Pub reviews are strange things, let’s take The Penny Black for example. The pub is situated in Tamworth town centre and describes itself as ‘a friendly venue offering delicious food, great drinks and unforgettable experiences’.Fair enough, but what do the punters think? Well they are very much in two camps with literally opposite opinions according to the on line reviews.
On one hand ‘food terrible’, ‘wouldn’t come here again’, ‘bad service’, ‘miserable staff’ and ‘avoid the pub at all costs’ however the alternative view is ‘great place to eat’, ‘will definitely be back again’, ‘lovely service’, ‘fantastic pub staff’ and ‘recommend to anyone as a place to go’. Talk about a difference of opinion.
My view is that I’m probably more inclined to agree with the negative reviews. Don’t get me wrong it’s not bad, the pub used to be a Yates’s establishment (say no more) and little has changed from those days so draw your own conclusions.
My significant other describes this place as dirty (please note the spelling of that word if you are reading this blog Christina Aguilera) and she is spot on. The only place that instantly springs to mind that is more in need of some tlc and a lick of paint is the Main Stand at St Andrews. One review stated ‘could do with some paint’ and unsurprisingly there was no alternative write up stating ‘beautiful decor throughout’.
I’ve got mixed memories of this place, it was the scene of one of the first dates of myself and my better half when we were still at that hand holding phase however it was also where I watched (I was the only in the person watching it in the pub) the 2016 T20 World Cup final where the West Indies needed an improbable 19 off the last over only for Carlos Brathwaite to hit Ben Stokes for four successive sixes. Yes I was the individual that day shouting at the screen like a demented fool ‘Bowl him something different Stokes’!!
Billy Bunter types might be pleased to know that in the morning The Penny Black dishes up the ‘Even Bigger Breakfast’ which amongst other things includes 4 sausages, 4 bacon, 3 eggs and chips. Apologies to vegetarians and those of a religious persuasion who are offended by such a pork feast, however should you choose to relapse it’s a bargain at just £8.99 !!
Be warned this place morphs into something that isn’t necessarily for the faint hearted around 9pm on a Friday and Saturday night. Yes youngsters flock to the place in their droves for what the pub describes as ‘live DJ’s’ !! Call me old fashioned but I’m not sure if such a concept is possible, aren’t they just subjecting their audience to listening to downloads off their Mac computer?!!
As you would expect there is a range of drinks to cater for Tamworth’s yoof. The ‘Bad Ass cocktail’ selections sound like a ten penny mix up (Google it kids) with drinks including Refresher, Bubble Gum Babe and Cherry Cream Cola. If you ask for Purple Rain you’ll also be presented with a Del Boy style drink rather than a song by Prince/Victor/Squiggle (delete as appropriate).
To summarise, The Penny Black is okay, it does a job in the day but certainly one to avoid on weekend nights or if you’d got OCD around cleanliness!!
People of our age leaving in their droves at 8.59pm? To be fair to Tamworth it does look like a top day out as loads of variety...
ReplyDeleteBilly Bunter! Not heard that for ages....don't let the owners know St Andrew's needs a lick of paint or they'll close the main stand as well!