The Blue Bell Inn — Restaurant in Newcastle-under-Lyme

We went to the beer festival it was very good except the food. When I say the food I don't know how the food was because we never got the food we ordered. We waited nearly an hour before a member of staff came over and asked if we were still waiting. We said yes and she said it will be with you in a minute. Very shortly after two boxes of food were given to us. Not what we ordered! We had to find the member of staff and she asked what we had ordered and said she would sort it out. A few minutes later she appeared with a refund that was £3.90 short of what we had paid and did not add up to with anything on the menu. We then had to ask for the correct refund. She kept saying it was everyone else's fault and finally gave us our money. Apart from that we had a wonderful time. We...

New owners I believe and the best of luck to them. It's had a minor refurb but sensibly not changed a tried and trusted recipe. Now with more sensible opening hours. It's always been about the beer and that's spot on. It's tucked away quietly and easy to miss but worth a little effort of finding. It's position along the canal isn't on the prettiest stretch but pleasant even so..great location for cyclists, walkers and narrow boaters...oh & I forgot to mention its a few minutes walk from Kidsgrove train station. I've been again today (Aug 2022) and equally impressed. Great choice of well kept beers (3 for £10.50) Nice pie, chips, peas and gravy for £7.95 Very professional, all young female(?) staff, knowledgeable and friendly. Not a 'date' pub but lovely...

What a fabulous pub. Called in after reading a review and it looked like the best bet close to the canal. Turns out the review was right. No TV's, no gambling machines, no pool tables, but board games to use on the shelf, a fabulous choice of real ales, good food and most importantly great locals. It must be 10 years since I was last in a pub someone produced a guitar, and another one, asked me to join in, and by the end of the evening we were singing irish ballads and then on to Karaoke and being asked to join the owners and friends on a weekend away. If Carlsberg did boozers, (oh they probably do) this would be it - only with better ale. Probably the best pub on the canal network. Will be...