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Food & Beverage 2021

The last time we went to the Towers was Christmas 2019. Me and my misses decided to stay over and have a spa day. Due to the pool being out of action they let us use the spa for free, plus all our drinks were free for the time we were in there. We got very tipsy. Seems so long ago now.
 
As a 30 year old bloke who loves a drink, I’ve never actually consumed any alcohol at AT! I wouldn’t want to either - I go for the rides, magic and escapism . I was quite surprised reading this thread that so many people get half cut! Maybe I’m missing out on something haha but 2 pints of beer followed by a ride would not end well for me and other riders in the same car
 
As a 30 year old bloke who loves a drink, I’ve never actually consumed any alcohol at AT! I wouldn’t want to either - I go for the rides, magic and escapism . I was quite surprised reading this thread that so many people get half cut! Maybe I’m missing out on something haha but 2 pints of beer followed by a ride would not end well for me and other riders in the same car

Before they closed it, there were few places better for a pint than sat on the raised terrace of the Towers St Restaurant in the summer sunshine, overlooking the lawns with the majesty of the Towers reflected in the lake.
 
As a 30 year old bloke who loves a drink, I’ve never actually consumed any alcohol at AT! I wouldn’t want to either - I go for the rides, magic and escapism . I was quite surprised reading this thread that so many people get half cut! Maybe I’m missing out on something haha but 2 pints of beer followed by a ride would not end well for me and other riders in the same car
I've been known to drink for rides, magic and escapism anyway so theme park drinking is a match made in heaven for me!

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If we're staying over i always have a good few pints during the day...great being on rides half cut...we only stay over 2 or 3 times a year though sadly

BPB on the other hand i've been steaming countless time...growing up in rishton it was a shortish straight through train away

Used to love the 50p a ride march weekends as it tied in with a mates birthday...a big group of us used to do the pubs down at blackpool north end and then all go on a few rides

Thinking about it...it was probably groups like ours that helped with the decision to turn BPB into wristbands etc....sorry:eek::D
 
I don’t drink much at Alton. I hardly ever drink when I’m in the park, and if I’m staying in the hotels then I may have around 3 pints but not much more. The early morning start for breakfast and to get on the rides means I want a clear head! Either that or the 10am check out before driving home.
 
I love having a few pints at Alton. I mean, the (draught) beer on park is largely nothing more than fizzed urine, but nevertheless. I believe the newest entry into this style for 2021 is Corona. We'll see tomorrow.
 
The pubs in the village have moved to a different level compared to just a few years ago.

The Talbot is simply fantastic for beers, and the Bulls Head has excellent food.

Totally agree had a lovely pint in the Talbot pre pandemic and a fab meal in the Bulls Head. Have booked to go to the Star in Colyton this time!
 
It's very rare for me to have more than a couple of drinks at Towers due to the whole driving thing. We usually stay at the Uttoxeter Premier Inn.

This thread has inspired me to book a hotel with walking distance of the main entrance next time so I can aim for double figure pints :D

Definitely adds an extra thrill being drunk on a coaster, used to do it at Thorpe a fair bit.

8pm closes will certainly help.
 
It's very rare for me to have more than a couple of drinks at Towers due to the whole driving thing. We usually stay at the Uttoxeter Premier Inn.

This thread has inspired me to book a hotel with walking distance of the main entrance next time so I can aim for double figure pints :D

Definitely adds an extra thrill being drunk on a coaster, used to do it at Thorpe a fair bit.

8pm closes will certainly help.

Chained oak is a great place to stay and just a few minutes walk from the gates - although no pavement!
 
I've been known to drink for rides, magic and escapism anyway so theme park drinking is a match made in heaven for me!

Haha that cracked me up. A very eloquent way of describing the trancendent experience of drinking at AT.

Has anyone been yet? im going this friday and sat, bit gutted that its going to be near freezing and there is no where indoors to warm up but I wont let that dampen the mood! Hopfully we will get a fast pass for the bar'

Do have a question about the security, I've just bought a liter thermos flask and intend to fill it with hot brandy coffee, I know you are allowed to bring picnic stuff in, but are they likely to ask me to open the flask to smell the contents?

Staying at the hilton in stoke (key drinker) so an Uber is looking about £24 each way
 
I doubt very much they'd sniff your coffee to check if there's booze in it.

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F&B is just so damn average right now.

These "Grab & Go" options... Well to me there's nothing different. Thorpe have way more options.

Alton Towers F&B needs a rocket up its arse. It's dated, shoddy and lacks variety.

Entertainments and Operations have improved. F&B and, to a lesser extent, retail, are dreadful and have steadily deteriorated over the last decade.

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I think the removal of the courtyard bbq and fish and chips are the most notable really. There are too many places now to get coffee and snack but not enough to get a full hot lunch.
 
I think the removal of the courtyard bbq and fish and chips are the most notable really. There are too many places now to get coffee and snack but not enough to get a full hot lunch.

Indeed.

Thorpe Park offer:
  • Infinity Restaurant
  • The Cantina (street food)
  • Pizza Pasta
  • The Veggie Box
  • Sombrero's (Mexican)
  • Wilderness Bar & Kitchen
  • Amity Kebabs
  • The Grill (Bratwurst, Currywurst, Ribs)
  • Peckish (jacket potatoes)
  • BK
  • KFC
  • Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shop
  • Colossus Hot Dogs
  • Donut Bites
  • Coffee Shack
  • Cookies & Creamery
  • Wilderness Waffles
Absurd how much more choice the park has than Alton Towers.

Moderator's Note: This thread has now become the more general "Food and Beverage 2021" topic.
 
I'm trying to think which have equivilants at AT and added notes

  • Infinity Restaurant - Woodcutters, Rollercoaster Restaurant, Towers St bar (SBNO)
  • The Cantina (street food) - demolished for Wickerman
  • Pizza Pasta - Katanga canyon
  • The Veggie Box - NOPE
  • Sombrero's (Mexican) - demolished for Wickerman
  • Wilderness Bar & Kitchen - Courtyard BBQ is gone
  • Amity Kebabs - Nemesis Nosh used to do kebab but demolished and replaced with fish & chips which caught fire
  • The Grill (Bratwurst, Currywurst, Ribs) - No equivalent?
  • Peckish (jacket potatoes) - Was there one in Mutiny Bay? Eastern Express do jacket potatoes. But at Thorpe this used to be fish and chips?
  • BK (two) - Burger kitchen, two at AT as well.
  • KFC - Just Chicken X Sector
  • Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shop used to be near Wickerman?
  • Colossus Hot Dogs Towers St hot dogs, also several other places
  • Donut Bites - Mutiny Bag
  • Coffee Shack - Corner Coffee and fobiddon valley
  • Cookies & Creamery - nope
  • Wilderness Waffles - used to be in Gloomy Wood before nitrogenie
About the only thing I can think of AT has that Thorpe doesn't is the pasties kiosk opposite Wickerman?
 
The food offering at Towers is the beigest of beige. I come away feeling disgusting after a day of eating rubbish. I just view it as something to keep me going, rather than something to enjoy.

My view at other parks is wildly different. Take Phantasialand for example. I want to go around and try the different offerings - love the crepes in Klugheim . Heide Park also in Germany… very different story. Cheap Merlin-esque product.

I have never considered eating in the sit down restaurants on a regular day, as there simply isn’t enough time, in my view. This may change should the extended hours become a regular thing.

It is shocking how little there actually is in the furthest area of the park. From Gloomy Wood onwards you have only hotdogs (I’m not including RCR).



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I know I sound like a bit of a broken record but the lack of worthwhile food options for vegetarians / vegans, besides Woodcutters which is now reasonable enough (if you like burgers), is really disappointing.

Thorpe and Chessington have both had dedicated outlets for vegetarian / vegan food on my most recent visits.

I would have thought it's an obvious money spinner to offer as these dietary preferences are no longer niche, especially with younger clientele.
 
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