PubBlog

Walsall.

This is a re-incarnation of Bar Sport, and some of my prior comments apply, but this time we were looking to watch the Grand national, for which it was perfect. Didn’t see ale, but my pint of Peroni was fine- and to be honest, it’s nice to see actual decent lager available for a change.

Bournemouth:

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Original post here.

It’s still a nice pub. Great real ale, pretty good (rather than excellent) food. It’s a traditional backstreet pub, out of the way, but popularity has caught up with it, so it can be a struggle getting served or finding a seat, though they do take table reservations.

Bourenmouth:

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Near to the Hop Inn, and less grim. There’s a strong football theme, but at least there’s real ale- barman was friendly too. There’s cheap food (untried by us). Only real problem was my ale came in a plastic glass.

Bournemouth:

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It’s own website lists it as a boutique hotel, and some Tripadvisor reviews seem favourable (for stag parties!), but based on my experience, that’s a bit misleading. It’s a pub loosely based on the Wetherspoon model, and rooms above. I can’t speak for the rooms, but the pub is cheap food, keg beer, loud TVs and other ‘entertainment’, and a bit grubby.

Original Post here

The Crown has been refurbished. Ouside is smartened up, with new plants and seating with sheilding from the A5 (which, even on a cold February night, we used), because….

…It’s even more of a restaurant and less of a pub. In doing that, the canteen like feel has been reduced, but this is very much not a pub, but a family feedbag type restaurant, part of the Martsons empire. If that’s what you’re after, it’s an improvement and not unpleasant. It’s fresh and clean, and very popular, but the beer is pricey and there’s no pub atmosphere. Staff were pleasant, and there’s some real ale, as well as actual decent lager, an increasingly rare thing these days, but we found ourselves missing the small, traditional pub-like area at one end which used to be there.

Belfast:

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Lovely Victorian pub in a pedestrianised alley.

Corner detail on the Morning Star: Winged Lion of St Mark

This had no ale, but did have proper Stella. It’s a bit food-dominated, with heavy Guiness and oysters promotion, and a large hot buffet area, which sadly makes the whole pub smell of food (and makes it hot and humid). We were goinf to have lunch here, but that, combined with the total lack of a sandwich on the menu put us off. Staff were great though: friendly, helpful, and chatty but not annoying.

Belfast:

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A rather nice Victorian pub, with outside seating on the busy Chichester St. No ale, sadly, but respectable Guiness.

Belfast:

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I should have hated this. One look at the website will tell you why.

Welcome to Irene and Nan’s, one of Belfast’s leading bar / restaurants. With it’s uber cool décor, sophisticated drinks menu and carefuly prepared dishes we cater for all events.

but actually, it was OK. Yes, the decor was retro (60s-70s with old clocks and radios), and the most desireable draught beer was Girl’s Stella (the ropey 4% ABV rubbish), but the trendily-dressed barman was friendly, and the clientele weren’t all below 25. The live music was pretty good too: acoustic guitar and singer that could actually sing, so it made for a pleasant drink.

Just don’t wear Timberland boots…

Belfast:

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Reputedly the oldest surviving building in Belfast, this dates from 1711. Inside, it’s a pleasant bar with traditional decor. It’s a music venue at night, and serves food pretty much all day. We visited twice, the second time being marred only by the people with the screaming child. Staff were great, food good, and beer OK (one real ale). Surprisingly, it’s part of a small chain, Botanic Inns, but that doesn’t spoil it.

Belfast:

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A Wetherspoons.

This is good on this occaision: we wanted breakfast for less than our hotel, and that’s what we got. An excellent Ulster Fry at a bargain price, with, I hasten to add, soft drinks. We also revisted later in the week when I was sick of crappy lagerfizz and wanted actual beer.

Staff friendly, beer top-notch, food good value. On the down side, the tables were typically sticky by the evening, and it was a bit lacking in atmosphere.