BITE user comments - The_Whole_Truth
Comments by The_Whole_Truth
This pub has gone through many changes over the years and has been highly rated by many different cliques of people too. (including the pot heads during the 80's). The current management have tried to smartent things up without being too disruptive but unfortunately it has lost a lot of its old character and become slightly sterile. (do you REALLY need doormen at this pub? They are quite friendly guys but seem pretty pointless)
I find it closes far too early on a weekend evening but the food during the day is good and fairly priced too. There are worse pubs in town.
Food: Very good, good price
Decor: Generally new but lost its old charm (shame)
Toilets: Generally clean & regularly checked
Service: One or two sour faces but mostly smiling & efficient.
8 May 2007 22:38
The Duke Of Wellington, Banbury
A posh version of The Admiral Holland with a cliquy group of regulars. Although a bit on the rough side it does have a certain charm. Not a pub for the refined drinker but ok for a quick one on your way into the town.
Food: Not sure if they do food
Decor: In need of a paint brush
Toilets: Basic but generally clean (can get a bit smelly though)
Service: Generally good
8 May 2007 22:20
Nice, friendly pub with a good atmosphere (the 'no under 21' rule seems to be the reason for that). Although a pub for the older generation, it is a good meeting place with good, well kept beer. Plenty of history and has been consistent for many years. A bastion of the good old fashioned 'pub' (well done to the management). Get's very busy at the weekends.
Food: Not sure if they do food
Decor: Well balanced with the theme of the pub 'Naturally aged' (in a good way)
Toilets: A bit cramped but well decorated & fairly clean
Service: Very friendly, prompt service
8 May 2007 22:14
Once the hub of Banbury's weekend nightlife, now a shadow of its former self due to many years of poor management & lack of vision. Such a wasted oportunity as it is still on the route and capable of pulling in the crowds once more. (possibly not happened due to heavy restrictions on planning permission). The back bar seems to have been turned into a 'youth center' in an attempt to bring in the younger crowd. Done with very little taste & thought.
Food: Still does food but can not comment on quality
Decor: Varied standards of quality through the three bars
Toilets: Just follow your nose & see for yourself
Service: Fair service, generally friedly staff
8 May 2007 22:05
The young Irish lad (Johnny) was possibly the best bar man I have ever been served by. Since he left things are definately not the same but it is not that bad. Reading 'anonymous' post I think it should be on the Chicago's posting. Not sure when he is talking about.
It does however, have plenty of room for improvement.
Food: Fair, had better.
Decor: Clean, some chairs starting to look a bit shabby
Toilets: Reasonable and clean most of the time
Service: Some staff need to visit 'Johnny's school of bar tending' Smiling is optional but prefered...!
8 May 2007 21:57
Sensibly managed by Roger & his wife. Not my favourite person (a bit of a petulant child in his Dog & Gun days) but seems to have matured with his ability to run a solid pub. Does good food during the day and is very busy in the evenings during the weekend melee.
Does have its fair share of a clique but still a relaxed, friendly pub and good for a late drink.
Food: Very good food, good price.
Decor: Becoming due for a minor service
Toilets: Clean (most of the time)
Service: Friendly, efficient bar staff. Sometimes, even Roger manages to smile.
8 May 2007 21:40
The New Flyer / Ye Olde Auctioneer, Banbury
Nothing like it used to be.....
Once managed by one of the last 'real' landlords (Derek). He got rid of the pot heads and raised the image of the pub to a good standard(used to have excellent food) and he made you want to come back. That was the last time this pub was worth frequenting. As mentioned previously it was 'The Place' to be several years ago. Now it 'openly' caters to pot heads once again. All standards have dropped and we once again see a local pub fail to live up to its potential. Shame!
Food: Have not eaten in there for several years
Decor: Cheap, dirty & a bit smelly
Toilets: Very poor, rarely checked
Service: Some good bar staff (a friendly scottish lad is the only thing keeping this pub from slipping to the level of 'Chicagos') and prompt service
8 May 2007 21:31
Very run down, dirty and a shadow of its former self of 20 years ago. As mentioned in the previous post. Rarely open and soon to disappear.
8 May 2007 21:20
Another poorly run estate pub. Plenty of potential but arrogant management has allowed it to become a ghost town only frequented by a small clique. Better trade comes from the daytime with staff from the local trading estate. The motel attached to the pub is a good idea, poorly executed. Due to the low standards of the current management the rooms are rarely full.
Thankfully soon to be under new management. Maybe in time to retrieve the standards it once possesed many years ago.
Food: Reasonable for the odd snack but poor for a meal
Decor: The bar is run down and the lounge is marginally better
Toilets: Basic, smelly but relatively tidy
Service: General staff are ok but the manager needs a lesson in diplomacy and a surgeon to remove the big chip from his shoulder...!
8 May 2007 21:15
Although it can have a bit of a clique, it is a well run pub with an old fashioned style management. Good for watching football and good quality beer. Nice for a drink in the sun but the outdoor seats & tables could do with a clean and service.
Can often get loud (the local female clique lower the tone with their constant screeching, can be very off putting). Excellent Sunday lunch and great value for money.
Food: Excellent. Good price, good quality & lots of it
Decor: Reasonable decor
Toilets: Basic but clean
Service: Excellent if the landlord is there, poor if he is away
8 May 2007 20:31
Typical Wetherspoon's. Very cheap beer and quite tidy (almost sterile), no music (a good thing for some). Attracts the power drinkers but surprisingly little trouble. (one of the few pubs with a high evening turnover that does not have doormen, asks the question do we really need doormen or are they more of an invitation for trouble?)
Good priced food but often runs out of dishes and very slow service at the bar (exrememly frustrating). If you need the toilet... wait until your next pub.
Food: Good price, good quality.
Decor: Tidy & clean (but a bit sterile)
Toilets: Disgusting & extermely smelly
Service: Very slow, the odd smile would be nice
8 May 2007 20:22
Very much for the younger scene. Large open pub with friendly staff. Not my cup of tea but generally well run.
Food: Not sure if they do food
Decor: Modern & tidy
Toilets: Lets the rest of the pub down. Dirty & smelly
Service: Friendly & generally fast
8 May 2007 19:54
A good tidy bar, centrally located & easy to stay for the evening or as part of your route. Efficient, friendly staff. A marked difference in management compared to previous.
Food: Not sure if they do food
Decor: Trendy & comfortable
Toilets: Upstairs but generally clean & regulary checked
Service: Friendly & efficient service
8 May 2007 19:49
From the outside it looks very inviting. All the makings of a great pub. However, it is poorly managed. Very dirty, poor quality food and a small & dirty kitchen. Always running out of beer and mixers and the optics in the bar are completely empty (staff have to go to the lounge if you want a short). Used to be well run with excellent food but the local management need to run it like a real pub or it will decend to the level of the 'Admiral Holland'. Such a shame..!!
Food: Poor quality, dirty plates & cutlery
Decor: Not long had a refurb but already run down
Toilets: Disgusting. Always water logged, never checked. Does not even have a loo paper holder in the disabled.
Service: Reasonable, once you manage to get served
8 May 2007 19:41
Passing trade during the day & a large local clique during the night. Can often have a tense evening atmosphere but generally a good friendly management with consistent clean beer.
Food: good quality but limited menu
Decor: Worn & scruffy (due for a refurb)
Toilets: Very basic, occasionally messy
Service: Fast & friendly
8 May 2007 19:29
This is an estate pub that would be better placed on Moss side. Full of shady undersirables & reprobate's looking for trouble or trying to sell you something that is stolen. The lounge is marginally better than the bar & a little cleaner.
Food: average 'pub grub' good value for money
Decor: Dirty & old
Toilets: Generally clean but rather smelly
Service: If you are a local you get served first
8 May 2007 19:22
Back to The_Whole_Truth's profile
The Exchange, Banbury
Banbury's new kid on the block. Very popular for the 18 - 30's. Good music and very busy. Currently the place to be but already in danger of going down the same path as Chicago Rock. Over crowding will kill this place. The doormen need to earn their pay and keep out the undesireables that frequent 'Council Rock'. If they manage that, it will be popular for a long time to come.
Food: Not sure if they do food
Decor: New, trendy and clean (for now)
Toilets: More people same size toilets (someone has cut a corner there). Overused, dirty, smelly & floor is always wet (guess why??)
Service: Often slow due to short staffed. A served customer is a happy customer, why can't these people see that?
8 May 2007 22:49