BITE user comments - flashharry1965
Comments by flashharry1965
Good place to watch televised sport - 'enjoyed' the T20 final last Sunday, but please get taps in the toilets that work!
7 Apr 2016 14:01
Had a meal here Friday 25th July. For a Friday evening meal in what is essentialy a locals' pub it was very acceptable - food good & plentiful with good, attentive service.
Ther were about six ales on with a CAMRA discount. The Hopback Summer Lightning was very good, the Black Sheep Holy Grail was less to my taste.
This multi level Ember Inn was clean & tidy with a large beer garden at the rear.
12 Aug 2014 14:12
The Birch and Pines, Sheerwater
New management have re-introduced real ale, which is proving popular amongst bitter drinkers who previously were restricted to keg Courage Best & John Shit's Smooth *shudder*.
So far Brakespear's Bitter, Skinner's Betty Stoggs, Otter Amber, Woodford's Wherry and Wadsworth's 6X have guested, all in great nick thanks to Geoff.
One drawback is that Idiot Gerry has INSISTED that there must be a karaoke once a week, despite both management and customers not wanting it, indeed it actively drives the punters away - good business decision there you genius!
16 Nov 2012 14:42
The Catford Bridge Tavern, Catford
Future of this pub under threat, as the building is owned by Punch, who are up to their usual profit-maximising shit.
11 Oct 2012 14:13
Apparently planning permission has been applied for a KFC - obviously that's what Lewisham is short of, fast food outlets!
11 Oct 2012 10:07
The Birch and Pines, Sheerwater
A new couple are trying to right the mess of the idiot Healys, but it is going to be long struggle so good luck to them.
Real ale has been re-introduced on rotation on one handpump. So far both the Breakspear's Bitter and Woodforde's Wherry have been excellent.
14 Sep 2012 16:09
Having recently heard good things about this place, we popped in last Saturday afternoon and ended up spending far longer than we intended! This was a very pleasant experience and is definitely one of the nicer pubs I have been to in the last year.
Being tucked away down a side street, and positioned just outside the centre of the village, the pub has a constant flow of customers without getting too busy, allowing for a friendly interaction between staff and punters. There was, indeed, a nicely relaxed atmosphere all the time we were visiting, with the whole pub being enthused by the sight of Mo Farah winning his 5000m Gold on the not too obtrusive tv.
The pub has a traditional, rural d�cor, leaning towards a sports theme. There is unusual mezzanine seating area right up in the pitch of the roof. The settees down by the enormous fireplace were certainly comfortable! There is a separate function bar, which appears to be the HQ of Lightwater RFC. There is a nice, if small beer garden and an even smaller patio for a quick fag.
In addition to the usual keg suspects there was a nice selection of ales: Courage Best, Sharp�s Doom Bar, Butcombe Best, Andwell Gold Muddler, and Hammerpot Shooting Star, which was in good condition. The food looked nice too.
This is one that is definitely in line for a return visit soon.
15 Aug 2012 08:41
Inevitably known as �The Monkey�s Foreskin� by locals, this is a large roadhouse on the A30 opposite Royal Holloway College. The pub has an attractive black and white exterior and has a modern light, airy and open interior. There are plenty of big screens and I imagine caters primarily for students during term time.
Apart from the usual keg line up there were two hand pumps, only one in use, serving Windsor & Eton Windsor Knot in reasonable condition. Surprisingly for the area and type of pub, we found the prices reasonable, especially as the round included a pint of Peroni. The pub serves it�s own lager: �Funky Monkey� which, disappointingly, is just rebranded McEwans
There is a sizable patio/garden to the front, somewhat spoilt by it�s proximity to the A30, but, on the last Saturday of the Games, provided lots of comings and goings from the Olympic Rowing & Canoeing Village at the Royal Holloway.
One to try if passing, but outside term time I think!
15 Aug 2012 08:19
The Islington Bar, Caledonian Road
Going by last Thursday's 'Secret History of Our Streets' (BBC 2), now the possessor of a rather sexy landlady!
26 Jun 2012 14:10
Attractive pub on the edge of woodland, we visited last Saturday afternoon but it was difficult to really judge the place as they were busy hosting a wedding party.
There is an attractively decorated bar at the front, leading on the left to a dining area, and a large conservatory leading to a lovely garden. We sat in the garden in front of the pub which has nice pots of shrubs breaking up the gravel covered ground. What would have been a nice restful ambience was somewhat spoilt by traffic hacking past on the road in front of the pub.
The ale range was the usual slightly uninspiring line up: Courage Best, London Pride and Sharps Doombar; having said that, the Doombar was really tasty and the service was pleasant.
12 Jun 2012 08:41
The Birch and Pines, Sheerwater
Well done healy7browning for running this once good pub into the ground!
Oh, VerminWatch, apparently you havn't left a comment? Think I'll match your rating though...
6 Jun 2012 08:22
The Birch and Pines, Sheerwater
New manager found dead in bed after less than a fortnight.
RIP Mick Clarke.
31 May 2012 13:52
The Birch and Pines, Sheerwater
Well, well, well, a new low: the "Manager"'s son is probably the worst bar person I have come across in this place since I started drinking here in 1974!
30 Apr 2012 15:15
By the way, this pub is dog-friendly: whether or not that is a good thing is another matter.
30 Apr 2012 15:08
Nice family pub which caters for sports' fans, diners and people who just want to pop in for a drink and a chat.
There is a pleasantly decorated bar, with a mixture of seating, including comfy leather sofas in front of the big screen tv, leading to a smaller dining area with a smaller tv. Beyond this a coservatory area, again set up for dining. There is a good smoking area with heater and tv, a raised patio leading down to a sizable beer garden and a seperate kids' play area.
As well as there usual range of kegs, Hog's Back HBB was on tap, in reasonable form, with another handpump not in use. There was a large blackboard menu, including specials, and the food looked good.
If I moved to the area, I wouldn't complain if this was my local and it was a good spot to watch a bit of Sunday afternoon football on the box.
30 Apr 2012 13:56
The Ravensbourne Arms, Lewisham
Recently reopened by the Antic Group as the Ravensbourne Arms, this pub has completely changed it�s character and become a welcome addition to the Lewisham beer scene. The clientele seem well mixed and all pretty chilled.
The interior has been stripped back to the original dark wood panels, making the place look a lot more spacious and the original wooden parquet flooring has been revealed. The whole place nice and clean and tidy, being, at the moment, beautifully decorated for Christmas.
There were five real ales on last Saturday, including a milk stout (very nice indeed) and a chocolate orange ale from M&B (alas, not as nice as it sounds.) These were served in either jugs or straight glasses and the manager proved very knowledgeable about his cellar, drawing our attention to an IPA which is brewed especially for Antic and making several suggestions of IPAs that various brewers produce.
There is a bar billiards table, also a table football machine, although they looked a little close together for both to be comfortably played at the same time! Various music events are advertised. The food served near us looked really nice and had the advantage of being priced rounded to the pound, not having everything �--99p, which does grind my gears. The toilets were ok, but not quite as good as I expected.
Recommended.
15 Dec 2011 13:55
My mildly critical review has been removed, so this hole can help itself to a big juicy zero rating!
25 Nov 2011 12:24
The Pipe and Glass Inn, South Dalton
Voted Pub of the Year in the Michelin Eating Out in Pubs Guide 2012.
4 Nov 2011 14:31
Charlie Chaplin, Elephant and Castle
Dark, unremittingly grim pub where the usually drunk locals exude the threat of violence. The Charlie Chaplain manages the extraordinary feat of making the nearby Rockingham Arms look less crap.
20 Sep 2011 14:12
Shut, with tall weeds growing on the patio. Rumours that it will be bulldozed.
20 Sep 2011 11:12
A large Ember Inn facing a vast green, just over the canal from Woking town center. Despite being just five minutes from the bustle of the Peacocks and Wolsey Place shopping centers, on a weekday lunchtime the pub was nearly empty and very quiet.
Despite the comments below, I found the pub clean and looking recently decorated. The tables looked as if there is quite an emphasis on food, with a variety of menus and food offers on each. No one was eating whilst I was there, but I would imagine that they would do a roaring trade on Sundays, with a two course roast dinner advertised for �8.95.
A tv was showing BBC News24 muted with subtitles and there was fairly unobtrusive background music.
Disappointingly, despite there being six handpumps, only Ringwood Best (�2.95)was on. This was served via a swan neck and sparkler, resulting in a over frothy, pretty taste free pint. The barman's welcome was friendly though.
16 Sep 2011 11:07
Archee's Bar and Restaurant, Woking
Small bar dominated by a plethora of tv screens, big and small, making it a mecca for football watching, including 15:00 kick offs. As mentioned below it is a bit "laddish" and the noise of some of the punters was made worse by being reflected by the slate floor.
The place is spotlessly clean and tidy, with all the usual keg suspects on offer. The was one real ale: a decent enough pint of Pride, but at �3.40 in Woking I think that's taking the piss frankly.
12 Sep 2011 13:56
The Argyll Arms, Oxford Circus
Busy city centre pub just off Oxford Street, in a prime location for tourists, shoppers and office/shop staff. The interior has multiple drinking areas separated by attractive glass snob screens.
Ales and food are the typical Nicholson's range but I have had better quality beer in other London outlets. Never the less not a bad option for the area.
31 Aug 2011 08:40
Large pub/resturant with hotel attatched, in a prime location sitting back from the old A3 just outside Cobham. Unfortunately that is where the positives stop: indifferent, overpriced beer, ditto food, dirty surroundings and uninterested staff. Add to this lairy customers - great!
31 Aug 2011 08:34
Apparently allowing the EDL to meet here this Saturday afternoon. Please let the manager know your feelings.
24 Aug 2011 11:47
The Angel and Crown, Leicester Square
An ok-ish typical pub for the area with a very transient clientele. The restaurant upstairs seemed to be doing a good trade. A pint of Adnam's Gunhill was in decent nick.
As well as the usual prehistoric toilets buried in the bowels of the Earth, there is a neat, newly built toilet block in the far left corner of the pub.
22 Aug 2011 14:53
Small street corner pub on Dury Lane near to the New London Theatre. Neat and tidy, on Saturday evening it played host to a strange mix of young, studenty, "boho" types and more earthy Londoners watching the Chelsea v WBA game on the tv.
Ales were just keg GK IPA *shudders* and an ok pint of Flowers Original. The young barman was really struggling with a very gassy keg of Amstel.
Not a great deal to make you search this pub out except the Sky/ESPN football coverage.
22 Aug 2011 14:40
A dark and gloomy pub illuminated by the glow of large screen tvs everywhere you look with just about every football and rugby match of the weekend advertised. It seems to be a rugby hotbead as the largest screens were all marked up for the Tri Nations/World Cup warm up games, so football fans beware.
Beer wise it's the usual O'Neill's keg rubbish (yawn).
22 Aug 2011 14:27
Busy, multilevel Nicholson's pub midway along the Strand. As mentioned below, despite always being packed with tourists, shoppers, theatre crowds, local workers etc, the basement bar is a calm, quiet refuge, with a table usually avaliable.
Nicholson's typical selection of real ales was avaliable, along with the usual vastly overpriced Peroni and, more unusually, draught Kozel, the first time I have come accross this outside Prague.
Always worth a visit if you are in the area.
22 Aug 2011 14:18
A narrow, half timbered pub right opposite the Royal Courts of Justice, the George was a welcome refuge on a ridiculously wet Satuday afternoon
Being a Nicholsons there was an interesting choice of real ales: Sharps' Own (which unfortunatly went soon after our arrival), Hogs Back Summer Ale, Batemans All Seasons, and Purity Mad Goose. The Batemans and Mad Goose were in decent condition. The food looked ok but, inevitably for a touristy area, a bit on the pricey side. There is a carvey advertise upstairs.
Large screens show various Sky sports and, judging by the enthusiastic consumption of a Tri Nations rugby match, the pub is a meeting place for Antipodian fans.
Saturday evenings see a comedy club in action upstairs.
The staff were friendly and place was clean, I would have no hestiation about popping in again if passing.
22 Aug 2011 13:21
The Catherine of Aragon, West Byfleet
A pub definitely on the up: still clean and tidy over a year after the refurb and with seemingly a better standard of customer than a couple of years ago.
Real ale last Sunday were London Pride, Doombar, Purity Mad Goose and fff Moondance (�3.30). The Mad Goose and Moondance were in great form. The menu seemed a tad expensive but the food looked good and with generous portions.
One thing worth noting, as the football season starts again, is that they have (official) Sky Sports, an enourmous screen and plenty of room to watch the games.
17 Aug 2011 13:51
Even though I hated this pub, it's terrible that the retard morons raized the place, putting people out work and risking lives.
9 Aug 2011 16:21
Absolutely dreadful pub - smelly, small, grotty stanard keg range and neandertal customers.
One point for being open and having an attractive garden out back.
Avoid!
9 Aug 2011 16:18
The Prince of Teck, Earls Court
Airy, light, modernised pub with varied and comfortable seating, just up the road from the Exhibition Centre. Spitfire and Pride on but not tried as I was feeling jaded from several hours at the GBBF!
Strongbow was perfectly ok, served in a sparklingly clean glass, but pretty pricy for the area (exact figure escapes me.)
Food not tried, but looked good. Board games and books avaliable. Friendly young staff.
Point lost for putting a row of stools either side of an already narrow aisle to the toilets.
9 Aug 2011 16:15
Tried to get in after leaving the GBBF on Friday evening, but it was rammed.
9 Aug 2011 16:06
Nicholson's have forced the manager to introduce a dining area as there weren't enough dry sales. A pretty stupid decision in my opinion.
Can anyone report if the pub has been damaged in last night's riots?
9 Aug 2011 16:04
Looked in on Thursday afternoon to check up, post refurb. It�s certainly clean and tidy and with the music volume much reduced from my previous visit. The furniture mix is poor however with uncomfortable high tables and ghastly sofas, armchairs and low tables.
Despite having tasting notes for all SN draught ales, only Bishop�s Finger was on. I didn�t try it as one barmaid was trying hard to cope with a queue of punters, so I decided to try elsewhere.
23 May 2011 11:50
Tried the pub quiz for the first time last Tuesday - proved to be a fun night. Four real ales on.
23 May 2011 11:39
The Pilot Inn, North Greenwich
Popped in on Thursday 12th May before attending Roger Waters at the O2 (yes we went on the night Gilmore & Mason appeared!) to have something to eat before heading into the dome. After queuing for ten minutes for a pint we discovered that they had had to shut the kitchen for an hour as it was too busy! Not very good planning.
The pint of Chiswick was as good as ever and I�m sure another excuse for a visit will allow us to dine there again.
23 May 2011 11:33
Attractive pub down by the riverside opposite the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre. It�s picturesque location is slightly spoilt by the public car park between the beer garden and the river.
The pub seems to be quite food led, but four SN ale were on last Thursday afternoon, with the Kent�s Best being in good nick. This was served by a friendly and efficient barmaid, but, before she came in from the smaller rear garden, the bloke behind the bar was almost catatonic in his slowness to serve.
23 May 2011 11:25
If you want an up to date review of this pub, please note that all reviews post 16th April are being censored by BITE.
3 May 2011 08:53
Visited this famous old Soho watering hole on Saturday afternoon for the first time in a couple of years. The downstairs bar seemed a little more sanitised than in the past, but with friendly enough service, and the upstairs bar was positively elegant, with a more foody vibe
Ale wise it�s Greene King bland, but my companion�s IPA was in good nick, my Aspall�s was nice and cold, and a table by an open upstairs window was a pleasant place to sit and watch the Soho comings and goings. Unusually for a Central London pub the toilets were at ground level � sod�s law that we were drinking upstairs!
The food being served upstairs looked really nice but, inevitably, along with the drinks, was on the pricy side. I still like this place though.
26 Apr 2011 14:25
The Devonshire Arms, Piccadilly
After an abortive attempt to get a drink in the nearby St James� Tavern, we repaired here to escape the heat of Saturday afternoon.
The welcome we got could not have been more different, with a genuinely friendly landlord and nice bar staff. It is basically a small street corner tourist pub opposite the Piccadilly Theatre, but none the worse for that and a better bet than some of it�s kind. There is an upstairs bar.
A reasonable pint or two of Woodford�s Wherry and an excellent pint of Spitfire were had whilst the female companion shopped at Lilywhite�s and St George�s Day cocks were observed out and about. The food being served looked good enough and reasonably cheap for Central London.
I would pop back in this place if passing.
26 Apr 2011 14:08
Visited on Easter Saturday afternoon. On entering, we sat at the only empty table, just being cleared of glasses by a barmaid. She proceeded to tell us that a group at the bar were waiting to sit at the table. Why weren�t they already sitting there then? Thanks to some stupid policy we walked out and they will never see the colour of our money, as there are so many other choices in the area. Still, I doubt if they will give a monkeys as it�s not the type of pub which has regular or even return customers.
26 Apr 2011 13:54
Doggetts Coat and Badge, Southwark
Visited on Easter Saturday morning, the first time in a couple of years. The pub was very clean and well decorated, with clean toilets.
Ten real ales were on, with the usual good and imaginative Nicholsons' slection. Each pump had it's own tasting notes.One problem on the serving side was that the barmaid couldn't seem to get her head around the concept of a pint of Diet Coke!
It was great to sit outside by the river with an ice cold pint of Aspell's cider and watch the world go by. A barbecue was being set up on the Thames-side Path, and I imagine it would have become really busy during the afternoon.
26 Apr 2011 13:44
Being run by Paul McMullan, one of the whistle-blowing, former News Of The World journalists in the phone-hacking row.
13 Apr 2011 14:28
Attractive riverside pub with great views of the Dome right opposite accross the Thames. It is approached down a small residential side road off Preston's Road and I was amused to see that the pub sign has been built complete with a "shell hole" through it.
On entering, the bar is right in front of you, with a resturant area to the left and a more pubby area to your right. Following the bar round to the right is another small serving area in a room with stunning views of passing river traffic and is dominated by an large wooden barrel, with the wall festooned with old flintlock pistols and muskets. To the left of this bar is a snug area with wood panelling and leather sofas giving a luxurious feel.
Passing through double doors you emerge onto a timber riverside terrace which would be a tremendous place to sit in the summer. Unfortunatly on Saturday afternoon the wind was bloody freezing! We stuck it out for about half a pint though, seeing a cormorant catch a fish and three drakes chasing a relutant looking female. To the right of the pub is a barbeque area.
Upstairs is a function room reached by an ancient spiral staircase, complete with spyhole to look out for Revenue officers. A plaque out on the terrace tells us the Lord Nelson and Emma Hamilton used to meet for trysts upstairs.
Ales on tap were Adnam's - Bitter, Broardside and, unusually, Southwold Mild, which was excellent. Kegs included Symonds Founders Reserve Cider, Amstel and Bitberger lagers. Prices were a bit steep, to be expected in a place like this and I think the locals can afford it! Service was calmly efficient from some rather pretty young barmaids.
There is a resturant menu, a bar snack menu and a Sunday roast menu. All look really interesting and the people in the resurant section all seemed to enjoying their food. Two girls devouring cheese boards near the bar certainly had me salivating (i am very fond of cheese.)
All in all a excellent destination for a summer's treat although friends have warned me that during the week it gets rammed with suits, not suprisng being almost in the shadow of Canary Warf.
12 Apr 2011 11:31
A large carvery with a hotel attatched to the rear, this is one of the better bets for a carvery meal in the local area.
The front, bar area of the traditional looking building is more of a pub style bar than many of it's kind, with a spacious beer garden out front. Reasonable pints of 6X and Pride can be had and a fair number of local people are in evidence just here for a beer and a chat. There are a number of muted tvs showing rolling news. One drawback is that at certain times, ie: Sunday lunchtimes, with people waiting for the carvery, it can become rather busy and the bar staff struggle to cope.
As for the carvery itself, the quality of the food is really good and reasonably priced, with friendly, attentive service. I can personally vouch for the standard of their Christmas lunches.
The toilets are immaculate.
8 Apr 2011 08:14
The Horse and Groom, Alresford
Old inn right in the centre of the village. Despite a plethora of old beams and being a genuinely old building, inside it has the feel of a lively, modern pub with big screen tvs and a youngish clientele.
Ales on were Spitfire, Pride and Ringwood Bitter. The Spitfire was in reasonable condition. There is a carvery but be warned, it closes at 15:00 on a Sunday afternoon.
There is an area of seating in front of the pub and a small, shady beer garden at the rear. On a minus note; the hand dryers were not working in the gents'.
28 Mar 2011 08:47
Visited for the first time in a few years on Sunday afternoon. The pub was reasonably busy with a selection of locals having a quiet chat and laugh, along with a few visitors from the nearby Mid Hants Railway.
The pub is done out in stripped wooden funature, mainly high benches with a low table and chairs in each bay window. There is a wooden floor but there isn't the hollow echoing that you can get in some pubs with similar flooring. The place was clean and tidy. A notable feature was that the booth we sat in had it's own individual mini tv. In a blast from the past, there were a couple of the dreaded Watney's Red Barrel advertising barrels hanging from the ceiling.
There were the usual fff ales avaliable: Alton's Pride, Pressed Rat & Warthog, Moondance and Rock Lobster with Vale Temptation as a guest. Addlestone's Cider was avaliable, along with Stowford Press on keg.
28 Mar 2011 08:34
Comfortable roadside inn on the A31. Olde Worlde traditional decor and nice selection of ales.
28 Mar 2011 08:19
Stopped off here on Saturday evening after a day out, feeling hungry and thirsty. An attractive old inn sitting back off the A 30 behind a spacious car park it has a large bar, arranged into different areas, and a seperate resturant area.
The bar had a large tv showing the Ireland v England rugby, but nowhere near as obtrusively as down the road at the Crooked Billet. There is plenty of comfortable furniture, especially around a very welcoming open log fire. Ales on tap were Ringwood Best, Hobgoblin, Sharp's Doom Bar, an exceptional pint of Daleside Spring Frenzy and Old Rosie cider.
We dined in the resturant and had a cracking three course meal with a nice bottle of Aussie shiraz and glasses of port all round - �104 for the three of us. And the service was as good as the food.
Apparently the Ladies are exceptional although the Gents seemed bog standard (groan!)
All in all highly recommended and marked down for an early return.
22 Mar 2011 08:57
Attractive pub in nice setting alongside a stream by the A30. There is plenty of car parking and a very pleasant riverside garden.
You walk straight into a large bar with a smaller lounge beyond. To your right, at the rear of the pub, is another bar space set out for dining. Although comfortably furnished the bar was overcrowded with rugby fans moaning and groaning as thay watched England's fumbling performance against Ireland in the Six Nations.
Courage Best, Hos's Back TEA and a nice pint of Sharp's Doom Bar were the ales avaliable. The menu didn't look anything special but there was a specials board that looked more interesting.
Considered the toilets very clean with a selection of humerous cards to peruse. In the lounge was a collection of Good Beer Guides and loads of volumes on rugby and cricket, obsessions also reflected in the many prints and cartoons on the walls.
I would like to return at a quieter time to get a better idea of the place but I would imagine it gets pretty busy in any decent summer weather.
22 Mar 2011 08:39
The Old House at Home, Newnham
Looks like a lovely place from the outside but dosn't open until 18:00 on a Saturday afternoon so on we went.
22 Mar 2011 08:19
The Birch and Pines, Sheerwater
New owner and new manager. Food advertised at weekends and, unfortunatly, a karaoke for Saturday night.
Unusually the price of beer has been reduced, across the board, by 10p per pint. Though welcome this stil leaves Guinness �3.30 a pint :o(
21 Mar 2011 13:35
Since the decline of the nearby Birch & Pines I have been using the Princess as my local and I certainly don't recognise anything of the pub in stubbsy's somewhat bitter comments.
I have found the Princess to be particularly welcoming, both the customers and the staff. Recently it hosted a suprise 40th birthday party for a friend of mine and nothing seemed too much trouble: a fantastic buffet was put on and the landlady Sarah even gave my friend a present herself.
The pub is generally clean and tidy and certainly not smelling of sweat or stale beer. There is an l shaped bar and, although everything is interconnected, there is a distinct "public bar" area with pool table, juke box and quiz machine. The rest of the bar is furnished with three tvs for sport, some traditional pub tables and chairs and, most importantly in the winter, a roaring log fire.
There is a covered smoking area to the rear, a family/function/darts room a seated patio area and a garden for the kids to escape in.
As well as the usual keg selection, there is only one ale served now, usually Marston's Pedegree, although recently London Pride was on for a week. Food is limited to good old fashioned pub staples: pies, sausage rolls, hot dogs and filled rolls.
There are entertainments laid on for all the usual dates: Christmas, New Year, Valentines, Halloween, St Patrick's Day, Bank Holiday etc.
7 Mar 2011 11:38
A local's pub sitting just back from a busy crossroads, on Saturday afternoon the Standard had a steady tick over of customers, varying from Guardian readers to more earthy types turning up later in the afternoon.
Completely refurbished with bare floorboards and modern furniture (some of the tables needed a wipe) there is an open fire at either end of the u-shaped bar.
Sitting by one of the fires on leather armchairs and settee was very cosy on a chilly afternoon. The Gents were clean and tidy.
The pub seems particularly dog friendly, with the pub itslf having two - a boxer and a border collie, neither of which were any bother. The landlord and landlady seemed solicitous and friendly.
Beer wise, disappointingly only one ale was on pump - the boringly ubiquitous London Pride. It was in fine condition however, half way through the afternoon the barrel was changed and the quality remained consistent.
It looks like they have stopped doing food, as it has been crossed out on their extenal signage. Quizes are advertised for Monday evenings and their is a skittle ally at the rear.
Not one to travel any distance to seek out, but perfectly decent at serving it's local custom base.
7 Mar 2011 10:57
Visited Sunday afternoon for the first time since the change of ownership. The immediate impression on entering is that the place is clean and tidy with light and airy decoration and layout. There is a comfortable front bar and two rooms to the rear where food is served.
The bar area is separated from the main dining area by a cheerful open fire and had a steady stream of local custom in and out. A TV was showing FA Cup football but was not obtrusive. Roast potatoes were put out as bar snacks, which was a nice touch.
Old Rosie cider, London Pride and Sharp's Boom Bar were on handpump, the Doom Bar was off unfortunatly, but the Pride was in good condition and very drinkable. One of my friends was drinking Bear Foot pinot grigiot which he raved about.
We sat down to a Sunday roast which was very nice with real roast potatoes, home made yorkshire puddings and plenty of meat. Service, both whilst dining and behind the bar, was friendly and enthusiastic.
A charity auction night was advertised for next Saturday (26th).
The new owners seem to have managed to achieve a nice balance between running a comfortable, friendly local's pub whilst offering a good dining experience as well.
Recommended and marked down for a return visit in the near future.
21 Feb 2011 09:25
Now selling Budvar Dark at �2.80 for a 500ml bottle and Morreti at �2.99 for a 660ml bottle.
1 Feb 2011 10:06
Small, traditionally furnished and decorated pub, tucked away through an arch behind Foyles bookstore.
Early on in a lunchtime the pub was empty but it looked as if it wouldn't need too many people in to be crowded.
Ales on were Adnams Old and Broardside, British Bulldog, Theakston's XB, Finchcock's Original and Thwaites' Wainwright, which was in pretty good nick and 20p cheaper than JohnBonser paid last July!
Not really a pub that demands a revisit unless you are right on it's doorstep.
10 Jan 2011 11:16
Small streetcorner Nicholson's with a slightly more "local" vibe than most pubs in this area.
Ales on handpump were: Thornbridge Wild Holly (which was delicious at �3.35), Pride, Doombar, Reverend James and Old Rosie cider. One notable keg was Black Stella, which I had never seen before.
There is the usual Nicholson's menu and the food did look good.
10 Jan 2011 10:56
The Porcupine, Leicester Square
Street corner Nicholson's on the Caring Cross Road, clean and tidy, if a bit echoy from it's bare floorboards early on in a lunchtime.
Friendly enough staff considering the area and mainly touristy customer base. One barmaid was taking some time and care to let two newly arrived Americans try tasters of the various real ales to see which they liked.
Ales included Pride, Doombar, Landlord, Viscious US IPA, Jorvik Blond and Saltare Triple Chocoholic, which was very nice.
10 Jan 2011 10:45
Spacious Sam Smith's pub near Trafalgar Square. Usual Smith's cheapness: �2.03 for a pint of Old Brewery Bitter which was ok, if a bit cold.
Unusually for the area there is a small separate area complete with dartboard for those who like their arrows.
Ok to pop in for a quick one if passing, but the remarkably loud banging of the front door soom had me heading for the Harp around the corner.
10 Jan 2011 10:32
Visited on Thursday afternoon between sales at Debenham's and Guildford High St.
This pub is neater and airier than I remember it and the upstairs has been refurbished. It seems to be kept neat and tidy, but it was a bit on the cold side.
Chiswick, Pride, ESB and Jack Frost the Fullers' draught selections, my disappointment at the lack of London Porter was lessened by a superb pint of Gale's Seafarer, served by a very friendly barmaid, at �2.95.
We did not try the food, but the menu looked quite reasonable, especially in the light of the substatial and delicious portions of mussels being consumed a couple of tables away!
Recommended on a visit to Guildford 'though it does get busy in the summer thanks to it's riverside position.
31 Dec 2010 11:10
My first visit since it was a Hogshead, popping in on Thursday afternoon provided a much needed breather from the sales up Guildford High St and the Friary Centre. The pub was suprisingly quiet and nicely relaxed.
The interior is spacious without being echoey, the varied seating comfortable and the place is nicely decorated and clean. I particularly like the Christmas decorations, which were plentiful but tasteful.
Unfortunatly six hand pumps were split three Abbot and three Hog's Back TEA, so no great choice! The TEA was ok. There was a handwritten sign in the doorway apologsising that staff shortages meant that the kitchen was closed. The blackboard menu seemed small but, with the kitchen closed there were no table menus left out.
A pub worth trying if you are in the vicinity, especially as the TEA was a reasonably priced �2.55 a pint.
31 Dec 2010 10:58
The seating out front, in what "summer" we got, proved to be a pleasant place to sit and bask with friends who live just down the road. They rave about the food but I havn't tried it. It HAS grown on me - no crime surely?
22 Dec 2010 14:58
The Birch and Pines, Sheerwater
Mick Clarke has bowed to the inevitable and walked already. Temporary manager in but the place is dead. I am afraid that the writing is on the wall for the Birch.
13 Dec 2010 14:55
I love this pub but please, why the last three blindingly obvious false reviews? The Kings Arms doesn't need them!
26 Nov 2010 08:08
Visited again Saturday afternoon, watching Wales v Australia rugby and Final Score washed down with Rudgate Battleaxe, Grasshopper (? can't remember the brewery) Nethergate Old Chap and Budvar Dark.
As usual the beer was in excellent condition, the welcome friendly, the atmosphere relaxed and the pub nicely clean and tidy. Why then was it nearly empty? Come on SE London - support this great pub!
PS: annual pickle contest Saturday 27th Nov.
11 Nov 2010 13:11
The Birch and Pines, Sheerwater
Rumour has just reached me that Michael Clarke, who used to run the Birch in the '90s, is taking back over today. I think this can only be good news.
10 Nov 2010 09:11
Large street corner Spoons between Guildford Station and town centre, best avoided on weekend evenings when it becomes far too busy for comfort. It is done out to emphasise it's industrial heritage and is on several levels.
It does not have quite the range of guest ales that Woking's spoons has, but a pint of Titanic New York Wheat Porter was in great nick and at the Beer Festival price of �1.90 a week early!
We eat standard Wetherspoons' fare but unfortunately, as mentioned below, the cutlery was watermarked and offputting, as was the air con blasting away on a cold October Sunday and the bawling of several brats echoing trough the pub. We did not stay long.
26 Oct 2010 11:12
Large traditional pub situated in the centre of the village, the Red Lion has been tastefully modernised throughout, with bare wooden floorboards and furniture, modern artworks on the walls and everything spotlessly clean and tidy.
The front of the pub is given over to a fair sized, light and airy bar with plenty of seating at varying levels. Adnams' Broardside, London Pride and GK IPA was the slightly disapointing ale range. The Broardside was good, but for an eye-watering �3.40 it should be.
To the rear of the pub there is an extensive and, on Saturday lunctime fully patronised resturant. "Today's Specials" are also listed in the front bar.
There is a splendid beer garden behind the pub with lots of covered seating surrounded by hedges and trailing plants and a sizable stretch of lawn for Summer bbqs.
What stopped me truly warming to the pub (apart from the prices) was that it all seemed too professional, with none of the atmosphere of a true village local -like the Crown opposite, for instance.
26 Oct 2010 10:55
The Inn on The Hill, Haslemere
Saturday night was my first visit since the early '90s when it was known as the Haslemere Hotel, was a fairly basic pub but used to put on pretty good bands on a Saturday night.
Fast forward to 2010 and the 'Inn on the Hill' is 7/8ths a poncy resturant with a tiny bar serving Pride and a very undewhelming (and expensive) fff Alton's Pride. The tiny drinking area is bizzarly furnished with armchairs covered in cow skins coupled with a zebra skin carpet! Naturally us drinkers were screened off to avoid contaminating the diners. Noses were quite plainly looked down as we only wanted a drink whilst waiting for our train.
As a pub this place is now a washout.
11 Oct 2010 11:24
First time back in this pub for a few years and the place certainly seems to have improved. It's nice and tidy, clean and plesantly decorated with an inevitable nautical theme.
There was a suprisingly relaxed atmosphere for a town centre pub on a Saturday night with very nice barmaids and a pretty good pint of Henry's IPA.
During the daytime there is an understandable emphasis on food trade to bring in visitors to the Dockyard and Gunwarf Quays.
11 Oct 2010 11:08
The King Street Tavern, Southsea
A superbly decorated and furnished gastro pub in the same sidestreet as the Eldon Arms. The exterior is a riot of old school Victorian pub frontage and the interior is a feast of dark wooden panneling, furniture and glass.
There are five Wadworth ales on, the Horizon and Henry's IPA were in good nick.
BUT...
Despite a friendly welcome it was fairly clear that drinkers were very much secondary to the diners with all tables reserved for dining on Saturday evenings, with us being restricted to stools at the bar.
The food descriptions were enticing and the prices were very reasonable, explaining there fully booked status. The only lunctime that they open is Sunday, with heavily advertised roasts, the rest of the week the pub opens at 18:00.
As nice as this place is, it is really no longer a traditional wet sales led pub and is more a small resturant with a bar.
11 Oct 2010 11:01
Very good backstreet local's pub which, on Saturday afternoon, was very welcoming to us visiting strangers. There is one large bar with alcoves on the left foa pool table and, notably, a bar billiards table. To the right the bar extends, past a table football machine, an upright piano, bookshelf and board games, to an serving area for the advertised Sunday carvery. There is lots of old carving and some nice stained glass and generally the place was clean and tidy.
To the rear there is a walled beer garden with a covered smoking area complete with sofa, traditional beer garden tables and a covered bbq area. The rear wall is, at the moment covered in glorious flaming red autumn leaves from a tree in the garden beyond.
The friendly, wlcoming landlord seemed well informed about his ales, which on Saturday were Bottle Shop Porter, London Pride, fff Moondance, Bowman Swift One and Oakleaf Pompey Royal. There was also a real cider. The Porter was very more-ish and my friends raved about the Moondance.
There was some good background music - old reggae and new wave and a good turnover of relaxed clientele through a very pleasant afternoon.
Well worth searching out if you are down in this neck of the woods.
11 Oct 2010 10:43
On the afternoon of Sunday 19th the following handpumps were in use:
4 x real ciders
3 x Courage Best (not what I call it)
2 x Courage Directors
2 x Hogsback TEA
Plus one pump each of:
GK Abbott
fff Alton's Pride (a nice, if not great pint)
Loddon Russet (v nice)
Loddon Rin Tin Tin
Andwell Gold Muddler
Stormstay Premium Ale
Not too shabby a selection!
One slight concern is that the staff are tending not to keep groups with children to the designated family area, but children are only allowed in on a Sunday afternoon, thank god.
28 Sep 2010 11:10
Only been there once and live 40 miles away, I've just given a honest review (thought that was what the site was for.)
14 Sep 2010 13:18
Unfortunately the 94 pubs I've reviewed undermines your point SOUTHLONDONLION and have you actually read NorTom's (not Norton) critical review?
This not a great pub but well worth visiting if you are in the area.
14 Sep 2010 11:35
The Birch and Pines, Sheerwater
The current situation of this pub is all up in the air, as the manager walked away yesterday morning! Yet again, watch this space...
7 Sep 2010 13:18
Narrow but deep pub with an upstairs area for dining. Has been decorated and the furniture refurbed as previoulsy it was looking a bit tired.
Ales on last Friday were HSB, London Pride, Taylor's Landlord, Thornbridge Wild Swan and RCH Old Slug Porter, which, served in a jug, was really tasty.
There is a small gravelled smoking area at the rear of the pub.
31 Aug 2010 13:09
A characterful old pub situated off the High St behind Holy Trinity Church and it's graveyard, with another enterence on Sydenham Road.
This was my first visit for a few years and a strong smell of bleach as I entered was a little alarming but it soon passed and I put it down to the fact that it was a very early visit on a Friday morning and they had probably just finished cleaning.
The pub is nicely decorated in an olde-worlde style and there was a variety of seating - from classic pub tables and chairs to leather sofas. Everything was clean and tidy.
There were two ales on: London Pride and a very tasty Fullers' Summer Ale. Amongst the usual keg suspects I noticed Aspalls Cider.
I was served by a friendly and cheerful barmaid and then the pub dog, a spaniel, proceeded to fall asleep on my foot! The main customer stream at this time of the week seemed to be blokes of a similar vintage to the dog, coming in for a chat and a read of the paper, leading to a nice relaxed atmosphere.
Well worth a pop in when in Guildford.
31 Aug 2010 12:00
This used to be a nice small local in the early 90s but is now, alas, closed and "tinned up".
31 Aug 2010 11:16
Now known as "Corkers" this wine bar is handily placed, opposite West Byfleet railway station and close to several office blocks and the local shopping area, so it gets pretty busy after work during the week. At weekends local custom keeps the place ticking over nicely.
The bar is quite small but very clean and well maintained and decorated. A nice touch was the display of posters for forthcoming productions at the theatre in nearby Woking. One problem I have experienced in the past is that when the place is busy the bar counter causes a pinch point and can make it difficult to get to and from the toilets.
Contary to reviews below, Corkers does now sell spirits. Last Friday lunch London Pride and 6X were on tap, the 6X at �3.20 was in reasonable nick. Strongbow, Cold Guinness, Stella, Artois4 and Becks Vier were on keg.
A "Today's Specials" food blackboard showed some pretty reasonably priced items but I visited a bit early for anyone to be eating.
A very reasonable place to drop in if you are in the area.
17 Aug 2010 08:50
Usual good 'Spoons selection of ales but unfortunatly this place is not one of the better of the chain. Not in the same league of awfulness as Woolwich, Lee or the Elephant but sticky tabled, DHSS-ed and generally gloomy. It could be so much better as the decor is a good example of old school Wetherspoons.
4 Aug 2010 14:37
The Crown and Anchor, Old Woking
A dreadful place with tired beer. Ideal for the local inbreds.
3 Aug 2010 13:23
Directly opposite Yates's, this site has been used as a pub for years. I have seen it as the Red House (hence the old Woking expression "you couldn't score in the Red House") the Farenheit and Firkin (where my marrage proposal was accepted, needless to say we're no longer together...) and now O'Neill's, more happily always firmly in my memory as the pub in which I watched Chelsea's first top level league title won in my lifetime, in 2005 (tears were shed).
Despite all my hisory in this pub, yesterday was my first visit for a couple of years as Wetherspoons just around the corner, beats O'Neill's for price and range of drinks - O'Neill's range is limited to the Guinness family (Guinness Red �2.75 a pint) Smethicks and the usual keg line up. I noticed Peroni on tap, a lager that is becoming increasingly widely avaliable, as landlords and managers become aware that it's a bit of a licence of print money, mug punters seeming willing to pay �3.70 plus for it.
Food, as usual in these chain pubs, is important and popular. The menu seems pretty decent and cheap pub grub and was flying out of the kitchen. The food was proving so popular that new people ordering were being advised of a twenty minute wait (which makes a change from just being left watitng in ignorance).
Decor-wise there's lots of dark wood pannelling and faux Irish b*llocks around the walls. GAA games on TV and live music is advertised. A pretty standard town centre pub with nothing making it stand out.
3 Aug 2010 11:52
Like most Yates's, a place to be avoided like the plague in the evenings and at weekends, I decided, however to pop in about 2:15 yesterday sfternoon for a quick pint and a nose about during a quiet period.
Inside the put is done up in standard Yates's corporate style: high seating, standard table seating and some leather sofas. Plenty of advertising on the walls and two TVs showing the ubiquitous Sky Sports News. The place was spotlessly clean however with the inside tables clear of used glasses and plates. I did notice that a couple of the outside tables had been left with glasses on them which I don't think is ever a tremendous advert for a pub.
I received a friendly welcome from the barman and the welcome sight of Bombardier and Young's Ordinary pumps, as I hadn't expected any real ale to be on offer. Even more welcome was the price of �1.75 for a nice pint of Young's - a cheaper Woking pub than 'Spoons!
All in all, very ok for a quiet, weekday afternoon pint.
3 Aug 2010 11:21
A suprisingly decent pub for the centre of Aldershot. Goes back quite a way with a variety of seating for different requirements.
Not a tremendous selection of beers but food looks ok and a good place to watch football on a Sunday.
28 Jul 2010 14:04
Quite a tidy 'Spoons but still a tremendous contrast to all the tourist pubs just around the corner. Going from the up market Meantime Brewery bar in the Naval College grounds to Greewich's white youth out on a Saturday night was quite a rapid change!
Decorated in a modern style it's pretty clean and tidy and does the usual value and variety drinks and food wise. My Marcle Hill was a very refreshing �2.55 a pint after having just paid �4.10 in the Meantime bar.
Very convienient for Cutty Sark DLR station.
27 Jul 2010 11:53
In an absolutely prime location, this pub was packed inside and out on Saturday night. The views up the Thames to the O2 are superb and make this a must-visit on any Greenwich crawl.
About 2/3 of the interior is given over to a resturant area which was, annoyingly, nearly empty whilst the rest of the pub was rammed.
There were some interesting wheat and friuts beers that, again annoyingly, all seemed to be off! Still my pint of Hogan's cider was refreshing, if not cheap.
27 Jul 2010 11:44
Another Greenwich with a lovely riverside position which leads to loads of tourist trade in the season. A particular draw are the raised window tables which were very popular on Saturday but the pub suffers from not having the outside areas of nearby establishments.
There is a lot of wooden panneling internally and a number of leather armchairs and sofas that I am not particulaly fond of. A large screen tv strikes an incongruous note.
Beer wise Doombar and Young's London Gold were on, the latter seeming a bit tired.
It's ok but nearby pubs are better.
27 Jul 2010 11:35
The Cutty Sark Tavern, Greenwich
This is certainly a total contrast to the nearby Pelton Arms, being a full on tourist trap on the banks of the Thames. It certainly has a great location with a riverside beer garden across the road from the pub that was absolutely heaving on Saturday afternoon.
Inside the pub is done out in old world inn style with bench seating, old barrels for tables and old charts and maritime prints on the walls. The walls are bare brick. Thereis a seperate food bar on the left hand side and further lounge ares up a central staircase. The whole pub was clean and tidy.
There were four ales on and my pint of Wye Valley Bitter was tasty. Talking of which, the barmaids were exceptionally pretty!
Not a bad stop off if, understanably, a little expensive.
27 Jul 2010 11:05
A proper regular local's pub situated just one road back, but a world away from the tourist pubs on the Thameside Path. There is a traditional feel to the pub with a variety of seating, wooden floorboards and gold framed pictures of English sporting and show business legends, the royal family and Winston Churchill dotted around the walls.
There is a small stage in one corner of the bar, a large drop down screen showing the horse racing on Saturday afternoon and a piano, the first I've seen in a pub for ages.
In addition to the usual keg range there were five hand pumps: one not being used, with Bombadier (in good nick) GK IPA, Caledonian Nectar (a bit sweet for me) and Adnams Explorer which the barmaid said had only just been put on and wasn't quite ready - a nice change to a lot of pubs where the staff don't seem to care what they are pouring in your glass!
A pub worth seeking out off the beaten track and I can see myself returning.
27 Jul 2010 09:32
Oh God, more advertising - or a coincidence, two first time posters praising the same pub, a minute apart?
22 Jul 2010 16:13
Can I be the fifth person to post a breathless, gushing report on this pub in the last half hour?
Oh, sorry, I haven't actually been here and I have posted on other pubs, so that's me ineligible then!
21 Jul 2010 15:18
The Prince of Wales Feathers, Warren Street
This pub was recommended to me pre refurb, but Saturday was my first opportunity to visit and I was quite impressed.
The pub frontage looks different now with an awning covering three outside tables with comfortable seating to watch the world go by. Internally the pub is very nicely decorated in a modern style. The toilets are upstairs after quite a climb up two long flights of stairs. There is a very plesant looking lounge at the top of the first flight.
There is a very tasty looking menu: extensive but, alas, also expensive. The food was not tried but looked very tempting.
The real pull of this pub is the extensive range of beers avaliable. On handpump were UBU Purity, St Austell Tribute, Daleside Summer Delight and Sambrook Wandle. The last two were tried and found to be in good condition. The keg selection was even more impressive and quite a world tour: Fruli, Kirin, Red Stripe, Blue Moon, Brooklyn, Leffe, Estrella, Peroni and a wheat beer that I didn't note down, try and do all those in one session!
Apparently this pub gets heaving on a Friday evening as the nearby offices empty (that inludes you lot at HMRC at Euston Tower) but on a hot Saturday afternoon it's a great place to sit out front and have a lazy drink.
19 Jul 2010 11:56
The Court, Tottenham Court Road
Street corner pub on Tottenham Court Road close to UCL and associated halls of residence. I visited on a Saturday afternoon when, apart from a few tourists, it was pretty quiet. On an evening I would imagine that it would become a pavked hellhole.
It is a "Scream" chain pub offering a standard range of keg fizz including three "ciders" catering for the student market. There are three handpumps, only one of which was offering an ok pint of Brakespear's Bitter.
The food menu was pretty basic, concentrating on burgers, all day breakfasts etc, but did seem remarkably cheap for central London.
The pub is reasonably tidy and decorated in youthfull manner to suit it's usually younger clientle. There is a small lounge upstairs with a pool table. The toilets have definitely improved since reddrinker's visit! The signs about pickpockets are there for a good reason: whilst we were there a punter's top was made off with from the back of one of the outside chairs. There is a video jukebox.
A pretty bog standard pub but worth popping in if you are passing and are thirsty.
19 Jul 2010 11:30
Having read about this pub in the CAMRA "News and Ale" and "The London Drinker" I was looking forward to visiting the Star and made it my last stop before heading back to the station on Saturday afternoon.
I must say that I was impressed by the old character of the pub, it's lovely covered terrace at the rear a lovely helpful barmaid and an impressive selection of real ale and ciders. My pint of Thatchers Perry was very good at �3.25.
On the minus side the barman seemed pretty abrupt and full of his own importance, some of the customers seemed a little "strange" to say the least and by God the gents reeked!
I would return and wasn't a terrible pub, but I was a bit disappointed in a place I'd looked forward to visiting.
13 Jul 2010 11:47
Large, imposing street corner town pub. The Sun seems to be quite a local centered pub but seemed perfectly friendly to a passing stranger.
A full selection of Badger ales were on tap alongside some interesting lagers. Being on cider on a hot afternoon I had Stowford Press at �3.20 a pint.
The bar was clean and tidy with pictures of cricket and rugby around the walls and a widesceen tv with Sky Sports on. They were advertising what seemed to be very reasonable food deals.
Thid appears to be a perfectly decent pub and I would return, despite extemely steep stair up yo the gents!
13 Jul 2010 11:30
This was the pub in which I had my first (ileagal) pint back in 1972 and, being close to the station, seemed the obvious place to start a mini crawl of Godalming on Saturday afternoon.
This is a very traditional back street boozer, now done out in wood panelling and floor boards and different levels through the bar, even as it's a pretty small pub, back in the 70s it was a riot of Formica!
Young's Ordinary and London Pride were on tap, alongside an array of the usual keg rubbish. A tv at each end of the bar seemed a bit eccessive in such a small pub especially as they were each tuned to a different sport.
Unfortunatly I will have to award the Rose & Crown a zero rating, as the pub was completely deserted at 13:40 on a Saturday lunchtime and I stood at the bar like a lemon for five minutes coughing and basically making as much of a row as possable to attract someone but with absolutely no result.
What is the point of a pub where you can't get a drink?
13 Jul 2010 11:08
My first pint on a roasting hot Saturday afternoon was here after being let down by the Rose & Crown nearby.
A very tidy and traditional street corner local's pub it does exactly what it say on the tin: nothing flash but decent srvice aand a nice cold pint of Stowford Press at a fairly pricy �3.60.
The tables out front were useful enough for a cigarette but there is too much busy traffic passing for a relaxing pint.
Not a pub to search out but recommended if passing.
13 Jul 2010 10:55
Jack George Phillips, Godalming
Spacious Wetherspoons on Godalming High Street, it's deceptively deep resulting in far more room than you would guess from the street.
The pub is decorated in a very light and airy modernist style which makes a change from a lot of Godalming's more traditional old world style drinking establishments.
The staff seemed efficient and cheerful and the manager seemed keen for the staff to keep the tables clean and free of empty glasses and plates, something some 'Spoons don't seem to be so worried about. The manager clearly seemed to consider himself a bit of a "character" in his dealings with the staff which, over a period of time might begin to grate, but I certainly appreciated the results for the one pint I stayed for.
I counted six ales on, but I was on a cider crawl so had a pint of Marcle Hill straight from the fridge for �2.35 - the best pint of the day was the cheapest!
I enjoyed my cider in comfort: their was a wide variety of seating avaliable, the flooring was a mix of wood, tiling and carpeting and both the front and rear of the pub had wide opening picture windows rendering the pub nicely cool on a hot summer's afternoon. The clientele was a good mix of young and old, families, shoppers etc.
I would definitely return when next in Godalming.
13 Jul 2010 10:48
This used to be such a great pub in the early '90s when Howard was the landlord, must get down to Wedmore again sometime.
9 Jul 2010 11:17
Coming in on your own shouldn't feel uncomfortable Polly, not for a member of staff!
30 Jun 2010 15:14
I must say that this pub is improving week by week, the food is excellent, the ales are always in good condition and the Morretti lager, Hoegarten and draught Bulmer's are proving very welcome in the warm weather, if a tad expensive.
The terrace at the front of the pub has become a very plesant sun trap in the good weather - long may the summer continue!
An increased rating is due this place.
30 Jun 2010 13:32
The Newbold Comyn Arms, Leamington Spa
It's not at all is it lovinbeers? (Aka one of the Millers?)
18 Jun 2010 15:07
The Catherine of Aragon, West Byfleet
Just reopened as the "Catherine of Aragon" after a refurbishment.
There have been no structural changes, it's just a paint job and a change of emphasis for the customer profile they are hoping to attract.
Inside and outside it's very spick and span, not quite bordering on the sterile, but not what you would call cosy. Gone are all the pool tables and big screens, instead one side of the pub has been put over to dining, being a large pub this still leaves plenty of room for traditional pub style seating.
There is a roomy beer garden with a large marquee for smokers.
Doom Bar, London Pride and Courage Best were avaliable on Saturday lunchtime, none were tried as I plumped for a pint of Strongbow in the heat. The keg and lager selections were depressingly bland and unadventurous.
Service was friendly and polite and there was a relaxed atmosphere.
A vast improvement from the "Claremont" but still, for me, not a pub to go out of your way to visit.
7 Jun 2010 10:58
This place is definitely going downhill unfortunately.
When I first visited, six or seven years ago, the food, especially the sausages, was worth travelling for: now it's just bland, standard pub grub.
The fabric of the building and decor are showing signs of ware and tear.
Running out of two of four real ales, the draught Budvar and the draught Erdinger by 18:30 on the Thursday before the bank holiday weekend is a cause for concern: is it's great location making the mangement complacent?
Nice beer garden though.
4 Jun 2010 14:07
Situated right next door to the Greenwich Union, this is a proper, old fashioned local's Youngs pub which has the old fashoned vitues of decent, well kept beer, a clean tidy traditional enviroment, friendly staff and customers with a nice low hum of conversation that doesn't have to compete with any music.
Having pint of Ordinary here is a real pleasure. The best praise I can give is that 10-12 years ago I used to walk all the way from Lewisham to have a couple of pints here on a Friday or Saturday evening.
1 Jun 2010 08:53
The Greenwich Union, Greenwich
A very clean and contemporarily decorated pub, narrow but fairly deep with a beer garden at the rear. I visited mid Thursday afternoon when there was a group sitting in the front window seats, another group towards the rear of the pub and a couple off lone drinkers scattered around so it was quite quiet and comfortable. At busier times, however, I would be concerned that the narrowness by the bar would cause problems. Also there's a hell of a steep staircase down to the toilets!
As noted below, there are three real ales on, a great selection of bottled beers and the full range of Meantime beers on keg. I tried a pint of the Meantime Stout which was very welcome.
A good pub to pop into if passing but I'm not sure that I'd make it a destination pub.
1 Jun 2010 08:41
The Lamb and Flag, Covent Garden
Visited for the first time in a few years last Sunday.
Still a terrific pub it was very plesant to sit upstairs with the windows open and a fan playing on us.
The same ales on as listed below, I tried a pint of Harvey's but it was getting to be a bit treacly in the heat, so I swiched to the Kirin which was lovely but criminally expensive. My friend was on Young's Ordinary but had to change to Bombadier which seemed to be the only ale which was surviving the heat drinkably.
A jazz band was setting up for a 7:30 start as we left and I imagine it would have been a very nice evening there if we could have stayed.
24 May 2010 13:14
At first I thought that this pub was going to be another grim West End tourist fleecing machine, but instead we spent a very enjoyable couple of hours here and even popped back in later for a couple of shorts.
The bar is plesently designed and decorated with plenty of room and seating. It's position on a corner and the way the windows open up in the hot weather make it an ideal place to sit, drink and watch the world go by!
The full Fullers range was avaliable, my pints of Discovery were in tip top condition and my only complaint was that they had run out of bottles of London Porter.
The food wasn't bad either and not as expensive as some Central London places.
24 May 2010 11:56
A bizzarly bare and sparse bar decorated in an desperately "cool" and modern manner.
The beer selection was uninspired and expensive and the whole place was such a let down after the Harp.
When we left at 2:30 on a gloriously sunny Sunday the place was empty.
24 May 2010 11:47
Visited again Sunday, a gloriously cool retreat from a very hot afternoon.
Again a superb selection of ales on: Bateman's Old Salem Porter and Dark Star Old Chestnut were tried and were in great condition.
24 May 2010 11:42
The Sherlock Holmes, Charing Cross
A blatent tourist rip off joint - �4.35 for a pint of Peroni? No thanks!
24 May 2010 11:03
During a weekday this pub is busy with stall holders and shoppers from the market outside and serves a good, cheap all day breakfast.
At weekends the place always seems on the point of kicking off and the disinterested staff don't seem keen on keeping the tables clear or clean.
Beerwise: usual keg rubbish.
Only really to be recommended for a couple of pints and a bite on a weekday afternoon.
13 May 2010 09:17
A few doors up from Wetherspoons and what a difference!
An absolute hell hole on weekend evenings - loud music, bouncers and nearly dressed slappettes screeching at each other whilst young lads strike hard man poses at each other. During the afternoons it has the advantage of having plenty of screens to watch football and this was why I was dragged in here on Sunday.
There is plenty of space, reflecting it's evening role, but they have gone a bit overboard on the "industrial" look with exposed ventelation and electrical ducting. The beer selection is, as you would expect, standard keg rubbish.
Bizarrely, in the gent's toilet you can buy, for �5, a multi-speed vibrator!
This place is pretty much the pits and all four points that I am awarding it are entirely down to Chelsea winning 8-0 and clinching the 2009-2010 Premier League title whilst I was in here.
10 May 2010 11:07
Visited on bank holiday monday for the first time in about 18 months.
The pub was busy late afternoon/early evening with lots of punters eating after facing Oxford Street and Soho, and both the Blackburn v Arsenal match and Twenty20 cricket were on, but not overshadowing a good atmosphere.
Everyone in the group mentioned how reasonable the prices were, helped by the house bitter (EPA? my memory is a bit hazy) being �1.99 a pint - twenty yards from Oxford St! Both that and the Black Sheep were in good condition but the draught Amstell was coming up very frothy and top ups were needed.
All in all still a sound choice for the area.
5 May 2010 08:59
The Park Gate Inn, Cannock Wood
I am genuinely interested in Psdi's reviews of "fayre" in other pubs that he/she has tried.
28 Apr 2010 13:37
The Freemasons Arms, Covent Garden
Dropped in here for the first time in a couple years on Saturday afternoon to watch the Grand National and stayed 'til about nine so they must be doing something right.
A SN pub they had Masterbrew, Spitfire, Bishop's Finger and Late Red on draught. I was going to sample them all but the Late Red was in such good form I stuck with that. My friend was on Asai lager and she certainly seemed to find that really tasty as well.
It is a comfortably, fairly traditionally furnished pub with reasonably efficient, friendly bar staff altough one young girl did seem to have trouble with the concept of fully filling a pint glass!
As has been noted below, this pub is in easy distance of Covent Garden but far enough away to avoid the true hell of the place and gets a pretty decent standard of passing custom.
This is a real fail safe option if your are in the area it offers graet beer and decent food in civlised surroundings.
12 Apr 2010 13:28
Slid in here for a quick pint on Saturday sfternoon during the public services rally in Trafalgar Square. I had been past the Harp hundreds of times in the past without calling in but after reading the various revews here I decided that I had better give it a go- and I'm glad I did.
With the front widow removed it was a lovely cool and shady oasis from the unseasonably warm sunshine and luckily the pub was not too busy as it is pretty narrow and I'd imagine that it easily gets rammed.
Eight real ales were on and there were some interesting looking jugs of cider and perry in the fridge. I tried a pint of Spectrum Black Buffy which was absolutely gorgeous: I was sorely tempted to have another but an old bloke sat next to at the bar and his smell drove me back to rally pretty fast (not the pub's fault mind)!
This is a really good pub in an area that has some awful rip off dumps and it's only a stumble from Charing Cross station.
12 Apr 2010 13:16
The Ship and Shovell, Charing Cross
Visited Saturday afternoon when it provided a welcome respite from the crowds on nearby Hungerford Bridge and the Embankment. Only the northern bar was open where there was a nice relaxed atmosphere.
There were three Badger ales on: Tanglefoot, Champion and Hopping Hare. Tried the Hare (�3.20) which in really good condition and went down a treat. The bar staff were efficient and welcoming, the pub was clean and well decorated and I would recommend it as a pub well worth visiting if you are near Charing Cross
12 Apr 2010 11:46
A large Ember Inn just outside Woking town centre, we visited on Saturday and found it doing a good trade in customers whilst retaining a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.
The pub is very tidy and neatly decorated in the usual Ember Inns style. There is a mix of regular pub tables, high tables and low leather sofas so the is something for all tastes. Sky Sports News and BBC coverage of the F1 qualfying were on with no sound.
Alongside the regular keg suspects were the following ales: Pride, Deuchers IPA, Ringwood Bitter and 49er, Over The Bar, Roaring Meg and Black Cat, which had unfortunatly just run out. I tried the Roaring Meg which was in pretty good condition. Prices range between �2.10 and �2.95 which is pretty good for anywhere in Woking outside 'Spoons.
Plenty of food was being ordered and consumed and looked pretty nice.
If you find yourself this side of the town centre the Sovreigns is a sure fire bet.
29 Mar 2010 11:21
The Spanish Galleon, Greenwich
A fairly run of the mill Shepherd Neame establishment but refreshingly clean and tidy compared to the Admiral Hardy.
Shep's usual range of ales always seem to be in good condition in here.
24 Mar 2010 14:32
This pub is duplicated on this site as "The Talbot, Lewisham" - see my review under that pub.
23 Mar 2010 11:02
This pub is duplicated on this site as "The Talbot; Brockley".
I ommitted to mention that there is a second lounge upstairs but no bar.
23 Mar 2010 11:01
My first visit to the Talbot since it's rennovation and it has certainly changed.
Gone is the comfortable old fashioned boozer and in have come the bare floor boards, stripped pine furnature and bare painted walls.
On a Saturday afternoon the clientele consisted of a couple of family groups with kids in buggies, one of which has their nappy changed right behind us - a lovely touch!
By the preponderence of menus, tables set for diners, adverts for dining deals and a prominent reservation book it would seem that this is food led pub these days aimed at the upwardly mobile of this area between New Cross, Deptford and Lewisham.
Ale wise Deuchers IPA, Hydes Over A Barrell and Caledonian Flying Dutchman were on offer, in reasonable condition at �3.10 a pint, plus the usual keg suspects.
There was quite a sterile atmosphere despite some decent background music and I can't see myself particularly rushing back.
22 Mar 2010 11:13
This is a large street corner pub right outside Clapham Junction station that I visited on Friday afternoon. This was the first time I had been in the Falcon for about 17 years and it is a vastly improved pub today.
Description wise I agree with the estimable Jon Bonsor's post below, I was particularly taken the the corner snug and the sheer size of the asymmetric island bar. There is a variety of different drinking areas and types of seating including a couple of small two person tables actually attatched to the bar by the snug.
I was in the pub between 14:00 and 21:00 and was able to see it in both quiet-ish Friday afternoon mode and also on a Friday evening session. In the afternoon the Falcon was reasonably busy with locals, off duty postmen and people shopping or using the station. As the afternoon wore on the pub got livelier with commuters, office workers, people heading out for the evening and the thirsty PCS union reps from next door I was there to meet! Service was good in the afternoon and as the evening arrived more staff were put on and I was plesantly suprised at not having to wait to get served even at it's busiest. There was pleasant background at reasonable volume.
Food was not tried but loked good, sausages seem to be a speciality and a nice touch was thr range of 'beer nibbles that were avaliable.
There were a large selection of ales on - I tried Buntingford Brittania, Slater's Top Totty, Purity Pure Ubu, Thornbridge Kipling and Ryedale Winter's Tale. All were in good nick and the Britannia and Winter's Tale were particularly delicious. One slight quibble: the ales were a reasonable (forLondon) �2.95 per pint but the good selection of continental lagers were pricier, my friend started off on Leffe at �3.90 (!) but after a couple I managed to steer her towards the Staropramen. Others I noticed were Peroni and Stella, there was bottled Duvel in the fridge.
All in all if you you are anywhere near the area the Falcon is definitely recommended.
15 Mar 2010 11:42
The Birch and Pines, Sheerwater
Well the roasts and pies didn't last long!
Guinness here is now �3.30 a pint which, for a scruffy estate pub, is absolutely discusting. One point docked on the rating - now down to 5/10 unfortunatly.
11 Mar 2010 09:35
Popped in Saturday afternoon for the first time in a few years. Nothing appears to have changed except for a new coat of paint. It is smartly decorated, the two barmen were plesant and efficient and there were a decent number of well behaved customers.
Only two ale on handpump: the ubiquious London Pride and GK IPA (clip turned round). I tried the Pride (�2.75) and it wasn't bad but really there is no point having a pint here when Spoons is down the road selling better beer at �1.99!
8 Mar 2010 10:45
A very reasonable Wetherspoons that i visited first thing Satuday morning.
A roaring trade in breakfasts and breakfast rolls was being done and a number of traditional 'Spoons types were having their early stiffeners. There was a strange mix of regulars and concerned middle class types who had turned up to attend the Save The Whittington A&E March later, and the atmosphere in the pub was really relaxed.
There was a decent selection of ales at a very decent price for London, even though they were 20p a pint dearer than I pay in Woking. I had a great pint of Rebellion Mild that was in better condition than in Woking Spoons a day later (and that IS praise).
The pub is clean and nicely decorated but I was disappointed by the intrusive noise of a large extractor fan system mounted on the cealing at the rear.
3 Mar 2010 12:04
Very traditional Irish pub on the Holloway Road. A splendid interior with tremendous old mirrors and advertising glassware made for a nicely relaxing place for a pint of Guinness and a quick catch up on the football Saturday afternoon.
A number of locals were enjoying what looked like good wholesome food and there was a plesant atmosphere. No real ale unfortuntely.
Towards the back of the pub is a small stage and dancefloor, I can imagine it getting pretty busy on a Saturday night. The toilets have sensor driven music so I could pit stop to James Brown and the Cure!
At the front of the pub is a plesant covered terrace.
3 Mar 2010 11:45
Very lively at ten o'clock on Saturday night.
An old fashoned North London Irish pub that looks like all it's old screens and mirrors would scrub up nicely but just keeping the place open seems enough for the management.
Beers are the usual range of keg rubbish.
3 Mar 2010 11:25
The Whittington Stone, Highgate
DWHC organising committe repaired here after the Save The Whittington Hospital A&E March on Saturday. I was pretty dubious as the pub looks extremely unwelcoming, but we ended up having a long and merry session there.
It is a modern and brutallist building that could not in any way be described as attractive in fact I'd say that it is one of the ugliest pubs I've visited! One thing externally in it's favour is the well covered and heated smoking area.
Beer wise it is purely standard keg rubbish with no real ale. The Saturday afternoon trade seemed to be quite food led, the food looking quite appealing but was not tried. Once food ceased being availiabe the pub seemed to die with only half a dozen other customers in a large pub on a Saturday night. I don't know if this is a 'chicken or egg' situation as the afternoon staff were really good and friendly but the German girl on in the evening had the personality of a lump of wood.
3 Mar 2010 11:14
Very much a throwback to an old fashoned London street corner, it is a pub basically serving people of a certain age from the local area but welcoming enough and unthreatening (one of the regulars had a great laugh when I walked into the Ladies by mistake). The place is clean and tidy but is very basic - the dartboard is as exciting as the entertainment goes, although I did notice some board games behind the bar and some locals were definatly enjoying their game of cards! It is nice have a drink in a pub where you hear yourself think these days and I also liked the displays of old cigarette cads on the walls.
The pub has a fair selection of the Sam Smith's range, but unfortunatly all on keg. I had a pint of Stout, which was like a slightly drier version of Draught Guinness and a couple of bottles of Nut Brown Ale which were top notch, but I did notice that the bottled beers were considerably more expensive than the reasonably priced keg beers. My friend raved about the quality of the wheat beer so I think we'll be popping in again when passing.
26 Jan 2010 11:25
The Swan Inn and Lodge, Claygate
Popped in for a quick pint mid Sunday afternnon and found the place souless with no atmosphere at all. Only four other customers in a fair sized pub that looks as if it should be doing great business. The welcome was friendly enough but my pint of Black Sheep was the worse I have had although it must be said that the London Pride, the only other ale, was in better condition.
Sky Sports News on with the sound off, inoffensive background music (except for James bloody Blunt) and primative and whiffy toilets, this pub, situated in a nice position opposite a vilage green does seem to be missing a great opportunaty to be a really decent venue.
19 Jan 2010 11:12
The Druid's Head, Kingston Upon Thames
This is a 17th Century coaching inn in the the centre of Kingston, an area strangely bereft of pubs. As befits an old building, this pub has an unusual layout: on entering through the right hand door you access a bar-less snug room with a bell to summon waitress service, then you must traverse another small seperate room and passage to access the bar proper, which is directly accessed by the left hand door.
There are a number of side and alcove areas on various levels and the pub was an oasis of calm and respite on a Sunday lunchtime from the bustle of the town centre and Bentall's mall. There was rugby showing on a number of modestly sizes tvs with the sound off and some pleasant background music playing at a sensible volume.
Apparently the pub has a 100 year old ghost called George and one of it's windows has a comment etched on it by Jerome K Jerome (the vandal!) The original stable yard has been turned into a well appointed smoking area which must be well patronised in the summer.
GK IPA, Ruddles Bitter, Old Speckled Hen, Black Sheep and Bunce's Old Smokey were avaliable on draught along with a slection of kegs inluding Pironi and Aspalls cider. The Black Sheep and, especially, the Old Smokey were very nice and the food we tried was of reasonable quality and value. The service was friendly and I would certainly visit again when next in Kingston although I imagine that it gets very busy on Friday and Saturday nights.
19 Jan 2010 10:59
To be fair, regarding my post below, yesterday I popped in to watch the end of the cricket, on my way home. I had a very tasty pint of Adnams Christmas Star in lovely condition at a reasonable �2.85.
7 Jan 2010 09:08
In on Saturday afternnon for Chelsea v Everton game. God, how it's declined in the last three months!
The Guinness was like sludge, the lager was flat and the barman still seemed drunk from the night before - twice he topped up pints of Fosters with Guinness!
The fixtures and fittings are beginning to look tired, the toilets absolutely stank and, despite being advertised and confirmed twice over the phone, no one knew how to tune the TV to the football until we had missed the whole of the first half.
Definately going downhill - sell up ahoy?
15 Dec 2009 16:08
We had our works Christmas meal at The White Hart last night and had a thoroughly enjoyable time.
It has been about seven years since I last visited and it has been refurbished in a modern, but comfortable and relaxed manner. The fabric of the pub was clean and tidy and both the permenant and Christmas decorations pleasant and tasteful.
Four ales were on: Betty Stogs, Courage Best, Butcombe Bitter and Doom Bar. I stayed on the Doom Bar which was in great condition, as is fitting for a Cask Marque establishment, but at �3.15 it's a bit steep foe a pub in New Haw (and on some pints poured a little short). I think that this is part of a slight lack of focus about the pub: at the rear is a lovely garden alongside the tree lined river, gorgeous in the summer, but dominated by the roar of the busy main road at the front, in what you couldn't call a touristy area by any stretch of the imagination!
Having said that, we have a very plesant evening, the Chritmas menu was very good in both quality and quantity, and the Thai food looked and smelt great. To be fair to the pub it seems to cater both to locals and people visiting to eat.
15 Dec 2009 11:42
As remarked below, a quiet refuge in a very busy area.
But paying hefty prices for what seems, to me, to be re-badged Directors means it's a pleasure I won't be partaking of too often!
1 Dec 2009 13:46
Still an attractive old building inside and out, the Star was, in contrast to the nearby King's Head, virtually empty on a Thursday lunchtime. The interior of the pub is a maze of small alcoves, side rooms and levels.
Bishop's Finger, Kentish Best and Late Red on pump, but not Spitfire, despite the bar being absolutely covered in Spitfire advitising material!
The Late Red, served by a friendly young barman was "ok" but not a patch on some I've tried. Despite there being three old geezers in there (and me!) as their entire cutomer base, loud dance music was being belted out, i.e. not customer consideration. Still it's a double winner for the staff: they get to hear the music that they like and they don't have to do much work, as all their customers are driven off up the hill to the King's Head!
16 Oct 2009 10:46
Visited this pub for the first time in years yesterday lunchtime.
Like a lot of central Guildford pubs it's dark and gloomy when you walk in from the sunshine and has different rooms, alcoves and levels around the pub and garden. Some of the upholstery and furnature is a bit tired and dirty but I liked the old local paper stories and letters on the walls.
There were four real ales on and I tried the Hog's Back Autumn Ale which wasn't bad at all. The service from the attractive young barmaid was friendly, the music nicely varied and kept in the back ground and the atmosphere was relaxed, even as the pub got busier with people popping in for lunch.
I would definitely come back for a pint or two, and it's worth going 50 yards up Quarry Street in preference to the Star Inn.
16 Oct 2009 10:33
Oh, two thinks worth adding - very reasonable prices for London: �2.75 - �3.00 and a bewildering range of continental bottled beers: Belgian fruits, German wheats etc.
14 Oct 2009 13:54
I have been wanting to visit this pub for ages and finally managed to get here Saturday aftenoon - I wasn't disappointed.
The windows have lots of old GBG stickers and there are various award certificates on display inside, the quality of the beer was certainly testimony to these. Dark Star Hophead, Moorehouse Pride of Pendle and Whitstable Pearl of Kent were all tried and were all in prime form and very tasty. ESB and Pride were also on hand pump but not tried.
Also avaliable on draught were Strongbow, Carlsberg (why?) and Guinness; also (here's where it gets better) draught Budvar and draught Dark Budvar, a couple of which I just had to try: a gorgeously smoky pint.
Maldenman has very accuratly described the layout of the Dog and Bell. Iparticularly liked the pictures of the former Deptford Odeon where we were sitting and the presence of a bar billiards table.
The atmosphere of the pub was nicely relaxed, the welcome friendly and the food which started to be served in the evening looked good and reasonably priced.
I will certainly be getting back here pretty soon, if I can find it again! It is really tucked away in the back streets of Deptford and your best bet is to get here by following the Thames Path as said below.
Recommended!
14 Oct 2009 10:48
Went here for a friend's birthday Saturday night - my first visit and I was really impressed.
Very friendly service in relaxed surroundings. For some reason I really like the "over rated Peroni muck" so I was happy with the beer!
We took a table upstairs for our meal and the food was absolutely delicious, you can actually see it all being freshly prepared in front of you in the kitchen.
We had a brilliant evening and I would have no hesitation recommending this place. The only cloud on the horizon is thst Enzo himself is selling up and retireing let's hope his good work is continued.
5 Oct 2009 11:33
Visited Saturday evening to watch Spurs v Man Utd. Friendly welcome, decent beer - growing collection of pump clips behind the bar testimony to variety of guest beers they are having on here.
14 Sep 2009 10:35
Popped in on Saturday afternoon to watch the Stoke v Chelsea game on Sky Italia. This was my first visit for about a year and the Goldie was still looking neat and tidy from it's last refurb. Only Pride avaliable on cask but the cold Gunness certainly went down a treat on a warm afternon.
There was a very cheap menu which we didn't try, but in the past the food here has been fine.
In all, not a bad pub, worth the short walk from Woking town centre to be able to catch Saturday 3pm kick offs.
14 Sep 2009 10:20
Now has two tvs showing Sky Sports News and BBC News 24 with the sound off and subtitles on - why, what is the point? As this pub was one of my few sanctuaries from the bloody telly it very nearly got docked a point, but on Sunday it was serving a superb pint of Rudgate Ruby Mild which won Supreme Champion at the Great British Beer Festival in August. By god that beer is good: so Spoons' rating is still safe!
9 Sep 2009 08:45
By the way, the Masterbrew was the worst pint that I had all day round Blackheath.
4 Sep 2009 10:58
The Hare and Billet, Blackheath
Popped in Sunday afternnon after visiting the Climate Camp - I half suspected it to be shut or have someone on the door but all were welcome.
It's very neat and tidy inside, unfortunatly they have replaced the quiz machine with an enourmous sideboard (which is going to earn more revenue?)
Just GK IPA and Hen on and the Hen soon ran out but both in nice enough condition. Food looked and smelt good but we didn't indulge.
Was doing good trade both inside and with drinkers out on the heath.
4 Sep 2009 10:57
The Princess of Wales, Blackheath
Visited bank holiday Sunday evening and, slightly whiffy toilets aside, not too bad. Service seemed friendly (barman wearing a Chelsea shirt always helps) and the Deuchars was in good form. The decor veers between posh and shabby.
Lovely views across the heath.
4 Sep 2009 10:50
Popped in after visiting the Hare and Billet and the Crown suffers in comparison. A nice terrace outside but somewhat tired inside. The toilets stank and it took a good 20 minutes for the previous customers' glasses and bottles to be cleared from our table.
The usual basic Shep range - no seasonals and the Spitfire was off.
Overall it seems not to be trying, just going through the motions with a captive audience visiting the heath.
4 Sep 2009 10:38
The Birch and Pines, Sheerwater
Now doing nice cheap roasts on a Sunday (need to be booked in advance) also Aussie Vili's pies are avaliable all day.
11 Aug 2009 16:10
I had a couple of pints of Amstel here Friday afternoon watching the Ashes on the big screen TV. Adnams Regatta and a cornish ale that I forgot to note were on the handpumps.
The Mitre is an old fashoned London pub at the front, but as you move back along the bar the decor becomes more modern and there is a light and airy conservatory at the rear. There is a small but very pleasant beer garden running along the side of the pub between it and the churchyard of St Alfege.
This was my first visit and I was impressed by the friendly welcome and service.
13 Jul 2009 11:22
The Rambler Country House, Edale
I have never seen so many obviously false reviews left by a pub's staff!
if you constantly have to do this to keep your rating up to a mighty 3.6, how sh*t must your pub be?
It might take less effort to improve things...
24 Jun 2009 14:29
The Pilot Inn, North Greenwich
An incogruous Georgian inn on the end of a row of contempory cottages in the middle of the completely modern North Greenwich penninsula.
We visited last Saturday after a walk along the Thames from Greewich and a pint of Discovery was very welcome! Also tried the Pride which was in perfect condition and had a couple of bottles of London Porter accompanying a beautiful whole grilled seabream at, what I thought a very reasonable price.
The Pilot Inn is attractively decorated and clean. The toilets are immaculate. The service was efficient and friendly and I'd have no hesitation in recommending this pub as a destination for food abd drink.
23 Jun 2009 09:39
The Pilot Inn, North Greenwich
An incogruous Georgian inn on the end of a row of contempory cottages in the middle of the completely modern North Greenwich penninsula.
We visited last Saturday after a walk along the Thames from Greewich and a pint of Discovery was very welcome! Also tried the Pride which was in perfect condition and had a couple of bottles of London Porter accompanying a beautiful whole grilled seabream at, what I thought a very reasonable price.
The Pilot Inn is attractively decorated and clean. The toilets are immaculate. The service was efficient and friendly and I'd have no hesitation in recommending this pub as a deastination for food abd drink.
23 Jun 2009 09:39
Unfortunatly fairly typical of a lot of London 'Spoons, if dirtier than most. Staff ignore the evening closing times and always try to get you out earlier.
The stand out feature of this pub is how the cretin of an architect has managed to make the trek to the toilets at least twice the length of the pub: my god, Scott of the Antactic would have given up half way and pi**ed on the filthy carpet!
18 Jun 2009 11:40
Great news if it has closed - tries to be a jumped up tourist trap with the requisite miserable, can't be arsed service and yet, in the evening, is full of chav scum who would cause a tourist to run a mile1
18 Jun 2009 11:18
This is good for a quiet drink and a bite to eat on a weekday afternoon whenit's quiet. I have always found the food to be good. The ale is fine, there is a great selection of bottled and draught Belgian beers and draught Budvar.
Avoid like the plague in the evening though - hell on earth: defeningly noisy, absolutely rammed and the staff seem to loose the plot!
12 Jun 2009 10:58
The sort of real ale pub where you drink the Guinness to be on the safe side. To be fair the food is excellent and exceptional value.
The locals do tend to stare at you when you walk in, but there does not seem to be any of the trouble from the "Woodies" years.
11 Jun 2009 11:06
The Birch and Pines, Sheerwater
As said below, Nigel, ex of the Goldsworth Arms has returned, as manager, to the Birch. Since his return he has put a lot of effort into tydying the pub up, weeding the front car park (the first time it's been done in a couple of years!) and blitzing the beer garden at the rear. As a result of his efforts, and some better weather, punters have been flocking back in the last couple of weeks, though a few too many of those have baseball caps surgically attatched to their skulls!
Wheelchair access is in the process of being built at the front of the pub and the dreadfull, tatty smokers tent at the back was pulled down before it fell down.
There are barbeques all weekend weather permitting, live music is planned for Sundays and discos are being lined up for alternate Fridays - fortunatly this won't involve Roland Rat, who has buggered off over to Sandhurst with Kevin and 'Trina.
It won't get back to it's great days in the '80s and early '90s, but Nigel must be congratulated for the enthusiasm and effort he is putting in.
10 Jun 2009 11:26
Very ordinary pub, very ordinary beer
What I have found is that the food has been pretty good when ever I have been in.
9 Jun 2009 14:50
Nice little Fullers pub far enough away from the Borough in one dirction and the Elephant & Castle in the other resulting in a quieter pub than many in the area.
9 Jun 2009 14:47
The Rockingham Arms, Elephant and Castle
Another sad DHSS Wetherspoons. The real ales are usually in ok condition but, apart from that, the only thing going for it is that it's not the Great Harry in Woolwich!
9 Jun 2009 14:37
The Ashburnham Arms, Greenwich
Visited here early Saturday evening, fairly quiet and relaxed. Decor is very spic and span and clean. Top notch Masterbrew and Whitstable Bay. Did not try the food but it looked very nice. The pub seems to make an effort to be family friendly but there are a couple of very strange locals...
8 Jun 2009 14:27
Thoroughly enjoyed our stay here. Modern, comfortable rooms in a separate chalet away from the main building of the pub.
The pub itself is an attractive old building with a decent slection of well kept ales. The food is recommended, especially the four cheese ploughmans and the breakfasts with Gloucester Old Spot sausages!
1 Jun 2009 15:10
A really tremendous old coaching inn building wise and in a prime location for London Bridge Station, Borough and the South Bank. But, unless you visit first thing in the morning, it is always crowded. Must agree that the courtyard can get a bit lairy.
29 May 2009 15:59
Very convinient for market and bowling ally. Ideal for watching the football, food looks good and a decent enough pint of Guinness. Staff quite friendly.
One complaint; usually this pub is clean and tidy but on our last visit, about six weeks ago, the place stank to high heaven of really bad toilets, causing us to bail out at half time.
29 May 2009 10:51
Ok, it's a tourist attraction, but if you are in Bury you just have to try it!
A nice drop of GK and I liked the "function room" upstairs.
29 May 2009 10:34
Unpretentious, friendly old local close to the centre of the village. It's nice to sit in a pub where you can hear the clock tick (and yourself think)!
An everchanging range of guest sles with forthcoming attractions on a blackboard behind the bar, along with scores of previous pump clips.
Have tried one of the Saturday night bands and had a great time.
28 May 2009 14:48
Popped in one wet Friday evening after stumbling accross it by accident. Found a lovely, welcoming oasis of fine Shep beers, decent BACKGROUND music and quiet music and laughter.
Will definately return soon.
28 May 2009 14:04
Doggetts Coat and Badge, Southwark
Great food, well kept and interesting range of ales, a variety of foreign beers.
Pub clean, good service and a splendid location.
28 May 2009 13:56
The Green Man is not the great pub it used to be pre refurb in the '90s, but I popped in one busy Sunday afternoon in the run up to last Christmas.
We were served quickly and efficiently, the beers, though from a limited range, were fine, the food was good and the pub was comfortable though busy with shoppers, tourists and punters watching two football matches.
Ideal for refugees from (the very close) Oxford Street.
28 May 2009 11:49
The Cutty Sark Tavern, Greenwich
This is good for a quiet drink and a bite to eat on a weekday afternoon whenit's quiet. I have always found the food to be good. The ale is fine, there is a great selection of bottled and draught Belgian beers and draught Budvar.
Avoid like the plague in the evening though - hell on earth: defeningly noisy, absolutely rammed and the staff seem to loose the plot!
As for the price - it's on the river by the Cutty Sark in Greemwich: what do you expect �2.50 a pint?
27 May 2009 11:59
Unfortunatly, being Greenwich Market, this was full of tourists and "beautiful people" on a recent Saturday evening visit. The Adnams and Belgian beers however were in fine form and very drinkable; just a shame there was nowhere to sit, so the visit was brief,
27 May 2009 11:32
This used to be a cracking pub for really good food and decent ale. It has gone downhill tremendously in the last two or three years - ropey beer, ear splitting music and the place stinks. The final straw was being served a "plastic" of indiferent beer with the bonus of chewing gum INSIDE the bottom of the glass!
27 May 2009 11:28
As noted below, this is definately more of a resturant than a pub, but the beer is more than decent.
A lovely old barn in the middle of nowhere, the food here is some of the best I've tasted for years, eaten in a lovely atmosphere with very efficient and exceptionaly friendly service. Ideal for a summer evening meal on the way back from the coast.
27 May 2009 09:07
The Barrowboy and Banker, London Bridge
Great position, large and airy and spot on Fullers' ales. Spoilt though by usually being full of braying imbeciles in suits.
22 May 2009 14:13
The Catherine of Aragon, West Byfleet
This is a really, really poorpub. I cannot sress enough how dispiriting it is to visit this charmless dump.
Uninspiring decor and staff and full of mouth breathers who stand outside all evening disturbing the surrounding residents with there foul mouthed noise.
One summer Friday evening their entertainment was to sit around the big screens watching Big Brother - 'nuff said!
22 May 2009 13:53
A shocking example of a 'Spoons.
The beer is more than decent when you eventually get served by the extremly slow staff, but the punters! A complete shower of alkies and window-lickers, chavs and thugs - and I used to live in Woolwich so I'm no snob
22 May 2009 13:16
A shocking example of a 'Spoons.
The beer is more than decent when you eventually get served by the extremly slow staff, but the punters! A complete shower of alkies and window-lickers, chavs and thugs - and I used to live in Woolwich so I'm no snob
22 May 2009 13:16
A shocking example of a 'Spoons.
The beer is more than decent when you eventually get served by the extremly slow staff, but the punters! A complete shower of alkies and window-lickers, chavs and thugs - and I used to live in Woolwich so I'm no snob
22 May 2009 13:15
Great food, well kept Youngs' portfolio of ales and tremendous views of the river. Does get busy though, especially early evening.
22 May 2009 13:09
Doggetts Coat and Badge, Southwark
Immaculate pub in great position by the river and Blackfriars Bridge. Top notch ales and food.
22 May 2009 13:06
This is a great little street corner pub tucked away behind Waterloo station in Roupell Street - a street that doesn't seem to have changed for a hundred years!
Nicely decorated bars, large annex at the back and a good atmosphere.
The Adnams is gorgeous but eye wateringly expensive.
22 May 2009 11:59
The Hole In The Wall, Waterloo
The Hole is what it is: an ideal place to meet up for the South Bank or central London, or somewhere to grab a nice pint and something to eat before getting a train. It's scruffy but so what?
I used to use the Hole most Saturdays after football in the 70s and 80s and by god it used to rock! Now I'm older I can't report what Saturday nights are like these days as I'm nursing my cocoa by then...
22 May 2009 11:38
Came accross this pub on a warm Saturday afternoon and very welcome it was too.
Clean, nice Young's Special and a good if limited menu on offer.
22 May 2009 11:27
A great old fashoned street corner local.
Loads of forthcoming attractions advertised at the bar. Rooms to stay upstairs, a decent pint of Youngs and a stunning and efficient bar maid.
If you havn't visited can thouroughly recommend the Summerfield.
Do they still hold the Tuesday night quizes?
22 May 2009 11:22
This is the local of a couple of friends of mine, so I have visited it many times over the years. It has always been a friendly pub and remains so to this day.
I used to call it "the dirtiest pub in the world" but since Sean & Donna took over a couple of years ago they have worked wonders refurbishing the pub inside and out. The gents are a delight although I do miss the horseshoe bar and I'm not too sure about the tall tables!
The beer garden at the rear is a real oasis with a covered smoking terrace, there's plenty of screens for sports, pool and darts teams, it's a good local of the old school.
22 May 2009 11:15
I occasionaly pop in this pub on a Friday night.
Admittedly you can get a few stares when you first walk in, but it doesn't take long to get friendly comments etc.
It's pretty scruffy, but, after the early session wobblers and the mothers and toddlers depart, a good pint of Jennings Cumberland and a half decent juke box can make for a convivial Friday evening.
22 May 2009 09:19
Well off my manor, this pub, seen in the London Drinker too, was reached after a nice walk up Regent's Canal and through Victoria Park. From the outside it doesn't look too promising, but once you get through the front door it's great!
Brilliant decor: old adverts, film posters and prints; fresh flowers in vases; magazines and newspapers at the bar and an eclectic mix of books to read and borrow.
The pub is spick and span, the welcome friendly, and on a warm Saturday afternoon, the Shep ales were in great nick, as was the Ashai lager.
There is a small yard at the rear for a quiet smoke.
Hope to get back sometime!
21 May 2009 11:58
By far and away the best Wetherspoons that I have visited. Anyone complaining about the ale range or condition must have really caught the pub on a bad day - all at �1.99 a pint!
As well as some superb real ales I can recommend the bottled Czech Kozel lager for those who prefer the yellow stuff.
Food is pretty good, especially the Thursday curries, breakfasts and (hurrah) the newly avaliable ploughmans'.
This pub is large and spacious enough to avoid any baseball caps and thick gold chains and is a perfect place for a long and relaxed perusal of the Sunday sports pages.
20 May 2009 15:10
The Birch and Pines, Sheerwater
Kevin and Trina have now left! They have been moved to a pub in Sandhust and so we await another new manager.
Rumour has it that Coco the Clown, late of the Goldsworth Arms, will be returning - watch this space....
20 May 2009 14:33
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The Birch and Pines, Sheerwater
Finally being put out of it's misery on the 16th.
7 Apr 2017 14:48