please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
The Volunteer is tucked up a side street and is a traditional pub. It looks like it no longer opens until 4pm each day. I was there just before and was soon let in by the owner. He was a very friendly and chatty chap who clearly takes a nice interest in his customers. Ales were mostly from national breweries - Courage Best, Young's Special, Thwaites Lancaster Bomber & Marston's 61 Deep. As with Perks, where I had just come from, the real cider was Woodgate Amber Cider. It was dispensed by handpull here. Nice interior and it is adults only. I promised to return in several years time when my son is old enough to drink!
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Everyone raves about the 'Voly' but although we have tried a few times we still cant get excited about it. We remember the days of Burts Brewery and it was an absolute must for us in those days. We went this weekend on the occasion of the Beer and Buses weekend but were disappointed to find all the beers bar one were from Heineken Caledonian Brewery with very similar styles. With so many different beers listed to be available over the weekend I guess we were unlucky.
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Superb pub and was made to feel very welcome during my visit, with the locals and landlady taking time to speak to all who came in. Good ales, reasonably priced and a darts area at the back.
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Absolute Gem
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Best pub in Ventnor good selection of ales on and some very friendly locals who always make you feel welcome
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Best and cheapest in the area, good selection of 6 real ales including 1 local brew.nice place.
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Would agree that the selection of beer was pretty ordinary. No local ales on when we went. As was mentioned used to sells Burts (long time ago) and was always a "must visit" just for that alone, although the pub is still excellent in its own way.
Landlord - how's about an IOW beer on tap please!
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Friendly and unpretentious local's pub.Unfortunately, no local beer, only national brands(Bombadier etc).
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OK not quite the same as when Burts of Ventnor used to be sold (showing my age) but a superb atmosphere and reasonable choice of ales in good condition. Nothing from the island breweries when we there but the "coming soon" board listed one from the latest brewery on the island. Highly recommended if you like your ales
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Became our local during the week we stayed. Excellent beer and good company. I need a pub like that nearer my home.
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Visited here on a very wet day. It was the only time we could get in as every other time it was packed. The beer was good.
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JUST HAD A GREAT WEEKEND VISITING IOW & THIS WAS ONE OF THE BEST PUBS WE VISITED VERY FRIENDLY BARMAID & LANDLORD WITH AN EXCELLANT RANGE OF BEERS FOR SUCH A SMALL PUB I DEFINATELY RECOMMEND VISITING THIS PUB
BAZ58 - 19 Oct 2009 07:58 |
Unusual to see the game of rings as the main attraction. The choice of ales is interesting rather than outstanding. We found the pub intolerably warm and was glad that the reasonable weather allowed for the doors to be left open.
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A gem. Small front bar, good beer, no frills or fussiness. The cat looked at me in a funny way, but it may not have been associated with the business so I draw no conclusions from that.
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Strewth! I've just bought a house in Totland. Hope Malcolm doesn't use the Prince of Wales. Visited the Volunteer last year and liked it very much.
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This is the smallest boozer on t'isle and one of the very best. It manages to strike the difficult balance of having a cosy environment packed with loyal locals yet manages to be welcoming, both because of the friendliness of the staff and the witiness of the punters. There is a generous selection of ales for such a small place: approx 5, including Ventnor Golden. Its the best place to try "Golden" and the best drinkers pub in Ventnor. You wouldn't believe how many locals do their dog-walking the the Vectis!
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Splendid little boozer - beer and banter excellent! Made it difficult to complete our walk that day!!
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Small and friendly town boozer - one of the best on the island. Beer varied and well kept. The locals tolerate tourist infiltration with good grace in limited space.
chick - 27 Jul 2008 12:20 |
Great, friendly, locals pub. Very dog friendly. Regular events such as quizzes, meat draw, darts and rings. On a recent visit, had 7 real ales on, which is possibly a couple too many for the turnover. due to a partial tie, they have to stock a couple from the big boys which has detracted from the quality we remember. Very much worth a visit.
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Great pub with excellent beer. Unfortunately on our visit we were treated to the "pub bore" of all pub bores. He claimed to be only 62, and was using his bus pass to empty pubs aound the island.Malcolm was from "Pompey" and proud of it. Now a resident of Totland, they are welcome to him. Staunch UKIP member, although a big bloke a littler "little Englander" we have yet to meet.
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We were disappointed when a group visited one Saturday afternoon recently. The beer (Ventnor Golden Best) was not good and there was an unpleasant atmosphere. A shame really because I had good memories of visiting a decade or so ago.
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Great little pub with a lovely warm feel.
Its just like your front room with beer
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This little gem of a pub is a has an array of local characters who make visitors, such as myself and the lady wife, feel very welcome. Several guest beers on tap all competently kept and served. We went back night after night.
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Fantastic little watering hole which has an incredible range of beers. Went there as it has just come runner up in Camra pub competition for the island. The only question is - why was it the runner up! Ask any local where it is as it is off the tourist radar.
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Lovely little boozer with eight real ales. Friendly atmosphere with a really good crowd in the evenings.
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Tidy little pub this, clean and friendly with some very tasty ales indeed. Happens to be in the best town on the island too. Parking is at a premium but if you are drinking you aint driving are you?
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It might be the smallest on the Island but its got the biggest welcome. Lovely little pub and I counted a least 8 real ales on, no wonder its in the Good Pub Guide yet again
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Quality little boozer with a fantastic range of beers. The owners make you feel part of the pub and I relaxed with a few pints and listened to the local gossip. Great pub
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Excellent pub. Very Friendly regulars, Excelent quality of beer no wonder it is the only pub mentioned in the CAMRA 2005 good beer guide in Ventnor this place deserves it. Probably the smallest pub in Ventnor but by far the BEST!
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Congrats on getting in the MA top UK Pubs list! Richly deserved. Well done!
anonymous - 8 Sep 2005 12:00 |
Great little beer drinkers pub. Loads of real ales and friendly landlord. My first (and often last!) stop on the Island!!
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Great local pub, 8 well kept real ales. Frieldnly locals and hospitable to dogs aswell, have a good night on saturday nights with a vinal night, good old music that i found people are also allowed to bring along to play their own, brilliant fun pop quiz too.
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Just been back to the Volly and Mike & Heather have had the place re-decorated, congrats on getting into CAMRA top three again with all that choice who would vote against it!
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This is exactly what a real pub should be. Great beer with a great local crowd and a superb landlord. I will be coming back to the Volly on my next visit to the island.
anonymous - 20 Jun 2005 12:09 |
Smallest pub on the island with EIGHT real ales - where do I begin?
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A nice and friendly local pub.
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A proper local pub. Cosy, friendly environment, excellent hosts, wonderfull beer. If I want a good night out with a few pints it's the place for me... And I live 10 miles away from there and have to stay locally overnight, but always well worth it.
mike & Heather, you've done a great job.
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moved to the area reciently and this is the friendliest pub in ventnor, the landlords are mike and heather janvrin, they are fantastic and friendly,there are always loads of real ales on tap,so much choise and they are really well kept, they take so much care as to the quality of there beers, it is now my local , well done...
mike downes - 31 Oct 2004 15:32 |
Brilliant little pub. Lee mentions the timewarp factor, but then again we found that goes for most of the Islands better pubs, and adds to the charm of most. Eight good quality cask ales and a basic bar made this a great place to drink. voted 10
Jimbo Smith - 24 Jul 2004 18:43 |
Something of a timewarp. This is a very basic, unspoilt and friendly boozer. A local's local, but a warm welcome awaits the beer-minded traveller. A great reward for the cycle ride from Shanklin to Ventnor of about 4 miles, they have the Ventnor Brewery's beers in excellent condition alongside Ringwood. Recommended!
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