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The Chieftain, Welwyn Garden City

Cole Green Lane
Welwyn Garden City
AL7 3JF
Phone: 01707332193

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Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6 of 10) Add Review see review guidelines


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Chieftain

Newish McMullen's pub / restaurant, firmly aimed at the family dining market. After crossing the front patio terrace, you find the lounge area to your left, a larger space with tables laid up for those eating on the right and the bar counter opposite you as you enter. Anonymous semi-modern furniture and faux-traditional decor throughout. Three of four handpumps in operation, with AK, IPA (£2.05, half) and Eight Hop from Rivertown as a guest.

On 21st July 2019 - rating: 6
[User has posted 8066 recommendations about 8066 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Bucking Fastard left this review about The Chieftain

This new build pub has had time to weather in,but it's still essentially an open plan lounge popular with families who want to eat from a value menu with lots of 2 for 1 deals where the cheapest dish is free.The furniture throughout is a mix of modern sofas,square poofs,dining tables and chairs with a corporate feel.Inane muzak is ever present.To the left is a coal affect wood burner,while to the right the space is divided up using a book case.However in one corner there is a darts board,which doesn't seem to get much action.On my lunchtime visit there were a lot of mothers with offspring in prams,and virtually everyone was eating,apart from a single punter at the bar.I expect in good weather the large paved terrace at the front with upmarket outdoor furniture would be a popular drinking spot.
There are four handpumps serving McMullens beers, on my trip AK,County,IPA and a seasonal Elixir which despite being clear and crisp,tasted of absolutely nothing,quite an achievement even by Mac standards.
The service was however very good,all staff chearful,upbeat and polite and I have to say the food was very good.It may be classic pub grub but certainly not cheap and nasty.The specials of the day are all included in the 2 for 1 promotion,nice touch.
IMHO McMullens brew boring beers,so I would swerve around this pub if I wanted an ale session,but I would most certainly use it again for an inexpensive meal when in the area.

On 26th January 2013 - rating: 6
[User has posted 2709 recommendations about 2709 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Steve of N21 left this review about The Chieftain

I’m surprised McMullens didn’t rename this one The Phoenix. This is a new build on the site of a former pub known as The Woodman, which was closed by the brewery in November 2007 because it was no longer financially viable (according to McMullens.)
A few months later in February 2008 whilst still shut it caught fire under suspicious circumstances (thats arson to you and me), and was burnt to the ground.
But full marks to McMullens, they have nowspent £1.4Million and replaced the original with the smaller timber clad build shown in Mr Fastards recent photo, that was taken the week after it opened.
Internally it’s another one of McMullens modern, clean and in my humble opinion largely sterile food orientated pubs which McMullens describe themselves as a “lounge bar dining with relaxed drinking area”, which means that the single internal space is subdivided into two areas , the larger one laid out for dining and a smaller area more aligned for drinking.
The long steel / pewter bar serving area has the usual McMullens range and AK, Country and IPA Original were on when I visited. The pint I tried was well kept and although I didn’t eat the food menu looked like the usual decent pub grub with 2 for 1 deals available
There is a very nice large outside patio are with plenty of bench seating and large umbrellas.
I’m not a great fan of these McMullens modern decor pubs, but in a time of continuing pub closures it’s great to be able to report on a new one, especially one replacing a former pub, so in that respect I wish it well.

On 24th April 2011 - rating: 6
[User has posted 2094 recommendations about 1985 pubs]