Bricklayers Arms, Kingston Upon Thames

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user reviews of the Bricklayers Arms, Kingston Upon Thames

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Zoe has been here a year now, done a brilliant job in improving the pub and bringing more customers in. Best pub in kingston.
jackuk - 5 Aug 2011 11:26
Down to earth and friendly locals' pub offering only GK IPA rather than try to have several bitters which will go off because they won't sell fast enough (a certain other local pub please take note).
rainlight - 14 Jul 2011 22:29
Getting better all the time, Zoe is now the manager. Guinness still perfect and very reasonably priced, as are all the drinks. Dart board, Pool table and new juke box.
jackuk - 1 Oct 2010 15:44
Excellent pub with very friendly locals, if you take time to get to know them.( sometimes a bit loud). Guinness is the best pint I have tasted. GK IPA very popular. Bar staff very good and welcoming with Zoe the best ever (serves 4 at once when busy) Excellent bar food during the day. Disco once a month to 'Sam's Sounds' I am lucky to now be classed as a local.
I love the pub.
jackuk - 25 Jan 2010 12:47
Another pub I have revisited after an absence of about 5 years to find it has undergone a recent makeover (did someone in Kingston offer a job lot?). Situated on the edge of a large Estate, it is not destined to attract anyone other than a few locals but for all my infrequent visits over the years I have actually found it a fairly comfortable and generally welcoming pub. That said, I can’t say that the recent makeover does anything for the place and it still appears to be just another edge of town, dull and plain local’s pub, harmless but ultimately uninspiring. 3 hand pumps but just Greene King IPA available although quality was very good and it was almost a giveaway price (Pint & Mrs B’s diet coke still left change from £3). It was good to see some traditional features like the piano and board games and the secure beer garden with its covered decking patio is a big plus when conditions allow. Overall another pub I had better memories of in the past and there seems to be some mixed feelings about the place. I may have been unlucky with the ale choices (I’ll give it the benefit of the doubt) and, for now, would just about rate it as worthy of a quick pint if passing by but nothing to go out of the way for.
RogerB - 4 Nov 2009 14:08
Now re-furbed. Great beer garden. very friendly pub
jackuk - 17 Jul 2009 07:36
They had GKIPA and Flanker's Tackle on. The FT was OK (at £2.85 a pint) but for some reason still had that Greene King aftertaste to it. They’ve stripped this pub out since the last time I was in there. It was never very good, but they’ve managed to make it a bit more impersonal. Pop music being played too loud didn’t help either (even if it was Billy Joel). Not really worth bothering to find, but if you find yourself passing it’s OK for a swift pint as long as you are happy with Greene King ales.
RexRattus - 24 Mar 2009 20:41
I have moved to the area and have been trying out all of the local pubs and unfortunatly this pub wasnt really a strong choice.
Greene King very bitter on pump.
Empty
Quite expensive compared to other local pubs!
As prevouisly mentioned, not worth going out for !
snowpub - 2 Feb 2009 13:48
Greene King beers only, IPA and Hardys and an end of the barrel Hansons Rocking Rudolf. One other that wasn't on. One main bar that goes further back on the left. Sky Sports was showing the FA Cup replay.

OK pub but not worth going out of your way for.
GuideDogSaint - 18 Jan 2009 11:02
empty as before no customers on my visit just me very sad to see g king bitter on pump
pint11 - 24 Nov 2008 16:38
This pub is fantastic since it has been done up. The food was excellent and the new landlord is such a friendly chap. The beer garden area is yet to be finished but, once done, will be the perfect place to spend a lazy summer day. Plus, as has already been mentioned in a previous review, there is a nice area for us smokers, with heating lamps!!! I can't fault what they have done with this place.
emr8097 - 17 Nov 2008 22:02
So apparently this place is under new management and has undergone a total transformation. I had never been before, but the other customers said it was a big change. The new landlord "mike" was really nice and the food was good (we had a burger and a steak). There was no pool table as shown on this site (I expect that is due to the change in management). There is a huge garden out back and heated outdoor seating for us smokers! All in all we had a good time and will be back.
western - 12 Nov 2008 12:22
Understand that it's closing for a full refurb & refit for 2 weeks in September and that a full food service will be available upon reopening. Looking forward to trying it out.
onlyiknow - 26 Aug 2008 09:37
Very interesting pub small group off 5 locals and barmaid scan me totaly while i drank my ipa g king . The atmosphere very strange . Not going back in hurry
pint11 - 18 Aug 2008 22:30
I agree with Theoperator and didn't make that clear in my previous note. Boris Vian could have been describing this pub when in 'The Heartsnatcher' he refers to "a semicircle of dark, hostile backs". Somewhere that only a few weeks ago was welcoming enough has turned into an extremely unwelcoming pub. I finished my drink and left.
rainlight - 11 Aug 2008 10:52
Once a great place to go for a Sunday roast, this place has recently changed hands. I don't doubt the new owners have improved several areas of the establishment, but they neglected to continue any sort of food provision. Additionally, I don't think I've ever felt so unwelcome in any pub in my entire life before. The atmosphere practically hits you in the face when you walk in. I didn't finish my (warm) drink. I won't be returning again. I hope Kev has moved to another pub and continues his escellent food. I'll be searching for such a place.
theoperator - 10 Aug 2008 21:59
Now under new management with comfortable seating at both ends and some live music. Downsides? The only beer is Greene King IPA. No more Kev, either.
beeronaut - 5 Jul 2008 16:41
Currently closed, sign removed.
rainlight - 8 Jun 2008 15:55
Not the most promising location but this former Morlands pub now getting its beer from Greene King is a genuine local with a charismatic landlord who cares about the beer, the food and the pub. If anything there are too many pubs in the Fairfield area and a lot of them are mediocre, but not this one. The Park Tavern is nearer Richmond Park but apart from that there is not a lot of difference between the two.
beeronaut - 28 Jan 2007 20:14
What can I say honest Kev but 'I'm stuffed'. There was enough on my plate to feed a small child. I'll be back.
alocalpunter - 16 Nov 2006 21:54
This is almost a really great pub. Its has some really big positives:
- Great Landlord - always makes you feel welcome & generally comes across as a lovely bloke
- Committment to decent cask ales (the Rev James on recently was superb)
- Very generous Sunday lunches
There are a few things that need improving though:
- Turn the TV off! The last thing I want to do when I go to the pub is watch bloody Eastenders! I suspect the TV is on to make up for the lack of punters (but it could be one of the reasons people stay away)
- Keep the adjoining door between the bar & the hall shut. The toilets are always clean but I don't want to smell bleach over my pint!
- I reckon maybe you could tip the balance in favour of quality over quantity on the food. Its good but could be better and I was probably served about a kilo of beef last time!
Don't get me wrong - this pub is well worth a visit. I just feel it could be even better with a few changes.
anonymous - 12 Mar 2006 11:16
I go to this pub about once a month with some mates: the landlord Kev is friendly, the beer's reliable, the food is tasty and you get loads of it, we quite fancy one of the barmaids, and in the week it's generally quiet and a good place for a talk. If anything it's a bit too quiet - we wonder where Kev makes his money - but the place has a friendly snug atmosphere and a reliable crowd who show up when there's a football game on: they seem to come down from the Cambridge Estate, which is notoriously rough but has never given us any problems. I had a great time there during Euro 2004 and am hoping to do the same for the 2006 World Cup.
matchmade - 29 Jan 2006 23:59
Kev told me today that PremPlus games would be shown from 1st Sept. This is just another good reason to visit one of Kingston`s best pubs.
I liked the atmosphere and was impressed by the beer, didn`t have the opportunity to try the food which is always well spoken of.
Airwolf - 27 Aug 2005 23:04
Excellent food chez Kev, beer is variable and deliveries seem to be a problem.

Fish is recommended. Vegetarians specially catered for.

One word of warning, check if AFC Wimbledon are at home before visiting, as it gets crowded from 12:00-14:30 Saturday match days and only a restricted (but good)menu is served.
brownbear - 19 Jun 2005 00:05
Lovely atmosphere, cute pub cat, friendly and welcoming, good beer, decent prices

Please can you move to New Malden? We need a decent pub! x x
Jane - 17 Aug 2004 11:40
The food is fantastic, particularly the fish. This unfortunately is only one of a few strengths - the other being the landlord (Kev I believe) and some lovely and friendly staff. It may need to reinvent itself as it is slightly off the beaten track and take advantage of its culinary strengths!
Graham - 20 Nov 2003 18:40
the landlord HONEST Kev does the most amazing food all home cooked.
his sunday roasts are quite
a legend! Very generous portions whatever you chose to eat also ther is an extremely good selection of beers,lager,ale bitter etc.as for the food the menu is quite extensive and regulary updated.open fire to match the atmosphere and welcome you always recieve i totally recommend this boozer......

Tony Achenbach - 24 Oct 2003 18:42
I live less than a minutes walk from Kev's, and so far he has never let me down. His food is varied and delicious, and the portions are huge! The atmosphere is friendly and the staff are always sociable. Worth a visit.
Paul - 9 Jan 2003 12:41
We turned up yesterday with a party of 15, no notice, and Big Kev still came through. Wicked dinner, everyone had a laugh, and for only the second time I managed to clear my plate!
Ken - shakytumbleweed@hotmail.com - 23 Dec 2002 11:24
Dirty ashtrays on entering at opening time,badly tuned local radio as background music.didn't get as far as the food.
Mori - 10 Dec 2002 15:41
The chef is very polite and willing to alter the menu on individual request. Very warm and friendly pub
Nina - 10 Dec 2002 15:18
We live right near by, and a weekend without one of Big Kevs fantastic roast just ain't right. THE best roast in town!
Ken Ku-Chih - 10 Dec 2002 15:00
Didn't have any food but it looked lovely, the chef/landlord has apparently won awards for the meals they do there. Quite pricey, but likely to be worth it.
anne - 16 Oct 2002 15:31

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