The Split Chimp Ale House — Restaurant in North Tyneside

Left feeling dissapointed at our overall experience of this place. The place was very busy at the time we arrived, although there were several seats available inside as most customers were outside. However, despite being really busy, there was only one barman serving and doing everything else, such as collecting empty glasses and clearing up etc. There had obviously been a recent stock delivery as there were a large number of items lying around the bar area. We had to wait a few minutes at the bar before being served as the barman was doing other things. ( collecting glasses etc? ) In our opinion, a customer waiting to be served should take priority over clearing up/collecting glasses etc. However, when we did get served, we were shocked at the cost of the drinks. A pint of larger and a double Gordons gin with slimline tonic cost us £14.50p!! ( Not even a slice of lemon in the gin! ) This must be the most expensive Gordons gin in the area! There were no bar prices available to see, nor were there any drinks menus available on the tables. Had these been available to view prior to ordering, then we would have left before ordering as we have never been charged so much for those two drinks anywhere else. ( Not even in London, where we had been the previous weekend). I am guessing that the double gin, plus the smallest bottle of tonic its possible to purchase must have cost about £10 as the cost of ales/largers were generally about £4-£5? The place itself is in a great location and pleasant enough, but at those prices, we wont be returning as other craft bars in the town centre offer...

Had a cherry cider there yesterday and I'm afraid it wasn't very nice and I couldn't finish it. Update: I would like to respond to the owner's dismissive response to my review. It wasn't that the cider wasn't to my taste; I tried to finish it and I couldn't. I didn't ask for a sample before purchase as I've never before ordered a drink I couldn't finish, although some were more to my taste than others. I did think about returning the pint but my assessment of the man behind the bar was that I'd be treated to the same defensive attitude to which I've just been subjected. Update: and I am entitled to call you out because you have mistaken me for someone else. No one went through the ciders with me; in fairness I didn't ask them to and just ordered one I thought I might enjoy. I was served by a female member of staff and was wearing a purple waterproof jacket and fleece if that assists you to identify me or I am perfectly happy to chat to you in person so that you can be sure of your ground before you publicly apologise for your error in wrongly attributing the actions of another person to me. I didn't plonk my cider on the bar and walk out. Check your CCTV. I sat in the window on the right hand side, next to the door and tried to finish it before leaving it there. Interesting to learn that somebody else couldn't...

In all the years I’ve been frequenting public houses I have never been asked to leave a pub because of my dog supposedly making a high pitch screech. I ordered drinks and after I’d ordered I was asked to go outside because of my dog ?. I have been going to the Split chimp since it was opened with and without my dogs and we’ve never had a problem. Infact it’s one of our favourite places to go and we go often because we live in Whitley bay. What was more of an issue was the way the young person? Behind the bar spoke to me aggressively and also being cocky by saying ‘just leave’ and smiling and waving sarcastically at me. I am just so taking aback by this behaviour. Unbelievably disgraceful and disappointing customer service. I will therefore be giving this establishment a miss in the future as there are so many other amazing places to visit in Whitley Bay that are dog friendly. . We have always given this place 5 stars and recommended the split chimp to so many people and after tonight struggling to give it one star! He was smirking when we left as after I was asked to leave I said keep my drinks! Therefore this is not a dog friendly pub anymore as our dogs are so well behaved and we take them to so many dog friendly establishments...