Not already a member?
Join our community and - Rate & review pubs - Upload pictures - Add events JOIN for free NOW

Chat about:
Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat on the Pub Forum

Image posted by Blackthorn _
Submitted on Monday, 4^th August 2014
With picture contributions to 5578 other pubs
View all this pub's pictures (8 more images)

Only members may add pictures, click to receive free membership

Detail Pages

Pub map
Pub reviews (3)
Pub pictures (9)
Page updates

Hour Glass Inn, Exeter

21 Melbourne Street
Exeter
EX2 4AU

Correct details

Served areas

Exeter Central, St. Leonard's

Reviews of Hour Glass Inn (Average Rating: 7½ of 10) Add Review see review guidelines

Real Ale Ray left this review about Hour Glass Inn

We really liked this pub for its originality and quirkiness, especially the paintings around the walls and a tiny table and bench seat squashed under a staircase around the back of the bar. The ladies toilet door was so small that when the door was opened a chunk of the door was cut away in the shape of the top of the toilet bowl, according to Mrs Ale. The staff and locals were laid back and their beers were all in excellent condition. All the beers were from Exeter Brewery; Darkness, Lighterman, 'fraid Not, Ferryman and Avocet.

On 2^nd October 2024 - rating: 8
[User has posted 3645 recommendations about 3645 pubs]

Blue Scrumpy left this review about Hour Glass Inn

A bit of a walk downhill from the city centre and tucked away at the end of a terraced street, this pub run by Exeter Brewery was just about the highlight of a short tour of the city's hostelries.

You enter into the main room with a circular bar in the centre and seating all around. It has bare boards and plenty of character. Both this room and the separate dining area to the rear had some interesting artwork on the walls.

There were a total of 6 cask ales from Exeter at the bar. Darkness, Avocet, Ferryman & 'fraid Not make regular appearances, whilst MC6 & S'mild were also on for my visit. The mild was my favourite beer of the day. Their EX#4 was on keg alongside a couple of ciders - Exeter Sumasider & Sandford Orchards Devon Red.

Events such as a weekly quiz night and a monthly vinyl night were advertised. The pub had a good mix of customers, creating a lively atmosphere. Bar staff were friendly and professional. It is well worth the walk away from the centre.

On 12^th August 2024 - rating: 7
[User has posted 3040 recommendations about 3038 pubs]

Please Note: This review is over a year old.

Quinno _ left this review about Hour Glass Inn

A cold and soggy revisit during the storms. Five on, all local ales - Exeter Ferryman, Avocet, Dorset Knob, Black Tor DPA and Stout. Both of mine were fine but not quite top notch and prices are now notably high. Very busy on Saturday evening and we were fortunate to get a seat. Does seem to be a place which attracts upper middle class oddballs, this time it was some woman with a pocket dog asking 20 questions about every food item on the menu. Personally I’d have told her to get stuffed, the barman had the patience of a saint. Still a good pub that’s worth the extra few minutes’ walk to sample. Not quite the heights of Winter 2014 though.

February 2014
A traditional backstreet local but only a few minutes walk from the immediate city centre or two minutes uphill from the quayside. An attractive, rounded-corner building tucked away in the tightly-knit backstreets. The unique pub sign hints at good things to come. Inside is a lovely wooden interior with stripped floors, island bar and wooden perch seating. ‘City Brewery Ales’ (who they?) etched across some of the windows. Items of interest over the two rooms included a fez-wearing bust, Mexico ‘70 mirror, old wooden barrels atop the bar and an indoor creeper plant. The rarefied ambience was supplemented by some wartime-era background music. Five ales available: Bath Gem, Otter Bitter, Exeter’s Ferryman and Avocet and Lyme Regis Black Ven. I tried the Ferryman and Black Ven and both were in impressive shape. Food is offered and looked impressive. Exeter is quite an upmarket place but the punters in here were even posher than usual, with one couple planning a wedding where "Hugo can bring some guns and after we can go on a shoot in the grounds". Still, it's a lovely pub and should be pretty much at the top of the Exeter visit list. Beware that it closes afternoons. Rated 9

On 1^st December 2016 - rating: 8
[User has posted 5552 recommendations about 5533 pubs]

External web links for Hour Glass Inn

No known official website for this pub.