Latest reviews from Harpenden
| 48 /100 20 LEYTON ROAD “Popped in to see what was on, but didn't stay. The customers were young, the beers were oldies. Not much here for me today. Looked like a perfectly civilised foodie pub though, if you don't mind the restrictions that Greene King imply.“ |
| 58 /100 Rollings Wine Company (Beer Store) 26 STATION ROAD “Close to the station at the bottom of its ramp from its entrance, this central shop unit has a good focus on microbreweries from the Hertfordshire, which was pleasing enough for a far away living day visitor like me who rarely sees these brews.“ |
| 60 /100 Godfrey’s Fish and Chips (Restaurant) 41 HIGH STREET “No bullshit, the best fish and chips I have ever had. But for the beer nerd, this has a better selection of beers than any pub in town. 30 bottles, including local brews like Tring - I think I saw 6 different Trings. They have a licence for off-premises sales, so you can take the bottles home with you. There’s a weird and wonderful network of little rooms upstairs if you’re eating, downstairs is just a typical chippy front. Staff super friendly, definitely service with a smile. Oh, and did I mention that it was the best fish and chips I have ever had? I don’t even particularly like fish and chips, but this was absolutely spot on - the batter was beautifully crisp.“ |
| 62 /100 20 LEYTON ROAD “Large and roomy Greene King pub that looks purpose built but does fit into its surroundings very well. The actual ’Green’ isn’t too big in front of the pub with roads dissecting it, but it’s still an attractive area of the town centre and there’s extensive patio areas to this pub, which surely get full on good weather days. The bar stocks mainly Greene King efforts, but there was a special from this brewer available on cask, and a couple of guest ales too when I visited. They also stock their new Craft Academy bottled selection. Food is served here and it’s quite a nice place to sit and sup.“ |
| 62 /100 188 HIGH STREET “Large corner pub where the two main shopping streets meet at a small roundabout. This is an open plan Fullers pub with a restaurant area. Well furnished, the large service area occupies much of the front area with tables and chairs mostly next to the large glass windows that are aplenty here. The lion share of the seating is towards the side and back of the pub where the seating is a little more conducive to eating as they serve food here. Fuller’s have a fairly full range here with five cask ales and a number of their keg ales, with a couple of well-known guests among the latter. Bottles are available from this brewer but there’s one or two other interesting options in the fridges too.“ |
| 58 /100 Wine Rack (Beer Store) 52 HIGH STREET “Opposite the Cross Keys pub, but on the other side of the wide avenue main road in this leafy small town. It’s a corner shop with only the wines noticeable at first - the beers and ales are in the far left corner. It’s fairly extensive, but not as eclectic as some of the city centre branches of this chain store, with lots of British produced ales you’ve probably seen and drank before, however there’s a good range of locally produced bottled available that you don’t see too far outside of this area. A few Belgian and Dutch beers can be found here too, and some of these were new to me too.“ |
| 54 /100 Cross Keys (Bar) 39 HIGH STREET “Older pub towards the end of the shops in the town’s shopping avenue, set back from the road main road with white washed walls. The tiny bar is immediately behind the central doorway and this is also the main room with dark painted wooden beams, stone floors and fireplace. It’s got plenty of atmosphere in here and the other front facing room where you are able to drink indoors. There’s greater capacity in the rear garden though, which is an attractive place to frequent. The male toilets are here in a separate building, but that also means the door to get to them probably allows a fair draft into the main room in the winter months if it is constantly being opened as it’s right next to the bar. Here there are 3 ale pumps, two of which were carrying brews from small local microbreweries and not being from this part of the world both were new to me.“ |
| 52 /100 188 HIGH STREET “2022 update: Gone a bit more wannabe-upper-middle-class hipstery. Looks like the selection may have contracted, even though there's now a Tiny Rebel real ale on. None of the randos in this pub would be intersting to chat with, unlike a proper old man's pub. Accountancy, you say? And your third son's called Nigel, that's nice.
2017 review: Good old-fashioned British pub, some comfortable chairs, fairly spacious. Weekday lunchtime - posh pub grub 3 courses for 15 quid. No longer with the Thai kitchen, back to a more traditional pub menu. Staff very friendly, attentive and accomodating. Beer selection a bit limited, but you’ll get a nice pint of ESB or Pride.“ |
| 58 /100 Cross Keys (Bar) 39 HIGH STREET “2017 review: Perfectly serviceable town-centre pub. Low ceilings, pleasant middle-class professional vibe. Very convenient for Cinnamon, down the alleyway behind it. 2 hand pulls were on, both were pretty common quality bitters (think Timmy Taylor Landlord, that ilk), but they were on very good form. Staff was professional.
2024 update: Hasn't changed much. The beers clearly rotate, as there were some interesting things on this time. And were on great form - had a delish Tring. Friendly staff.Has to be the best pub in town, lets fling it a few more points overall - I like it here.“ |
| 60 /100 188 HIGH STREET “Although there is a Thai restaurant attached, this is primarily a drinkers’ pub, and a crowded one at that. People come for the beer and sport. Three to five taps serving Fuller’s beers. Also a couple of reasonable keg (Honey Dew or Frontier) and bottled (Budvar) choices, but nothing you haven’t had dozens of times already. Within spitting distance of the station.“ |
| 54 /100 20 LEYTON ROAD “Food-led GK pub. IPA and Abbot, plus a seasonal. Open-plan and a bit identikit but the building is olde worlde and pleasant. Very friendly service. Occasional music nights. Can neither fault nor praise to any great degree, the beer’s in good nick but choice is limited.“ |
| 58 /100 Cross Keys (Bar) 39 HIGH STREET “The Cross Keys is a beautiful olde-worlde two-room pub in the town centre. Note however that one of the rooms is set up with generously spaced tables, which results in the bar area becoming quite crowded. Quick and cordial service. There are three ales available; my understanding is that they are not often rotated. A not overly remarkable pub, although the beers are well kept.“ |
