I like the place too, but on my last two visits, the beer quality has been very poor indeed. In fact, three of us went in there on the Saturday afternoon of the 2007 GBBF. One of the prize-winning beers was on the bar, but we all tipped it into the gutter as it had turned sour.
If that happened in my local, there'd be a riot.
In there, no-one seemed to care.
I went there in 2005 with my friend on our beer tour. While the beer was good, what worried me more was getting mugged getting to and from the place :-)
Wayne
I found it to be refreshingly down to earth, compared with some of the posy newer theme bars and up-market bars, but the smoke (this was late May 2007) and grubbiness reflected in the poor beer quality, so I was also less than impressed (especially given the high recommendation I had had). Best pub on my trip was the 'spoon at Loughton - cheapest and best Fullers ESB at £1.85 compared with c.£2.90 for an ordinary pint in central London (apart from the Sam Smiths pubs).
I hear a lot of folk saying the same about the Bartons Arms in Birmingham which is a pity as they are missing a fantastic pub. In addition, once you get people there, they rave about the place and keep coming back. I do wonder if peoples fears about certain places are based on reason and evidence.
Brett
It was a bit tongue in cheek, I was actually born at the Royal Free at the Angel (We walked down to the Wenlock from the THe Old Red Lion Theatre at the Angel) I lived as a nipper in Baron Street, just around the corner from Manzies Pie Shop in Chapel Market and grew up in various parts of Islington and had aunts and uncles all around that area :-) I was just surprised to find a real ale pub in such a location.
Wayne
If you count the serving surfaces and the cups (for tea) and glasses as decor then yes scruffy goes *part* of the way to describing the situation.
Pubs have to go beyond the watering hole stage.
You're more likely to get that down in the Tube than on that walk, and the likelihood of the Tube assault is low.
Given that the bus stop is across the road on the way there and virtually outside for the return to the City centre then they obviously don't open their doors after dark. :-)
Two weeks - nothing yet.....
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