The Cross Keys, Harpenden

Dingle suggests "This is like a 'rural Irish' pub"

Well Dingle you must have been to some weird pubs in Ireland - I could not think of a pub LESS like an Irish pub, where you are made to feel at home or put out of your misery quickly (Try Foley's in Inch on the way to "Dingle" to see a true Irish Pub).

This pub is without question the strangest pub I have ever been to - anywhere. I think its small size is the problem. It initially gives the impression of rural Britain in a bygone age (Pewter mugs and bartop. fire in the winter etc.) this lures you into the most unfriendly atmosphere you can imagine.

Visiting Friends insisted we go there (against my protestations. After two pints and enough strained atmosphere to last a lifetime they saw my point and we left.

I really think it should shut down and re-open as a private club for the regular clientele.

3 Aug 2008 22:02

The Old Thameside Inn, London Bridge

Great Location. Terrible Beer, rude and incompetent staff. Bring a shaving kit as you'll grow a beard waiting to get served. Had to try nearly all beers on tap as they kept "running out" probably as the bar staff found the effort of serving customers and changing barrels too much of an effort. when challenged resorted to PC script of "we do not need to tolerate being spoken to like that" - well I don't need to wait 30 minutes for a crap pint of beer so won't be bothering them with my "custom" again.

24 Jul 2008 09:16

The Oak Tree, Harpenden

Had high hopes this place was on the way up, but now not so sure. Strongly disagree about quality of the beer (well lager in my case). I'm not a fan of Red Stripe, but the alternative was Fosters. Went in on Friday evening and had to leave it, was truly disgusting (almost to the extent of being "off"). Service was slow as well to add insult to injury.

23 Mar 2008 22:05