skip nav  
 


Richard I, Greenwich

back to pub details

user reviews of Richard I, Greenwich

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

Pleasantly located Youngs pub not selling a lot of Youngs beers but a good range of beer all the same. Greenwich prices but a pleasant place to be. There were about 40 dogs in the beer garden or at least it felt like 40.

The light and bitter was decent but the bar staff did not seem to be aware of the whole light and bitter thing.

All in all however a decent pub and a pleasant visit.
terenced - 25 Mar 2019 07:55
Nice old-fashioned pub near Greenwich station and next door to another pub! Youngs beers plus one guest.
Trev - 1 Feb 2019 20:18
As I remarked in my previous review "we won't be rushing back..." I'm not sure if we have or not since I wrote it, but we popped in last Monday lunchtime, having been driven from the garden of The Old Brewery by sudden heavy cloud. As far as I could see, there was only one other customer when we walked in. We initially opted for pints of "Ordinary" which were barely that, so next went on to the "Special" - again, anything but special. The quality of both beers were not quite bad enough to complain about - but heading in that direction. A group of "yummy mummy's" plus assorted buggies then appeared - so we headed for home.
DaveE6 - 31 Mar 2018 12:43
As I predicted last time I commented on the Richard I two years ago, on our fairly frequent visits to Greenwich since, we have indeed mainly been drinking in The Pelton Arms. However, a few days ago since we were over on the west side of Greenwich, we decided to pop into the Richard I for a couple of pints and a sit in their garden. The Young's "Ordinary" was better than on our previous visit (though still not as good as when Mark ran the pub) - at £4.15 a pint I should hope it was! (I hate to think how much their range of "guest ales" are). As someone mentioned previously - sadly the woman behind the bar had very little idea of how to pull a pint properly - not helped by the guy standing behind what use to be the old public bar who was more concerned with messing about with his smart phone/tablet then actually helping her out or serving customers. However, the garden is still a good place to sit for an hour. But while we were doing so, we took the time to look at the pub menu and calculated that a two course meal for the two of us plus a bottle of wine (at £21?!?!) would have set us back £66 at the very least - and that's NOT including service or the temptation to drink a second bottle. For that sort of money, I'd prefer a "proper" restaurant. As it was, the restaurant was more or less empty - for a Tuesday lunchtime during the summer holidays is that normal? The sad thing being that in theory, after the big refurbishment a number of years ago, Young's managed to achieve the correct balance between a pub and restaurant. But somethings wrong with the place - too expensive for what it actually is and where it is (out of the "tourist trap" centre of Greenwich), but mainly (I suspect) poor to non existent management. We won't be rushing back...
DaveE6 - 3 Aug 2017 13:57
Popped in here for lunch over the Easter weekend. Food was good, but the beer prices were way over the top, Young's bitter £4.15, Beavertown Neck Oil £5.50!!!!
Large Glass of Pinot £8.20. taking the piss or what.
When we arrived the bar person cleaned the table, but just wiped the food onto the floor to join the the bits already there. Liked the pub but not the prices or cleanliness.
rpf1955 - 17 Apr 2017 10:39
Probably the worst Pub we have ever been to in Greenwich, young girl behind the Bar didn't have a clue how to pull a Pint, and kept asking the Landlady ( I presume ) for some help, but she was too busy filling her face with food at the end of the Bar to help her. Quite embarrasing to be a customer in here TBH.....The place was filthy all round, and as soon as my Wife came back from the Toilets, said lets get out of here, I'm not drinking in this shithole, so we left, and I wouldn't be surprised if that poor girl is STILL trying to pull a Pint......AVOID.......
DuncanDisorderly - 30 Dec 2016 21:30
Small Young's pub on a hill near the Park. Probably suffers from the competition from the trendier Grand Union next door (literally next door, two pubs right next to each other), but does all right notwithstanding.
rainlight - 3 May 2016 09:08
We hadn't been to the Richard I for a few months and decided to pop in for a lunchtime drink. There was a decent range of cask ales on offer, but we opted for the Young's "Ordinary" which used to be exceptional - now sadly ordinary would be a generous description. Giving them the benefit of the doubt, it could have been down to the time of day - 12.20pm? But what was unforgivable, was that Young's in their infinite wisdom have changed the traditional pub sign to some indescribable "creation" - perhaps their money would be better spent on improving the beer quality. As a result we just had the one before heading to The Mitre.
DaveE6 - 24 Mar 2016 10:27
Sadly Sandra and Mark who were managing the Richard I have been moved by Young's to The Wood House on Sydenham Hill. A great shame since Sandra always gave such a fantastic welcome, and Mark made sure the beers (the "Ordinary" in particular) were always served on top form. I hope that Sandra and Mark are both happy and successful with this change - but I can't help thinking The Pelton Arms will be getting more of my custom in the future?
DaveE6 - 11 Jul 2015 08:54
We have been going to the Richard I on and off for about 25 years and despite having to travel over from East London currently try to visit the pub once or twice a month. We did have misgivings when told that Young's were extensively refurbishing the premises, that the result would be yet another ruined pub.As I think I've commented previously - we were wrong. I fail to understand why certain customers now have a problem with the place. Yes, they've effectively built a restaurant at the back which has reduced the size of the garden, but as far as I can see the bar areas are the same size as they always were. Personally I don't much like the "battleship grey" colour scheme but what do I know? What I DO know is that the quality and choice of the five (?) real ales is always excellent - you'd have to look very hard to find a better pint of "Ordinary". If you prefer keg beers they always have an imaginative range. And finally, the service is always friendly and efficient. Still, there's no pleasing some people...
DaveE6 - 3 Mar 2015 13:02
Here we go .the list of disgruntled punters grows long may it continue. Tell you what folks get yourselves down to the plume of feathers you will not regret it.Check out the reviews if you don't believe me Just swerve this once truly great pub.Bloody shame on you youngs
gpca - 2 Mar 2015 20:14
Totally agree with the comments below. This used to be a great pub.

Youngs have also destroyed The Clockhouse by Peckham Rye Park.


Pat_Bateman - 2 Mar 2015 10:24
Here here to the comment below . You see folks I'm not the only one
gpca - 2 Mar 2015 00:43
Ths was one of my favourite pubs anywhere and had a fantastic front bar. The building is now unrecognisable , Youngs having virtually destroyed everything that made it enjoyable to visit in order to creat anothe gastro. I certainly wont be visiting again.

In the last year three of my favourite pubs, the Richard 1, the Coborn in Mile End & the Bulls Head in Barnes (all Young's) have all been turned into gastro's with their internal architecture ripped out.
Youngs pulled out of brewing a few years ago, their sole interest pubs these days seems to be in selling food. Where will the Youngs tour of pub destruction arrive next.
hearson - 1 Mar 2015 18:30
Tuesday 23rd December and I needed to pop into Greenwich to pick something up for the wife, with a wide range of pubs to choose from for a quick pint I decide on Richard 1st.

I haven't been here for at least 16 years when I lived in Greenwich. My memories of my last visit are hazy but I have been aiming to come back here for several years now.

A thoroughly modern Young's pub with food a plenty. Island bar to your left or right as you enter depending which door you use. The 2 rooms are split by a dividing wall opened up by a couple of arches.

Out the back is a large open plan dining area and a conservatory aswell as a large beer garden, the dining room was quite busy during my lunchtime visit.

The bar had a good selection of ales with Special and Bitter from Young's, Session IPA and Oatmeal Chocolate Porter from Hackney Brewery & White from Portobello. I opted for a pint of Oatmeal Chocolate Porter @ 4.8%. Typical local price of £4.10 a pint but very well kept.

In addition to the cask ales there's also keg offerings from Portobello, Meantime, Camden and Wells. Lagers are Peroni, Fosters, Estrella & Heineken and there's also Aspall's cider. The fridges are well stocked with a good selection of ales and lagers.

Music playing softly in the background, chatter from punters and the sound of the coffee machine fill the air.

A very attractive pub internally that has been nicely brought into the modern world from my last visit. The area is non touristy and is 'real' Greenwich. If like me you haven't visited before or for several years now is the time.

Enjoy!
lezford - 29 Dec 2014 12:37
Have just seen the photos of the refurbished pub,what can i say.well just this what drugs are those people on at youngs .why not destroy another pub for a five minute wonder gastro pub (whatever that bollocks means) . I am not a Luddite and I know pubs need a refurb once in a while but come on you they have as far as I can see totally torn away many many years of tradition the one thing England is so rightly proud of . Couldn't they have found a pub that was closed down etc and turned that into a gastro pub ? Jamie Oliver and others have a lot to answer for. All concerned for this total lack of taste and thought should be ashamed of themselves. This is not the rantings of a victor meldrew type ,but I am so bloody angry this was such nice trad boozer now FUCKED .oh by the way if you ever want it back the way it was I have stacks of photos for you to use .Gastro pub my arse
gpca - 4 Oct 2014 14:51
Massive refurb, now full on gastro. Large conservatory eating area on the rear so the garden's smaller. Ale was good...five pumps on.
lionbaz - 19 Aug 2014 10:43
Plastic glasses.
It's Saturday night and a bit busy. So they're giving out plastic glasses. Because otherwise "it would take time to get them back in and wash them".
Well dearie me. What next - "it's a bit full, you can't come in"? Probably not, but you will have to drink your beer from a plastic glass.

Uncle_Gareth - 2 Nov 2013 22:25
We have been regular visitors to Greenwich for many years and every trip seems to finish in the Richard I. Apart from it's great location, garden, service, food etc. - the quality of their Young's "Ordinary" is consistently perfect - one of the reasons being that they simply sell so much of it!
DaveE6 - 29 Aug 2013 09:21
for us the gpca this is running a very close second behind the plume a great british pub also known affectionately as the tollyhouse . we have had some truly brilliant nights in this great youngs house .i know there was an issue in putting down carpet but it really shouldnt put you off from going in .does anyone remember that awful landlord from a few years back he hated us and tried to throw us out on several occasions but we always manged to sneak back in .what a miserable git he really was.PS.DONT BOTHER WITH THE PRETENTIOUS NONSENSE NEXT DOOR STAY IN HERE AND SAVE A FEW BOB
gpca - 19 May 2013 14:18
Visited on a Friday night and for me, the best pub we tried in Greenwich.
Just off the main road, this place was quite full and had a great atmosphere in the smaller of the two rooms it offers. There was a decent choice of beer, and the one I chose from the London Fields brewery was very nice.
This pub lies next door to the Greenwich Union and offers much better value and should be visited if you are in the area.
SouthYorkshireman - 7 Mar 2013 21:20
Really nice little Youngs' pub, does good food and has a pleasant rear garden.

It's away from the busy town centre among narrow residential Georgian streets.

It's known amongst some locals to this day as "The Tolly" (from when it used to be a Tolly Cobbold inn).
eddybeer - 3 Feb 2013 21:49
Best pub in Greenwich. Far enough of the beaten track to avoid becoming a tourist trap but still near enough to the park, station, etc to be able to pop in if you're in the area.

Oh, and a cracking spacious beer garden for when the suns out.
Keef_Peacock - 4 Sep 2012 19:27
Really friendly, much more spacious than it looks from outside. 4 Youngs / Wells ales, all well kept. Food is quality pub grub and pretty good value
reynedd - 7 Aug 2012 00:25
Went in on a Sunday afternoon. Pleasant atmosphere (I was put off going into the Union next door because of the braying I could hear before going in). I had a nice pint of Special. The food looked good and seemed to be appreciated by those who were eating. I would definitely go in again although I wouldn't go miles out of my way.
NigelW - 28 Feb 2011 18:50
One of the better Young pubs I have been in. Could do with more staff on a Saturday afternoon.
loveleedshatebates - 14 Feb 2011 12:51
Youngs pub in a quiet location away from the town centre. Available beers were Ordinary, Special, Winter Warmer and Richard 1st Christmas Ale. There are 2 separate bars with a garden at rear. A full range of Youngs bottled beers were also stocked. This pub seemed more popular with locals than the Greenwich Union next door. It also had much more of a homely feel and was far cheaper.
blue_scrumpy - 30 Dec 2010 20:14

"Thankfully, this traditional pub has avoided the worst type of refurbishment from the Youngs makeover team"

======================================================================

Can't believe this comment from rpadam, as I was thinking the total opposite.
Hadn't been to this pub for around 8 years until yesterday.

It's totally ruined. From it's old threadbare carpets and lived in feel, to a poncy high table and stools modern rubbish.

Used to be a great pub but I hated what they've done with it.

Went to The Plume of Feathers instead, which thankfully remains a proper pub.
Pat_Bateman - 6 Dec 2010 09:17
Took a Canadian friend in here on Thursday night. I have been going to the Richard on and off for about 13 years, and I think it's been getting (gently) better all this time. The only thing I don't really like is the carpets - who puts carpets in a pub?

Anyway, we had 2 very nice pints of Special in a very uncrowded pub. It was pretty expensive, sadly, which might explain the uncrowded feeling. But the place was clean, no banging music (which is always a bonus), and the toilets are a lot better than they have been in the past. They'd run out of handsoap a good while ago, though (the container had been broken) which isn't a strong sign that anyone's taking much care.

The food menu looked very Youngs, and very nice - nobody was eating though, and it was dinner time. I wondered why.

Overall, a lovely atmosphere, a lovely looking pub, pleasant helpful young staff (although that can change at the drop of a hat of course). And the beer's expensive (but it's Greenwich), and the toilets aren't monitored properly.

Toilets are really important to older punters, and because this place is quieter and food oriented these days, it'd be worth checking them every hour or so.

Still manages a 7 though, for being so pretty :)
FussyPunter - 23 Oct 2010 16:23
I was dragged to this pub by some mates (I am not a Young's drinker), so had a pleasant enough pint of Bombardier. The refurb is OK. We were there for lunch, so I ordered fish & chips. They was off - on a Friday, for goodness sake. So I ordered a burger - mistake. It would have been unacceptable from a flea bitten burger van at 2am; but to pay �8 for this fossilised dog turd in a pub with some food pretensions is taking the proverbial.
tykeontour - 17 Jul 2010 18:20
Thankfully, this traditional pub has avoided the worst type of refurbishment from the Youngs makeover team. It comprises two rooms, one in each of two adjacent buildings in an attractive terrace in a quiet part of town. The larger bar leads to a decent-sized patio beer garden which is a very pleasant spot on a sunny day. Four well-kept real ales on handpump - Ordinary (reasonably priced at �2.90), London Gold, Special and Waggledance. Overall, really rather good.
rpadam - 9 Jul 2010 16:42
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.
flashharry1965 - 1 Jun 2010 08:53
This is the first time I've been here since it was a Tolly house back in the 70's. Thankfully not much has changed except it's bigger now that the off licence part has been incorporated into the pub.

This is a proper pub with no nonsence. Very friendly staff and contrary to previous comments. no music.

They had Young's Special, Young's Bitter, Bombadier and Young's Winter Warmer. They also had Pilsner Urquel on draft for the lager drinkers.

I sampled the Winter Warmer and the Young's Bitter and both were excellent.


zapsincl - 5 Feb 2010 22:09
I moved to Greenwich in early 2009. I like this pub - they always serve decent beer, the food is great and the beer garden always has a spare seat which is brilliant in Summer time.

I must have been lucky enough to avoid the landlady mentioned in other posts as I've always found the service to be fantastic; everyone who served me was chatty and friendly and knew how to pour a pint - in this case, some well-kept Youngs beers. The food is really nice and while it's a little pricier than your usual pub fare, it's damn tasty and you get decent portions!

Great place to go for a relaxed night out.
chris_g - 22 Jan 2010 16:02
This used to be my local until about a year ago. Following the 'makeover', the landlady decided to play music in the saloon bar. Not only was her choice of music appalling and laud but the fact she sought to dictate the atmosphere( so called), led us to flee to the other bar. Subsequently , on another occasion, one of my party was ignored by the temporary,(they all are) bar staff. We voted with our feet and now use the Dog and Bell in Deptford who have wider and varying choice of very well kept beers and DONT PLAY ....! MUSIC !
reginaldperrin - 11 Jan 2010 10:44
Been going to this pub with my family since the mid-70s and always held it in high esteem, until recently....The makeover isn't too severe but has taken away some of its character, but my main issue is with its staff - recently when I asked for a non-alcholoc drink (I was driving) the barman replied 'last of the big spenders' without any hint of humour or irony...plus a couple of Christmas eves the landlady, having been a complete misery all evening, called time early as a glass got broken (to think - in a pub!) Hopefully she's moved on...On the plus side, great beer garden and good pint of Youngs and out of the towm centre.
ticked - 10 Dec 2009 08:38
Good old fashioned, well kept and well run two bar local with a generous beer garden out the back. This right next door to the Union, and I've always walked past as the union is a decent pub. It's a pleasure to have the time to explore Greenwich and get to know these pubs. This is a right gem. A typical Youngs pub.

The place has genuine charm. Lots of solid wood. No Fuller's fake Victorian modern makeover - this is the real deal. A proper pub serving proper beer, in a great location. Makes an interesting contrast with the Union next door, as they have certain things in common - but enough difference to be able to select which one you want to spend the evening in.

If you want a choice of four cask ales in excellent condition, then this is the one.

If you want original features and a sense of the history and tradition of British pubs, then this is the one.

If you want decent pub grub at reasonable prices, then this is the one.

If you want a slightly larger beer garden, then this is the one.

If you want to be treated like a real person rather than a customer, then this is the one, as the bar staff will talk to you, and seem genuinely interested in having a conversation.

Damn fine pub.
SilkTork - 14 Sep 2009 17:12
Nice pub in greenwich
wrichard - 11 Sep 2009 11:23
Been here three times now and cannot agree with a previous review about the so-called makeover. The basic atmosphere has not changed, the seating was comfortable and the Young's Kew, in particular, was in great shape. I like this pub and would always come back.
roobs52 - 19 Aug 2009 17:09
With an ever dwindling number of traditional pub interiors why do Youngs feel the need to exacerbate the problem? See also, Duke of Devonshire (Balham) & Dog & Bull (Croydon). At least here the �makeover� has been largely restricted to furnishings, with a ludicrous low-table & pouffe set-up to rear of right hand bar (could picture plastic gangstas with their feet up here) and chunky modern stools next to drinking shelf opposite bar in left hand side facing ugly uncomfortable-looking high wall mounted leatherette banquette serving tall but tiny shiny wood tables, quite horrible, thank goodness bits of character such as the curved window seating remain intact. My notes started off mentioning a decent looking garden but questioned why there were no umbrellas to provide shade from the sun � well, when the heavens opened 30mins later it wasn�t the sun that the sodden garden refugees were trying to escape, hahaha! Our indoors table was suddenly very much at a premium and a joker had to be played while the thunder rumbled past. Ordinary, Special, Waggledance, Bombardier, sad reflection of the times (& area) but �8.55 for three pints was the cheapest round of the day, and the Bombardier was well kept.
trainman - 28 Jun 2009 12:31
Good beer - Enjoyed the waggle dance as a bit of a change - and the rest of the lineup is usually top notch. They definately seem to know what they are doing in the cellar. The barstaff however are a bit slow, electric cattle prods should be provided for all drinkers as a form of entertainment, might liven them up a little. Food is good - as is the food service - large portions, not too badly priced considering the area. One of the better establishments in Greenwich.
Penguinsanity - 19 May 2009 11:45
Not crazy about the interior makeover but it's up their with the great pub gardens. Alas I shall not be enjoying it again having been told to unplug my laptop charger 'because we need to watch costs'. E-On inform me my particular laptop cost 1.5p an hour to charge. Blimey, those new cushions must have cost a fortune...
daniel567 - 5 May 2009 22:16
I really like the make over.
This place used to smell like old socks and the beer tasted very like the odour.

The garden is still the best part in the summer and the bar staff seemed very friendly and I liked the ok range of ales they had.

Overall, massive improvement.
beerluke - 27 Apr 2009 13:46
What has happened to the dear old Tolly House. The brewery appears to have soft furnished away the character of what was the best pub in South East London. What on earth were they thinking? Carpets? Sofa�s? Did anybody have a look at the pub and crucially the client�le before this unnecessary makeover was embarked on. The manicured bushes on the first floor look ridiculous. I feel like someone has trampled all over a very important and significant part of my life and I am not alone. Beer is still good but the point is lost if you are sat in bar rather than a pub.



grthomas38 - 23 Apr 2009 14:42
the last pub of a 7 pub Greenwich excursion. We had tried earlier in the day but it wasn't opening until 3pm because of refurbishment. But it was worth coming back...very smart, well-patronised with a good mix of patrons and a fine pint of Ordinary. What's not to like about a street boasting 3 pretty decent pubs, bakers, butchers, candlestick-makers (Ok cheese sho) and fishmongers!
jeremyb - 13 Dec 2008 08:57
Still my favourite pub in Greenwich. Away from the crowd and with a large back garden area. Young's ordinary always goes down well and my dog appreciates the dog biscuits. The only downside appears to be the high staff turnover.
blackheatheagle - 24 Sep 2008 08:15
Beer OK

Bar staff a bit dozy, food service awful, 1 hour for chicken and cheese on toast despite 3 reminders,the manager seemed to think the appalling service was our fault and the refund very begrudgingly given, best to avoid, there are plenty of other pubs in Greenwich one of which must serve Youngs with a bit more grace.
Vernonll - 23 Sep 2008 10:54
I popped in last night with some friends because the food was cheaper than the place next door's. We had some Young's Special - have had better but it wasn't bad - and the aformentioned food. A pleasant place to spend a bit of time, it hasn't had the dreaded Young's makeover that seems to be afflicting a fair few of their pubs these days.
Ordinary - 19 Jun 2008 21:22
Lovely garden!
Beers alright.
Bar staff are quite friendly but the reason I/we stopped drinking in here and have not returned for about a year, is that no matter who is running/owning it (and it seems to have changed hands a fair few times in the last few years), they have been rude, grumpy, unwelcoming, and obviously feeling they are so far above their customers that they don't have to even consider good customer service!


KittyP - 27 May 2008 17:35
Went in for a few drinks the other night. Young�s ordinary and special where good. (Not fantastic though). As ever, a real eclectic mix of friendly locals coupled with a nice Young�s pub make for a good evening.
mrse1 - 6 Jan 2008 19:27
Warm, homely and friendly. Two bars, garden to the rear and some patio tables at the front. Youngs, Ordinary, Special and Waggledance plus Wells Bombardier. Ordinary competitive at �2.52. Food menu on the board well priced too between �6-�7. Opera music playing in the background yesterday, all very relaxing and generally a pleasant place.
Maldenman - 25 Oct 2007 10:33
baggydave ...... have you read my review ??!!??

You fail to mention or comment upon the land lady, this is an important aspect of the pub / a review ...... you just rave about the urinals you weirdo.
renewablebumpy - 13 Oct 2007 10:51
Beer was nice, separate bars and full length urinals so no splash back. What more could you want (and I don't give a monkeys about warm lager).
baggydave - 12 Oct 2007 17:56
Can the Land-lady please CHEER UP !!

I brought in a load of lads the other day (15+) and spent a good �200 but we were told to be quiet, that we'd upset a local, 1 local !, apparently in his seat ... for gods sake .... Greenwich has gone mad.

We won't be back.
renewablebumpy - 10 Oct 2007 20:48
Decent enough but not special. Yes, it has got a pleasant garden and the interior is comfortable but the toilets need some attention. Beer quality was not particularly special and the service a little random.
Islander - 22 Sep 2007 22:10
A moce greenwich pub away from the tourists. Lovely big beer garden, staff were quite friendly. beer was good. prices were not extortionate. I will be retuning
duskmaiden - 13 Aug 2007 00:20
Having chosen this pub specially for a lunch time venue on a day trip to Greenwich we were very disappointed with the food. The beer was fine and the garden good but �7.25 for a bland plastic sausage and a few chips was a rip off.
andykempe - 27 Jul 2007 08:53
Not to bad, good atmosphere but the larger was not very cold.
anonymous - 27 Jun 2007 10:51
Great Youngs pub that rather reminds me of the Wheafsheaf near London Bridge, another Youngs establishment. Nice bottle of Champion beer enjoyed in a buzzy atmosphere and with friendly bar staff.
JonW999 - 6 May 2007 16:56
Great tasting pint of Waggledance(even though its brewed in bedford),and a lovely beer garden,8/10
fat_beer_badger - 27 Apr 2007 07:04
Prefer next door (The Union) but have never had a bad evening,pint or service. More of a 'local' and usually a bit quieter
DrWatson - 8 Feb 2007 17:14
Once a fantastic pub. Great Youngs Bitter still available. Shame they change the management every six months. When it had a permanent landlord it was a superb place to go. Large beer garden is still a good place to go in the summer. I hope Youngs don't let this place go any further downhill.
davefrom78 - 15 Nov 2006 14:36
An enjoyable Youngs outlet, clean and welcoming, with a big beer garden and good selection of their bottled wares.

Not a top 40 pub however! I think this is a case of enjoying a young, affluent and web-savvy neighbourhood who like a pint here and who have voted highly for the place early-doors. I can't see it being top 40 when pubs outside the South East start breaking through the 15-vote barrier.
Quinno - 12 Sep 2006 20:16
Like many a pub, it's best at lunchtimes, this is partly because it's pretty small inside and partly because the number of visitors to Greenwich builds as the day progresses.

Although it does food, it has thankfully avoided becoming a dreaded 'gastropub', unlike the 'Hill' along the road (formerly the Barley Mow).
markbernard - 31 Jul 2006 18:43
How anyone can enthuse about this pub when you've got the Greenwich Union and The Prince Albert next to it is beyond me. The bar staff are miserable and po-faced, and the majority of the clientele are self-obsessed Tim "nice but dim" types who speak with extremely loud voices.

Good beer, but the positives end there. Avoid!
Torquemada - 13 Apr 2006 16:51
Visited for the first time on Saturday afternoon at about 3pm. Great, great place. Lovely divided interior. Barman was a friendly saffa. Young's Special was on as good form as I have ever had it - and I go to a lot of good Young's pubs. The best part of our experience however was the food - this place is in no way a gastropub and the menu is very much Young's standard. We weren't expecting much - but the haddock fishcakes and the steak and ale pie were both great, huge portions, lots of sides included. Wonderful place, just wonderful. A lovely, relaxing traditional pub. 10/10.
anonymous - 20 Mar 2006 09:53
For all its good looks and well-kept ale, the staff are a little sniffy, as my fellow-reviewers remark below. I can understand that, for them, it's just another shift, a source of income and/or part of a career in barmaiding which may extend over many years and places. However, hospitality isn't just about delivering solid and liquid consumables across a counter and giving the correct change. It's about making people feel welcome, if not actually at home. Particularly off-putting if, as you walk towards the bar, the otherwise unoccupied person turns away and pretends to inspect a row of bottles for invisible woodlice. This was one of those places where I found myself trying to get the bartenders to act more cheerfully by being artificially upbeat myself. A pub is more than another chainstore, public library or gym-reception where you hand back your dirty towels. Customer-facing staff who won't engage with the public might be better off in backroom jobs.
pauldanon - 28 Feb 2006 17:27
Nice pub and nice beer. Was there on a Friday afternoon so I was able to have a quiet pint.
paulbeckett - 10 Feb 2006 08:19
Nice Youngs establishment. Invaded by Morris dancers whilst I was there but their accordian player was a nice change of pace. Good looking food and I enjoyed my Youngs Bitter. Garden looked inviting.
jorrocks - 22 Oct 2005 05:03
Great Youngs beer, good value basic food, great wine if a bit limited in choice. Lovely sunny garden in summer. A regulars pub where everyone is made to feel welcome. Bar staff can change too frequently, and it was better when Martin was the landlord but still for many of us locals the best traditional pub in Greenwich.
GreenwichGraham - 17 Oct 2005 22:53
Pretty nice. Next to the Greenwich Union and as far as I could tell essentially the same but a bit bigger (and with different beers obviously).
the_sarah_day_fan_club - 19 Sep 2005 17:47
Dead during lunchtimes. Evenings dominated by Jeremy Clarkson look-alikes. Great beer - as you would expect from Youngs, but it stands and falls on the quality of the bar staff that change regularly.
Roballe - 16 Sep 2005 17:10
Good quality beer,nice rear garden.
mally - 23 Jul 2005 12:57
Very small outside front area. I sat down, quietly sipping my pint when I was hit by a three bikes racing along the pavement.
bertramr - 18 Apr 2005 11:41
Very good Youngs beer, lovely garden, nicely tucked away from the towny commercial bit of Greenwich. Sat out on the street at the front and watched the world go by.
Dan - 6 Sep 2004 12:08
Cool pub, comfy and cosy, instead of grubby and scruffy. Big garden. Pint of waggle dance went down a treat.
MrScott - 14 May 2004 11:11
Spent one very happy afternoon here, drinking Youngs beer, having a leisurely lunch, relaxing and reading the papers. Lovely old pub with patio garden and very attractive, sunny bar with a tall curved window giving a "conservatory" feel. Quiet, pleasant and civilised.
foxski - 4 Apr 2004 23:18
The beer was good and in the summer they used to do a great BBQ in the garden. However, the service is shocking and manager unfriendly. I don't go in any more.
Cox - 24 Mar 2004 16:52
Just moved into the area and have been trying out a few of the pubs. True, the beer here's good, but the barstaff are really unfriendly and the clientele are even worse. I've been back since with 2 of my friends and we got told to be quiet because people were playing chess - what's that all about???
Maldoror - 13 Feb 2004 16:03
Best in the summer as they have a good beer garden, with bbq's most evenings. Food has always been good, but service is always slow with incompetent staff
Lolly - 10 Feb 2004 15:14
Food here has gone seriously downhill over the last few months. Yes, the food is cheap but it's also becoming nigh-on inedible. Although the bitter is usually very good, the price of Stella is astronomical!
Helena - 11 Dec 2003 15:52
One of my favourite pubs in Greenwich, helped by being a bit off the tourist trail. Always been good beer and good service when I've been there. Not been through to the garden yet - must go back in summer!
Graham - 7 Nov 2003 09:47
top pint of waggledance, friendly and hospitable owners. huge beer garden and an interesting item of stonework on the roof above the beer garden door...take a look and just ask yourself "why?".
marc - 3 Sep 2003 13:39
I've only been here once, on a beautiful spring afternoon. The Young's was delicious, and the garden was perfect for kicking back, talking, and I had no problem with the staff, as they totally ignored the garden, so I could get my excercise stumbling back & forth to the bar. Not being from the area, the whole street was a nice surprise.
martineaux - 21 Aug 2003 09:54
Nice old pub with huge patio garden, lots of tables and chairs, plus lovely cosy bar with curved window to side. Friendly bar staff, good Youngs beer and happy variety of locals. Food good but don't have the Greek salad: it's 90% iceberg lettuce (NOT a Greek tradition!), 9% tomato and 1% feta cheese! Still, definitely one of my favourites in the area.
Sarah M - 20 Aug 2003 15:18
Maybye I'm to "trendie" lol but I found warm beer & bad service.

Nice front & garden though.
Matthew - 22 Jun 2003 21:03
Ace little Youngs pub in which to hide from the Greenwich Union trendies. Don't swear too loudly in front of the landlord though - he's quick to have a word...
Darryl - 27 Apr 2003 22:52

got anything to say about this pub?

Please read our reviews policy before posting.
Only registered users can post reviews. Please log in. If you don't have an account yet, register here.