Looky's Bar - ​⭐​​⭐​​⭐​​⚪​​⚪​

[Happier diner]

I am going to start some review conversations of food and drink establishments

I will start with my review

First up is Looky's Bar

We visited on a Friday evening a few weeks back at about 5.30. It was fairly quiet but most of not eating seating was taken. There was a nice atmosphere with mellow music at reasonable volume for the time of day. The wine was decent. The cask beer was excellent. Thank you to @alpha-acid I believe for this. Sadly it seemed a bit out of place as its no real ale pub but I hope its selling well. Tasted like the old Okells IPA used to taste.

I think overall its not really our type of place. Its like a nightclub that hasn't opened yet. There is live music but none starts until 10pm so that's too late for us.

There was a food menu but it was all big meals (dinner). If there had been some lighter options (comfort food?) we would have eaten there but wouldn't sit down for a big meal. 

Pros

• Cask Beer🤗
• Comfy seating 🤗 
• Mellow music 🤗 

Cons

• Too much dining type tables and chairs😬
• Nightclub feel 😬 
• Big TVs pointless on with no one watching 😬 

Edited November 24 by Happier diner

[alpha-acid]

Indeed that is my beer. However, it is a completely different beer to Okells IPA which I developed as well. My Beer for the Palace uses different Hops and Malts that IPA did not have in it. But I am pleased to know you enjoyed it, thank you

[Passing Time]

26 minutes ago, alpha-acid said:

Indeed that is my beer. However, it is a completely different beer to Okells IPA which I developed as well. My Beer for the Palace uses different Hops and Malts that IPA did not have in it. But I am pleased to know you enjoyed it, thank you

It's not all about you, you know...

[alpha-acid]

12 minutes ago, Passing Time said:

It's not all about you, you know...

The beer is, I developed the recipe and I brew it

Edited November 16 by alpha-acid
spelling

[La Colombe]

On 11/14/2024 at 8:40 AM, Happier diner said:

First up is Lookies Bar

Ffs, it's Looky's. Not a great start. 

[Happier diner]

11 hours ago, La Colombe said:

Ffs, it's Looky's. Not a great start. 

Shoot me now. 😂

But thanks for noticing. Corrected. 👍

Edited November 18 by Happier diner

[Albert Tatlock]

On 11/14/2024 at 8:40 AM, Happier diner said:

Sadly it seemed a bit out of place as its no real ale pub but I hope its selling well.

I don't know what you think qualifies you to write a critical review, but aside from that you're wrong on this.

Real ale is not confined to traditional pubs; it belongs anywhere people appreciate quality craft beverages, including restaurant bars. The inclusion of real ale in such establishments enhances their offerings, catering to a growing demographic of ale enthusiasts who seek variety and authenticity in their drinking experiences. Real ale complements a range of dining options, pairing well with diverse cuisines and elevating the dining experience. Moreover, offering real ale demonstrates a commitment to supporting local brewers and artisanal craftsmanship, aligning with the broader movement toward sustainability and locality in food and drink. Its presence in a restaurant bar isn't out of place—it’s a testament to evolving tastes and the versatility of this much-appreciated beverage.

[HiVibes]

1 minute ago, Albert Tatlock said:

I don't know what you think qualifies you to write a critical review, but aside from that you're wrong on this.

Real ale is not confined to traditional pubs; it belongs anywhere people appreciate quality craft beverages, including restaurant bars. The inclusion of real ale in such establishments enhances their offerings, catering to a growing demographic of ale enthusiasts who seek variety and authenticity in their drinking experiences. Real ale complements a range of dining options, pairing well with diverse cuisines and elevating the dining experience. Moreover, offering real ale demonstrates a commitment to supporting local brewers and artisanal craftsmanship, aligning with the broader movement toward sustainability and locality in food and drink. Its presence in a restaurant bar isn't out of place—it’s a testament to evolving tastes and the versatility of this much-appreciated beverage.

Even old coots are getting on the AI.

[Albert Tatlock]

3 minutes ago, HiVibes said:

Even old coots are getting on the AI.

If it wasn't for 'old coots' (CAMRA...1970s) there wouldn't be much real-ale.

[Happier diner]

56 minutes ago, Albert Tatlock said:

I don't know what you think qualifies you to write a critical review, but aside from that you're wrong on this.

Real ale is not confined to traditional pubs; it belongs anywhere people appreciate quality craft beverages, including restaurant bars. The inclusion of real ale in such establishments enhances their offerings, catering to a growing demographic of ale enthusiasts who seek variety and authenticity in their drinking experiences. Real ale complements a range of dining options, pairing well with diverse cuisines and elevating the dining experience. Moreover, offering real ale demonstrates a commitment to supporting local brewers and artisanal craftsmanship, aligning with the broader movement toward sustainability and locality in food and drink. Its presence in a restaurant bar isn't out of place—it’s a testament to evolving tastes and the versatility of this much-appreciated beverage.

Good point. I did say 'seemed' out of place though. I should clarify that I was pleased to see it and yes I agree. Cask Ale takes some effort to manage though and many pubs ditch it because its so much easier just to hook up a new barrel of Carling or Madri, or even worse John Smiths smoothflow, than mess around with barrels of real beer

I hope it persists at Looky's bar. 😀

[kevster]

On 11/14/2024 at 8:40 AM, Happier diner said:

review conversions

convert into what?

[The Voice of Reason]

On 11/14/2024 at 8:40 AM, Happier diner said:

I am going to start some review conversations of food and drink establishments

I will start with my review

First up is Looky's Bar

We visited on a Friday evening a few weeks back at about 5.30. It was fairly quiet but most of not eating seating was taken. There was a nice atmosphere with mellow music at reasonable volume for the time of day. The wine was decent. The cask beer was excellent. Thank you to @alpha-acid I believe for this. Sadly it seemed a bit out of place as its no real ale pub but I hope its selling well. Tasted like the old Okells IPA used to taste.

I think overall its not really our type of place. Its like a nightclub that hasn't opened yet. There is live music but none starts until 10pm so that's too late for us.

There was a food menu but it was all big meals (dinner). If there had been some lighter options (comfort food?) we would have eaten there but wouldn't sit down for a big meal. 

Pros

• Cask Beer🤗
• Comfy seating 🤗 
• Mellow music 🤗 

Cons

• Too much dining type tables and chairs😬
• Nightclub feel 😬 
• Big TVs pointless on with no one watching 😬 

Your post says under a topic entitled  Looky’s Bar

“I am going to start some review conversations of food and drink establishments”

Just so I know, should each review have a separate title of the establishment being reviewed or should they all be in this one thread? In which case should the thread not be retitled to something more generic? You wouldn’t really want to post your thoughts on say, Matchams in a thread entitled Looky’s Bar would you?

Anyway I’ve not been there yet ( Looky’s, that is) but thanks for the review. The pros all sound good and I certainly agree with your categorization of big TV,s pointlessly on with no one watching as a con

Which leads me on to my own review. I’ll do it in this thread because there is a common factor with it.That being the TV thing.

I went to Barbary Coast North the other lunch time, for the first time. They too, had these huge silenced TV’s dominating the place, a particular pet hate of mine ( why oh why oh why?)  It can’t be for the kids as all of those in their were oblivious to them and playing on their own “devices” (again why oh why oh why?, they are not going to learn social skills from so doing).

However having been to the Douglas version a couple of times I guess I really should have known what to expect TV wise so maybe that’s down to me.

On a more general note, the food was OK, as expected. The fries were on the cold side. Service was initially quite slow but picked up ( teething problems probably). We just had the one course including sides

The bill with tip came to £80.00 for two, with two glasses of wine accounting for about a quarter of that.

I may go back but having the television free “Square” restaurant not much more than a few yards away offering a two course prix fixe lunch of excellent quality for £19, (three course for £25) it may be unlikely. 
Horses for courses and all that

 

 

[La Colombe]

On 11/25/2024 at 8:35 PM, The Voice of Reason said:

a two course prix fixe lunch 

 

On 11/25/2024 at 8:35 PM, The Voice of Reason said:

Horses for courses

Bon appétit. 

[The Voice of Reason]

On 11/26/2024 at 10:24 PM, La Colombe said:

 

Bon appétit. 

Merci

Actually I’ve only ate horse on a couple of occasions both in Geneva. Nowhere neigh  as nice as cow