please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Few beers in here before seeing the mighty palace at the bridge.Good beer and pub.
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One of Wimbledon`s nicer pubs - unpretentious, nice ambience, drink and food well served, prices reasonable and pleasant staff. Clean toilets and a small smoking area at the rear. Well situated for Wimbledon station, shops etc - would certainly recommend it.
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One of the better pubs in Wimbledon, the atmosphere is usually good in here and it feels like you are in a pub rather than some faked attempts that seem to clutter high streets these days.
The prices here are fair and I've found the service pretty good. It doesn't tend to get too busy so you're never waiting too long.
Overall a pub worth a visit
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I have to agree with the comments made by Mcloj. This pub has a brilliant location, pleasant ambience, the staff are friendly and the prices are very competitive but the ale is woefully bad. My friend and I opted for the Hooky today and had to leave half of it because it tasted vile. If you're a real ale drinker then you're in much safer hands at the Alex next door although you do pay quite a premium for guest ales.
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Great location for a boozer - splendid selection of about 4 different ales but the quality isn't the same as next door at The Alex. The boozer is nice and laid out well and has decent punters that support the place - I've even had the food in the place and thats not bad at all - it's just the standard and quality of the beer isn't as good as the next door neighbour and even though my work mates prefer this place - it just grates me that a stones throw away I can sink cracking larrup with a beavy of well presented bar girlies. On saying that, I'd rather drink here than most other places on the Wim. Broadway where an attack from the Death Star can't come quick enough. I'd rather eat hay with a horse than supp the crap that they put out or mix with the pounces that frequent down there.
Mcloj - 12 Jul 2011 12:23 |
In Wimbledon for a spot of shopping with the mrs & popped in here for lunch. Staff very friendly & efficient, food simple but well presented, good Guinness & very reasonably priced. Had a baby with us & no problem giving us hot water to heat a bottle, unlike some places that look at you like your an alien when you ask them. Would go back if in Wimbledon again.
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This place just installed a new landlord and had a recent makeover. The good things about this pub were fast and friendly service and a good view of the football, so what have they changed ?
New slow moving staff and all but 1 screen have been removed.
So far disappointing, early days so hopefully they'll learn to serve a bit quicker and put some screens back otherwise I can't see any reason at all for going back. Taking out the screens just before the World Cup seems almost suicidal for this pub.
Beer was still ok, although I was gasping by that stage :-) hopefully that will continue.
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Decent pub, quite homely, lengthly bar, prompt service.
Only had a pop in visit, and some other pubs in the area are more worthwhile seeking out, but isn't doing a bad job
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Popped in on the offchance while waiting for friends to arrive. The exterior didn't augur well to me; it had that rather wine-bar-ish decor and numerous drinks promotions were advertised, which all suggested an over-priced "yoof" sports bar with little to offer a serious beer drinker who is after a genuine atmosphere.
Happily I was proved somewhat off the mark when I got inside. Yes, there was an emphasis on sport, with a large number of punters clearly in to watch the Man City v Chelsea match on the various TVs, which did tend to dominate. Not a feature I look for, but otherwise I at least found the place not to be pretentious, devoid of atmos, or even unduly overpriced, as the previous commentary suggests. The cask beer was essentially Greene King, which although not to my taste I'm sure was kept well enough. They did offer a guest (a genuine guest - not just one of GK's bastardised brews inherited from taking over another family brewer), in the highly quaffable form of Hyde's Jekyll's Gold. More of a Summer choice perhaps but given the intense heat from both the central heating and the sheer number of bodies crammed into a small space, it was entirely appropriate.
Service was lacklustre - although my presence was acknolwedged it still took an age to be served, and it was in that slighly careworn, impersonal manner that one sadly comes to expect from many in our so-called hospitality industry. But, in their defence it was a very busy time and the main thing was that the beer I was given was in good nick.
Overall, my recommendation would be not to avoid this pub, but by the same token don't actively seek it out. If you're passing, have a quick pint or two then spread your wings.
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I popped into this pub yesterday during a thunderstorm and discovered it to be full of television sets and incredibly noisy customers. However, I was served promptly and discovered that the pint of Carling was more expensive than in central London. It kept raining so I decided to have a bottle of Leffe but they didn't have it so I chose a double brandy with coca cola which cost �6.30.
So, if you like noisy highly overpriced and tele -prone pubs this is the place for you. Needless to say, I shall not be returning on all 3 counts.
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Nice friendly place to meet up especially during the week when its not so busy. Efficient bar staff mean wait isn't too bad even on weekend.
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Good old sports boozer, lots of testosterone around this place and thats not just the men! Yup, great place to watch the rugby and sometimes some footie if there's really nothing else on! Be warned to watch out for someone called 'Andy', particularly on Friday and Saturday nights!
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Busy pub with a good atmosphere. Normally easy to get served even on a busy night. Excellant palce to watch sport due to 6 screens. Could do with a couple behind the bar but that's just me being greedy!
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Busy pub with a good atmosphere. Normally easy to get served even on a busy night. Excellant palce to watch sport due to 6 screens. Could do with a couple behind the bar but that's just me being greedy!
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Popped in recently and like some others was disappointed to see that the once decent range had diminished to just two, something by GK, IPA I think and Titanic Lifeboat which to be fair was ok. Busy and (very) noisy but not the pub it once was I'm afraid to say.
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You must have got a bad day, I probably use this pub at least twice a week, and haven't had any issues.
The staff are efficient, not necessarily the most friendly, but so long as you get what you need, surely that's all that matters.
Can't comment on the beers as normally drink bottled beers, alcopops or wine, but haven't had a problem and neither has any of my mates that have joined me.
Think pubs that are part of big chains always had a tougher time as they have to conform to company policies and products.
A big plus for this pub is they now have a tapas menu and burger menu as well as the normal pub grub and they also sell pizzas after 9pm...it's great when you get the munchies.
anonymous - 26 Apr 2007 15:06 |
Totally agree with the previous comments. The bar itself gone from having some character (if not to my taste) to being boring to the point of being insipid.
And the staff do over the last couple of years seem to have plumbed the depths of disinterest. Not particularly slow or inefficient, but just not caring a damn. No smiles, no eye contact, no acknowledgement of your existence.
Odd given that the service in surrounding pubs is generally good (not Wetherspoons).
On my last visit, I noticed the beer we were being served from the barrel was a different beer (same brewery, weaker beer) from that advertised on the pump clips on the bar. Not a particular problem, we would still have been very happy drinking it - but the "so what?", "whats the problem" attitude of the barman and manager meant we went next door to the Alex.
Someone needs to apply a boot up the backside.
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The choice of ales seems to be decreasing and becoming more mainstream (GK dominant), & the list of forthcoming beers is no longer posted next to the stillage behind the bar. Some of the staff display a discourteous attitude and the whole feel seems to be less customer friendly. Sad to reassess my original rating but seriously needs to sharpen up its act & outlook.
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Myself & a mate visited this pub recently on a Saturday & found it to have the best pint of both Guinness & normal strength lager (eg. Fosters/Carling) of the 3 pubs we went to that day (the others were the Alex & The Walkabout - urgh!). When we did receive a flat pint of lager, I asked the barman to change it, he asked the manager for me & the manager did so politely*. Plenty of screens, although for the sports fan, one big screen would be nice, but for others, the many smaller screens might be less intrusive.
*well, in fact, as an experiment, he poured a new pint AND poured the old one into a new glass to show that sometimes it's the glass, and in particular the widgety thing in the base of the glass, that determines whether a pint keeps its head/fizz. I kept the old pint in a new glass as it looked a lot better than the freshly poured one?!?!
anonymous - 19 Feb 2007 16:54 |
great for watching sport,TV`s everywhere and usually good service
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Pretty boring, it sells alcohol and isn't in the village. Apart from that there is little to recommend it. Go to the Alex next door.
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Used to drink in this pub many years ago and have visited several times often and have to say the service offered in recent times is nothing short of appalling. Interesting point other reviewers seem to have made about the bar staff/manager - clearly I'm not the first to receive a flat beer from someone as friendly as a bulldog chewing a wasp. If you're coming into Wimbledon skip this one - Alex (next door), All Bar One (20 seconds up the hill), Prince of Wales (opposite the station).
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how can they show football matches at 3pm on a Saturday? Surely they're not using a dodgy Scandanavian/Eqyptian satellite dish are they???
The fact they advertise the games outside is even better! I maybe wrong and they have had special permission from the FA or something.....
anonymous - 8 Nov 2006 11:56 |
The only good thing I can say about this pub is that it it was warm. Too smokey, too many staff not doing anything but talking to their friends and the rudest manager in the world. The beer is average (sure the Guinness lines have not been cleaned for a couple of months) and it is not cheap. I never thought I would say this, but it was better as a Hogshead! Avoid at all costs and go to the Alex for a decent pint, less smokey and different rooms to hide away in
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Far from 'hardly any ales on', there were five, usual GK plus Ruddles Orchard, Timmy Taylors Landlord and a.n. other. GK own Ruddles and a few other brews so they ought to be able to come up with a decent range but in so many of their pubs it's the usual gruesome (sometimes) twosome. I thought this was good, at least as good as the Alex next door but one.
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This pub has just been refurbished (again!) so I should reserve judgement until I've seen it. Last time I went in there, it looked very shabby, uncollected glasses were strewn all over the place, hardly any ales on and the staff couldn't care less. I haven't been back since.
anonymous - 22 Aug 2006 00:32 |
how do they keep their ales at the recommended serving temperature (11c-13c) if they'r just sitting behind the bar? is there a cooler behind it...SOMEBODY HELP!
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Not as good as the Alexandra but at least it's a change from young's beers. Really nothing special about it. Would rather have a bottle of Champion next door.
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I rate this pub. The staff are really friendly, the food is good, the beers are good and with the current World Cup and rugby on, it's a great place to watch both. It has been a much nicer atmosphere than The Alexandra every time I've been in there
anonymous - 20 Jun 2006 15:33 |
If anyone else knows of a pub in the vicinity other than this one that serves real ale directly from the barrel then please tell me. Recently had Decuhars IPA there (straight from the barrel) and it was the nicest pint I've had in years.
Get's an 8 for that alone.
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Like most drinikng experiences in Wimbledon, very unremarkable. The Alexandra, while still not great is still a better bet.
anonymous - 1 Jun 2006 01:48 |
Aside from the Wetherspoons' (which has atrocious service) the selling point is the great selection of ales. Although mostly Greene King beers (as it is a Greene King pub) there is still enough "rare" beers to try that go beyong Pride and IPA.
anonymous - 10 May 2006 16:48 |
I popped in here recently, for the first time in a good year or so. The last time I was here the staff seemed run down, not interested in providing quality customer service and the manager was in a fowl mood with all who went near him. It has all changed for the better. Smiling faces behind the bar, staff having a joke with each other and the customers, (even the manager was looking happy!!!!!!!!), and generally a nice atmosphere, which lead to me and my friends staying and having more than we should have had to drink!
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I wouldn't eat here but if you can find a table then its a massive improvement on the sad old failed lunatic asylum next door.
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When I first moved to Wimbledon, I frequented this pub often - happy that the pub ventured away from the usual selection of lager on draught (i.e. they have Heineken on draught). Now I can't bear to step foot in there. It has got to be one of the dullest pubs in the world - it's like Groundhog Day. Nothing ever changes. It is very disconcerting that they play the radio on speakers, and MTV videos (of different songs) on all the TVs -- and that the landlord (obviously suffering from that common bug suffered by many landlords, namely Allergic to Work) will stand and chat while four people are waiting to be served as all the staff have disappeared...Food?? Rubbish microwave pub grub. Nothing special. In fact, I've had a better meal in Weatherspoons.
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I should add that it looks rather more welcoming now than it did in the rather bleak photo shown here from its earlier days as Hogshead.
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I don't know whether this pub has changed hands recently, but from my two lunchtime visits in March I found it to be very different to the pub portrayed in previous reviews.
It was a bitter drinker's heaven with a number of cask ales (7 last time), some displayed behind the bar and served straight from the barrel. All those tried were in top condition & served by friendly & helpful bar staff (including the highly efficient manager). I was even offered a taster before committing to a pint - I think this place is a gem, and evidently popular locally for food, which looked standard pub grub but I heard a new menu is imminent.
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This used to be a decent pub but now it's pretty dismal.
The bar staff are generally unpleasant and often too busy to be serving meaning long queues.
Food is terrible, avoid.
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That reference to "quiet drink" on 31 Aug 2004 is sadly out of date. Now, top volume music is blasted out by a speaker over every single table. No chance of any conversation at all. No idea why they do it: everyone seems to have come to chat not to dance! Manager turned it down ever so slightly when asked, but we couldn't really chat until the music stopped abruptly at 11:00. Then they tried to rush us out of the pub. Most of the beers were off too ...
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Manager does'nt like working, buggered off with 3/4 of the staff to play squash leaving one girl behind the bar to serve a full pub.
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I posted the last comment dated 18th February and according to a message passed on to me, I have now been barred from the Hand and Raquet for making a legitimate complaint.
A few points:
1. Has it not occurred to the manager that I wouldn't actually want to go in again?
2. As he had to pass the message on to me, surely this also indicates that I won't be going there again?
3. There are plenty of other pubs in Wimbledon, so I don't think I'll be too upset about not being able to experience the first class customer service in the Hand and Raquet.
4. I'd rather go to the Slug and Lettuce anyway, the tall blond barman is gorgeous. Definitely worth checking out.
anonymous - 15 Mar 2005 14:31 |
I have been visiting this pub for a couple of years and thankfully I no longer work in the vicinity. I had the bad luck to pay a visit and was extremely disappointed. My friend ordered food and a mistake was made with his order. We told the manager and his response was to shrug his shoulders, look completely disinterested and tell us he was having a bad day. No apology, no interest, only a couldn't care less attitude. When the food was served, no cutlery or condiments were provided, my friend had to get them himself. What sort of service is this? Whilst the service was an issue, the most disappointing aspect was the manager's response. Definitely one to avoid.
anonymous - 18 Feb 2005 15:09 |
'Decent, fairly standard chain pub' Sorry, am reeling from the shock of of reading this piece of oxymoronity from the poster below.. Once upon a time the Hogshead was very nearly quite good- decent ales kept properly, non chav clientele. Now however it seems to be trying to do a Wetherspoons, which in itself is a good reason to stay on the other side of the road when passing. The food is rubbish too.
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Decent, fairly standard chain pub. Food is all right, good place for a quiet drink with a couple of friends.
anonymous - 31 Aug 2004 14:58 |
Briony you are spot on. There is nothing worse that hearing singers who cant sing or musicians who cant play. You can pay �10 go to Ronnie Scotts sit in a beautiful venue and here the worlds greatest Jazz musicians. Or maybe you could go to the Forum or any other rock venue to hear proper artists. I go to the Hogshead to have a pint and a chat with my mates. I'm sorry but this crap type of music is an Ozzie/Kiwi/Saffa thing. They are the only people who like it, and usually the people who do it. SAVE OUR PUB before it becomse like that crap hole Smart Alex.
Anon - 18 May 2004 11:12 |
I was surprised when they brought on a couple of singers on Saturday night who a) couldn't sing and b) ruined the chance of paying customers having any lengthy conversations. If this pub wants to change into a bit of a Smart Alex, which it certainly looks like is happening, I will get very cross and won't spend my time or money in there. Humph.
Briony - 13 May 2004 16:06 |
Great comment Nigel, I don't suppose this has anything to do with the fact that you stopped working at this pub as a chef just before you wrote this review?? The pub is fine, Jane was great too but now she has gone. Annie is the wonderful new assistant manager and is charming. Roy the manager is doing fine and I still enjoy the place.
Regular - 22 Apr 2004 16:15 |
Been going to the Hogshead for 8 years or so (Hand and Rackett in those days), I think this is the fourth manager they have had and he is fine. There has been a core of regular staff that have recently changed, but all of them are generally polite and attentive. This pub's personality is constrained by the corporate owners, but still it manages to keep its own identity. Ale is kept very well here, with a good range. Food is typical chain pub food. Never leave anything unattended it WILL get nicked.
Good pub, with handsome men in suits.
Karen - 22 Apr 2004 16:05 |
Used to be quite a nice pub with friendly bar staff. But since new manager has been in post his rude attitude seems to have rubbed off on his staff. One to avoid.
Jeff Graves - 2 Apr 2004 11:53 |
This has got to be the worst pub in Wimbledon. I went there on Sunday and waited over an hour for my food, When it arrivewd the food was awful ( although reasonably priced ) the landlord or manager was scruffy and dirty and only seemed interested in smoking all the time. However the dark haired barmaid more than made up for what was a reslly bad afternoon for us. she was so sweet even though all the customers were shouting at her about the food.
nigel - 16 Mar 2004 16:32 |
I went in here on Wednesday. Hadn�t been here for ages and it surprised me. The pub, which was undeniably going down hill, seems to have improved. You could see the manager have changed. The place is now much cleaner and inviting. I was impressed by bar staff - a lot of new faces; very friendly, specially 2 blond girls (pig tales and short hair) � amazing.
I would say its great pub with good beer, good choice of ale and bitter and great atmosphere.
Patrick - 9 Mar 2004 23:01 |
The new manager isn't very pleasent, bar staff are very dull, rude.
8 Months ago pub had very friendly bar staff, now just awful
Kevin - 4 Mar 2004 20:38 |
good place for fine pint of ale before cruising to village for �3 pint stella (unless you go brewery tap for more ale, but its too hoy there). Considered it as got priced pint b4 villagfe extaution until parted with �2.65 for Rosey Nosey!! best hogshead been to though
Chocker - 17 Jan 2004 17:18 |
My wife and I went there last Sunday. Its a welcoming pub with a traditional atmosphere. Good selection of food at reasonable prices (considering its centre of Wimbledon) but the quality could be better. Good choice of ale and bitter.
Sykes - 25 Nov 2003 15:27 |
They do a lovely chicken 'n chips, oh and a good glass of Rioja :)
Briony - 19 Nov 2003 16:43 |
I went in here last Saturday before going to the dog track. Had'nt been here for well over a year.
Over the years I'd visited a number of times and the beer had steadily declined in quality. Sloth was certainly right about it being poorly kept.
However the pub, which was undeniably going down hill, seems to have improved. The beer was better and the the place much cleaner and inviting. Good as a meeting point before moving on. It's certainly more asshole free than a lot of pubs in Wimbledon.
Bob V - 12 Nov 2003 21:00 |
This Pub is ok, nothing special. Nice food once. On the main rd as well.
JP - 25 Sep 2003 16:48 |
so-so Hogshead pub.
Darryl - 15 Aug 2003 17:50 |
Second in terms of what? Drab, dull chain-pubbness? Full of loser cogs and their female equivalents.
pete - 29 Jul 2003 00:59 |
Standard Hogs head pub, lots of ales, all poorly kept. Why bother?
Sloth - 20 Jun 2003 13:30 |
Normal people going for a normal drink - expect no fights or yuppies. Bar Staff bit up themselves sometimes. Bit dear - nicely located for crawlers going between the village and town.
Gaz - 18 Jun 2003 20:45 |
Probably second to O'Neills in Wimbledon. The Guinness can be a bit funny sometimes though.
Andy - 4 May 2003 01:38 |
