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Reply ID 5466

The reason that everyone goes to the barge in the summer, is that, everyone goes to the Barge in the summer, Simple as that. The Beer's cheaper than the Waterside and Baroosh, but may not be as well kept than in the OXT and the food may not be a nice as the Hillside. Soft drinks are expensive everywhere, cant comment on the toilets, blokes do not notice things like that! But if this coming weekend is sunny and warm enough, eveyone will be flocking to sit and sip by the river, just as they do every year. Its tradition! Maybe you will be one of them? Incidentally, I frequented the Barge for the last 3 Saturdays and it has been getting busier and busier, phaps its having a revival. My lot like it as it sells Hogarden and Old Speckled Hen, no complaints there.

Reply ID 5467

Sadly I agree. I like going there because it has papers to read and real ale, the beer is often good but often is not good enough especially as it is expensive. The staff have always been friendly . The food is expensive and though I've not eaten there that recently was bog standard stuff. I do prefer it however to many other pubs in Hertford which says something[:(!]

Reply ID 5468

The Barge was the first Hertford pub I ever went to about twenty years ago when I lived in London. It has one of the best locations in Hertford. If it was truly attrocious it would be empty but the last time I was there a few weeks ago it was packed. A large gentleman stopped me to say hello and aksed my name.........so I told him and asked who he was to be tld he was the landlord. It was good to meet the landlord............on a packed night he was taking the trouble to introduce himself. Either that or I look a bit shifty.

Reply ID 5478

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Originally posted by Ewoowar
The Barge was the first Hertford pub I ever went to about twenty years ago when I lived in London. It has one of the best locations in Hertford. If it was truly attrocious it would be empty but the last time I was there a few weeks ago it was packed. A large gentleman stopped me to say hello and aksed my name.........so I told him and asked who he was to be tld he was the landlord. It was good to meet the landlord............on a packed night he was taking the trouble to introduce himself. Either that or I look a bit shifty. I agree, Tom goes out of his way to welcome people,something that doesnt happen enough.

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Reply ID 5480

Never had good food in there, rarely had a good pint in there. But, like everyone else it seems, I keep going back. Atmosphere is always good, staff friendly, and in summer I do like sitting on the edge of the canal with a pint watching ducks. I do tend to walk past the place on my way to and from town every weekend, I guess the "just pop in" factor is too much for me to resist.

Reply ID 5481

Totally agree as well, everytime we have been in there,he has been most welcoming.

Reply ID 5484

I think it stems from the English love of water, being surrounded by it. Bit of currant bun - off to the Barge.[8D] As a long time resident on the Island, we have no problems with Tom and Lisa or their staff. Customers kept happy, pub emptied on time, no anti-scoial behaviour, jazz every month, other type of music now and then - open air concerts appeared to have vanished. Compared to some previous landlords over last ten years or so they are doing a really good job. Never had a really bad pint, nor really bad food. The Barge serves a particular sort of customer very well - families eating outside, lager drinkers dunking their feet in the Lea, quiz nights popular on Sundays ........... it's an OK sort of pub. Other residents reminisce about the late 1980's when it was the first establishment to serve only ovrer 21's and the Barge was THE place to be. But if I had a choice, which fortunately I do in Hertford, I and Mrs Sloop tend to gravitate elsewhere - usually because the range of beers elsewhere tends to be better kept.

Reply ID 5487

Just wish they would do something with the 20 car parking lot ( most people walk there i assume anyway) It would be e nice if most of the tables could be sitting in some form of garden not the asphalt parking lot. A little money could make a lot of diff i think.

Reply ID 5497

i think it comes down to traditional pub, nice atmosphere and hot days sat next to the river watching the world pass by[8D]

Reply ID 5500

Yes.......location, location, location. I remember early last summer on a steaming hot Saturday afternoon stopping for a pint and sitting outside. On the table next to us were a group of builders from London and Liverpool who had been in town completing a job that morning. They were talking about the pub, the setting and Hertford in general like they had stepped into Shillingbury. Sometimes it's worth listening to others from outside the town to realise how lucky we are.

Reply ID 5501

A Garden would be nice as it does get really crowded as it is now. I live with a River view so I can do it anytime but if the Car Park was a Garden you would see the River on your way to the Bar!

Reply ID 9381

I must say it is one of the best pubs in hertford! Hogarden is the best beer there is sould sell it in all pubs and bars!!!!!!!!! Baroosh is not the place it was ! the music is to loud now ! can here the person next to you! Think The Barge seems to getting busier by the week.

Reply ID 12626

Love the buzz of the Barge

Reply ID 12627

Pubs are only ever as good as their landlords and sadly the Barge lost its greatest assets Don and Carol Blackett up to the Silver Fox and then I've lost where they've gone. Its a strange thing, but true, having done some bar work.. I like the Barge as it has happy memories, but sadly it needs a traditional landlord/landlady set up and this might never happen again...

Reply ID 12633

quote:

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Originally posted by Drama Queen
Pubs are only ever as good as their landlords and sadly the Barge lost its greatest assets Don and Carol Blackett up to the Silver Fox and then I've lost where they've gone. Its a strange thing, but true, having done some bar work.. I like the Barge as it has happy memories, but sadly it needs a traditional landlord/landlady set up and this might never happen again...

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Reply ID 12653

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Originally posted by Victor Meldrew Have you met the new Landlord at the Barge, he used to run the White Swan in Hodessdon and is a Rugby man. A good landlord in my book!

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Reply ID 12655

I don't go to the Old Barge often but I find it very welcoming when I do. The landlord came out and introduced himself the first time I went in there after he took charge.

Reply ID 12661

And very likely they will have the best Christmas lights in town again this year. Both outside and in - as I remember from previous years, very Dickensian, very Victorian - in the best possible sense of the meaning.

Reply ID 12681

How new is this landlord please? I had been speaking to one regarding the Pudding Fair a few weeks back, and wasn't aware that management had since changed. Or has it?

Reply ID 12683

Not. He has been there over a year I think. Big white beard and was called father christmas by a mates son!

Reply ID 14279

Is there a charge on NYE for the Barge?

Reply ID 16184

Nice pub the Barge , one of the few that has not realy changed in the 16 years i have been in Hertford..

Reply ID 16190

Barge is potentially a good pub, particularly in the Summer but the standard of service leaves a lot to be desired. I have stood for 5 to 10 minutes waiting to get served and that was when it was quiet!

Reply ID 16229

Same here on Friday at about 6.30ish, when they only had one barman on duty that had only been there a week, who was also a little light in the common sense department. Its not normally a problem.

Reply ID 16234

I like it too, for the live music and cosy atmosphere. It's also good to know that they are happy to serve coffee and hot chocolate all day - yes, even in the evening - because then my mother is happy to join us in the pub when she wouldn't normally. It also means that when we've finished a good walk across the Common, said parent is happy to nip into the pub for a cup of coffee and the rest of us can have a sneaky pint. I don't think there are many pubs that don't mind serving coffee instead of alcohol.

Reply ID 16257

went in for lunch on Saturday, food was good....nothing special just good honest hearty pub grub (chilli Con Carne and Shepherds Pie etc). Landlord very jolly (just like Santa), seems like a nice fella. [:o)] I do have an issue with him though, I used to see him every morning walking his dogs down the path along the river. He never picked up the dog poo, and as one of the dogs is very old it tends to do it in the middle of the path. [:(!]