please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
What a lovely pub,it has everything good music,lovely beer,friendly staff,nice clientele and wow ancient drinking history looks like it began here,wont be going anywhere else for a while !
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Spoilt for choice in this part of Dorking where there are four pubs close together. But with other town pubs being Fullers, Youngs or Greene King this one - with a range of Shepherd Neame ales - seemed to have the edge. It's a wonderful old character building with wonky furniture and sloping floors, inside and out; well worth a visit.
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I wish what I had to say here was all positive, but alas, that would not be a true reflection of my last visit.
Let's begin with the good stuff - the ales (pretty-much all Sheps now of course) were in decent order and since the pub reopened I have never had any cause for complaint on that score. I should say that the decor is reasonably sensitive to the traditional exterior and is in far-better shape than it was for many years. From what I gather, it attracts a broad base of clientele and the live music nights do well. Also, contrary to the last review, I found the staff helpful and pleasant and no obvious sign of mismanagement. So far so good...
...However, I had the gross misfortune to be hungry last Saturday at the Kings. Me and a mate were starving and so plumped for good old pub grub options - steak pie and fish 'n' chips. No need for gourmet cheffery here, but nowadays one at least expects an edible, freshly-assembled and tasty meal, especially for the prices. What we got was borderline inedible - my F 'n' C was rock-hard with barely any fish inside the concrete sarcophagus of batter. The 12 or so chips on the plate did nothing to compensate. My friend's pie looked none-too-savoury either (hard pastry, one big lump of glutenous meat within), but I think desperation led him to stick with it. My tolerance couldn't stretch that far and so I had to return it, mostly uneaten, leaving as peckish as I'd arrived. In fairness the barmaid was very decent about it and gave a full refund unquestioningly, as the problem was evident at first sight of my plate.
I really hope this isn't representative of the food here, but in any case I won't be dining here again to find out. In this day and age where food sales are king, that kind of microwaved mediocrity just won't do, and this really needs fixing folks if you're to offer a complete package to the modern pub audience...
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Such a shame! This pub has gone so downhill. The itself looks great, not tried the food personally but I have been told by others that its good. What lets this place down now is lack of proper management! The band which played tonight were as always fantastic! But with only 2 members of staff behind the bar, it took over 30 mins to get served, many people left and went to other pubs. It has such potential, but its let down by how it is being run! Since the refurb, I have been in only 4 times, each time been charged different amounts for the same drink! I should not complain about that as its getting cheaper lol The pub needs a jolly old shake up with staff! Needs more staff on a band night and also needs staff who serve customers in turn not their friends as soon as they turn up 25mins after your have been waiting. This has been an issue now on more than one occasion.
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Major refurbishment under way - although the pub seems open most of the time. It was long overdue - and it'll be interesting to see the end result for Dorking's oldest drinking establishment. Just a few doors up from the pub, one of the Mayflower passengers lived, about 400 years ago.
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For the last few years this has been the best drinkers pub in Dorking, shame Shepherd Neame got their hands on it as it`s lost it`s charm and beer range,best go else where now.
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It's been closed for a few months.
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Just gets better and better, the guest beers are getting more interesting and the food remains simple but very good value. Staff very friendly.
Also very handy for Cobbetts beer shop, a really good off licence with many bottled beers and take homes out of the barrell.
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Potentially the best Pub for miles around, alas, it deserves better toilets, a better cleaner, a better cook, and softer lighting......but the staff behind the bar are great!
Let the Landlord have a free hand to pilot the improvements, he has the ability. Invest a little cash and reap the rewards!
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Nice old town pub, with a friendly atmosphere and good service. The Shepherd Neame Bishops Finger went down very well, and my friends didn't seem to have too much trouble sinking various other beers either. Worth trying if you are in or around Dorking.
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An old pub in West Street. Oak beams and low ceilings abound. The lounge wraps around the bar with a smaller room behind the bar. There is also a patio out the back. It is a Shephard and Neame's pub but does have guest ales. The decor is traditional and the seating is reasonably comfortable. It has plenty of character and is a nice pub for a quiet drink.
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This could be a cracking pub.
Lovely old building inside. Muti rooms run all the way around the bar. Lots of beamed low ceilings.
Small beer garden at rear with a larger covered courtyard area on the other side.
I'd make the following changes:
Get rid of the friut machines and the tartan carpet.
Get rid of all the Jaigermeister stuff behind the bar. There's a Jaigermeister fridge and virtually every other surface has a Jaigermeister sticker plastered onto it ... looks very tacky.
on the plus side, the bar maid was very friendly and there no was no Wrongbow in sight. Stowford Press on draught.
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Master Brew, Kent's Best and Bishops Finger with Weltons Old Harry as a guest. Old fashioned low beams lots of nooks and crannies. Small courtyard out the back. Nice pub.
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Finding a decent pub in Surrey that is none too expensive and with good unpretencious food is like trying to locate the whereabouts of Shergar! And a number of Dorking pubs tend to be a disappointment. However this bucks the trend. It has Sheps beers on offer with at least one guest and a decent choice of simple food at excellent (low) prices. Give that and quite friendly too and a good place to go after the washout that was Good Friday. Unbelievably handy too for the bus stop as it's right outside, as long as you require the 465. Top stuff!
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haha dear boy,i was in this pub the same day as your self and i think u must of been slightly impaired, that or hit ur head on one of the lovely old beams,i say this because a)the car was infact a plane b)the barman in question was not actually working on that day and those mates you saw of the the barman were in fact the other bar staff, as for the music i agree it was a tad anoying but it was pavarotti and not something to be found in a dj'ing nightclub, perhaps if you have nothing else to do on valentines day except leave frivilous complaints you should search out a new hobby, I personally like nothing better then to see people enjoying their work and I myself found no issue with the service. Being a regular in this pub does perhaps offer better service but there is very rarely any real cause for complaint, especially over something so trivial, you must understand theat the bar staff are of younger generation and as such maybe do not have the sort of cardboard personalities you might find droned into barstaff in a weatherspoons for example. But I certainly see no reason for complaining about somebody who was not actually working, I do agree with you about the music, which I also found slightly grating, but on the whole the music is played at an acceptable ambient background level, still one of the best pubs in town, if not the best, I have drunk here for many years and will continue to do so, remote control 'cars' or not
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Horrible place, beer selection isnt too bad but it has a dull and dire feel to the place.
When i visited on a Saturday morning i found the barman racing a remoted controlled car around the pub with his mates and also turning the music up and down like he was dj'ing in a night club.
Would not visit again as there's better pubs nearby than this
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Really like this pub, always forms part of our weekly (mini) pub crawls through Dorking along with the Cricketers and the Star. Often has bands on which are always entertaining if a little variable in quality.
Good mix of clientele, yound and old and a nice atmosphere coupled with goodish beer and a suprising amount of seating make this a great place for a few drinks.
Staff can be a little slow sometimes (I just get the impression that they are not that experienced) but have always found them friendly.
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A visit last Friday found a quiet pub, with a few groups of after work drinkers. Sad to say that the beer was of average quality, with only Shepherd Neame's own beers completing with some from Cottage brewery (perhaps a contender for the worst breweryin the UK). A shame really, as this has the makings of being the best pub for miles around.
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finally got round to returning to one of my fav pubs in surrey and boy was i impressed,fantastic selection of ales and my wife was deeply intriged by the wide range of wines on offer,dropping in on wednesday evening for some food i met by the soft meodies of the band who helped create a relaxing atmosphere,food was great and staff were more then helpful.athought bar serves was a touch slow due to being very busyHow'ever they were very aplogetic.
long live the kings
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How the mighty have fallen.... this used to be such a great little pub - the staff were good and the beer choice excellent. NOT ANY MORE. Service is now tolerable rather than friendly whilst the beer is from the taste-free Shepherd Neame range. I tried a guest beer, but, although it looked like it was going to be a good one, it came out flat and utterly tasteless. Won't bother coming here again until there are signs of life.
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First visit. Great range of Shep Neame. Pleasant staff and atmosphere. Definitely worth a return visit.
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The worst bar staff around. No interest whatsoever!
Walked in the other day; the barman saw me as he watched the cricket. Even though it was not a critical time in the game, he continued to watch for over three minutes; then he looked at me as if I was an intrusion.
He then served me. The ONLY thing he said to me was the price of the drink; I will not intrude again.
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Totally agree with someone else....To some-up good pub, rubbish staff.
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Now bought by Shepherd Neame so say goodbye to the good beer. At least it is not Green King.
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I've been drinking and eating in the Kings Arms for about five years now. They usually server good food, and they usually have a great selection of real ales on tap.
That all said, the service in this pub is generally really dreadful. Some of the staff are pleasant enough, but unfortunately these aren't the staff that work there regularly. I've seen staff come and go from this pub, and the general lack of interest in service seems to be a baton passed from one bar person to the next, so maybe this is a case of sick building syndrome?
Whatever the cause, the result is a real shame. This could easily be the best pub in Dorking if only the staff could be bothered.
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Have been in twice in the past month and the service was much improved. The beer is reliably good here and is the most interesting range in town. The small Sussex brewery that RPadam refers to is Weltons in Horsham.
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Old-fashioned, un-modernised sort of pub - a surprising survival for a town-centre location. Six real ale handpumps (four on when I last visited, including the Whitstable IPA and two more beers to come from that brewery). Opted for a pint from a small Sussex brewery that I never heard of - a distinctive flavour, but a decent pint in a proper (if a bit 'rough and ready') pub.
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The King's Arms is a beautiful old boozer and is, arguably, the best bet in Dorking if you prefer a traditional interior and a range of well-kept cask ales (usually at least 4 are available and in a town dominated by tied houses this free house is more welcome than ever). It can get busy of an evening, but that is a testament to its abiding popularity, seemingly with both ends of the age spectrum enjoying what it offers. Things get a little louder in the games room at the back but this is sufficiently separate from the rest of the pub for it not to intrude too noticeably.
My one criticism here is that the place does come across as a little, well, shabby. I believe a good lick of paint and general sprucing up of the fixtures and fittings would do no harm to the traditional feel of the place; quite the reverse. It's great that care is being taken with the beers, but a similar does of TLC for the fabric of the pub wouldn't go amiss either!
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Bring back RHEDD - that band that played on a Sunday! They played a couple of Sundays a couple of years ago and we've never seen them there since. Wicked singer and guitarist and great covers from modern to old rock classics. great fun. Packed with a great atmosphere on a live music night - you can't beat it. Best pub in Dorking!
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Met up with some friends for a few drinks and a chat at the Kings last night. About half an hour into the evening the music was turned up really loud. We asked it to be turned down which it was. Then five minutes later the blond barmaid turned it up again. It was again turned down agian. This scenario was repeated until we were forced to move on to the Star.
Another worry is the Gents toilets. They have the reputation of being the most disgusting in town. Last night each time the door was opened a vile mixture of urine and God knows what could be smelt from the bar! Unfortunately after a few pints I had to actually go in. I almost threw up with the stench. I am sure these were recently decorated. What a shame they can't be kept clean. Time to phone Environmental Health I think.
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I said APPEAR to be around.... If it's not blatantly obvious who you are then no-one will go hunting for you!!
And as i've said plenty of times I LIKE THIS PUB!!!
I simply commented that the staff seemed uninterested, that's all!!
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And again...
From: karaoke
Sent: 2008-04-09 22:35:58
i dont know who you are but you must drink in my pub and you like my beer therefore let me know what you think i should do with my staff
Right so that's one point cleared up, you are in fact running this pub.
Let's have this discussion in the open shall we, there's no point continuing to send messages to my inbox, it makes you look as though you have something to hide! Any visitor to this site who sees you are open to constructive criticism and prepared to listen to the public will give you full support as will I.
I admire any guvnor who is prepared to meet his public and actually respond to them in person!
You have a cracking pub there, if you take some time to concentrate on the basics you will have an exceptional pub!
Simple things like getting the staff to greet people who approach the bar, eye contact is VERY important! A smile, a cheery 'Hello', people know then that there prescence is welcome. If it's busy and they're not going to get served straight away, having someone behind a bar who says ' Hi, will be with you in a mo!' tells you you're not going to be stood there like a plank for hours! No-one minds waiting if they can see staff working hard and know they have been acknowledged!
I am in no way slating your pub, I genuinely believe this is by far the best pub in Dorking, but by working on the little things you have an opportunity to be so much more! Take this advice as you will, but any guvnor who doesnt listen to his public will ultimately struggle.
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this is to simon if you have a problem with my pub come and tell me and you obviously dont come in my pub that often cause i am here 24/7 except thursdays
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From: karaoke
Sent: 2008-04-09 22:34:11
no they haven't touched anything but you seem to visit a lot of pubs my suggestion to you if you have a problem with any member of staff in any pub speak to the landlord and i can get sorted
I agree with you, the landlord/manager should be sorting this stuff out but if said manager/ landlord doesnt appear to be around at that time there is no point complaining to the staff concerned! Any manager/ landlord should be aware of the customer service or lack thereof his staff give to the public regardless of any criticism they may or may not receive!!
And whilst we're on the subject, how about having this conversation on the review page for all to see instead of sending flippant messges to my inbox!?
I take it from the lack of response you are indeed connected to this pub personally, would you care to share with us all in what capacity??
I actually like this pub a lot but this kind of attitude is exactly what has rubbed off on the staff there.
9 Apr 2008 22:44
The Kings Arms, Dorking
Thought my assessment was quite fair, clearly touched a nerve there judging by the messages I was sent! See below...
From: karaoke
Sent: 2008-04-09 22:18:10
you seem to visit a lot of pubs are you not liked in any of them
From: karaoke
Sent: 2008-04-09 22:20:17
if you have a problem with any staff why dont you speak with the landlord and actually tell him what your problem is cause then in might be sorted
I actually rated this pub a good 7 out of 10, tell me karaoke how are you associated with this pub, one can only presume you are the manager in question! Have you abused the other people on this site who have posted fair and accurate assessments??
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And yet another message!
From: karaoke
Sent: 2008-04-09 22:34:11
no they haven't touched anything but you seem to visit a lot of pubs my suggestion to you if you have a problem with any member of staff in any pub speak to the landlord and i can get sorted
I agree with you, the landlord/manager should be sorting this stuff out but if said manager/ landlord doesnt appear to be around at that time there is no point complaining to the staff concerned! Any manager/ landlord should be aware of the customer service or lack thereof his staff give to the public regardless of any criticism they may or may not receive!!
And whilst we're on the subject, how about having this conversation on the review page for all to see instead of sending flippant messges to my inbox!?
I take it from the lack of response you are indeed connected to this pub personally, would you care to share with us all in what capacity??
I actually like this pub a lot but this kind of attitude is exactly what has rubbed off on the staff there.
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Thought my assessment was quite fair, clearly touched a nerve there judging by the messages I was sent! See below...
From: karaoke
Sent: 2008-04-09 22:18:10
you seem to visit a lot of pubs are you not liked in any of them
From: karaoke
Sent: 2008-04-09 22:20:17
if you have a problem with any staff why dont you speak with the landlord and actually tell him what your problem is cause then in might be sorted
I actually rated this pub a good 7 out of 10, tell me karaoke how are you associated with this pub, one can only presume you are the manager in question! Have you abused the other people on this site who have posted fair and accurate assessments??
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Top pub!! Good beer, and good food, great live bands!
Staff need better training though, too slow and seem dis-interested.
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great pub,great real ales,great staff and great food has a quiz on monday nights and live bands on wed and sun nights
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The last 2 comments are unfounded this pub has decent real ales and food and has live music on wednesday's and sunday's .The under age drinkers have been removed and slowly but surely the regulars are coming back
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i agree with most of the comments bout this pub,been here a couple of times,staff are rude and unfriendly new manager is no better this pub is rapidly going down hill need decent manager and decent staff.
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This should be a really good pub but I have unfortunately been completely put off by the unfriendliness of the bar staff which has at times verged on being extremely rude. Big shame as it is my closest pub and does some pretty decent ales.
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New manager came in. Hope to visit again soon.
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This pub is full of atmosphere - large black beams, roaring fires - and the food is varied and good. However, I agree with earlier comments about the staff - we had a fearsome barmaid! We had ordered ham, egg and chips, but ham and chips arrived. When I pointed this out, she argued aggressively that we hadn't ordered the egg, then when I said I didn't want the egg now, she said: "So you never wanted egg!" She also offered no sauces and was stroppy when I asked for some. So my favourite pub is now no more, I won't be visiting it again.
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A lively pub with a good mix of drinkers; ales are well kept - last night had 4 on: Sharps IPA which was excellent, Archers Good Intentions, Greed King IPA & Pride, none of which I tried.
It can take a while to get served, but you can't have everything.
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A nice looking pub and a good selection of ales. That is if you can get hold of one. I came in off West Street and stood at the bar near the entrance... and stood and stood while the barmaid was chatting to friends in the lower bar. Eventually got a nice pint, but didn't fancy the long wait for the next one.
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Great pub for live music on a Sunday night.
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I agree with walklerino, this pub has really gone down hill. The bar staff don�t really seem to want to serve the customers and most of the customers seem to be talking about what they did in school that day!
I will try and avoid the Kings Arms in the future and make my way over to the Pilgrim. It is a shame, as this used to be a real gem of a pub. What is Dorking doing to itself?
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This old proper pub, has now deteriorated into a kiddies playground and in my opinion will have to be vary careful to hold onto its licence. It is such a shame that the staff now seem poorly trained and seem to be content on speaking to their mates rather than serving their customers.
I saw with my own eyes on a Friday night, 2 fifteen year olds and 3 sixteen year olds served without question. I know them from my sons school!
I know this happens, but 3 of them walked from the bar with 4 pints of Stella. When I confronted a very young 'barman' and asked him why he did not challenge any ages, I was totally dismissed.
As a local Councillor I will be making my feelings felt about this once lovely establishment and their next licence meeting.
Still do very nice real ale, but is heading downhill rapidly!
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Good choice of beers; good atmosphere; wide lunch selection and well cooked. One of the best pubs in Dorking.
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Best place in the area on a sunday night. Food okay but what is wrong with serving proper chips?
anonymous - 18 Oct 2007 14:16 |
one of the best pubs in Dorking - really good choice of beers
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Went here on Sunday eve just gone. Nice atmosphere and saw a fantastic band who were playing there that night. Good pub for beer and will definately be back to catch the band again.
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Called on a Friday night fairly early in order to eat. The bar area was crowded with bar stooled drinkers making it difficult to see what ales were available and then to get served. Other than that no complaints with a fine pint and a good meal.
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Visited yesterday for lunch with a colleague. Lovely food and very reasonably priced. This is a beautiful old building with huge potential, but the inside is a bit dirty. Would definitely recommend for lunch, but didn't get a chance to sample the beer as I was working :(
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Best pub in Dorking for proper beer and atmosphere.
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I go to this pub as often as I can, but recently it seems to have gone downhill. The other night they even had video football on, then piped loud music and the Barmaid smashed the empty botles into the bottle bin so loud that I was put off my beer. Beer still good though. Too smoky, but roll on July. I hope that the excellent Landlady re-groups soon!
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Nice pub but as others say too smoky..and I'm a smoker. And the beer was in poor shape, too warm and tired. I realy hope I caught it on an off day.
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Not much to look at but probably the best pub food in central Dorking.
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Popped in here after going to The Old House At Home great choice of ales relaxed atmosphere,possibley the best pud in the town
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Can be hit or miss. It was very smokey on my last visit and the beer wasn't at its best. The friendly barmaid had plenty of cleavage on show (two sorts!).
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The music is quite entertaining in this pub. Does seem like 1 of the more lively pubs in Dorking
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Cant be beaten apart from a little slow on out of lunch & eve hours service. A proper pub for drinks and chat. No pool table, limited TV. Fruits set at the back. Excellent food and a real old world feel. Make yourself at home and soak up the atmosphere and just chat to people. Brill live music Weds and Sun !!!! If you want noise, aggression and generally idiot type pubs sod off back to London.
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Is it under new management? Less bitters, annoying music playing and a TV has appeared.
Was the best real pub in Dorking. Now my jury is out...
Alan - 12 Nov 2004 15:25 |
I agree with AleMan, this is a very good pub, perhaps the best in Dorking. Always good guest beers at �2.25, I had the porter this week, very good. However and this is a big however, the staff these days are very slow and not professional (they are friendly though). One barman even picks up your full pint from the top with his fingers round the rim where you drink from. I say would Bet Lynch do that !!
Gareth - 6 Nov 2004 19:03 |
To Ms. Sloane Square -- surely this is a wind-up! This is a first class public house - excellent choice of beer from London Pride to Greene King IPA and a couple of guest ales. Food is very good and quite reasonable in terms of price. As for the pub - it oozes quality. Nice mix of live bands on Wednesday and Sunday evenings and it caters for everyone from 18 to 80!
AleMan - 22 Aug 2004 22:06 |
SUNDAY 29 August. PEACH are playing rock and pop covers from 8:30pm. DON'T MISS IT!
anonymous - 6 Aug 2004 12:28 |
BORING ! If this is a real public house then get be back to civilisation ie. LONDON!!!! Full of old men and women talking about politics, the countryside and crime is devastating the town. Poor selection of wine tho' loads of real nice selection of beer (NOT!)
Ms. Sloane Square - 28 Jun 2004 11:15 |
Fantastic food. Well recomended.
gge - 16 Apr 2004 17:18 |
Fantastic pub with great staff. Been my home from home for 10 years. Its pricey but warm and friendly. A proper pub, no jukebox or pool just good people and good conversation!
mark - 7 Apr 2004 16:07 |
This pub is first class. Excellent beer and very good food. May not appeal to the trendy, rich upstarts from Kensington, Wimbledon, Putney etc. -- this pub is a REAL public house! Has bands most Wednesday's and Sunday's evenings. Pub dates back to the 15th Century and has kept a lot of its original features ie. low ceilings, wooden floors etc. Deserves more than a measly 5.6/10 -- should be a 10/10!!
James Best - 31 Dec 2003 11:14 |
Nice looking pub with plenty of charachter - the problem is its so damn expensive! Great food though...
monty - 28 Nov 2003 16:27 |
Has live music on some Wednesdays too - check out FOXY on 3rd December 2003.
Nick - 17 Nov 2003 14:16 |
Nice place good atmos VERY expensive beer though
paul - 7 Aug 2003 18:40 |
Recently visited the UK from Australia and found this pub and the staff to be fantastic!!! This is our daughters local pub.
Tony - 3 Jun 2003 07:52 |
Another excellent pub to be found in Dorking. Good choice of beer - London Pride, IPA etc. Food is very good as well and there is live music every Sunday night!
Andy - 29 Apr 2003 12:14 |
... but there often is music - Friday and Sunday at least. I've also passed by of a weeknight and heard dulcet tones floating out onto the street. Perhaps you were early. Good pub. Also try the Cricketers.
Dave - 11 Feb 2003 11:35 |
My favourite pub in Dorking. Good young crowd.. warm and friendly. Why no music????
lewis - 3 Feb 2003 10:57 |
Excellent Food!
Katy - 22 Jan 2003 09:15 |
Dating from the 1540's this is Dorkings oldest surviving pub. Plenty of cosy snugs and a seperate dining area means this is one of the towns best public houses.
Harry - 13 Dec 2002 14:53 |
