Rugby - Where To Eat? Where To Drink?

[AB Editor]

Planning on meeting up with some friends in Rugby. I've never been to Rugby, but it's a easy meeting location.

We just need a place to eat, and a place to drink.

Anyone been out and about in Rugby and found somewhere good really?

Price isn't a concern - just want some good food and somewhere to drink a few beers afterwards.

Ideally the drinking could happen somewhere not completely deafening!

[Buenchico]

OK, it's an obvious link but I'll post it anyway:
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurants-g504202-Rugby_Warwickshire_England.html

The menu at The Merchants Inn isn't extensive
http://www.merchantsinn.co.uk/special_menus/james%20template%20monthly%20menu.pdf
but their website says that everything is freshly prepared, using locally-sourced ingredients wherever possible, the reviews on TripAdvisor are impressive:
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g504202-d3208011-Reviews-The_Merchants_Inn-Rugby_Warwickshire_England.html
(as are those on Google Reviews and Yelp)
plus Camra recommends it for its real ales and Belgian beers
http://www.rugbycamra.org.uk/?pubID=44

If that's not to your taste, my first link offers loads more suggestions.

[AB Editor]

Have you ever been to the Merchants Inn? I looked and it's got that mix of "excellent beer list" and "sky sports is a selling point" - the first is excellent but the second leads to a certain kind of clientèle and a certain kind of drinking.

I wondered if this is any good: http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g504202-d3832939-Reviews-On_The_Rocks_at_Quigleys-Rugby_Warwickshire_England.html

[Buenchico]

I've only been to Rugby once, many years ago. (I seem to remember it as smaller than I'd anticipated and rather boring!). As I was driving, I didn't go into any of the pubs.

As you say, 'Sky Sports' can be a negative point with many pubs but my Sunday evening regular (which is a Wetherspoons place) has Sky Sports and most people hardly even notice that it's there. (It certainly doesn't adversely affect the atmosphere as the sound is usually turned down). I suspect that the Merchants Arms may be a sport-focussed pub during the evenings but it's more a restful real ale boozer (with decent grub) during the day. The only interior shot here makes it look like the type of place I might enjoy (and I certainly don't go to pubs where Sky Sports is blasting out commentary at full volume to loads of inebriated football fans!):
http://merchantsinn.co.uk/s_photo.asp

So your choice of venue might be determined partly by the time of day (or night) when you expect to be there. I note that the place you've suggested only opens during the evening during the week (and from 3pm on Saturdays) and operates a 'bookings only' policy in the restaurant:
http://www.quigleys-ontherocks.co.uk/

[redman41]

Wish I could help ED !
Passed through on the Train countless times but never been into the Town.
Maybe there's someone on AB who actually lives there who could help !

[AliceTickband]

Rugby.........*spits* ........I only live here cos I don't seem to be able to win the lottery!

you could always try the Carlton Hotel in Railway Terrace, just a short walk from the station.....been there a few times and never been disappointed.....small venue, not too noisy.

or get the number 4 bus from near the station into town and sample the delights of Maccy D's.......we know how to live!

[AB Editor]

That bad Alice?

Might invite them somewhere else instead then!