BITE user comments - 8100bob
Comments by 8100bob
Speaking for myself and three friends aged 23 to 67 The pub is good for ambiance and dreadful - really - for beer. We gave the pub a good go, decided that we didn't like the beer (Flipside or guest), went back to our local, then tried again and have finally given up.
I cannot recommend the beer or food here (nor can my friends)
I wish I could because it is a prime location in an area with a paucity of good pubs
1 Nov 2014 00:45
After a complete renovation the whole decor and style of the pub has changed making earlier reviews irrelevant. It is now a light and airy pub with comfortable furnishings.
The staff are very friendly and Flipside beers and guest beers are well kept.
The Volo is now a pub to visit rather than avoid.
The food menu is deliberately limited but in my opinion based on experience off Nottingham pubs it is very poor value and cannot be recommended unless something changes
5 Aug 2014 14:24
Anne Of Cleves, Melton Mowbray
I visted with two friends on a Wednesday. We had two pints each of different brews. No soapy tastes, so either there is a different celarman or he has learned the trade now. I agree with bjbrummiejohn (sep 2012), beer was good but not cheap but then it is in a small town. We didn't eat but the food looked OK and plenty of tables were eating. I'd say the pub is worth a visit
27 Feb 2013 22:14
Not a bad local, very quiet during the week, but good beer and decent food. Kids play area indoors and two function rooms
4 Dec 2012 21:54
Sadly the management has changed again.
Only visit if you want to listen to an opinionated young lady tell you all about how she ran "events" for Jamie Oliver.
Hmm, doing that and then moving here? Odd career move!
There were two or three people in when we visited.
There are better pubs not too far away.
23 Apr 2012 10:34
I have recently returned to Nottingham after a long absence and I visited the Nelson for the first time in 30 years. There's virtually no change except for a coat of paint or two. I Agree with all the positive comments. A gem.
25 Feb 2012 12:12
This is not a pub for beer drinkers (meaning real ale). The food when we visited was pricey but excellent, so we definitely got what we paid for.
The service was dreadful. I ordered the drinks then my wife ordered the food, we both had the same experience. The tall brunette (female) serving, obviously thought that she was doing everyone a favour by being there. Smile, customer contact, service were not in her vocabulary.
The landlord spoiled our experience by thanking us for coming as we left. So there is hope. I rate this 10 for food and 1 for service.
1 Feb 2012 18:39
The Trent Bridge Inn, West Bridgford
Like the last reviewer I've lived in Nottingham for several decades and the last time I visited the TBI, which was quite a few years ago, it was a bit rough.
JDW have done an excellent refurb job and for this midday visit the place was fairly busy with a mixed clientelle including some "ladies who lunch".
The Trent Bridge bitter was very good and I didn't have to wait so long I needed a haircut as in some other JDW establishments. This is now a pub to return to rather than avoid.
18 Nov 2011 12:02
I visited the Reindeer on a cool Thursday evening with a couple of friends. This was the first visit in several years, principally because like many village pubs it had gradually run out of patrons.
This time we noted that the pub has changed considerably. In the small bar was a welcoming log fire but the other (larger) bar, now the restaurant was empty. We doubled the numbers from 3 to 6 when we entered and we were made welcome by the Landlord.
The Blue Monkey Original was excellent and I believe the Harvest Pale was good too. There were one or two others who popped in and hopefully the Reindeer does far better trade at the weekend.
All in all a nice little village / gastro pub with friendly staff.
18 Nov 2011 11:53
We visited for the second time on Sunday last ( mixed group of ages) and found a pleasant but not spectacular pub. The Sunday lunch looked OK and was being enjoyed by about a dozen people. I'm not sure what it's like at night but during the day it's OK, perhaps the landlord has changed since earlier reviews
28 Oct 2011 08:09
This is a good honest pub where the staff work hard to help you enjoy your visit. I had a very nice pint of Springhead's 'Bramley Apple' and our party of three had good food. Worth a visit if you are in Southwell despite the 400 metre walk from the town centre.
20 Jul 2011 20:47
The Old Coach House, Southwell
Excellent old fashioned pub in the very best sense. No food, no games machines, no TV. Music on sometimes at the weekend. I visited for the first time in April and have been going back since even tho' there is a 25 mile round trip involved. The beer is top notch, last time I sampled Ay Up from the Dancing Duck Brewery - outstanding. The landlord is friendly, as are the locals.
20 Jul 2011 20:43
This is one of Nottingham's best pub's although it's hardly known outside the local circle. On my last visit Skipton Copper Dragon was excellent but Buxton Blond was dreadful. Other's in the party all commented on the quality of beers (BB excepted). Well furnished beer garden and smokers area for those that must.
28 May 2011 10:40
I've upgraded my opinion of this pub based on the following: there are plenty of better pubs in Nottingham City Centre but its saving grace is the upstairs bar with a good view over the square.
Beer is good value and I've never had a bad pint. Like most JDWs it lacks atmosphere.
Do not go downstairs, execpt for using the entrance to get upstairs, downstairs is grotty, dire, awful. I previously rated this as zero but now I'll give it foive, based on the upstairs bar.
1 Mar 2010 18:21
We called in to the New Inn at the end of January. We were a party of 17 walkers of various ages from 19 to 62. The welcome from Rena and her staff was outstanding, the food was excellent and the beer was well kept and tasted great.
Whilst we surrounded a roasting log fire the party tried various beers and sampled food ranging from scotch egg and chips, a lovely soup and well filled rolls and sandwiches served with real chips.
Whilst it continues under its current ownership it will be exactly what a country pub should be.
1 Mar 2010 18:10
The Saracens Head Inn, Symonds Yat East
We have just returned from a weekend in Symonds Yat staying a nearby establishment. We visited on Friday afternoon and could not have been made less welcome by the middle aged dark haired lady who was serving. We were a party of 20 with ages varying from 19 to 62 and I think that we are reasonably quiet and respectable.
The beer we tried was good , and probably about the right price considering the location. We didn't get to sample what appeared to be a high priced menu. Suffice to say that they missed out on a lot of trade for the weekend in terms of lost drinks and food for 20 people for 2 nights - you do the maths.
I might visit again but more likely we'd go to another nearby hostelry up the hill, where we were made to feel very welcome and the beer and food were both excellent - and no I don't have any allegiance to them except as a passing customer.
Saracens Head: great location, good beer, very poor staff, avoid unless you must have a drink.
2 Feb 2010 12:39
Denugo has it spot on. If you are in RBH, this is definitely the pub to visit.
We visit only once or twice per year but the standard is well maintained.
13 Dec 2009 17:16
The food is said to be very good here and the beer is definitely acceptable.
As a stopoff on the way into or out of town it is worth a visit.
13 Dec 2009 17:12
The pub was very quiet when 12 of us visited on a Sunday evening, but there was real ale and friendly service. Some regulars were playing cards in the bar.
The beer was clear and at the right temperature so I'm not sure why there weren't more patrons. Perhaps it suffers from its proximity to the Elsinore.
It's an average pub but not a bad one.
13 Dec 2009 17:09
This is a bog standard town centre pub. Friday evening it has live music (at the time of writing).
It's nothing special but on the other hand very acceptable. It got very busy late on with people having a drink before going on to the club across the road.
13 Dec 2009 17:03
Definitely the best pub in Whitby as far as I am concerned. A very good selection of well kept beers.
We visited several times over a long weekend. 11 out of 10
13 Dec 2009 16:56
I agree with "postie", we called in on a Sunday afternoon when there were only three other patrons but as there were eight of us that wasn't a problem.
Good beer in a cosy room on a chilly afternoon. Great
13 Dec 2009 16:52
I don't agree with the previous review by "Ken Barlow5571" posted on October 24 2009.
The Plainsman usually has a different drinking clientel to the other 2 neighbours and I do go in all three of the local pubs.
I go in The Bread and Bitter for a drink, the JDW for cheap beer, to meet mates and spend CAMRA vouchers and the Plainsman when I take my wife out.
Enough said.
1 Dec 2009 17:37
I've only visited during the daytime and have never seen any trouble here. I think this was once a cinema but if not I'm not sure; something similar.
It's not bad - a normal JDW. Pity about the usual smoking dossers (sorry clients) outside the front door.
Beer was well kept and tasted good.
14 Nov 2009 16:44
This is not a pub. Don't visit expecting good beer and atmosphere. This is a coffee lounge/restaurant which is pleasant but a bit "posey". It does what it is supposed to do.
I'm not sure how Russ D found out about the nasty taste that East Europeans leave and their "peanut" wages but we have always been waited on by British servers who are female.
We go in there for food and with my grandson who is still in his pram. Nuff said.
14 Nov 2009 16:29
The Fishponds Tavern, Fishponds
This is a street corner pub at the far end of Lewington Road off the main Staplehill Road.
Very much aimed at the local community, this is traditional and friendly with a welcoming landlord and landlady. A suburban pub which keeps going by providing locals with what they want.
My several visits have been very enjoyable except when I tried some local cider. Ugh!
14 Nov 2009 16:19
I hope it still keeps going as it is my "local" when I visit relatives living nearby. It is struggling like lots of pubs at the moment but has always been a good pub to go to and talk without music competition.
My last visit on a Friday evening was enjoyable with good beer. I've never tried any food
14 Nov 2009 16:10
The Old Post Office, Fishponds
I agree with previous comments. It's not bad but lacks the touch that a good landlord (or lady) would bring.
They could definitely do with more staff, even on a slow Thursday lunchtime one person on the bar taking food orders and serving drinks is not enough.
Probably hasn't changed since MorkLoy's post in 2004
14 Nov 2009 15:59
Visited on a Friday night. Buzzing but with very loud music, not that I mind loud music but the only seats were underneath one of the speakers "I SAID UNDERNEATH ONE OF THE SPEAKERS"
Not a bad place to visit for a reasonable drink and good atmosphere but some older visitors may feel less at home.
14 Nov 2009 15:54
Ferry Boat Inn, Stoke Bardolph
Very poor. Sadly, this must be on its last legs. If it was a horse you'd shoot it. They don't serve any real ale.
Even offering two meals for the price of one it was all but deserted when we visited the last two times (separated by six months).
It probably survives on income from the local football team (Gedling Town FC) who play behind the pub
14 Nov 2009 15:46
The Robin Hood and Little John, Lambley
We visited on a very busy Thursday evening when the bar was hired out to about 50 people.
The Hobgoblin was excellent (probably the best I have had anywhere) as was the Mansfield. Although the kitchen must have been under pressure cooking for 50 people they did well. The food is good wholesome stuff, none of your gastropub nonsense here.
The welcome was friendly and the pub does what a village pub should do pretty well. We will certainly return.
13 Nov 2009 10:41
After reading some of the dreadful reviews posted previously I thought I would try the pub out of curiosity just because I was visiting Folkestone. We visited in late afternoon in October.
The building is fantastic and worth visiting for itself. The pub wasn't very busy with about half of the booths downstairs being occupied by someone or other and the same upstairs, the clientel was perhaps a little better than many other JDWs we have visited. Neither my wife nor I felt threatened or uncomfortable. As for the beer the Ruddles and Dog Boulter were both well kept and in good condition.
So for a daytime drink I reckon it's worth a six and I'd be happy to return
28 Oct 2009 11:39
We met friends at Saturday lunchtime and I hadn't been in for about a year.
The Bell is still a stonker. Beer excellent ,staff outstanding, food superb. Say no more.
28 Sep 2009 16:28
The Rose of England, Nottingham
Seven of us found this to be a good clean place that was but a bit soulless.
The beer was good and I agree with the previous reviewer that it should be on a lads night out pub crawl
28 Sep 2009 16:23
We visited this pub on a Friday evening when there were plenty of students and some older patrons. It was good and noisy with some thumping music.
We were a party of six seasoned tasters and one teenager.
The beer was good but not outstanding.
A good place to visit but perhaps you wouldn't stop there all night unless you were a student.
28 Sep 2009 16:16
We visited this friendly pub on a Friday evening. It was buzzing but not noisy.
We were a party of six seasoned tasters and one teenager.
London Pride , two Theakstons and others, which we variously sampled were all well kept. Its the first time I'd been in here for about twenty years but we'll be back. By the way the staff I dealt with were fine, so I don't know if the grumpy landlord is still there.
Definitely a good starting place for a night out and it wouldn't be a problem to meet friends and stop there all night.
28 Sep 2009 16:08
Excellent beer, good food and a friendly landlady - even on a very quiet Monday lunchtime. It was well worth the visit.
6 Apr 2009 19:36
Nothing special but not a bad effort for a JDW.
I've visited much worse. Beer OK. Doesn't do a lot of trade at lunchtimes but in the evening its crammed.
1 Mar 2009 17:09
Tries hard to compete with two nearby JDW establishments.
The beer is cheap and generally well kept and there's usually a pretty good crowd and good atmosphere.
1 Mar 2009 17:05
We called in during weekday afternoon, there were four of us who all liked the back bar. It has been considerably revamped but still serves a good selection of beers that are well kept.
Its the best pub on the Square.
1 Mar 2009 17:01
Nearly 18 months later and I'd agree with Nottinghamian.
Very friendly staff and good beer in a comfortable suburban pub.
1 Mar 2009 16:55
We called in last Thursday and found a well populated pub that wasn't too noisy. The T Taylors was very good.
We tried the food and can say that my fish and chips was excellent, a good and tasty portion, the batter was particularly good. The wife's gammon and egg was also of the same standard.
We can't say what the pub's like at the weekend but during the week it's fine.
1 Mar 2009 16:28
Absolute stonker! Great local serving good beer and with friendly locals.
On the Friday night that we visited there was another non-local female in there who's laugh was the loudest highest pitch screech you could imagine. This caused a lot of mirth amongst the rest of the clientele who were a very friendly bunch.
We didn't try the food but the ale (for me) and the lager (for her) were all well kept and well served. Some people may hate me for saying this but I tried the Flowers IPA for a change and it was very good.
I would definitely recommend The Royal Oak to anyone of any legal drinking age.
28 Feb 2009 20:31
Very atmospheric, catering mainly for the tourist trade. I wasn't keen on going in but my better half dragged me "because it's there - and so are we". I glad we visited but I wouldn't necessarily go again, If only because it's difficult to see where you put your beer. Not bad, but in the face of strong competition from other nearby establishments it's worth a visit for the history.
28 Feb 2009 20:20
York has many good pubs and because I liked the Wonky Donkey so much I didn't get to see as many of the others as I might.
I was in there on the 25th 26th 27th of Feb although on the last two visits I rationed myself and my wife to two drinks so that we could go on elsewhere.
No music, no TV, just people talking - brilliant.
Oh yes, the beer was topnotch as well, Constantine and Strong Blond being the favourites for me and and draught Peroni for the missus.
28 Feb 2009 20:14
Good City Centre pub - We visited in daylight hours, so it looks a bit tatty but the beer is tasty. The Music/zak might put off some older clients but not us4.
18 Feb 2009 15:28
The Red Lion, Chipping Campden
We visited the Red Lion after having been in the Volunteer.
What a contrast, this is a warm and friendly establishment that serves good beer and good food although it did take quite a while to appear. There were 17 of us who visited on a January weekend, with ages ranging from 16 to 61, so to please us all was a good achievement. The Red Lion is clearly well run and popular, I could see this being my local if I lived here.
1 Feb 2009 09:54
The Volunteer Inn, Chipping Campden
Since the last review in 2006 a lot must have happened. The pub is basic and run down. It still serves a fair pint but doesn't do food. When we visited (14 of us on a Saturday lunchtime) the few locals were a sorry bunch. It is said to have a good Indian restaurant and even good accommodation but I wonder if the reviews are out of date? The restaurant was closed. As a pub it was very poor. We had one drink and left.
1 Feb 2009 09:45
I agree with reynard's review of Nov 2008, this is one of the better JDWs. I have probably been in about once every two months this year and it has definitely improved - and yes it needed to.
So, if you have to visit a JDW when in Nottingham, then go there.
14 Dec 2008 20:21
If you have to go to Bridlington then this is a good pub to visit. When we were there the weather was diabolical but the welcome was warm and friendly.
We went in twice over the weekend and on both occasions it was busy but the bar staff's service was quick, efficient and friendly. I think the staff at this JDW do try harder to make sure the customers are happy
The real ale was well kept and clear and one of my friends on this visit, who insists that John Smith's Smooth really is beer (Yuk!) said that it was good to. It is also worthy of note, that unlike many other JDW establishments it wasn't a second home to the down and outs.
I've said before that JDWs is the Little Chef of the pub trade (and I didn't mean it to be a compliment) well this one was more of a Happy Drinker. There were four of us who tried different meals and all of the food was perfectly acceptable, their microwave jockey obviously knows his/her job.
14 Dec 2008 19:56
I notice that this is the first review for a year. This is a cheap night out pub which attracts skid-row clients. Not one I'd recommend even by JDWs standards and they have other pubs nearby.
4 Dec 2008 09:57
The Bread and Bitter, Mapperley
Now that the Bread and Bitter has some real competition from the two pubs next door it's easy to appreciate what a star it is. I think I was a bit harsh previously.
On my visit last Saturday, which was to inaugurate my18 year old godson into the wonders of beer, there was a great atmosphere and the place was heaving.
If you like real ale that's well kept with and choice of between seven and ten beers this is the place. The food's good to.
Best drink in the area by far. Best pub in Mapperley.
4 Dec 2008 09:52
The Woodthorpe Top, Nottingham
After three weeks I've re-tried the Woodthorpe.
As the previous review stated (28 Nov) it does attract the dosser element or as a female friend put it "toerags". But there are plenty of respectable patrons as well. I might be tempted back in January to spend the beer vouchers from the free newspaper, but then again.....
JDW are the Little Chef of the pub trade, giving people what they want - cheap beer, which of course isn't the same as good beer, having said that the standard has gone up from the first dire visit.
So I'd now rate it a 4 from being a 2 in the first week.
4 Dec 2008 09:43
The Plainsman is now owned by Greene King and has re-opened after a couple of months during which it has been enlarged and had a complete refurb in quite a dark style.
The staff were friendly and efficient when I visited on a Wednesday evening with a friend. The pub was very busy and the beer was OK I tried Greene King IPA which was average, and Speckled Hen which was good. Neither are my favourites.
This pub competes with a Wetherspoons next door and the Bread and Bitter next door but one and looks like it will attract the older customers who like the quieter traditional suburbs pub. There were certainly plenty of pensioners in amongst the patrons of various ages drinking and eating. I didn't try the food.
All in all a good suburbs pub typical of Greene King but I'll be in the Bread and Bitter unless I'm meeting older friends.
4 Dec 2008 09:31
The Woodthorpe Top, Nottingham
This brand new opening is an old Carpet showroom but its been well refurbed. We visited on the first Friday night and there must have been in excess of 500 people in there. So there was plenty of good atmosphere. However, it took ages to be served even though there were 6 or 7 staff on but they had no system.
We tried the Exmoor Gold - it was shocking, definitely the worst pint I've had for a few years, the beer was clear enough but the taste was all chemicals and it got worse not better as you had another sip. As it took so long to get a drink in the first place we didn't bother trying to get it changed.
Our experience makes this a must avoid for real ale fans, maybe the lager or keg was better.
We went next door to The Bread and Bitter owned by Castle Rock Brewery, there you get a good pint.
15 Nov 2008 11:29
It's a Hotel bar but it does serve good beer. When we visited the clientel were mostly local (I assume) ladies that lunch.
So we thought it was a good place to have a quiet lunchtime drink in comfy, perhaps almost genteel, surroundings. (No jukebox, no slot machines, no drafty door constantly opening as smokers drag their addiction about)
2 Nov 2008 13:33
Lulworth Cove Inn, West Lulworth
When I visited (last week in October 08) the bar seemed a bit like a displaced London pub. You judge whether that is good.
The real ale choice is fair and from what I sampled, well kept. If you like wazzy drinks like lager then there is less choice.
The food is good and my wife said her steak was cooked to perfection (medium rare), my meal was fine as well.
Although they offer rooms, this is more a pub with rooms than a hotel with a bar if you see what I mean. However, if you are staying overnight the rooms are clean with good quality linen and the breakfast is great (superb sausages). I'll happily visit and stay again
2 Nov 2008 13:22
I visit this pub for a drink when I'm in Basingrad, I've never eaten there but the food looks acceptable and I'm told it is generally OK. It's not a gastro pub thank god, so the portions look generous.
More importantly the beer is fine, I tried TT Landlord last time and it was as one should expect.
Yes, there are some young (and occasionally boisterous) customers but as an older customer I have never found it a problem, even tho' on the last evening I visited we were warned that there was a student party coming in.
The pub does what a pub should, keeps good beer, has a good atmosphere, serves reasonably priced food and is perfectly acceptable as a local.
2 Nov 2008 13:11
Excellent City Centre pub which hasn't been continually revamped so as to be fashionable for a month.
In my many visits I've never had a bad pint unlike Glugg, so hard luck, try again.
Yes, it's a bit scruffy but it keeps attracting people who want a good pint in a good traditional pub atmosphere.
17 Oct 2008 18:30
The Bread and Bitter, Mapperley
Not a bad effort but rather sterile unless it's full, such as on Friday night after all it's really a barn and bakery with bare brick walls. The food is fairly good and the staff are pretty efficient even when the place is crowded and the beer is well kept.
Within two months this will be one of three pubs within 50 yards, it'll be competing with one new build from Wspn and a local which is being refurbed. I think that trend followers will move on then and the regulars will be beer drinkers who like a well kept pint. No bad thing then.
16 Oct 2008 22:09
It hasn't changed a lot since the review by Gastronomix but it's gradually sliding down.
16 Oct 2008 21:53
The Famous Lord Nelson, Burton Joyce
Just off the main road this is a good local that doesn't get the custom that it should. Beer well kept at least when I have visited. A chain pub 200yds away catches passing trade who recognise the brand and therefore the same countrywide formula but pub lovers might try the Nelson and it shouldn't disappoint.
16 Oct 2008 21:49
A Charmless place, but it has no competition. Visit if you are thirsty or have to see that match.
16 Oct 2008 21:45
This area doesn't get many visitors but if you were thinking about visiting the Fox, then don't. I'll rate it as 1 - for being there in an absolute emergency. It's dire. Nottinghamian's review is spot on.
16 Oct 2008 21:42
I moved to the area five years ago and have made this pub my local. This is a good honest pub with one minor failing (depending upon your sex).
The good things are the beer � very well kept, the staff, who are friendly and efficient and the d�cor which has been lightened up considerably now smoking has moved outdoors and not everything goes nicotine brown. You can talk to your mates in this pub 'cos although they do have a pretty good music selection playing in the background it is never intrusive.
The one thing that needs attention after five years at least is the ladies toilets, they are pretty dire for the 21st century according to my wife and other females who have visited. Apparently a door that locked would be nice. So I note this point for the women but as a man I can't fault the place.
Also note that apart from Thursday curry nights the Blacks doesn't do food.
16 Oct 2008 21:39
I visited the Church Inn with two friends on a weekday lunchtime and the place wasn't heaving but there was a good steady trade with almost everybody eating. But first the beer. I tried Hornbeam Rye and Dry, it was outstanding; well kept, clear with a good (northern) head and an excellent taste that lingered, I stuck to that choice for a second sampling. My friends tried the Marston's Best and Pedigree and also a pint of Adnams and they also commended the quality. We all had meals and they were fair to good and the portions were good. The food is good honest country pub stuff. Service at the bar was friendly and food service waiting time was reasonable. The landlord keeps his beer well and the ambiance is very welcoming if this visit was typical. We'll be back.
16 Oct 2008 21:27
The Cock and Hoop, Nottingham
The pub has now RE-OPENED more or less unchanged and very good
30 Nov 2015 13:48