First House Pub — Restaurant in Winchester

There's no other bar for me. I've lived for good amounts of time in several entertainment capitals: New Orleans, Austin, Madrid, Sao Paulo, Nashville and some other major cities.

First House Pub is among my top 5.

What make the FHP deserve 5 stars is that all the key elements of a wonderful culinary and wine/spirit experiences are present:

1. kind, sincerely friendly staff who work their tails off to make sure we are all enjoying ourselves

2. chefs who are highly skilled at preparing the pub-style brand of food. Not one menu item is a miss. People who complain about the food here are doing so to hear themselves talk.

3. enough space but not too much: you can cram a lot of bodies in the FHP, but they're aren't so many people you can't hear your conversation or are splattered against the wall

4. decor is smart: not too over-stated. It's nice mahogany inlaid wood. It doesn't scream ostentation yet shows a great degree of class. It makes for an unintimidating atmosphere so you get a diverse crowd.

5. parking is all over the place. Sometimes there are spaces right out front. There are lots just a block or two away that cost $1 per hour and after 6pm are free.

6. live music: they mostly bring in single cover acts... lone guy, lone guitar-type thing. I've heard music from 1950 to 2018. All the musicians have played sweet, sweet tunes. No disharmony or discord here.

7. alcohol selection: I have seen bars with many more options and seen bars in towns of 100 people where there's 1 beer on tap and Jack Daniels only. First House Pub' s selection is more than decent. Maybe 15 beers on tap. 8 bottle varieties. Maybe 30 diffenet liquor selections. That's a rough estimate. The point is... If your goal is to drink, you will accomplish that goal happily and for a fair price.

So that's it, sports fans.

Go to the FHP. Ask for Ben or Cassie or Mike. Those are the wonderful people who make the dining/drinking experience the fun, original, relaxing time it truly Is! You'll appreciate every dollar you spend here!

First House Pub:...

Mediocre food mediocre cocktails slllllooooow service waitress was nice. Apps: Just get apps those were actually decent. The southwestern egg rolls, buffalo wings and nachos were good. The chips and salsa and guac were meh. I don't think they make their guac in house. I think they buy a base and add onions and tomatoes so it's not as obvious. "Salsa" was wanna be Pico de gallo....PSA PdG is more than tomatoes and onions.

Drinks: The hurricane was ridiculously sweet The jalapeno mango margarita took ages too come out. I cannot remmeber the last time I was served a margarita IN A PINT GLASS!! like what proportions are you using?! The bartender served the same beer in different sized glasses (25cl and 31cl) so people paid the same amount and got different amounts like um no

Food: Salmon was overcooked and dry Tarragon butter carrots are baby carrots Sweet potatoes fries had no flavour normal fries however were delicious Mashed potatoes needed salt DO NOT ORDER the fish tacos they are dreadful. Fish is beyond bland. It's an awful taco. Sliders were typical nothing special Teriyaki beef tips tasted okay but were all cooked too different temps.

Overall I definitely wouldn't return nor...

First House Pub used to be a great pub experience: good beer selection and good comfort and pub food. Yesterday, our dining experience was very disappointing. I ordered the baked haddock sandwich and it was downright depressing middle-school cafeteria grade. The haddock fillet was minuscule and it was falling apart, with a mushy and wet batter that was rather disgusting. A side of store-bought potato salad with like 6 pieces of potato served in a sauce dish. We also ordered a burger that was served inside the bun with the wrapping paper you use to separate patties in the bag still on. They literally cooked the burger with the paper on! It is true that they apologized, offered a new burger and took that out from the bill; but it is still true that the burgers are not home-made but also store bought. A side of nachos we ordered for the kids was cold and the melted cheese was already hardened when the dish came out. Beer was good, at least. I did not like the detail that the glasses it was served on had advertisements of other local businesses.

Overall, a subpar experience for quite a lot of money. We will not be coming...