Luke 's reviews
Review of Whitefriars Olde Ale House
29 May 08, 18:15
A Pint Of Hairy Tackle, Please. 
I think the appeal of this place can be summed up by the fact that I've been having conversations in there for the last five years, with old men whose names I STILL don't know.
All the while watching them selecting pint after pint from a massive selection of delightfully named, horrific looking real ales such as Old Man's Dribble, Mary's Leakage and The Dog's Final Word On The Subject (whilst I merrily nurse a vodka lime and lemonade, and try to find new ways to fend off their accusations...)
I don't know of any other pub in the city who can have 26 bearded loonies crammed into a space that holds 6, playing instruments that went out of fashion with burning witches, and looking like they're not enjoying it in the slightest, whilst another 50 people sit around the TV in the next room (room=4 square feet) cheering at the rugby.
Where the stairs to the top floor are so severe that the University Rock Climbing Society stopped having their meetings up there (this is actually true) though according to health and safety, said stairs are now ok.
Because they added a sign that says 'Mind Your Head.'
Still, it's not a problem as long as you can dodge-Donkey Kong style-the drunks rolling down them, and are prepared to listen to steaming lecturers complaining about rich students buying their way onto courses in Advanced Chemical Engineering, when they can barely tell the difference between a bunsen burner and a horse.
So, if you like live music that sounds like Mulligan and O'Hare performing their latest folk release-after having a pineapple rammed violently down each of their throats, and being made to play with broken fingers-and a selection of drinks that only the blind, tasteless and mad would try (and if you're not, try them. You'll soon be all three) then drop in for a beer.
Personally, I think it's got character.
And there's always several to be found at the bar.
Love it.
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