BITE user comments - The_Phantom
Comments by The_Phantom
Good beer (selection of real ales, all consistently well-kept), friendly staff. Was sadly damaged in a fire earlier this year, but has been restored to former glory and is back in business. A nice atmosphere whether busy or quiet. I haven't sampled the food but it seems that they have a reasonable selection. Nice crowd in here, a very mixed bunch, students, musicians, film-makers, artists, silicon alley workers... Gets very busy after work. Also handy for the jazz caf�, if that's your thing.
25 Aug 2005 00:53
Boasts the best view in Newcastle, especially at sunset (The sun will set behind all the bridges, can see right down the river). Staff are lovely, helpful, know their stuff etc. Beer garden across the road and some tables outside. If I have to pick a hole in something, I would say that it's a bit spoiled by the boy racers continually going past noisily in souped-up lawnmowers.
Great ales, really well-kept, and while a bit small inside, fantastic atmosphere and a wonderful warmth, especially on a dark winter's night. Ace grafitti in the bogs, I strongly suggest you take a biro. I suspect that someone may try and build in the land between this pub and the river - this would ruin the view and hance the pub and cannot be tolerated!
Splendid.
25 Aug 2005 00:48
Boasts at least 3 well-kept ales at any time (normally 4). Beer is a bit on the expensive side. Staff know their stuff and are quick at serving. No loud music, which is a plus, so you can have a chat over your pint, quite quiet during the afternoons and lunchtime, plus most evenings if there isn't a match on. Tend to get a fair number of students in here, especially in the early evening (4-7pm). A nice enough place.
25 Aug 2005 00:42
Trillians, one of my original haunts. Not as good as it used to be, sadly. This bar was revamped in 2001, at which point it changed from "rock bar" to "rock-flavoured bar" - lightbulbs were installed (so you can see the tab burns in the carpets, etc). The usual range of drinks are available, plus "Trillians" Ale. Not sure what's really in the barrel, but it's not a bad pint and it's pretty consistent. Variety of drinks (jaegermeister, slushies) and cocktails/shooters are also available. There used to be pinball but this has gone in favour of a jukebox, televisions, stage, and many quiz/fruit machines. They've also put a pool table in the raised area which used to be no smoking, looks like it's just a wee bit too cramped to me. On the plus side, at least they kept the bar (lots of rock memorabilia set in there) and the various band-themed tables (Saxon etc.) Gets quite packed with the late opening and regularly attracts the younger crowd, especially when there's a band playing. Give the rock DJs a miss though, if you're into anything other than your M.O.R. "NU" Metal (Green Day, Linkin Park etc.) If you're into the "rock" "scene" though, this is about as good as it gets, bar-wise. Just a shame about the revamp.
25 Aug 2005 00:35
This pub firmly follows the Wetherspoon trend of buying an old building on the promise of maintaining it, then applying a lick of paint. It's beginning to show in the decor somewhat with carpets wearing out and chipped paint all over the shop. However on the plus side the staff are nice enough, and they have cheap food and beer, which is nice enough for lunchtime. I wouldn't go here in the evening (regularly) but it does get quite busy. The ales aren't consistently good which is a shame, but they're 20-60p a pint cheaper than most other places. The staff are nice enough and for the most part know what they're doing, don't know too much about the ales though. There is a family room for those with kids (until 6pm) which is rather unheard of in the Town Centre. There is no smoking in the food area or the family room (Excellent!) and the food is inexpensive and of good quality (2 meals for �6, from a list). Not the best pub I visit, but it's definitely not the worst, and is about as good as you'd expect.
25 Aug 2005 00:22
Great selection of tasty, well-kept ales. Food served until 8 most nights, it's inexpensive and of a good quality. Plenty of snacks to choose from. There are some tables outside if it's full (often) and a car park.
The staff are friendly and helpful, and know their stuff very well - will recommend you a nice ale if you're baffled by the huge range. A splendid pub and one of my favourites.
25 Aug 2005 00:12
Fine selection of real ales, along with the usual draughts, bottles, wines etc. Meals and other foods (chips etc.) are served and are of a good quality!
Staff know their stuff and are friendly, punters are friendly. The decor is nice, a long polished wooden bar with lots of brass and adornments, stained glass domes, and best of all you can carry on a conversation over your ale (ie. no loud music). One of my very favourite pubs.
25 Aug 2005 00:07
Unfortunately this pub was revamped in early 2005 and is now known as "Northern Lights". Larger windows have been put in as well (The old windows were done away with, as well as much of the seating). Doesn't seem to have attracted as many punters as they'd hoped, so perhaps we shall see another revamp soon. Normal selection of draught beers and bottles/wine etc. Nothing special.
25 Aug 2005 00:00
The Gosforth Hotel, Gosforth
A fine selection of ales (normally a couple of mordues plus bombardier, pedigree, landlord and one or two guests) Plus the usual draughts, wines, bottles etc. They have recently started serving food, menu looks quite nice although I haven't had the chance to try it yet. Nice atmosphere and decor - I panicked a little when it was refurbished recently but very little was changed (well done!). Staff know their stuff, very friendly and helpful. A great pub.
25 Aug 2005 01:08