Review #2 - Park Lane Tavern

We're back with our second review, and we're sticking with the St. Patrick's Day theme!

Bar: Park Lane Tavern

Location

Rated by
Reggie
Joanna
MB
Jeremy

Date of Visit
3/17/2015

While J Brian's feels more like a British pub, Park Lane LOOKS like a British pub. There's a lot of wood used in the decor, as well as British themed art. The bar itself is a massive wooden bar, with molding for decoration. The "roof" of the bar is lined with their massive selection of bourbons and scotches, as well as mugs hanging underneath.

Selection/Variety - 9

• 23 beers on tap, the majority from overseas plus 4 rotating taps
• While the selection of beers is large, we found ourselves asking if they were beers that we were really interested in drinking
• Large selection of layered beers (snakebites, black and tans, etc.)
• 44 bottled beers
• Root beer (on tap!!) - perfect if you're pregnant or not drinking
• PAGES of scotches and bourbons
• Specialty cocktails and martinis
• Full selection of wine and liquor

Atmosphere - 8

• British pub themed
• Lots of TVs that feature soccer if it's on
• All four sides of the bar has seating, which is nice if you just want a drink
• It's a big place, but even when it's packed, it doesn't feel crowded
• However, given the size and the number of patrons that can fit, on busy nights (such as St. Patrick's Day) it can be very loud
• They have an outside area, a glassed-in patio, and the main dining area
• The outside seating is nice, but it looks out on a mall; there's no real "view"
• There are fire pits for cooler nights, which is nice

Location - 6

• Having to deal with Route 3 can be a deal-breaker for some people
• The parking lot, while large, fills up quickly due to all the shops and restaurants in the area
• The decor and atmosphere would be better suited in downtown Fredericksburg, not in the middle of a commercial shopping center.

Service/Staff - 8.5

• The women wear plaid skirts and knee-highs, the men wear kilts. How can you go wrong?
• Servers are attentive and friendly
• When it's crowded, there's a small waiting area with padded stools and small tables; servers will take drink orders and bring them to you while you wait, which is nice

Prices - 7.5

• Not cheap, but reasonable for what you get
• Your mind won't be blown, but neither will your wallet
• According to our server, "the higher the ABV, the higher the price"

Events/Entertainment - 8

• Tap takeover/steal the glass nights every week
• Live music and a DJ on the weekends and for some special events
• Dart boards in the back glassed-in patio area

Happy Hour/Specials - 9

• Different daily specials
• Monday - Half priced fish & Chips
• Wednesdays - Steal the Glass night
• Thursdays - $6 pizzas and live music
• Fridays - Martini specials and a DJ
• Sundays - Bloody Mary bar
• Happy hour Mon thru Fri 3 to 6 - specials on drinks and apps

Food - 8

• Full menu
• Burgers
• Steaks
• Pizzas
• Sandwiches
• "Pub fare" (fish & chips, shepherds pie, etc.)
• The food is very good, and is well prepared

Individual Overall Scores

Reggie - 85

Joanna - 90

MB - 88

Jeremy - 85

Final score: 87 (out of 100)