BITE user comments - benz104
Comments by benz104
Would agree with the previous post. Limited beer selection. Deuchars IPA was in poor condition. Very expensive. Service was with a scowl. Won't be returning.
18 Jul 2011 20:41
Still a great pub, but the prices have got a bit steep - �4.10 for a pint of Grolsch? I'd expect it from a pub in the centre of the city, but for a pub in a residential area with a lot of students, I fear that Fullers are setting the prices too high for this pub in this economic climate.
19 Mar 2011 12:16
As stated in my earlier post, this pub has recently been closed for refurbishment. It has been acquired by the Indigo Pub Company, who own other pubs in Brighton & Hove, including The Queen's Head, Temple Bar and The Wick Inn.
The pub has a similar atmosphere, pricing and beer range as the other Indigo pubs. Therefore, it is expensive - �3.40-3.60 for a pint of ale.
The Indigo website advertises a range of ales from Darkstar and the Langham Brewery in their pubs. This was not the case here during my Christmas Eve visit. There was only one offering from Darkstar (Old Chestnut), two from the Adur Brewery and three from Hepworth Brewery. I had the Hepworth Old Ale, which I found not a patch on Harveys equivalent.
Things weren't much better for lager drinkers. Only Grolsch, Carling and the �4+ Cobra on draft.
Overall, I can see this pub being a great success, as Indigo generally do a great job and the Brighton crowd seem to love their pubs. However, personally I'd prefer somewhere a little less polished where image is less important than the quality of the lager/ale range.
28 Dec 2010 15:33
This pub has recently been completely refurbished and now advertises itself as a "Food and Sussex Ale" pub, so the previous comments should be disregarded. Looking forward to popping in and sampling some of the sussex ales very soon.
10 Dec 2010 18:31
This place really needs to pull it's socks up if my recent visit was typical of how the place is run. On arrival our group was informed that the majority of lager taps were out of use, supposedly due to "frozen pipes" and that coke was also unavailable, leaving little choice of drink. Things didn't get much better when using the overpriced pool tables, which needed attention on three or four occasions after the cue ball kept getting stuck inside them, not to mention the fact that none seem to be level.
4 Dec 2010 13:15
This place deserves it reputation for good food and fine ales.
As is customary, the staff catered brillantly for my group partaking of the special Christmas menu yesterday, at a time when the pub was very busy. They provided table service, making sure we weren't kept waiting for the food and that we all had enough drink before, during and after our meal. The food itself was excellent, as always, and was reasonably priced.
A great selection of ales was on offer including Harvey's Old Ale, which tasted as good as at any Harvey's pub. My only slight complaint was that our pints were often short measures. No reason why the Bath Arms couldn't make it into the Good Beer Guide, if they can concentrate more on this type of detail.
4 Dec 2010 13:10
Very impressed after my last visit. Didn't eat, so can't comment on the food, but the staff very friendly and effecient. There were four ales on offer, including Dark Star Hophead and Festival and Harvey's Best. The Hophead was excellent.
12 Sep 2010 16:02
The Old Dispensary, Whitechapel
Nice pub. With a Good Beer Guide recommendation, was expecting a good range of ales, but of the five pumps, two were off. That said, the Hophead was in excellent condition.
30 Aug 2010 16:19
Despite being one of my locals, steered clear of this place as it never looked particularly welcoming. Gave it a try at lunchtime today with the girlfriend after its refurb. It has been stylishly refitted and is very pleasant. Four ales were on offer: Harvey's Best, Doom Bar, Oxford Gold and TT Landlord. The Best was served in a glass tankard and wasn't too bad. However, despite there seeming to be an excessive number of staff behind the bar, I felt the service was not particularly good. The barman serving me seemed more interested in the conversation he was having with his colleague, which made me feel my presence was an inconvenience. We had two of the sandwiches off the lunchtime menu. Both were small, served with a tiny green salad and came on a wooden slab. At �4.95 each, the prices weren't excessive, but left us feeling that if the portion sizes were equivalent on more expensive dishes, then it wouldn't represent good value. Overall, a nice place to meet for a pint, but won't be rushing back to sample more of the food.
26 Jul 2010 14:05
This is one of the worst Wetherspoons I've ever been to and unfortunately it happens to be my local one. However, would agree with previous posters that the food is good, but also that the real ale selection is a dissappointment. I would also add that I've always found the lower bar to be understaffed, so be prepared to wait for service.
20 Mar 2010 19:08
The Punch and Judy, Bournemouth
Paid a visit during a stay in Bournemouth, as they were advertising Sky Sports and wanted to see a match. Unfortunately, once inside we were advised by the barman that the screens had broke, but we thought we'd stay for a drink anyway. Very limited choice. Carling, Fosters and Kronenberg; no ales and Guinness as the saving grace. Tables were all very dirty, had uncollected glasses and other rubbish strewn over them. Needless to say we quickly drank up and found the Goat and Tricycle round the corner, which is in a different league.
20 Mar 2010 18:56
What a fantastic pub this is. It's a must for real ale fans. Paid my first visit on 23rd January whilst visiting Birmingham and can't wait to return. Was impressed by the big TV screen advertising the range of ales, which made it much easier to select a pint given how busy it was. Prices were very reasonable as well.
19 Feb 2010 16:43
I am probably in a minority in not thinking this pub is brilliant. Used to visit often 3 or 4 years ago, due to working in the same street, but have grown tired of the expensive prices, poor service and uncomfotable seating. Also the real ales are usually off or taste poor. Recent visits have done little to change my view. Much prefer The Victory, Bath Arms or Fiddlers Elbow.
19 Feb 2010 16:37
One of Brighton's hidden gems. Been drinking here for 6 or 7 years, mainly on quiz nights. Atmosphere, quality of real ale and staff all consistently good during that time.
19 Feb 2010 16:27
The Railway Bell, Brighton
As stated in earlier posts, this place has recently had a refurb, so the rating is not a true reflection of the pub at the moment. On my last visit to watch the Enlgand match, it was very busy with a mixed clientele. Hobgoblin was decent, if a bit pricey at �3.50. Agree on the music choice - 90s club classics didn't really seem to fit with the trendy decor.
8 Oct 2011 16:39