We spotted this place on our morning walk. It is in the railroad district. Since they advertised music in the early evening, we walked down after our afternoon play. Â Great choice.
This is a pub and should be rated as such. It feels comfortable inside. Â The staff if friendly and the service was good. Â I ordered chicken pot pie and Rebecca had Shepherd's Pie. Â Both were very good and filing. Mine had a good balance between potato, chicken, carrots and celery. Â Just plain good. Expectations were exceeded.
We ordered wine by the glass and the glasses felt generous. Â There were good choices for a pub.
All in all, a good dinner at a relaxing play. Â By the way, the music was also good.
Picked this place off Yelp after a play at the Festival. Â We got there at about 10:40 (kitchen closed at 9) and happened in to the end of a set by a jazz trio.
The room was maybe half full, with a clearly local crowd who were really enjoying to good jazz. Â It had a nice vice.
We both had the burger, with the baked, spiced "fries". Â The burger was excellent - the fries were special. Â I am normally pretty suspicious of baked things trying to pretend to be fries. Â They tend to be dry and uninspired. Â Had these not been called out on the menu as baked, I don't think I would ever have cottoned on.
Good place to grab a beer or a bite after a play, just don't dawdle on a weeknight!
Big update. So I was informed that my family and friends went to watch the Oregon/Stanford game a week ago. Sounds fun right? Good food,beer and good times. Not!! The bar turned off the game in the 4th quarter because a cello player was coming on stage. ARE YOU F***** KIDDING ME? A CELLO PLAYER? WAIT A MINUTE A CELLO PLAYER? Â If a bar owner alienates 50 plus people who are watching the games he or she is out of touch. As a bar owner you need to be aware of what is going on. IE the Oregon Stanford game with BCS implications. Sports aside football equals beer, food and money. If I could give zero stars I would. As a bar owner this is unacceptable. I take back my old review. I like classical music but you can keep your cello player.....:)
Review Source:This place has potential, for sure. Â The ambiance is quaint, the owner is friendly (though he ran the place with no other staff on a Saturday night) and expedient, the bathrooms are nice (we did not take our kids, but as a mom I appreciated the changing table, wipes and baby blankets in the restroom - family friendly).
My husband and I were looking for a place to catch the Duck game on TV and avoid the ear-busting vibe of Red Zone and Louie's. Â We were thrilled that the owner was not only going to have the game on, but the volume as well. Â NO ONE else in dowtown Ashland was going to have the volume on. Â Being from Eugene, we found this strange, so this was a plus. Â Wound up only being one other couple that came for the game.
The owner was attentive. The minimal amount of food we ordered was just ok. Â We would have ordered more if we would have had a bit more faith. Â We ordered the Hot Wings, and it was essentially it was just TINY, hardly-any-meat wings with bottled wing sauce poured over top. Â The bleu cheese dressing dip, though, was very good. We also ordered the fries, which were seasoned well. Â A bit more of them would have been appreciated.
I ordered one drink (that wasn't beer) and it was flavorless and weak. Â I asked the owner if he had any cocktail specialties and he said "no, we used to, but not anymore" - no other info. Â The couple next to us was celebrating their 1 year wedding anniversary, and instead of congratulating them, he said "oh, I made it to two years and she left me". Â Uncomfortable to say the least.
I agree with a previous poster who said this place was suffering from an identity crisis, and I would agree. Â It doesn't feel like a pub AT ALL, and certainly not English. Â I think it does have potential and I hope the owner takes the constructive feedback and continues to improve.
We had dinner here on a Sunday evening. Â Delightful and caring service from the bartender! Â We split a burger which had an egg on it, and they went so far as to put individual eggs on each of our halves!
-Good pour of Guiness, great temperature....a nice local feel and friendly environment. Â
I look forward to exploring the menu!
Great food, drinks, service, and atmosphere. The owner has been there nearly every time I've been there, and although he is I'm sure very busy running the show he always makes time to come by and chat with his customers. Trivia night on Wednesday is by far the best in town. Wish I didn't work most Wednesdays because otherwise I'd be there every week! I love the neighborhood/community vibe that they've developed in the charming railroad district. Happy to give them 5 stars.
Review Source:We have eaten here twice and have had the same impression after both visits.
Our first visit was St. Patrick's Eve and the place was packed. Â We ordered the fish and chips and it was good, I appreciated the fact that they are pan fried and finished in the oven as are the fries.
Our second visit we had the London burger and it was yummy.  The salad was overdressed on both visits and  may contribute to what other posters are describing as limp.
We loved the feel of the place and the fact that the TV's were NOT on. Â I am guessing they are only on for matches? Â Our biggest problem with our visits were the fact that the bartender was the only wait person in the house. Â He was very friendly and as attentive as he could be considering he had on average 16 tables/groups to wait on by himself. Â The owner breezed in both times we were there but if seems like about an hour too late. Â We like to go to happy hour or for a early dinner and both times the place was near full. Â Too full for one person to give good service although the bartender was working his tail off. Â People should not have to wait to order another round! Â The cost of hiring another wait person would be be recovered by the ability to serve more drinks. Â It was rather stressful sitting at the bar and watching the bartender trying to keep up, people were waiting for another round and their checks both. Â I like to go to a bar and feel like the wait staff can welcome you and exchange a bit of banter. Â We were warned that the service was slow and I hope the owners take into consideration the need for more servers. Â Long term survival in Ashland requires keeping the locals coming back when the tourists are long gone.
Off the beaten downtown path a bit, but great place. Bartender made a great wine suggestion and a mean whiskey n 7 with the proper lemon twist, not wedge. Order the bread and cheese plate and chill out. Speaking of Cheese, cheesy 80s music was playing as a backdrop to all of the conversations taking place around the room...and we like that. Nice crowd, younger couples, older couples, a few kids and people seemed familiar with each other and with the staff. Feels like you snuck into someone else's mellow scene...nice time, great veggie bangers and mash option.
Review Source:We're local's looking for some great food. Â Regretfully, we didn't find it at the Playwright. Â After a mostly inedible plate of "fish and chips" we decided to check the Yelp reviews to see if this was a one-off bad meal or if this is a pattern. Â Upon reading Lynie A.'s review we realized we could just copy and paste it here.... because her experience was identical to ours! Â (Dry, unseasoned, overcooked fish and incinerated chips). Then we read the owners response and knew that nothing had been done to improve this dish. When one orders fish and chips one is not looking for the uber-healthy option..... one looks for authenticity, and that doesn't mean it has to be dripping in grease. Â There are plenty of "healthy" items on the menu and we would have ordered a salad or something if that's what we'd wanted. Â But we wanted good old fish and chips and a draught Guinness. Â (Do you have a special "healthy" version of Guinness on the menu? Â I think not. Why would you?). Â By the way.... compliments to the waiter. Â He did a great job and earned you an extra star.
Review Source:I've been wanting to check this pub out for a while. It's right around the corner and being Irish, I love a good pub. I finally did so last night and now I can check it off my list of possible fave's. For my first visit, I chose fish 'n chips. A pub has to make great fish 'n chips, right? Not this one! The chips - which were French fries, not anything that remotely resembled English/Irish chips - were rubbery and tasteless. The fish was worse - leathery, overcooked, and only edible if dipped in enough tartar sauce. A "salad" came with the meal - if you can call a few limp lettuce leaves a salad.
The service was friendly enough, and the atmosphere had potential for being a nice neighborhood spot. But the food was simply awful. Bottomline, the best pub in town is still Black Sheep. I really wish this place had been as good as I hoped, but it wasn't even close.
I have come back to the Playwright several times since my last review and I feel it only fair to pony up another star. Obviously I like this place. It's right near my house, it's got a great vibe, and I've enjoyed many fun evenings here.
While I'm still not a huge fan of the burger, I found some dishes I do like: the bangers and mash are great, especially the bleu cheese mashed potatoes. They are unique and addictive. I love the pot pie as well and it will be my go-to dish from here on out.
The cheese plate appetizer for $7.50 is really a big portion, plenty for 4 people. At that price, it's a steal! And I still love that all bread products are Sunstone, my favorite.
The owners seem like genuinely kind people who really care that their customers are happy and are enjoying their time at the pub. I met them this past visit and talked at length about their vision and goals and they were really interested in my feedback. I will continue to support this place; we really enjoy having beers and the occasional meal here. My kids also love that it is so kid-friendly!
Bugsy really appreciates when an owner cares about their place...enough so that they truly value and invite your feedback, and actually do something with it.  This is the case here, and after some dialogue with the owners, Bugsy  thought it good to visit again.
The owners of the Playwright really want to make this a community place with a positive vibe. Â Kid and family friendly too!
After a second visit, we found the place hopping, and in general, there was a nice buzz in the air. Â The menu design was new and updated, with a much more inviting feel, which really highlighted the cuisine in a positive manner.
Service was better, and on-par for a pub experience (by no means is it a fine dining experience, but that is not what they are after...it was relaxed and friendly and met our needs). Â Food was hot and tasty...the blue cheese touch to the mashed potatoes is different, but excellent. Â
Nice to see a reasonably priced, unpretentious pub in Ashland with a Euro vibe.
I've been a few times since they've opened. They've updated the menu.
Local, fresh ingredients make up their small but good menu. Have a toasty, you won't regret it. Â The food is the best thing about this place. Â
Beer selection is decent. Â Don't be in a hurry, or in the mood for something in your pint glass at all times. The service is slow for both drinks and food. Â This is the most consistent thing about them so far. Â
Seems to be a popular place to take kids now.
When there is a game on, it's a fun environment. Also a good place for darts and hanging out with friends.
This place has great potential.
Ashland's best kept secret.
I was fooled by how it looked from the street.
Looked cold and unfriendly.
Not at all what I experienced when I went inside.
Great atmosphere, warm, comfortable. Friendly.
The food is surprisingly excellent ... and they they have music!
It could easily turn into one of the best places to hear great original acoustic music, if they put some energy into that vibe. I hope they do.
This place has great promise.
My favorite place in Southern Oregon! Â I am a born Oregonian who lives up in Portland. Â Every single time I go to see my family in Medford, I always pull for Playwright. Â They have all unique beers on tap that really fit the restaurants vibe. Â Stella - yum! Â Mac n Jacks - Yum! Â I am a beer, wine and vodka lover and have yet to be let down. Â
The food started out a bit rocky but after some changes in staff, they have come out with the BEST veggie burger in the NW. Â It has the perfect bun to patty ratio with the freshest ingredients and bread. Â I know that the beet salad is delicious as well. Â I would highly recommend them together. Â Given that I am vegetarian, I recently tried their "veggie hot wings" and yum! Â Great spice and really unique. Â I have never heard of anything like them. Â Normally it some frozen soy chicken wing smothered in hot sauce. Â This was more of a potato with hot sauce. Â Delicious! Â
The entertainment is great too. Â The first time I was there, they participated in the Ashland art walk, the second time they had a great rugby game on TV and the most recent time they had a great singer. Â I have yet to partake in a trivia night but cannot wait to do so. Â It seems like there is always a great deal on food and drinks during the entertainment. Â I really love this place, it's got some class while having all the grub you need. Â It would be nice to have a fooz ball or pool table though! Â Maybe darts. Â :)
Love this place. Great beer/wine selection and food at a reasonable price. Friendly staff in a clean atmosphere. Love the decor too.
I'd also like to point out that this place just opened in July. It seemed like it took them a few to work out some kinks with the food but they are good to go now.
My boyfiend and I went to The Playwright for dinner several nights ago, and we were impressed. I loved the atmosphere of the restaurant, it was classy but still had a cozy feel.
The service was friendly and quick, and the food was delicious. We ordered the "Mac and Jack(s)" beer, which was flavorful but not too heavy, its one of my new favorite brews. For dinner we ordered a chicken sandwich, london burger and sweet potato fries. Both entrees were very good and had unique flavors. The sweet potato fries were excellent and came with an amazing raspberry-chipoltle dipping sauce which was soo good.
We will definitely be back!
This place has so much potential, but I just don't think it's quite there yet. Starting off on a high note - the service was great! Â The bartender was chipping in to help the waiter a lot - and had a good, super friendly vibe.
However, I think The Playwright is struggling with an identity crisis.
Am I upscale? Â The physical appearance of my menu says yes, the font on my window says yes, my lighting says yes, the contents of my menu, prices, and food quality say no. Â
Am I a pub? Â The contents of my menu say maybe, the flat screens playing soccer games say yes, the dark furniture inside says yes, the space, which to me felt stark and empty says no, the quality of the fish and chips says no. Â
Kind of confusing, right?
So, I got the fish and chips, which was on the "Mains" portion of the menu. Â I asked what the mains came with and was told fries and salad. Â My fish and chips came out - no salad. Â Which I guess it doesn't actually come with, but I was told otherwise. Â Also, the plate came with no tartar sauce - isn't that kind of a given with F&C? Â I had to ask for some, which they quickly brought. Â I get it, F&C doesn't usually come with a salad, but it does usually come with a side of slaw. Â If you are putting a handful of lettuce on every other plate that's a main dish, why not just do it consistently and slap it on the plate with the F&C as well?
The dish itself was just okay. Â Three fish stick sized pieces of battered and baked fish - not exactly pub quality.
Apparently I wasn't the only one confused by the menu. Â There is a Ploughman's platter featured under salads that the woman next to me ordered. Â One would think it must come served on a bed of lettuce, but it didn't - it was just all the bread, cheese and goodies (except they forgot the ham, which they later brought for her). Â It looked very good, but definitely wasn't a salad and shouldn't be listed as one.
I'm not a local so I'm not sure how new this place is. Â I wonder if it will still be here next summer when I return. Â It would be great to see it succeed, but I think to do so they need to:
Decide what type of place they really are, and commit to that with the menu (contents and style), decor, etc. Â
If you are a pub, you need to be able to do a few pub menu items REALLY well that can be your signature, the best in town, etc. Â One of them may be that chutney burger, but I think that's it at the moment.
If you are a pub, make it cozier inside and not so stark. Â More couches/chairs in the area by the window? Â Maybe the walls need to be painted a darker color and some type of artwork that supports the chosen identity needs to be brought in. Â The name "The Playwright" brings certain images to mind - use those for inspiration.
Nice to see a bar in Ashland for adults. Â And, no, I don't mean "adult". Â The bartenders are all nice guys, and aren't stingy with the pours. Â The beer lineup is lackluster, though. Â Doesn't compare to Liquid Assets. Â The menu is exactly what you'd expect - pub food a little more on the gastro side than not - certainly a giant step up from the Black Sheep. Â All in all, a very nice atmosphere.
Review Source:
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