The Thistleberry Hotel — Restaurant in Newcastle-under-Lyme

There is a full review on Facebook, as I’m not character bound.

There was many issues with the set up in the day and pub being locked when they said that would go and set up all day.

And there was no mention of a noise limiter when we booked.

When we arrived to finish the set up, with the band, we finally felt slightly more relaxed. That was, until, the band started sound checking and every time the drummer pressed his pedal the noise limiter cut off the power to any amps. For almost two hours the band tried and tried to make the set up work, to ensure that they held out their end of the promise. Unfortunately, it resulted in the drummer being unable to play and the band having to play as a trio. However, during the night, any slight bit of singing from the guests would tip the noise limiter over the edge and result in the amps being cut off, meaning that they could be half way through a song and the power would cut off. At the time of booking, there was no mention of the noise limiter or that there would be such issues of the noise was too loud. The landlord/manager, was asked about noise limiter , to which he said “I can’t turn it off, as we are being monitored for sound”. Now I could say that was true, however, in the bar, there was a disco taking place, which was louder than the band (who had to play quietly to not knock the overly sensitive noise limiter out) no noise limiter was present in the bar, and the disco music contributed towards the noise limiter in the function room due to the disco being very close in proximity. So if that statement was true about the sound being monitored, surely, the disco noise would be capped and wouldn’t be twice as loud as the band were? (At times we could hear the disco in the background of the band!)

I had personally asked to speak to landlord/landlady/manager about this (I went around to the bar side, where the disco was) to be told that he’d been asked questions and walked away. Funnily enough the landlord/landlady/manager was nowhere to be seen all night.

I had also asked if we could dim the lights in the function for the disco lights that had been brought in. This request and reply was asked twice during the night. The bar staff said “we don’t think we can, we’d have to ask the front of house manager” I did ask if they could, but no sign of the front of house manager or even a courtesy reply to us explaining, why, in a room where functions take place (and their resident disco DJ’s with disco lights on) that the lights couldn’t be dimmed or switched off. Seems a very petty item to moan about it, but I’ve seen no party venues have a full set of internal lights on whilst people are dancing. I suppose the only saving grace to having the lights on all night was that when the noise limiter knocked the power out, the disco lights went too, which meant at least we could see whilst the band reset the power.

The noise limiter was an absolute disgrace and ruined the evening, it couldn’t even handle an Amazon echo studio speaker on half volume with people singing at the same time. (That also cut the power out).

The lack of management presence, at the time angered, frustrated and upset me, but on reflection, it actually shows me that my custom wasn’t that welcome and nor appreciated. Which is highly infuriating, as the cost of the room, isn’t that cheap, and the money that was put behind the bar last night, was probably of a decent amount.

I would never book this venue again. A lot of time and effort went into to planning a party for two people who work tirelessly, and selflessly for others, I feel beyond upset that a catalogue of mistakes took place yesterday/last night and the party didn’t run as smoothly as I’d hoped and planned.

This review will probably fall on deaf ears, a lot like our requests for last night, however it may make potential customers consider twice before booking.

If you want a recommendation for a band or a hog roast though, I know of them both who went above and beyond all night! So thank you Stepping Lane and The Giggling...

We had a 60th birthday party here in the function room recently. Great function room with a private bar, all staff very welcoming and helpful and great prices. But I want to say a massive thank you to the manager, a family member had a medical episode and required an ambulance. The manager helped so much by calling and passing all information over while family members stayed and helped my relative. The whole family are very very grateful for...

Nice friendly atmosphere, there is a good sized function room with a well stocked bar, they have bingo on a Thursday, karaoke once month on a Friday, a singer or group most Saturday, there is a jukebox,darts, and pool in the bar, the lounge is stylish and cozy, there is also good wheelchair access, carpark and seating area, also the landlord and his staff always a happy pleasant smile on their faces, I gave the Thistbery five stars,...