please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
The Surprise is that a pub can still survive in a backstreet Chelsea location like this. Since its original incarnation, it has adapted more to suit the local denizens and is more of a gastropub or a restaurant that serves ales. Nevertheless, I didn't feel too uncomfortable on my Saturday morning visit. Ales on were Sharps Own & HMS Surprise, Youngs Gold & Windsor and Eton Knight of the Garter. I seem to recall that the cider was Aspalls. Service was fine.
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The Surprise has finally opened after years of being closed. It has probably the prettiest head bar girl in the country, but besides staring at her, the service is appalling. On Friday night they had two rather slow bar staff in a packed pub making one wait over 20 minutes for a drink. Preference goes to regulars i.e they are served well before you and there is very little outside space. As my brother would say - "a very dishonest pub."
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It's good to find this traditional Chelsea pub open again. It's a touch on the trendy side for some tastes but it has a pleasant atmosphere and some good beers. The Windsor & Eton Star and Garter was brilliant---served in old-fashioned dimple glasses as well..
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Menu and food excellent, decor rather generic, service terrible - when they brought the food the waitress anounced that one of the choices was no longer available - didn't mention this when we ordered. She then said the kitchens were closing so we couldn't order anything else. We kicked up a fuss and then miraculously they produced what we had originally ordered. They also play loud and souless piped musac. Would go again if they sorted these thing out.
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This pub has recently re-opened following a complete refurbishment. It is eveything a Chelsea pub should be.
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We went last night to eat. The food is very good (even if the portions are not massive) and is about averagely priced. The beer is well kept (3 real ales normally). The decor seems to have used up the left over grey paint from the Front Page (Pigs Ear) and the Phene Arms however!
Definitely a gastro-pub rather than a boozer but OK nonetheless.
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The Surprise has re-opened. Nice little pub from Geronimo. You'll feel right at home if you like The Builders Arms, The Phoenix or The Prince Albert.
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Is this still closed?? That's a disaster it was a fabulous boozer!
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The pub is indeed closed another victim of mismanagement. Once a flagship of the Bass Charrington Empire it has been subsequently run down and ruined by a head office structure which does not seem to have ever been in a pub in their lives.
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Tried to visit this pub on Friday, 6th October 2006. It was closed. Assume it has closed down. Coopers Arms round the corner was very good alternative.
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Average beer, average pub. Perhaps better than most examples in the area, but doesn't have any particular charm.
From the prevalence of the posters pushing the rather cheap, but unappetising food I expect its owned by some nasty PubCo.
Not really a suprise. Average 5/10
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Nice 'traditional' pub. Has nice quiet sections where you actually talk instead of fighting a sound system or blaring tv. Friendly staff, good beers, clean and tidy. Definately a place to go if you value the older pub and want to sit and talk with mates or your partner with no hassles
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Nice tucked away pub in the darkest depths of Chelsea...very agreeable surrondings in which to enjoy a tasty pint of London Pride or some other nice ale. Plenty of cheerful locals in, often a good sign.
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A nice local pub - well kept beer (Adnam's and Fullers) and clean toilets!
Friendly punters - all in all a good find.
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Nice enough place. Bar staff was a bit harried when I arrived and watched them short customer after customer. They topped off my Adnams when I didn't pick up after I was paid! Lively enough place. A couple of Chelsea Pensioners gave the place some real character.
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Probably the only "local" left in Chelsea despite the best actions of the brewery. Well kept Fullers and guest beers. Always welcoming especially for the Rugby
anonymous - 21 Sep 2005 11:13 |
I have been going to this pub on and off for twelve years and recently it has become my established local.
Recently a new landlady took over and the pub despite having a cosy interior often has loud music and a very noisy parrot that sits in a smoke filled bar where food is served.
The landlady has made the pub less welcoming and the pub seems to be used now as an elephants grave yard for publicans.
I hope it retains the character but........
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