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Beer of the Week (w/e 19th May 2013)
with
Wittenden
on the Pub Forum
Image posted by Roger Button
Submitted on Friday, 13th August 2010
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(⇑) Smyth Street Westgate
(Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Roger Button left this review about Black Horse Hotel
With a little bit of thought and effort, the Black Horse could be a far better pub than it actually is. The premises is decent enough and has been spared from the worst excesses of major refurbishments or attempts to clubbify it to match the gaudy nature of most of its neighbours. It is handily positioned on a main road close to the station and a short walk from the town centre and yet it seems to be stuck in an almighty rut.
Ihe interior is pleasant enough with a traditional if fairly formulaic approach. The main bar has plenty of polished paneling, brass bits and, as it wraps itself around to a pool table area at the rear, various New York themed prints. Off to one side is a separte slightly sunken room with built in seating, brewery mirrors, a plate collection, horsey pictures and, for some reason, a reproduction newspaper proclaiming the loss of the Titanic. The fairly large patio outside seems wasted and could be put to much better use if was suitably furnished.
Whilst it is all very neat and tidy in its own way, the pub is let down by its beers. Of the 5 hand pumps, just John Smiths was available (a second pump with Magnet was reversed and the other 3 unused). A far more interesting selection would at least be a start if this place has any ambitions beyond attracting half a dozen people in here on a Saturday night. As things stand, it is currently not much more than a quick pint stop which is a huge underachiement given the potential.
On 18th August 2010
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1227 recommendations about 1222 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
aleand hearty left this review about Black Horse Hotel
A traditional two roomed, street corner pub, situated on the city’s main drag, close to Westgate station.
The large main room is lined with wooden panels and is dotted with innocuous, dated art prints, plus a few brasses and decorative plates. Although there are wall benches and traditional round tables, a large amount of the floor space is kept clear for vertical drinkers. A rather plain extension to the rear houses a pool table. There’s also a second, slightly sunken, room opposite the bar, which is smaller and cosier, but with similar décor. Overall, the feel is spartan and a little bit dreary. Outside, there is a large enclosed patio, but with the recent redevelopment close by, the Black Horse is now surrounded by busy roads on three sides.
Just John Smith’s Cask as a real ale and on this visit a pretty poor pint as well, unfortunately. Definitely tainted with either detergent from the glass washer, or line cleaner from the hand pump. However, the barman that served me was friendly and welcoming, all very old school.
Atmosphere wise, it was very quiet when I called mid afternoon, what customers there were taking advantage of the sunshine outside. It almost certainly gets busier towards the weekend, but there did seem to be a whiff of decline about the place. I hadn’t called for several years and on the basis of this visit I’m unlikely to again. There are several places close by with much greater appeal and the imminent opening of a new branch of Wetherspoon’s, just across the road, will probably hit trade even harder.
On 15th July 2010
- rating: 4
[User has posted 114 recommendations about 113 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Sam Mawson left this review about Black Horse Hotel
It's really nice here :)
On 27th September 2008
- rating: 10
[User has posted 1 recommendations about 1 pubs]
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