please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
The Hope is another Richmond pub that I was visiting for the first time yesterday. I was already a little bit drunk by the time I arrived yesterday. But my lasting impression of this place was a light and airy space around a central bar. There were 3 ales - Gales Seafarers, Youngs Bitter & By The Horns Stiff Upper Lip. This pub is also rather unusual in Richmond in serving a real cider. This was Orchard Pig Explorer. Better than the many Fullers & Youngs pubs in Richmond, despite serving 2 of their ales!
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This pub has now shut down
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Welcome back The Hope. Never thought that we could ever get rid of Molly's. Now a decent pub and well worth a visit if you want to try somewhere a little different from the usual type of high street pub.
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Must be a money laundering scam - no one ever in it.....stick to the Shaftesbury next door....
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I like this bar because it is different to the norm and also (possibly unfortunately for the people running it) it tends to be fairly quiet. As ever for me in Richmond this is mainly based on daytime rather than evening visits though so it may be totally different later on. High(ish) proces but I guess that is normal for the location.
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I didn't think it was as bad as some people have made out but it is very much in the modern idiom and those who like food menus and unusual foreign drinks will be at home. Well, we all have to eat, so we may as well eat well; and there is still Sharps Doom Bar for those who prefer the traditional ales.
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It makes me laugh when people attach some sort of romantic ideal to a pub like Molly Malones. It was not a pub with Character, it was a mess. The days when it was a decent pub were ages ago, In the end it was dirty and had the ultimate sin of served a poor pint. Nothing great about that.
The Hope on the other hand is not another identikit bar, you only have to look around to see that. There is some real effort gone in to make in a nice place to spend some time. Its not part of a massive chain and you won't find the same bar with the same look in every town in the country. It serves a decent pint and that you can grab something to eat if you like. To me thats what I want in a pub/bar.
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Another identikit refit.. another Richmond pub loses any character whatsoever..
TheGP - 25 Aug 2008 20:10 |
I have to say i don't miss Molly's - the place was beyond shabby and did it's best to turn away customers towards the end of it's existance... The Hope, well looks OK decent refurb, bit soul-less but hey the place is a barn. The prices however will keep the punters away - G&T and a Pint of Doombar (which I like a lot) was north of �10!
With prices like this I think I have found the cause of our recent inflationary pressures!
BenEd - 21 Jul 2008 14:29 |
The Hope is now an standard modern pub and has nothing particular to distinguish it from all the other refit pubs. The music was too loud for easy conversation and the choice of beers was very limited. The Doom was OK but, again, this is a common enough beer. There is no reason to choose this pub over the other clones and I will not be back in a hurry. Molly Malones is greatly missed.
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I often wonder why people write reviews on these sites. However after visiting The Hope (the new name) I decided it deserved one.
I keep driving past noticing that the shabby looking Molly Malones has had a re-fit. Little did I know, this once dingy hole has been turned into one of the best places around town.
I�m usually a sucker for so-bar closer to the town, I like cocktails, I like an atmosphere that has an air of class and I like a good mixture of people.
We walked into The Hope this Friday for a quick drink, but ended up staying until closing. Those people calling it a gastro pub obviously have no idea what a gastro pub is. This place isn�t trying to be anything in particular, just somewhere people can go and have something that�s slightly different. If you just want a normal pint in a dirty old chair, maybe next door is more suited to you.
What I love about this place is the attention to detail. Little things like the spirits used. You won�t find cheap Smirnoff Vodka, which has some how become the UK�s choice. No no you get quality Russian Vodka etc. Something most landlords are too tight to use. Again the little decorations that add a personal touch, and art from local artists. They even have that great dyson hand dryer! It�s worth a visit to the loo just for that.
One thing that at first cheesed me off was being offered a mojito that wasn�t standard. I like mojito the old way, however, when I tasted this French mojito with a little Chambord added i was simply in heaven. The cocktails knock spots off so-bar and are more competitively priced. Not only that but the staff extremely helpful and personal. Its nice to get service that isn�t fake.
We decided to go back today to test the food menu. Again what first made an impression was attention to detail. I have worked in many industrial kitchens, and have always been fussy with what I eat. I can tell you that not many restaurants care about where the food is from, and only care about cost. All food is locally sourced. Not only that but the menu is up to date with modern trends. There is variety too. Good old pub food, but some healthy options with a difference. A nice afternoon tea menu which I need to go go back for.
I went for the smoked trout salad and a side of fries. All fresh and tasty, presented excellently and served quickly. After some of the best brownie I have ever had (better than mine which is saying something) and a good cappuccino.
I really don�t understand some of the negative comments on here. I think that maybe the old Malones crowd are upset that the dingy pub is no longer there. However if you want some where with class, that doesn�t cost an arm and a leg, that serves good food then this place is for you. The soon to be ready garden I was told about also sounds great.
Going again tomorrow for the pub quiz, Maybe ill let you know how it goes.........................
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My problem Vin is that this is another example of a place where the heart and soul has been ripped out of a fun lively pub and replaced with a bland identikit bar who seem to think that by charging a fortune for a drink you istantly add an element of class. This isn't the worst example of this in Richmond (see The Duke from The Racing Page for that) but it is a worrying trend. It makes me worried about what may happen to glorious drinking holes like The Angel and Crown, The Sun and The Cricketers.
When I lived in Richmond I used to say one of the best things about it was the selection and range of pubs on offer. We are moving more and more towards one kind could be anywhere pubs like The Hope.
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Yes, it's another soulless wannabee gastro pub for those bright undiscerning young things with more money than sense.
Yes, it serves Sharps Doom Bar - but at a price that might be described as "ambitious"
I have nothing against the place - I never used to go into it in its previous incarnation as Molly Malones - but I suspect it's located the wrong side of the Pepsi roundabout to be a commercial success.
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Popped in here Sunday lunchtime. They have Sharps Doom Bar on. That'll do for me.
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The Hope is a fab little gem - almost the only decent pub in Richmond now. It has class, sophistication, an air of loveliness. It's a breath of fresh air, and the staff are fun and the new owners are simply bonkers.
If you'd like a genteel evening in the sunshine, just sit out in the garden with the perfect G&T and enjoy!
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What is wrong with you people, mally malones has been given a new lease of life which is much needed in this area. It no longer smells like something has died in it and is not nicotine stained with bare wires and light fittings threatening to drop on your head or graffeti The staff are friendly and yes they do sell crisps and the nuts are free and not past their sell by date. The garden is also free from dog poo.
Its great that the pub has gone back to its original name and much of its original frontage has been put right and it no longer is an eyesore on kew road, oh and the food is excellent and not extortionately priced as other places in Richmond.
This bar has heart and soul now where it was dull, and tired.
Good luck to the guys who have taken it over as they really care for their customers, unlike the last owner.
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Yes it is now The Hope. Yet another souless gastro pub great just what Richmond really needs as it does indeed lack these.
How long will it be before every pub wont sell you crisps or peanuts but will sell you a small round bowl of olives or cashews for half the value of your house?
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Word has it that Molly's is to be renamed (or, rather, return to being named) The Hope. Is this true?
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We (12 of us) attemped to watch the Heineken Cup - Wasps Munster game at Molly's. Walked in and the barman was not interested in switching over from ge Galic football - went back to the Shaftesbury.
I have noticed that Mollys is struggling to draw a crowd.
BenEd - 30 Jan 2008 14:16 |
Molly Malones has been given a reprive. The guy who was buying it pulled out of the deal at the last minute so it is still very much open for business. A normal service will run throughout the festive period with live music on Saturday 15th and Friday te 21st confirmed
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I hear Saturday night was its last night - being turned into a wine bar apparently !!! Another one bites the dust.......
anonymous - 3 Dec 2007 06:58 |
Word is that this place is being taken over... anyone know any more than this?
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Great pub to watch rugby, lots of rugger buggers. Fantastic atmosphere.
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This pub was The Hope,Doublegee.It changed to Molly Malones in the early 90's.A barman at the time told me that The Hope just wasn't an appropriate name for the future plans the pub owners had in mind and it was changed.Simple as that.
anonymous - 13 Dec 2006 20:06 |
Back in the 1970s I think this pub was known as "The Hope" - anyone know how long it has been "Molly Malone" ??
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Basically as people have said a rugby pub. And guinness is the most popular of the beers. Shouting lads is basically the main atmosphere
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Nice crowd if obviously into rugby, otherwise you won't enjoy it
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Seamus is sadly missed - the best licensee in Europe so some say..Last spotted in Perth,Oz.
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Thank God they've got a new manager. The old guy really ran it into the ground.
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Guiness and rugby. Nothing else to say about it really.
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Much improved since its under new management: back to the Mollys of old. Nice crowd, decent Guinness, and the new gaffer Anton is a really nice bloke, even if he did play for London Welsh !!
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Loved this place. Could do with a lick of paint but then again, the whole irish madness of the joint is fanfastic. great to watch the rugby at too. ola. all up not too bad.
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It accessable to all ages, its friendly, and most importantly...its authentic. Even the crisps they sell are Irish!
Check out the little room at the back for cheeky drinking games and private chats.
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Great place to watch the rugby, always pretty busy with good service, and used to serve Magners cider before everyone else did. Cheesy bands also play here which are usually entertaining on a Friday night. Good curry house a couple of doors away as well!
cathk - 19 Apr 2005 09:34 |
I had a great pint of Guinness here on St Patrick's Day just gone - a good atmosphere, possibly not like this everyday, but still was good fun.
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I am not a big fan of Guinness but even I could taste how good a pint it was in here - Therefore if you are a fan of the black stuff I would definitely recommend.
TheGP - 18 Mar 2005 08:56 |
oh, and you you wouldn't find better guinness in town..top marks!
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Ireland v England.. need i say more...
keep it up joyce.
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Good boozer, Friendly, Guinness great and not too Richmondy at all - good clientele as well, up for a laugh - imagine rugby days here and rammed
Neil - 27 Jul 2004 14:38 |
Excellent Guinness, friendly, smiling staff. Great entertainment - only down point is that it could do with more seating!
Christy - 6 Mar 2004 20:45 |
Genuine Irish pub, great staff and a handsome pint of Guinness. Good for early pints on days off. Watch out for Seamus Joyce's incredible leery shirts.
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great guinness and always a nice crowd with friendly bar staff - fridays & Sundays are great with the live music and the open fires in winter make it a cosy place to enjoy a drink
Josie - 29 Oct 2003 16:27 |
One of the best pubs in Richmond, and certainly does the best pint of Guinness in SW London. Always a nice crowd, and friendly bar staff.
Noel - 6 Aug 2003 14:58 |
join mollymalones premiership dream team 5pounds per team .sun rules apply. big prizes. molly malones has 3 large t.v ,s sky sports and premiership plus .
seamusjoyce - 6 Aug 2003 10:00 |
An excellent friendly genuine Irish pub. It has connections with London Irish FRC so there is a rugby connection. On rugby days is not as crowded as some before the England games though can get very busy afterwards when the "Craic" gets going. Best Guinness in Richmond
Gary - 18 Nov 2002 13:45 |
