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Detail Pages
The Purple Dog, Colchester
Colchester
CO1 1LS
Pub Type
Punch TavernsReviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Quinno _ left this review about The Purple Dog
Aged timber framed building but a modern and fairly featureless bar within, the wooden fittings glooped-over with duck egg shade paint. GBG listed and a commitment to the cask, with five on over six sticks and it was shifting; Pride, Hophead, Ghost Ship and two local ones from Brentwood and Bishop Nick. A half of the latter's Rejoice was fine, if getting a bit long in the tooth (NBSS 3). Like BF says below, it's worth a drop-in but it's too sterile to really appeal beyond a quick pint. 6.5
On 1st February 2024
- rating: 6
[User has posted 5099 recommendations about 5082 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Purple Dog
Externally very attractive in timber framing and right by Scheregate ,a gap in the Roman Wall.The 5 exterior doors hint at an original internal layout of lots of rooms and snugs,but these days it's been opened out around an L shaped bar.Up one end are some sofas but most of the other tables were dining type and the very reasonable pub grub is popular,some mains under £10,median price £13,daily specials and a large selection of sandwiches to boot.There are many wooden beams ,supports and old fireplaces but the modern makeover is never far away,with a flatscreen thankfully off,slatted blinds in the windows ,muzak and lots of pine furniture.Friendly service helped.
At the bar there was a decent choice,Adnams Ghost Ship,Fullers London Pride and Hophead,Mighty Oak Oscar Wilde Mild and a very decent Colchester Bearded Lady (NBSS 4) justifying it's GBG 2022 listing.One handpump was unused.
A very solid pub in a charming location,get rid of the slatted blinds and soften the modern edges and higher marks would have been awarded.Include on any real ale tour of town.
On 29th September 2022
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2728 recommendations about 2728 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about The Purple Dog
The L-shaped bar in the Purple Dog supports a standard and premium keg range alongside six hand pumps. During a recent Thursday evening visit two of these were unused leaving Sharps Doom Bar, Fullers London Pride, Adnams Ghost Ship and Mighty Oak Brewing’s Faye Ray as the cask ale options. Food is also available. The pub is open plan with seating down the left-hand side that runs to a raised seating area at the rear and more seating runs along the front windows between the two entrances. There are a couple of large televisions that were showing muted rolling news whilst some background music played. An enclosed L-shaped patio and smoking area is located at the right rear of the pub past the toilets. This pub has an extended license until 01:00 on Fridays and 01:30 on Saturdays so there is probably some form of live entertainment. This is a decent enough pub that I would have no problem returning to.
On 6th March 2020
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5254 recommendations about 5222 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Aqualung . left this review about The Purple Dog
This is not the easiest place to find if you're following the road from Colchester Town Station and the Bus Stations. It's up some steps and an alley on the North side of St John's Street that lead to a parallel running pedestrian street where the pub is on a corner. It looks old and inside has an L shaped Wooden floored room with an assortment of furniture. There is a patio at the back on the right.
The bar has six hand pumps which had one unused, Doom Bore, Oscar Wilde Mild, Woodforde Bure Gold & Nelson's Revenge and Adnam's Ghost Ship. I went for the Mild (£3.50) which was in first class nick.
I thought this place was OK but a bit pricey and the beer choice was rather old school. It's GBG 2016 listed.
On 8th February 2016
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2143 recommendations about 2143 pubs]