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4.2

Based on 211 opinions finded in 3 websites

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Nº 252 in 553 in Colchester

Nº 55 of 112 Other cuisines in Colchester

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I have been to this on many occasions for a quiet dug with friends. I have also been in quiz night and a sat where there are a few more people in the bar. It has a small beer garden and a great selection of ales. It is close to the town centre and the owners are brilliant. Highly recommend this place.

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Shaun McGlynn . 2024-09-08

MORE AT Google

An old school pub with old school values. The staff are wonderful, friendly, and clearly care about their customers. Huge range of beer from mainstream to local, lots of snacks, a pub quiz, and all beyond fairly priced. It won pub of the year 2024 for a reason. Fantastic establishment.

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Mark Moorhouse . 2024-08-12

MORE AT Google

Really friendly landlady. The beer was excellent. And you get free pub crawl advice as well. 👍👍

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Neil Hampson . 2024-08-07

MORE AT Google

This multi award winning pub is still my favourite one in Colchester. The friendly staff are always happy to help you choose a beer to suit your tastes, and there is always an excellent selection on offer

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Gordon H . 2024-07-31

MORE AT TripAdvisor

Go visit aunty Pauline and sample her ales.

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steve ball . 2024-07-30

MORE AT Google

Great range of cask beers served by friendly staff at a good price

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Graham Pegg . 2024-06-19

MORE AT Google

Reasonable priced good English ale

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John Brice . 2024-06-18

MORE AT Google

First visit as a preamble for the main event when Peterborough CAMRA CC descends on Colchester for a cricket tour in July. The Landlady, Pauline was really welcoming, extremely knowledgeable about her beer and couldn't do enough for us with information and support for your forthcoming visit. The beer was excellent 👌

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Richard Voisey . 2024-06-16

MORE AT Google

Lovely pub, great ales and wonderful service, first time visiting but it will not be our last as made to feel very welcome

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Peter Metcalfe . 2024-03-22

MORE AT Google

Great range of cask ales properly kept

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Phil Hornsby . 2024-03-01

MORE AT Google

Monday 16th August 2022 I revisited this pub again it was it was 5.30 What a nice pub the landlady was ace polite and friendly. The beers on sale were a credit to locally brewed ales and were bloody good The landlady was totally unaware that i had been in here before. that's how i like it Pleasure today to be drinking in this pub 10 out of 10 all Thursday 11th January 2024 This great pub was revisited This pub has at least 8 handpumped beers on offer, from local and small breweries, The pub is a old fashioned gem. The landlady is from the age when looking after Ales matters This pub for real ale drinkers when in collchester is a must to visit 10 out of 10

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Darren Slingsby . 2024-01-11

MORE AT Google

Fantastic traditional pub! Highly recommended for everyone who loves ale!

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Daniel Milner . 2024-01-08

MORE AT Google

My husband and I dropped in for drinks and clearly, because we are not regulars, we were treated with contempt. What a dreadful and soulless place with incredibly rude staff.

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Emily Jacobs . 2023-09-06

MORE AT Google

Great beer, great staff and a friendly atmosphere.

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Timothy Smith . 2023-08-24

MORE AT Google

Great beer, comfortable and atmospheric pub with friendly staff.

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Simon Vincent . 2023-05-25

MORE AT Google

Great night at the monthly quiz!!

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Beth Daly . 2023-05-20

MORE AT Google

Fantastic local pub, very friendly staff, good selection of ales. Cash is preferred if possible. Lovely decor and atmosphere. Will easily be coming back.

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Oli N . 2023-04-20

MORE AT Google

A good traditional pub with a great selection of ales

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Christopher Steel . 2023-03-18

MORE AT Google

Our favourite pub in Colchester. The owners are so friendly and welcoming. Great selection of reasonably priced drinks. Lovely little cosy, traditional spot ☺️

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Ella Hurdle . 2023-01-25

MORE AT Google

The finest ales in Colchester. Set a 5 minutes walk south of the town centre, The Ale House is in the heart of Colchester's proper pubs district. The Ale House, however, stands tallest and regularly wins CAMRA awards.

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Thaddeus Mac . 2022-10-18

MORE AT Google

Used to be the best pub in colchester but has changed alot for the worse . Land lady has changed and is very judgemental and wants to know everyone's business. And we dont feel welcome anymore . The place has gone down hill alot. It's too clicky here now and it will be there downfall which probably won't be long

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craig webb . 2022-10-16

MORE AT Google

Good ale, probably one of the best selections in town with up to a dozen on. Thing is we came here for the bar billiards table and its gone. We asked why and were told it didn't survive the Pandemic (I didn't know mushrooms could catch covid) so we probably wont come out this way now

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Mjr Cox . 2022-09-18

MORE AT Google

A basic pub with very well kept ales

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Lee Payne . 2022-09-01

MORE AT Google

Excellent pub, very friendly staff.

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Chris Dorrian . 2022-08-04

MORE AT Google

Excellent pub, lovely welcoming staff. Good real ale choices. Very glad we went to visit on our weekend away in Colchester.

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botchy . 2022-07-25

MORE AT TripAdvisor

Lovely old pub good beer good atmosphere friendly staff

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ross luke . 2022-06-30

MORE AT Google

Brilliant atmosphere - A real pub with a bundle of genuine real ales to taste. Great staff, great venue

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pete g . 2022-05-23

MORE AT Google

Football away day visit. Couldn't ask for more in a pub. Excellent selection of beers for real ale lovers and decent for those who prefer lager or cider. Nice beer garden. Excellent service from the lady behind the bar who was on her own but still took time to chat, and even helped us try to get a taxi to the football ground, as did one of her regulars. She also allowed us to bring food in from the nearby takeaway which, I'll add, did one of the best pizzas I've ever had. We will definitely head straight for The Ale House on our next visit to Colchester.

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Paul Mitchell . 2022-05-15

MORE AT Google

Lovely local pub with friendly staff.

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Maria Pretty . 2022-04-10

MORE AT Google

Great little pubwith a good selection of drinks and ales. Landlady was lovely and very accommodating. Went for a retirement bash and the buffet was lovely too. Would well recommend.

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Sue Newman . 2022-04-03

MORE AT Google

Good ale good people not keen on woman that runs it. Puts you off going to this pub

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Stressed Parent . 2022-02-05

MORE AT Google

Good Ol' Fashioned Drinking Pub!

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Ben PA . 2022-01-22

MORE AT Google

The Ale House is a lovely pub with excellent hosts. They have a wide selection of beers & ales and an excellent range of gins and rums. Pauline & Fred are welcoming & warm and a great sense of humour. The quiz nights are epic.

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Carolyne Taylor . 2021-11-19

MORE AT Google

Excellent local pub with an excellent range of real ales

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James Atherton-Gower . 2021-11-10

MORE AT Google

Great selection of beers & Cider

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Anthony Lee . 2021-10-16

MORE AT Google

Love this pub great staff friendly atmosphere. No egos in here at all very good evening. Can’t recommend enough 😁

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Pete Skinner . 2021-09-23

MORE AT Google

Plenty of outside seating, most covered. Wear mask to order drinks at the bar and use hand sanitizer and write down name & phone number. Good beer selection. There are steep steps up to the garden from the bar, but easier steps with handrail outside the pub on the right hand side. Also seating inside. Wear mask to walk around

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heather crook . 2021-08-24

MORE AT Google

Very friendly. Selection of ciders.

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Sue S . 2021-08-10

MORE AT Google

Fab place and great beers. Staff are just so good and friendly

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Neil Elliot . 2021-07-29

MORE AT Google

Great selection and location staff knowledgeable and willing to help

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Jan-christoph Lawlor . 2021-07-28

MORE AT Google

Excellent bar staff and service with friendly people

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David Elliott . 2021-07-20

MORE AT Google

I've been coming here whenever I've been back in my hometown for quite a few years now, and it is still my favourite pub in Colchester. The landlady and her staff are always friendly, and there is always an excellent selection of well-kept beers.

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Gordon H . 2021-06-24

MORE AT TripAdvisor

A great welcome from all the staff. The real ale was varied and local.

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Dan Woodruff . 2021-06-19

MORE AT Google

The pub has a fine range of beers, served from the cask under gravity as well as from the pump. Staff are very friendly and interested in their beers and are responsive to clients comments. At the back there is a beer garden with tables for groups of six or so people and this is where we were served when we returned to the pub in June 2021. We had a choice of six real ales, so felt like royalty.

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Ian Yates . 2021-06-11

MORE AT Google

Visited the Ale House for the first time, nice little place which also has an outside area / seating. Selection of ales / beers, could have done with a menu (even an online one) to work out what was available - but the ones we did have were pleasant. Staff seemed friendly and happy which was good to see.

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Andrew Cartwright . 2021-06-05

MORE AT Google

The Ale House is a lovely pub with friendly staff close to the town centre but do not serve meals but usual bar snacks of crisps and nuts are available. There is a very nice large outside area with seating under cover as well as in the open. The Ale House has a monthly quiz night which has been suspended for the time being but may resume. The winners receive a cash prize and those in last place receive free bar snacks.

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Lucy Tweed . 2021-05-12

MORE AT Google

Top place to drink with Friendly Fred your local landlord

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David Merriday . 2021-04-29

MORE AT Google

Good real ale. Proper traditional ale on draft . Hooray !

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Simon Donnelly . 2020-10-27

MORE AT Google

Very friendly homely pub , A fine selection of Ales too

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Eddie Armstrong . 2020-10-17

MORE AT Google

Good selection of beers and friendly staff

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Mark White . 2020-10-06

MORE AT Google

Our favourite pub in Colchester.

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Kieran Fitzgerald . 2020-09-23

MORE AT Google

Friendly staff, well kept ales, nice choice.

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Jon Stephens . 2020-09-12

MORE AT Google

9 real ales on very friendly staff could not ask for more ,

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julian medcalf . 2020-09-11

MORE AT Google

Friendly welcoming pub - great ales and sensible distancing policy in place

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Steve Humble . 2020-08-08

MORE AT Google

Good beer and friendly staff - proper pub - even has a bar billiards table,

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Steve Sims . 2020-03-04

MORE AT Google

A lovely pub just outside the hussle and bustle if the main town. Really good range of drinks and lovely friendly staff.

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tanyam119 . 2020-02-11

MORE AT TripAdvisor

A very friendly pub with a good selection of ales.

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David Waters . 2020-01-25

MORE AT Google

Great pub with a massive selection of beers. Rather than going for the taphouse feel of The Fat Cat across the road (also a very good pub), this is very much a traditional feeling pub with plenty of room to find a table. Friendly staff and punters make it a welcoming place. They also have bar billiards, if that's your thing.

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Dean Stanley . 2020-01-12

MORE AT Google

If you love a great traditional real ale pub, then you are in for a treat. The Alehouse on Butt Road is absolutely worth a visit. Friendly and knowledgeable staff and happy to let you have a tester of an ale if you are unsure and always happy to recommend an ale based on what you like. They a lovely selection of drinks, so something for everyone and a nice collection of gins. Definitely visiting again soon!

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Scott G . 2020-01-06

MORE AT TripAdvisor

Lovely pub. Great range of beer and the landlady is lovely. They have a pubquiz once month, bar billiards. Recommend of a nice place to meet friends for a quiet night out.

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Hollie Allen . 2019-12-13

MORE AT Google

This is a great pub. It has a very homely feel and is a comfortable drinking environment

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Matt Walter . 2019-12-08

MORE AT Google

Great pub very friendly and brilliant selection of beer.

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Stephen Hughes . 2019-11-29

MORE AT Google

Good friendly pub, excellent choice of beer.

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David Gould . 2019-11-23

MORE AT Google

Great place and friendly atmosphere.

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Joanne . 2019-06-18

MORE AT Google

Lovely bar staff, friendly feel to the place, nice little outside space

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Gem Brooker . 2019-06-13

MORE AT Google

Great selection of Ales, lovely staff, just a nice genuine pub.

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Jason Brammer . 2019-06-09

MORE AT Google

Lovely little English pub, well kept ales on tap.

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Greg Brown . 2019-05-27

MORE AT Google

Fantastic atmosphere and excellent service from landlady Pauline and staff. They even put on a spread on Sundays, what's not to like about this place ?

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PK Bibi . 2019-05-06

MORE AT Google

Nice pub. Has a bit of a weird "bar" feel to it, despite the pub look. But all the better for it. Great selection of beer and lager.

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Dan Baseley . 2019-04-02

MORE AT Google

I've used this pub over the years in its various guises and it never disappoints. The service is friendly and efficient and the beer very drinkable.

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medic7698 . 2019-01-06

MORE AT Google

Great pub with a great selection of ale's & ciders! Lovely friendly staff! Nothing is too much for them! It's not like a typical town pub and there is never any trouble in there. Highly recommend going there just to try!

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Claire Howe . 2018-12-28

MORE AT Google

Great staff. Great atmosphere. Great beer

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glen burton . 2018-12-04

MORE AT Google

Good Ales in a warm and welcoming local pub. Quiz on the 3rd Wednesday of month is great fun. Nice experience.

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Pete Clouter . 2018-11-22

MORE AT Google

Nice place, clean friendly and a good choice of gins

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Sarah Farthing . 2018-11-18

MORE AT Google

Lovely pub , Fred and Pauline make you welcome all the time and they have a great choice of gin, bourbon and whisky .

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Faye Brown . 2018-10-16

MORE AT Google

Always a pleasure to try a new ale or several, have been visiting for a few years and I've never had a bad pint.

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Michael Floyde . 2018-09-26

MORE AT Google

Great ales, ciders and atmosphere

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Simon Foulds . 2018-08-23

MORE AT Google

Super pub. Best ale choice in town.

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John Howson . 2018-07-23

MORE AT Google

Wonderful place, great beers, very clean and a lovely beer garden and helpful and cheerful staff

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Ciarán Ansdell . 2018-06-24

MORE AT Google

Great pub, polite staff, friendly atmosphere.

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Tony Dunne . 2018-04-08

MORE AT Google

Fantastic pub good beers and very welcoming

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Del Blankfield . 2018-03-02

MORE AT Google

Beer is excellent here; I paid around £3.60 for a pint from a barrel. The atmosphere was good even though I was there on a weekday evening. Service was very pleasant.

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PaddyJPG . 2018-01-27

MORE AT TripAdvisor

Nice friendly bar. Good beer and good staff.

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keith Earl . 2018-01-27

MORE AT Google

Great pub quiz every 3rd Wednesday of the month. Always a good selection of beers.

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Chris H . 2018-01-22

MORE AT Google

One of the best pubs in town - don't miss this real ale gem

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Simon Thompson . 2017-12-12

MORE AT Google

Called in for a quick pint as the pub has a reputation for great beer, and was not disappointed, There was a fine selection in the casks behind the bar, and my choice from the Mighty Oak brewery was excellent. The pub was comfortable and pleasant.

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Jeff1903 . 2017-11-18

MORE AT TripAdvisor

Good real ale selection & quiz night

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Kevin SMITH . 2017-08-06

MORE AT Google

12+ real ales on, including my favourite Exmoor Gold, lovely friendly staff, nice spacious pub and great beer garden. It does'nt get much better than this!

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Scott Greenhill . 2017-05-14

MORE AT Google

A fair selection of real ales larger wine and spirits.

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Ian King . 2017-02-21

MORE AT Google

One of my old friends lives nearby, so it's a handy place for me to meet up with him, but it's a great pub anyway. The landlady and her staff are always friendly, and they always have a good selection of (mainly local) beers - usually including a choice of a darker (e.g. porter or stout), "regular" bitters and a golden or pale ale. It's very close to, but not quite in, the very centre of the town, but it's usually easy enough to get seats even on a Saturday night. I highly recommend it - especially for a quiet drink with friends.

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Gordon H . 2017-02-02

MORE AT TripAdvisor

Lovely pub. Major real ale pub. Don't forget to say Hello to Pauline. No food services yet but lots of snacks to choose from.

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Ing Chen . 2016-12-13

MORE AT Google

Been drinking in the ale house since it opened normally a great pub tonight had a doom bar that was very off but barmaid wouldn't take it back or refund crappie service won't be rushing to spend my money in there in future

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Ric Burling . 2016-08-10

MORE AT Google

Excellent real ale pub, friendly bar staff. Only bar billiards game in Colchester. Worth a visit.

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David Allen . 2016-06-14

MORE AT Google

This is a fantastic place to drink. Staff are really great and Pauline the Landlady is just fabulous. It is my local and I would not go anywhere else

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Laura Thrasher . 2016-01-26

MORE AT Google

Most friendliest pub in Colchester. Spotless. Super drinks selection. Ideally situated for a pre-evening drink before going into Town.

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RobertoFlamingo . 2016-01-22

MORE AT TripAdvisor

Because the landlady is a complete and utter fantastic person she welcome,s all new customer

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Clive Aldersley . 2015-11-07

MORE AT Google

Sitting at the bar with my wife we are enjoying some of the best beers is Essex. Camra awarded pub with amazingly friendly staff and a focus on real ale, darts and billiards - the important things in life. Pauline - the professional and glamorous landlady - runs a tight ship. The lines are clean and the beer is great. Probably the best pub in Colchester town.

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NICK1978 . 2014-12-12

MORE AT TripAdvisor

This is a great pub nestled just on the outskirts of the town centre. Always a good choice of real ales on when I have visited (6+ ales on). I have been lucky enough to try food on the odd darts evening which is good traditional pub food (although I understand they are about to start doing food daily?). Nice friendly staff and a good atmosphere. Darts and bar billiards friendly.

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ScottG825 . 2014-10-30

MORE AT TripAdvisor

The staff are very chatty, pleasant & polite. Never ignored, efficent

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angeline moody . 2013-05-25

MORE AT Google

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