BITE user comments - DiscoJoe
Comments by DiscoJoe
Well known Historic pub in the centre of Oxford very much on the tourist trail but real pub lovers may be somewhat disappointed. Currently appears to be under The Nicholsons chain - which works well usually - the beer selection was standard Nicholsons fayre and well kept. Bar staff were efficient and friendly. The pub is long and thin and has been extended on several occaisions - The middle room smells of kitchens and the back smells of the gents - very traditional. The 2 front room snugs were closed for painting - but expect my experience would have been better had they been open. Changes may be coming here soon - hopefully for the better. Its OK , but there are a lot of much better pubs nearby which have upped the game.
15 Mar 2013 16:33
Far From the Madding Crowd, Oxford
Pleasant side street one room real ale pub. More of a bar than a pub , but dont be put off - It was comfortable and friendly with a good selection of well kept ales. Staff are enthusiastic about the ale and this comes across quite clearly.Would certainly visit again.
15 Mar 2013 16:14
Friendly 2 roomed corner town house just a few minutes walk from Oxford rail station. Small front Bar has a piano , whilst rear room looks over a small river tributary. A small selection of Wolverhampton Ales including Wychwood and Brakespeares Oxford Gold which was well kept and a reasonable £3.30 a pint. Menu looked good but not tried , but a good pub to meet up if going for a trip round the city.
15 Mar 2013 15:55
The Three Tuns, Sutton Coldfield
Thought it was about time I gave the Tuns another go after my last visit in 2009. We found the pub to be fairly busy on a Saturday night , with some good live music in the other room. The pub is a very old coaching inn with 2 narrow rooms and a yard up the middle. This now has a roof over it and some doors and windows have gone - losing some of its old world appeal. Saying that you can sit in either side and either enjoy the bands or escape and have a chat. The Ale on offer is all Thwaites and kept in tip top condition. Sadly I dont like Thwaites and no guest beers are offered. Service is much improved since my last visit and all round the pub appears to be on the up - just needs a bit more atmosphere that seems to be lost since they 'improved' the building - of course you cant buy this , it just comes with the punters.
22 Sep 2012 15:38
Still one of the best all round pubs in Sutton Coldfield - although some of the others have now improved since my last review. The Station remains under the same manager , with its 'No Chav' policy keeping it much more pleasant than some othe local establishments. Expect the pub to be very busy at the weekend but good for a quiet drink on a weekday afternoon. Good choice of well kept ales , maybe a little high on price. Food a bit expensive for what you get , good outside drinking area , but toilets still a little bit 1982 and not 2012. Live music and comedy in the upstairs room - a good place for a good night out.
22 Sep 2012 15:28
Visited this interesting pub on a recent trip round Chepstow. If you like your rock this is the place to go , the pub has a great jukebox. Two ales on tap Rev James and Butcombe which were both ok and a reasonable �2.50 a pint. The pub has a large selection of single malts. The locals are friendly , once you get past the ones smoking outside. Suspect the pub has a lot of stuff going on at night and it has both a pool table and darts board. All in will be going again.
25 Jan 2012 21:32
The Coach and Horses Inn, Chepstow
Visited this pub on recommendation for a meal and a drink. Found to be very friendly with very well kept ale , SA and Rev James from Brains , a Wye Valley ale and another guest. The food was good and pretty good value too. The pub has one room split onto two levels , a smoking area and an interesting collection of saucy postcards in the spotless toilets. I will be going again and definitely recommend the walk away from the wether spoons and up the hill.
25 Jan 2012 21:24
Visited The Unicorn again on our annual Family and Friends day out. We were well looked after by the friendly staff - nothing seems to be too much trouble even when they are busy. There are 2 bars , the front room is the plainer of them but the rear bar has a wood burning stove , pool table and 4 ales on hand pull. (2 from Banks and 2 local brews) Beer a bit pricey but well kept. the food is good pub grub - nothing more , nothing less and is also reasonably priced. The pub serves the Camp site it sits on and I expect is very busy during the holidays , it is also a short walk from The Severn Valley railway station at Hampton Loade. Will go again.
2 Jan 2012 14:46
Visited this excellent country pub with a large party for a Saturday Lunch. The food was obviously home prepared and of reasonable value - and all of it arrived at the table at the same time. Whilst the Ale was of good quality with a choice of 4 beers on - 6X , Pedigree , Bass and the local Wirksworth Ale. Beer prices were also reasonable . Nice beer Garden at rear , open fires inside and flagstone floor , clean toilets and tables out the front. Definately going again and well recommended.
14 Aug 2011 12:34
Nice friendly community local with traditional irish bar and friendly lounge at rear. One Ale on tap - Abbot Ale , very well kept and excellent pint of Guiness. This pub is on the way up at the moment and a real credit to the area. large Garden at the back so cant wait for the summer and perhaps another ale .
8 out of 10 - so far.
9 Mar 2011 11:35
The Shakespeare Inn, Birmingham
A pleasant back street pub very close to New st station and just off the main shopping street. Recently branded as a Nichollsons house (very much like The Old Contemptibles)the focus is now very much on quality real ale and good food. Around 8 Ales are on tap with some more unusual ones plus the usual Marstons Pedigree at �2.20 a pint was quite reasonable - Guest Ales are more but around 50p a pint less than its sister pub already mentioned.
It can be very busy at tea time with a decent outside area , which will probably mean it will be very busy in the summer. Worth a visit , 8 out of 10.
24 Feb 2011 22:31
Dropped in here on the way home from work a couple of times , It has connection with the much revitalised Victoria behind the Alexandra Theatre - so I had high hopes. Normally they have three ales on - Hook Norton being on top form , but the most recent visit only mad goose and very average. The pub is however , clean , comfortable and friendly - so there is hope. It has another bar upstairs and has lots of unusual stuff going on so I will give it another go - hopefully there will be more choice of Ale next time !!
12 Jan 2011 19:27
Popped in today for a quick beer today. Nice surroundings , slightly annoying piped easy listening music - only one real ale available - Taylor Landlord , reasonably well kept and an average 2.80 a pint. Other beers not on were all cheaper including bass at 2 notes a pint....
Standard pub menu , clientele mixture of office workers and people from the court next door. Probably go again if around this end of the city but not as a destination.
6 out of 10 - beer choice not there !
11 Jan 2011 16:43
Enloyed a visit to this nice backstreet pub recently with a large party. The pub is basic and a definite case of you get what it says on the tin - friendly locals , a couple of well kept trad beers and reasonably priced pub grub. The landlady is new to the pub but very keen and I think the pub will be definately be one to watch in future. 7 out of 10 - because if you sit near the big TV you can smell the bogs !!
1 Jan 2010 15:35
Visited this pub for a bet on Saturday Night and had the best night out I have had for ages..
This is a cracking back street boozer in the best tradition of Birmingham pubs of a few years back - before they invented Broad Street. Only one Ale , but good prices and friendly welcoming staff plus a real cross section of society in the customers - make for an entertaining evening. The Dj played everything from 80s , Rock , reggae , dance , cheese and everything we asked for - definately will be going again - very soon. 8 out of 10 (only deduction being for the ales not being on)
9 Dec 2009 20:49
The Great Western, Wolverhampton
Cant add much to what has been already said - cracking back street boozer , fantastic well kept Bathams and Holdens ales at a sensible price , open fire places , friendly efficient staff and lots of little spaces to escape !! Added attraction of loads of railway bits and pieces (if you like that sort of thing).
Definately will be going again 9 out 10 !!
15 Nov 2009 21:15
Visited this pleasant pub after searching for a pub near the Llangollen steam railway , which is just five minutes walk away down the country lane. We were quite a large group of adults and children but all found something to eat on the menu . There are quite a few fish dishes on the menu here and the ones we chose went down very well , as did the well kept Lees ale of which there were 2 on , which is fine for a midweek day at the end of October . The staff are friendly and effecient , the pub is clean and the views of the river valley are great , all in all we shall be coming again. 8 out 10.
31 Oct 2009 09:50
This pub was boarded up on my last visit in September 2009 .
3 Oct 2009 11:41
Stopped here with a large party whilst waiting for a train (which can be a very long time in these parts) The bar was cosy and very busy - so we sat across the road overlooking the harbour , which was very nice - the road is a bit dangerous and the front door opens into the traffic (no pavement) so you may need to be careful on trips to the bar !! The Brains Rev James was very well kept , with 2 other beers on this was quite a good choice for these parts , although maybe a little bit pricey . I would however recommend a visit and will be going again myself !
3 Oct 2009 11:37
Visited a couple of times in September , once at lunchtime for a meal - unfortunately no food was being served , but gave it a second channce on an evening . The staff are friendly and the ales are all very well kept and well priced - on a nice evening you could sit outside which can be pleasant - provided the sewage tank at the marina isnt being pumped out (which it was) but inside 3 small pleasant rooms and some charecter . My friends ate and said the food was great , it certainly looked good . Not sure which beers we had (all are free trade) as you cant see the pump clips from the side room - it is just a case of Near , Middle or Furthest away !! Would go again , its growing on me !!
3 Oct 2009 11:29
The Three Tuns, Sutton Coldfield
An interesting mixed bag of reviews - so I decided to go and spend a couple of hours last Saturday night - the pub is clean , no doubt about it - have to say the Ale was nearly undrinkable (again) so followed up with a few pints of Guiness which was OK . The service was a bit hit and miss and the pub had absolutely no atmosphere at all , which wasnt suprising due to only a small number of people present . On the up side , we stayed as we got a table and could chat (after being in The Station down the road , which had been absolutely rammed ). I think it would definately improve with a decent well kept guest ale or 2 - but that is just an opinion.
3 Oct 2009 11:02
The Flapper (they have dropped the Firkin bit now) I used to work here when it first opened and havent been in since - so i was pleasently suprised by what I found. Good music selection (Stones , Who , some new Indie) although a bit loud for my hearing these days ! Only 2 Ales on , but both very drinkable - younger clientel but no grief and pool tables too !! We had a nice couple of hours in here and will be going back soon. Yes the Prince is over the road , but The Flapper is very much unique around this part of town . 7 out 10 (let down by the toilets - better than I remember them though...)
7 Jun 2009 13:06
This really could be one of the best pubs in Brum , it has all the ingedients - good selection of ale all reasonably kept , nice old building , canalside location , late opening , clean inside and toilets (since the redec). Something doesnt quite add up though , I keep going back and cant put a finger on it , the service can be hit and miss - good this week , with nice Taylors Landlord , clientel was mixed but nice . Good for a late drink , away from the madness that is Broad Street . 6 out of 10 , hopefully on the increase to where it should be...
7 Jun 2009 13:00
My first visit to this interesting back street boozer . the outside is fantastic and should be listed (if it isnt already) Inside is small and has benefited from a recent refurb , as a result is spotless as are the toilets - probably the cleanest I have seen in any pub !! Two Ales on - Hobgoblin , which was smack on and Pedigree (not so good) they are trying hard and deserve some success - give it a go if you are the mailbox next door. 7 out of 10 and one to watch.
7 Jun 2009 12:37
This pub is fast becoming a regular haunt on trips to Birmingham . Very busy but with good service , nice mix of clientel , food looks great - I havent tried it ...yet and a good selection of well kept Ale , 2 from The Wye Valley brewery. On Fridays the DJ plays one of the largest selection of tunes that I have come across - Ian Dury , Human League , stone Roses and a bit of Dance too . recommended and good for a late drink on the weekend. 8 out 10 and getting better.
7 Jun 2009 12:31
Been a while since I had been in this side street pub that opens out from one small entrance into to quite a large comfortable lounge. Three ales on the night I went - obviously priced to compete with the nearby Wetherspoons - less than �2 a pint - and kept Ok , but nothing to write home about. Unfortunately they seem to have a major staffing issue - having to close early due to no available bar staff - on saturday night when the pub was three quarters full - very poor !!
So 5 out of 10 and it could have been so much better....
7 May 2009 21:53
Visited this back street pub for the first time in over 20 years and despite a refurb nothing really has changed that much. The clientel are friendly enough and the bar staff are helpful and effecient - one thing has changed they now sell real ale - the Timothy Taylor was reasonable and not overpriced unlike some of the other close establishments. Will visit again as its OK on a crawl , probably wouldnt spend a whole evening in there however. 6 out of 10.
25 Apr 2009 15:49
Visited this pub on a Friday evening pub crawl for one , but liked it so much we stayed for several . Our experience was much different to the previous reviews - the pub was busy , but the music wasnt too loud for conversation , the service was effecient and friendly - in fact when one of the ales ran out just short of a pint we were given it on the house !! Choice of three ales all just over �2 a pint , well kept and crystal clear and more than a �1 cheaper than the OCs round the corner. Will go again soon - 8 out of 10.
25 Apr 2009 15:28
Visited on a busy Friday night - fantastic atmosphere with lots of different music - reflected in quite a diverse mix of customers. Staff friendly and helpful and a choice of 5 well kept Ales on tap (mainly from wye Valley brewery) Compare this to a few month back when they had no beer and the change is almost unbeleivable. Im told the Sunday lunch is good too , but I will have to find out for myself . 7 out of 10 and on the up.
15 Mar 2009 12:30
Visted this good city centre again late on Friday night , a small selection of real ales , all well kept and at a reasonable price for The City i.e. less than �3 a pint ! The pub was busy , but still able to get a seat , able to talk as music not too loud all round a good atmosphere and always a safe bet for a nice drink in the city centre. 7 out of 10.
15 Mar 2009 12:24
Another typical wetherspoons pub , but a real breath of fresh area for Erdington . It has a bit of a split personality , but when I go there in the evenings a very large customer base can be found inside . Never had a bad Ale here , service can be a bit slow (but only like other wetherspoons) and theres plenty of space to hide inside and an area outside at the back. Dont be put off when the police are outside , its all part of the entertainment and didnt spoil our night last time we went here !! 7 out of 10 , good for the area - probably the best !
25 Feb 2009 22:29
Go for a regular drink in this typical wetherspoons pub , usually with a good selection of well kept Ales , however...
My latest visit the beers were less than average with one beer completely undrinkable - when it was returned to the bar , the staff already knew which one it was and obviously knew it had gone off. At the ring of the last order bell all the front doors were flung open onto the freezing evening , which we thought was a bit OTT for the couple of dozen drinkers present and not very friendly . Hopefully this was a one off , but if you cant drink the beer whats the point in going ? 6 out of 10 based on previous performance.
6 Feb 2009 10:30
The Station is one of the last few proper pubs in Sutton Coldfield . It normally has 3 or 4 well kept ales on tap inc. TT Landlord priced slightly over the odds at around �2.50 a pint . The food is good pub fayre (so Im told) and the menu looks well priced - the pub gets very busy at weekends and getting served does become an issue , however this has always been the same for at least the last 25 years !! A good atmosphere , music not to loud , no Sky TV , room upstairs for live music , definately recommended - probably the best Sutton can offer.
1 Feb 2009 16:14
Sadly this pub has now been demolished and the land is currently derelict !
1 Feb 2009 16:06
The Royal Oak, Oxford
Visted this many years ago and it really hasnt changed very much at all.Several small rooms with a bar in the middle serving just 2 ales on our visit. However both were well served and well kept. The rooms are all quite small and cosy - making a visit quite a personal experience. We had a meal from a 2 or 3 course set menu - priced at around £10 offers pretty good value in Oxford. The food was tasty , served quickly and all of our group were more than satisfied. Service was excellent with the bar staff bringing the drinks and opening a tab for us - quite unusual in this type of venue. Toilets were clean and although the pub itself was a little bit shabby - this tends to add rather than take away from the ambience. I recommend the five minute walk from the city centre - all round good stuff.
15 Mar 2013 16:45