BITE user comments - wanderjahre
Comments by wanderjahre
The Royal Hotel, St Leonards on Sea
Seems to be on the up now. They have recently appeared on social media and are boasting a cheap £5 Sunday lunch. A well known local band have been booked for early March and some other live music dates are planned. Now been in for ages, but planning to visit when the pub band plays see what is on offer.
10 Mar 2015 08:07
The Rooms Cafe Bar, St Leonards on Sea
After a strong 2014, this pub seems to be permanently closed now, whether this is connected with the departure of Dave the barman is unclear. But St Leonards has lost a decent venue.
10 Mar 2015 08:02
Old England, St Leonards on Sea
Still an odd pub, the crowd inside can be a little off putting but no worse than the crew you see in the average Spoons pub. The beers are the usual collection of lagers and Guiness, but they do try for live music and the place seems fairly orderly if a little ramshackled. Mainly a regulars pub with more than a sprinkling of dogs. The location has massive potential and it could do so much better, but is probably hampered by the proximity of the local street drinkers, toilet for druggies and betting shop. Not a venue for a visit on a Summer's day - which for St Leonards is a great shame.
10 Mar 2015 08:01
The Gecko Bar and Bistro, St Leonards on Sea
Getting better all the time, good collection of lagers and bitters, (Leffe, Kozel and Badvar on tap) excellent tea and coffee for the drivers and something of a music venue. The place is up for private hire and that's one of the ways it makes it's money. Well worth a visit if on the sea front crawl.
10 Mar 2015 07:56
Dropped in recently in search of mulled wine, reasonable range of local brews and the usual lagers, porter etc. We got there about 1pm and the place started to fill up fast.
1 Jan 2015 08:51
The Gecko Bar and Bistro, St Leonards on Sea
More a cafe bar rather than a pub, feels a bit Spartan, but the owner does try hard to be a decent pub.
27 Dec 2014 16:38
Old England, St Leonards on Sea
Still out of commission as of Christmas 2014. This is a huge potential venue if a new owner couple up the ante and improve on the Zombieland clientèle that plagued the pub before the last time. With a refurb and decent beer, this could be a fantastic venue for a boozer.
27 Dec 2014 16:27
Just to update, they have expanded into the premises next door, food excellent and a reasonable selection of bottled beers. Still friendly place, occasional live music at the weekends. Worth the time for a couple of beers during a sea front sesh.
27 Dec 2014 16:25
Metropolitan Bar, Baker Street
Was there last Saturday evening about 4.30. Nice place some kind of theatre or cinemas perhaps before 'Spoons took over. Precisely what you would expect of that sort of pub. Several nice ales, usual collection of lagers. Food acceptable if not great, lots of space and although crowded not too bad. Staff capable if rushed. From overhead conflab some of the tables not cleared in a while but would definitely drop in again for a pint.
5 Mar 2013 10:42
The Ragged Trousers, Tunbridge Wells
Hoegaarden, good bitter, odd pub but worth a pint of three with a good crowd. More of a bar than a pub but definitely worth the effort for the weisser beer alone.
16 Aug 2012 19:02
The Duke of York, Tunbridge Wells
Scores high for pub grub alone. Good selection of beer OK crowd, I expected more of a tourist trap in the Pantiles, but was surprised. Might be different during the weekend. But worth a pint or two.
16 Aug 2012 18:56
The Grove Tavern, Tunbridge Wells
A cracking little gem of a pub off the beaten track, good selection of beers, very much a locals venue, everyone in there on first name terms with everyone else. Small and intimate only the quiz machine in the corner annoyed. Well worth a visit.
16 Aug 2012 18:54
Bigger on the inside, not a bad spot, but clearly more the lager than ale drinker. Drop in for the time it takes to down one and have a lot round. Two levels quite pleasant. Staff friendly not bad, not great
16 Aug 2012 18:50
Possibly the best pub in Tunbridge, 8 ales on draught, nice decor and what seems to be a good crowd. The barman when I arrived seemed a bit morose but it was only just into the afternoon. The crowd later that evening seems friendly for a mid-week turn out. All in all a must of any visit to the town and only seconds from the station, so a last minute pint easily possible.
16 Aug 2012 18:48
This pub reopened recently, seems to have had an exterior refurb, inside remains the same. Worth a quick visit if waiting for a train.
21 Jul 2011 07:43
Just to echo what has been said before: a great little pub close to the Stade and parking. Good beer, good food. Very small inside. Pleasant staff. I recommend the Hophead or Tribute and if a hot day sitting outside just watching the world wander by - although chances are it will feel like most are sitting next to you!
26 Jun 2011 08:13
Nice place and worth the time to sup a couple if you are in the area. I tried and managed to exhaust the supply of Brighton Blonde, a very drinkable 3.8. @3.50 a pint. Bit more than I am used to but par for the course in the area. Plenty of local colour outside, but a bit quiet on the inside. Finished with a very acceptable burger and chips, nothing special but nothing to complain about either.
31 May 2011 20:35
OK dropped in on Friday and it's looking good. Selection of decent ales on the chalkboard. Spitfire, Boudacea and three of their own brews which I didn't see. I had Cornish Coaster which was a blond and very drinkable. Staff pleasant and efficient and prices �3-3.30 a pint, so par for the area. They haven't finished decorating yet, but give it time for the smell of paint to go and the place to get a patina of use and it could be a winner.
21 Mar 2011 15:48
Not at all my kind of place, more a club than pub and the last time I turned up I think I was the older male there by some years. Dedicated beer drinkers avoid.
17 Mar 2011 17:34
The John Logie Baird, Hastings
Could still do with a few more staff, but it's probably part of the price you pay for cheap beers and food. Not a bad selection of ales, bit lacking at the heavier end - would have been nice to see some 5.6 brews on tap, but I found a drinkable 3.8. Could do with a decent wheat beer in the cellar.
17 Mar 2011 17:32
Just heard today that Bar Diva has been re-opened as The Silverhill Tavern. Opened Wednesday 15th. Here's part of the email I got, I am sure the owners won't mind...
You'll find all three of Hastings Brewery's real ales on tap there today:
- Hastings Best, a 4.1% best bitter
- Hastings Blonde, a 3.7% golden ale with elderflower
- Hastings Smoked Ale, at 3.8%
Hastings Brewery is the newest local brewery, first selling real ales in November 2010. The Silverhill Tavern will be our "Brewery Tap" - that is, you'll always be able to buy a pint of Hastings Brewery ale.
On that basis alone could be worth a visit.
17 Mar 2011 07:08
The John Logie Baird, Hastings
Was in "spoons" last Saturday and I see where loweblow is coming from in terms of restrictions but not sure his analysis would be shared by the JDW management. There probably is some middle ground between cheap beer and poor service and my impression was that things were a little better in terms of being served, at least on a Saturday night. I think it's very much a what you see is what you get pub, but I quite like it at the weekend when the hordes have decamped to Yates or Fluid.
15 Jan 2011 19:54
This pub has closed - the shutters went up just before Christmas. Not sure why.
15 Jan 2011 19:44
Dropped into Relax many time since my first post. Nice people who try very hard to make you welcome. The balance between its restaurant and pub side can be a little difficult. Its not a session pub, but for a coffee or beer for an hour or so it can't be bettered.
22 Oct 2010 12:30
Prince of Wales, St Leonards on Sea
Popped into the POW a couple of days ago; its extraordinary how few people turn up there in the evening. You can almost have the place to yourself it seems. But the beer is pleasant and the punters that do turn up are not too evil. Would not stay there the whole night, but could be fun on a crawl from Warrior Square northwards...
22 Oct 2010 12:27
The Royal Hotel, St Leonards on Sea
Dropped in last Saturday at about 9pm and the place was practically empty, which does not bode well. The staff were friendly enough and the beer was tolerable if not great. Interior was clean and I have seen far worse so the lack of punters was puzzling! I am wondering if I have missed a decent little boozer here and may return next weekend.
22 Oct 2010 12:23
The Royal Hotel, St Leonards on Sea
The smoking laws mean that the front door decoration of pubs like this is some creature of the night with his dodgy roll-up. Doesn't help the image of the pub. I have intended to drop in several times, but almost every time I have passed by there seems to be some altercation going on.
In its defence, when I have been in there the beer was very good and I greatly regret the passing of the Deuchars as the local beer. May be a bit like the "Ship of Fools" in Croydon, where to need to get past the congregation of the weird and wonderful to get the quiet and peaceful area at the moment.
31 Mar 2010 12:13
Rumour has it, that the place close because of the poor vision of the landlord - too many blind eyes were being turned to activities in the place.
31 Mar 2010 12:06
Just checking my facts: (1) there was a wake on (2) the pub was open.
Am I missing something?
31 Mar 2010 07:15
Only appeared on the scene recently, nice staff, not much in the way of beers but friendly and living up to its name. Lagers on draught, no ales but a nice selection of bottles beers. Could be worth a look see if you are in the area.
29 Mar 2010 15:05
Old England, St Leonards on Sea
Tended to shy away from this place, based mainly on the reports of others and the creatures of the night that seem to gravitate between there and the betting shop nearby. But it does seem to be improving. Beer fair to middling but the clientele can be "challenging!"
29 Mar 2010 08:57
Does seem to have improved since my last visit, but as others have pointed rather like being served by zombies and a real feel that people did not know what they were doing. But having said that, the beer was good and there were sufficient people in the place to make it feel comfortable. Definitely worth a visit if you are between St Leonards and Hastings.
29 Mar 2010 08:43
Norman Arms, St Leonards on Sea
Popped in here last night after plans for Hastings came adrift (I had gone to 'Weatherspoons' only to find it playing host to a couple of loud irritating young men and in the back of my head the countdown to a fight and the involvement of the local constabulary had started) on the suggestion of one of the people in the group. From the outside and based on the zombie-like group of smokers you usually see, I had given this venue a wide berth, but it proved to be a reasonable venue, bit too much lager on tap for my taste, but the Courage was acceptable and place was friendly and tidy but you need to be OK with various quiz machines and the taste in music of the other patrons. Not brilliant, but for the area worth a visit!
30 Jan 2010 10:20
The John Logie Baird, Hastings
Went back to this pub for the last day of the 'Spoons' beer festival and as is often the case, when I am in a JDW establishment, came away in two minds. On the one hand and echoing the thoughts of RogerB it really is a bit of a dive but I was there to sample the guest beers and they were, for all the faults of the pub, exceptionally cheap! Its hard to be overly critical of the place when the beer in it can be had for �1.68 a pint. But its that low cost that brings in the dipsticks and other assorted children of the night, especially at the weekend, staying just long enough to get tanked up before they vanish to more affable if more expensive climes.
As it turned out the guests for the evening were a disappointing bunch and I had hoped for much better at the end of the festival. An insipid golden ale at 3.8 tasted flat and uncared for and the while the Super Nova at 4.6 was drinkable it was nothing special.
Disappointing but easy on the pockets. For the dedicated drinker the moral seems to be stay out of the town centre and look to either a small number of places in St Leonards or the better selection to be had in the old town.
15 Nov 2009 13:52
Prince of Wales, St Leonards on Sea
Another pub that which seems to survive with three people in it. I was there last week creating the same kind of hostile looks that the Americans got when walking into that pub in "An American Werewolf in London" and a couple of the local looked like they might have been part of the film. Having said that the beer, Courage was drinkable and the bar staff fairly friendly. Probably suffers from being close to Warrior Square. The four people in there all seemed to know one another and in the 20 mins it took to sup my pint they sold nothing and no one came in. Probably not on a St L pub crawl, but could be without too much worry.
19 Oct 2009 07:21
One of the odder contenders for the St Leonards pub X Factor, the first thing I noticed was that no one seemed to come in or go out of the place. For a while I thought it was closed, but this seems to be another place which survives on the patronage of a small number of very hard drinking customers. Very limited bitter selection, but could be worth a swift half just for the curiosity value.
19 Oct 2009 07:15
Last time I was there, it seemed to be full of bit part players in "Carry on Screaming!" but this is one of the nicest looking pubs in the area and in theory a positive mecca for the thirsty train traveller. Trouble is to get in your usually have to navigate the chain-smoking, foul mouthed Neanderthals usually to be found by the entrance. On a quiet day, worth a visit nonetheless.
19 Oct 2009 07:12
Walked in here in the mistaken belief it was the Horse and Groom, but not a wasted experience. Friendly staff and Hobgoblin on draught which is probably a bit potent for an evening's drinking, but a good little venue nonetheless.
19 Oct 2009 07:06
against my better judgment I was there last night for a Michael Jackson impersonator. they had Bombadier on tap at a reasonable price and while also the woman who served me did so with all the graciousness of an MP handing back his moat cleaning expenses, they got the beer in the glass. Away from a special event Yates is part of the 'town centre triangle' Yates, Spoons and the Havelock and therefore full of people mainly concerned with getting as drunk as possible. For decent beer and food head into the old town.
17 Oct 2009 17:24
I was in there last night 30/5/09 and it was OK for a given value of OK. A small pub of the type which would have been one man and his dog a few years ago. Shepherd Neame is not my tipple, a view shared by many people and yet Hastings Old Town seems to have so many. Spitfire was served ice cold which was a definite black mark against them and a summer ale was a little too warm just to rub it in. It would not be a first choice for me for a beer, although if you like naval memorabilia then it could be nice for a couple. Local seem to leave around the time the band came on, but in a pub that size the practical result was that people had trouble reaching the bar.
31 May 2009 08:43
Really not sure about this one, all the initial impressions were good. Flora on the outside of the pub well looked after, always a good sign. Inside not too bad, with a bunch of people playing the quiz machine. There was definitely an odd smell coming from somewhere and at times the staff seemed more intent on working out who was on shift later that day than actually working. Nothing exciting on the pumps which was a disappointment and my choice 'Polar Bear' seemed to a bit flat and tasteless. Might have expected better from somewhere so close to the station.
5 Mar 2009 06:39
The Horse and Groom, St Leonards on Sea
Went back on Saturday last for a couple of pints of Adnams and found it a pleasant venue if quiet for a Saturday night.Excellent bitter with the aforementioned Adnams, Harveys Best and an RAF memorial bitter called "Finest Hour" a portion of the sales from this were to the RAF fund. Good venue for a decent ale.
14 Sep 2008 15:04
The Dripping Spring, St Leonards on Sea
Now much improved, dropped in on Sunday to see what the place was like. Bombardier, Deuchars, ESB as the guest ales with a promising list of future ale including Ruddles, Pride of Pendle, Marstons etc. The crowd seemed friendly 'locals' and a good sprinkling of ale drinkers to boot. There was food on the bar, not sure if this was a special occasion or par for the course. Comfy saloon bar, and definitely one to visit if in the vicinity.
14 Sep 2008 15:00
Disappointing live music pub, been there a couple of times now on a Saturday night and while the music and atmosphere is OK, the beer is pretty rough. Tried an indifferent and warm Harvey's before noticing that the locals were drinking Nukie Brown probably because it was the only thing cold. Despite appearances, you are probably safer here than in one of the town centre pubs. Generally a good crowd with no alcopop teens out to get smashed and start trouble.
1 Sep 2008 11:32
The Dripping Spring, St Leonards on Sea
Passed by recently, having moved a lot closer to this pub and have to say things are looking a lot more promising, will probably pop in one lunchtime soon and see what the place is like, but it sounds like its improved.
1 Sep 2008 11:23
The Horse and Groom, St Leonards on Sea
Found this by mistake, but its a lovely little venue to settle with a paper and one of several good bitters. ESB on draught which was very nice. Not especially friendly, but good enough for few pints with friends.
11 Jun 2008 08:59
In common with the other pubs close by and in the town centre, Yates is not a good venue for a quiet drink on a Saturday. Pleasant enough during the week and a good choice for a pint and a snack during the daytime. Had Kronenbourg wheat beer on tap the last time I was there, but fairly expensive.
True of the matter would seem to be that there are limited decent drinking venue in the Town Centre during the weekend. Take a walk half a mile East to the old town and find something better!
11 Jun 2008 08:53
Lovely little pub, staff could be better but not unfriendly. Several good ales on tap.
8 Jun 2008 10:26
This pub seems to have staff problems, I listened - while waiting the usual ten minutes to be served - to two of them talking the gist of the chat seemed to be that a member of the staff had not turned up and that was likely to cause problems. The impression is that Spoons don't employ enough staff and certainly don't train them. Ask one their opinion of an ale and watch the blank look.
Last time I was there (last month) no one had had time to unpack the wines they were advertising as a promotion. Two of the meal were sold out. The ale I wanted was off...
Best avoided. But its cheap and will therefore always do well.
8 Jun 2008 10:24
Dropped in there earlier this year and found it a very pleasant place indeed. Several good beers and friendly staff...bit pricey but friendly enough for all that.
8 Jun 2008 10:17
No.88 Bar and Grill, Kingston Upon Thames
Interesting comment about being a Firkin pub, it used to be my local when it was "The Flamingo" circa 1990, and I don't recall Firkin ales being available.
8 Jun 2008 10:15
The Dripping Spring, St Leonards on Sea
Definitely did not feel welcome when I went in there - but that was last summer and I understand that things have improved. I will drop in sometime soon and feedback. As a CAMRA pub I would like to see this one do well, but there are plenty of other places in the area with potential.
6 Jun 2008 09:33
The Rooms Cafe Bar, St Leonards on Sea
Agree with the poster who said that it feels amateur, but its the sort of place that does good business once in a while and fair business a lot of the time. Mind you the last time I was there the guy playing gave up when the audience reached two and that was me and the person I was with and we were in the other part of the bar!
The staff are nice and if you like veggie food there is usually something good on offer. The organic lager is not bad. A regular spot for the Hastings/St Leonards bohemian crowd - both of them!
6 Jun 2008 09:29
Suffers a little from being so close to 'Yates', 'The Havelock' and the local 'Spoons' pubs. Not a good venue for bitter drinkers, but the staff are friendly and the atmosphere pleasant enough. There is Stella on draught if all else fails and you can sit outside and watch the world wander by on a warm summer day.
5 Jun 2008 08:46
The John Logie Baird, Hastings
The local Wetherspoons pub for Hastings about 300 meters down the road from the station. There is a closer place if you are in need of a quick pint between trains but I would ignore that, walk down Havelock Road and you'll find a decent little Spoons pub with comfy chairs and a good selection of bitters and lagers.
Food is standard for JDW and service is either excellent or appalling depending on who is on duty. You seldom seem to see the same staff twice. They usually have 3-4 guest ale available and the coffee and tea is both cheap and fairly drinkable.
As with all JDW pubs could be a good stopping point for a hot meal coupled with a decent pint, but can be lively and a little rough at the weekends.
4 Jun 2008 08:29
The Whiterock could be the best venue in Hastings if what you want is a decent beer at a reasonable price and maybe something to eat with it. They offer free wireless internet and are happy for you to linger over a coffee while you do some email or similar. The pub is dog friendly which is either bad or good depending on your point of view.
A classic hotel bar with a combination of tables and comfy sofas, pleasant staff - often foreign students but very helpful and nice. Good selection of beers, with Dark Star and Harveys usually available with various guests. During the summer months, take your beer outside and watch the tourists and comings and goings around the now sadly partially closed pier.
4 Jun 2008 08:22
Has to be a stop over for any visit to Hastings Old Town, a pleasant little pub with that Elizabethan wood beam feel. Beer selection was a good mix of bitter and lager and I was surprised to see Hurlimann's on draught.
Staff are friendly and even when crowded you seldom have to wait too long to be served, suggesting they know their stuff. Can be crowded at the weekend and while its a quiet venue at the weekend some of the nearby places can be rowdy.
4 Jun 2008 08:16
The Filo (First In Last Out), Hastings
I think I had the same barmaid on my last visit. I asked what she recommended in the beer selection and got told they were all good. I would have expected a CAMRA pub to have staff who know their beer. But the beers they have were good and the ambiance pleasant. Well worth a visit when they have a beer festival in the small beer garden outside.
4 Jun 2008 08:11
Cafe Relax, Hastings
Cafe Relax is still very good, beers could be better more stuff on tap would be great but the staff do their best to please.
10 Mar 2015 08:09