BITE user comments - FrankW
Comments by FrankW
Popped in whilst attending CAMRA Southport's Beer Festival at the weekend. Apparently the bar now has new people running it and are only selling national brands (with the exception of Flag & Turret) as apparently they make more money on these. The range included Tetley's, Bombardier and Black Sheep. I think this may be a move which will lose them custom - especially if they leave up all the old pump clips as there is such a contrast. Oh well, there's always the Guest House.
26 Sep 2011 00:47
One of my favourite pubs in Manchester. Love the open balcony which is strangely relaxing givenits location. Varying range of beers with the regulars being their own Manchester Bitter and the (now no longer organic) Ginger Marble.
As per most pubs in the locality, prices are in the �3+ bracket. Strangely, their own Ginger Marble is �3.10 per pint but yet the Southampton Arms in London can sell it at �2.95. Makes you wonder how much profit they make on it. Have never been able to fault the quality of the beers though and they will let you try before you buy. Very often have beers from Pictish and Abbeydale breweries.
26 Sep 2011 00:42
The Southampton Arms, Gospel Oak
Visited in July when having a two day break in London. Had already visited back in May and was impressed. Beer is served in old-fashioned dimpled glass tankards and are all priced at �2.95 with the curious exception of the ones from the local brewery in Camden. Won't bother detailing what beers were on sale as there were so many and change regularly.
26 Sep 2011 00:31
The Churchill Arms, Kensington
Visited here in July having had it recommended. Barmaid was very friendly. Had London Pride, Gales HSB and another of the Fullers beers. Not too sure how authentic the Thai food was (I don't think 'gravy' is an authentic ingredient!) but was reasonably priced at �7 and was a large portion and very filling. Have now put this pub on my list of pubs to visit on each trip to London.
26 Sep 2011 00:28
Visited two days ago for first time in about 12 months-ish. Has undergone a bit of a 'freshen-up' with benches and pub tables beiong removed and replaced by 'restaurant' tables and chairs being put in . Now seems to have a larger menu and be a bit more geared towards food - possibly to pick up overflow trade from the Roebuck across the road? Looks nicer now but has lost a bit of the atmospherre in being done up.
30 Apr 2007 23:04
Basically a restaurant which happens to have a bar. Has Tetley Bitter, Landlord and Old Speckled Hen as permanent beers with one other as guest (Jennings Cumberland Ale on my only visit so far two days ago.)
Landlord was on superb form but expensive at �2.55 a pint.
30 Apr 2007 22:58
Been to this pub twice now on the basis of it selling Landlord and it being a long-term entry in the Good Beer Guide.
On the first visit I had a pint of Landlord which was unrecognisable as such. It was so differentI was wondering if it was a different beer being sold as Landlord. Went again two days ago. Landlord on this occasion was better but was barely acceptable. Very expensive: pint of Landlord and a pint of Pepsi was �4.60.
Bar staff on both occasions were surly and unreceptive to chat - possibly due to me not being a regular.
Pub itself is OK: old Boddington's pumps on display in one room and a magnificent range of pumpclips displayed above the bar.
Based on the beer I've had in there I can't see why this pub is in the GBG every year: I suspect it's one of those pubs that gets in because the local CAMRA branch are 'well-in' there and because it sells a wide range of beers. That latter reason alone is enough for a lot of pubs to get in there nowadays.
30 Apr 2007 22:55
The Exmouth Arms, Euston
Paid a late evening visit as had seen it from my window at the Ibis. I liked the pub but my mate didn't. Surprisingly sold real ale but was the most expensive we had in London at �3.70 a pint for London Pride. Had a rather good jukebox.
27 Sep 2011 23:47