Worst Pub of the Year 2019

[sheffield hatter]

I thought I'd kick this one off now, in the fervent hope that I don't come across anything worse in the last week of this year.

I scored half a dozen pubs on 3 this year: The Falcon (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/32005/) (Bridgnorth), Lost Industry Tap (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/88486/) (Sheffield), Red Lion (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/75967/) (Dunston, Lincs), Londesborough Arms (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/21432/) (Metheringham, Lincs), The Rockingham Tap (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/87749/) (Swinton, Yorks) and Woodies (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/43014/) (Leeds). Some of them it's a matter of taste, so that although my experience was probably more like a 1, I recognise that the pub might not be thought quite so bad by the customers at whom it is aimed. Some it's just bad beer or bad service.

This year's clear winner (and I can't remember now why it scored 2 rather than 1): The Sportsman (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/6082/), Carlisle. Just bad.

[oldboots]

Quite a few contenders, mostly down to my OCD/Completeism but I'll go with the most recent which is truly awful: (big pause)







The Terrace (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/43606/)

Possiibly not as bad as Nick Davies' Ye Olde Saracens Head (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/38263/) in the Rear of the Year thread (http://forums.pubsgalore.co.uk/showthread.php?30697-The-Rear-of-the-Year), as I got served, on the other hand I'd probably have prefered not to have been.

[Aqualung]

Thanks for setting this up. Sadly, with few new pubs visited thus year I can't think of anywhere completely horrendous. I could pop round to the William Morris but the opening times are totally random.

[Al Bundy]

A difficult one this as the amount of crap 'bars' and 'wine bar' type places I've been in this year make it hard to choose as Slug And Lettuce-like places are just crap anyway. However, the worst 'proper style pub' for me has to be the Queen's Counsel in Ilkeston. Just crap.

[Pangolin]

A few contenders serving undrinkable bilge, which could possibly be redeemed if you were lucky enough to coincide with a fresh barrel. And think I vaguely remember giving somewhere a 1 but have managed to put it out of my mind. Finally decided on the worst recent experience despite it serving a decent beer: The Coach (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/60352/).

[Mobyduck]

Although I made a conscious decision not to visit any obviously crap pubs just for the sake of a tick , inevitably some slip through the net as did this one, The Draft House Old Street (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/84120/), 2/10, it would seem though that I am at odds with the previous reviewers.

[rpadam]

There's a few days left, and I usually try to find a smidgen vaguely positive (or at least neutral) in any review, but I can't imagine anywhere topping (or should that be bottoming) the Crown (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/65586/) in Kings Heath.

[Tris39]

With few new pub visits this year, I haven't had too many bitter disappointments but I'd probably dissuade potential visitors from trying out:

The Gun (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/87332/)

Croxtons (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/87489/)

BrewDog Oxford (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/31762/)

The Bulls Head (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/32194/)

[london calling]

Thought it might be difficult to find a real dud from my list then I remembered this ghastly enterprise
Real Ale London w10 bar/bottle shop

[NickDavies]

Well I suppose the easy answer is: anything with "Hungry Horse" written on the outside of it. But then I get the feeling that, inwardly at least, they know they're crap. What annoys me more are those that are equally crap, like some M&B brands, but think they're a cut above the rest.

[Tris39]

Well I suppose the easy answer is: anything with "Hungry Horse" written on the outside of it. But then I get the feeling that, inwardly at least, they know they're crap. What annoys me more are those that are equally crap, like some M&B brands, but think they're a cut above the rest.

You can lead a Hungry Horse to water, but you can't drown it.

[Brainypool]

I recall The Lock Keeper, Chester (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/53828/) and Liquid Bar, Ormskirk (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/77942/) being a nightmare. And as above, almost any Hungry Horse/Flaming Grill/Toby Carvery/Miller & Carter anti-pub I have been dragged into.

[Pangolin]

I might have to start a 'Stop knocking Hungry Horses' thread! Yes, there are plenty of crap ones but I have been to several good ones, and they do tend to at least have handpumps. As with most pubs, it does of course depend on the manager/landlord: I know one which had a really enthusiastic guy who kept the back bar free from family distractions and with changing ales in good condition. Wouldn't like to guarantee it if/when he left though.

[Mobyduck]

I might have to start a 'Stop knocking Hungry Horses' thread! Yes, there are plenty of crap ones but I have been to several good ones.

Fair play , but I am yet to find one, not that I'm looking. :D

[Aqualung]

I might have to start a 'Stop knocking Hungry Horses' thread! Yes, there are plenty of crap ones but I have been to several good ones, and they do tend to at least have handpumps. As with most pubs, it does of course depend on the manager/landlord: I know one which had a really enthusiastic guy who kept the back bar free from family distractions and with changing ales in good condition. Wouldn't like to guarantee it if/when he left though.

A good point but I would never go into a Hungry Horse, just like a Cafe Rouge or Turtle Bay. .

[Lady Grey]

There are a few poor pub experiences I've had this year, but they have been redeemed by friendly and helpful bar staff or customers.

The Gardeners Arms in Evesham The Gardeners Arms (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/42106/) is a bit of a grotty locals pub, with no real ale. Alan Winfield summed it up perfectly, so there was no need to write a new review.
There is a pub in Gloucester that shall remain nameless, really grumpy landlord.

[Mobyduck]

There are a few poor pub experiences I've had this year, but they have been redeemed by friendly and helpful bar staff or customers.

The Gardeners Arms in Evesham The Gardeners Arms (https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/42106/) is a bit of a grotty locals pub, with no real ale. Alan Winfield summed it up perfectly, so there was no need to write a new review.
There is a pub in Gloucester that shall remain nameless, really grumpy landlord.

Alans review is from almost 2 decades ago , I would suggest its always worth an up-to date review even if the pub is essentially unchanged, it would help anyone browsing pubs galore to see the current state of affairs of the pub and reinforce Pubs Galore as a credible and up to date web site.

[Lady Grey]

Point taken Mobyduck. I didn't realise the review was that old.

[Bucking Fastard]

An easy winner......................The Founders Arms (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/24231/).

Not being a completist means I normally just walk by what appear to be awful pubs ,but a sudden downpour forced me in here.The lowest mark awarded to a new pub visit in 2019.

[ROBCamra]

An easy winner......................The Founders Arms (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/24231/).

Not being a completist means I normally just walk by what appear to be awful pubs ,but a sudden downpour forced me in here. The lowest mark awarded to a new pub visit in 2019.

Shame. Many years ago I had to do some work at Sainsbury's HQ at Blackfriars and it was a decent enough pub then. :(

[Tris39]

Shame. Many years ago I had to do some work at Sainsbury's HQ at Blackfriars and it was a decent enough pub then. :(

Was this the original version (http://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Founders-1.jpg) or the current 'Little Chef' incarnation?

[Aqualung]

Was this the original version (http://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Founders-1.jpg) or the current 'Little Chef' incarnation?

That picture from 1950 shows the original Founders as a Free House but advertising Truman's. I wonder when it changed to Youngs.

[ROBCamra]

Was this the original version (http://alondoninheritance.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Founders-1.jpg) or the current 'Little Chef' incarnation?

Newer incarnation. It does have good views across the river though.

[rpadam]

Newer incarnation. It does have good views across the river though.
Grand views from there yesterday, as we walked past...