Dear God! Called in here last night on the way to the tram stop. I blame my pal for this morning's deafness, as she wanted one more drink before heading home.
First of all, how loud does the music have to be in order for them to legally have to provide free ear plugs? I guess I'm showing my age now but I just couldn't hear myself think in here - so I was unable to decide what I wanted when I walked in (aside from the nearest exit).
I used to drink in here several times a week, when I worked at Rock Radio round the corner. This was an institution to be reckoned with, back in the day and it was known as the Exchange Bar and Grill. Now I don't know what to call it as there are signs saying both 'Matchstick Man' and 'Hungry Horse'. Don't think the staff know either but it's turned into some sort of chav-den better suited to the back streets of Blackpool, full of women wearing underwear two-sizes-too-small and blokes with tattooed faces. It's obviously become a haven for the deadbeats drifting in from the nearby estate.
So yes, it was an unpleasant half hour, while I waited for my pal to drain her glass. The DJ talked over most of the horrendous tunage that was blasting through the speakers and my tram couldn't come quickly enough.
If you want a relaxing drink and conversation where you don't have to shout across the table, just keep walking and head to The Dockyard. read more