please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
no one would agree with you slugslegs as your the manager, trying to big up the fact your a nasty piece of work and dont have any experience to work in another profession.
food is tasteless and bland, more flavor in a bag of salted peanuts.
this pub deserves its low rating, bring back original owners
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Have only been using this pub for a few months but very impressed. Staff have always been very friendly to me, the food is superb, gardens are lovely and the beer is excellent though perhaps a little pricey. Can't agree with V Dentons opinion at all. Can only surmise he was the pillock kicked out for causing trouble. I'll continue to visit this little back street gem of a pub, and would recommend it to anyone. Bet you would all agree with me!
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there is nothing good about this place, the manager thinks hes the next best thing since sliced bread, he was telling one lad to take his money and F*** off, and the owners seem more intent on drinking the profit not making it.
was very disgusted to see the lack of beers from what they used to have
the bar staff were very unfreindly and had no idea what they were doing
the food is tasteless and took 40 mins for food even though it wasnt busy,
VERY EXPENSIVE FOOD AND BEER.
even the cockroaches wont eat or drink here
VERY BAD
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About as thriving as the nearby car park. Something needs to be done about these one pub only reviewers
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2008 now a thriving Youngs pub with a great restaurant, large landscaped garden, heated patio area, and a Sunday summer BBQ. Very friendly. Recommend a visit.
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had a pleasant few beers in here up until recently only for the staff to upset my girlfriend by talking badly about us when they thought we'd left
it's a shame the staff couldn't put in more effort as it might rub off on the chef - very bright, half-arsed attempt at a "gastro"-pub
we won't be going back
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I used to frequent this pub a few years back when Dave the landlord was about. He had some great obscure beers in bottles & on draught. The corporate sword was hanging over the place at that time & now it seems to have come down on the place. Soulless would be too polite a word to use. Copycat Young's pub going the same way as all the others i.e The Bear in Esher & Oxshott. Very lacklustre staff who don't seem to care add to the feeling of insipidness. Bring back Dave & Ruth!
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This pub is a thousand times better! Great food and I think the staff are great. Well done - don't take any notice of the beardy real ale drinker below! Only slight grip is that the smelly dogs are still allowed in the main bar - would be good if they could be left outside with the smokers.
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And I'm sorry about the enthusiastic typographical error in the previous.
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Good beer and very good food was very good. I would not hesitate to visit this pub again.
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Its all coming home to roost,not 18 months since Youngs & Co ,sorry ," a Bedfordshire brewery" took over ; we have an arrogant bar manager,euro bar staff with no Knowledge of beer,and and empty space in our lives and Epsom, filled with a Bistro.I said it would happen.Oh how I miss those wonderful beery days of yore.
Still "The White Horse" still seems to grow in locals eyes and is best Pub in Epsom on BITE scoring.
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I went in for a quick pint on Thursday afternoon but the Little Hitler of a manager appears to have placed a stop on my drinking in this establishment because of my below review. Arigant someone said below. This would appear to be true.
This place will be a set of apartments in two years time and it was empty when I went in.
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Characterless and bland - not worth bothering with.
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The Riser used to be a first class pub, friendly, great atmosphere, and lovely staff.
Thats all changed since its been taken over by youngs.
I have been a few times, as have friends who live locally, and there is always 'new' staff in there as clearly the staff don't even like it there. The drinks are overpriced, the food is trying to be something its not, and the manager seems rude and arrogant to staff and customers.
Overall a big disappointment, wont be returning.
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Disinterested euro bar staff who don’t know the foggiest about the ales. Good food but the personality has been sterilized from the old days of Pilgrim. Rip off prices too. It's getting 4 stars for the food as this is top. It's no longer a pub though. nice restaurant. In fact, 3 stars.
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Not sure about the riser try the white horse next to the hospital similar but better
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Good range of beers and wines plus a very good menu. The staff are vey attentive and helpful.
Well worth a visit in a quiet street just out of the town centre.
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Pubs moved on, so have I
anonymous - 22 Nov 2007 10:11 |
This is a nice pub about 5 mins walk from Epsom town centre. It is a nice place to sit and have a real ale or glass of wine. Nice beer on tap such as Peroni.
Shame it is so expensive though - the booze was really pricey, and i've heard the food is as well.
Beer garden out back
chewi - 26 Oct 2007 15:54 |
well this pub dontlike smokers ....is it a pub or nursery for kids ..shame really
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Smart pub with a wide variety of wine and beers. It is so smart it really is a wine bar / restaurant nowadays. Food is pricey – easily £15 for a main course. By the look of recent review locals don’t like price rises or refinement in a pub!?
anonymous - 11 May 2007 13:57 |
The beer is pricey. The food is pricey. There's more atmosphere on the moon.
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Went to the Rising Sun for the first time since the transfer to Youngs, and have to say that we preferred it. Cleaner, food fantastic and good selection of beers. Will definitely return.
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Great pub, well kept beers, clean, friendly and fantastic food. At first glance the menu seems overpriced, but the Fish and Chips were some of the best I have ever tasted and well worth the price.
Goons - 26 Feb 2007 20:06 |
Overpriced restaurant which is still not worth visiting, even though my previous post to this effect has been removed. Youngs have previous for doing this, see the latest London Drinker.
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since the refurb, great place to drink. best food available due to the master chef in residence Matt.
Run by a top gent who looses at poker quite allot.
Worth every penny.
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Pub reopened by Youngs october 2006, Just had third price increase since.Its official!...now the most expensive pub in Epsom ,possibly outside London:but no longer a Pub,just a restaurant with the encumberance of a vestige front bar.Bombardier 40 p a pint cheaper (and better kept) round the corner.How come when Wells Youngs own the Rising sun???Just profiteering I suppose.
anonymous - 11 Feb 2007 11:32 |
oh please get over yourselves. I agree with "dadsdiary" this pub is one of the best in Epsom and if anything has been improved by Youngs! If you don't like it suggest you guys take your custom elsewhere - especially if you have one of those smelly dogs that seem to frequent the front bar area. Come on Youngs can you please ban dogs from this pub!!!
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I agree with Jeffdaff's comments having visited the pub for the first time since it reopened. He obviously has such strong feelings that he has to state them twice.
I do, however, think the pub is SOULless rather than SOLEless!
Last person out please switch off the very bright lights.
anonymous - 5 Jan 2007 14:53 |
Oh dear ! We have got ourselves in a twist. 'Anon 'had it right on opening day. Since then we have had the landlord ,or his lackies( Medallion man and co.), writing two rather obvious "positive" reviews;and in the meantime the prices have gone up again! Having now visited several times I can definitively say the following:- This is a soleless ,overbright ,expensive gin palace .Lacking any character whatsoever.The staff are so regimented, they seem to fear to be seen talking to the customers ; perhaps a little bonhommie would help ! Still the 'Youngs' is not right right ,but that may be down to the brewing in Bedford ? Ordinary used to be a pale light bitter but now it seems to be a run of the mill browny amber beverage.ON a positive note the food reads and looks good.Perhaps the only way forward is for this once great pub to give up being a pub and become the First Youngs Gastro/Foody sort of place ( but I don't think Youngs can do that- too short sighted )"We'll just keep Jacking the prices up until we are on the full rent" and then go.
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saw positive comments on another site so visited the pub..same OTT comments here as well, why? It's just too expensive for a back street pub..actually it's too expensive full stop! It should be a PUB which is probably why there are few people here, sad really.
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This should be a local pub but its not! Youngs do local pubs, but this is not one. Have you you noticed the length of comments from previous contributors? Its the same person. Same length same girth same outcome! Its not a local, its a restaurant what a shame.....
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Excellent pub. Like a lot of locals, we (group of local Dads escaping the rigours of childcare!) were concerned about Youngs' takeover of the Rising Sun, and a feeling that they could very easily destroy the character, intimacy and orignality of the old pub. But I am pleased to say that they haven't. We dropped in on the pub a couple of Friday's ago, and the atmosphere was buzzing. It was standing room only, and still smoke free (which is great). The atmosphere was convivial and very Christmassy, and they were clearly doing a roaring trade. The Youngs beer was good (and normally I am not a big fan of Youngs beer), and the bar staff were really friendly and chatty. We didn't eat, but the food looked original and interesting, although seemed to take a long time to arrive for one of the tables close to our hover point. But then it always took a long time to arrive before the refurbishment so no real change. I would have no hesitation in recommending this pub to others, and will still see it as one of the best in Epsom. So well done to Youngs. So far so good.
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What an fantastic pub!!
I've become a regular visitor since it re-opened and have seen it grow in strength and popularity. The atmosphere is jolly and pleasent - where even the regulars from pre "Youngs" days make new comers feel welcome.
Early evening bar snacks are a welcome attraction to passing working people dropping in to relax on their journey home. The new owners certainly do their best to cater for all types of customers; the friendly service, improved decor, excellent beer and wines, smoke free rule and dress code add to the atmosphere.
Today I decided to sample the menu in the restaurant - it was buzzing with nearly every table taken. The fillet of venison, buttered greens on bubble & squeak with smoked bacon and red wine sauce - melted in your mouth and was cooked to perfection. I left the premises with a warm feeling that this pub - (admittedly changed from what previous customers are used to) has moved on to survive. It caters for a wider range of customers - more females that are not worried about the light showing their blemishes as their partners are not so shallow to think beauty is only skin deep.....
Perhaps "anonymous" would be good enough to identify themselves to the new owners or myself on their next visit so as jointly we can enjoy the Rising Suns hospitality and toast the future.
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Visited evening Friday 20th re-opening night! New refurb good,especially new addition to bar.Lighting so bright and stark that I noticed blemishes on acquaintancies known for years ! Not good for the females!!Erdinger absolutely tasteless(is there a way you can water this down?). Two fonts for Fosters !! and a Stella ! - so no good larger.Definite lack of ambience as Landlord wedged in bar gap made no effort to relate to customers,being happy to converse with cronies,crones(lighting effect) and medallion man.
All in all a disappointing first visit.I stayed for a few expensive pints of Youngs various ales but none sufficed to entice ,so I left to take my custom elsewhere as requested by Youngs and Co.in their press release.Shame when you remember the fabulous award winning bottled beers, ales,largers, weisse ,stout and cider sold there only three months ago. OOOH ...how a Pub can change when a regional brewer thinks it Knows better than its customers - but then there will not be many customers,as there is an 'out with the old and in with the new '(from where???)policy,and since my visit a "Dress code " introduced which prevents the equine and sporty set from entry.
I will try again,hoping against hope that sense prevails,and early teething problems are sorted.Its just agood thing that the little black flies have not appeared.....so far.
anonymous - 25 Oct 2006 11:46 |
OK,it's not a complete disaster.
Now reopened under new ownership and management. Not quite "Nouvelle Youngs" which is probably not a bad thing. Decor acceptable, Gents loos a 100% improvement. What I could see of the garden looked smart. However, I cannot see how this pub could have been closed for two whole months for this!
As to beer, it is the usual Youngs stuff and not too bad at that. The draft Erdinger Weiss beer very nice albiet expensive and dare I say better and not so fierce than the Schniederweisse offered under the previous management.
This whole make over has made me think about the role of this pub. It is in a one-way back street with no parking. It is in the wrong place for a gastro-pub or the alcopop brigade and is never going to be very busy. IT SHOULD NOT BE PART OF A CHAIN. It needs to be owned/run/lived in by people who want to run a small pub and can turn it into a cult beer venue to appeal to nits like me who are prepared to pay a bit more for ale- if it is good and varied.
So Youngs, why not pass it on now, before you start making a loss and at a time when someone else can have the benefit of your improvements to the fabric.
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The Sun set on the best pub in Epsom at 8:30 p.m. on Sunday 13th August.
The pub will be closed for at least 5 weeks.
Will Young's be able to replicate this haven in a sea of faceless chain pubs ? I doubt it.
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Went once on the last night and was made very unwelcome and left after one drink. Maybe if you have a night for "locals and regulars only" you should tell people BEFORE you take £5.00 off them at the door, as we could have saved our money and spent it somewhere more welcoming, like the much nicer Ye Olde Kings Head round the corner. I hope Youngs make a better job of making townies and new customers welcome, not that we'll be back to this one.
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It is a real pity that this charming little pub will soon become just another bog-standard Youngs boozer.
Agreed, it probably isn't everyone's cup of tea, and while the choice of beers is something to be admired, it would be nice to have at least one lager than doesn't blow your brains out after the third pint. And the service was deathly slow.
However, variety is the spice of life, and if the Rising Sun submits to the indentikit-pub brigade, it would be a very sad day indeed. Youngs, what are you thinking?
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A great shame to see one of the last trully independant pubs doomed to be swallowed up by Youngs and spat out as yet another link in there long chain.
anonymous - 20 Jul 2006 13:14 |
This is without doubt the best pub in Epsom. I'm off to sign up to the campaign!
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There is a campaign going. See website http://mproberts.co.uk/riser/ and send an e-mail to info@savetheriser.org
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I read the post about the imminent changes and my heart just sank. Other than emailing Youngs is there anything else we can do? Is there a local Campaign for Real Ale branch and can we get a campaign going that will help save this unique pub? I wondered if the local Guardian would also like to know what's happening here - supermarkets trying to invade Epsom and now the big breweries buying up the one remaining gem of a pub in Epsom
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YOUR SUPPORT IS NEEDED.......................
We the customers of the Rising Sun,and local residents,are extremely concerned at the impact of imminent major changes to the nature of our pub.
We wish to persuade Young & CO.the new owners,that it is in their best interest to preserve the unique nature of our local and retain choice.
please indicate your support on our web site www.savetheriser.org or contact stephen.goodyear@youngs.co.uk with your comments
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10/10 What can I say - please read the reviews, everything they say is true or only very mildly libellous! I've been drinking in this pub for a good few years now and it is everything you log on to a site like this to look for. The fact that someone is pleased to be moving into a road with a pub in it says it all (Anuj - look me up - I'll get some drinks in).
Now the bad news...STOP PRESS... one of the chain brewers (Youngs, I think) have bought the lease over the landlord's head and want to turn it back into a tied pub (sadly it isn't "tied" to Pilgrim)- so if you want some of what the reviews hint at, turn up very soon... otherwise put all the other reviews down to history and don't make the trip. I'll be sure to post again soon to let you know if you're only going to get the Young's ORDINARY experience.
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Am moving to Heathcote Road in 25 days time ! CANNOT WAIT to sample some of the beers. Judging by the reviews I made the best choice for my house purchase. See you on June 17th
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Pilgrim Brewery's only tied house that does their pleasant range of brews plus a great range of Northern European beers. No advertising and no gimmickry make this backstreet pub a wonder.
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Great pub, tucked away but worth the walk. Great selection of beers smoked beer, sour beer and fruty beer. Management are enthusiastic about it as well which is good.
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Definitely the best pub in Epsom, great beers, brilliant grub. Its not snotty or pretentious, you can sit there and nurse your pint read the paper and chill out without feeling like someone is going to smash your head in like many of the pubs in Epsom town centre. You only need a couple of the full strength belgian beers to feel like you're having an out of body experience too.
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Fantastic pub! Travelled here from Greenwich but it was definitely worth the commute. Great real ales and a very knowledgeable landlord who recommended a superb beer; but I forgot to take its name! It was an extremely full-flavoured bottle of stout for those interested - Dave, can you help?!
I came here with my brother, Chris, and met with Phil (barman) and his girlfriend. Also had the priveldge of meeting their friend Dan who was on his way back to Oz...hope he made the flight by the way ;-)
Anyway, this was our first time to Epsom and The Rising Sun was by far the best establishment sampled that day. Well worth dropping-in if you're in the area.
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Still Epsom's best pub. No national beer brands but an esoteric selection chosen by the landlord. There were some wicked Christmas beers on draught including one at 11% ABV.
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Amongst the many different beers on the menu, you can get Cologne's very own Kolsh beer here, which is primarily why I'm a fan. Great food (when they feel like making it), friendly people and no smoking! Seems to be free of chavs too.
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Great beers, friendly atmosphere and the best feature... NO SMOKING. You can sup great ales at this pub and in the morning your clothes don't stink of smoke. Wonderful place and highly recommended.
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A great pub with a superb selection of drinks and top quality food. Only downside is the Sunday lunch: it's so good you have to *book* to get a table! Charming staff and a few harmless CAMRA beardies reside here, but also attracts a cosmopolitan range of clientele. Highly recommended.
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A wonderful pub. Don't ask for Stella or Carling ... you won't get it, drink Riegele or Duvel. Good food menu. Friendly, happy staff. Log fire. Garden. Classical music. No fruit machines. Astonishing chalkboards. Dodgy shorts wearing regular. Slow service ... but worth the wait.
antichav - 23 Sep 2004 20:24 |
I was just thinking what wonderful chalk board signs there were in the Riser...I wonder who in the world could be responsible for such fine works of art. Those eejits who stole The Scream in Oslao clearly hadn't done their homework...they should have gone for one of the boards for sure
G - 24 Aug 2004 15:18 |
great beers,ales, and its own beer menu, i am on number 14 and gradually working my way down but keep getting stuck at favourites!!
dave - 23 Aug 2004 02:09 |
Service is unreservedly poor, but still this pub has great charm. I'm not a fan of his ales but the Weissbier is a real treat even though his interesting home-brewed Springbok has lapsed. Food is reckoned to be very good and good value but be prepared to wait.
Not to be missed if you are visiting Epsom.
Richard - 22 Jul 2004 13:24 |
Damn it! This is an outrage!!! Everyone on this site raves on about the pretty barmaids, whirling landlady, inevitably pissed and shorts-wearing landlord, rotting benches and cool jazz, but no one mentions the devilishy handsome, charming and witty barman!! I want to see this rectified people. Oh and I want some praise - no skip that - adoration for the chalk boards expressed in the most sincere tones.
a travelling beer gnome - 21 Jul 2004 13:01 |
A pub for all discerning drinkers. The sole outlet for Pilgrim Ale, serving around 3 of its range, plus an unprecedented variety of good Continental beers and spirits, personally chivvied out by landlord, who is also the brewer. Always a cheerful welcome from landlady; good food offered too. Appeals to all ages.
Tom - 29 Mar 2004 15:58 |
I love this pub. I came to Epsom a year ago to start a new job and having been spoilt by the fine hostelries of Dorset and Wales in the past I despaired as Epsom seemed to have nowhere worthwhile to have a decent pint. Then after work one evening I was taken here and I haven't looked back...fine beers, fine customers and fine barmaids, what more could one ask for?! Also have decent promotions, the last American microbrewery one was an eye opener!
Gaj - 17 Mar 2004 17:07 |
Great place.
So good that my wife will actually suggest going there.
Guvnor is a brewer and knows his stuff and his Mrs is a whirling dervish. Always plenty of unusual brews available and I always have one more than I ought
anonymous - 1 Dec 2003 12:43 |
great pub set in back streets of epsom ,near art college hence great barmaids .Wonderful Pilgrim ales and imports own lagers and wiessbeer from bavaria,superb cider from Normandy(careful of cider effect!)and stout from ireland ,numerous bottled beers from around the world with a heavy slant towards belgium(that's due to their strength!-the slant).good food in convivial surroundings,eclectic locals with a passion for rugby.patience is a virtue and a little virtue serves you well.
jrg - 13 Nov 2003 11:17 |
This is a classic pub. No chain influence and no mainstream beers. Instead you get imported lagers from Germany and Belgium, good home cooked (not nuked from frozen) food and great atmosphere. Great barmaids too, I think that the landlord must have a thing for petite girls.
Nick - 26 Sep 2003 15:16 |
Good Pub, mind the rotting benches & seats at the bottom of the beer garden!
anonymous - 15 Jun 2003 14:26 |
nice little boozer
Space - 25 Mar 2003 12:06 |
Wonderfully chilled atmosphere with many interesting imported draft and bottled beers. Wine selection not as great but soothed away by cool jazz music. Their secluded beer garden has to be one of the quietest ever.
Robin - 9 Mar 2003 18:56 |
