Botanic Inns

[Bazza]

Remember on the brew day when Michael from the Hudson mentioned previously working for Botanic Inns and he muttered 'Expect to hear something soon'?

Looks like this was it:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-22434980

Not a huge surprise, considering some of the weight they've been carrying (Whig springs to mind).


-Barry

[iain_todd]

I looked at the list of bars they ran and, to be honest, I pretty much wouldn't have gone near any of them - and my friends would be the same.

I think the problem was that their bars are the same old crap. You could go anywhere in NI for a bar like Northern Whig, as it completely lacks any individuality or personality.

The same couldn't be said for Kelly's Cellars, however, which has been there apparently since the days of Wolfe Tone.

Its sad, but not surprising.

[sub82]

Never really enjoyed the bot - guys I worked with loved it but I never saw the attraction. What about a whip-around to buy it and open a brewpub?!

[CARA]

N.I in general lads. The Maiden Oak did fuck all in the 80's, it's time the new generation got the oul finger out

[Bill_00]

It certainly means there are more liceneses up for grabs...makes a microbrew a bit more attractive.

Botanic Inn's, while providing nothing particularly special, don't really have a "bad" bar..and they all have a strong food offering.

[Bazza]

Botanic Inn's, while providing nothing particularly special, don't really have a "bad" bar..and they all have a strong food offering.

I take it you've never been to the Elms then? It's possibly the single worst bar in the UK. It's a seeping pustule in the arse crack that is the bulk of the Belfast bar scene. A truly awful place. Never liked it, never will.

Of the others I know in the Botannic Inns portfolio:

The Bot - When I used to frequent this place as a student I guess I was always too drunk to realise just how irritating the bar and its clientele is. The beer was always piss poor too; straight from the slops tray. I would die happy never having darkened its doorways again. Full of culchies, and I should know.
Parador Ormeau Road - A wee bit local-y. Not a bad Guinness, but poor beer choice besides. I've only gone in there when the thirst has got the better of me on the walk to the Errigle or Big House (100 yards further down the road).
The Apartment - Full of tossers. One of those places you end up in against your will and it takes 20 minutes to get a pint because the staff are too busy crushing leaves for the cocktail order for the guy in the linen suit queuing in front of you. You'd die of sobriety in there. Food's not bad, though.
Northern Whig - That place well and truly has had its day. Lacks any kind of charm or character despite all the elaborate decor. In its heyday there was so much smugness about the place. The bouncers were happy to let you stand outside in the pissing rain waiting to get in (against your will). But if a gaggle of leggy blondes were to suddenly show up and swish up to the front of the queue they were let in straight away. Did the bouncers really believe these girls were all going to have sex with them both individually and as a group by way of gratitude?
Horatio Todds - Only been there once, last summer. My memory is cloudy as I was drowning my sorrows after the FA Cup Final.  Not bad if nothing special. But you'll take what you get in Ballyhackamore (unless you actually like The Point?). Plus they did Belfast ale on draught and the food was decent.
Kitchen Bar - A wee bit up itself for its own good. Went in for lunch one day recently, specifically so I could have a pint of Belfast Ale. We got a table, sat down, were handed menus and were asked what drink we'd like. On being told they were down to their last bottle of ale we stood up and left (to my wife's embarrassment).
McHughs - Went here instead (see above). Couple of ales on offer. Again the bar is nothing special but the food upstairs is pretty damn good as I remember.
Kings Head - It had a roof and it was snowing heavily outside. That's all I can offer here.
Ryans - Quite liked it when I lived on the Lisburn Road. Though anything was better than the Chelsea.
The Tap House - Did this place used to be the Fly??? Oh Christ give me strength. A contender for the Elms crown.

So there you have it. Botannic Inns are carrying far too much dead wood. Definite potential there to buy up one or two of their pubs for a song and turn a decent location & venue into a very good brewpub.


-Barry

P.s. Did I mention already that I'm not partial to the Elms.

[Bill_00]

Well god knows following the discussion the last brew day, there's space for a few more microbrewers and especially brewpubs in NI, and especially Belfast. Hard to believe a city of its size doesn't have a brewery *of any description* hint hint

Pretty sure College Green brew on the premises...however they've went the bistro route instead of having a decent wee pub. Been thinking about asking for a tour actually

[matthewdick23]

Well god knows following the discussion the last brew day, there's space for a few more microbrewers and especially brewpubs in NI, and especially Belfast. Hard to believe a city of its size doesn't have a brewery *of any description* hint hint

Pretty sure College Green brew on the premises...however they've went the bistro route instead of having a decent wee pub. Been thinking about asking for a tour actually

they don't. they're part of hilden

[iain_todd]

Yeah Botanic Inns really did have the worst selection of bars in Belfast. Their dr:nk off-licences were relatively half-decent though, as they went beyond the usual Carlsberg/Stella/Harp/Magners/Budweiser/Miller bollocks of Winemark and Wineflair.

Wonder where the Lisburn Road and Holylands students will go now to drink their watery lager and argue about sport.

[Bazza]

Their dr:nk off-licences were relatively half-decent though, as they went beyond the usual Carlsberg/Stella/Harp/Magners/Budweiser/Miller bollocks of Winemark and Wineflair

Totally agree with you about Winemark. Have you ever seen their 'ale' selection? Tins of Tetley Smooth and bottles of Smithwicks and Newky Brown. That's it! But you can get 200 different types of similar tasting piss lager (in tins) and 100 different types of cider (95 of which are brewed by Magners; the rest are in brown plastic bottles). They cater for binge drinkers and alchys only.

Having said all that, I frequently buy wine there. I guess if they called themselves 'Beermark' we'd have more of a case against them

-Barry

[iain_todd]

Yes, I've heard their wine selection is good. I can't help but sigh every time I'm in a situation where Winemark is the only choice.

It has got worse in the past few years. My friend Darren - who was at the first meeting at the Hudson - worked there for ages and he said it used to have some half decent stuff, but it gradually got pushed out by the Tuborgs and Bavarias.

Actually quite depressing when you think about it!

[Bill_00]

Would I be banned from all future meetings if I revealed I frequently go to Winemark as they are the only people that do PistonHead?

About the only lager I can stomach...(and ideal for park drinking due to it looking like an energy drink)

[iain_todd]

I would drink Pistonhead the odd time, but it's pretty much cos of the can!

It's a good beer for drinking lots of, though. Nice and light and refreshing...

[sub82]

I had some of it recently and thought that it had changed, less malty or something.

[iain_todd]

I think it's one of those timid beers which has a taste relative to what you've already been drinking.

So if you've just had a Punk IPA, it'll taste like Bavaria, but if you've just had a bottle of Coors Light, it'll taste like a mildly hoppy, refreshing beer.