BITE user comments - Boyne
Comments by Boyne
Went to the pub yesterday. Only visit the pub once a year after visiting the Hi-fi show at the nearby Marriott Hotel. A great pub with an excellent selection of beer and cider. A shame I can only get to the pub once a year but well worth it. Roll on next year.
28 Feb 2016 18:07
Went into the Portrait last night. The first time in about three years. Still an awful place. Had one beer and left. Beer was okay but the pub was full of posers and the music being played was awful. Went to the Tailor's Chalk - a far better pub. I'll never go to the Portrait again. There are far better pubs,
16 Apr 2015 11:26
Went to the Chequers between Christmas and New Year. Excellent choice of beer as usual. A great pub. I took my Mum. My Mum is not a great fan of pubs but loved the Chequers. Keep up the good work
23 Jan 2015 14:52
The Lord Moon Of The Mall, Whitehall
I work near the pub and go in to it on occasions. A good beer selection and reasonably priced but there is never enough staff on. Seems the same in all Wetherspoon's pubs. Prefer to go the Harp or the Ship and Shovell. More expensive but the service is better and quicker.
23 Jan 2015 14:49
Visited the pub for the first time on Saturday. A brilliant pub with a wonderful selection of beers. So nice to go to a pub where people can just drink beer and talk and not have be interrupted by televisions and music. Will definitely go back.
19 Jan 2015 13:57
Went into the Marquis last Sunday. Beer selection was okay and service was good. However not as good as the selection and service in the Harp. Atmosphere was soulless as well.
17 Dec 2014 15:07
I go into the Harp a couple of times a week. Still a great selection of beer. Always find the staff very helpful and quick to serve even when it's busy. I've noticed that Fullers London Pride is available but have never seen anyone ask for it.
Whole-heartedly agree with Green Onions that Fullers must not F*** this place up.
20 Nov 2014 15:25
Was in the Alma last night. There was a sign up advertising the different ales which will be served in the coming weeks. Good that there will be different ales to try.
31 Oct 2014 15:09
The Ship and Shovell, Charing Cross
A wonderful pub. Great beer and excellent staff and service. In my view there are only two decent pubs in the Charing Cross area: The Ship and Shovell and The Harp,
15 Jul 2014 09:35
Went into the Beehive on Saturday - the first time in a couple of years. The place is awful. Only stayed for one pint. And that was expensive. Won't be back again.
1 Jul 2014 13:15
I drink in Ye Olde Black Horse about twice a month. Beer selection is good and reasonably priced. Was in there yesterday afternoon and bar staff kept asking customers who was next to be served. This is wrong. Good bar staff should know who is next to be served. The pub wasn't busy so it was difficult to work out who is next to be served.
2 Jun 2014 14:22
Have just read the comments made by Lillyput in May, 2010. Poor spelling and grammar. Sums up the intelligence of most of the people who drink in the Portrait. No wonder I stopped going there.
24 Apr 2014 13:36
It's years since I've been in the Portrait. Is it still full of teenagers and posers? If so, will avoid.
23 Apr 2014 16:18
Looks like the Iron Horse has become a venue for Rock Bands at the weekend. Let's hope the place has improved.
23 Apr 2014 16:16
Best pub in the area and a lot cheaper than neighbouring pubs. Good service and excellent choice of beer. Full of Chelsea fans on match day which is always good.
23 Apr 2014 16:11
The White Horse, Parsons Green
First visited the White Horse over 25 years ago when Sally Cruikshank was in charge. Visit the pub a few times a year. Have to say the pub isn't as good as it once was. Service isn't good and there doesn't appear to be anyone in charge. When Sally and her successor, Mark Dorber were there you knew that the service would be good. Beer is good but not as good as it was. Used to do Traquair House - a fine beer. Don't know why they stopped serving it.
27 Feb 2014 16:03
Visited the pub whilst stating with friends in Chorley. A superb pub with an excellent selection of beer. Friendly staff and customers. Highly recommended if you're in the area.
17 Feb 2014 10:10
I love the Alma pub. One of my favourite pubs in the country and having been drinking there for over 25 years. However, my one criticism is that there is now music there nearly every Saturday night and on a lot of Sunday afternoons. I like live music but perhaps the amount of live music could be limited to once a month. For a lot of people, Saturday night is the only time they go to a pub and they want to have a chat with their friends. Not always possible if there is live music. There are no other pubs to go to as the Alma for a decent beer and chat - with the possible exception of the Tailor's Chalk. The Alma is still the best pub in Sidcup.
21 Jan 2014 16:40
Visited the pub yesterday prior to the Derby v Chelsea FA Cup Match - I'm a Chelsea fan. A great pub with a tremendous atmosphere and an excellent selection of beer. Good banter between Chelsea and Derby fans. Will visit again when next in Derby.
6 Jan 2014 13:26
The Charcoal Burner, New Eltham
Visited the Charcoal Burner a couple of weeks ago. A dramatic improvement since change of owners. In the main bar the alcoves have been removed giving more space and light. A great atmosphere. Keep up the good work.
29 May 2013 13:14
An excellent selection of beer in the pub but service was poor and drink was expensive. Also background music was loud and awful. Full of trendies. Can't they go to a pub with shouting. Not a patch on the Harp or Ship and Shovell. Won't be going again.
22 Apr 2013 11:47
Understand that the Irish Tri-colour was flown outside the pub during the Diamond Jubilee celebrations. If that is the case this pub should be avoided. What was wrong with flying the Union Flag? Or the Cross of St. George. For the owners of the pub show some loyalty to your country.
6 Jun 2012 18:36
For the last few weeks the Alma has being serving Doom Bar. A fine beer and well kept. A fine beer for a fine pub.
23 Mar 2012 17:42
Once the new housing complex near Sidcup Station has been completed I hope that the people who live there don't make the Metro their local. Will give them the wrong view of Sidcup. Stay well clear if you want good beer, intelligent conversation and to avoid poor music.
4 Jan 2012 16:02
Have been in the Portrait a few times in the last couple of weeks ago and found the place to be soulless. The beer is well kept and the staff are friendly and efficient. Also has Sky TV. I think the soulless nature is due to some of the staff in there - create a boring atmosphere. Was in there recently to watch a game on TV and left at half-time as the atmosphere was boring. Went to Ye Olde Black Horse to watch the second-half: a much better atmosphere.
4 Jan 2012 15:59
Went to this pub a couple of times when visiting friends a couple of weeks ago. A great pub. Stunning decor especially the mirrored ceiling. Some great memorabillia.
Brilliant selection of beer and well kept. Landlord takes pride in keeping well. As lesson to all Landlords.
Will visit this pub when next in Chorley. Highly recommended.
14 Oct 2011 16:04
The Charcoal Burner, New Eltham
Have heard that the Charcoal Burner is to be sold. Not before time. A perfect opportunity to turn the place into a decent pub.
7 Sep 2011 14:47
Jilly50 wrote nearly two years ago that the ID scanners keep out the losers and scumbags out of the Metro. Obviously the scanners aren't working as the losers and scumbags are still drinking in the Metro. Saying that, better they drink in the Metro rather than in other pubs and spoil them.
22 Dec 2010 15:11
If the Metro pub was the only pub in Sidcup I would give up a drinking rather than visit it. It's not a pub. It's a home for the low-life of Sidcup.
23 Sep 2010 20:45
Visited the pub last week - the first time in ages. Good to see that the choice of bitter has improved. There were three when I visited. Keep up the good work.
23 Sep 2010 20:43
Visited this pub for the first time when I was in Norwich last weekend. A brilliant place. Excellent beer; friendly and helpful staff. A wonderful atmosphere and nice to find a pub which has a bar billiards table. Will definitely be visiting again. Highly recommended
23 Sep 2010 20:41
Visited this pub yesterday. A dreadful place. No ale or bitters so had to drin cider and guiness. Also no scotch whisky.
Please make the effort to cater for all drinking places.
18 Apr 2010 10:54
Visited the pub after an absence of many years. It's incredible what a change of management can do. The pub is superb with good beer. Keep up the good work.
20 Mar 2009 18:34
The Charcoal Burner, New Eltham
Not only is the beer dear it is also not very good. Yet another pub which can't be bothered to keep beer properly.
20 Jan 2009 13:20
Have heard that Wetherspoon's is to take-over the Hogshead Is that true?
6 Jan 2009 11:58
Was in Sidcup High Street this morning and noticed that the Hogshead was shut? Has the pub been closed permanently or temporarily for refurbishment? If closed permanently, no great loss.
15 Nov 2008 12:38
Interesting comments by Betterdayz2004. I was in the Portrait to watch the last England pub and as would be expected the pub was very busy. Annoying to those who don't like football but as not everyone has Sky or Setanta at home so where else can they watch the game except in a pub. Perhaps those who go to a pub for a quiet and relaxing night should check the football fixtures. Saying that, why doesn't the pub management move the TVs into the lower part (i.e. nearer the street) of the pub? That would prevent punters standing on the staircase; those wanting a quiet meal can sit in the upper part of the pub.
As for the variety of beers, the bitters and ales change on a regular basis. Betterdayz, perhaps you should switch from lager.
29 Oct 2008 20:57
A superb pub. I visit it when I'm up in Glasgow with work. Serves a nice drop of Deuchars IPA and has a great selection of whisky.
11 Sep 2008 12:46
Agree with Boswell that the Metro should be burned down. Sadly, the chavs and retards who drink in the Metro would go to other pubs in Sidcup and spoil them.
11 Sep 2008 12:42
Went into the pub last night to watch the England v Croatia game. Pub was very busy and the staff worked extremely hard to serve everyone; however, a couple of more people behind the pub would have helped.
Can the staff please sort out the courage best. More often than not it doesn't taste right. As the pub only does one bitter it would be good if tasted as it should.
11 Sep 2008 12:40
I remember when the Hogshead opened up (six years ago?) and there was an excellent selection of beer most of which was served straight from the barrel. The pub was always busy and there was a great atmosphere. What went wrong? There is now no decent beer on tap; the pub isn't busy and the atmosphere is terrible. Don't people who work in and manage pubs realise that they are part of the service industry. If people don't get the service they expect they will move elsewhere. The pub industry is in a bad state and staff have to make the effort to halt the decline.
15 Jul 2008 13:09
I visited the Beehive just over a week ago, my first visit in almost a year. I stopped visiting the pub because the beer tasted awful. Are the bar-staff incapable of cleaning the pipes? On my last visit I had to drink Guiness because there was no bitter or ale on. The lager selection is dreadful. Fosters is not a lager; it is an insult to the brewing industry. The Beehive could be a great pub if the staf put the effort in. Is it a case of the staff not bothering as there is no competion in the error. The nearest pub is probably the Charcoal Burner; not a pub to set the world on fire.
When Terry ran the pub many years ago he made the effort to keep the pub in good shape.
My rating for the Beehive is a 0. That is being generous. Unfortunately the rating system doesn't accept minus numbers.
14 Jul 2008 12:51
I visited this pub recently during a holiday in Derbyshire. An absoulutely brilliant pub with a great selection of beer. Bar staff were very good. Would recommend this pub to anyone who enjoys a decent pub and good beer. Keep up the great work!
30 Jun 2008 16:27
Started visiting the pub a few months ago after an absence of many years. Stopped going because of cost and dodgy managers. The Landlady, Sam, has done a wonderful job in turning around the pub.
29 May 2008 21:07
A wonderful pub. A great place to end up at for superb beers after a walk in the lovely surrounding countryside.
29 May 2008 21:04
Excellent news about the change of management. Let's hope the place has improved.
29 May 2008 21:03
I went to the Old Wick on Tuesday; my first visit to the pub. A good selection of beer, friendly bar-staff and great decor. I will certainly go back.
29 May 2008 21:01
I visit Swanage about half-a-dozen times a year and used to go into the Anchor and found it a great pub which served good beer. However, I wouldn't go into the pub now due to the management.
26 Feb 2008 13:01
An excellent pub which does a fine drop of Ringwood. Great for live music and watching sport. Glad to see that it puts rugby before football.
4 Feb 2008 13:04
A great pub with an excellent selection of beer and cider. It also has a superb garden which is great in the summer. The Red Lion and the White Horse are the best pubs in Swanage.
4 Feb 2008 13:02
This must be the worst pub in the country. It would be great if the place was shut-down but that would result in all the morons who drink there going to other pubs and spoiling them. The Black Horse/Blue Rose makes the Metro Bar look good and that is saying something!
5 Sep 2007 13:12
The Charcoal Burner, New Eltham
The Charcoal Burner is an awful pub. No atmosphere and the beer is far too expensive. The pub should be razed to the ground and a better one put in its place.
It was a good pub when Smithy ran it but the new owners have ruined it.
31 Aug 2007 12:22
The Square and Compass, Worth Matravers
The best pub in England. Beer, cider and perry straight from the barrel - the only way they should be served. Pub is in the middle of great countryside.
13 Jul 2007 12:38
I've been going into this pub a couple of times a week for about 20 years now. Without doubt the best pub in Sidcup. Good beer, excellent atmosphere and great bar staff.
13 Jul 2007 12:35
The Broken Drum, Blackfen
Visited the Broken Drum for the first time yesterday. A great place with an excellent selection of beer and a wonderful, friendly atmosphere. Will be back. Highly recommended.
18 May 2016 14:37