The Clipper, Weymouth

This large venue was known as the Old Rectory until it was purchased by the Barracuda Group and renamed The Barracuda Bar sometime in 2008. Another name change occurred in late in 2010 when the present moniker of The Clipper was bestowed. To be honest I found this place a little confusing as the entrance and seating areas either side of it give the impression that this is a hotel, but the large bar at the back had the feel of a cheap sports pub cum soulless bar. The service was painful as I waited almost five minutes to be served when there were only three other people waiting. To be fair when I was finally seen the barman was friendly enough. Standard draught is available and two of the six hand pumps were unused leaving Bombardier, Morland Original, Jennings’ Cocky Blonde and IPA Gold as the ale options. The cask selection would suggest to me that this is now a Greene King establishment. I didn’t see any food advertised, but I expect cheap pub co grub is available during the day. There was some low background music playing and muted Olympic coverage was being shown on the two plasma screens. Live music was advertised upstairs, but I didn’t investigate any further. Outside the front set back from St Thomas Street is some seating and ten steps lead up to the entrance. The ladies toilets are located upstairs and the gent’s are found downstairs. I found the gent’s toilet to be a smelly mess that hadn’t had a proper clean in some time. I wasn’t very impressed with this place and I do not plan to return anytime soon.

I hope the new management makes an improvement it was far too chavvy in recent years - plus it was very expensive and the service was cavalier at best.

New Management going in on the 29th March.This will be a family friendly pub with a great new menu

When this pub first opened it was called the Old Rectory which was maybe its old use. Once inside here the bar faced you and there was one large room which seemed a bit impersonal the pub was a Hobgoblin tied house and there were about four real ales on the bar and it also let children in. When we visited a few years later the pub had a chavvy feel to it and there was no real ale on and children wer'nt that welcome. Pub visited 19 August 1999.