BITE user comments - SGA
Comments by SGA
The Express Tavern, Kew Bridge
Friendly pub with a good selection of beers and top notch food.
5 Jan 2016 18:41
The Weir Bar and Dining Room, Brentford
Tried to visit but was closed for 2 weeks over Christmas and New year
5 Jan 2016 18:35
Friendly pub. Only one ale on and it should have been off, it was vinegary
5 Jan 2016 18:33
The Magpie and Crown, Brentford
Great pub, friendly and helpful bar staff and great beer. Loses a point for being a bit pongy
5 Jan 2016 18:30
Cool place, smallish downstairs but there are two rooms upstairs and an upstairs bar. The food is fine and reasonably priced. There is a small selection of hand pulled beers and also draught foreign beers or English craft beers. There's an interesting bottle fridge too
21 Jun 2014 12:03
Brewdog Birmingham, Birmingham
Ah, it's really popular now to be snooty about Brewdog. I like it in small doses. Some of the beers are great, others not so great and the beer cannon idea is a bit suspect.
i visit occasionally and tend to stay for one or two. My bank balance and liver can't stand for much. One good thing is that staff will give you tasters so you don't have to waste money on something you don't like.
21 Jun 2014 11:53
Pure Bar and Kitchen, Birmingham
I've been a few times now. It's the flagship pace for the Purity Brewery. The real ales are from their stable plus a few others. There are also some foreign beers on draught and a selection of bottled beers. This is all good if a little expensive (but no worse than other craft beer places).
The food looks nice but i haven't tried it. I don't like this place on Friday nights as it is packed to the gunnels with braying people in smart outfits. The acoustics in the place are awful which makes it difficult to have a conversation when its busy.
It's the sort of pace where I like to pop in for one or two before moving on.
21 Jun 2014 10:50
Now taken over by the landlord of the Prince of Wales and dubbed "Mo Dough" as it is a pizza/craft ale pop up. It is soon to close again and be rebranded as the the "Dark Horse"
3 Jun 2014 22:22
Still no real ale and medicore lager is massively overpriced. Also the place is filthy, I played a gig recently and stuck to the floor in the dressing room (which doubled up as a kitchen and I also stuck to the stage!!!
24 May 2014 21:36
Just been, all the atmosphere of a morgue, plus disinterested staff. Beer range interesting and nothing wrong with the one I had. Decided to spend the rest of my beer money on cab as was bored and it's raining rather an awful lot.
2 Mar 2014 21:40
Nice hotel room and ok breakfast. Great Folk club, would happily visit again and stay over again. But if lived in Hitchin I wouldn't drink here as beer is crap- Greene king IPA and Speckled Hen only- I hate both
27 Dec 2013 21:26
Popped in here, was attracted by sign that indicated that they sold beer from the US. now I don't expect it to be cheap BUT if a beer is £9 for a small bottle then I expect to be told before they take the lid off so that I can make an informed choice. Not the case here. Further inspection of beer menu confirmed that they charge £2 plus more for beers that you can get elsewhere. This pub thinks its in central London clearly. One to avoid, you can get similar beers more reasonably at the Sun Hotel or at the Borough
19 Sep 2013 23:29
When i first got into Real Ale around 12 years ago, this was THE place in Birmingham to go. Now to be honest its not. Places like the Welly, POV, and others have much more to offer in interesting and well kept beers.
Don't get me wrong the Anchor does have some interesting beers but the quality can be variable. The staff are usually friendly and the juke box is great. What annoys me the most is the lack of effort generally, the toilets could do with sprucing up, this is not essential but the worst part is that they are often dirty and smelly. The last time I was in there was a stench coming from the gents that could be smelt strongly in the back room of the pub, all long the corridor to the toilets and the ladies even stunk as well.
The decline in standards has been reflected in the dwindling numbers of punters. it can be busy but often it is not.
18 Sep 2013 19:32
Pub is ok but could be so much better. There were 6 hand pulls but only 2 on. Although they were quite cheap it was just as well as the quality was slightly suspect.
Food was not bad, huge portions, although they did get my order wrong- I'd waited so long, some of my party had finished before mine arrived so I didn't say anything.
Service brusque and rushed at times as well
12 May 2013 19:03
Reasonable food, friendly staff BUT real ale undrinkable, how this place has cask marque accreditation is beyond me.....
31 Mar 2013 22:40
Nice enough pub and food was good and inexpensive. Problem was severe lack of staff. It was a busy lunchtime and they were running around like blue arsed flies (grumpy ones) because they were so stretched.
They were telling people there was an hours wait for food so some people just left, the food actually came out in about 20 minutes.
22 Feb 2013 21:46
The Lost and Found, Birmingham
Now Closed as Bennetts. Reopened as "The Lost and Found". Not been so can't offer a rating
27 Dec 2012 14:13
Katzenjammers Bierkeller and Restaurant, Southwark
been here several times, is very quiet on a Sunday and they like to close up early if they can. Food was good though. Good selection of German beers, not cheap but ok for London. Gets rammed on Friday nights, probably due to comedy oompah band
28 Nov 2012 15:54
This pub used to be good enough for listing in The Good Beer Guide, these days it's barely good enough to remain open. Poor selection of ales and the pump clips are often turned around meaning only one or two uninspiring ones on.
I was charged �2 for a pint of lime and soda the other day (It's 50p in my local).
They decided to close early when I in there last, admittedly there were only 2 people downstairs however there was a good 40 people upstairs at a function who they kicked out!
To be honest I only go there for said functions, just for a drink- nah! Much better places nearby
30 Sep 2012 22:01
Doesn't have the most ambitous beer selection in York. However that doesn't matter cos it has some of the best vibes. Loved the fact that there was a ukulele group practising upstairs. Friendly bunch
6 Sep 2012 22:41
Doesn't have the most ambitous beer selection in York. However that doesn't matter cos it has some of the best vibes. Loved the fact that there was a ukulele group practising upstairs. Friendly bunch
6 Sep 2012 22:41
Didn't go on this visit to York as now it doesn't open on Mondays or Tuesday. Seems to have changed it's name to VAHE bar (or something). Would have been put off by the posters in the window advertising frozen vodka anyway
6 Sep 2012 22:38
Weird place but I liked it. No draught beer but a reasonable selection of bottles. Place for unusual spirits and cocktails. Wished i'd seen the four poster bed thingy upstairs sooner, might have made myself at home on it....
6 Sep 2012 22:33
I agree with others, good selection of beers, I half of one the Castle rock beers, no problem with the quality. But as others have said the bloke behind the bar is obnoxious. There were hardly any customers apart from 2 or 3 old guys sitting at the bar swearing and moaning and groaning as the tumbleweed blew past.
Yes the beers are good but no better than many other pubs in York, and in fact not as good as many. The way this place is going it'll be closed soon
4 Sep 2012 16:59
Ridiculous bar / fridge layout. The bar is really really tall, top was level with my shoulders (in skyscraper heels!). But.. the bottle fridges are all at floor level. So I couldn't see what was in there. When I asked the barman if they stocked a particular one (my local spoons has it), he gave a cursory glance at the fridge and said he had no idea!
My half of ale was quite nice though. Table was sticky.
To be fair the barman was so young I felt like asking HIM for ID
30 Aug 2012 23:45
remember this affectionately as the place that got me into belgian beers etc. Hadn't changed at all in 6 years. place is still good but there are better, even close by in Manchester
21 Aug 2012 10:04
Reasonable selection but a tad up itself I though. much preferred the Marble Arch
21 Aug 2012 09:53
Now the Post Office Vaults whichis amazing 8 hand pulls plus about 300 forgeing bottled beers. oh and about 8 real ciders
9 Jul 2012 22:28
Lovely location and good selction of beers, especially pleased to see Budvar Dark on draught.
28 May 2012 15:58
Great pub, friendly plus rare Cornish outlet for Craft German, US and Belgian beers
28 May 2012 15:56
Was ok, but no atmosphere as the place was deserted. Beer was good though
28 May 2012 15:53
The Canalside Cafe, Birmingham
Haven't been for ages. Probably because the staff were rude
24 Dec 2011 22:05
The Figure of Eight, Birmingham
great if you like watching fights and people vomiting outside the large floor to ceiling front windows. Even better if you like slow service and sticky tables. Ale is kept ok i suppose
24 Dec 2011 21:59
The Southwark Tavern, London Bridge
Good selection of beers (but not a patch on most neighbouring pubs) But the service was so bad we walked out rather than stay for a second
8 Nov 2011 17:05
Fab, great selection of beers, the draught beers aren't too pricey I always make a beeline when i go to London
2 Nov 2011 19:44
The Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal
Best atmosphere of any place in Kendal, wish we'd found it before the last night! 4 real ales on, interesting selection and of good quality
30 Sep 2011 21:01
Good, but not outstanding, selection of beers. Not rough to be honest
30 Sep 2011 20:59
Dark, dingy and mainly deserted, no real ale despite being advertised on the outside. Only redeeming feature was the entertaining barmaid
30 Sep 2011 20:58
Great selection of beers, not too expensive considering the rarity of some of them and the location. Food smelled nice but I didn't have any
14 Aug 2011 17:48
The Ship And Crown, St Peter Port
not great, full of rowdy people throwing stuff around, staff all really young and out of their depth, one to avoid
12 Jun 2011 14:38
Fab, good selection of ales-mostly from the Two Towers but with at least one guest. Also has an excellent selection of bottled US and European beers. Staff are friendly and helpful and none of the beer was overpriced. We intending to maybe have one and escape to the Lord Cliftden if it was not good but we stayed.......
6 Jun 2011 08:51
I thoguht it was great, not sure what people are moaning about below, preferred it to over the road
24 Apr 2011 13:02
As a lover of belgian and german beer I was disappointed that they didn't sell it considering it was advertised all over the outside. Nothing wrong wiht the ale though
24 Apr 2011 13:00
Fab, went yesterday, great selection of beers, particularly the continential ones. Thoguht the prices were ok
24 Apr 2011 12:54
now open. There are hand written signs in the window advertising Karoke and discos and Football, the beer slection looks crap. CAn't see it lasting
10 Apr 2011 21:24
no problems with the ale last night. we tried 2 and they were fine
21 Nov 2010 15:31
listed in What's brewing as being a deletion from the GBG 2011 due being closed
5 Oct 2010 17:38
According to Camra's whats brewing? newsletter this pub is under threat of closure as the landlord is selling up, maybe to developers
5 Oct 2010 17:26
Strange place. very friendly staff, my mate says the cocktails and wine are good. my experience of the draught beer leads me to choose the bottled stuff. Last time i went they gave me a glass with ice with my beer........
8 Sep 2010 17:59
The Black Horse Hotel, Northfield
Back open. Wetherspoons have done a great job in refurbishing the place. Went last night, the first Saturday of its new guise. The place was rammed and there was a bit of an air of menace about the place. however there were loads of bouncers in the place including Robocam the human CCTV camera, so I didn't see any actual trouble. The staff were doing their best on a very busy night. The beer garden is great and spoons have restored the bowling green and intend to re-establish the bowling club. The beer was fine as well
25 Jul 2010 09:10
Liked this one, food looked and smelled good. LAter on wished i'd eaten here! Good selction of beers too
18 Jul 2010 09:53
Went yesterday, not impressed at all, food was at best mediocore, the side dish of vegetables could have bee sold to the army as bullets!. There was also an appalling stench coming from the toilets. not good.
18 Jul 2010 09:47
Went yesterday, not impressed at all, food was at best mediocore, the side dish of vegetables could have bee sold to the army as bullets!. There was also an appalling stench coming from the toilets. not good.
18 Jul 2010 09:46
burnt down to the ground on Friday night according to the local press
23 May 2010 17:05
nice pub, great place to sit outisde when its sunny. 3 real ales on keept fine.
23 May 2010 17:01
The Blue Bell Cider House, Hockley Heath
nice summer pub, good range of real ciders.
23 May 2010 16:59
excellent selection of beers and very welcoming, makes me miss York all the more
7 Apr 2010 21:29
The Sun on the Hill, Birmingham
Now reopened, its clean and and has had a refurb, the food looked and smelled great and the staff were very friendly. the beer was fine but not exciting. great plae to have a bite to eat or watch the sport. then go to the Welly after !
28 Feb 2010 21:57
visited today, had food, quite basic but very good value for money. had 4 real ales on ioncluding 2 guests. Have been in the summer, love sitting outside watching the boats on the canal
26 Jan 2010 17:49
Great place but I tend to avoid when there is a festival on cos its like playing sardines. awlays a great selction of beers and you always get decetn ales.
17 Jan 2010 20:59
Think it was in the 2006 or 2007 guide. it does real ale but incredibly expensive and not reaslly worth the bother.
17 Jan 2010 20:57
first time i went for food but they weren't serving. the next time there was a private party. might have a drink one day
17 Jan 2010 20:49
best place in Northampton. I wish it had done food in the evening so I could have tried it. definitely had the best beer in town though
3 Jan 2010 09:55
went yesterday, pretty quiet. 5 real ales on, no issues with quality or dog poo
3 Jan 2010 09:46
Still a lovely building but poor beer now Ember Inns have it. only Brew 11 on tonight and flat Stella. Given how the competition in Harborne has got its act together recently the Bell really needs to pull its finger out.
31 Dec 2009 21:53
Echo the comments below. therer also seems to be more emphasis on food. can't comment on quality as haven't had it
22 Dec 2009 20:24
much improved now Davenports have it. just need to do something with the toilets
22 Dec 2009 20:22
Place is under threat due to locals complaining about the noise from the bands. UB40 are playing a gig tonight to raise money for sound proofing!
3 Nov 2009 21:27
Nice pub, liked the Mud City Stout. Gets very busy and there is very little seating for those who are not eating
1 Nov 2009 14:30
The Waggon and Horses, Halesowen
Can't fault the beer at all, lots of chioce of real ales plus Belgian beers on draught. However, it really does stink, especially the gents. it also has damp and tobacco stains all over the walls. A bit of TLC required. however if I was in Halesowen I wouldn't let the decor actually put me off!!
1 Nov 2009 14:22
now open as the sausage. Nice decor, no draught real ale but bottled is available. menu very stadnard, no exciting sausages. Bar maid was surly and drinks not cheap
29 Aug 2009 17:56
I like this place, however the last 2 occasions the leffe and Erdinger were both off so i had to have Stella :( the last time the barman looked at me as if i was stupid for asking for Leffe despite their still being a pump and no glass over it . toilets are nasty still.
6 Aug 2009 17:57
The Salutation Inn, Nottingham
not bad place, friendly and the leffe was the best i'd ever had!
6 Aug 2009 10:30
The Pit and Pendulum, Nottingham
I always pop in here when i'm in nottinghm, it is the funniest pub i know, good atmosphere, echo what said about the loos hard to find and funny noisesace. noticed two handpulls on yesterday- Theakstons i wasn't drinking so not sure re quality
6 Aug 2009 10:25
visited yesterday great place, good beers, friendly staff and the food looked nice !
6 Aug 2009 10:21
visited yesterday, great beer, great food, great beer garden.
6 Aug 2009 10:17
great little place, excellent range of beers, barmaid was very good !!
23 Jul 2009 09:35
Popped in yesterday, great place wonderful range of draught and bottled beers, wished I'd had time to stay longer
23 Jul 2009 09:33
The Rutland and Derby, Leicester
I liked it on a previous visit, great selection of beers. however it was closed yesterday when i tried to visit - it was 5.30 maybve they don't open till later not sure
23 Jul 2009 09:32
Visited yesterday, great place, friendly and helpful barmaid fantastic range of bottled and draught beers. It would be useful if there was a menu for the foreign beers to help you choose.
23 Jul 2009 09:28
beautiful building but I was a bit disappointed with the beer range- most of draught beers weren't belgian and the two i was tempted by were both off.
23 Jul 2009 09:25
Surly service and a bit of a dump to be honest. Real ale was ok though
23 Jul 2009 09:21
The staff in here are clueless about beer- I once asked for a bottle of Innis and Gunn (ale), the woman behind the bar tipped it into a j20 glass with ice!!!
The same woman aggresively iD'D my 26 year old mate and said that prove Cards don't count........
5 Oct 2008 21:46
great pub, I like the Budavr Dark in particular. The only problem is the food is a bit variable in quality.
5 Oct 2008 21:43
Excellent pub. Good range of beers, leaves other pubs in Harborne in the shade.
24 Apr 2008 20:02
Used to be a good pub. spolied by rude unhelpful staff and too many rowdy drunk people. Watch your wallet as well.
24 Apr 2008 19:59
Red Lion, Cropredy
Currently closed
22 Mar 2016 20:20