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Reviewing milestone with Bucking Fastard
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Detail Pages
Old Town Hall Vaults (The Backies), Whitchurch
Whitchurch
SY13 1QU
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Will Larter left this review about Old Town Hall Vaults (The Backies)
A Joules Brewery pub with four hand pumps. There's a good write-up on WhatPub with historical info about the fairly obscure composer Edward German and the "listed" toilets in the back yard. (He's not in the back yard - he was born in the front room.) The Joules Pale Ale was in good condition but the "background" music was minging. Not a customer under 60 but we were all subjected to some dreadful bouncy pop music of very poor quality. It always surprises me when I hear Madonna's Like A Vigin, as it's such a poor quality performance, and the next track (which I either didn't identify or have forgotten) sounded like the rhythm section had been pulled in off the street, or more likely was played by a computer. How can they listen to this stuff?
On 14th August 2023
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3751 recommendations about 3486 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Old Town Hall Vaults
Solid-looking side-street building with a two-part, 'L'-shaped bar area featuring many of the usual (faux-)traditional Joules accoutrements, but all well done in mostly light wood. Five handpumps, with four of their beers together with Pardoe's Dark Swan (£3.00) as a guest. Altogether, a decent spot for a pint.
On 25th June 2017
- rating: 8
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Al Bundy left this review about Old Town Hall Vaults
As noted its a Joules pub. Usually they are good and this one is no exception. The servery is centrally located and the are basically 3 areas to sit (the bar area and a room each left and right). 5 handpumps on the bar with 4 Joules and a guest from Grainstore Brewery. A pleasant place to enjoy a drink.
On 8th December 2016
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3487 recommendations about 3390 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about Old Town Hall Vaults
Inside it is a kind of zig-zag shape formed of three interconnected parlour style areas, bar on the inside corner with the area to the front quarry tiled. The side area is stone flagged and the part to the rear is boarded. Boarded and panelled walls, partially boarded ceiling, there is a nice old cast iron fireplace containing a wood burning stove. Décor includes old advertisements, a big Joules mirror and other Joules promotional matter.
Locally known as "The Backies" after a former street name, the pub is of a type rarely seen nowadays, relatively unspoilt and still having outside toilets which a sign informs us are actually Listed.
From Joules Brewery there was Pale Ale, Slumbering Monk, Blonde and Calcutta plus Hunter's Pheasant Plucker; Sarah Hughes Dark Ruby was the next guest on.
Food served, pub grub staples all at £8.95 but also I noted a new pub one for me and a great idea too, cheese on toast for £3. Pork pie and pickles was £4.95.
This is a very nice pub indeed, the best of the four I visited in Whitchurch. The barman and a few huddled around the bar were friendly, immediately chatty and inclusive which gave a good feel for the place straightaway. I'd have no hesitation in returning here.
On 27th September 2015
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1708 recommendations about 1681 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Oggwyn Great left this review about Old Town Hall Vaults
Friendly little two room pub just off the high street , known locally as the Backstreets it was the birthplace of famed composer Edward Germain .
Taken over by Joules Brewery a couple of years ago they have managed to keep the character of the pub intact , service was decent and the locals chatty , my pint of Joules Best was OK but a bit bland for my taste .
A good little pub
On 24th May 2014
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 797 recommendations about 683 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about Old Town Hall Vaults
Four ales from Joules and one guest, which was from the Black Edge Brewery, Sheffield. The pub consists of two rooms, both with open fires. The bar is situated in the corner of the first room, opposite the main entrance. The barman was friendly and helpful. A well run pub this one and well worth a visit.
On 30th April 2014
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]