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The Chough, Salisbury
Salisbury
SP1 1DA
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 5½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Chough
An odd little place, a rambling multi-roomed historical extravaganza with a large courtyard area abutted by a modern glass frontage. Despite six ales being advertised two were actually off (the enticing Liberation and the unusual Ind Coop Burton), leaving the less-than-challenging selection of Pride, 6X, Ringwood Best and OSH. My Ringwood was middling. Service behind the bar wasn’t the best either. Not a bad place but I think it doesn’t really know what it wants to be and suffers for it.
On 30th November 2011
- rating: 5
[User has posted 5185 recommendations about 5168 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Roger Button left this review about The Chough
The Chough (for the unitiated, it is a coastal bird similar to a Crow) was until fairly recently part of the now defunct Hidden Brewery but is now in the hands of Gusto Inns, a small Southampton based PubCo.
Originally a 14th century coaching inn, it has been much altered and extended over the centuries and now presents itself as a hybrid of olde worlde and modern trendy. The interior is divided into many sections, each with its own bit of character. The section nearest to Castle Street is presumably the oldest and most original part of the pub and has a basic feel with flagstoned floor and low beamed ceilings. The main bar is situated in what was once part of the courtyard, now glazed over. Peering through the glass, one can make out the old style adverts high up on what were once the exterior walls. A few stairs to the right of the bar lead to a couple of smaller rooms with one dominated by a splendid fireplace. There is still an open section of the courtyard for smokers and customers wishing to go al fresco.
My recent visit was the first since the Hidden days and the ale choice was average at best. Although there are 12 hand pumps, most ales were doubled up and 2 were not available (the interesting ones of course) leaving Old Speckled Hen, 6X, Pride and Ringwood Best as the quite mundane options). Service was also a bit on the slow side.
It seems to be a pub that would appeal to a wide range of people although it was fairly quiet for our Saturday lunchtime visit and despite its merits, I’m not sure it would be near the top of my list of essential Salisbury pubs.
On 7th November 2011
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1239 recommendations about 1233 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about The Chough
The pub is now no longer a Hidden house, due to problems at the Brewery. It has been taken over by Gusto, and on my last visit had begun to return to its former glory, with the internal layout and decor stayign ptretty mush as it has been for years. Food is available once again, and the beer range has broadened. This time I had a pint of Bombardier which was well kept and enjoyable. The clientele hasn't changed too although the chav element has diminished slightly. The Chough is once again a decent venue, worth including on a crawl or dropping in for a pint when in town.
On 21st December 2010
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3298 recommendations about 3263 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Old Boots left this review about Alchemy @ The Chough
It appears this is one Hidden brewery's pubs, there's an entrance off the Market Place through a courtyard often littered with suits and rugby types although there is a more pub like door on Castle Street. The building appears to be an amalgam of at least two buildings with the courtyard, which is partially covered in at one end, between them. The Castle St side looks like an old pub and is labelled the Tap Room, the other side is a modernistic multi level dining area with lots of wood and exposed brick, furnished with sofas as well as chairs and tables. Odd bits of corn milling related equipment form part of the experience. The cask beer from Hidden is usually good, although filling the glass anywhere near the top is rare; there is a mundane range of kegs arranged on a pretty horseshoe shaped thing plus more unusual Grolsh Blonde and Weizen. Mixed clientele ranging from middle aged jazz fans waiting for the regular live music to start, middle class diners, bellicose chavs bellowing into mobiles and the odd member of the Wiltshire pixie folk lost on the way to the new age. Food is obviously a major part of the business.
On 21st November 2009
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3277 recommendations about 2983 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
train man left this review about The Chough
Why was alchemy ever added as a prefix in the 1st place? Anyway, now the Chough is offering 6 cask beers from Hidden Brewery & I think we tried ‘em all between us, very nice. A rambling barn of a pub, high ceilinged bar area with beamed offshoots, some flagstoned flooring, loads of room, plenty of seating, unobtrusive tv in bar, plasma in rear room to left. If a couple of locals found it amusing that some of our party wanted two halves each for taste comparisons of relatively new beers then I suggest they go drink their festers elsewhere & mind their own business; I doubt that they would be managing 10 pubs & 13 pints on the day. The barman, btw, was perfectly friendly & polite about the combinations.
On 25th February 2008
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 412 recommendations about 411 pubs]