PLAU Gin and Beer house in Preston

Friendly customer service, staff even helped me when I needed a sanitary towel which was very kind, very nice cocktails, the duck was a little overcooked but the food was tasty, but took a while to arrive and when we asked the servers why the food was taking so long all we were told was that the chef is doing other food 🤷‍♀️ I mean that is obvious we are aware of that, but that should not mean you leave customets waiting in excess of 45 minutes for food. Downstairs, with the well that we were looking forward to see a lot was a closed event and we were unable to see

(Rating as a restaurant)Having the opportunity for a couple of hours in Preston this Friday evening, we were looking for a restaurant serving vegetarian and vegan food. Google maps suggested Plau. Being described as a Gin & Beer House, we may well have skipped past the listing, but I happened to have come across the name the other day while looking at the website of Fieldwork, who seem to have done the branding and design for this establishment - and had seen photos of interesting-looking food.Externally, the venue really doesn't look at all food related but there are several storeys for dining and it's quite spacious.We were walk-ins at 6.30pm on a Friday. Luckily we were accommodated but I would probably recommend booking ahead.It's not a cheap establishment: drinks prices are relatively high for the area (paying, perhaps, for the aforementioned branding and design). Clientele were varied, but certainly the hipster type was strongly represented; I didn't feel I had quite the right type of beard.The decor is smart, dark wood, dark grey, muted gin-palace.BUT...the FOOD!The menu (apparently a new menu) contained not too many dishes, mains priced around £15 to £25, small (starter) dishes I think £7 to £9. (The precise menu isn't online yet, so I can't verify prices and dishes.) We chose one small dish and two mains.Quite a wait for food - not a bad sign. Service was attentive and friendly. Quality was top notch - probably the best food we have had in Preston.The starter - okra cooked with peanut and served with some beautiful mango chutney and garlic - was absolutely heavenly but we definitely should have gone for a starter each. Small does mean small.Our mains were two more vegan dishes.The first (koftas containing quinoa and sweet potato, served on a bed of salad containing mango, pomegranate, leaves and a light horseradish dressing) - savoury but light, satisfying.The second salt baked beetroot served on pearl barley with parsnip mash and a light slightly smokey chilli sauce - amazing: earthy but with a tang, not too salty, maybe a hint of vinegar and cinnamon were evident.Presentation good.We didn't have time for desserts this time but will leave a new review after the next visit.

The wait staff were good and the drinks were solid so decent if that’s what you’re looking for but definitely not for food. Food was shocking, freezing cold and totally wrong. 6 of us ate there and every plate was not up to Wetherspoons standards nevermind £14 (minimum) a pop. They served the wrong dish to two people, and microwaved food to everybody else. A lot of things were out of stock and they were understaffed, decent staff let down by poor produce and organisation from management. Definitely won’t be coming back

Loved the ambience, the food and the service! Will definitely be returning soon 😌

Lovely building on every single floor and room, the decor is honestly something to admire just like the staff and food.Although it can be quite busy and sometimes booked out the staff do their best to keep ontop of everything, any mistakes are rectified as soon as possible and if you order a lot of dishes it's a constant flux of food being brought to your table, each dish is well made and full of varied flavours.Honestly it's a great spot to dine and enjoy company with a partner or friends, good drinks are also available with quite a nice variety, though not many ciders there is a lot of cocktails and other drinks to enjoy.I'd definitely return.

Unique pub in Preston, enjoyable experience to visit but won't be in again. To charge £4.50 and more for a pint of lager in this area is silly. It's not London or a very lovely area and the drinks are decent not £5 decent though!

I have to say I was disappointed think this establishment cruising on past triumphs when first opened. The bar staff were uninterested too busy maintaining their image. I am more than happy to pay for premium drinks if served correctly. It is a shame having to ask for your beer to be served in appropriate glass and then patronised at the same time. Overall its a lovely quirky place bit time to pull your socks up people work hard these days to enjoy a pint.

Absolute TARDIS of a bar. Looks tiny on the outside but seems to wind in every direction on the inside. Vault downstairs is especially cool with the well and it feels like you're in Diagon Alley or something. My only gripe is that for how great the food is you don't get a lot in the portions because it's marketed as small plates dining but it's not priced like it.

This bar is my favourite in Preston, it's such an amazing building with interesting history. The beer choice is great with plenty of choice on the pumps. I haven't tried the food here but that does look amazing. I'll be returning.

Plau is a lovely brunch place to go to. It has a nice rustic but cosy atmosphere and the staff are lovely. The food is delicious and the setting and presentation is very well done and do a high standard. The price reflects the service and experience so I would say the price is about right for the food. I recommend this place for a nice brunch with friends.