BITE user comments - sparts73
Comments by sparts73
Decent pub which I thought was pleasantly down to earth for such an attractive village (spotted some gastro 'pubs' nearby!)
Beer was delightful. Food looked a good price but as we sat in the drinking part didn't evidence its appearance!
may return to sample some more beer soon.......
17 Apr 2009 22:58
Beer was short measure but served well.
Quite a nice pub but the food was on the wrong side of hot & took ages to come (the puddings never did come!!)
OK but if i were eating would probably find somewhere else
17 Apr 2009 22:44
The Case is Altered, Five Ways
Superb. Great beer, reasonable selection well served and lovely roaring real fire! didn't want to leave....!
5 Apr 2009 23:15
Would like to balance my previous review due to two fairly recent encounters in the pub which were less positive
31 Mar 2009 12:26
Had a good selection of well priced beer (and well served). Real fire too!
The food was decent & good value for money
23 Feb 2009 16:54
Had a good selection of well priced beer (and well served). Real fire too!
The food was decent & good value for money
23 Feb 2009 16:53
Had a good selection of well priced beer (and well served). Real fire too!
The food was decent & good value for money
23 Feb 2009 16:52
Not nice. I tried to like but couldn't even bring myself to order a pint at the bar. Left the pub (and in fact coventry) to find somewhere decent to drink
23 Feb 2009 16:50
Not bad if you're in the area. Beer selection was as good (if not better) that pubs in the GBG and served well!
15 Feb 2009 12:47
Ignore the last review- should have been the fighting cocks!!
(never been in here!)
15 Feb 2009 12:45
In leicester for the comedy festival and wanted proper pint of real ale & had parked near here.
This is one of those pubs I just 'dont' get'.
Whilst the beer choice was decent, the bottled selection would be no interest (I can drink a good Aventinus at home) and the pump ale I had was unspectacular. (must mention bargain tariff though!)
Additionally, its really bright in here & I nearly didn't go in due to the overwhelming odour as I walked in (couldn't decide if it was stale beer, BO, dogs or a combination of all 3!).
I did get used to this smell, but in balance I would rather have a third of the selection in pleasant surroundings.
15 Feb 2009 12:36
Yes it's a true delight! almost woth moving to Alcester for!!
May have also had Veltins had I realised it was on, in any case was too busy enjoying something English & delicious instead!
11 Feb 2009 10:39
Enjoyed watching the illegal gambling at the bar!
Very locally but beer was decent, staff friendly, Fire roaring & generally proper well maintained pub atmosphere
11 Feb 2009 10:29
My nearest pub but visited infrequently.
Pump beer premium prices but quality didn't match. It's OK but just lacks any sort of character. I'm not sure how you'd overcome that- but a decent pint at a better price might pull me in more........
11 Feb 2009 10:23
Truly bad. Bloke behind the bar OK but found the (land?) lady a bit surly
Beer average but it always smells mouldy/musty/fusty in here & the net curtains need the nicotine washed from them (isn't it nearly 2 years since the smoking ban?)
Real fire sometimes & could be a decent pub with a vast amount of cash spent on it (I keep hoping!)
11 Feb 2009 10:18
Not bad, 70's (or 60's?) estate pub but friendly & beer selection was quite good (is not always though...)
Worth a visit if in area
11 Feb 2009 10:14
I agree broadly with previous reviewer. Was touching on being a bit rough too when I went in. Handy for a quick half when one's ordered at the asian takeaway though!
11 Feb 2009 10:12
I'm not an Atomic ale fan, but always plenty of others to chose from, always well served & friendly staff
Sounds petty but as one of the most popular, and presumably therefore affluent pubs in Rugby I wish they would sort out the shockingly bad toilets!
Also noticed on last visit the ceiling in the lounge needing attention.
In short, a decent pub, feel could be a little less tatty in places
11 Feb 2009 10:10
The Black Swan (or Dirty Duck), Rugby
Not bad for a pub attracting (or appearing to attract) a younger crowd
Not much real ale but both the purity brews were well served
11 Feb 2009 10:05
Bloke walks in a pub, doesn't like the look of it, walks out again.......
11 Feb 2009 10:03
Nice victorian bar, but not keen on the cane furniture, lack of decent beer and Friday & Saturday night clientele!
11 Feb 2009 10:00
Once a favourite of mine, it has been more hit & miss lately
The disco (well nearly always ACDC rather than Abba!) can be a pain if you sit at the back of the bar, but this has never really bothered me
My recent visit found the beer good but I tired of the bar man moaning to every customer about having to work...
Still worth a visit though
11 Feb 2009 09:58
Pleasing beer, roaring fire, friendly staff who collected my glass when empty & took orders for the next round & provided table service
Food looked good & well priced so will return soon to try.....
11 Feb 2009 09:53
Quite Odd!
Beer was OK/good and nice roaring fire but the landlandy appeared to be minding the village youth club.
They weren't badly behaved but not my idea of good night out so only had one & went!
11 Feb 2009 09:50
Errr.. not the best, but then not a huge fan of Soho Pubs really
The toilet remains as much a disgusting health hazard today as it did the first time I stepped in here a number of years ago
Dearest pint I had the whole weekend in London, (well I say pint)
On the plus side- reasonably good atmosphere, music was good (jukebox) and not full of D&G wearing coke snorting socialites, which is always a bonus
22 Dec 2008 10:41
Not bad place- quite nice interior & the christmas decorations were really thought out
Didn't think the bar staff were either un or friendly, the lad that served me obviously had got the job for his other attributes!.
Usual rubbish real ale selection (none) but this is not unusual on the 'scene'.
That said Becks Vier & Hoegaarden is better than the usual lager selection.
If near, worth a look- quite lively later on too
22 Dec 2008 10:36
Really pleased I found this place- was staying at nearby Paddington so just a cock stride away!
The interior is lovely- like a victorian pub should be. Sat by the (gas) fire & the chrissie decs were up so all cosy & enjoying well served beer.
Only went in the downstairs as there was a private function upstairs- but I understand there are also a couple of lovely rooms there too
Staff were attentive & friendly & it felt like a local but very friendly & unpretentious
Food was well priced & the home made steak burger with cheese on top was a real delight.
Definately recommend (and if you've read my other reviews, proof I'm not some class war war warrior!)
22 Dec 2008 10:24
Think I picked a bad night as I seem in disagreement with the other reviewers- If I do I will post another review!
It was quiz night, seemed very cliquey- but bar staff were reasonably friendly & beer was good
There were about 6 reserved tables out the back that were probably for quiz folks, so we sat in the bar.
Here I had to hear the well spoken locals loudly declaring they hope that the recession lasts so their mortgage payments stay down! (In addition to various other controversial comments that offended me)
There were no signs of food at 8pm despite going here on the back of an advert saying they served til 9.30PM.
Felt very uncomfortable with the room being dominated by these folks; I know this isn't the pubs fault & free speech in pubs has made us what we are today (!), but I just wanted a quiet drink & food in a friendly atmosphere, and at least on this occasion, felt this place was short of the mark
22 Dec 2008 10:11
Not bad & preferable to the Dun Cow although 'tattier' (in a nice locally way)
Food was nice (on second attempt!) and beer served well
I agree bar is cliquey, bit chavvy and very noisy, but at least it's business keeping the place open!
20 Dec 2008 01:29
Hate this place with a passion- only because it offers so much from the outside & delivers nothing but frozen chain food & pretend fires inside! Why it is so busy when there are many far better eateries & drinking dens within a few minutes drive is beyond me.......
20 Dec 2008 01:26
An aquired taste but I love it! make me feel all cosy & english! (even of landlady is welsh!) The sort of place you would hate to see close- so go there!!
20 Dec 2008 01:22
Note regarding previous comment ref reasonably priced food- nearly �13 for fish & chips?
Beer OK & good choice but fishy smelling & disappointingly characterless
20 Dec 2008 01:18
Nice pub, fires & friendly servie- nice pint of Hooky
Spoiled by the uni students behind us, proving that anglo saxon is still alive & well & being used regularly in the country! (which sounds a bit like some of the words bing used!)
20 Dec 2008 01:15
Lovely Pub, friendly landlord, beer above average.
But �7.80 for 2xpints, 1 bag nuts & 1 (small) bag scratchings?
Welcome to middle England!!
20 Dec 2008 01:12
Very interesting pub, some rooms quite spooky feeling as commented on before & there are certainly some weird & macabre things in here!
I found both Sally (the landlady) and her chap friendly and the limited beer selection was well served. definately worth a visit
18 Jul 2008 19:30
The Bottleneck Inn, Sourton Down
This Pub(in particular the beer)was so offensive that I did something that I have never done in my life- left almost a pint of beer(well, vinegar)untouched
I ordinarily would have complained but the locals- including the attractive man with his bare feet up on the table- scared me more than the ghouls at the highwayman (which is a far more attractive proposition than this dive)
18 Jul 2008 19:26
The Royal Oak, Walgrave
Friendly with well served beer
Was very busy at Sunday lunch- appears a carvery affair.
would happily return
17 Apr 2009 23:00