please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
A great pub now, a change in Management 18 months ago has seen this pub get better and better. Friendly and very well run. Great for a quiet drink and a spot of lunch or a lively evening at the weekend.
|
Really like it here and the new look hasn't spoilt it. A good genuine welcome at the bar and has an atmosphere for groups or for a quiet drink. A little bit manic at midweek lunchtimes so go in the evening.
|
You are right about the fruit machine burn!
|
Finally Reigate has a decent pub to drink in. It's warm, friendly, and all the beer is of an outstanding quality. I am however slightly confused about the comments below suggesting that the television 'overshadows everything', as there isn't a television in here - there hasn't been for months.
I have tried the food, and that too is lovely, with very generous portions. In fact my only complaint about this place is the fruit machine. It's a thieving, addictive, light-flashing, soulless bastard.
|
Been here a few times. It is a very tiny little pub but people in there seem quiet friendly.Not much of a fan of football so when the tv is on, being a small place the tv overshadows everything else so cant have a nice quiet chat to your friends.
|
Been in here at lunchtime and if you are starving try the "Bellburger" and chips it is massive. Nice landlady but it might take a bit of something special to get it back to how it was in the mid-late 80's when Steve an Lyn had it. It was rammo then
|
We were delighted to see The Bell has changed hands and is now looked after by some younger folk who seem to care. It's alright, not a huge amount of atmosphere. They're trying but haven't quite got it right yet. It's a good place to visit if you want a few beers with a mate
|
Haven't been in since it's changed hands, but despite being far from perfect under the previous regime, it was at least entertaining. The highlight used to be "Uncle Alan's Disco" on Friday nights, which basically meant this old chap digging out his scratchy 45s collection from "the best years" (i.e. '50s to '80s!) and spinning them at request, adding a statto-like comment such as "And that was the 3rd of 5 Top 10 hits for Slade back in 1973..." Utterly kitsch and about as naff as a provincial pub night can be, but still strangely compelling in an ironic sort of way. I shall miss it if the new owners don't find it in their heart to renew Uncle Al's "contract"!
Trouble is this is still Greene King-owned, and the beers, however well-kept, just aren't very interesting to serious ale lovers. Good luck to the new bods.
|
The person who said that the decor needs updating might be pleased to hear that The Bell recently changed hands and has undergone a major refurb.
Now it is bright, clean and has a friendly new team behind the bar. If you haven't been in for a while then check it out.
I also had a great sandwich at lunch on Monday.
anonymous - 22 Aug 2006 20:29 |
One of the best things about my visits to this pub was the quiz machine. My friend and I had a good laugh playing it.
|
Eurgh, the pints weren't bad but the atmosphere and decore need updating. A lot like stepping back in time, the place is falling apart
|
Great beer, friendly staff (lookers, too!).
Definately getting better as time goes by.
anonymous - 3 Aug 2005 12:39 |
The last time I went to this pub, the landlord and his wife were sitting watching reruns of Morecambe and Wise, reading the paper and having a beer. It felt like i'd mistakenly walked into someone's front room. This soon changed with the front room being turned into Wimbledon dog track, I even considered having a tenner on the German Shepherd.
Beer ok, atmosphere like Mars, decor - could do with some wallpaper, Garden - nice view of the Car Park.
|
The only pub in reigate that didn't raise its prices this year - good on ya' Ray! Nice atmosphere if you're a nice person. Ray and his staff will be quick to cut you down to size if you're a gobby teenage twat or loud mouthed middle aged "I Am", but if you're just looking for a nice place to sit down and have good quality pint and a chat, look no further. There's an OK beer garden out the back that most people seem to miss, worth checking out. THE best Stella in Reigate bar none. Good mix of people - builders to accountants sit next to eachother and get along just fine. Dick heads need not apply - its that simple. Critisisms? I'll leave them to the "We loved it when it was Johns" brigade - I prefer it the way it is now. Times change, people. Deal with it.
|
Nice women here (in my opinion). Not much of an atmosphere but the beer is pretty good
|
This has the feeling of being a fairly mature pub. There are worse Greene pubs about. Wouldnt make it a regular place to go
|
Old-fashioned boozer in the heart of Reigate, with decent beer and basic pub food. Apparently "Uncle Alan" has a regular spot on Friday nights spinning his vinyl hits from the 60s 70s and 80s. Alas I've not yet had the pleasure of witnessing this event.
|
I love to go to this pub on Christmas eve as it never has a cover charge. I like the fact that they sell smiths bacon rashers as well!
|
Unfortunately since John has left Ray has gutted The Bell of all its character making wall and ceiling trinkets. When John took over a few years ago it was an ailing and irrelevant pub in Reigate and he turned it round into a nice little ordinary pub with good beer and seating often available except for the busier evenings. Ray seems to have different ideas for The Bell and I'm not sure what they are but I think he's saving up for something however he shouldn't have gutted the place of all its character without having the next step in place. It seems to be much emptier now. Stuart has been driven away by Ray's unique pub management concept. One day I walked past I saw him throwing a ball for his dog in the pub. He clearly had nothing better to do as there wern't any punters!
Ferg - 22 Aug 2004 20:11 |
well jon has left now, retired, and ray and marie-anne have taken over, they are a very nice couple, they do have some plans for the place, but i don't want to give to much away,i can say it is now open sundays and watch this space for summer bbq's.In the mean time the bell still has its lovely atmosphere, great friendly staff, (stuart is still around) good beers and sunny garden.
jen - 22 Apr 2004 16:41 |
The Bell is a terrific traditional and narrow pub in Bell St, Reigate and has been there for over 100 years as can be seen from historic photographs around the town. Landlord John and manager Stuart always make you feel welcome. They always serve a good pint. My only criticism is lack of house spirits and decent ciders!
Fergus - 10 Nov 2003 21:17 |
Good things come in small packages and the bell is no exception. Very friendly staff with large portions of food for small amounts of money
emma - 15 Oct 2003 11:15 |
Lovely little pub, always friendly. Despite being so small you can usually get a seat. Nice little garden too, though no light outside so it gets a bit dark towards the end of the evening! Beer is good quality but towards the pricier end of the scale. The nice surroundings make up for it. My favourite pub in Reigate.
smuj83 - 19 Sep 2003 16:12 |
Thinnest Pub in the world, very nice, reasonable priced beer, well stocked bar. Not bad yard out the back. Semi-outdoor gents lavs.
James - 10 Jun 2002 16:54 |
skip nav