagne we have every tasted. A square portion had been dropped on to the plate. It had already been cooked before but this time it had just been reheated in a microwave. It was only just warm. To add to this it was full of red peppers and the peas were cold. It was tasteless. Never go back again.
Andrew - 8 Aug 2004 12:30
A canalside pub very popular in the summer with barges visiting. Good food and beer in a nice location at bridge 23 on the Grand Union canal. There is an adjoining building which stages live music from some very popular bands. A great venue on a nice summer evening.
Andrew Carter - 6 Apr 2004 13:00

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