Keystone, Guildford

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user reviews of the Keystone, Guildford

please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.

Trainman has a lot to say. In fact there is not too much to add, seeing as he mentioned what kind of Ales they have, to be honest I like the different range from mainstream ales that this place offers. Well done.
TheSurreyPubMan - 5 Jul 2008 05:59
Trainman - looks like this pub wasnt to your taste. Thats ashame but i'd recommend giving it a few more goes. This is a near little pub with some good beer. They do the 6X with is very tasty. It deserves recognition.
TheSensiblePubReviewer - 21 Jun 2008 20:40
Bitter&Twisted was good ystdy, but the studo bar'man' passed some snide remark when my friend sent back 2/3 pint of summat else which was cloudy. The mgr said we couldn't play darts coz he was about to set up for a band, then promptly put on his coat & went out! Tosser.
trainman - 1 Jun 2008 11:12
A pub in a modern style but with a friendly feel. Food looks and smells good although I didn't have time to eat. Real ales are also available but served too cold in my opinion. The 6X I had was a bit old tasting - but then I was the only one apparently drinking bitter in the pub (sorry bar).
GrahamA - 6 May 2008 14:19
Empty late afternoon and Daleside Legover not great.
trainman - 22 Feb 2008 12:59
Quite modern feel & young vibe, but it does have a refurbed inglenook to the right of the bar, even if the adjacent sofa detracts from this nod to tradition. Beyond the bar to the left/rear is a tabled area which probably accommodates both dining and just drinking. Antipodean service was polite & friendly, the handpumps offered Black Sheep, 6X, and Wood’s Quaff from Shropshire which was very nice. They advertise £20 deal Mon nt for 2 rump steaks + btl wine.
trainman - 20 Feb 2008 17:40
Several work colleagues used to eat here regularly at lunchtimes as the food is good but they have now stopped as it can average an hour for food to arrive after ordering even when not very busy. I had never had a problem until recently. Four of us arrived at 12 noon for a colleagues 50th birthday and immediately ordered food. Two more joined us at 12.20 and ordered food. Their food arrived at 12.35 and three of ours arrived between 12.40 and 13.05. At 13.10, 65 minutes after ordering, one of us were told their order hadn't yet been started. They demanded their money back and eventually got it but it wasn't as easy as you would expect. Birthday celebration meal spoilt!

The service/kitchen don't appear to have a clue how to get food out successfully. Word is getting around of the long delays and disjointed orders and many people are no longer returning. Sadly though, as the food has a good reputation, many more diners take their place.
mr_toon - 18 Nov 2007 23:29
How this place rates as a 7/10 heaven only knows 60`s built pub no imagination at all should be on a council estate.
Saying that the beer was good did not eat so no comment on that,but still only worth a 5/10 at the very most.
Beersupper - 15 Nov 2007 12:21
Quite frankly THE BEST pub in Guildford,no question. Ales fantastic and well kept, great choice of beers and wines and to date I have never had anything other than an exceptional meal there
WhisperingPine - 10 Oct 2007 10:32
Place has not changed a great deal since last visit couple of years ago. Still sell 6X also brakspear was the guest ale on
aleman - 29 Jul 2007 00:07
ROCKS ROCKS ROCKS ROCKS ROCKS
Callum251 - 20 Jul 2007 23:40
As a regular visitor early evening I thoroughly enjoy my chill out couple of pints. The Black Sheep is always on top form and the range of guests is very good. Bar staff and early evening company sometimes get me into trouble by making me leave late but, hey what the heck this is a good pub.
addlened - 3 Jul 2007 16:06
Had 2 steak and chips with a bottle of wine for £20 as part of the Monday special thingy they're doing at the moment. The food was good and the wine was decent (we had red). It was a really nice evening!
pubgenius - 27 Jun 2007 20:33
What has happened to this pub?
I often frequented the keystone last summer and was always greeted by friendly staff, good food and a nice pint.
I went back last week to sadly find that this has all changed. The friendly staff consist of sulky emos and less than graceful pouting bar maids (who got my change wrong!!). The fresh home cooked food has been replaced by the charred remains of what the menu told me was a chicken burger (I've eaten better in a weatherspoons). The beer was served in a used glass and smelt oddly of bile.
It is such a shame to see an independent enterprise fall so quickly in standards. I for one will not be returning.
Furthermore, on complaining to the Emo I was offered no appology and no refund. I decided to leave when I was approached by the red faced ponytailed manager (apparently landlord|) who it seems is chief ininerator in this establishment.

again a great shame. i can only wish them better luck in the future.
anonymous - 20 Apr 2007 21:43
Typically 3 real ales on tap, each well kept. The food is very good. Interior more like a bar than a pub, but the atmosphere certainly qualifies it as a pub
GGG - 3 Jan 2007 16:43
Vastly better than the average in a town centre filled with mediocre pubs. The Keystone serves a good selection of ales and on my occasional visits, they've always been well-served. Never gets too crowded which is a plus in Guildford. Has a jukebox to boot. My only caveat might be that the interior is a little bit soulless.
grecian - 3 Jan 2007 15:31
Brilliant little pub. Always an interesting guest ale on as well as the black sheep. Staff very friendly, food excellent. Really cannot fault this place.
kitcat - 15 Dec 2006 15:59
Popped in for a quick pint on a friends recommendation, very happy.
petergoesrock - 12 Dec 2006 14:55
I went to the keystone today for dinner and a quiet drink. I was much impressed, so much so i'm writing this review straight away so I don't forget. the staff were very friendly, the food was excellent for a pub and homemade too. I'll definatly go again.
clairewebster - 19 Oct 2006 00:38
This is a typical 60`s built pub.To someone of my age it is still known as The Cannon,it`s an ok pub nothing special,but saying that there isn`t any really good pubs in Guildford now except for 2 (The Royal Oak & The Robin Hood & they don`t have to keep changing their names)
Beersupper - 9 Aug 2006 12:33
Consistently decent beer, food, staff and atmosphere. Keep it up.
pwr - 24 Jul 2006 23:00
Nice atmosphere, friendly staff, comfortable with some sofas, terrace at the rear, but most importantly a good range of well kept ale, especially the Black Sheep.
GGG - 20 Jul 2006 15:47
Introduced to this place by my housemate. Only had a quick pint in there but it was good (Black Sheep... down south?!?!).
therivierakid - 31 May 2006 17:38
I'm a little bit partial to an acoustic set myself!Love the courtyard, Love the vibe, Love the fact that it's ever so slightly out of town so it's not really a packed out sheep pen like Ha Ha for example.
Fast becoming one of my favourite bars in Guildford.
beaniebeer - 25 May 2006 02:20
Good spacious and cool place, friendly and attractive barstaff, good range of real ales including mild for May.
beeronaut - 21 May 2006 08:15
Been going here for a while on and off.Foods O.K beers good, The bands they have here need to be ejected and inject new acts. Acoustic all night . . boring.
anonymous - 8 May 2006 18:49
Good beer, but rubbish 'contemporary' interior.Burger was excellent, but how about doing proper thick chips.
keithcoleman - 7 May 2006 12:52
I have fond memories of a mis-spent youth in The Cannon that was, but I have to say I love it even more now it is The Keystone (& I am no longer a student!) The place is beautiful. I can barely remember what it looked like before, but I know it was grotty.

I'm still getting to know the place, but so far I like it a lot. The food is good, & I can hardly wait for the weather to improve so that I can sit outside in the sunshine.
Sunny_Sunnarsson - 19 Apr 2006 02:27
Really like this bar, as below; top food, nice beer and fast service - maybe cos there's noone in there, but i guess still one of Guildford's undiscovered gems!! Reccomended
mooty123 - 7 Apr 2006 00:27
I really like this bar. The food is superb - try it i guarentee you will not settle for frozen pre packed pub grub again. It is relaxed and never so busy you feel pushed around, and i like the live music. It is not pretentious infact always seems quite relaxed.
Only gripe it that it can get very smoky. i know we only have to wait till next year till this is no more but as this bar does have an outside bit it would be great (for me at least) if the inside was no smoking, at least when they are serving food. Despite loving the food i did have to leave last week due to a table of smkers sitting right beside me as we were about to orders. Its a shame but the food is good i want to enjoy it!
plodder - 6 Apr 2006 17:43
I use this pub on my way home to Redhill (not far from the Station). Excellent quality beer with guests regularly changed. The food is top quality and different from the majority of pub fare.
addlened - 24 Feb 2006 12:21
Yet another bar with yet more acoustic guitar players, yawn...
anonymous - 10 Jan 2006 13:16
Yes, it was once the Cannon and they went through a phase of not being too strict with their ID checking. I quite liked it back then, I must admit. But that was a good ten years ago, and it's been through at least two changes of management since then. It is indeed very different now, just see the description above.
anne - 30 Sep 2005 17:47
Didn't this used to be called The Cannon and was a total dive full of under-age drinking.

I am sure it is totally different now
Delios - 30 Sep 2005 14:19
ok if you like wine bars.
female manager needs to smile or thank you it goes along way.
anonymous - 20 Aug 2005 14:06
Been going there quite a lot recently – consistently good beer (6X) and food. Slightly stingy with the lamb and halloumi kebabs last week (one small piece of Haloumi) but other than that, doing well.
pwr - 16 Jun 2005 16:58
Really rather good. Met friends here for Sunday lunch and didn't leave for 5 hours! Great food and staff. Would get 10 if it had a no-smoking section.
anonymous - 6 Feb 2005 23:15
Great place, small, clean and friendly. Haven't tried the food but it does look nice. 9/10 only because they don't have the outdoor patio heaters on at the moment!
pubgenius - 10 Jan 2005 22:30
Can't believe that it's taken me the best part of 8 years to find this place! (Granted - it hasn't been the Keystone for that long). A little gem, the location seems to keep numbers down, it's straddled between a little side road and the Godalming road out of town. Really friendly, food is excellent and they serve San Miguel. Couldn't see a non-smoking area bit that doesn't mean there isn't one...
fivepints - 6 Jan 2005 09:25
Great food(specialy the lamb burger & steaks), the best pint of Mig in town, friendly staff and it draws friendly clientelle. I LIKE IT!!! 10/10
Shaun - 7 Nov 2004 10:34
Brilliant pub, really friendly people, delicious food and nice selection of wines! Definitely best steak in town and probably best pub in guildford - cool but totally unpretentious. 10/10
J - 28 Oct 2004 11:43
Better than I thought it would be. Nice atmosphere, reasonable beer, not sure what it was like when it was the Powerhouse, but it's good now


Will - 14 Aug 2004 22:15
This is not a bad place. They do a nice 6X. This is a good place to go if you want to finish drinks later than 11
aleman - 14 Aug 2004 15:57
Not the 6th form common room any more, but surprisingly quiet now. I think the "new" Whitehouse is drawing people away. I like it, but something's missing. Perhaps it'll be good for the summer - out on the decking.
Calum - 26 Apr 2004 23:05
Good food,Good service,nice change! worth a try
Jonny - 5 Feb 2004 22:58
Smart. Good food. Friendly service. Oldish crowd. Needs more seats.
OpheliaImmortal - 23 Dec 2003 14:25
when i said time small time middle class dealers in hoodies, i meant the old powerhouse, the keystone looks totally different, a lot smarter but i haven't actually been in there yet
Gareth - 16 Dec 2003 11:57
i've eaten here several times now, and found the food to be excellent - the homemade burger and the ramakin of haddock gratin were especially tasty. decent value as well, considering that you get homemade grub for little more than the price of most other pubs' microwave-meals.
Dean - 9 Dec 2003 11:48
A welcome improvement on the powerhouse which was full of bratty middle-class wannabes in hoodies. They're probably all doing law degrees now, forward progress.
George Abbott - 24 Nov 2003 12:26
this pub is gorgeous inside, all posh floorboards and comfy sofas etc - we went on a saturday lunchtime and had a really chilled time sitting by the fireplace reading the papers and drinking a very sexy white wine. the menu looks amazing but have to admit we felt really let down when our food came - chilli mozzarella toast was actually a whole toasted sandwich (back to the 80s!), and not some dainty little pieces of toast with grilled mozzarella on top with a pot of chilli sauce to dip into, which is what we envisaged! also the potato skins with melted Boursin weren't half as yummy as they sounded. we had three dishes - two starters and one main course, and they all came with exactly the same dull salad. however we will still be back - only had three things on the menu, there's still lots more to try! :-)
eleanor - 21 Nov 2003 17:56
Vast improvement! Good beer proper food, well worth a visit!..
Neale - 12 Nov 2003 19:16
ate food there the other day, and it was excellent, better than the weyside for less money, and way above your usual pub fayre. san miguel on tap as well.
mike - 12 Nov 2003 17:21
freindly atmosphere, the bar area is too bright in the evenings,havent tried the food yet but the menu looks delicious & cheap.
lucia fossell - 17 Oct 2003 13:57
formerly the powerhouse, much improved bar/pub with home-cooked food.
nick kitchen - 8 Oct 2003 19:47
The management has just changed,what is it like now?
In time for the freshers I guess.
Duane Farr - zestent@aol.com - 27 Aug 2003 23:22
Just went to this place recently on a friday night. Great atmosphere and the tunes absolutely rocked - far out funk and stuff like that. Will be a regular for me from now on.
Dave Berry - 26 Jan 2003 16:50
Does Jay own the Powerhouse, Mash Tun and Guildford Tup? I think we need to know! He's given top reviews to those three "bars" when in actual fact they are the most expensive pathetic excuses for bars in the town of Guildford. All three used to be good traditional public houses. Now they've been ripped apart and transformed into the jokes we see today.
Harry - 12 Sep 2002 17:03
funky decor, funky music, live djs at the weekend, beer garden, reasonable prices and good atmosphere
jay - 17 May 2002 12:56
used to be the cannon, had a pool table back then. they seem to have got rid of all the fights and underage drinkers now but unfortunately the atmosphere has gone too.
anne

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