BITE user comments - Bard
Comments by Bard
Can only echo the latest reviews, it's not the sort of pub you'll expect to find near a major rail station. This has got a proper local feel, with welcoming and friendly staff, low noise level (but that doesn't mean it's dull). Beer in good shape when I visited, and the pub boasts an impressive bottled beer menu as well.
Much better than most of the pubs around King's Cross.
14 Oct 2012 21:05
Don't know what to make of this one, it's right next to the station and Ridley Road market. Dropped in at lunchtime, and it was fairly quiet. The observation below from 2004 is still correct; mostly Afro-Caribbean men in the pub. This is a pub that serves it's purpose well, and doesn't need to follow any trends. Sort of charming, in a strange way. No real ales. There's a lot of worse station pubs around.
3 Feb 2011 21:11
Just down the road from Victoria station. Spacious, and quieter than the pubs just outside the station entrance. Two ales; Young's Bitter and London Pride, decent enough. Wasn't impressed by the food. Good outside seating. OK while waiting for a train.
4 Oct 2009 15:03
Nothing special - just one in a row of uninteresting pubs in the immediate area around Victoria station. Two ales were on when I was there, both very average. Hardly a pub I will re-visit.
4 Oct 2009 14:58
The Railway View, Macclesfield
Great pub near Moss Rose (Macclesfield Town FC). Interesting selection of ales, barbecue on matchdays, friendly staff. Can get packed when the Silkmen are at home. Recommended!
4 Oct 2009 14:49
Very welcoming three-roomed pub. Great staff, good beer. Pub games, pool table, live football on TV.
4 Oct 2009 14:45
Very handy for the station, well kept ales (on my visit anyway) and spotlessly clean. The decor in the gents can keep you there for a while if it's your thing.... Not brilliant, but above average.
4 Oct 2009 14:40
The George and Dragon, Macclesfield
OK traditional pub, only a few yards from the train station. You could find worse places - and much better - in the area.
4 Oct 2009 14:35
Fine boozer with great staff. Very basic, but you get what you expect with no fuzz. Bays, Spitfire and Courage on when I was there - in excellent condition.
31 Jul 2008 21:33
Watch your head! Low ceilinged and very "Olde". Very clean and civilized - slightly upmarket atmosphere. Nice selection of ales in close to perfect condition, and absolutely superb, although pricey, food.
31 Jul 2008 21:28
Down to earth backstreet boozer just up from the harbour. Might appear a bit uncivilized compared to its next door neighbour, the Hole in the Wall, but more character and more fun! Has some way to go on the beer quality, though.
31 Jul 2008 21:24
Crown and Sceptre Inn, Torquay
If you like pubs where time appears to have stopped a few years ago, this would suit you. Lots of weird memorabilia around, from floor to ceiling! Two separate rooms, very well kept ales and lots of character. Brilliant!
31 Jul 2008 21:21
English type pub in Stavanger's "publand". Dark interior, with the bar dominating. Quite big, spreads over two floors, the 1st floor has a more spacious feel to it, but same style as ground floor bar. Huge selection of bottled beers, around 330 according to menu, plus a few draught beers as well, but keg only except for special sessions. Staff is generally knowledgeable and friendly. Claims to be the best pub for beer in Norway - I wouldn't bet against it.
31 Jul 2008 21:10
A wonderful pub for character and charm. The interior is like a private museum, and you won't be bored in there unless you really want to. The landlady and rest of the staff are brilliant. Inside the Windsor Castle you feel like you are a hundred miles away from the big city.
29 May 2008 23:30
I'm not sure what this place wants. It's not traditional, it's not trendy, it's not a sports pub - but tries to be all. Staff uninterested, and being on Borough High Street it gets a strange mix of customers.
29 May 2008 23:22
I've read a lot about this pub, and to be honest I was slightly disappointed when I finally got around to visit. As the previous poster mentions the ales on offer are not exactly adventurous. The staff and guests were friendly, but I had this feeling of being a stranger invading their pub. Might have been there on a bad day, though. Will probably give it another try.
29 May 2008 23:17
The Wheatsheaf would probably be considered an excellent pub almost anywhere in London, but is unfortunately situated next to the Market Porter. Nothing like the MP's range of beers, but the ones on tap are well kept. Stripped down interior makes a nice contrast to it's neighbour. I like it in here, but only visit on my way to the Market Porter.
29 May 2008 23:11
A pint at the Nag's Head is well worth a few extra pence. Pubs like these used to be fairly common in London, but is now a rarity. A boozer with a lot of character - and characters. One of my favourite pubs in London!
29 May 2008 23:07
Can't be beaten for real ale. Usually packed, but still with friendly and efficient service. They've opened up a room at the back with a few tables. This area must be the best pub-crawling district in the city, with a number of top class pubs.
5 Mar 2008 10:43
A big pub a short walk from Grays railway station, and just across the road from The Theobalds Arms. Very well-kept ales, live football, good atmosphere. There were a beer festival when I visited, complete with barbeque in the garden. Recommended.
4 Mar 2008 17:46
The Pride of Spitalfields, Shoreditch
Went in here on Saturday night, and expected to find a packed pub, but had no problem finding a seat. The pub was such a contrast to the surrounding area, with almost a 'village pub' feel to it. Lovely ales, friendly (and good-looking!) staff, it's a great place to grab a pint. And it's open till late.
4 Mar 2008 17:41
CAMRA National Pub of The Year - congrats all at tthe Old Spot. The award tells you very much what you can expect.
15 Feb 2008 14:31
The Waggon and Horses, Brighton
Dropped in here on a Sunday afternoon, had no problem finding a seat. Quite small and popular, so it probably gets packed on busy evenings. Laidback atmosphere - good mix of people, not just trendies as you might expect in this area, - a bit backstreet local and a bit of bohemian cafe in a successful mix. A few ales and a nice little selection of whiskies. A very nice pub - recommended.
30 Jan 2008 22:37
If I had time for just one pint in Brighton, the Lord Nelson is the pub I would drink in. Good old fashion no nonsense local where nothing seems to have changed for years. Wonderful staff and regulars, a good pint of Harvey's and a good humoured atmosphere very rarely experienced nowadays. Go there!
30 Jan 2008 18:48
I can only echo the comments below - ale very close to perfect, it's hard to leave this place! Small and basic, plenty of bottled beers and a few unusual ones on tap as well - no beer lover should miss it. If you're not into beer you might find it a bit over the top, but still worth a visit. Oh, and it's handy for the railway station, and miles better than a few of the places around.
30 Jan 2008 18:40
Went in here on a Sunday afternoon, and there was maybe 6 or 7 other guests in, but I don't think one of them said a word during the 30 minutes I was there. Spooky! The place had all the atmosphere of an airport lounge - if that's what it's usually like then I feel sorry for those who go there regularly... With a couple of good drinking places very close I just can't see how this can survive.
30 Jan 2008 17:49
The Battle of Trafalgar, Brighton
Up the steep hill from the railway station, you get a bit of excercise before a well deserved pint! Nice little pub with a good selection of well kept, changing ales. Fairly busy with a mix of customers, the staff is friendly and cheerful. One of the better pubs in this area.
30 Jan 2008 17:38
A bit undecided about this one. Looks like a proper pub on the outside, but inside it's spacious, loungey, and with no pub atmosphere at all. Apparently the same people also run a nightclub in town, an you'd guess they've used the same interior consultant for both. That said, it's a nice place to relax, almost too comfortable for my liking, the beer tastes like it should and the food is decent. And you don't find many beer gardens like this one.
30 Jan 2008 17:28
A bit disappointed with this pub on what was my first visit. Have to agree with 'leggless' in that it seems amazingly short of atmosphere considering the age of the place. Less than cheerful staff didn't help. On the upside was the food, which was superb. Conclusion: Not worth the 10-15 minute walk from the town center, unless you're eating.
30 Jan 2008 17:15
Excellent location next to the Arndale Centre - perfect when the other half goes shopping. Very clean and comfortable, but can appear a bit soulless. The Harvey's ales were well kept, and the food was decent enough. Friendly staff, and a mix of customers as you'd expect in this location. The TV opposite the bar is quite cleverly placed - you hardly notice it if you don't really want to watch.
30 Jan 2008 16:50
The Earl Of Burlington, Eastbourne
Well, it's Wetherspoon, and you know what to expect. As JDW's go this isn't bad at all, so obviously improved since the last posters visited. Efficient service, didn't have to wait too long for the food, and the tables were cleared promptly. One downside was a spectacular lack of knowledge about the real ales on offer, so that's gotta be the next to improve.
30 Jan 2008 13:20
Nice local, bigger than it may look at first with a restaurant area at the back. Good mix of punters, and yes - there was a dog, but given the size of place it's hardly a health hazard with one or two canine customers in the bar area. Recommended if you are in the area.
30 Jan 2008 13:14
Not sure about this. Beers good, staff indifferent. Freezing cold inside, a bit "un-pubbish". There are better pubs in the area, but you might struggle to find better kept ales.
30 Jan 2008 13:01
Just down the street from the railway station. OK for watching football, with the big screen and the TV's. Nothing much more to it, really.
30 Jan 2008 12:55
Not a bad pub, one of the better ones in Eastbourne. Close to the promenade, theatres and tennis courts. Well kept, reasonably priced ales. Had no complaints about the staff on my visit.
30 Jan 2008 12:52
Busy pub in a great setting. Good range of beer (cider as well), mostly from local breweries. Not very impressed with the food on my last visit.
Get one of the tables by the window and watch life on the outside.
13 Nov 2007 14:38
A wonderful pub in the middle of nowhere. Very clean and comfortable, very friendly and helpful staff. Nothing wrong at all with the real ale when I visited. Didn't try the food, but would love to go there for a Sunday roast, as I'd expect it to be perfect.
18 Oct 2007 13:20
Ring of Bells, Bishopsteignton
This pub was a pleasant surprise - friendly staff and customers, well-kept ales and a great atmosphere. Worth seeking out.
18 Oct 2007 13:15
The Locomotive Inn, Newton Abbot
Three years on the comment from the last poster still applies. For sheer fun this is the best pub in Newton Abbot. Decent real ales and cider available.
18 Oct 2007 13:11
The Dartmouth Inn, Newton Abbot
One of a number of watering holes in East Street, the Dartmouth Inn have a range of fine ales on offer, including their own brew. One of the better pubs in Newton Abbot.
18 Oct 2007 13:07
This is one not to be missed! Even the most dedicated beer drinker should be able to find a drinkable cider here, I did!
18 Oct 2007 13:02
Convenient for the station. OK covered smoking area at the front, but the attempted smoking area at the back is worth a look... Decent pub, not one to go out of your way for.
18 Oct 2007 12:57
Not very much special about the pub itself, but the people there made it well worth the visit! Great fun and lots of atmosphere! Visit if you are in Brixham - if not go to Brixham and visit!
18 Oct 2007 12:51
A great backstreet boozer a few yards away from the main shopping area. Claim to be the only pub in Devon with a genuine Norwegian saw on the premises. Highly recommended for a relaxing pint.
18 Oct 2007 12:40
Ok boozer just off Oxford Street. Beer quality good, and a relaxed atmosphere on a Saturday afternoon. One of the better drinking places in the area.
20 Jun 2007 11:38
The Charles Lamb, Angel, Islington
A gem of a corner local! Not what you expect to find in the hidden backstreets of Islington. Sit outside in the sunshine or in the small bar area - might be too small on a crowded night - and enjoy the Chiswick Bitter or Landlord. Some nice bottled beers as well as a decent range of wines. Didn't try the food, but it looked good. But don't feed Mascha...
20 Jun 2007 11:29
The Duke of Cambridge, Islington
If the question is if the Duke is a pub or a restaurant, the answer is yes. It's a good restaurant, but for the pub bit don't expect the "traditional inn". High-ceilinged, restaurant layout and with a high noise level it migh put off the traditionalists, but still serves a decent pint. OK if you are in the area.
20 Jun 2007 11:23
Behind an interesting tiled exterior is a really great local, full of character. The beer wasn't perfect when I visited, but the service and atmosphere made up for it. Don't miss it if you are in Croydon.
19 Jun 2007 23:06
Nice local, hidden away from the main shopping area in Croydon, but well worth a visit. Beer was good, so was service. Recommended.
19 Jun 2007 22:56
A great local, serving the closest thing to a perfect pint I've ever had! Don't miss it!
19 Jun 2007 22:51
A nice little country pub in Hampstead, well worth finding. Not easy to navigate inside either, with all it's corners and partitions the pub is like a labyrinth. Excellent beer, and even though the food was far from standard on our last visit, we were offered new meals and free drinks as compensation.
14 Mar 2005 12:58
This must surely be one of the top three pubs in London - well kept beer, good food and welcoming staff. And it's a pub you should see just for the exterior.
14 Mar 2005 12:43
The Greyhound is still a great place to relax over a pint or two. Good beer, friendly staff and local patrons you would travel far to meet.
14 Mar 2005 12:29
The Globe, London Bridge
Virtually inside Borough Market, this is a very disappointing place. Very poor ale, disinterested staff, looks dirty and run down. Went there on a Monday afternon, and based on that visit I am surprised it survives in an area with plenty of quality pubs. Avoid.
14 Oct 2012 21:10