BITE user comments - spincat
Comments by spincat
Nice that they were having a pub quiz in Welsh when we came. Good range of Welsh beers and food quite tasty though portions a bit small. Cheered me up on a wet, miserable evening
9 Jan 2013 15:40
Was a bit put off the place at first as it looked like a bit of a chain place - faux funky interior etc.
However, it does a good cocktail and the food is surprisingly tasty - you have to like burger and pizza, but I can vouch for the burgers being tasty. (I realise this review will put some people off entirely.) I didn't like the loud dance music but the people I was with said it was edgy. (I am putting you off even more aren't I?)
I guess is not 100% my sort of place but it is my nearest pub where I work and I've always had a good evening here.
The staff are really lovely and there is some reasonably pleasant outdoor seating in this nice part of camberwell - where there is not, otherwise, much for smokers.
9 Jan 2013 15:37
Was getting quite wet and cold in downtown Cardiff before discovered this place - good beer, the food looked tasty and it was generally we'll appointed.
12 Feb 2012 06:56
This is an old art deco cinema - and this is where Wetherspoons come into their own as it has been cleverly turned into a bar, while still looking like a cinema. Good range of cheap beers - plenty of space outside; a ghost, helpful staff - why wouldn't I like it?
3 Jan 2012 15:32
The Worm's Head Hotel, Swansea
The bar really * is * the view - quite extraordinary.
Also enjoyed the lamb cawl
3 Jan 2012 11:33
Visited on a wet day in December. This really is a great pub - friendly, good beer, great atmosphere, no hassle, nice dogs around, pork pies and scotch eggs on the bar. Liked the decor and the mix of customers. Shame i don't live a lot nearer
3 Jan 2012 10:31
The New Cross Inn / Bar Alchemy, New Cross
Went in the other night for a couple of drinks - quite liked it despite some of the beer being off and no crisps. Suspect some of the staff work hard to make this a good place despite the problems outlined below - I think if you were young and coming to hear music you'd remember this place with huge affection in years to come.
29 Jan 2009 06:15
The Jolly Farmers (ex jordan), Lewisham
Really really liked it - attractive interior and garden, good beer, food but not McGastro, nice bar staff
2 Aug 2008 17:17
Attractive, friendly local pub. Nice place to sit outside with a cigarette and watch the world go by, in this pretty part of Brockley
16 Jun 2008 06:50
It has now opened. Was full of anticipation, as so few pubs in the area have bothered to do anything for smokers and i could see that they were making a garden at the back.
Walked in ... great: potentially pretty new garden, some cover, nice seats ... sign in management-speak saying soemthing like 'this is a non-smoking garden for the convenience of non-smokers' .... walked right out again. So did a lot of people I know.
31 May 2008 07:50
The Railway Telegraph, Forest Hill
How can a pub that has Twiglets having boring crips, anon? :-)
I really appreciate the effort they have made to create a nice garden area for their smokers. Not many pubs in the area have bothered. It isn't a very promising setting on a busy road, but they have managed to create a pretty green haven - thank you.
31 May 2008 07:45
Best pub in the area - Thai food, good atmosphere, good beer, really nice garden for smokers
3 May 2008 21:08
Brockley Jack is now being redesigned - will be reopening May and boards outside advertise Deli-boards and tapas!
18 Apr 2008 18:29
The Punch Tavern, Fleet Street
I really liked it but it certainly was expensive. The atmosphere was good considering the number of lawyers and financiers in there.
A good but limited choice of beer - in fact quite a small selection of drink generally. However, I loved the decor, the open fire, the charming staff and the slightly strange features like the bowls of popcorn and Bombay mix on the tables.
I'll definitely go back - and I have passed this place in the morning when it does a great-looking breakfast buffet. Maybe les of a pub than a bistro, but that is OK by me.
2 Feb 2008 11:12
At least they have kept the atmospheric front bar - and i am grateful for the well designed smking area (aka garden) out back. Food really overpriced and no longer such a good collections of wines
9 Dec 2007 08:29
Just as a PS to my review further on down where i say "Only nice thing is the front garden is still good with views over Peckham Rye" - well they have now spoilt that by putting up some annoying glass things along the outer edge.
9 Dec 2007 08:24
The Uplands Bar and Brasserie, East Dulwich
It is really hard for some pubs to shake off the mysterious thing that makes them really grim and terrible. No matter how much they might try to turn themself into a 'bar brasserie' (or whatever) they just end up being nasty and scuzzy 3 minutes down the line. Someone else will come along and try to re-theme this place now that this area is so trendy - but it will be doomed to failure.
9 Dec 2007 08:22
The Black Sheep Bar, Crystal Palace
I didn't expect to like it (being a grumpy old woman) but I did! The staff and so lovely and welcoming, and are knowledgeable about drink. I don't much like the decor inside but the garden is getting better - they could still plant more here though, and improve the seatings and create a view: the view could be fabulous!
It had a lovely atmosphere - nice to see young people having a good time.
5 Oct 2007 19:48
Why fix it when it ain't broke?
Not the nice welcoming relaxing place it once was. And the staff in fact very unwelcoming on a Sunday morning: even though the place had been officially open one and a half hours, they grudgingly served us and then spent an hour sweeping and bashing round us looking cross. Don't normally like to complain about staff as is hard job, but it was really annoying. Pricy place. Only nice thing is the front garden is still good with views over Peckham Rye.
5 Oct 2007 19:44
Just discovered it - nice eccentric place
Small bar, huge glittery stage. Great!
5 Oct 2007 19:39
No, it is the worst ever. Nearest pub to my house too - damn!
5 Oct 2007 19:38
I ma not much of a weatherspoons fan but this is OK - and am a bit skint right now so the prices help. Nice Polish lager. Local info on walls is well done. Plus garden is pretty good really.
5 Oct 2007 19:37
I don't know why I never feel comfortable in this place. My husband sometimes suggests going and I resist. I think it is because it has very strange chairs. There isn't a normal comfortable chair or table in the place. There are chairs at an enormous communal table at which gloomy individuals sit. There are trendy chairs perched high over small low tables too tiny to put much on or those soft of half-armchairs that women with pushchairs tend to converge on. If it sorted out the seats I might like it more. Also a bit claustrophobic. But that might be the presence of the chairs...
13 Jun 2007 19:20
Friendly little pub - charming garden and really good value food
29 May 2007 06:02
This is a really good place to go for food, but more of a restaurant than a pub. Lovely old building, a wonderful village, great chef, excellent beers - but the joint doesn't swing, somehow.
12 May 2007 16:33
I've stayed her on and off over a period of about 12 years and it is a beautiful old building in a lovely village. The accommodation is good value but the pub side of it has been through a lot of changes. When we first knew this place it was a lot shabbier and I like shabby! I think it was taken over by new management again about 18 months ago and it has got some of its good atmosphere back. The breakfasts are great. Reasonable choice of beers and wines (though not at breakfast).
12 May 2007 16:31
Depressing - pub design by flat-pack. Well, this is one woman who didn't like it.
15 Apr 2007 20:20
Also known as 'The pub of eh Few' because of the World War Two pilots who drunk here, this is a favourite. Interesting photos and memorabilia. Cool, spacious interior on a hot day. Good beer, good wine list, decent food. Posh loos and Sunday papers. A pleasent garden. Damn - no smoking inside
15 Apr 2007 15:27
The Salisbury, Leicester Square
Don't know how the staff remain so friendly in such a busy pub.
Early evening it is packed. Tends to be quiet Sunday lunchtime when you can enjoy the beautiful interiors : engraved glass and lamps. A good range of beers.
4 Jan 2007 08:21
The Riflemans Arms, Glastonbury
I remember this pub from visits to Glastonbury going back about 14 or 15 years and have happy memories of it. It seemed to be much more of a traveller and biker pub once; it has a very mixed clientele now and a laid back feel. Dark, atmospheric low ceilinged rooms with a basic back patio. Good cider, good jukebox. It does soemtimes smell of disinfectant - that is true!
27 Dec 2006 13:58
Agree. This place is dire at present. It used to be OK in a split-personality way (it has a pub theatre as well as a red-neck kill-you-as-soon-as-look-at-you vibe). Now is just plastic, horrible decor, unfriendly staff. Doesn't even do being a red-neck place very well.
8 Nov 2006 07:13
Touristy in one way, but it is also very very tucked away so you still have a sense of stumbling on a hidden treasure. Ive known this pub since I was a teenager, and it still seems a bit of a special place. Best for the setting really - it has a good selection of beers/real ales, I understand, but that is of little interest to me as i don't have a beard.
Service varies from charming to lazy - food again varies. Go there for the setting and sometimes the good company.
28 Oct 2006 12:50
Only visited a couple of times but hope to come back many times - in a delightful setting surrounded by dramatic downland. Cosy and friendly, it serves good food in an unfussy way. Very charming building, I didn't know it before, but I do understand the comments about an an earlier makeover as this has happened to places I like. It didn't seem at all plastic to me though, not knowing how it was before.
28 Oct 2006 12:46
Come here and imagine you are a modern day smuggler. Very atmospheric place right on the shingle beach. Eccentric characters and a fabulous view out to sea.
28 Oct 2006 12:42
Love this place - lanlord has kept it as I remember when it was my much loved local. Lots of atmosphere in teh 3 rooms and vine-covered courtyard. Bar staff courteous and helpful - landlord insane.
28 Oct 2006 12:35
The Skirrid Mountain Inn, Llanvihangel Crucorney
A beautiful building and fascinating history, named for the Holy Mountain of Wales. May be marking this place a bit harshly but the food was disappointing and very over-priced. Well worth a visit for the atmosphere - and this is a very special area
28 Oct 2006 07:31
The Kilvert's Hotel, Hay on Wye
Great place to sit out round the front and watch the Hay world go by, and lovely garden at back; friendly and non-fussy feel to the place. I haven't eaten the pizza since 2004, so maybe it has picked up (by the sound of previous post) and I can risk it again.
28 Oct 2006 07:28
general;y a good pub - was done up a few years back, but in an Ok way, that makes it more spacious and yet not too plastic. Good lunches, nice beer, pleasant staff
28 Oct 2006 07:25
Has been sold at auction after the fire - hope will keep its extraordinary character
28 Oct 2006 07:23
Love this place - but saw threatning looking for sale noticeboard outside last sunday - anyone know anything? is it about to become a Parrot and Plastic?
28 Oct 2006 07:16
Yes, i agree this is best pub in Oxford. Have been coming here since I was 16. Came back after 10 years and landlord remembered me. Eccentric clientele - eccentric landlord and lots of eccentric little rooms and a vine covered courtyard. Good beer, good food, good fun
19 Jun 2006 06:59
The Blythe Hill Tavern, Forest Hill
This is my husband's local - he's Irish and this is an Irish pub: not a plastic Irish place like some of the chain pubs. It is certainly cosy - I sometimes find it almost too small but I appreciate it for its good atmosphere and courteous service. There is live Irish music once a month. I did go to the quiz night once a year ago - fortunately, didn't hear any sick humour; hope tat is thing of past?
19 Jun 2006 06:55
This pub has happy associations for me, as I stop here on way to Welsh holidays. Good atmosphere - always welcoming, but in an unfussy way.
A really attractive old coaching inn with higgledy piggledy rooms and a nice garden. Great food (try their apple or ther fruit pies) and friendly service
19 Jun 2006 06:48
King Harry's Bar (Glenbrook Hotel), Shanklin
Pub has beautiful garden with a view over the Chine.
Much less plastic feel than some of the other pubs in Shanklin. Think the hectoring notices have gone - or I was enjoying myself too much to see them. Great to see draft Budvar + good selection other beers. Really good lunch: pint of prawns with good chips, really fresh salad and hot bread. Impressed
19 Jun 2006 06:44
The Anchor Inn, Oxford
I am not a big fan of gastro pubs, so good job this is a place serving really great food, rather than the dreaded gastro. Really liked the atmosphere in here and have eaten here maybe half a dozen times - always really good food. Good range of beers and wines, and still a 'pub pub' in places
9 Jan 2013 15:51