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Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat
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Detail Pages
The Crooked Billet, Old Leigh, Leigh-On-Sea
Leigh-On-Sea
SS9 2EP
Pub Type
Nicholsons (Mitchells & Butlers)Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
Blue Scrumpy left this review about The Crooked Billet
The Crooked Billet is the first pub you come to when approaching Old Leigh from the railway station. It certainly seems a strange place to find a Nicholson's pub, but it has quite a nice feel to it. There are a couple of rooms, a dining room to the left and a bar to the right. The bay windows to the front have some nice views of the river estuary. There are also a large number of picnic tables on the opposite side of the High Street that are shared with a seafood restaurant.
St Austell Nicholson's Pale Ale & Sharp's Doom Bar are the regular beers. Guests from the Nicholson's list were Fierce Beer Go Easier, Fuller's London Pride & Stroud Gaia. The cider was Weston's Rosie's Pig. Craft beers were Tiny Rebel Cali Pale & Beavertown Neck Oil. Weston's Vintage was also available on keg. I chose the Go Easier, which was in a pretty poor condition. I was on the verge of returning it when the barman asked me if I was enjoying it. I admitted that I was struggling with it and asked if any had been pulled off before my visit. I was told that it had only just gone on, but there was definitely something wrong with it. In fairness, he offered to change it, but I stuck with it. Looking at the previous reviews, this is perhaps a common theme.
It's a shame that the beer quality was so poor. With a real fire burning, the pub had quite a nice, cosy atmosphere. There is a TV which was off for my visit. Music was playing instead. Snacks were advertised on the bar, but these were mostly crisps and nuts. A few tourist types did also arrive for lunch. Dogs are welcome, with dog biscuits found on the bar. A quiz was advertised for the first Tuesday of the month.
A nice pub, let down by the beer quality.
On 5th October 2024
- rating: 5
[User has posted 3040 recommendations about 3038 pubs]
Quinno _ left this review about The Crooked Billet
Perhaps randomly, a Nicholson pub! Not like their usual London stock though, this is small, basic and tight with blue wainscoting and crap music. Four cask, my Attic Brew Dawn was poor (NBSS 1.5) and the whole place felt very much like a ‘will this do?’ tourist trap.
On 22nd July 2024
- rating: 4
[User has posted 5552 recommendations about 5533 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Crooked Billet
Attractive hostelry overlooking the estuary, but the traditional two-room layout must be one of Nicholson's smallest. Most of the customers were seated on the wooden patio benches on the other side of the road by the quay, leaving the bar and dining room reasonably clear when I visited. Six handpumps on the bar counter, with the regular NPA, Adnam's Southwold and Doom Bar supplemented by Rev James, Wild Beer Bibble and Gathering Storm from Leeds Brewery (£3.65).
On 7th June 2015
- rating: 6
[User has posted 8679 recommendations about 8678 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Danny O'Revey left this review about The Crooked Billet
A Nicholson's house, but not as you may know them. Small & basic rather than grand like their usual places. There is seating over the road for use in nice weather, lucky on my visit as it was full.
The toilets are outside and need a bit of work - some soap would be a start..
Also it has a very ordinary beer choice.
Shame, could be a nice place.
On 18th August 2014
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1542 recommendations about 1519 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
andrew parr left this review about The Crooked Billet
update to last visit,does very good value food
On 6th March 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 105 recommendations about 100 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
andrew parr left this review about The Crooked Billet
Nice old pub in old Leigh.Good beer,good food.mind the steps to the loo
On 19th May 2009
- rating: 8
[User has posted 105 recommendations about 100 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Nigel Sheppard left this review about The Crooked Billet
Tried this place again in February 08 and what a shame! the pub was empty, not 1 person in. The barmaid was scruffy, looked bored and had no idea about what she was serving and the place looked grubby. We tried a pint of Danish Dynamite and that was off, what a disgrace to mess up champion beer. The previous staff that made it successful have moved on and now it is just another badly kept pub.
Great little pub that is a victim of its own success. Quite nice during the winter months but impossible to get in during the summer due to the large crowds attracted to the area. 4 real ale pumps with up to 2 rotating and the beer is well kept (when it does not run out). Serves great food!
On 16th March 2008
- rating: 4
[User has posted 192 recommendations about 192 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john mcgraw left this review about The Crooked Billet
Very good pub in Leigh Old Town.Usually three real ales on,all in good condition.Enjoy your pint outside with a pint of cockles from Osbourns opposite.
On 2nd October 2006
- rating: 10
[User has posted 2044 recommendations about 2025 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
John Mycroft left this review about The Crooked Billet
Great position by the Thames & the cockle sheds in Old Leigh. Probably the most unspoilt pub in Old Leigh with two small cosy bars. Good selection of beers well cellared. The food looks good tho I haven't eaten here. Loads of outdoor tables withumbrellas across the road (which is just about traffic-free). Ideal spot for a beer with the family on a summer afternoon though you can't take the kids into the bar.
On 3rd August 2005
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3 recommendations about 3 pubs]