BITE user comments - JDchaser
Comments by JDchaser
Closed and demolished years ago. There is now a modern bar on the site called...The Oak!
13 Jun 2013 21:35
A great pub about two minutes' walk from The Abercorn Arms. What to expect: no meals served, no telly unless for special events and the occasional Rugby Union match, a quiet jukebox, darts, fine ales and a warm welcome. An interesting range of bottled dark beers are on-sale too. A backstreet gem well worth searching out (close to 281 and 285 bus stops).
15 Jul 2012 12:13
The Teddington Arms, Teddington
On my visits to The Teddington Arms I've found it to be a rather souless pub where stressed bar staff serve poor quality ale without a smile. Not recommended.
15 Jul 2012 12:02
Teddington has seventeen pubs and not all of them are wonderful but this one is. A few minutes' walk from the railway station and just outside the town centre, The Adelaide is a traditional but classy pub. The menu is wide and varied and the pub excels in the grub stakes but it's not food-led with four Shepherd Neam cask ales on draught as well as bottled beer, a wide selection of wines etc. They even serve crisps in a bowl! Most recommended.
15 Jul 2012 11:56
The Abercorn Arms is a cracking backstreet local. It used to be very olde-worlde with an interior that hadn't changed in decades (think your nan's front room with hideous caricatures pictures on the walls and you wouldn't be far off). The old geezers playing flacid jazz of a Sunday were given the push when the new landlady took over and it's now a top boozer selling Young's ales in great condition with a funky, comfortable garden. Combine it with a visit to the Mason's Arms (two minutes' walk away) and you'll enjoy two of Teddington's best pubs.
15 Jul 2012 11:50
A brand-new pub which opened on the site of a police station, The Watchman is a typical Wetherspoons pub, all shiny tables, too few bar staff, real ales, cut-price beers and two microwave meals for eight quid or whatever.
In the pub desert that is NM, it's welcome but whether the Fountain opposite can survive in the face of stiff competition is another matter...
15 Jun 2012 18:24
What a lovely pub. I popped in here the other day for a couple and found it to be just the job; football on the telly, Fuller's beers in great condition, a warm welcome and some excellent live music. It's well worth a visit.
28 Nov 2011 23:55
Notices in the windows say 'temporarily closed' and the pub is for sale.
31 Oct 2011 14:59
The Marlborough, Kingston Upon Thames
After becoming The Fairfield Tavern at the start of 2010, this pub closed its doors again recently and is now boarded and for sale.
31 Oct 2011 14:48
Now under new management, The Swan has returned to being an excellent traditional pub. The Kent's Best and Spitfire are in fine form, the menu features reasonably-priced traditional pub grub, Sky Sports has returned and there's regular live music of varying types. A winner.
8 Oct 2011 15:00
Located right beside the Hampton Court gates to Bushy Park, Ye Olde Toy was a short-lived bar which closed about five years ago or so. It briefly reopened as Deja Vu but has been closed for a long time. I hope that answers your question, MyKingdomForAnAle.
5 Sep 2011 15:29
The Cyder Presse is a great little village pub in Weare Giffard a couple of miles outside Bideford. It's got a lot going for it: fine cask ales, a great menu, a beer garden and bed and breakfast accommodation. It's well worth seeking out.
22 Aug 2011 17:10
A poster in the window is advertising an open day at the brewery (in Faversham, Kent) for those interested in becoming tenants, The Swan being one of Shepherd Neame's pubs available. It's still lively on live music nights and the eating side seems steady. The cask ale is very consistent.
11 Jun 2011 13:51
Now re-opened under its former name The Victoria (not to be confused with the Young's pub of the same name down on Victoria Road, Surby). It's had a spruce up. There aren't that many pubs on this side of Surbiton: the Waggon and Horses then The New Prince, the Victoria and then a walk down into Tolworth and The Royal Oak. Doable on a crawl.
30 May 2011 16:45
Fancy a cake with your ale?! Both can be had here. A small-ish bar which can become really crowded serving real ale, an unusual draught cider, comics and magazines for reading etc. Being a riverside place, I expect it will be rammed to the doors come the summer. They host an open mic night once a month. It's cheek-by-jowel with The Ram next door and close to The Gazebo and The Bishop.
25 Apr 2011 16:30
The Kelly Arms, Kingston Upon Thames
The Kelly Arms closed permanently last year. It will never be a pub again as the building has a restrictive covenant on it forbidding it to be used as a place which sells alcohol i.e a restaurant, club, pub or bar. Another Kingston gem lost.
25 Apr 2011 16:27
The Honest Cabbage, Kingston Upon Thames
It recently reverted to its original name, The Six Bells, before closing for a while. It has now re-opened as Le Papillon, a French bar and restaurant and is now longer a pub. The decor is swish, the menu fish-centred and the pool table etc are gone. C'est la vie et vive la difference!
25 Apr 2011 16:21
A two-bar, traditional Young's pub in Queen's Road, The Abercorn is a nice place for a few fine ales and a chat. Beware jazz but otherwise good. Two minutes' walk from The Mason's Arms so very doable on a crawl.
19 Feb 2011 17:17
An excellent traditional boozer close to Teddington hospital, The Mason's serves a great pint and keeps a fine range of bottled beer. The old loos were very small and have now been consigned to history with some substantial building work out the back. It's comfortable, traditional and quiet as the jukie is rarely loud. The guvnor also runs The Roebuck up the road in Hampton Hill but The Mason's has a unique character. It's probably not a place that hoodie-wearing chavs or pissed-up footy fans would like and it is somewhat sedate but it's a nice place. Teddington has eighteen pubs; this is probably its best.
19 Feb 2011 17:11
A very small and old pub in a Twickenham sidestreet, The Fox is a fine old place. Several real ales on, non-matching furniture etc assure you you're drinking in a real pub not some marketing man's idea of what an old pub looks like. If you known Sean's bar in Athlone, Ireland, you'll get a good idea of what this pub is like. If you've ever wondered what a load of guitarists jamming together sounds like, go upstairs on a Sunday night. Well worth stopping off at on a crawl.
19 Feb 2011 17:03
The Nelson Arms, South Wimbledon/Colliers Wood
A fairly roomy pub on the main drag between South Wimbledon and Collier's Wood, The Nelson has a lot of character but seems to be rather quiet of late. I've passed it twice recently on a Friday and Saturday night when it should be busy and there's been hardly a soul in it which is a shame as it's a decent pub which serves a good pint. Five minutes' walk from Merton bus garage and Collier's Wood tube, it's worth stopping off for a couple.
19 Feb 2011 16:56
Trafalgar Freehouse, South Wimbledon
A tiny backstreet corner boozer, 'The Traf' is a bit of a local legend. Live jazz and blues can be had but don't go there expecting to hear any current pop! There's usually several i.e at least four real ales on in fine condition. As a contrast to The Sultan, it's a great place to go for a few pints.
19 Feb 2011 16:52
A really excellent backstreet boozer which is tucked away in a sidestreet not far from Merton bus garage and Collier's Wood tube.
With two totally separate bars (which is rare in London these days), it's Hopback's only tied house in the capital. The full Hopback range is on including the delicious (vegan) Entire stout and you can even buy draught beer to take home. I've often found the staff to be welcoming and friendly enough. It's very much a traditional pub where conversation can be had; you don't have to shout over loud canned music, a jukebox (much as I like them), live sounds, fruit or quiz machines. It's very civilised and quite old-fashioned. It's what traditional pubs should be like: fine beer, a friendly welcome and homely. I've rarely been there during the summer months but I'd say the beer garden would be popular.
A three-pub crawl kicking off here and then The Traf before winding up at The Kilkenny Tavern would be an excellent night out. Most recommended.
19 Feb 2011 16:48
A great little pub next to South Wimbledon and about fifteen minutes' walk from central Wimbledon. It recently got rid of the old jukebox and installed a state-of-the-art jukie and guess what? Pop music returned! The old jukie had reflected the taste of the landlord - Irish country music, ballads and some rock and roll - but the new one has seen the place become popular with younger people (by younger I mean anyone under sixty!)
It's a very comfortable, traditional place and is authentically Irish. Live music of differing kinds and the occasional DJ can be enjoyed most weekends and there's a trad Irish session on a Tuesday night. Good boozing to be had and the staff are friendly and efficient. No real ale. Excellent craic on St. Patrick's Day including a piper and bacon and cabbage. Recommended.
19 Feb 2011 16:38
The Honest Cabbage, Kingston Upon Thames
It recently had a lick of paint and reopened under its original name, The Six Bells. Since then it has closed again.
18 Feb 2011 13:07
It's a cracking backstreet gem which has just re-opened under new management. Very much a beer drinker's pub - beer in this case meaning cask ale rather than fizzy lager - it is small but perfectly formed with a jukebox, dartboard and fine bottled ales selection (something you don't often see in non-tied pubs), occasional live music and a covered-up telly. It's a free house and sells slightly unusual draught ales plus a cask cider (halves only!) and an obscure continental lager. If you find yourself at the hospital end of Teddington high street, go in for a few. Most recommended.
6 Aug 2010 18:38
The Railway Tavern, Hampton Wick
Update: after having three short-term holding managers, a new lease has been signed and the new landlord (from Northern Ireland) has plans to renovate the place. Live traditional Irish music is to become a regular feature starting tomorrow and there are plans to serve bar snacks. The corner has been turned...
21 Jan 2010 12:15
A small sideroad Young's pub not far from The Old Ship and The White Cross. It's busy quite a lot but the beers are in fine shape. Recommended.
29 Oct 2009 12:30
What a great pub! If you can imagine the quintessential traditional British pub (somewhat of a dying breed...), this is it only smaller! Slightly off the beaten track but not far from Richmond bridge or the hill, it is indeed like drinking in someone's front parlour and you'd daren't break wind loudly or belch but that's fine!
Various cask ales in fine fettle served by friendly staff. Recommended for the connoisseur and the discerning.
29 Oct 2009 12:28
Richmond's best-kept secret. A gem of a backstreet pub, it welcomes gay and straight people and a great time can often be had.
No real ale but the friendly welcome and atmos more than make up for it.
29 Oct 2009 12:22
A decent Young's house which can be very busy. It's close to the central drag and therefore handy if you're planning a crawl (at least four other pubs just moments away!). Recommended.
29 Oct 2009 12:21
A really excellent Fuller's pub opposite the green. Fine grub and the usual Fuller's range plus seasonals are in superb form. It can get very busy, especially during the summer but definitely worth a visit.
29 Oct 2009 12:19
The Railway Tavern, Hampton Wick
It could do with a few quid being spent on it. A friendly enough place.
29 Oct 2009 12:13
It's no longer a community pub where you can have a laugh or a bit of a drunken singalong as the new bloke has decided it's going to be the new Fat Duck. Hampton Wick is crying out for a traditional pub as hotel bars and gastropubs just aren't the real deal. The net curtains may have gone but so has the character, atmosphere and warmth. Beware: insipid canned jazz music and candles!
18 Jul 2009 20:30
A decent enough Spoons outlet not far from the railway station which is giving RP's other three pubs a good run for their money. It's pretty standard as Spoons places go: a large dining area at the back - two crap meals for a fiver anyone? - and lots of other seating. Service-wise it could be better as there often seems to be too few people actually behind the bar.
It's cheap, plain, devoid of atmos or character but just the job if you seeking sanctuary from the RP Tavern or, heaven forbid, the Junction Tavern!
25 May 2009 16:38
Good to see it open again as a pub. Legless Frog? Oh dear....
21 May 2009 16:42
The Railway Tavern, Hampton Wick
Here here!
It deserves to have someone run it who has passion, commitment and vision. It can be great again so is there someone out there willing to step up and go for it?
I hope so...
21 May 2009 16:39
Not really a traditional pub anymore, more of a food-lead bistro with added bar appealing to the well-healed and polite. Occasionally live music - expect jazzy vibes rather than head-banging metal or techno - food, wine etc. Darts, table football, loud singing or a meat raffle are notable by their absence!
15 May 2009 15:59
A pub doing ok on poker nights (Thursdays) but struggling at other times as are so many. A respectable community boozer with decent food, beer and a non-aggressive clientele. Definitely worth a visit.
15 May 2009 15:51
The Railway Tavern, Hampton Wick
Scheduled to finally shuffle off this mortal coil - under the present (mis)management anyway - next Friday (22nd), going by the current word doing the rounds. To say that the pub became a shadow of its former self is somewhat of an understatement!
15 May 2009 15:48
The Swan, Hampton Wick
Now very much a traditional pub after a foolish foray into the world of gastropubism, The Swan is doing just fine with the things that a proper boozer should have: live music, decent pub grub, draught beers in good nick and TV sport of different
types (mainly football and both codes of rugby but also cricket, golf and athletics). Recommended.
13 Jun 2013 21:42