The Keys — Restaurant in Barnsley

Based in the Hoyland Common area (just off M1 junction 36), this Bar & Restaurant serves a variety of cuisines to suit most visitors and has a homely and welcoming, modern pub vibe to it, making it a great place for either a casual or occasional visit. AD|INVITE

We class The Keys as fairly local to us, and as well as serving delicious food, they often host events making it a popular venue with other locals. BUT we have always been impressed by the food here and I believe for the slightly higher prices than your standard local pub, the extra quality and taste does come through and is worth it.

What we have enjoyed so far;

Malay Satay Chicken (£8.50) – big chunks of chicken and the satay sauce is very rich & flavoursome – I 100% recommend this “small” plate. Sizzling King Prawns (£9.50) – this came with chorizo and juicy tomatoes and a warm sourdough bread bun with butter. A lovely, tasty starter/small plate. Onion Bhaji Burger (£16) AND we upgraded the fries to Salt & Pepper Chips. A great Veggie burger that was satisfying but not bulky and over-facing. The mango chutney and raita dips were fab with this. The chips were soooo good, with just a hint of chilli. Steak & Padron Pepper Hanging Skewer (£18) – these are served with fries, salad and a delicious chimichurri sauce. The steak was so tender this was definitely the star of the show! Mac & Cheese side dish (£5) – this was a massive side dish portion – def one for sharing, but it is soooo cheesy it was to die for.

This place has a real homely, pub vibe to it with a large but cosy, inviting dining area inside and a decent beer garden, and the service is friendly and really welcoming. A great place for both a casual or occasion visit. There are many other dishes on the menu to tickle your taste-buds, such as; Seafood Linguine, Steak & Ale Pie, Chicken Tikka Massala, Poke Bowl etc as well as Desserts such as New York Cheesecake, Chocolate Bombe and much more.

The Keys also serve fabulous Sunday Dinner (which we’ve had tried and approved 👌🏼) AND a Saturday Bottomless Brunch for £35 which includes their infamous skewers, burgers or 2 small plates and 90 mins of bottomless drinks! I think we’ll have to head down for that on our next visit. A lunch Menu is also available and between Monday – Thursday 12pm – 5pm you can get 3 courses for £16...

I have been to the Keys many times previously, and enjoyed this on each occasion. However, the last two times I have been, both have been appalling! The food has been to a relatively ‘good’ standard, but not as good as it has been previously. Also, I understand that businesses are trying their best during these unusual and unprecedented times and circumstances and that early closings and other constraints are in place, which does make things difficult. What I don’t appreciate is being unnecessarily rushed. This happened on both visits. The first occasion the party of five that I attended with spent in excess of £250.00 and the following time, the bill close to £50.00. What is hugely unappreciated is having the feeling of being rushed whilst spending a lot of money whilst on a rare night out to celebrate. A few occasions on the first visit waitresses were coming to the table and trying to take plates before people were finished. This was most annoying. Also, the multiple visits to the table seemed excessive. We left feeling rushed. On the second visit, the same happened. We felt rushed. After we’d been there sometime, staff were observed staring at our table. This was then compounded by the same staff being overheard telling another staff member to “take their glasses” which I heard and made a point of making the waitress aware of this. During this time, I made it clear that it felt like they wanted us to hurry up and get out! We felt really unwelcome and a real sense that staff just wanted us to leave. Last orders bell was called at 21:08 and we left. With service like this, I can’t say that I will be returning to the keys again, which is...

We booked the keys for our annual Xmas meal out ..... Never again !!!!!!!

Our table was booked for 7:30 , we arrived in the bar to be told our table " wasn't ready " they had just cleared a large party .. fair enough !! We baught drinks while waiting and was then lead through to our table to be told " our kitchen closes in 10 minutes so can u please hurry with you're choices ...??? We were given the cut down menu to what it states online on a pice of A4 paper ! We "quickly made our choices of what was left basically .....!

The meals themselves ( varied choices ) were fine , chips were 10 minutes late coming to one meal , we asked to order some drinks ...

No carling No peroni They were waiting for somebody to come and look at the pumps ....4 days ago ..!!!!! Not good week before Xmas and no beer !!!!!

We ordered desserts at £4.95 each .... The strawberry cheesecake was in a bowl and consisted of a dollop of squirty cream , a crushed digestive biscuit and what looked like strawberry sauce , no actual fruit insight ....!!!

We refused to pay for these as they were a absolute disgrace !!!!

Our experience was diobolical and shall not be returning , to offer this shambles of a service especially the week before Xmas is not good !!!

A very unsatissfied...