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Varsity, Durham

user reviews of Varsity, Durham

please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.

LOL at some of the old comments. One of the best bars in Durham. Never seen any trouble in here unlike North Road or Loveshack/Lloyds area. Food is really good for a pub and they have improved their beer offering with 4 on over my last few visits. Black Sheep at a very reasonable �2 per pint gets it an extra point. The terrace area at the back is one of Durhams little secrets with a great view over the river and screens to catch the footy with loads more and 2 big screens inside its good for the lads. Also the girls aren't left out as I always see loads of very hot young girls here. Definately worth starting the night here, and the service has picked up big time from previous comments.

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pub_paul - 27 Apr 2011 13:41

Half decent chain pub. They have a couple of hand pumps, which never seem to be working. Slightly above average food. Couple of big screens, so good for watching sport, and a decent terrace out the back.

You need to purchase a V-card to get the best prices; but this has steadily increased in price, whilst the extent of the benefits have deteriorated over the past couple of years. Seems almost pointless now.

It has a large bar, but is staffed by numpties who only serve people who stand directly in front of the tills and shout louder than everyone else. The bar manager seems to think he's related to God, but is in fact a complete failure as a human being. If you see him throw you a disdainful look which says 'you should be happy I've acknowledged you exist', he's actually inviting you to order. Have you ever noticed how arrogance and stupidity often go hand in hand? This clown thinks he's hit the big time with his 14k salary, but fails to realise the manager of the local McDonalds is actually more successful than he is.

Avoid at peak times.

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Frankthetank8524 - 9 Jul 2010 22:40

Incompetent bar staff ruin what would be an acceptably average crawl spot - seriously, the staff are the single worst aspect of this place. Absolutely no idea who is next in line and absolutely uninterested in learning. Typical: "I'm better than this" student bar staff mentality... avoid if at all possible!

Beer is "Meh!" at best

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thethompson - 9 Jul 2010 16:17

Reasonable drinks if u hold one of their "V cards", a smallish old building with a rickety old staircase down to the loos(which is under a "conservation order!!".7/10

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fat_beer_badger - 18 Jul 2008 16:23

I only have visited here for coffee and cake, and I think that's a poor thing for a supposed pub.

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J1985 - 9 Jul 2007 17:39

Hole. In. The. Ground.

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ale_fiend - 1 May 2007 17:39

Don't be fooled by the narrow front bar for it hides a cavernous den of a second bar down t'stairs. As the name belies, this is mainly a student hang out during the day, but attracts a great number of customers. The quality of real ale is not particularly high.

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fairport79 - 14 Feb 2007 22:43

When ever back in Durham, I often find myself in here, meeting friends etc. Its large, noisy, smokey, and not too well priced unless you drink the one cheap bitter or one cheap lager. Its very standard in terms of decor, as you'd expect from a chain. In can also get absolutely rammed with the sort of lad groups that I don't really enjoy drinking alongside. But still I keep going back...

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alistair_cross - 6 Feb 2006 11:04

Disgracefully expensive (not that I'd ever drink WKD, but it's �2.95 a bottle) and 330ml bottles of Stella are 10p more than 567ml pints thereof and they still have the cheek to ask "Pint or bottle?"! The music was also absolutely shocking. I couldn't tell what they were going for... Pop? Adult contemporary? Pounding Ibiza crap? The clientelle are also a bit awful from time to time, but the pub's big enough to find somewhere else to sit. It's stupidly busy on Friday night and overly zealous doorstaff make weekends unpleasant.

On the plus side however, it's not as bad as it's low rating would suggest, the food is absolutely brilliant if you're in for a long session and it's always clean and they get the brightness just right. The decking's canny and the big screen is absolutely superb for watching Newcastle matches. The barstaff are also for the most part friendly and chatty if it's not busy.

In addition to this review, I must mention the shocking development in the lower bar - signs have been put up saying:

"IF YOU MOVE THE FURNITURE YOU WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE PUB."

Not very friendly, is that.

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markre - 2 Nov 2005 23:21

im sorry put this paultry 4.3 rating currently displayed is simply not fair. it is in no way a real ale drinkers paradise but it surely is a galant place to drink on the decking of a summers afternoon.

it is absolutely a fine effort.

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alister - 3 Oct 2005 00:30

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Varsity, Durham

user reviews of Varsity, Durham

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