Richard John Blackler, Liverpool

It makes you wonder if the managers of these establishments actually bother to read reviews of their pubs....they clearly don't in this case.

I was there on Friday (12th October). Plenty of punters sitting down eating etc but hardly anyone at the bar. I waited a clear 5 minutes to get served, despite me standing with money in hand. One barmaid was more interested in changing �150 worth of pound coins which some (lucky!!) punter had just emptied from the fruit machine than serving me.

I can also echo those points others have made about the lack of beers on sale because I had a similar experience. If the beer runs out, turn the pump sign around - it'll save a lot of questions!!!

15 Oct 2012 12:40

Tweedies Bar at Dale Lodge Hotel, Grasmere

Not necessarily your traditional looking Camra pub from the outside but once you enter and go to the bar, you can understand why it is so highly rated. I recently spent a week in Grasmere and visited this pub almost every day and during that week, they introduced 4 different real ales. All the ales on offer were of a high quality. If you can't decide which beer to try, then you can opt for a Tweedies bat where they serve you 3 beers of your choice in 3 one third pint glasses....all for the price of a pint.

They also serve excellent quality food.

There is a much needed real roaring fire going on those cold days.

Finally, with it being a pub in the Lakes, it's very dog friendly.

20 Mar 2011 23:00

Greave Dunning, Greasby

I visited this pub over the bank holiday weekend primarily for lunch but I did manage to have a decent pint of White Rabbit. It's a shame I was driving as there were 3 other beers on tap - Blonde Bomshell, April Fool and another I can't remember the name of, as well as Cains bitter (which my dad seemed pretty pleased with).

It's a typical Ember Inn pub - if you walk into one of them you could be forgiven for forgetting which one you were in - the joys of chain pubs!!

That said, the staff were friendly and knowledgable about the beers they had on and food was of a fairly good standard.

4 May 2010 12:43

The Red Lion, Parkgate

Very much a "locals" pub which manages to make visitors feel a little uncomfortable, not in an aggressive way, more like you've just walked into "their" pub. I was ignored by a young barmaid at the bar on my last visit, even though I was standing with a �10 note in my hand, next to the person who she had just served!! The guy behind the bar (who I assume was the manager) had to point my presence out to the barmaid.
The pub does have a lovely beer garden which is at the back of the premises and up some stairs - it's a shame it isn't really advertised because it's a real bonus.
The only other good thing the pub has going for it is it's location - right on Parkgate front with views of the Welsh hills opposite.

6 Apr 2010 12:41

The Ship Hotel, Parkgate

Have visited the Ship a few times and have always found it to be a decent pub with friendly bar staff and good beer. Very much a pub where the locals don't make you feel uncomfortable, as if you've just walked into "their" pub. It's good to see they support local breweries as I've had a few good pints of Trapper's Hat from the Brimstage Brewery which is a only few miles up the road from the Ship. I would highly recommend a visit on a summer's evening when you can sit outside and watch the sunset over the Welsh hills while supping your favourite beer - heaven!!

6 Apr 2010 12:22

Irby Mill, Greasby

Having been a regular visitor to the Irby Mill prior to, and since, it's latest refurbishment, I can confirm that it was well worth it. The good old country pub is back with its wooden benches, real fire, great atmosphere and friendly, knowledgeable bar staff. On my last visit, which happened to be yesterday, there were 8 real ales on tap (yes, that's 8!!) - a real ale drinkers paradise. I am reliably informed that this will be the norm from now on. They have 3 regular beers (Bombardier, Hooky and Abbot Ale) plus 5 others which are changed on a regular basis. There's a quirky chalk board next to the bar informing the customers how many beers the pub has had since the takeover in November 2009 - more than 50 already!!
The new landlord, Andy, must be commended on the job he and the team have done in turning the pub into what it is now. He's even arranged for the pub to have it's own website which is well worth a visit as it has lots of information about Andy (a local lad) and the history of the pub itself.
I must also comment on the food, which is excellent - the chips are worth a visit alone!! On our visit yesterday, my girlfriend and I had the sausage platter to share which was superb - 2 x 3 varieties of sausage, chips, baguette, gravy and tomato sauce - all for �9.95.
If anyone hasn't been back to this pub since it's refurb, then you're missing out - get down there!!

6 Apr 2010 11:53