please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Probably the best pub in Redhill now, with the Garland in the doldrums. Always a good selection of ales on, including local breweries, and the food is well above average.
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Busy pub - with car park, good beer/food and live sport.
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Over analysis by some punters! Good pub with good beer - simples.
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....Or not as the case turned out. After a very regrettable turn of events that led Rob to depart the Red Lion rather swiftly, the owner has now bought in a new manager. Well, not so new to some locally, as he formerly ran the White Lion (to differing opinions) a year or so back. Once more, the jury is very much out again as to what the longer-term fate of this potentially great place will be.
As things stand, I supped a couple of pleasant pints of a guest ale (Monty Python's Holy Grail I think), which were kept okay, and service at the bar was sound. Quiet for a Saturday night though. Only a couple of eaters in. Maybe about 15 drinkers. Oh dear; don't let it slip away folks....
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Well, under the new management of Rob Martinez (ex-Three Horseshoes for six years), the Lion finally looks set to start realising its potential. Food is now very much available, featuring a decent spread of unpretentious and tasty pub meals fitting for the venue. Happily, Rob has brought his ale knowledge and interest with him and nowup to six cask beers are offered at sensible prices alongside the usual font fare. Pilgrim, Surrey Hills and Dark Star all feature regularly showing a healthy accent towards the local brews. So far so good - all kept well on my few visits to date.
Decor and atmos vastly-improved IMHO, although arguably as-yet local folks have not bought-in as fully as they might; hopefully in time that will change.
Keep up the good work - and that includes the friendly and efficient staff; the barmaid who served me tonight was charming, and I'm bound to say easy on the eye.
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Was in this recently refurbished pub recently. Fitting-out standards are very high and the tiled toilets are first class. My lager was fine and there is a large smoking/outside covered area.
Interesting pictures of old Redhill are on the wall and it is clear to see that a big effort and investment has been put in. Because the owners are still working on the kitchens, food is not yet available.
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The Red Lion has now Re-Opened.
The re-fit looks good and hosts,Danny and Eva, are very welcoming.
Lovely private areas, luxurious toilets and brand new HD-TV's with 2 full satellite packages.One encouraging sign was the fun loving locals are encouraged to return and offer their opinions on what makes a good pub !!!
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Re-opening is due imminently I'm advised. I knew a couple who were on the point of taking this pub over, even to the stage where they were scoping refurbishment options, only to discover they'd been gazumped by an unknown party, whose offer the vendor had seemingly accepted without question, and without the courtesy of letting the other parties know! In view of this, I can only hope that this late and presumably enhanced bid proves to be worthwhile; there is much to be improved here and potential to be realised, but only in the right hands. If the correct changes do not materialise, it will be a crying shame that it didn't go to the earlier bidders, who I know would've done it proud.
Time will tell.
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Now being refurbished - presumably for a reopening.
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This is one of the pubs closest to where I've lived for three years: it's as scenic as the White Lion up the hill, but I've always found it to have a more pleasant atmosphere.
Sadly, it does seem closed at the moment, and not in a good way. Word on the street (well, in the Garland) is that landlord Dave has been hit pretty bad by the recent passing of the pub dog and various flaming comments over kitchen standards. (I've eaten there a few times without complaints.)
I think I saw him inside the pub, with a picnic bench dragged over the door, earlier this evening, huddled in a corner with his usual laptop. If anyone on here who knows him at all well (I don't) would look in, I think you'd be doing him a big favour.
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Now closed.
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I'm surprised by Shakyshrek's review to be honest. I've always found the pub to be very pleasant. The South African lady is one of the more professional bar staff in Redhill and would be an asset to any pub. The landlord clearly knows his beer as the fare is always good. I've never had a problem with him. And besides the pub is always busy - sorry Shakyshrek but think you are in the minority here.
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The South African barmaid is rude, discourteous and quite frankly a reason not to go to this pub. The landlord always has a face like a rather large smacked arse and will occasionally grunt at you. The toilets stink and the food is very mediocre? Why these people bother working in the hospitality industry is an enigma. My advice is avoid until someone who cares takes over. This place is going down in my opinion! Try the White Lion......
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Went there on Saturday to watch the football and then the rugby miserable SOB of a landlord wouldnt put the football on the big screen but was waiting for the rugby to start before using the big screen, how any landlord can discrimate against the people that pay his wages and still expect to run a thriving pub is deluded there would have been 10 of us in there all afternoon who had just been paid and would have spent a small fortune, enough to pay for the landlord to get a personality, instead we took our money elsewhere, never again
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Dreary pub fulled of dreary people listening to dreary music. Landlord was hardly the most charismatic or enthusistic publicans I have seen.
OK for those of a pensionable age.
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Great pub.
Warm, inviting, the food is something else, homemade satisfying.
Truly one of the best pubs in the area.
I was last in around a month ago, I had a lovely doombar in peace and quiet and would recommend to anyone who is in the area to pay a visit.
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A very 'mixed bag' of reviews but I'll rate this as a pretty decent pub. Reasonably comfortable interior with televised sport when it's on. It's my 'post gym pub', all drinks are well kept and although I haven't yet tried the food, it looks and smells very agreeable with a regular 'specials' board. When you see the chef leave the pub to let the smokers know their food is ready, then you know the staff are prepared to go the 'extra mile'. The 'regulars' can make or break a pub and an establishment with no regulars is rarely a fun place with no need to maintain any standards. In this case they do neither of the above but the staff cope admirably with their needs, passing trade and the overflow from Donyngs Gym. 7/10 based on almost a dozen visits now
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Doom Bar, Harveys Sussex Best and Old Pec. One bar, L shaped room around it. Drinking area outside. Friendly welcome. Ok.
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TWG.....the last bit would have been more than enough.....
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An updated review is probably worthwhile here as it's been well over 4 years since I bothered commenting. My own observations during a recent visit, and anecdotal evdience from others who've been in over the weeks, suggest that although not in any way exceptional, the Red Lion is a steady and consistent boozer which offers a fair few things to a healthy mix of customers.
There are 3 cask ales on, and the Theakston Old Peculier was on good form, if a somewhat unusual option, and sold at a stupid price of �3.30. Harvey's Best and Sharp's (Coors?!) Doom Bar were also available. Not an inspired collection of beers, but for a pub that probably doesn't attract a large contingent of ale-lovers it isn't too dreary. Sadly many regulars have yet to sprout any palate for good beer, preferring the overpriced factory fizz instead.
Unusually for many pubs in this locality, a good spread of pub meals were being offered - I last appeared on a Saturday evening and a good portion of the punters were diners, seemingly satisfied with their menu choices. I wouldn't dismiss this as an option, as it's nice to be able to eat in a pub that still feels essentially pubby in its atmosphere, which this place does.
Decor is pretty standard trad and faux-olde-worlde fare, but it's none the worse for this as that style doesn't jar in any way with the external appearance or age of the building. Clearly they are keeping the interior clean, as there was a slightly off-putting cleaning fluid aroma about, but this may not be a permanent issue to content with.
There is a small garden overshadowed by the dreaded Donyngs, where numerous smokers have stood sticking two fingers up to fitness whilst dragging on their nicotine-tubes. The smoking ban certainly has improved the conditions of this pub, as I recall it did used to suffer with smoke terribly, as most regulars do puff, and the low ceilings meant it never dispersed!
Overall then, chalk up as a possible suburban alternative to the all-too-underwhelming offerings of the centre of the town.
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A superb pub with a great atmosphere and brilliant ales. The bar staff are extremley good espiecially Trish. The food is of a very high standard.
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From the outside looks more like a village pub than a town one (and I suppose that was probably the case before the railway came), but the inside seems to have been stripped of much of its original character at some stage to open the place out. Two real ales on - Old Peculier (which I would like to have tried but was in a bit of a hurry) and Pride (which was fine). Friendly and very efficient young lady behind the bar.
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Popped in yesterday for a swift one for the first time in ages. I don't know if it has changed hands but the the barman was very friendly and helpful, there was a nice fire and my pint of Old Peculiar was so pleasant I had to have another.
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vrvvvfdvfvfvfvfvfvr
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monday 30th july was my third and final unhappy visit to this pub, the staff have no manners and don,t even know who the proprietor is, thank god health and safety are now involved.
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This pub hs changed quite a bit. Good atmosphere and good range of beers. THey have regular live music as well. Saw a band called THe Daytona Rocks here a while who were great and the pub is a nice size for hosting a band.
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I have been pleasantly surprised by this pub lately. Not only is it a nice place (notwithstanding its proximity to the red scaffolding of Donyngs leisure centre), but it seems to have expanded its ale range and each pint sampled there has been on good form. Hopefully with the current approach it should avoid its fomer mediocrity and attract a wider clientele.
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First time on Tuesday night, ordered curry and pint, expected run-of-the-mill curry for �3.50, but what a fantastic surprize better than any restaurant, and value, actually got change back. landlord has odd manner until you speak to him, still needs to chill.
Hoggy - 24 Aug 2006 17:35 |
I think this pub is very average. The bar staff or landlords or whoever they are don't make you feel overly welcome however they have started to do curry nights on tuesdays and saturdays which should boost custom - It needs it.
anonymous - 7 Aug 2006 11:35 |
Such a shame, this pub has gone rapidly downhill since the previous owners moved to a new pub. Poor food, if any, and eratic opening hours coupled with the admission of clientele not welcome in other pubs in town have made this a pub to avoid. I used to use the pub lunchtimes but it now seems not to be open most days.
anonymous - 13 Feb 2006 12:09 |
Gets the feeling of being slightly isolated. Think its one of those places where the regulars tend to go, though i think its a friendly enough place.
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I feel that things must have changed as I went to the Red Lion recently and received very nice service and nice food too. The beer, ah well, I was on (bottled) lager that night, so I can't really comment.
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i am sorry to hear that the sevice was so poor before ,but we as a family have taken over since november 22. There are new smiling faces behind the bar ready to serve you and a fantastic new chef with great new ideas. Come and see us and hopefully we will redeem the bad service the previous people gave you. We now do a fantastic roast on sundays and food Mon- fridays 12-3,6-9. so come and see us soon.
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Last in this pub Christmas time. Passing and enjoyed myself on my last visit decided to pop in. Same old decor same old faces only thing that had changed was the attitude of the bar staff. Not the best visit in the world.
I hear this pub is for sale. Is this true? If it is I wonder if that's the reason for the crap attitude.
Billy Bryson - 5 Nov 2004 10:14 |
disappointed! service needs improvement,food was adequate but not great considering the prices.not good enough for me to go back!plenty of other pubs to try.
john - 11 Sep 2004 16:00 |
Never again!!!!!!
Maybe, if I was a regular I'd be served with a smile and a little bit of professionalism.
anonymous - 30 Aug 2004 18:10 |
Worst visit to a pub yet!!!
Why does the manageress look so put out when you ask for service? Is this not part of her job? Never again will I revisit!!!
anonymous - 29 Aug 2004 22:15 |
visited on my way throught to Reigate. Why I bothered the manageress looked put out when I asked for food. Food was not that good, very basic and not value for money. Seems to have lost the edge in the last two months. Sad demise of a good pub.
anonymous - 25 Aug 2004 21:50 |
Friendly atmosphere, old fashioned interior. Great pub. There are not many left like this one. Food was great, Chef even came out to see if everything was okay!!
anonymous - 20 Jul 2004 16:53 |
Friendly atmosphere, excellent standards & great Quiz Nights!
anonymous - 19 Nov 2003 11:52 |
One member of bar staff on duty at 6 in the evening, a busy time for this pub. Chef serving as well, not very professional. Meanwhile, the sister pub, White Hart 10/10 superb.
anonymous - 6 Nov 2003 22:03 |
Food OK actually (don't be put off by the June love in above).
You may need to control your gag reflex while eating. Clouds of industrial strenth toilet deodoriser wafts over half the pub whenever the toilet doors are opened. (14+ years, 4+ managers, 2 major refits�.the toxic cloud has survived them all). New outside seating area popular!
The first refit lovingly re-created a 'Harvester' style mock ancient pub. Before that, it was only a genuinely ancient pub. Way to go guys!
geoff_soper - 1 Sep 2003 17:42 |
fantastic food,excellent atmosphere!
anonymous - 8 Aug 2003 22:26 |
I've never had a better meal in a pub...the menu is a mix of everything to awaken the tastebuds and even the chef, with his mass of knowledge, came out to talk to us.
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The food is of excellent standard at a very reasonable price!!!!!!!!! Very Impressed!!
anonymous - 17 Jun 2003 15:25 |
Excellent Jazz night on sunday's, good food and an excellent atmosphere
alfredo palermo - 17 Jun 2003 15:22 |
Been here many times, since refurb the pub is a fantastic place to eat & drink with no hassle. New menu is great!
Colin Fry - 15 Jun 2003 16:21 |
Article in local crappy paper saying that The Red Lion's takings have risen from �3,000 p/week to �12,000 in a year, and are planning to expand. Wowweee!!
BOB - 1 Jun 2003 21:16 |
The food was of excellent standard, very friendly staff, great day out!
anonymous - 28 May 2003 12:03 |
Excellent food, great staff, nice atmosphere.
anonymous - 28 May 2003 09:20 |
Recently refurbished, comfortable pub, pool table, golden tee, 2/3 fruities. stonesthrow from local sports centre. Fully recommended.
James - 10 Jun 2002 16:56 |
