please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Lovely old school back street pub with friendly locals and barstaff.Nothing more to be said!
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Backstreet community pub that has a cosy feel. I arrived as a big horse race was taking place. Most were watching it on their mobile phones. Food had been supplied. But, that may have been a part of some kind of function. Young's Bitter & St Austell Tribute were the two real ales. My Tribute was reasonably priced. There's a better selection of ales in other Teddington hostelries. But, this place clearly has a niche market.
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Yep - a good old fashioned local of the kind that's disappeared across so many old blue-collar areas. Slightly tatty, not making a fortune but very friendly, back-street boozer. 3 real ales - Youngs, Pride and Doombar - 20p less than the high road pubs and sometimes variable quality (throughput?) but anything below par always changed without query. Lovely log fire in winter (when they have the logs!) - not a food pub but will lay on a buffet on request. And the free roast spuds come round at half time when there's a match on. Try a visit.
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has the Builders changed hands ???
popped in recently, and it didnt quite seem
as good as my last visit, beer was fine,
but the general "feel" wasnt the same
the girl behend bar wasnt that interested
more into playing with her smart phone
and talking to several fellas round the small bar
not even a thank you after service, shame
Wag
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Traditional English local which, unfortunately, are becoming rarer in these times of gastro and theme pubs. Friendly and efficient staff and good selection of beers, lagers and wines. Considerate screening of sport by not dominating the whole pub and tv's being switched off when no sport is available. Clientele mainly locals who are generally friendly,decent,sensible people. Very well family managed.
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Good local pub, friendly and down to earth, a real street corner kind of place. Twickenham ale was on tap.
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The Builders is my local and it's a friendly pub. It has four screens showing sport. Gemma and her team of staff are pleasant and welcoming. The lager can be a bit flat at times, although the Guinness is good. I haven't had enough real ale here to comment,usually Youngs, London Pride and Twickers ale on tap. I've heard the sunday lunches are very good, although a tad pricey. Overall a decent local pub, and there's not many of them left.
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Haven't been to the builders for 3 to 4 years and was pleasantly surprised. Has regained it's homely friendly feel, was disgustingly dirty last time. Nice pint and a welcome back street 'local' when all around we are losing them. Will be back to see if this is the norm but congrats to bar team and management so far.
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Really like this Pub
wish it was my local !
nice atmosphere, pretty friendly, not too packed
on my visits,
one down point, on my last visit
had a point of Twick Grand stand, was well past its best,
but the bar staff changed it without any fuss for a LP
which was fine
W
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Nice un-poncey backstreet boozer for a quiet drink after work or sunday pint. Can get busy when the footy is on but well kept beer and happy to help staff despite the slight 'local pub' feeling of the place. Only real criticism is the TV's, they are everywhere and slightly spoil the character.
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Much improved since Nick moved on, a nice enough bloke but he did rather let the place go the dogs. The new management may have a thing or two to learn about keeping everyone happy (an impossible task!) but it's all moving in the right direction. at least. The place still suffers from 'clique' syndrome, everyone turns to see who's walked in, but that's probably true of many small backstreet pubs. Although the place used to have a number of unsavoury characters who've now thank fully moved on, it still gets the occasional vist from scam artists and conmen, so watch out for your antique furniture if it needs restoring, you might have to pay dearly to get it back!
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I like the Builders and I like what Gemma has done to the place. I love the building itself and I like (most of) the bar staff.
But the TV...the TV has either got to go or be used in a way that's considerate to all the pub's users. Sometimes people go to the pub to get away from the TV, not be dominated by it. When it's on it's at full volume. And it's always on.
Secondly, the beer. That needs sorting. Often it's too cold, cloudy and off. Nick, for all the criticism levelled at him, kept a much better pint.
The pub is undoubtedly better, but it could be better still.
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Visited last Sat, perhaps we should have passed by as we could hear the T.V. from the street. Inside, with T.V's in both bars and at such a volume, it was not possible to sit where normal conversation could be carried on.
With only 2-3 people watching ,the rest of the customers suffered or left.
We tried the Crane Sundancer which was far too cold and hazey so we also left. Not the place for a quiet quality ale.
Say what you will about the previous management but at least they knew how to not let the T.V. dominate and how to keep the ales well.
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The 'new' landlady has really improved this place and its now a really nice local pub. Quite a mixed crowd from old guys doing the crossword nursing a pint, to the younger element playing pool etc, but all blend quite easily. Good roast on a Sunday too.
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We come here for the football good locals pub. Food and drink good nice place to spend an hour or two.
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Nice pub mainly frequented by regulars but I find it quite a friendly place which is also good to watch sport in. It's been spruced up considerably since being taken over.
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The Builders is an excellent pub but different in style and location to other pubs ocaly- it's more of an upscale boozer.
I hate sport on TV at all times and the pool table even in a well run pub attracts a yob element.
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I found this to be a pleasant traditional place. Would give it top marks but have to deduct a few for the picture of chel**a on the wall. Please get rid.
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Popped in to watch the footie the other eve. It was busy but there was a friendly crowd with a nice atmosphere. A great spot for a few post work jars.
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Builders Arms much improved since new management, no question. The previous incumbent was not really suited to the task and therefore better off out of it. Still a clique-based venue though...probably too incestuous for it's own good. Could do with more new people and a breakup of the old regulars. And a word of warning to the unsuspecting...hide your antique furniture!
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Went in for a couple of pints with some friends the other evening. Nice relxed atmosphere and a friendly crowd. Love the cosy feel of the open fire.
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Continues to improve.
Nice pub, good wine, nice beer, decent decor.
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Greatly improved under new landlady (Gemma)
Snug, cosy, grown up crowd.
No idiots.
Well done.
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After the well documented aggro of last summer this pub is now finding its feet again. Good new landlady made us feel very welcome
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Went recently to watch the football Saturday lunchtime and was made to feel very welcome by the new manageress. Will be returning very soon. Great Guinness as well.
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Am really looking forward to visiting the Buliders again. It has new management and by the looks of things is getting long overdue investment. This is a back-street pub with so much potential.
The problems I mentioned in my 7th July post have now passed.
Charlie C - I live in Field Lane and it was a horrible month in the summer. That bunch of kids RULED the roost. The previous management was impotent/refused to act. Nick did NOTHING until we (the immeadiate residents) got the Police, MP's, Councillors, Licensing Authority involved. Sorry if you knew Nick, but he wasn't doing his job. Plain as that.
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All of the comments below are now out of date. This pub has recently been taken over by a new Land Lady. I have avoided this pub for some time mainly because of the reason's below! But ventured in last week when I realised it was being treated to a bit of TLC. It was lovley, homely, and warm inside. I was greated with a typical local atmosphere and warmly welcomed by the locals and Land Lady. I believe her plans are to turn it back into the traditional local pub that it once was before the years of neglect. I now plan to make good use of the pub and cannot wait to see how it looks in a few months time. The beer was also very good. Top Tip - If you ask nicely you may get a giant choloate muffin whilst the kitchen is temporarily out of action!
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banjowalker should have another look at weekends and he will find there are no "unruly teenagers" in the pub. Far from losing control, the very short lived problem has been dealt with.
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This place is great in the week - dartboard, pool, music with a relaxed atmosphere.
However, the Landlord has lost control at the weekends. Large mobs of unruly teenagers take over - it's very noisy and then at closing time there are running battles in the road outside.
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I really hope this place isn't revamped! Believe it or not, it used to be five separate bars or something! A small but interesting boozer slightly off the main drag. Handy for the hospital if you're in need of pain relief!
Ales were in great form on my last visit. One of only a half-dozen pubs in Tedders with any real character.
Note to drinkers: visit and be glad that you did.
Note to developers: leave well alone - on pain of death!
anonymous - 26 Apr 2007 10:21 |
Nice traditional back street pub not too far from Teddington High Street. It felt a bit chilly inside yesterday lunchtime - no heating ? - and there were only 2 other customers in at approx 1 pm, but the London Pride was spot on. Worth including in any Teddington crawl
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Depends what your looking for out of a pub really, it is in need of a dam good re furb, but could be quite good if in the right hands unfortunatly its owned by enterprise pub company, they love wrecking pubs!
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Horseshoe-shaped backstreet local about two mins walk from the infamously dingy and horrid King's Arms. Very much a locals pub but not in the American Werewolf In London mold. Expect to find Caley Deuchars IPA from Edinburgh in great form on plus a couple of others. It has been known to hold dodgy karaoke and even dodgier live music so be warned. Otherwise it has plenty to recommend it.
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Smashing pub, we go there every week for a cheap but very, very nice Thai meal and a game of pool. There's a tele in both bars. Pool bar is a bit tatty but the welcome is always friendly and they have a great collection of CDs!
anonymous - 25 May 2006 19:03 |
Excellent pub. Cuts all the angles. Real ales are all excellent Youngs, Pride and Deuchars. Prices are very reasonable. The Thai food is superb (main meals for under a fiver) and also English pub food. Good background music. Great place for sporting events. Personable and efficient staff. Friendly people. Little gem hidden in the back streets of Teddington that hasn't succumbed to a "refurb". Well worth checking out.
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I used to drink here as a regular from around '89-'93 when I lived in Teddington. There was no music, one or two fruit machines, a dart board and a lovely old bar billiards table tucked away along the front corner of the bar - it was great! Good beer (I remember conversations of dismay that beer had gone up to �1.34 a pint!), people reading a book or playing chess, or just having a good chat. This was a pub for locals as most visitors were unlikely to find it secreted down the back streets. I can understand non-regulars possibly being put off but I found most of the "then" crowd approachable and friendly with no clique-ish airs or graces. A few years ago I was in the area and decided to drop in for a good old ploughman's lunch. There was music, video machines, no bar billiard table tucked away along the front corner of the bar - it was sad. I have since been through teddington and have been unable to bring myself to stop in. I mean, I love Thai food - just not in a pub. As Bill Bryson says, there are three rules in life - you can't make a waiter see you until he wants to see you, you can't cheat the phone company and, most pertinent, you can never go home.
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I've visited this pub about 10 times over the last five years.
It's a classic backstreet pub. Quite bare inside, but you can usually find a seat.
It does seem full of regulars who talk really loudly to each other, but I haven't found them hostile to outsiders in any way.
The bar staff are very attentive. So even when they're chatting on the customer side of the bar, they are looking for people waiting to be served and they nip back very quickly.
The beers are in good condition - London Pride and Young's Bitter, which is perfect for me.
The main drawback for me is that everyone smokes, including the landlord and landlady, so I can't stay for more than one drink because it gets difficult to breathe - you're all going to die horribly from cancer or emphysema, unless you quit.
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Fairly unremarkable, typical, back street pub.
Admittedly I went in earlyish on Sunday lunchtime when the pub was quiet, but I certainly didnt encounter any atmosphere of hostility or unwelcomeness.
Incidentally does a Thai food menu for those who may be interested
Not worth going out of the way to visit, but I would be happy to return when next in Teddington
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I have tried this pub and it is not very friendly - unless of course you are 'one of them'. I'm sure it works for them but would recommend some where else first.
sinead - 3 Nov 2004 16:31 |
I can sort of understand Anita's comments but I think it's worth having another go - it is small and the clientelle is mainly regulars who all know each other - so it's easy to give off that air of being unwelcome to strangers - although I don't know any of the regulars to be unpleasant at all.
After goin in just a few times, peope will always nod to you and if you happen to join in a conversation you are nearby (about footie or whatever) you won't get stared at like an alien.
Also (blimey this is draggin on) one of the few (only) pubs in Tedd to do lots of live music
homer - 16 May 2004 19:21 |
A private party at this pub - every night, and sadly I'm not invited. Smugness pervades the air as you walk in. And you can hear them sigh with relief as you leave!
Anita - 2 Jan 2004 23:55 |
I would have to agree that this is a very cliquey pub. Never mind the people stopping to stare when you walk in - the pool balls stop rolling also...... Gave up after several visits over the last few years.
chris - 17 Dec 2003 00:09 |
I believe this to be one of the friendliest and most welcoming pubs in the area. And yes the barmaids are fantstic and what stunners they are. you need to come and check it out for yourself. (Top Totty).
Phil - 19 Oct 2003 01:51 |
Top barmaids...well worth the visit...has top music nights too...no other pub in Teddington offers nearly as much...the atmosphere is quirky but that only adds to the charm...full of very polite and friendly people...you're just as likely to find an equal number of men and women, many single...good place to meet new friends...the previous rough element has since moved onto to other pubs down the road thank goodness...the landlord is a one in a million, top geezer...loves his neighbours and the neighbours love him!
Glen - 14 Oct 2003 10:42 |
One of the better pubs in Teddington. I say better because it's grown organically and not instantlly created. They are a touch cliquey but that's the nature of a small place...but it is very friendly once you get to know people. Cliquey yes but elitist no. I would be interested to know which pubs are supposed to be better on the High Street, can't think of one myself.
richardaustin - 13 Oct 2003 15:19 |
Great pub. Very friendly, only a little bit cliquey and very easy to become part of it. Fantastic barmaids. Give the High Street a swerve and get some great beer at good prices. Who is Anthony2?
Nigel - 30 Sep 2003 16:26 |
Very average back-street pub which really offers very little.
You'd probably be better off opening a 6 pack at home when the football is on (unless you're a Chelsea supporter, which this pub seems to cater for).
It's one of those pubs, whereby everyone stares at you when you enter - as if you're intruding upon their space. Very cliquey.
Much better pubs on 'Teddington High Street.
2/10 for this only
anthony2 - 12 Sep 2003 00:42 |
A really friendly pub that serves excellent drinks in a cozy but fun atmosphere.
Ben - 18 Aug 2003 11:12 |
Average but cosy pub - decent bitter served.
PJ - 3 Jul 2003 09:26 |
