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Disappointment of the week with Mobyduck
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Ye Olde Reine Deer Inn, Banbury
Banbury
OX16 5NA
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8 of 10) see review guidelines
Blue Scrumpy left this review about Ye Olde Reine Deer Inn
Yesterday's visit to this old town centre pub was a return visit. I was last in here in 2016, when a fight had ensued involving a guy dealing with counterfeit banknotes. On a Wednesday afternoon, things appear to be quieter than Tuesday evenings! There were a few locals enjoying the Hook Norton beers, whilst other groups had not long finished their lunches.
I don't recall exploring the pub much on my last visit. The traditional bar at the front has plenty of Hook Norton memorabilia with lots of wood panelling. From here, a corridor leads to the toilets, an outdoor yard and also to the rather grand-looking Globe Room at the rear.
Bar staff all appeared to be Eastern European. When I asked if they stocked any still ciders, the one barman seemed a little confused. Apparently they don't anymore. Instead, the real ale choice is Hooky, Old Hooky, Off the Hook & Hooky Mild. I was hoping that this might be the one local Hook Norton pub where I might find something a little more interesting from the brewery. Alas, I was disappointed.
Nice pub inside and with no fighting, I was able to enjoy the atmosphere a little more on this visit. But there are better pubs in the town.
On 20th July 2023
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2452 recommendations about 2451 pubs]
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Moby Duck left this review about Ye Olde Reine Deer Inn
A good looking 16th century pub, traditional and olde worlde inside. Six beers on all from Hook Norton. I liked the look of the pub but the beer tried was a little tired.
On 16th June 2019
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1871 recommendations about 1844 pubs]
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Real Ale Ray left this review about Ye Olde Reine Deer Inn
Included in the South East England Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors, with parts of the building dating back as far as the Medieval Period and has strong connections with the English Civil War. The Globe room at the rear has connections with Cromwell. On approach, there is a large oak timber strut projecting from the upper floor of the building, which advertises the pub name along with Hook Norton brewery, and stretches halfway across the street.
Six handpumps in operation on our visit, all of which are from Hook Norton. I went for the new brew from Hook Norton, which was the 4 Point Blank Cotswold Pale, which was to my taste. The service was friendly and welcoming and the two main features I really like was the ornate carved fireplace and the rear globe room.
On 26th June 2018
- rating: 9
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
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Ian Mapp left this review about Ye Olde Reine Deer Inn
Four pubs visited in Banbury. This was easily the best for atmosphere, history and beer. Yet, its not in the 2017 GBG and wetherspoons is.
History dripping off the walls, live music on a Saturday, efficient service and top quality Hook Norton Ales.
Visit blogged at http://bit.ly/2ixN3dV
On 16th January 2017
- rating: 10
[User has posted 277 recommendations about 276 pubs]
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Aqualung . left this review about Ye Olde Reine Deer Inn
My first visit here was around 40 years ago and I'm not sure that it has changed very much although it did seem larger inside. It's genuinely old and is almost certainly Hook Norton's flagship pub. It's been more than well described below and on my visit had six Hook Norton beers on. I went for the Old Hooky (£3.80) which was in good nick albeit slightly hazy. I have to admit I preferred the more pubby White Horse nearby to this place which is something of an Olde Worlde cliche.
On 5th September 2016
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2143 recommendations about 2143 pubs]
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Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Ye Olde Reine Deer Inn
Rather nice old Hook Norton house, with plenty of historic features (including the exterior pub sign and a grand - and fully functioning - fireplace in the main bar; all meaning that it retains lots of character both within and without. The efficient staff and pleasingly old-fashioned atmosphere really help too. Patio beer garden to the rear. Available real ales were Hooky, Old Hooky, Lion, Mild (£3.30) and the seasonal Crafty Fox.
On 13th March 2016
- rating: 8
[User has posted 8086 recommendations about 8086 pubs]
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Quinno _ left this review about Ye Olde Reine Deer Inn
Has had a very light-touch refurb since my last visit - tidying round the edges rather than any intrinsic alterations - so still a classic pub. Four Hook Norton ales on; Mild, Hooky, Old Hooky and Lion. Condition fairly good across the board and not as expensive as I’d feared (all under £3.80 and the mild was noticeably cheap). No sign of cider this visit though. Service notably friendly although the MD of the brewery was stalking the premises! Still a default stop in Banbury and worth making a special trip for.
December 2011
An historic pub that simply oozes character, from the massive overhanging pub sign that takes up half the width of the street to the dark wood panelled walls and amazing log fireplace to the right of the bar. The central bar splits the pub in two but most of the beer is dispensed at the front end facing the door. Most of the Hook Norton range was available, alongside their seasonal for Christmas, 12 Days, ludicrously priced at £4 a pint. It wasn’t even that great a shape either. The other Hooky beers were at least a bit cheaper, with the Dark coming in at £2.90. In a nod to the season, mulled wine was also available and what I think were flavoured meads served in ornate glass containers above the bar. Westons cider also available. If it’s open, check out the historic Cromwellian Globe Room at the rear of the pub which is cracking and only refitted after the Second World War after being in storage for many years. There’s plenty of breweriana attached to the walls throughout and some pub games were available, including cribbage. Pub food is offered though given how grubby a couple of the tables were I’m not sure I’d want to eat there. All in all, this is a must-visit if in Banbury but it is not without its faults. Rated 8
On 17th November 2015
- rating: 8
[User has posted 5072 recommendations about 5055 pubs]
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Bucking Fastard left this review about Ye Olde Reine Deer Inn
A classic pub interior with some great wood panelling,two real fires serving the front bar with a cosy rear snug with it's own access the the island bar.The exterior is pretty special too,so well worth an inspection for historical and original features.Owned by Hook Norton,it will have the largest selection of their real ales in Banbury but it's very much a tied house with no guest beers.
Food is served from a corporate looking pub grub menu,but the quiz night brought with it a good crowd and real pub atmosphere.If you like the malty house style of Hook Norton beers you may well want to stay longer than I managed on a Thursday evening visit.
On 16th April 2015
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
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Thuck Phat left this review about Ye Olde Reine Deer Inn
This is a classic and historic Hook Norton pub in Banbury's town centre and as such is thoroughly deserving of a visit.
We looked in on Thursday evening, quiz night, which was well and enthusiastically attended. Despite this service was fast, friendly and efficient.
Beers were all from the Hook Norton range: First Light, Old Hooky, Lion, Mild and Half Orr Pint. The First Light wasn't going down especially well with the locals and my Old Hooky took a fair bit of getting through. The Half Orr Pint was better received.
I liked this pub very much but am not overly keen on Hook Norton's, generally very traditional, beers hence a lowish rating.
On 14th April 2015
- rating: 6
[User has posted 679 recommendations about 678 pubs]
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Old Boots left this review about Ye Olde Reine Deer Inn
Ancient Hook Norton pub in the pedestrianised area of Parsons St with two bars, the rear one up a step or two and more snug than the front bar. Five pulls in the front and three in the back bar on a central servery. Looks like the full range of hooky beers including MILD and nicely kept. Properly furnished with settles and bench seating. With decent beer and a superbly competent barmaid this is classic pub and definitely the best I found on a short visit to Banbury.
On 25th August 2014
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3230 recommendations about 2939 pubs]