This is an odd mix of nice restaurant and overflowing, rowdy, loud bar., so I am going to review the various different guises I have found it in depending on the time of the week...
Lunchtime Browns
Nice, fairly relaxed but buzzing place to get a pretty good burger and lots of salad/sandwich options. (They also serve pies, fish & chips, steaks and pasta). The service is friendly and warm, downstairs gets pretty busy, but upstairs seems very quiet usually.
Tuesday night Browns.
Almost deserted, plenty of tables free, a few people just drinking at tables in the bar area. Upstairs is closed, noise level is pretty close to silent.
Friday night Browns
Fight your way through the smokers surrounding the door, yell at your friends once you get in as the noise level is insane! They turn the music up and there are so many people in there talking loudly to compensate for the music that it's akin to a club. It gets very crowded, although upstairs (eating only) is a little bit more sane. It's really good fun, but it takes a while to get a drink and conversation is very much one-on-one as you have to be only a few millimetres away from an ear to be heard. Don't bother with food, unless you are upstairs, the staff are run off their feet.
It's a large place, lovely high ceilings, lots of tables and comfy booths. Really nice place, good food, good wine list and generally buzzy atmosphere. Just be aware that it's a chameleon and changes dramatically depending on the time of the week. read more