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Disappointment of the week with Quinno
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
The Duke of Wellington, Newcastle Central, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE1 1EN
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Aqualung . left this review about Duke of Wellington
I passed by this pub earlier and immediately recognised it as the old CAMRA Investments pub from over 35 years previously. Way back in early CAMRA days they formed an offshoot company that opened a small chain of pubs, this being the last one as far as I can remember. Others were in Bristol, Cambridge, Hampstead in London, Belle Vue in Manchester and Leeds. I remember this one particularly for serving Jennings beers which in those days was unheard of outside the Lake District and their Cockermouth & Keswick tied estate when they probably only brewed a mild and bitter. How things have changed!
It's now under the ownership of the Beast From The East (Greene King). Despite that it's still something of a real ale venue and consists of a wide open plan room with an island bar.
The nine hand pumps had two unused, Robinson's Dizzy Blonde which had gone, GK IPA, Old Hoppy hen & Belhaven 80 Shillings, Taylor's Landlord, St Austell Liquid Sunshine and Deuchars IPA. I went for the Hoppy Hen (£3.60) which was in good nick.
This pub is set in the heart of a hot spot for GBG listed venues but the current beer choice let it down although the quality was fine. If GK could get their act together by allowing a better choice of preferably local ales then this could be a real contender for a GBG place. It's a decent pub now but could be better.
On 24th August 2018
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2143 recommendations about 2143 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about Duke of Wellington
The Duke of Wellington is a small L shaped boozer that is decked out with pictures and prints of its namesake. During my visit on Monday evening a couple of weeks ago there were twenty or so people in watching the Newcastle v Man City game on the two flat screen televisions. I found the service from the young barmaids to be very friendly and my colleague was offered a taster from one of the eight ales/ciders found on the nine hand pumps. The bar also supports a standard keg range alongside Birra Moretti, Peroni and Brew Dog’s Punk IPA. There were no obvious signs of food, but my visit was after any kitchen would have closed. I liked it in here so I would have no problem returning if in the area
On 3rd May 2016
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5229 recommendations about 5197 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about Duke of Wellington
Open plan L-shaped bar, though there’s some isolated character features including a nice carved dark wood bar and stained glass window uppers. Sky Sports News for company. Nine pumps with six ales, two ciders and two unclipped. My original choice of Tyne Bank Rhubarb and Custard was murky and utterly flat. Changed with passive aggressive attitude from the old fishwife at the bar (apparently "it's meant to be like that"…yeah right). The replacement of Wylam Centennial was better. Noted the original murk wasn’t taken off. Only one other punter in and perhaps easy to see why. Given the riches nearby I wouldn't bother with this one again unless there's an attitude overhaul.
On 6th July 2015
- rating: 5
[User has posted 5072 recommendations about 5055 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about Duke Of Wellington
The pub has reopened after a light refurbishment. There were nine hand pumps, with two serving cider. Parts of two of the walls have been clad in woodblock which gives them an interesting feel. There were etched glass globe lamps over the bar and black and white pictures of classic Hollywood stars around the walls. A door with a stained glass panel led to the toilets.
We called in on a Sunday eve and the pub was quiet, so we sat at the bar and chatted away to the friendly barmaid. The Tyne Bank Monument was top notch.
On 8th August 2013
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about Duke Of Wellington
A smallish L shaped room with a tiled floor. The pub has mostly conventional seating with banquettes and large chairs but there is also a drinking ledge with a row of stools. Most people were standing during our visit and it was difficult to move around in the small space but we did eventually get to sit down. Seven pumps, Copper Dragon Golden Pippin, Harviestown Bitter and Twisted, Tribute, Deuchers IPA, GK Olde Trip, one unclipped and Old Rosie cider. So as others have said, a decent range but lacking in anything unusual. It was never going to be a long stay here as in addition to the scrum around the bar, they had no white wine which didn't go down especially well with my wine drinking partner.
Decor is a mix of light walls and modern dark patterned wallpaper, there are a few local scenes and a couple of TVs set high on the walls. Food is served, I didn't see the main menu but the Lite Bites menu on a chalkboard looked good value providing you like chips as everything on it came with them, they even do chip butties at £2.50 a go.
Not a bad pub at all but being out of wine at 5:30 on a Friday is a bit odd.
On 3rd December 2012
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1707 recommendations about 1681 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Gill Smith left this review about Duke Of Wellington
Called into this 2010 Good Beer Guide pub today and found the choice of beers was mainly the larger breweries rather than micros. Had Triple fff Altons Pride which was in good condition.
On 26th August 2010
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1339 recommendations about 1222 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
ROB Camra left this review about Duke Of Wellington
Fairly standard traditional boozer in the T & J Bernard style. Sells several guest ales but most of these are from the large regionals or the national brewers. They give away free nibbles at the bar around 17.30 weekdays which is a nice touch. It's an OK place without ever really excelling in my opinion. Called in again a couple of weeks ago and everyone was really friendly and the beer was very good as well. Up a couple of stars for this visit.
On 21st June 2010
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3223 recommendations about 3134 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Duke Of Wellington
Traditional city pub, a short distance away from the main streets so not too crowded. A reasonable selection of real ales, including the renowned Workie Ticket from the Mordue Brewery at Wallsend. Not one of the city's 'must visit' pubs, but well worth a stop if you have the time.
On 12th September 2009
- rating: 7
[User has posted 8086 recommendations about 8086 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Al Inshearah left this review about Duke Of Wellington
The beers gone a bit dodgey of late. Think I will give this one a miss for a well
On 9th October 2006
- rating: 6
[User has posted 40 recommendations about 40 pubs]