BITE user comments - stevosgloriosus
Comments by stevosgloriosus
I have revised my earlier view on this pub following a few post work trips. The last of these had me pretending not to notice (along with the bar staff) a very refreshed chap wave a chair above his head, break into a dance and then playfully rough up one of his friends who seemed obliged to agree with everything he said in case the chair made a reappearance. This may be understandable behaviour at closing time. However it was 5:15. Beer was fairly cheap (not cheap enough for my friends above who wanted lager at �1.50/pint) but a small premium can find safer and more pleasant environs within five minutes.
28 Oct 2009 23:33
Superb location especially in summer outside on the decking or by a window watching boats/ducks go back and forth but also rather fun on a dark rainy night as well. I can't think of a finer view around these parts. Lots of seating but no-one's really there for a big session; it's more for chatting over a couple with friends or taking some food which, by the way, is very pleasant.
There is table service but if it's beers you're after you're far better going to the bar yourself otherwise a wait of ten minutes is not uncommon. Beers: found the Tribute disappointing and have since gone for the super cold German lager which has a great kick to it. The comment on parking is worth bearing in mind but as the car park is all of three minutes walk away and pretty cheap it's not really a problem. There is an hourly bus to/from Maidenhead Town centre if you fancy taking the risk, otherwise only a couple of miles.
28 Oct 2009 23:23
Amazing level of swearing from the entirely male clientele. Even more amazingly, when a couple of ladies came in the swearing ratio increased rather than be diluted by their presence. Evidently there'd be a problem in Windsor the previous night involving a boyfriend and, from what I could gather, a barman daring to ask one of the ladies to keep the language under control. "Psycho!", evidently. Anyway, the beer was actually quite nice although the interior could do with a bit of TLC. The broken window above our seat did not detract from the rustic charm and as my car was still unscathed out front when we left, worthy of another mark. Only the unhinged would think of staying for another round.
2 Aug 2009 23:27
The Shire Horse Inn, Littlewick Green
Pub/restuarant but not unpleasant for all that. Reasonable ales on, usually Pride and one other and if you're lucky there'll be some properly served Hoegaarden in the proper giant glass. Staff can be really friendly and efficient or at the other end of the scale, totally mystified by the most straightforward of orders. Plenty of space outside and set back a bit from the Bath Road which assists ambience. Food is ok, often with offers on. Can attract families with young children in the early part of the evening.
2 Aug 2009 23:12
This isn't really a pub but a restuarant within the walls of what looks like a countryside boozer. Basically, if more than 6 people want to sit down and have a pint, forget it. Food is outstanding however but to be worthwhile for a visit, you do need to be eating and not popping in with the papers ready to settle down for a couple of ales.
2 Aug 2009 23:08
The Mad Bishop and Bear, Paddington
Can't think of a superior station pub and would not be disappointed if this were my local. Excellent choice of Fullers beers at reasonable prices and good service. Clean, tidy and quite relaxed considering its location. Only the departures screen inside hints that you're within a train station.
30 May 2009 21:57
Good pub with relaxed feel and usually nicely busy which I always find encouraging. Usually only one guest ale on. Lots of screens in various sizes showing sports but not intrusively so. In other words, not with volume turned up to maximum and not with loads of refreshed chaps in replica shirts. My pint was presented with a cheery declaration of, "There you go me ol' china." I half expected Pete Beale to walk in.
30 May 2009 21:54
Decent enough boozer with good range of ales which I am led to understand change over on a seasonal basis. Not especially touristy despite location and sensible prices. Well kept pints certainly.
30 May 2009 21:49
Was there with a stag party which is clearly the crowd this establishment is aimed at. Several sports screens to follow and a special offer on cocktails that afternoon. They ran out of mint to accompany these but that may not be a surprise after number 30. Anyway, it's a bit of a hike from the centre but you're most likely to be in there for hours so it's worth the trip. Nice ladies serving but could do with more of them as you're best bet is to order rounds twice at a time.
8 Apr 2009 18:29
The Windsor Castle, Clapham Junction
A rather strange smell permeates the main bar. My visit involved average but not unpleasant pint of Bombardier over the football. Several patrons had clearly been in place for several hours, the most entertaining of whom, "Nobby", passed the time by either emotionally hugging or aiming kicks at his friends. Wouldn't stay there all night, worth popping in if waiting for a train.
22 Feb 2009 21:15
This is a great pub but best left until the evening as on several weekend afternoon visits it's had several elements of a children's playground and, even worse, I'm sure I saw people taking soft drinks. Nothing wrong with tourists but blimey, it's a pub! Anyway very friendly staff and I like the walls with the old style beer promo posters etc.
20 Jan 2009 09:29
Outstanding little pub with the quality range of beers one comes to expect in Belgium. What makes it extra special is the friendly and convivial atmosphere (not touristy) in its small and compact setting despite which you can always seem to find somewhere to sit. Perfectly appropriate selection of bar snacks. Unlike another poster, I was very glad that no space had been provided for any lambic beers, with the De Garre tripel being a must-have on pretty much any visit.
20 Jan 2009 09:22
There is no reason to go here. Be warned, not only is it struggle to get to if you're not driving but there are no redeeming features to reward your efforts. That being said, I do recall one New Year's Eve in the mid-nineties when one lady patron wore a dress made out of what appeared to be a fishnet complemented by micro bra and thong. Alas, this turned out not to be regular occurence.
27 Oct 2008 21:58
Very small and not really geared for the discerning drinker over the diner during the day. Beer was 6X and Pride when we were there. Amusing caricature of a group of 3 professionally middle class Windsor people came in to talk loudly about exotic holidays and swear in that way that isn't quite right on the ears when delivered in a posh voice. We made sure we tugged our forelocks in their direction before heading back to our smallholding in Maidenhead.
27 Oct 2008 21:53
Agree with the reviewers on the Bass. Friendly barman, choice of beer related reading matter and very easy to stay for just one more. The pub is a relatively far away from the bright lights but worth the trek. Anytime is a good time to visit this place.
18 Oct 2008 15:01
Good food and beer selection. Friendly barman which is always a comforting thing. Lots of space and occasional vaguely Dickensian pictures dotted around to connect to the pub name.
18 Oct 2008 13:26
Decent enough selection of local ales and quite welcoming and relaxed atmosphere. Probably wouldn't stay here all afternoon but definitely worth popping in for an hour. Pleasing rugby decor and you probably won't have to wait long for a seat to arise as most people seem to pop in and out.
18 Oct 2008 13:23
Swan Bar always been an absolute pleasure with fireplace, convivial atmosphere, good range of beers. Public bar with the footy on is awful. Without is just about bearable. Also too expensive for pints. Bottles better value and usually a thoroughly good selection.
6 Sep 2008 14:21
There's far better pubs in Carshalton than this rather strange one. Never had any particular problems but it's not particularly special either. Pop in for one and then head towards The Railway.
6 Sep 2008 14:18
This pub can either be great fun with a warm welcome and a range of well served beers or a ghastly regulars only experience. No telling which you'll get when you walk in. Good jukebox and a pool table as well as big comfy sofas to sink into.
10 Feb 2008 22:51
Good pub with friendly staff and excellent range of well priced ales (�7.20 compared to a mighty �16 for the same round in the White Hart elsewhere in town). Busy mixed crowd on a Saturday night. Why go anywhere else in the Town Centre between 8 and 11?
10 Feb 2008 22:49
Tempted in by the Brakspears attractions promised therein. Alas, all they had on was a rather uninspired draught bitter. No atmosphere, disappointed in the free and easy attitude of the barman who I rather hoped might actually stand and serve rather than competely disappear out of the front door of the pub when he felt like it. Won't be going back.
10 Feb 2008 22:47
Good quality Spoons with efficient and friendly staff and good range of drinks as should be expected from this chain. Sports on large screen. No lunatics or thugs.
10 Feb 2008 22:40
The Devonshire Hotel, Grassington
The four poster room is fab and looks out onto the square. Beer I've always found underwhelming (the ghastly Timothy Taylor's is an ever-present) as there's any number of microbreweries in the Dales they could use but it's a friendly place with a great snug bar and good food.
10 Feb 2008 22:34
The Foresters Arms, Grassington
Best pub in the Village. Don't bother with the food unless you've got nothing else to do for the rest of the day. Pool table and sky sports on a small screen. Good few beers on tap but never had the same change for a round of identical drinks twice; seems to vary depending on mood.
10 Feb 2008 22:32
The King Of Denmark, West Wimbledon
Absolutely horrible place that never had any quality beer on (there's about as much chance of getting a pint of Bombardier now its closed as there ever was) and was full of lunatics who, variously, chucked food around, shouted for no reason, wore 80's style demin outfits stared at you. This may sound quite entertaining; it's not if you want a pint in peace.
10 Feb 2008 22:29
Don't bother going in here unless you subscribe to the view that all Aussies are the most generous, easy going and friendly people on the planet and will give a warm welcome to anyone from anywhere. Priority will always be given for any sporting event involving Australia. Beer average but why on earth would you go here for beer?
10 Feb 2008 22:24
The Prince of Wales, Wimbledon
The main advantage of this is that you can time your trip to the station with a large degree of accuracy. At least they've stopped listing guest ales 90% of which aren't on. There's usually a couple on. Variable staff quality. Impossible to get a table at any time. Can be quite fun place to visit with a crowd when it gets busy of an evening.
10 Feb 2008 22:21
Try to avoid it being your round when you get here as you'll be forever at the bar. Gassy beer, poor Pride, disappointing all round plus far too frenetic and noisy for no apparent reason. Don't hang around, save your cash and head up the hill.
10 Feb 2008 22:18
Average pub like so many in the immediate area. No particular attractions within. A sense of being unclean accompanies you when you realise you've given them cash which could be better spent elsewhere for very low quality ale. Does have sport on tv though and usually easy enough to grab a table. Seems from other comments that the service is as hopeless as ever.
10 Feb 2008 22:16
Not sure what's happened to this place. It's such a struggle to get served, never enough bar staff, long wait for food, and is generally grotty within as is much of its clientele. Probably they don't make any effort as the punters will come through as it's in Sutton and serves (after a bit of a wait) el cheapo beer. Don't go in unless you really don't care about the atmosphere and just want to get drunk cheaply.
10 Feb 2008 22:11
If you are seen to be "alright" you will be fine in here but don't push your luck. Keep it civil and you can have a few beers here with a small group. Only the insane would think about having a game of darts.
10 Feb 2008 22:07
I would give up drinking in pubs if this were my local. Nasty and cheap, full of absolute idiots, don't even think of taking a lady here. I cannot see what people get out of drinking in a place like this. Keep walking past.
10 Feb 2008 22:05
Terrible place. I remember being getting a letter from the footy team I played for demanding I go there for a beer after the match. This was in order to be ignored by anyone apart from your own side and sup average lager. You're also a hike from the more happening joints of Sutton. I cannot think of a reason to visit this pub again.
10 Feb 2008 22:03
This is not really a pub, especially on a Saturday night when it's a case of pile 'em in and whack up the music. However, I recall it was a fine place for meeting ladies so must be recommended in that respect. Now I am much older,would recommend Spoons over the road in pretty much every respect, especially beer prices.
10 Feb 2008 22:00
A fine pub in the back end of the part of Wimbledon nowhere near... well anything really. The Community Hall across the road perhaps... Anyway, despite dull exterior a great time awaits within with all the Summer Lightning once can drink and a nice buzz from the local mixed crowd. There is no reason to seek out anything else in the vicinity (not that there's much choice - Marquis of Grandby may not be to everyone's tastes).
10 Feb 2008 21:56
The Windsor Castle, Carshalton
Used to be my favourite pub when I lived down the road. Could take dominoes in without attracting satrical comment and despite the often uncompromising attitude of each Landlord (examples include no face paint during World Cup 2002, a moving target as what constituted "regulars", a Pop Quiz held grudgingly a Thursday night but with the sound turned down unlike the Saturday night bands who played to ear splitting volume) a good place to sit with friends and chew the fat, especially on lazy bank holidays when time has no real meaning. Good range of beers, used to see Windsor Davis wander in every now and then.
10 Feb 2008 21:51
The Railway Tavern, Carshalton
Best and most consistently well served beer in Carshalton with special marks for Pride and, in the summer, Discovery. Really tasty pint and nice small garden to sup in during the warm weather. Interesting decor (if you don't mind trains) and always friendly with numerous (small) tv screens to watch sports on. Good place to take Sunday papers to, with the advantage of the Mogul Tandoori next door for supper.
10 Feb 2008 21:44
Always an interesting selection of ales (often some new and unheard of guest beers) and pleasant enough stop on a Carshalton pub crawl. Good food on a Sunday. Superfluous seating out the front and easy access to Chinese takeaway opposite. Mixed crowd, don't bother with the jazzed up bar on the right of the entrance despite tv attraction. Far better to head left, grab a seat and enjoy a few beers with friends.
10 Feb 2008 21:40
How this pub developed in a nice part of Carshalton near the ponds we shall never know. Even if your next train is half an hour away find something better to do than go in here for a pint. If you medically need a pint, sit outside. Otherwise, echo the other posters here. Awful place full of men with football shirts and number one haircuts swearing a lot. Pubs were not invented for this, surely?
10 Feb 2008 21:36
The Coach and Horses, Carshalton
Be sure of yourself if you walk in here as the regulars will be looking for weakness. Decent enough pint of pride and people will speak to you although there is always the hint of possible violent reaction to any opinions. Not one to seek out if you're with a lady. Stop for a pint, careful what you look at and don't go in mob handed. Still better than the Fox and Hounds. Small tv shows sky sports but don't seek it out if there's a match on, try elsewhere.
10 Feb 2008 19:42
The Fox and Hounds, Carshalton
Easily the worst pub in Carshalton and quite possibly the worst in England. Where to start? Surly staff who choose to open and close as they see fit regardless of the time and a crowd of thirsty punters coming through the door at 10:15pm. Waiting ages to get served, went outside with drinks to be stared at by some of the locals and then asked to leave for no reason whatsoever by the staff. Distinct lack of beer choice, expensive, aggressive, dirty. Why anyone goes here when the Greyhound is 3 minutes walk away will forever be a mystery. People visiting the Charles Cryer theatre next door,be warned about your choice of post show beer!
10 Feb 2008 19:37
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The Lister Arms, Malham
A warm little place perfect for the papers and a jar of something nice after a hike around the countryside. Scoff a bit on the costly side but very nice all the same. Beers were plentiful and exciting - Kaltenburg Weissbier, a Thwaites and some that I cannot work out from my beermat scrawlings. What I do recall is that I was extremely pleased with each of the choices on offer and the suggestion is that they change fairly frequently with a good mix of local and not-so-local.
28 Mar 2010 15:44