rev:text
| - Ok, ok. so a British pub along the light rail is bound to be hyped up. But I'm quite sold on the atmosphere of this place, inside and out. Though the food and beverage prices are a bit steep, its nice to have a chill hangout with a good patio. I went on a Friday night and expected mild-to-moderate revelry, but instead I observed a reserved post-college crowd, soccer on the telly, and a reggae singer. Sounds like a pleasant evening.
I agree with other Yelpers that the new pub doesn't have the charm of the old house. The interior is pretty cramped and lacks seperate rooms that gave the old restaurant a parlor-like effect. Instead, the bar and the compact dining area is seperate by a curtained half wall, breaking up this already cramped space. So, I headed towards the patio and it was golden-the light rail speeds by you and see the neigbors in the condos acoss the street yelling at one another from the balconies. Perfect place to see urban life. The staff is very friendly and though understaffed, a server came out to ask my friend and I if we needed anything. I find that patio-dwellers get ignored at most joints so this was a nice touch.
While the new Big Ben doesn't make a splash on my list of Charlotte hang-outs, I will atleast give it an honorable mention. It does however make for a nice diversion from my tried and true weekend hangouts or a good spot for launching an evening in Southend. I look forward to grabbing dinner at Big Ben the next time I see a show at Tremont or Amos'.
|