please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
First of four swift pub visits last night. The Old Red Lion was probably the pick of a distinctly average bunch. Mainly locals inside. 3 mainstream ales were being dispensed - Courage Best, Sharps Doom Bar & Fullers London Pride. It was quite busy. So I retreated to a side room, where tables were laid out for diners. Took a brief look at the menu. But it had far too many spelling mistakes to take it seriously! Quiet location. But not too far from the station.
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Closed early (just after 10) on several consecutive Sundays, so don't bother going for a nightcap. If you have the timerity to fancy a pint well before last orders, expect a friendly wave from the manager telling you precisely where you can take your custom... Thanks.
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The ORL seems to be changing landlords at a frequency not dissimilar to that of a pornstar changing her knickers. The gloomy Scouse bloke has evaporated and the bar staff have been retired, by the looks of things - which is both good and bad, if you are familiar with the old setup.
The Youngs has gone as a permanent ale, but makes a return every now and again as a guest ale. The new landlord keeps the 3 real ales in excellent condition and has cut the prices across the board, so the ORL loses its less than envious title as The Most Expensive Pub in town.
The previous landlord oversaw a rather cheap and chearful refurb, with some decking out the front covering half the old car park. To be fair, on a sunny day it looks good, but has a tendency to become rather slippy over winter. It should be rather pleasant for al fresco dining for 20% of the year.
The interior refurb basically ripped out the old benches and threadbare furniture. Some modernish tables and chairs have been added along with a new heating system (which works very well - maybe too well). Three of the table are situated next to the toilets, which wouldn't be so bad if there were more than 8 tables!
We tries the food a couple of times and its very much standard pub fare. The Sunday roast we tried was very generous and reasonably priced. At just over 7 quid a head, the prices compare favourably to anywhere else in town. That said, I'd still head to the Bells or the Swan and spend a few quid more for something closer to a restaurant dining experience.
Lastly, the new landlord seems an affable fellow who prides himself on turning out decent beer. This is in contrast to the host of eccentrics preceeding him. Alot of the old regulars are drifting back and the ORL has the feeling of a functioning, friendly boozer - something not seen there for many moons.
Keep up the good work.
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After going for an evening stroll my wife and I visited this pub on Saturday night.
We used to be regulars here years ago but family commitments curtailed that and I haven't been in here for about ten years. When I entered I was surprised, things had hardly changed since my last visit. In fact they haven't really changed in twenty years. The same wall brasses, the same seat covers ( now looking worse for wear) , the same rusty heater in the toilet.
It was quiet. Saturday night at nine o'clock and there was a dozen people here. The radio was playing Magic FM in an attempt to create some atmosphere, which is not a good sign. An uninspring range of beer - Courage Best, London Pride and Youngs Bitter. I went for the Youngs which was fine but was charged �3.60. No wonder the pub was empty.
I'm afraid the Old Red Lion is trading on past glories. This pub used to be heaving with people. Now it's in desperate need of a refurbishment.
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This is one of the friendliest pubs I have visited. The locals are very warm and welcoming and even let you join in their crosswords! Bar staff are excellent and speedy. The ale is spot on (pricey mind). Being tall was a bit of a problem as the ceiling is very low. Still, your head is nearer your glass I suppose!
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Royston Vasey or what ?
Pig ignorant landlady.
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Nice looking pub but to pricey also the land lady is a bit ignorant and had to stand there for a bout 5 minutes while she chatted with her mate at the end of the bar. Had a nice pint there but the atmosphere was clique like.
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I visited this pub last night-it really is a proper english pub-cosy and with well kept London Pride and Courage Best-friendly landlady-I shall return when next in the area
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I can't make my mind up about this place. Sometimes its noce to go into and have afew beers and sometimes it really uncomfortable. Its a proper little pub though and full of the charms of all traditional pubs which when your 6foot 5 tends to hurt a lot but I am used to that. I like the Old Red Lion but it is a little pricey in comparison to others and i am not really sure that you get good value for the extra you pay. The food is nice though but the service is a little lacking in areas if you ask me. Have to end on a nice though for this place as it would be unfair not to so I would say that when chatting to the locals you do get a friendly vibe from them at least.
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I like the old red lion its my second favourite pub in staines behind the noth star. my boy sometimes brings me down here for a pint and i always enjoy it but i do find it a bit pricey for beers. nice place though always has been.
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Very expensive pub, and you only get a smile if you're a regular, nice clean copper in the WC, unusual to see. If you're 6ft + make sure you get a seat or sit outside or you will leave with neck ache. One of the oldest if not the oldest pub in Staines so worth a visit if only for the history.
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I don't mind the Red Lion but its just a bit to pricey. Also it seems to have changed a bit recently and I think the Old Landlord Roger has gone. It feels a bit clicky these days but is still comfortable. To be honest we tend to use the North Star these days as that place is much bettert han it ever was before but I don't stopping in the Red Lion I just wish they would give a bit of a different beer selection every now and then.
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At 3.30 for a bog standard pint of Fosters you'd expect at least a smile from the barmaid. All I got was a snarl and grunt....
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Tod - "Mystified", eh? Depends on how rough yer mum is. Genteel mums will be quite safe in: Anglers Retreat, The Bells or The Swan.
I'd recommend any of these as you will be able to eat and drink for the same cost as just drinking in the RL.
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BananaSundae mystified re Mums....where are the other 3?
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Cosy pub. The beer prices here are always a step ahead of anywhere else, but I only visit once a month for a club pub evening. Beer is usually well kept. I only wish the landlord would be a bit more daring and have a change from years of Fuller's London Pride and Young's Bitter.
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Lovely pub, ropey beer, too expensive.
Could be essential, but isn't.
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Limited selection of beers at astronomical prices. A tenner might just get you 3 drinks. Gets it's punters from a small, middle-class estate adjacent to the pub, so significantly less chav quota than the North Star accross the road. The pricing appears to be deliberately aimed at keeping undesirable elements out and comes accross as slightly up it own a*se. The bar staff are friendly and service good... providing you're the right sort of customer. Beer well kept and served though choice limited. One of only about 4 pubs in Staines where you'd take your mum.
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Changed mind about this pub....worth the extra money...beer good and staff professional
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Cosy little pub, which is further blessed by the smoking ban. Beer is good but expect top London prices.
anonymous - 13 Nov 2007 12:34 |
ok yes went once, friendly enough, bit locally but what do you expect with its location
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Nice crowd. Great garden. Friendly bar staff. I accidentally left a laptop in there overnight and retrieved it the next morning!
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Pride was watery for my liking tonight.
Very cosy inside though, a good winter pub.
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A nice sunny October day so my wife and I took a walk from Ashford, across Shortwood Common for lunch here
midweek. A lovely welcome from the landlady on our arrival - and we hadn't been here in 20 years!!!. Food served outside very quickly with a couple of pints of Pride. Excellent. Will return next summer
...or maybe before.......
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Pretty good place, and the regulars are a nice crowd. Serves a decent pint of Real Ale too.
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Not for me, too expensive and seating mostly uncomfortable. However, probably the only Pub in Staines I'd take my Mum to....
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I am also one for brass, but not the type you mean. Thats why a night out in Staines hits the spot.
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I am a one for brass. I can't believe how the landlord keeps it so shine. He should let us know what he cleans the brass with.
anonymous - 28 Jul 2005 21:39 |
Not happy with this one at all. Very expensive and poor quality Guinness. A big mix up with my change, not sure whether a cock-up or attempted rip-off. It will be a long time until I return, if ever.
chimp - 27 Jul 2005 14:40 |
A pity really but this place is a rip off.
Might be reportedly the oldest pub in Staines or Surrey or something but that shouldn't allow them to charge so much for a pint.
Especially when the roof is covered in dog's leads.
Is_it - 31 Jan 2005 13:54 |
the pub is nice,the staff much to be desired
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brilliant atmosphere, great beer, great food
anonymous - 12 Oct 2004 12:07 |
Friendly one bar local near Staines station. Can get smokey though. Well kept London Pride, I've never had a bad pint. Also serves Youngs special. Get's busy in the early evenings and Sunday lunchtimes. Bar food available. Has a garden to the side. Well worth seeking out.
Simon - 19 Sep 2004 11:31 |
