Not already a member?
Join our community and
- Rate & review pubs
- Upload pictures
- Add events
JOIN for free NOW
Chat about:
Random news of the day with Tris39
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
The Star Inn, Bishop's Stortford
Bishop's Stortford
CM23 2JU
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 5 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blue Scrumpy left this review about The Star Inn
The Star appears to be Bishop's Stortford's best real ale and cider pub.
Initial impressions are never positive when there is a bouncer on the door and it was only shortly after 6pm on a Saturday evening. Nevertheless, my family and I were soon welcomed in.
There's a good one-way system in place around the central bar. Patrons were making good use of the outdoor patio area at the rear and a number of structures that resembled beach huts.
As I've said, the big draw here is the ale range. 6 ales were on - 3 Brewers IPA, Pheasantry Best Bitter, Newby Wyke Kingston Topaz, Fuller's London Pride, Tring Drop Bar & Bishop Nick Devout Limited Edition #33. A number of pumpclips also advertised a few ciders from Lilley's. Although, the only boxes I could see were Sunset, Cheeky Pig, Fire Dancer & Pineapple Cider.
CAMRA 50p off per pint vouchers are accepted.
On 9th August 2020
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2452 recommendations about 2451 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Aqualung . left this review about The Star Inn
This is an old town centre pub. Inside the bar is immediately in front of you and the single room stretches down on the right to a patio. On the left there was a TV screen showing a load of horses running around. The single room has a fairly low ceiling with old beams and a wooden floor.
The bar has just three hand pumps with two of the options from the Marston stable, These were Revisionist West Coast IPA, Wychwood Bountiful and Wolf Granny Wouldn't Like It. I went for the West Coast (£3.35) which was in good nick. I was offered a card for one of these drink n pints and get one free schemes but I would have appreciated it more if they had mentioned the 20% CAMRA discount posted on What Pub.
Despite the limited beer selection I thought this pub was OK and would happily return if only to claim the CAMRA discount!
On 24th August 2015
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2143 recommendations about 2143 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Roger Button left this review about The Star Inn
This mid 17th Century Town Centre pub looks quite enticing from the outside and whilst it doesn’t fully deliver the goods, it is probably worth a quick pint even if just to have a quick peek at the more interesting aspects of its interior
The central bar has two extended flanks, both containing a few architectural relics although the pub has undergone a modernish refurbishment and not all the features are displayed to their best. The worst aspects are probably the wonderful old fireplaces which have have horrible tacky fake flames that really belong in a Poundland.
The middle section of the left hand flank contains a fine vaulted ceiling with several beams and pillars although I would question as to how much is original and how much is reproduction although there are plenty of off centre walls and low sagging ceilings to give the pub’s age some authenticity. There is a small beer garden/patio thatc ontatins the original water pump and a small car park that stands on the site of the old stables.
For a Saturday night the pub was very quiet and there were no signs of any impending live bands, discos, karaokes or other such intrusive “entertainment” so I probably saw the place in a bit more of a relaxing light than the previous reviewers however the modern ambient background music did give a clue as to what direction the customer base is aimed at.
Ale wise there were 3 pumps with Bombardier, Brentwood Gold and the third pump not used. The Gold was fine, if a little expensive at £3.30. The only food I noted was a selection of £6 pizzas although I understand there is a wider but fairly basic menu served at lunchtimes.
The Star won’t win many prizes and you probably have to pick the right moment to visit but there’s probably enough here to warrant popping in. Unfortunately, like many pubs in the area, it doesn’t make the most of its obvious assets and could be so much better without a great deal of effort.
On 4th February 2011
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1239 recommendations about 1233 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Thuck Phat left this review about The Star Inn
The Star is an attractive historical building which has been sympathetically and interestingly updated intside. Disco paraphinalia, lights and speakers, mix with traditional furniture in a wooden floored and beamed interior interspersed with some interesting 'statement' pieces. The whole works and the atmosphere on a weekday lunchtime is warm and inviting turning, I'd guess, into a noisy, throbbing fun palace on weekend evenings.
It's a real disappointment given the expense and effort that's gone into the building, that the same isn't true of the beer. Only Brass Monkey Bitter was offered and the first taste hinted at vinegar which was duly and comprehensively confirmed by the third taste.
Not one for real ale fans.
On 30th September 2010
- rating: 2
[User has posted 679 recommendations about 678 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Star Inn
There has been a considerable refurb in this town centre pub.On entering the front door the bar is immediately ahead while to both the left and right handside the interior extends a long way.There is an open courtyard accessible from both wings.Drinkers gather at the tables around the entrance while further down on the left hand side is the dining area .The bar also extends to the right with a sound system,mixing desk and substantial wall mounted speakers .During the day this area contains more tables which no doubt are removed when the decibels are raised.The low ceiling gives the interior an authentic feel,and old style furniture has been retained while the colour scheme and decorations are not over the top.Three handpumps have been installed,but this is where the good news ends.Two reversed pump clips (Bombardier and Dodo ) while the third served Brass Monkey Bitter,clear but with an increasing tang as it was consumed.Ale quality is clearly not a priority .There is a price drop promotion on certain alcohol lines from 7pm to 11pm but I would not want to spend that long in here to find out what bargains may be on offer.
On 30th September 2010
- rating: 4
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]