please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Another fine pub - this time promoting the dancing duck brewery.
Decorated to a high standard. Very quiet on a Sunday night.
Visit blogged at http://bit.ly/2w1lOlC
|
Having now located my previous review of this place (it was missing from my index), I can see that there is very little I need to add or correct.
Firstly, on my latest visit I noticed the “reserved from” signs had disappeared – hopefully that is a permanent change. They also now do CAMRA discount (probably to bring their prices back down to a manageable level !), though you have to ask for it before you get served. Beers are pretty much the same. I believe there is always a dark beer on, and that Dark Drake alternates with Indian Porter – which is what I had on my last visit.
Things I didn’t mentioned before include the “beer garden” out the back which is nice and secluded, but a bit of a liberty to call a garden. Nor did I mention that several school photos from the 1930s on the walls – one of which includes my aunt and uncle !
|
Too much of a pretentious eatery for my taste. Given the high prices they charge, they shouldn't be dispensing short pints and the staff need watching in this respect.
|
Fantastic pub in central Derby with a great choice of Dancing Duck beers (& guests). I didn't eat when I visited but a friend tells me the food is very good too. The pub is divided into lots of little snugs and has bags of character and charm. The only problem we had was that it was a glorious summer evening and the beer garden gets no sun at all in the evening.
|
Bit of a foody pub but great pint of Dancing Duck pale ale.
Muzzy - 13 Aug 2015 19:04 |
Agree with comments that this is a slightly more upmarket pub than many others in Derby. It features Dancing Duck ales - Ay Up, Dark Drake & Abduction, in addition to Marstons Pedigree & Saltaire South Island Ale. Cider was Gwynt y Ddraig Farmhouse Scrumpy. The interior felt dark and there is a focus on eating. We chose to sit in a pleasant outdoor area. Service was efficient, with plenty of staff on hand.
|
Back again to day I found a picture of my aunt & uncle on the wall ! [ Derby High School group photo ] Also the quality of the barmaids is on the up !
|
Love this pub a real escape from the city but felt service was lacking behind some of the competition. Has it changed hands? Ales are good though.
|
This used to be a great no-nonsense boozer, but has now moved upmarket - I shall miss it's casual scruffiness ! Having said that the only things I really took exception to were the candles on the tables and the "reserved" signs on many tables. [ They said "reserved from 8pm, and it was only 1.30 - they must be expecting people to stay for a long session ! ]
I like the quirky little rooms, the general bric-a-brac lying around and the humourous signs. Also unusual feature is that the bar is adjacent to the outside wall.
Festures 3 or 4 beers from local Dancing Duck brewery (I had the Dark Drake which was excellent), plus Pedigree and a couple of guests.
Not my favourite pub in Derby, but pleasant enough. 7/10
|
Called in tonight for four pints to take out and one to drink in. Nice interior, good staff, very good, but not great beer and expensive at £3 a pint.
|
popped in with the mrs yesterday, decent pint of pedigree here. Nice place but when busy you wouldn't be able to breathe
|
Returned from the deep south on a less busy day and had some excellent beers including Dark Drake and Grantham Porter. No issues with sitting this time I guess as it wasn't weekend
|
I thought the beer wasn't quite as top notch as our last visit a few months ago. I wasn't keen about all these reservation tabs being put on the tables, nearly all the tables had them I think. It made someone like us popping in for a couple of pints feel a bit of an outsider. My experience of a pub down here that did this is that casual drinkers stopped going as they would never get a seat unless by appointment. That's not what being a pub is all about. I do wish them well as it sells good ale and has a great interior and atmosphere.
|
Surprised to see that the average rating for the best pub in the best beer town in Britain is a modest 7.2. Should be nearer 9.5 in my view with half a point shaved off because there is no such thing as perfection ...... unless it's the Holly Bush at Makeney. I've been drinking in the Ex for the better part of 40 years and was virtually a resident when Barbara Gibbon ran it but stopped going when she left and the Pedi became barely drinkable. Now it's back in its pomp and although some people carp about the balance between drinkers and diners, I'd say the owners have got it about right. They have got it absolutely spot on with the staff, who are the friendliest and most able in town and very clued up about what's on offer. I note that the Ex has just been voted Derby's Pub of the Year for 2013 and when you consider how many other exceptional boozers there are in and around the town, that's speaks volumes. Bravo.
|
not a pub more a restaurant , beer drinkable but lve had better
|
Didn't notice any tables being reserved for diners - we actually sat in one the several little rooms and had a couple of beers and some food and there was no hassle whatsoever. The staff were cheery and very helpful with the beer range (this is basically the Dancing Duck Brewery Tap). I remember the pub when it was Marstons and liked it then - now it has different beers it has improved again and it is easy to see why it has been Pub of The Year. We even had an impromptu folk music "jam session".
Derby is . of course, a great drinking town with many many good pubs and several breweries and The Exeter certainly rates amongst the highest. Don't miss it.
|
more like a restaurant than a pub these days , don't expect to get a seat if you just want a drink as all the tables are reserved for people eating
|
Derby CAMRA pub of the year and deservedly so based on what I've seen. The pub is just five minuted brisk walk to the city centre. One bar services the whole pub that has a number of nooks and crannies in which to enjoy your beer, which are well lit by metal chandeliers and wall lamps. The fittings to the latter still have taps from when the lighting was gas driven.
As you'd expect being owned by the Dancing Duck brewery, with Marstons Pedigree and Raw Manic Mild providing the guests, amongst the seven hand pumps. If you try no other Dancing Duck beers, Dark Drake is an exceptional oatmeal stout with a strength of 4.5% and should be sampled if you pop in. A must visit in Derby
|
cant see what all the fuss is about
|
A really great pub, overcoming my preconceptions about the quality of micro beers (Brewery Tap was, I thought, very average quality-wise). TheDark Drake, as noted before, is a marvellous beer, and the pub itself is a multi-roomed gem. Also like the all-day snack menu and the Anti-Pasti memorabilia !
|
An excellent pub mainly selling the superb Dancing Duck Ales. We had three and I think there were 5 handpulls. The pub comprises various rooms of which two have a snob screen divider. Only a 15 minute walk from the railway station following the river.
|
Despite the fact my pint of Magpie Brewery Thieving Rogue was not a success - it tasted on the turn but I was assured it wasn't and as it was crystal clear I decided it was probably just not to my taste - I can definitely see me eagerly returning to this immaculately kept traditional styled pub to sample alternative product. One lean against the bar punter advised me to stick to the Pedigree which I dislike, the ale that is not the suggestion, and generally the atmosphere was chatty and convivial. A nice contrast to the Tap which occupies the opposite bit of the wedge. Very pleasant.
|
Under Dancing Duck, this has fast become one of the very best pubs in Derby, no mean feat in the beer capital of Britain. Their own beers are never less than superb, especially the Dark Drake and their various guests are excellent as well. The food is very good indeed, some unusual dishes and a fair veggie selection. The sister pub to the New Zealand, both run superbly by very very good staff. Brilliant.
|
A flying visit to this one, though I wish I'd have been able to spend longer. the best beer here from any of the Derby breweries I tried with the Dark Drake being an absolutely excellent beer. Alas no time to try the others (three on offer plus a guest from Titanic).
|
If you haven't visited the Exeter in the last few months you're in for a surprise. Dancing Duck brewery of Derby now run this pub and keep the bar well stocked with their locally brewed gems of beers. In my opinion the gold medal winning Dark Drake has to be one of the very best dark ales I've ever had. I can also say that I've never had a single beer that is less than excellent quality in here. Staff and locals are a friendly bunch. A shining example of what all traditional British pubs should be!
|
I am generally a traditionalist where pubs are concerned, Australian bars or white-walled, minimalist wine bars are an anathema to me, so whenever I visit Derby I seek out places like the wonderful Exeter Arms. I admit it's not somewhere one might go to pick up young ladies nor are there giant screens showing Manchester United and loud throbbing music. In contrast, this is a lovely old-fashioned city pub with a myriad of small nooks and crannies, it is welcoming and comfortable like a favourite pair of slippers, people in here will happily chat to you and when you have to go for a comfort break the loos are spotlessly clean. The beers, from the Dancing Duck brewery, are immaculately kept and one pint is never enough. I just can't sing this place's praises too highly. If all of this sounds like your sort of pub then I urge you to seek it out. You won't regret it.
|
Dancing Duck Dark Drake sampled here, only the fact I had to get a specific train back to London prevented me from staying longer.
|
Sampled the Dancing Duck 22 on a recent visit - in top notch condition. Nice local pub which has obviously been rejuvenated since the new owners have taken over. Definitely recommended
|
Nice pub selling the Dancing Duck range as well as Pedigree and other guests. Does seem pricey though. Seemingly 20p a pint dearer than other pubs they sell their own beer to around the Derby area! Thats the only fault in my honest opinion, everything else is best of order!
|
This pub has recently been taken over by Dancing Duck Brewery and is now a Free House
They still serve Pedigree but now also have Dancing Duck beers as well as a range of other real ales, 6 hand pumps in total plus 3 lagers and 3 ciders.
Food is served 11.30-2.30 Monday to Saturday and Roast dinners on Sunday 12-4.
Wednesday evening is Pie and a Pint 4.99 followed by live acoustic music.
During the summer ive bands often play in the evenings at the weekend in the beer garden.
|
Great character. Limited range of real ales, but very friendly & such an amazing layout of rooms & decoration.
|
Traditional Marston's street-corner local just outside the town centre. Although not as renowned as Derby's more well-known real ale pubs, it's worth a visit just for the character of the place, which is relatively unspoilt with its multi-roomed interior.
It's quite rambling, with an extension off to your left as you enter (with a fine, semi-separate, snob-screened area complete with original fireplace) and the main bar area to your right. This comprises of three partially separated areas on two different levels; of particular note is the room furthest to your right which is packed full of pictures of old movie stars. The pub is traditionally furnished throughout and has some interesting panelling. The beer garden is also very pleasant and floral.
Beer-wise, it can't really compete with it's neighbours, with the usual Marston's range Old empire was in decent condition on my visit, if not my pint of the day. However, despite this shortcoming, any lover of traditional boozers should attempt to get here.
|
Good ales and loads of character. Recommended!
jarls - 31 Jul 2009 22:56 |
Not in the Good Beer Guide, but the one I had was of very high quality and the lady who served me was incredibly friendly. Call in here between the Brewery Tap and the Smithfield.
|
Fine old pub serving 5/6 real ales. As this is a Marston's house the range has improved since they took over Jennings. Now serve Jennings Dark Mild which is a great beer. Lots of things around the walls like old clocks and a portrait gallery of film stars. Well worth a visit especially if combined with a visist to Derby Brewery Tap at the Royal Standard 50 yards away.
|
A short walk over the bridge from the City centre this relatively unspoilt pub dates from the early 19th century. The interior has an interesting multi room layout albeit the lighting was far too bright and the atmosphere a bit subdued and sanitized with safe radio feed and not many punters for a Friday night. Until 1970 they used to brew their own beers but sadly no longer although the 6 Ales, including a mild, are enough to justify a visit. Some interesting features inside including some nice built in seating, a fine fireplace and range in the tiled Snug bar and an old signing on clock. An interesting mix of old pictures, maps, modern art and cinema posters although some of the d�cor is slightly let down by the presence of cheap signs. Worth the effort to visit but you would probably do so in conjunction with some of the other pubs in the locality rather than spend a whole evening here.
|
The pub was very much alive and kicking when I was there 3 weeks ago. It's the nearby Royal Standard that closed. The old landlady has gone (hoorah!) and the new landlord seems very welcoming. The food is great - the old kitchen staff seem to have been retained - and huge portions. Old Empire seems to be the house beer. A few others were on tap but I only had eyes for the Empire so can't remember what they were.
chick - 20 Feb 2008 10:04 |
I heard that this pub has been closed down - if it has it is a great shame - it was a nice place.
|
Decent pub, not very busy in the early afternoon. A few real ales on. A natural stop on a Derby pub crawl, between The Smithfield and Ye Olde Dolphin Inn.
|
nice pub just out of the town centre,friendly bar staff and locals,good pint of pedigree.
|
Attractive interior with interesting artefacts on the walls. The big attraction here is the magnificent "Yorkist" fireplace (where's that blacklead!?). Some opening-out but still retains a homely feel.
|
A really good, traditional pub with well-kept beer and good pub grub. Concerning the latter, please note that the portions are generous! Very friendly bar staff and a welcoming atmosphere. Highly recommended!
|
