Latest reviews for Bars & Pubs in Exeter, United Kingdom

Timepiece - A hidden gem by gyan

gyan — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:08:10 +0000

Review by gyan

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 01392 493096

Website: http://www.timepiecenightclub.co.uk

Hidden away off the High Street of Exeter is this little gem!
A brick building probably centuries old, it is known for its dance floor, DJ and loud music.
Drinks are reasonably priced with a wide variety of drinks including cocktails.
Can get crowded at weekends but it is worth it.
Smokers can find shelter in the garden away from the rain.
Door staff (bouncers) are extremely helpful.Hidden away off the High Street of Exeter is this little gem!
A brick building probably centuries old, it is known for its dance floor, DJ and loud music.
Drinks are reasonably priced with a wide variety of drinks including cocktails.
Can get crowded at weekends but it is worth it.
Smokers can find shelter in the garden away from the rain.
Door staff (bouncers) are extremely helpful.

The Duke Of York - Grim and gloomy but has it's attractions by gyan

gyan — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:18:00 +0000

Review by gyan

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 01392 256515

Tags: real ale, pool, house

The Duke of York is a "traditional" pub in the sense that there is a pool table and a darts board. Wines are limited and the attitude is "we have wine because we have to have wine"
The beers are fine but are of the standard types.

If you want to meet Andy Capp type typical British specimens do come here. Plenty of beer bellies.

On thursdays it is Karaoke night and if you like to listen to old country'n'western songs sung badly by the locals, then do come here. Actually, it is quite amusing.

Young foreign students should beware of the occasional young "yobbo" who can be verbally abusive and it is best to avoid football nights.
The old guys are harmless but do avoid young "locals"

Best thing is to turn up in a small group.
There are plenty of food outlets across the street and the Odeon and the Vue cinemas are close by.

I used to use this pub for a quick drink before visiting the Odeon. The Odeon has no bar.

The Duke of York is a "traditional" pub in the sense that there is a pool table and a darts board. Wines are limited and the attitude is "we have wine because we have to have wine"
The beers are fine but are of the standard types.

If you want to meet Andy Capp type typical British specimens do come here. Plenty of beer bellies.

On thursdays it is Karaoke night and if you like to listen to old country'n'western songs sung badly by the locals, then do come here. Actually, it is quite amusing.

Young foreign students should beware of the occasional young "yobbo" who can be verbally abusive and it is best to avoid football nights.
The old guys are harmless but do avoid young "locals"

Best thing is to turn up in a small group.
There are plenty of food outlets across the street and the Odeon and the Vue cinemas are close by.

I used to use this pub for a quick drink before visiting the Odeon. The Odeon has no bar.

Amber Rooms - An orange glow in the darkness! by gyan

gyan — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:57:34 +0000

Review by gyan

Rating: 4.00

Tags: relaxed, friendly, house

Sidwell Street is not the most salubrious place in Exeter, especially in winter, but opposite the Church of St Sidwell is an oasis by the name of Amber Rooms.
Noted for live music it is a safe haven even late at night.
The staff are attentive, the drinks are reasonably priced and don't let the bouncers put you off. Actually the bouncers are rather charming!
Generally caters to young University types but oldies like myself are welcome!Sidwell Street is not the most salubrious place in Exeter, especially in winter, but opposite the Church of St Sidwell is an oasis by the name of Amber Rooms.
Noted for live music it is a safe haven even late at night.
The staff are attentive, the drinks are reasonably priced and don't let the bouncers put you off. Actually the bouncers are rather charming!
Generally caters to young University types but oldies like myself are welcome!

The Blue Ball Inn - The worst service ever! by Finny

Finny — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:35:06 +0000

Review by Finny

Rating: 1.00The food here has always seemed a bit over-priced as they don't seem able to get some fairly basic things right. However, on our last visit, we were subjected to completely unwarranted, appallingly rude service.
Were it only a matter of disappointing food, we would probably visit again at some point, even if only for a drink but as a result of our treatment, we won't be setting foot in the place again.The food here has always seemed a bit over-priced as they don't seem able to get some fairly basic things right. However, on our last visit, we were subjected to completely unwarranted, appallingly rude service.
Were it only a matter of disappointing food, we would probably visit again at some point, even if only for a drink but as a result of our treatment, we won't be setting foot in the place again.

Thatched House - even better by legourmand

legourmand — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:22:14 +0000

Review by legourmand

Rating: 5.00

Tags: relaxed, friendly, pool

Even better value now, with three courses for two people and a bottle of wine for Â£20. Real ales well kept. 6X was tre guest - very niceEven better value now, with three courses for two people and a bottle of wine for Â£20. Real ales well kept. 6X was tre guest - very nice

The Old Fire House - by DJL66

DJL66 — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 19:47:42 +0000

Review by DJL66

Rating: 3.00better when the students are at homebetter when the students are at home

Halfway Inn - POORLY RUN PUB by chopsm

chopsm — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 17:26:08 +0000

Review by chopsm

Rating: 1.00

Tags: cool, relaxed, friendly

Since changing hands 3 weeks ago, this venue is NO LONGER COELIAC FRIENDLY!!! The service is akin to Faulty Towers without the comedy. We were kept awake until 0200 on our initial night, by loud club music being played by the proprietor entertaining his guests. In the morning the chef appeared after about an hour looking the worse for drink and then produced a burnt inedible offering for breakfast. WE LEFT IMMEDIATELY. AVOID!!!!Since changing hands 3 weeks ago, this venue is NO LONGER COELIAC FRIENDLY!!! The service is akin to Faulty Towers without the comedy. We were kept awake until 0200 on our initial night, by loud club music being played by the proprietor entertaining his guests. In the morning the chef appeared after about an hour looking the worse for drink and then produced a burnt inedible offering for breakfast. WE LEFT IMMEDIATELY. AVOID!!!!

The Fat Pig - Exeter's new best pub! by charfar

charfar — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 22:15:40 +0000

Review by charfar

Rating: 5.00

Tags: live music, relaxed, friendly

Best pub in Exeter by far now, only recently opened but can only say good stuff about it. Excellent food, great range of beers.. Proper pub feel to it. Go thereBest pub in Exeter by far now, only recently opened but can only say good stuff about it. Excellent food, great range of beers.. Proper pub feel to it. Go there

Thorverton Arms - by charfar

charfar — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 22:02:09 +0000

Review by charfar

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 01392 860205

Lovely local village pub with lovely well cooked food and plenty of options. Nice beer garden and friendly atmosphere.

Recommend the tiger prawns and the onglet (skirt) steak.

Highly recommendedLovely local village pub with lovely well cooked food and plenty of options. Nice beer garden and friendly atmosphere.

Recommend the tiger prawns and the onglet (skirt) steak.

Highly recommended

The Red Lion Inn - by HAO

HAO — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 20:07:02 +0000

Review by HAO

Rating: 4.00The welcome here was superb. We were on holiday in Devon and needed somewhere that would cater for a three year old - she couldn't have been made more welcome. The food was great, good varied menu - a specials board as well as the regulars. Friendly atmosphere (even though the rugby was on in the other bar) and attentive staff.The welcome here was superb. We were on holiday in Devon and needed somewhere that would cater for a three year old - she couldn't have been made more welcome. The food was great, good varied menu - a specials board as well as the regulars. Friendly atmosphere (even though the rugby was on in the other bar) and attentive staff.

Henry's Bar - Great., lively bar by Pilgrim

Pilgrim — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 18:25:31 +0000

Review by Pilgrim

Rating: 5.00

Tags: cool, relaxed, friendly

Concentrates on excellent service and quality beer-especially The Otter.
Noisy, but fun-all agesConcentrates on excellent service and quality beer-especially The Otter.
Noisy, but fun-all ages

The Red Lion Inn - by dean

dean — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 10:36:23 +0000

Review by dean

Rating: 1.00not very good food took forever very old fashionednot very good food took forever very old fashioned

The Kings Arms Inn - by dean

dean — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 10:35:30 +0000

Review by dean

Rating: 5.00superb food, friendly service, wickedsuperb food, friendly service, wicked

The Railway Man - Lovely Atmosphere by realale

realale — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 11:45:11 +0000

Review by realale

Rating: 5.00

Tags: live music, relaxed, friendly

Came acroos this pub and stopped for a pint, as a real ale fan i was pleasently suprised at the quality of the beer beautiful and fresh tasting, not always the easiest thing to keep. i ended up staing for more than one lol and had a beautiful meal to compliment my pint.
The local's where very pleasent and made me feel most welcome will definatly be returning here again soon !!!Came acroos this pub and stopped for a pint, as a real ale fan i was pleasently suprised at the quality of the beer beautiful and fresh tasting, not always the easiest thing to keep. i ended up staing for more than one lol and had a beautiful meal to compliment my pint.
The local's where very pleasent and made me feel most welcome will definatly be returning here again soon !!!

The Puffing Billy - This is what pub food should be by kittendothroar

kittendothroar — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 12:56:03 +0000

Review by kittendothroar

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 01392 877 888

Website: http://www.thepuffingbilly.com/

Tags: restaurant, pub, good value

A really lovely country pub/ restaurant in Exton.

The staff were faultless and I really liked how on arrival they took our coats and a drink order then showed us to the table, despite only managing to book a table in the bar area, it was relaxed atmosphere.

Shortly after arriving they bought a basket of fresh bread, which came with a little pot of salted butter, which was just the right softeness for spreading. There was both granary and white which pleased everyone

For mains I chose the steak and ale pie with mash, it was so big I didnt actually manage to finish it! Huge chunks of really good quality beef steak, mushrooms and a delicious gravy, topped with a puff of pastry. The mashed potatoes were lovely and creamy and on the side we also had a dish of red cabbage, carrots and broccoli, which too were perfectly cooked, not too raw and not mushy! Everything was spankingly fresh and tasty which made a really welcome change to the many other pubs that just seem to re-heat Brakes finest.

I couldn't face a whole dessert, despite the tempting offers so I shared a dessert of chocolate brownie pudding with the beloved, which came with delicious clotted cream and a silky butterscotch sauce which perfectly complemented the hot brownie.

Everyone else loved their meals and we will definately be re-visiting in the near future.
A really lovely country pub/ restaurant in Exton.

The staff were faultless and I really liked how on arrival they took our coats and a drink order then showed us to the table, despite only managing to book a table in the bar area, it was relaxed atmosphere.

Shortly after arriving they bought a basket of fresh bread, which came with a little pot of salted butter, which was just the right softeness for spreading. There was both granary and white which pleased everyone

For mains I chose the steak and ale pie with mash, it was so big I didnt actually manage to finish it! Huge chunks of really good quality beef steak, mushrooms and a delicious gravy, topped with a puff of pastry. The mashed potatoes were lovely and creamy and on the side we also had a dish of red cabbage, carrots and broccoli, which too were perfectly cooked, not too raw and not mushy! Everything was spankingly fresh and tasty which made a really welcome change to the many other pubs that just seem to re-heat Brakes finest.

I couldn't face a whole dessert, despite the tempting offers so I shared a dessert of chocolate brownie pudding with the beloved, which came with delicious clotted cream and a silky butterscotch sauce which perfectly complemented the hot brownie.

Everyone else loved their meals and we will definately be re-visiting in the near future.

The Passage House Inn - Charming! by Noelyne

Noelyne — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 13:43:21 +0000

Review by Noelyne

Rating: 4.00

Tags: friendly, independent pub, beer garden

This is a lovely old coaching inn with lots of character. It's well frequented by the locals which is always a good sign. Friendly atmosphere combined with good level of service. They serve a good range of beers and wines and a delicious suffolk cider - Aspleys. I had two excellent fish meals, freshly prepared and far too much! I was working in Exeter and staying in Topsham and am reluctant to go out alone in the evenings however, I felt very comfortable going along here with a book for company!

I took my family here for a drink in August and we enjoyed sitting in the beer garden and watching the boats sail by. Topsham is a really pleasant place to stroll and then stop for a drink and meal.

Highly recommended.This is a lovely old coaching inn with lots of character. It's well frequented by the locals which is always a good sign. Friendly atmosphere combined with good level of service. They serve a good range of beers and wines and a delicious suffolk cider - Aspleys. I had two excellent fish meals, freshly prepared and far too much! I was working in Exeter and staying in Topsham and am reluctant to go out alone in the evenings however, I felt very comfortable going along here with a book for company!

I took my family here for a drink in August and we enjoyed sitting in the beer garden and watching the boats sail by. Topsham is a really pleasant place to stroll and then stop for a drink and meal.

Highly recommended.

Double Locks - something different by bluedonkey

bluedonkey — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 05:32:32 +0000

Review by bluedonkey

Rating: 4.00

Tags: relaxed, friendly, independent pub

this is a good place to visit in the summer - you can even get a boat there from exeter quay or hire a bike and cycle there - very friendly atmosphere and a good place to take the kids as there are no cars around (apart from in the car park!) and there is plenty of room for them to run around just be careful they don't jump in the canal? does get very busy when the weather is good but they usually open an extra bar outside - good selection of drinks and food so overall a good place to visitthis is a good place to visit in the summer - you can even get a boat there from exeter quay or hire a bike and cycle there - very friendly atmosphere and a good place to take the kids as there are no cars around (apart from in the car park!) and there is plenty of room for them to run around just be careful they don't jump in the canal? does get very busy when the weather is good but they usually open an extra bar outside - good selection of drinks and food so overall a good place to visit

Royal Oak Inn - Top local, Heavitree by kendo

kendo — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 15:40:41 +0000

Review by kendo

Rating: 3.00

Tags: traditional pub, standard pub food

This pub is the best of the bunch if you find yourself in Heavitree high street in Exeter and in need of refreshment. The bar staff and landlord are friendly and the locals don't bite. There are a variety of seating areas including a seperate dining room. The food is basic pub grub and there is a small courtyard at the back for sunny days. A traditional drinking pub ideal for a pre-curry pint or two (try the Light of India up the road). Real ales are served along with the usual euro-lagers. 79-81 Fore St, Heavitree, Exeter, EX1 2RN Tel 01392 254121.This pub is the best of the bunch if you find yourself in Heavitree high street in Exeter and in need of refreshment. The bar staff and landlord are friendly and the locals don't bite. There are a variety of seating areas including a seperate dining room. The food is basic pub grub and there is a small courtyard at the back for sunny days. A traditional drinking pub ideal for a pre-curry pint or two (try the Light of India up the road). Real ales are served along with the usual euro-lagers. 79-81 Fore St, Heavitree, Exeter, EX1 2RN Tel 01392 254121.

The Brook Green Tavern - Great Little Pub by jmarko

jmarko — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 20:29:05 +0000

Review by jmarko

Rating: 5.00

Tags: friendly

The Brook Green Inn can be found just opposite the Exeter Football Staadium. It is an old building with lovely leaded windows. It is a busy friendly pub. There are lots of photos on the walls of the outlandish, lively and very fun nights that they have there. During the day it is quite quiet. They do play the main football matches. There is a small beer garden. There is a pool table and darts board. They do very good and reasonable pub grub. I would highly recommend this pub for a great night out or a quiet drink during the day.The Brook Green Inn can be found just opposite the Exeter Football Staadium. It is an old building with lovely leaded windows. It is a busy friendly pub. There are lots of photos on the walls of the outlandish, lively and very fun nights that they have there. During the day it is quite quiet. They do play the main football matches. There is a small beer garden. There is a pool table and darts board. They do very good and reasonable pub grub. I would highly recommend this pub for a great night out or a quiet drink during the day.

Beer Engine Pub & Brewery - More than just a pub by jmarko

jmarko — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 16:07:19 +0000

Review by jmarko

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 01392 851282

Tags: friendly, relaxed, value for money

I cannot recommend the Beerhouse highly enough. It is a pub and restaurant that is situated above its own brewery. The beer is delicious - a choice of light, medium or dark. Medium is my personal favourite. There are plenty of outdoor seats and tables for the summer months. The bar has an open fire and a very homely friendly feel. The restaurant to one side serves incredible food. Try their pies, steaks and fish, though probably not all in one setting because portions are pretty generous. It is not cheap for a pub but the food is not your usual pub grub. It is of restaurant quality. This is an incredible little pub. If you want to eat, you should book, as it gets very busy, especially on weekends.I cannot recommend the Beerhouse highly enough. It is a pub and restaurant that is situated above its own brewery. The beer is delicious - a choice of light, medium or dark. Medium is my personal favourite. There are plenty of outdoor seats and tables for the summer months. The bar has an open fire and a very homely friendly feel. The restaurant to one side serves incredible food. Try their pies, steaks and fish, though probably not all in one setting because portions are pretty generous. It is not cheap for a pub but the food is not your usual pub grub. It is of restaurant quality. This is an incredible little pub. If you want to eat, you should book, as it gets very busy, especially on weekends.