please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Charlie put in his usual effort for the FA cup - NONE - one lone bar staff working and a busy afternoon !!
But if Man U are playing plenty of staff when he knows darn well that not many if any are in there watching Man U but this is another Charlie ploy ensuring that he dosen't have to graft !!
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Well my first visit was nothing spectacular. The food was less than average and the staff all seemed grumpy they had a great selection of wine and beers the next challenge was getting served.
The ladies toilets were discusting one had no seat and every time they were flushed they backed up to over flowing point and the disabled toilet wasn't much better.
And wind your neck in mivecit68 as everyone I know was distressed to say the least about the dog perhaps you should take things less personally and don't be so insulting ......
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Old Witch - you are like everyone else when it comes to pub/beer sites - useless. Whats a dog got to do with a pub or how it's run. Go home - do your knitting or fill out your coupons for Lidl or Aldi. Play bingo with Terry Wogan and the rest of the blue rinse brigade. Ring the RSPCA and get it over with. FOOL
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Thank god someone has had the heart to steal the loved puppy right...............
you mean the dog that was locked in a pen 24/7 which was never cleaned out covered in poo no blankets and only fed when Charlie remembered it was there !!
I hope the Kaiser back legs recover and he has a great life with someone who will love and care for him properly.
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Its time that Charlie realised that just having one person working on a Saturday afternoon when the football teams start drifting in it even he must realise that it is sheer stupidity as it was really busy and no one appreciates waiting 10 minutes for a drink !! maybe if Charlie was around during the day he would see what goes on, day by day he is turning into Pat !! They seek him here they seek him there lo..............
Aimee - 31 Jul 2011 13:13 |
done up much nicer now! need abit of eye candy tho For the ladies! girls getting better i.e the blond one, than had befor pat had it! staff look smarter aswell better than the theafing trollop they had befor. would bar all the normal local scum that sit in the toilets sticking gear up their noses! and who fatty and torretts hahaha
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Not bad decor ..but how long will it last before all the pikeys that now drink in here smash it up
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Nicely referbished and glad to see that you are still not allowed to have an opinion regarding an incident, which member of staff is it this time ? and extremely bitchy towards the customer that made the comment that is assuming that they know who they are and on that day the pub was busy. Nice to see that the sad small minded attitude is still alive and kicking even without Fatty & Tourettes lmfao..............
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I think you will find that the reaction of Charlie is/was the sensible one to take. After seeing the offending youth off the premises in a correct fashion and making sure no harm came to him or his party (I was there too badbadboy). Once its out on the street, Charlie has no authority to act and could be arrested himself if he was too physically put his hand on someone.
Once outside it's a matter for the police and yes cleaning up puke no matter how unsavoury was the better option for the safety of the existing punters and general appearance of the pub. I make it a good call even though the incident was so small, it's hardly worth mentioning. But there you go - live and let live I say and if you don't line the Fosters here go somewhere else
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Yesterdays entertainment was the best yet !!
5pm a punter is sick all over the pub then is held back from head butting Charlie, then it is taken into the car park where he smacks is own dad straight on his back and is finally bundled into the car and atken away, where was charlie cleaning up puke not sorting the trouble, no he has to wait for the police who arrive 20mis after they have all left.
What makes the pub worse is it is run by kids and the tall blond one has an attitude that stinks.
Bring on Sundays entertainment what is it to a glassing perhaps lol..........
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About time it was refurbed and pretty good job too! Food good, but its all new at the moment so how long will it last. Bunch of vacant kids running the bar, where's the decent staff gone? suppose the young uns are cheaper. Big mistake in my opinion. Beers are all ok, pretty well kept, prices are best in the village.
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the 8 bells just reopend yea what a place to eat great food fantastic prices family frendly new head chef he is a jem fantastic scotsman you wont be disapointed eating there 5 star food
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Heard it has had a revamp and is open on Thursday the 22nd - gonna pop along cause I think Charlie may have the making of a good landlord. I really think Ewell needs the competition to keep one or two others on their toes..............
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The new barman, a pleasent chap ( and a scot to boot ) has informed me that the bar area (to the left as you enter) is to be turned into a food area.
Apparently this will result in the removal of the bar, and dogs will no longer be permited. I fail to see the wisdom in this decision, as restaurants these day's are suffering even more than pubs. It seems that half the current regulars drink with there dogs, even one raty one that seems to have lost the use of it's legs. Surely these customers will scamper of to the Wheatsheaf with their tails between their legs and will be replaced by diners who will only use the place one night a week. Maybe it would help to build on the pub's current strengths, rather than trying to compete in struggling market.
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I popped in at the weekend to find the place over run with kids that no one seemed to have control of.
Needless to say my stay was very brief, also the lager was almost room temperature which was not pleasant.
Aimee - 31 Jan 2011 15:35 |
Iam so glad that Charlie is happy with his PR lmfao......................................
Glad that Charlie keeps his one ale in tip top condition lmfao...............................
Shame the larger is room temperature :(
Shame if the brewery read these comments at least they find out the truth and its not something new its gone on years.
Clean the ladies toilet at the FATTY & TOURETTES end. I am told that it is a health hazard.
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To be honest Shanty - why would I comment about other pubs on the Eight Bells page? But just to whet your appetite, I shall offer one or two - The Wheatsheaf, run by young Lee. Doing an excellent job - at present offers three cask ales, Doom Bar included. The biggest pub in Ewell, (my opinion) The Famous Green Man (and its tapas bar) run by the excellent John and partner Clive. Probably the busiest pub in Ewell. Then into Epsom and in my opinion the best pub, (expensive though) - the Old Kings Head. Always has London Pride, Youngs and Harveys. Nice food and a good landlord in Dennis. My next favourite is The Marquis of Granby, where in the autumn I had a strawberry beer. Quite a novelty and he has the rather nice Czech lager 'Staropramen' on draught
I just think that when we talk about people in pubs we move away from the idea of this site which is the beer and its quality and price and the facilities of the pub. The landlord can be deemed 'fair game' in terms of how he runs the pub but not his personal habits or life or anyone for that matter. We should strive on this site to promote or relegate these pubs. It would be foolish to believe that the breweries or their agents don't read these pages because for them its free feedback and it could cost people their livelihoods.
I don't think anyone disputes that the Eight Bells needs some TLC.
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IF you are a member of Camra mivecit68 why no comment on the other pubs in your area ??
I smell a Roland !!!
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Again, I repeat that comments on any person within this pub or this site is irrelevant. It's spineless and hollow. I would like to direct you to the review policy on this site which states quite clearly that no personal derogatory remarks should be made against staff or customer alike. Otherwise it becomes a childish adult version of Twitter or Facebook. Also - it doesnt matter how long you or on this site or how many pubs you review. I am a real ale drinker, who frequents lots of ale establishments in both Epsom and Ewell and a CAMRA member. From that point of view (relevant to the intentions of this site), Charlie gets my vote in how he keeps his ales and beers. He is aware of the comments on this website and thinks it is great that he gets the PR for free. Best of luck to him, his wife and kids. At least he is trying to do something.
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The truth is out .............................................................
Yes this pub has now got cheap badly kept lager whooppieeee................
but that was at the cost of all the other drinks in the place !!
The light bulb budget has been blown for the year so it has gone from dingy to over lit making the place look even worse than it did before..................
Please tell me where the entertainment value of this pub is
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I don't understand what all the fuss is about, why is everybody slagging off F & T and the Landlord. These people are great entertainment, surely somebody who can turn from Mary Poppins to an attention seeking abusive child after drinking two halves of lager is good value.
A Landlord who penny pinches, even with his loyal regulars and then gambles the money away is always going to be moody so give him a break he is doing his best. This pub sells the cheapest Lager in the village so I don't understand the gripes about prices. At the end of the day if you don't like the pub or it's regulars why do you go in there?
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mivecit68 & conners1969 be assured that no one will take your comments seriously as you have both only reviewed ONE pub and it is glaringly obviously from what has been written they are trying to make things sound like the pub has changed or on the other hand they are defending someone.
Everyone else that has commented has been to more than ONE PUB. And if you take the time to read thro you will see that many people who have commented have been to the pub more than once and over a number of years and that there comments all have the same tone so this just goes to show that the majority must be right or don't have rose tinted glasses that now seem to being issued on entry. Everyone has the right to an opinion and don't need to be told how to use this site.
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Contrary to some of the other posts regarding the new landlord, it was my first visit to the Eight Bells recently and I found him welcoming, warm and very chatty. Unobtrusive and interesting. I shall definitely be returning. No doubt, the pub needs refurbishment but that's in no way a reflection on him.
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I think people/users of this site in relation to the Eight Bells have forgotten the intention of this site. Which is to speak about the pub, not the landlords past or present nor the clientele past or present. Its shows a deep lack of knowledge and manners. If they find this pub so vile or expensive, why don't they drink in all the other watering holes that are within easy commute. I personally think that the standard of drink and cleanliness has improved ten fold since the new man came. Yes - it is a bit expensive but there you go. Alcohol is a luxury not a necessity
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Totally agree with all the recent comments could not have said it better myself big lol..............................
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All these comments are so very true, fatty and tourettes have soon forgotten their beloved pat and are now stucking up to charley, its vile mind you they are vile. Charlie is the most rude landlord I have ever had the misfortune to meet.
Stop the evesdropping Charley no one has anything good to say about you or the shit pub you run.
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far too expensive for a run down crappy little pub
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I agree totally with att the recent comments, get cheap larger back in to attract the dwindling clientelle back then it runs out just before xmas and there will be none to the new year, and yep he blamed PAT !! Who in my reconning he has been gone a while now !! Just except you are to blame for it running out Charlie after all you are the only landlord I know who can't organise a piss up in an EMPTY PUB
johnl - 12 Dec 2010 17:23 |
Oooops what an empty space, got rid of one paddy only to inherit one that worse, hate the way he evedrops on your conversation and the way he slaggs off pat at every opportunity, and the PRICE INCREASE was a nice touch to attract customers back
this pub is now :
NOW OFFICIALLY THE MOST EXPENSIVE PUB IN THE VILLAGE
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New cunning marketing plan for bringing more custom to an already empty pub avoided by most Ewell natives......whack the prices up! Its so cunning that Baldrick wouldn't have thought of it.
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The pub is taken an ever bigger nose drive. The new gov wants to make an impression, he certainly has, and not for the good, he is pissing off his last few remaining regulars and putting a pint up 20p now makes this the most expensive pub in the village, anyone who has been barred or hated Pat don't bother paying it a visit. This guy is 100000% worse than Pat. So there is only one thing to say
**************************AVOID THIS PUB***************************
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Thank god that the tick irish twat has left the building perhaps his minders the fatty and tourettes will follow.
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Have to agree with E-C, a pub of two halves. One end full of Dealers, Users, failed petty crims and an old boy in a suit who thinks he's the Godfather.
The other end full of Looneys and Alchoholics who could probably benefit from a good snort. Outside is often a skinny elderly chap with a stoop, smoking and trying to chat up old women. All of this run by a Landlord and staff of lost souls. All of this makes it a fantastic proper pub full of lifes characters.
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What is it with this pub, just heard that the current landlord is leaving !! No one stays there more than a year !! Thats Brian and Kay gone within a year then Julie stood in and the pub was certainly run better when she was in charge. Lets look at the following, compaired with now
CHEAP LAGER/BITTER
BETTER CUSTOMER BASE
CLEAN TOILETS
NO NETTLES IN KIDDIES AREA
GRASS WAS CUT
BUSHES CUT BACK
UNBRELLAS IN THE GARDEN AND OUT THE FRONT
BAR WAS ALWAYS STAFFED PROPERLY (mainly cos me Juile
didn't want to work herself)
FOOD including proper sunday dinners (bring back Linda xx)
GET OUT PAT AND LET SOME ONE WHO GIVES A SH1T A CHANCE OF RETURING THE PUB TO ITS FORMER GLORY
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I've not been in there as much as i'd like but that could equate to any pub....popped in yesterday & he wasn't there, neither was anyone else. You must drink at the sensible end of the pub if there is one. I'm down the Flat Screen end. I see its being decorated to the front exterior....
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Ewell_Caucasian you can't be in there much as it is nearly an every day
occurance !! And where are all these wonderful characters you describe
I have not seen one yet !!
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I must have missed his latest outburst....i'm sure he'll go again ;)
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Ewell_Caucasian were you there yesterday to witness the rantings and ravings that went on ? Or do you aviod the time when this unsavory bod is in there ?
A lovely pub when him and his smell have departed !!
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The Eight Bells is a pub with more characters in it than any other Ewell boozer....smelly Dave does rant on but where else can you get such a social mix. You have Father Ted behind the jump who is always friendly, the sole village afro caribbean regularly props up the bar (nickname Last King of Scotland). Heavily tattooed pink haired rascals, a few tinkers, long haired golfers, half day plumbers, nutty scaffolders, burly builders, bikers, bankers, Jewish Al, Mick the Meat, a few tipping the velvet & various others including Webby, Reddy, Freddie & Not too Steady.......you couldn't make it up if you tried. If you want clean & septic try the souless Spring up the road.....if you want a laugh get down there!
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Well said imtc1234 heard all about this guy and his ranting and raving about time Pat spoke to him cos he is spoiling what could be a nice little pub !!
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Being out and about over the bank holiday I decided to see what was happening in the Bells. It was fairly busy compaired to the rest of the village !!.
The thing that has put me off using the pub on a regular basis is the old geezer who sits stinking in the corner moaning on about the world and his wife and whether or not the Abbott is on or off. He really excelled himself today by in a very loud voice he proceeded to have a right old pop at a family who walked in for no reason what so ever, everyone around him looked shocked and embarrased but nothing was said to him by the bar staff or the manager !
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was there today and was very impressed by the friendly atmosphere.New barman Robbie,who I met before in Epsom,recognised me and made me very welcome.He certainly makes a tasty sandwich and along with nice pint of cold lager I enjoyed the visit.Plenty of room at back for children and the pub has a nice country feel. Will be back.
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To my suprise the grumpy barman with the greasy has finally been given the sack, long over due in my opinion, he needed to go on a very intense customer service course plus get a personality. Now perhaps the pub could steer its self in the right direction but I have noticed that there are fewer and fewer people in there every week and what with the drinks going up yet again has the landlord got no sense ? He is not doing a thing to get punters through the door atleast try and get in with cheap beer and try and revive what was one of the villages busy pubs in its day.
Never thouught I would say it bring back Julie at least there was cheap beer and more then 2 people in at any one time !!
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This pub has been under new managment for a few months now but very little has changed. There is a new carpet but that's about it, you still can't get anything more to eat than a bag of crisps, the extractor fan is covered by a binliner and has been for years, redundant cables hang out of the wall, bar staff drinking with the punters, always a big no no in a well run pub and the toilets are filthy. Something else that has scared the punters away is the removal of the smoking shelter and even a non smoker can see that this was a big mistake. This place needs a landlord with enough finance and enthusiasm to turn it into a pub capable of attracting new customers, otherwise it won't survive.
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the drinks are all going up yet again. to expencive for a poxy little village pub. i think i`ll stop using it as a regular
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Very impressed when I walked thro the door not so impressed by long haired barman that served me, no customer skills whatsoever, if I drink here gain I will make sure its not on his shift.
Apart from that well done for the re-vamp but it could do with some more reasonably priced drinks and a smoking shelter, nothing worse than walking through the clan on the doorstep all puffing away as there is no where else for them to go
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The new landlord has made a really good impression, he is never there and when he is, he hasn’t got a clue, he needs a map of the bar and a satnav to get to the cellar.
I feel so sorry for the long suffering bar staff who have worked so very hard all over xmas and new year I hope their loyalty is justly rewarded
I give the “LANDLORD” 6 months at the outside before the doors finally close forever and that will be a very sad day for Ewell as this is the last REAL PUB left.
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the reason the men use the ladys is the gents has 3 inches of piss and water on the floor at all times. and has had for the last 3 years.
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its the pub with no beer i mean NO BEER.
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This pub is always good for a laugh. Can somebody tell me why do the men in this pub use the ladies toilet instead of there own?
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Popped in the other night first time for ages, there where no ales on so I had a lager just to be polite. I sat by the service door to drink my pint, all I could hear was this Humpty Dumpty guy in shorts drinking stella and taking the mick out of everybody, he didn't seem to have the brain power to do anything else. The staff where friendly though and everybody relaxed when Humpty Dumpty and his long suffering other half left so I stayed for another pint and a chat. A lot of people knock this pub but it seemed ok to me, lot's of builders and plumbers who like a laugh. I will go again.
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Best news this year, the current landlady is off this week. Perhaps now the pub might just have a future.
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Only Abbot on when we visited. Old style boozer at the front, pool tables out back.
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Looks great from the outside, you think at last you have found a real pub in the village, what a disappointment. As you go thro the door you were welcomed with a poorly lit bar area and no real ale, the glasses looked as if they had been there since the pub opened.
I know it is advertised as a family pub to have a toddler sitting on the bar and a number of children running round the pool table and a baby being carried by a barmaid is taking things far too far.
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LL71 no-one will take you seriously if you only ever review one pub - and that seems to be a completely biased rave. Looks like you have an interest in the place . . . .
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WHAT A LOAD OF BITCHING 1171, EVERYONE IS ENTITLED TO AN
OPINION, AND READING ALL THE COMMENTS, THEY ALL HAVE VALID POINTS,
AT THE END OF THE DAY PEOPLE COMMENT ON HERE ABOUT THEIR OPINION OF THEIR VISIT AND MAY NOT SEE THE PLACE THE SAME WAY.
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I returned home after almost a year away and decided to pop to what use to be my local, as soon as I opened the door I was so disappointed, the place has had a 60 minute makeover, nothing was finished off properly. There was chalk signs on the toilet doors, half a ceiling missing in the ladies and a lock that could cut you fingers to shreds, the lager certainly wasn't what it said on the pump. Out Julie and bring back Ula
Aimee - 12 Jan 2009 12:27 |
For the last two comments, this pub advertises itself in two conflicting ways, one as a sports pub and the other as a family pub, which is it ? Everyday there seem to be the same set of buggies with the same children running around the place, playing on the pool table unsupervised, playing quiz machines (which is against the law as it pays cash prizes) and scrawling on the chalk board for the darts. So pray tell me where do the sports come into the place ?
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Im very confused how someone can complain about Rugrats in a pub that clearly advertises themself as a 'family pub'. I think maybe the childrens play area in the garden may be a bit of a give away that a lot of families and there children occupy the pub.
Having worked on and off in this pub for the last two years and most likely being one of the most self opionated member of staff in there ,i take that comment as a great compliment. Im sure i can speak on behalf of the rest of the bar staff when i say i would rather be self opionated and have an ounce of intelligence and social skills then pour a pint in silence with half my cleavage hanging as most of the other pubs in the village offer. If we upset someone along the way then so be it because the i know full well the regulars of the pub do not have a problem with the staff as the would most certainly let someone know.
John you are right the Star is a great pub as most of the pub's in the village are, they all have there own unique customer base e.g the bells being a family pub whereas the spring is more a younger pub.
As for the miserable landlady !! haha. I can honestly say i have worked with four different people at that pub and i have never been happier there. At least we now have someone who has been familiar with the pub for years and genuinely cares about the pub and its customers and its not just a job to her.
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The place was showing all the football matches all be it in italian until
last weekend when the box wouldn't work, lets face it you wouldn't bother with the place otherwise, its full of self opinionated bar staff and a miserable landlady, and as for the rug rats in there.
Lad's football dosn't mix with women and kids. See you all down the star
for the next game
johnl - 13 Nov 2008 09:12 |
Hooray, the hermits that lived above the pub and where rumoured to be the landlords have gone. Lets hope hope the new landlady has a big broom and can sweep the place clean. She will need to ban the druggies and stop the children running riot if she wants to attract new customers, the occasional smile will also help. Good luck to her she'll need it.
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I have been a regular at this pub for at least 20 yrs. It's been so sad to see the downfall go so rapidly. i.e. no presence of the landlord/landlady,bad bar service,drug problem,lack of entertainment etc., Also, it's no fun anymore when sitting in the garden with your grand-kids when the revolting smell of old fryer oil whafts over you.
Get a grip and get this pub back to how it used to be!!!
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The pub is fast going down hill the couple running it are only seen late at night. They have no interest in the daily regulars and they have alredy lost a lot of their old regulars to the Green Man.
Aimee - 24 Mar 2008 09:58 |
This did not feel the same as my last visit 3 years ago. Like then only Greene King was available but all the beer mats gone. I assume GK eventually got it redecorated. It also had the biggest smokers welcolme yet seen at the car park enterance
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What a wonderful pub, they have done very well accomodating the smokers, the food is great and the service is excellent.
Aimee - 30 Jul 2007 12:53 |
A really friendly local pub. Could do with a bit of a spruce up, but looks and feels like a real pub, ie no leather sofas, DFS coffee tables and disinterested staff in yellow shirts.
Good looking girls behind the jump and the landlady is a polish babe.
Recommended
anonymous - 18 Apr 2007 13:44 |
Bit indifferent to this place really.
Wobbly, uncomfortable chairs / benches. Sticky tables. Loud sports TV. Real ales rather limited as only one was available.
On the other hand it does have a no smoking area . . .
Nothing really to get excited about!
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Not a bad pub, staff are well hot
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WHY IS THIS PUB THE MOST EXPENSIVE AROUND ?
Aimee - 19 Jul 2006 10:38 |
Better than it looks from the outside (never trust a pub with a carpark at the front, it suggests you may need to make a quick getaway).
It is very smoky, I didn't notice if it did food but I can't believe you'd want to eat in that environment.
It's not the worst pub in Ewell (congrats to the King William on that score) but it ain't the best either.
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Ten out of ten for the attractivity behind the bar...if ever non-smoking in pubs becomes law then this pub will close the very next day as every person in there last night was smoking..even the bar beauties..but they must have good extractors as the place was not smokey. Not a particularly large selection of ales but the two we sampled were very palatable.
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Called in early saturday lunchtime and ordered breakfast!! a bit of a wait but worth it and washed along with a couple of good pints of Greene King IPA. Only adverse comment was over the lack of beer choice when beer mats from all and sundry cover the walls, perhaps we were unlucky.
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A great pub with very friendly staff. I dont know what pie head is on about as every boozer has a dodgy bar person once in a while but you often find they dont last long! The food is excellent here and the managment strong which is not a bad thing.
PJ - 12 Jun 2004 15:33 |
Nice little pub this, beer is well cared for and the food is great, I know cos I eat a lot of it. Staff are friendly (don't know about prof piehead) but watch out for the Avid Merrian lookalike, the bloke could bore for England.
G.T. - 19 Mar 2004 20:03 |
This pub is a pub that when you walk through the door everyone looks at you. If you are under 30 its not a ideal pub for you. The one good thing is it has a lovely garden if you have children it is ideal and being outside you can avoid the looks
T - 19 Mar 2004 11:56 |
Crisp Lively Lager. Excellent Food, Spoilt by one ignorant obnoxious Barmaid reluctant to serve punters she doesnt like ! Shame.
Prof Piehead - 23 Feb 2004 13:30 |
Great pub that serves an excellent pint, in the traditional way. The food is good too.
The quiz night is free and very varied which tends to give everyone a chance.
The only downside is that they do tend to shout loudly if you stay more than 15 minutes after closing but if you're an early bird you'll not have a problem.
Paul - 18 Feb 2004 00:41 |
If you are youngish avoid this pub as you will feel v old even at the age of 39. Nice enough place but full of locals who give you funny looks when you walk in.
Great garden but full of families so if you want a quiet drink avoid this garden.
Pebbles - 3 Jul 2003 15:43 |
