Old Fire House — Restaurant in Exeter

Really disappointed to be writing this. We're working in Devon for the next 6-9 months, so I'd had a look online where was recommended. Here came up as a good option on a Sunday (we'll all be travelling down Sundays and staying for the week, & Sundays are always hard to find somewhere decent).

I was on my own this evening, as the first one down here, so thought I'd give it a try. Its always fairly intimidating going into a place on your own, but this looked alright.

I ordered a pint (very well kept Estrella) & was enjoying the place. Decor is good, nice atmosphere and decent choice of drinks. A group of staff (some working, others not) were sat at the end of the bar, playing cards and having a laugh... all good to this point.

I'd noticed on the food menu (photo attached) that it said live music on Sundays, so when I ordered a second pint I asked the lad behind the bar if they had anything on this evening. He said "not tonight" and I thought that was it.

Next thing I know, he goes back to his colleagues at the end of the bar & starts making a joke that I'd asked about the music. "live music tonight. is he joking?" ... "live music?" followed by sniggers and people having a laugh at my expense. It only stopped when somebody said "did you want to say that any louder?" when I expect they realised I was in earshot.

It made me feel really uncomfortable, unwelcome and just went against the whole vibe of the place and the reviews I had read. I quickly finished my drink and left, I'm sure if you're a big group, or a regular, this would be an alright place, but as a person on your own I would absolutely give it a swerve... unless you want to be mocked by staff and openly talked about behind your back.

We'll find somewhere else to eat / drink the...

I’ve been coming to this pub for the last eight years, ever since I moved to Exeter, and it honestly feels like the end of an era.

When it changed from private ownership to being part of a chain, there were already big differences, no more jugs of cider with syrup, a much smaller selection of local ales, but I still kept coming back because the atmosphere was so special.

After the most recent refurbishment, though, the pub has been completely stripped of its personality. I understand that new electrics or bar improvements may have been necessary, but what made this place unique and cozy is simply gone.

The warm, rustic feel has been replaced with something cold and clinical. Outside, the long benches and the iconic candles in the wine bottles are gone. Instead of soft yellow fairy lights, there’s now bright white glare that feels more like a waiting room than a pub garden. Inside, the rich red walls have been painted plain white, and all the quirky old furniture has been replaced with generic pieces you could find in any chain pub.

It used to feel welcoming, cozy, and full of character, you could believe the stories that JK Rowling was inspired by the Old Firehouse when imagining The Leaky Cauldron for Harry Potter series. Sadly, no one would believe it now.

Now it looks and feels like every other chain pub geared toward late-night student crowds. The magic, warmth, and individuality are gone. All that’s left is a generic shell. Unless they hang some TVs and turn it into a sports bar, it’s hard to imagine how it could lose any more of its former charm.

I never thought I’d say this, but after so many years, I don’t see myself coming back. It’s just too sad to see what...

This used to be my favourite pub and pizza place in Exeter, sadly it changed a lot, my fav things were service, pizza and selections of draft ales and ciders :( there is no longer selection of local ales and ciders, didn’t know what to get as a drink... pizzas all have the same names as before, but they are completely different and prices went up by a fair amount... before, goat cheese and caramelised onion pizza was so good with generous amount of cheese and chutney, but now it has barely any goats cheese and chutney on it, instead for some reason it became unbearably spicy for no reason and got zucchini and bell pepper on it ?! Whyyy?! Butternut squash pizza was my second favourite, they replaced chickpeas with bell peppers ?! Again why would you change a perfectly amazing recipe?! We were given a complimentary pizza as for health reasons I couldn’t have goats cheese pizza due to it’s unreasonable spiciness which killed all the flavour, so I’m thankful for that as by that point the whole experience became a bit upsetting :( can’t do half and half pizzas any more and now they are too pricey for what they’ve became, very sad... and the city club app is hard to use and is annoying... not coming back any time soon ... And I really miss the old firehouse :( p.s. I understand corona etc but why did the pizzas have to change in such a...