Favourite Pubs/Bars and Worst Pubs/Bars

**tabler** · May 8th, 2009, 10:46 AM

Ive been following a great thread about favourite beers (thanks kiwi) and the last few posts (including one from myself) have turned into nice Pubs so I thought a thread dedicated to the subject might be fun.
Please guys lets not just have a list, lets say why you like the pub/bar.Who knows? this thread could even be a kind of guide for people visiting whichever town/country.

One of my favourites is the Manor House in Ferryhill (Co Durham).
It is run by a little Italian guy called Bruno and it does the most fantastic food, has an ever changing range of real ales, a great beer garden and the pub itself is so old it has a priest hole behind the panelling in the dining room.
Oh and I once got so drunk there that I lost 2 whole days

**billybunter** · May 8th, 2009, 01:56 PM

The best pub in my home town is Bittles bar, small bar with a friendly atmosphere. And a real Irish pub not like those fake ones that crop up all around the world. He has the largest Whiskey selection i've ever seen. His latest bottle is Dungourney, and a half 'un (a shot to you guys) is £50. But worth every penny.

**tabler** · May 8th, 2009, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billybunter

The best pub in my home town is Bittles bar, small bar with a friendly atmosphere. And a real Irish pub not like those fake ones that crop up all around the world. He has the largest Whiskey selection i've ever seen. His latest bottle is Dungourney, and a half 'un (a shot to you guys) is £50. But worth every penny.

Bloody hell billy did you really pay £50 for a shot of whiskey? I love malt whiskey and have a pretty decent income but there is no way I could pay that!

Having said that, I so envy you the experience. Can you try and describe it?

**billybunter** · May 8th, 2009, 04:12 PM

Smooth as velvet wish a nice burnt taste. You wouldn't drink them alnight at that price! Another pub called The Duke Of York has a whiskey at £100 a shot, haven't tried it yet though. Don't forget an Irish measure is almost double an English one.

**scoundrel** · May 9th, 2009, 01:04 PM

Since you are languishing in your exile to Leeds (if only I could say the same), here are a couple of suggestions.

The Ship - it is in its own medieval alleyway, Ships Yard, just off Briggate in Leeds city centre. It is a proper pub without lousy jukebox music hurting your head: a good place to relax and drink in the company of friends. But it is much in favour with Leeds supporters. Maybe the NUFC shirt can stay at home.

The Fleece, Holme. On the A6024 after leaving Holmfirth and just before the climb up to Holme Moss (1700 feet above sea level and the northern tip of the Peak District National Park and Derbyshire).

The A6024 soars past Holme Moss and down the other side it joins the A618. Head south on the A618 and you go through the Woodhead Pass and towards Sheffield. This is a really good rideout which I used to do when I still lived in Gods Own Country: then doubling back and stopping at the Fleece for a meal and a drink.

As you see, a simple unpretentious hostelry. I haven't been there for far too long but it used to be friendly and offered good food and decent cider without charging the earth. If you try it Tabler, let me know what you think of it now.

Estreeter · May 9th, 2009, 01:32 PM

My two favorite drinking holes in my hometown of Geelong

Lamby's, located downstairs of an old woolstore
and

I think the name says it all

Never walked out of either sober

unless it was for lunch

**tabler** · May 9th, 2009, 04:20 PM

Many thanks for the contributions guys (I can usually tell which of my mates will join my threads, your all stars

)

A pub which is quite unique is the Marsden Grotto, just south of South Shields and north of Sunderland on the coast road.
It can not be seen from the road but you pull into a cliff top car park and walk along a tunnel to a lift in which you descend to beach level in to the pub itself which is made out of caves in the cliff side, I'm not exagerating the pub is natural caves with a front stuck on directly onto the beach.
I cant report on the beer or the food but I was there last summer and there was nothing better than sitting outside in the sun, a pint of Stella and the sea about 5 yards away.
Well recommended for the experience

Estreeter · May 9th, 2009, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tabler

Many thanks for the contributions guys (I can usually tell which of my mates will join my threads, your all stars

)

A pub which is quite unique is the Marsden Grotto, just south of South Shields and north of Sunderland on the coast road.
It can not be seen from the road but you pull into a cliff top car park and walk along a tunnel to a lift in which you descend to beach level in to the pub itself which is made out of caves in the cliff side, I'm not exagerating the pub is natural caves with a front stuck on directly onto the beach.
I cant report on the beer or the food but I was there last summer and there was nothing better than sitting outside in the sun, a pint of Stella and the sea about 5 yards away.
Well recommended for the experience

Sounds good, just don't fall into the sea till I get there

**tabler** · May 9th, 2009, 09:43 PM

Many thanks to Scoundrel for yet another excellent post

I can confirm that the Ship in Leeds City centre is a good proper old fashioned boozer, I'm in there at least once per week, most of the other pubs in Leeds are just modern bars.
If you come to Leeds shopping with the missus send her off to the Victorian Quarter and instead of nipping into the nearest bar, take the trouble to find the Ship, you wont be disappionted.

Estreeter · May 10th, 2009, 06:39 AM

Another great bar in my hometown, The Bended Elbow,
Going there this Saturday for a proper birthday bash

May 8th, 2009, 10:46 AM	#1
tabler Comfortably Numb Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: St James Park Posts: 7,029 Thanks: 112,519 Thanked 146,054 Times in 8,009 Posts	Favourite Pubs/Bars and Worst Pubs/Bars Ive been following a great thread about favourite beers (thanks kiwi) and the last few posts (including one from myself) have turned into nice Pubs so I thought a thread dedicated to the subject might be fun. Please guys lets not just have a list, lets say why you like the pub/bar.Who knows? this thread could even be a kind of guide for people visiting whichever town/country. One of my favourites is the Manor House in Ferryhill (Co Durham). It is run by a little Italian guy called Bruno and it does the most fantastic food, has an ever changing range of real ales, a great beer garden and the pub itself is so old it has a priest hole behind the panelling in the dining room. Oh and I once got so drunk there that I lost 2 whole days Last edited by MaxJoker; June 13th, 2009 at 07:15 PM.. Reason: Increased reviews scope to included worst

May 9th, 2009, 01:04 PM	#5
scoundrel Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: England Posts: 26,245 Thanks: 162,418 Thanked 278,569 Times in 26,189 Posts	Two for tabler Since you are languishing in your exile to Leeds (if only I could say the same), here are a couple of suggestions. The Ship - it is in its own medieval alleyway, Ships Yard, just off Briggate in Leeds city centre. It is a proper pub without lousy jukebox music hurting your head: a good place to relax and drink in the company of friends. But it is much in favour with Leeds supporters. Maybe the NUFC shirt can stay at home. The Fleece, Holme. On the A6024 after leaving Holmfirth and just before the climb up to Holme Moss (1700 feet above sea level and the northern tip of the Peak District National Park and Derbyshire). The A6024 soars past Holme Moss and down the other side it joins the A618. Head south on the A618 and you go through the Woodhead Pass and towards Sheffield. This is a really good rideout which I used to do when I still lived in Gods Own Country: then doubling back and stopping at the Fleece for a meal and a drink. As you see, a simple unpretentious hostelry. I haven't been there for far too long but it used to be friendly and offered good food and decent cider without charging the earth. If you try it Tabler, let me know what you think of it now.

May 9th, 2009, 01:32 PM	#6
Estreeter *Administrator* Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The 19th hole Posts: 58,145 Thanks: 449,888 Thanked 897,039 Times in 60,347 Posts	My two favorite drinking holes in my hometown of Geelong Lamby's, located downstairs of an old woolstore and I think the name says it all Never walked out of either sober unless it was for lunch __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

May 9th, 2009, 04:20 PM	#7
tabler Comfortably Numb Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: St James Park Posts: 7,029 Thanks: 112,519 Thanked 146,054 Times in 8,009 Posts	Many thanks for the contributions guys (I can usually tell which of my mates will join my threads, your all stars) A pub which is quite unique is the Marsden Grotto, just south of South Shields and north of Sunderland on the coast road. It can not be seen from the road but you pull into a cliff top car park and walk along a tunnel to a lift in which you descend to beach level in to the pub itself which is made out of caves in the cliff side, I'm not exagerating the pub is natural caves with a front stuck on directly onto the beach. I cant report on the beer or the food but I was there last summer and there was nothing better than sitting outside in the sun, a pint of Stella and the sea about 5 yards away. Well recommended for the experience

May 10th, 2009, 06:39 AM	#10
Estreeter *Administrator* Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The 19th hole Posts: 58,145 Thanks: 449,888 Thanked 897,039 Times in 60,347 Posts	Another great bar in my hometown, The Bended Elbow, Going there this Saturday for a proper birthday bash __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

May 8th, 2009, 01:56 PM	#2
billybunter R.I.P. Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Gone But Not Forgotten Posts: 14,404 Thanks: 51,687 Thanked 252,374 Times in 14,171 Posts	The best pub in my home town is Bittles bar, small bar with a friendly atmosphere. And a real Irish pub not like those fake ones that crop up all around the world. He has the largest Whiskey selection i've ever seen. His latest bottle is Dungourney, and a half 'un (a shot to you guys) is £50. But worth every penny.

May 8th, 2009, 04:12 PM	#4
billybunter R.I.P. Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Gone But Not Forgotten Posts: 14,404 Thanks: 51,687 Thanked 252,374 Times in 14,171 Posts	Smooth as velvet wish a nice burnt taste. You wouldn't drink them alnight at that price! Another pub called The Duke Of York has a whiskey at £100 a shot, haven't tried it yet though. Don't forget an Irish measure is almost double an English one.

May 9th, 2009, 09:43 PM	#9
tabler Comfortably Numb Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: St James Park Posts: 7,029 Thanks: 112,519 Thanked 146,054 Times in 8,009 Posts	Many thanks to Scoundrel for yet another excellent post I can confirm that the Ship in Leeds City centre is a good proper old fashioned boozer, I'm in there at least once per week, most of the other pubs in Leeds are just modern bars. If you come to Leeds shopping with the missus send her off to the Victorian Quarter and instead of nipping into the nearest bar, take the trouble to find the Ship, you wont be disappionted.