Stuart's reviews
Review of Bar S1
13 Nov 07, 20:31
Good Value Drinks, Disgraceful Toilets 
Bar S1 didn't do it for me. One of many bars and pubs on west street it seems to have an air of pretentiousness about it. The decor is a sight to behold, I think they should have sack the guy who suggested the colour scheme but the drinks are value for money. This is about the only thing going for it as the toilets are an absolute disgrace and theres hardly any seating for such a busy bar. Its only worth coming here for a quick pint before moving on I think.
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Review of Reflex The 80's Bar
13 Nov 07, 20:18
Low Brow 80's Themed Bar
Reflex (formerly Edwards) is a 1980's themed bar chain night very much like Flares (1970's themed). Basically the decor in the place hasn't changed much from what it used to be, it just plays 1980's music all night like Duran Duran et al. Its good to come here for a laugh I guess but its not my type of thing anymore. Most of the people here are in their late twenties early thirties probably here to reminisce over a pint. If you want some novelty in the evening come here for a bit but don't make a night of it.
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Review of The City Road Inn
13 Nov 07, 19:55
Sub Standard City Pub
The City Road Inn isn't an outstanding place to go, its what I would call a'safe bet'. The bar staff are friendly and polite at the bar, the jukebox is good and the drinks are well priced. I only came in here once or twice but it seems to be a football kind of pub. I know they screen the big sporting events here but the pub doesn't have anything about it apart from this.
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Review of Churchills
13 Nov 07, 19:47
Overrated'Fun Pub'
Churchill's on Chorlton Street is slap bang in the heart of the action near Canal Street. Its the archetypal'fun pub' although if you think a pub full of drunk screaming women in groups is fun then do visit here. The staff were a little bit blunt at the bar but what really annoyed me were the door mens policy of letting in hundreds of girls in and turning guys away for no real reason. It's a good venue thou but I wont be going back there again.
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Review of Perfect Pizzas
13 Nov 07, 18:40
Less than Perfect Pizzas
Perfect Pizzas on Princes Avenue I'm afraid to say was less than perfect. The delivery from the shop was well later then they said. On the phone they said 30mins considering the house they were delivering to was 2 minutes away on a scooter, it arrived after 50 minutes and a phone call to remind them we were waiting in between. As a result the pizza was lukewarm but after several pints anything is edible if you are really hungry. One to avoid.
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Review of Brown Bear
13 Nov 07, 16:42
Cheap Beer but dingly decor
I think the Brown Bear is one of a handful Samuel Smith pubs still left in Sheffield if not the only one (as I didn't see any others around). The pints started at just £1.33 when I went although this was over a year ago since I last went. But its too dirty and unwelcoming as a pub. I don't think the great value for money for the beer overcomes the shabby interior and quite lackluster atmosphere I found. I can see why there aren't many Sam Smiths around.
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Review of The Bankers Draft
13 Nov 07, 16:38
Needs to Improve on a lot of things
Unfortunately the Bankers Draft failed to live up to its reputation. This place is only good thing going for it is the cheap beer. The food service is slower than a snail and I got served by quite a rude member of staff (very blunt). Although I've heard since they have had a refurb and things are a lot better so maybe it is worth a try if you have nothing better to go to but I wont be going there in a hurry.
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Review of 23 Bar & Restaurant
13 Nov 07, 16:32
Nice Coktails, Poor Surroundings
When I think of 23 on Fitzwilliam Street I think of two things; firstly a rather tacky interior and secondly, very bad lighting which is a shame because I had a rather good cocktail there when I went with my friends. However the cocktail isn't good enough for me to want to go back there again in a hurry. There are other places in the city of Sheffield with just as nice cocktails but nicer surroundings.
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Review of Jolly Angler
13 Nov 07, 16:23
Traditional Irish Feel but Not for me
A very traditional Irish feel to this pub which often has live music, mostly traditional Irish music playing to keep the punters happy. Its and back street pub and it feels too run down to say its got original features and character about it. Personally I think they need to refurbish this place before its too late to catch up with other pubs in the area. Its definitely got potential but I just felt too uncomfortable there to enjoy what little else is there.
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Review of Athenaeum & Atticvs
13 Nov 07, 16:14
Artificial Pub with need of some Refurbishing
The Athenaeum sounds a bit unusual for a city center pub but it's a big place and does feel a bit artificial and plastic at times. Nevertheless the drinks are cheap here and I think it has some potential but it needs a little refurbishing. The staff were nice enough but I didn't feel relaxed in here drinking. Maybe worth a pint if you are heading to somewhere else in the area or head to the top of Oxford Road.
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Review of Hole In The Wall
13 Nov 07, 15:09
Too small a bar to take seriously
The Hole in the Wall is exactly what is says on the tin. It's as small as a hole in a wall but its a decent enough friendly local pub. I've been once and found it to have a very friendly atmosphere but there is nothing else going on for it. Its actually a long narrow shop conversion with a comfortable front bar and pool table at the back. I think it's best sampled when you are on the way to somewhere else such as the Lamp or the Old Zoological.
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Review of Coach & Horses
13 Nov 07, 14:48
Formerly good pub now gone to commerical
I used to drink at the Coach and Horses a lot when I was younger because it has a bit of character about it. It then got a DJ in most nights and it got really busy which for a small poky pub is a bad thing. So they took half the seating out so people could stand around and mingle better. Because of this, its lost an edge of being a relaxed pub in a lively area of town. The only redeeming feature now is the cheap shots but its not enough to make me want to go then again in a hurry.
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Review of The Leopard
13 Nov 07, 14:34
Good for Live Bands but Nothing Else
The Leopard on West Street is well off the beaten track in terms of the doncaster pub crawl. I don't think theres much going on here although they are one of the only few venues left in the town that can accommodate good live music. That said unless you were going to see a band there, I wouldn't go. Its got an old dirty decor to it and not much of a young atmosphere going on.
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Review of White Bear
13 Nov 07, 14:28
Town Centre Pub thats Slowly Got Worse
I used to come here a lot on a Monday for the karaoke with my friend Rob but then they decided to refit it and have an 80's theme bar upstairs and install 4 pole dancers by the door for the girls to dance around on a weekend. It looks cheap and tacky now so I don't go there but it has cheap drinks and its right in the heart of the action on a weekend so I might be worth a try if theres queues outside other pubs.
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Review of The Whittington & Cat
13 Nov 07, 14:26
A Local Pub for Local People
I'm not a big fan of the Whittington and Cat on Commercial Road. Firstly its got too long name and secondly its on Commercial Road. It has decent beer with quite a few ales but no real choice of drinks. It has a few bits and bobs like a pool table inside to give it some edge but i felt really unwelcome there. This is just one of those'local' pubs that cities like Hull have so its best to avoid this place altogether.
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Review of The Empress
13 Nov 07, 13:56
Below Average City Centre Pub
Me and my friends popped into The Empress whilst on the way to the wetherspoons, also on Alfred Gelder Street. It was on a whim due to be overly impressed by its frontage. However its just your typical average city pub. A busy atmosphere on a weekend but not worth hanging around for longer than a drink as there's nothing much going on in here in terms of music or games like a pool table.
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Review of Courts Bar
13 Nov 07, 13:52
Not worth your time visiting
The Courts Bar on Bowlalley Lane in the city center is not exactly a student friendly place, it certainly has the symptoms of a local pub. Slow to get served, quite run down interior, dirty in places. I could go on but all I will say is that I won't make the effort to come here unless you know of a local who goes there regularly drinking. And even then, try only going then on a last resort.
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Review of The Bonny Boat
13 Nov 07, 13:45
Local Mansfield Bitter Pub in City
The Bonny Boat on Trinity House Lane is more your'local' pub although it does have a friendly atmosphere. I believe it's a Mansfield Pub, so if you like your local beer and ales then this is the place to come too. It is small for a local but it was also rather clean although it can be a bit dingy in a few corners. It serves its purpose in the community which is for the older drinkers that surround the city. If you are young then there is nothing cater here for you so best to avoid.
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Review of Cheeky Monkeys
13 Nov 07, 13:39
Poor City Centre Bar
I took a gamble in trying out Cheeky Monkeys one time on the way to another bar in the city center. On this occasion the gamble didn't pay off. I didn't like it here. There was nothing about the place that suggested it was anything special. The name needs to change for a start, it just sounds like a place in a Spanish holiday resort which attracts a certain clientèle in this case lots of Chav's. There potential here due to its location but it does need to stand out more from the crowd.
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Review of Goose & Granite
13 Nov 07, 13:37
Huge but devoid of Atmosphere
My friend described the Goose and Granite as a'Huge Barn of a place, seemingly devoid of atmosphere and ambiance'. I have to agree with him on this. Its just your usually pub chain bar in the middle of a city center. I have met my friend here at lunchtime once or twice and the food was quickly served and good value for money. However there is nothing special about this place and I wouldn't purposefully set out to come here in an evening.
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Review of Mr Macks
13 Nov 07, 13:06
Very Average Coffee Shop Cashing in on Students
I'm not a big fan of Mr Mack's. It just seems like a shop converted into a coffee shop quickly to cash in the student market as the majority of privately housed students in Hull live in and around Newland Avenue. The success of students and coffee has led to half a dozen shops springing up on Newland Avenue. I didn't think Mr Mack's offered anything unique in price, taste, interior or service so because of this I will tell you not too bother getting your coffee here unless its to takeaway.
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Review of Golden Chippy
13 Nov 07, 13:02
Below its Potenital but Nice Chips
I often stopped here on my way to my friends house. It didn't have any offers unlike the newland avenue chip shops to attract extra customers (mostly students). But apart from this I though the service was quick and the bag of chips I often got were quite nice but a little bit soggy at times, especially in busy times when they looked liked they were rushed off their feet. Go here for the fish maybe not so for the chips.
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Review of The Aldephi
13 Nov 07, 13:00
Very Small Live Venue in Hull
The Aldephi has a good reputation in Hull for have live bands on. Radiohead, Oasis and the LA's have played here. If you like small live venues then the Aldephi has a certain aura about it. I personally don't like it. Its too small, too dingy inside, the entrance fee i paid was £7 and drinks £3. I would avoid this place unless you like seeing new live bands playing. I'm not too bothered about the Aldpehi but I know people who love this place with a passion.
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Review of The Waterfront
13 Nov 07, 12:51
Poor Nights but Nice Venue
I only went to waterfront once when I lived in Hull. The main reason for this is because I didn't like it. It was mostly down to the club nights they had there. It was either cheesy pop/trance or urban r'n'b. I don't like either. But the venue itself is nice and the doormen weren't overly aggressive as they sometimes are when there is a large queue. The drinks could have been cheaper although I hear they have a student night now that offers drinks offers. Personally I think this is just aimed at the student market so if you aren't a student its best to avoid this place and go somewhere else.
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Review of Grafton Hotel
13 Nov 07, 12:37
Run down Pub off Newland Avenue
I'm told the Grafton is owned by the lead singer of the beautiful south but if it is true then I think they need to spend more money on the interior. Its an old pub in the middle of a residential street, but I found it a bit too smelly and dingy inside. Grafton street's residents are pretty much all students and many of them flock to this pub so it gives it a lively feel to the place but its not enough to compensate the run down feel of the place.
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Review of Newland Fisheries
13 Nov 07, 12:09
Below Average Chippy
I'm afraid to say Newland Fisheries is yet another average fish and chip shop in the HU5 area of Hull. There was nothing special about the place in terms of food quality or prices. The staff were friendly thou and often very generous (almost too much) with the salt and vinegar on bags of chips. If you aren't too bothered about the taste of food and just hungry for something then this place is a someone to go otherwise head to Viking instead.
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Review of Lloyds Pharmacy
13 Nov 07, 12:02
Very Slow Perscription Service
I had the misfortune of using Lloyd's prescription service and still being in the shop 40mins later. This was on a weekday afternoon and the shop was quiet so I dread to think what its like when its busy on times like a Saturday morning. Although it has more products than the Alliance Pharmacy down the road, its not the best in the village as its not as friendly or quick.
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Review of Pizza Planet
13 Nov 07, 11:32
A Distinctly Average Takeaway Shop
I stopped off at Pizza Planet on my way home from the city center one evening based on my hunger and the groovy name. I should have waited until I got home to have eaten something as the pizza took an age to cook, (25mins) it wasn't very warm when I did eventually get to eat it and It didn't taste very fresh. All in all Pizza Planet is not value for money making it a distinctly average pizza takeaway.
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Review of Moonlight Tandoori (Hull)
13 Nov 07, 11:12
Below Average Curries near University
Moonlight Tandoori on Cottingham Road is an average Indian Takeaway restaurant. There are plenty of the same style takeaways not just in Hull but across the UK. You basically get what you pay for with Moonlight Tandoori. The food isn't anything special and it would have been nice if they have more food offers but its edible and the service was quick. I must admit I only came in here on impulse rather than being recommended but on this experience I wont be recommended it too anyone.
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Review of Hogshead
13 Nov 07, 10:04
Too Busy, Too Loud and Few Seats
I found the hogshead on the main high street now suffering form its own popularity. The place is very overcrowded with dj's on the weekend pumping music out far too loud for anyone to have an meaningful conversation inside. They also looked like they were understaffed and there weren't many seats around especially when they try to entice people in with group drink offers. Overall I found this place to be a disappointing experience.
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Review of The Great Northern
13 Nov 07, 10:03
Town Centre in Need of New Ideas
The Great Northern has gone through many face lifts to catch up with newer more modern bars that spring up in Doncaster, Unfortunately it fails everytime but people still see potential in the bar largely due to its locality in the town center. The last time I went the drinks were cheap and they had a food menu that copied the wetherspoons formula. Personally I would rather go to the Wetherspoons instead as this place has nothing about it which is a shame as the interior and staff are nice.
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Review of Yates's
13 Nov 07, 09:59
Sub-Standard Chain Pub in Town Centre
This used to be one of the more popular weekend pubs in the town center but its been overshadowed a bit by other bars. Its still a go place to go, its certainly one of the bigger pubs in the town and there is an upstairs bar as well which is open on the weekends. The drinks are a good price and the staff service is very quick. Yates also has a food menu very much in the mold of wetherspoons e.g 2 meals for £6 which although isn't the best thing Ive tasted still filling.
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Review of The White Swan
31 Jul 07, 16:24
Below Average Weatherspoons
The best thing about this weatherspoons is that it serves the cheapest drinks on Upper Street. Apart from that its a bit soulless inside. Lots of seats and seems to be busy but it just has nothing about it. If it wasn't a weatherspoons I'd probably give it 3 stars but it is so I'm not going too.
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