please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Still closed for lockdown.
Is this once fine site every to re-emerge?
Pity it seems to have died completely.
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Closed.
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Reported as re-opened three times in last 11 days.
What a multiuser twerp.
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Reopened - and showing TV sport. Small, but pleasant, beergargen.
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Scheduled to reopen tomorrow - Friday, March 15th.
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Blackboards outside - saying reopening soon!
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Closed.
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Centre for TV sport in Reigate.
And always busy, with good beer and service.
Music at weekends.
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Shows TV sport - and now does food (and music) at weekends. Friendly staff and pleasant atmosphere.
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We weren't followed by any babies into this pub unless they were disguised as something else.
Roomy pub not busy at all. Nothing wrong with it. Decent beer.
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Serves beer. Has seats. If they have live music on you cannot hear yourself speak.
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Located at the corner of the one-way system, this large pub was very quiet when I was in there. I was the only customer! The bar is located in the larger of the 2 rooms which appears to be set up for sports with very basic seating. To the right of that is a small lounge with predominantly church pew like seating which has its own little bar which wasn't being used. I had Pilgrim Surrey bitter and they also had St Austell proper Job bitter.
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Pub for kids!
Enough said...
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I like this pub. The beer is good and I have a good chat with the bar staff and usually whoever is in. Excellent for watching footy in the evening but can be rammed weekend evenings when I tend to go elsewhere. Families etc what's wrong with that. I may be retired but I'm not grumpy.
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Left the Blue Anchor because of the number of babies (6!), after work today. Went to the Red Cross - but they followed! About 5pm, after work. NOT on.....
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I've noticed this also. Not sure about banning children, but these three adults seem to insist on virtually taking over the pub (not only the Red Cross) - and seeing to their child on the counter or at the absolute center of the pub. At peak/after work time! I prefer to go home to see my young one - and not to have an infant being fed (etc.) beside me, at the bar, during my post Ensure calming pint....
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Have witnessed this too Mandraker.
Pubs are for adults not for kids, will not be going back to this kindergarten.
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In here too, one sees the child ritual - where a baby gets fed and watered. With nappie bags on the counter and the buggy taking over of space that regulars need. Not on, therefore - low rating.
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Yep, I've seen this monster of a dog in here. His owner stategically places him in the most inconvenient spot for customers and staff just don't care, just like the dog's owner.
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A guy brings a dog the size of a pony in here - with the dog's smaller brother. The guy stands at the bar just inside the door and the dogs stretch out on the floor - requiring humans (and other dogs!) to almost climb over them.
The guy loves being asked - 'what sort of a dog is that?' - answer 'newfoundland'. Pity they don't all return to that country or leave the dogs outside. Also, the big dog has some hygiene problems which us ale drinkers dislike.
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Very average. Nothing good to say; nothing particularly bad either.
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Full of annoying students.
Beer pretty average and have far to many dreary blues bands and groups doing same old same old covers.
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Popped in last Sunday night to find an open mic session going on, the only pub in Reigate with anyone in it! I've been in on a Saturday night for the live music before always very busy with a great atmosphere. Had a fantastic pint of Broadside, at last a pub in Reigate who looks after their beer! Sat by the open fire and listened to some of the acts which to my surprise were really talented.
Bar staff fun and chatty .
I think this pub has really turned a corner in the last year or so, the Landlord has done a great job..
Long may it continue
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WELL,
I am a full grown adult, I ordered a diet coke no ice, (as driving) the sullen lady behind the bar, got the glass and put a straw into it and started to fill the glass. In shock I said to her I am not 6. I have never had this before. I work in pubs and would never insult someone by doing this. There was at least 3 tellys on with 2 different footballs games being shown. How can you hear anything???
It was a dull and dreary pub nothing going for it. Everyone in their own space, the only noise was the 2 tellys and a loud foul mouthed man standing at the bar. Beers not as advertised on board. How hard is it to update a blackboard.(very, when you stand at the top of the bar watching the telly)Been once will not return.
Did get: bye guys when left. I am a female and english, not american. Only did have 2 ales on.
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Some geezer got chuked out and returned to fire his nail gun at the pub.
Sounds like a good night out!!
In fairness it has all been blown (as usual) out of all proportion.
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No nail gun attack at the red just some nutter running up the road on the opposite side with a nail gun in his hand on his way towards the centre of town!
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Nail gun attack - tell me more!! I was there for the football yesterday; it was packed.
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So what about the nail gun attcak then on Saturday 27th August then?
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excellent pub, great new manager, brilliant beer...
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On the up. Still jointly owned with the Blue Anchor the quality of the beer has improved and is now a much better pub to visit.
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I always knew this pub as 'The Dead Loss' and with good reason - however a recent visit turned that around. It serves a decent beer, the crowd is more pleasant and the Thai food is rather good. Plus they do live music on Saturday evenings - or perhaps that was a one-off when I visited!
Certainly a viable alternative to The Cage and well worth a visit.
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It's been a while since i've visited this pub, a number of the previous managers have put me off visiting due to their .. erratic management style. However, i've been back since they've refurbished the outside and i have to say i'm impressed. Its certainly the best place in Reigate to watch sport, due to the fantastic screens that're up, and the girls behind the bar are always friendly and up for a chat. The new manager, Dave, seems to have a definite plan of where he's going with the pub, and I have to say i'm excited for what he's got in store for it.
It's nice to have a friendly, welcoming atmosphere when you enter a pub, and i've always found this, whether I visit on a quiet tuesday evening, or a hectic saturday night. I hope they can keep it up!
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Only opens at 5pm during the week; pity after the recent upgrade.
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Visited newly refurbished Red Cross on sat 31st July. Great night, brilliant band - The Gems - good atmosphere.
Looks like this pub is turning round at last after months of doom and gloom.
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Re-roofed and painted externally. Inside now needs work urgently.
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You have to wonder about some pubs and their beer policies. Last night was probably one of their busiest for a while given the all the publicity for the 20 bands in 20 pubs event that was taking place in Reigate & Redhill. This pub often has four different real ales on, but tonight there was only one, the awesome (not) Bombardier. Eventually an equally unexciting beer, Sharps Doombar came on. This was an opportunity for the Red Cross to sell its beer credentials to a wider audience, and I suppose in a way it did, it's just those beer credentials are not very highly rated.
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Yes, though supposedly due to re-open on Thursday 27th.... I went a-roving for a decent pint in Reigate yesterday evening and found both this and the Anchor shut. I feared the worst - another change of hands - and this fear would seem to be well-founded. When are they ever going to get these two pubs right?
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Currently closed.
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Changing hands again this weekend - as is the nearby Blue Anchor. Unless some money is spent on this c400 year old pub (the roof, for instance), it will suffer severe structural damage whilst continuing to fail.
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Changed hands yet again yesterday...another very mediocre management company.
Before the Summer, there will be another!
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How can you run a Pub that as your customers walk in you say "Sorry we have no draught ale ,only larger,we've run out !" I was looking forward to a pint of the amazing Pilgrim brewery's foaming ale...not to be.
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I must admit that since the new manager took over, its been fantastic. i dont really go out at all, but now its the only pub i go to . . i tell my friends and family about it .live music is great. had a chat with the assistant manager and the manager, they are both so welcoming and funny. cant wait to get back there, what great guys. nice and clean . im loving the open fire. much respect to you.
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great pub since it got taken over. great bar staff, friendly, funny and up for a laugh.
beer is good, and has some great nights, including live music and kareoke. etc. it is also open till 1, so when other good pubs in reigate(blue anhcor) close, its good place to finish the night.
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came in here last friday night. i thought it was pretty average but it was open late. I normally drink real ale but didn't fancy my chances on this evening, so stuck to lager (kronenbourg) which was fine. It can hardly go wrong i imagine. My main coment is how horribly brightly lit this place is. Does anyone really want to drink under the unblinking glare of numerous 100 watt bulbs? Basic mistake, glaringly obvious (excuse the pun), easily fixed.
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I'd like to say what a lovely change it was to walk into the red cross and find smiling helpful people behind the bar, AT LAST! I have avoided this place for nearly a year due to it's constant manager/staff changes, poor service and somewhat dubious customers. I only popped in for one quick drink whilst waiting for my bus but ended up staying and talking with the barman/manager This pub has recently been given a lick of paint and the whole atmosphere has changed mostly due to a higher level of management than has previously been thrown in. The only problem with this pub is the lack of food alothough the manager hopes to have it back up and running soon, best of luck to them.
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Hi there folks-
I feel this might be getting a little bit tired here, but I will carry on regardless as I'm sure some of you may be interested. My name's Katie and between myself, my partner Jamie and our assistant Sean- we are the newest team at The Red Cross- and as it's a whole new company I hope to say (with some certainity) that we will be here for a fair while yet. I have read through all the comments here and taken all your comments on board so thank you for your feedback- and I hope you continue to provide it- feel free to private message me if you would like a response directly from me.
I'd like to clarify a couple of things:
Firstly- the pub is now MUCH cleaner- alot of effort has been put into getting it this way and it will be kept this way.
Secondly- We have refurbished. I am aware that what has happened here has not fully refurbished the premises- the toilets are the next thing on the "to-do" list- alas I am at the mercy of the company builders on this one as I have been strongly discouraged from taking on any decorating work (yes, I am more than capable, but no I will not do what I have been asked not to)- the roof and the glazing are both in the middle of quotation stage and will then have to go through planning permission before being completed.
Thirdly- I apologise for the lack of ales- it is lovely to see a pub with 5 real ales in place, however (as I'm sure all you Real Ale enthusiasts are aware) it is really not viable to have that kind of selection if you don't have the custom to purchase the beers -they don't have a very long retail life. It is with horror that I took over to find (when added together) the equivalent of 18 barrels of wasted real ale fermenting away in the cellar. We love real ales- why would we like to see them poorly managed and going to waste? We have decided to keep on a Pilgrim as our house ale, and will guest other beers each week. As our custom grows- so will our range of ales, in the meantime I will try as hard as I can to broaden the horizons of our brews (although please remember that I am subject to tighter ties than the previous management).
And finally- we are new managers, it is a new company and we have launched a very different kind of menu to what has been in place here before. I would like to follow the lead of Derek and Petra (?) who were well liked and are still regarded fondly by many customers. If any of you would like to offer any constructive criticism I will be more than happy to discuss our pub with you until the cows come home. I do wish you all well- and would like to welcome you all back to The Red Cross with open arms.
Katie.x.
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The Red Cross Inn is the hardest pub to run in Reigate. This is the reason so many people have chucked in their keys and cut their loss's. Everyone thinks they know how to run a pub, and are very quick to say "I could do a better job" but really have no idea how to even run a pub. Instead of everyone being against the management, try and help them make The Red Cross work. Yes, some of the bar staff had better things to do than serve, but they work long hours, not just downstairs, but also upstairs trying to improve the accomodation. Which is appaling. If you live in a buiding thats falling apart you start not caring.Just give the new guys a chance.
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My post of 7 April said it all. This place is now closed.
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My view on this place was recorded in April. For nickdavies (a BITE groupie!) to say that other reviews should be ignored - is typical of said groupie - who seems to think he/she owns BITE. An every day visitor, sadly.
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Spurred on by TWG's account I popped down for a look. Indeed it is good for beer - the other that TWG missed was Ringwood Fortyniner, but sadly no Pilgrim on Saturday afternoon. Anyway the beer was in good shape and at the moment the pub isn't bad for Reigate though in many places it wouldn't be worth a second glance. It is a pub of two halves, the left hand side very much for the younger end of the market, but the 'over 21s only' right hand side is reasonably comfortable. I suspect it's pretty awful weekend evenings, like all pubs in Reigate but for an hours break from the shops it's perfectly adequate. Oh and don't take much notice of many of the reviews written since November which are the work of a single individual despite the various names.
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The Red Cross has gone through so many incarnations and facelifts in the past 10 or so years that is seems to be suffering an identity crisis.
The real ale is pretty good and some decent choice (although on a recent visit they were all 'brown' beers which aren't to all tastes these days) but the plasma screens everywhere, loud music and blue lighting behind the bar are reminiscent of a cheap nightclub. The staff were pleasant enough and the other clientele were a mixed but decent bag.
The Cross is about the best place in Reigate to get a decent tasting beer but the mish-mash of decor and loud music make it pretty off-putting.
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I am wedded to offering as honest a review of what I find on my visits to pubs as possible, but of course one always needs to be mindful that the way it appears on one visit might not be truly reflective of how it performs as a rule. However, even bearing this possibility in mind, I am slightly surprised by the reviews left since December, as my first visit to the Red Cross since the takeover found it to be rather better than I'd remembered it, and arguably the best it'd been for some years.
Those familiar with the TWG will know my trademark staple of quality measurement above all tends to be quality and range of cask ales - so skip this part if they're not your cup of beer. I found every pump in use (yes, all 5), and each was occupied by an unusual or at least only moderately familiar offering. I sampled 3 and each was on fine form. Gone was the soapy, uninspiring dishwasher juice that passed for London Pride and Adnams that was about all that was on under the previous regime. Hammerpot Red Hunter, Westerham 1965, Pilgrim Progress (at last - the beer brewed down the road available down the road!), Hobgoblin something or other and something else. Keep this up.
My memory is rather more intact regarding the interior, which although less country cottage and more towny now, seemed to fit. The clientele were mixed, and well-behaved. Service was uninformative, but efficient enough (not sure why the barman had donned his shirt, tie and double-breasted business suit, but hey, it makes a change from the sloppy surf uniform that most young bar staff wear these days!).
It was also surprisingly busy for a Wednesday evening - although in fairness there was a live jazz band playing (bloody good they were too - we need more of this in Reigate as it seems to create a pleasant but not too pretentious vibe, and can impart some much-needed character to dull mid-week nights). Maybe this made it a trifle more acceptable than my predecessors found it, but I felt things were generally on the up. It seems they are at least trying, with some sort of entertainment planned for most days.
The downside: that dreadful neon-pink tawdry plasma TV screen! It was like something from an '80s Northern cocktail bar or club a la Phoenix Nights ("I've seen the future Jerry, and it's plasma screens!"). Get rid, or risk ruining the atmos and severely curtailing the appetite for more discerning punters to make a return visit!
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This place reminds me of a staff room; the very poor bar staff - and their loud mates - use the pub (off duty and on) to socialise, eat, play pool/fruit machines and use their PC's. When a customer arrives, there is a dash from the entertainment to the bar - and the service is fast, to allow for a quick return. Management is none existant and the only hope for this fine old pub is a complete clear out; the staff are easily the worst bar staff in Reigate. The word 'dreadful' has been used in the three previous posts; that's generous!
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Last week, I entered at about 7pm only to see the fairhaired barmaid having her dinner at one of the tables, with her boyfriend (?). Service seemed to be a chore and my interuption (a pint of bitter, please) unwelcome.
If this place is under new management, it certainly does'nt show and I share the dreadful/dreary view of previous posters.
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New manager and plasma TV - but very poor staff. Went in the other day and the barmaid was playing the fruit machine, sitting on a stool (back to the bar) - with little interest in serving or, even, watching who came in. No 'hello or thank you' but an urgent need for higher standards. I agree with goosegog - dreadful.
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Dreadful. Dreary, poorly kept pub, fallen from grace. Poorly-kept beer and absolutely undrinkable wine on our visit last night. Few customers and no atmosphere. Could do so much better with a little love applied
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New management - lets hope for big improvement.
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Congratulations to the RC
The 'hard work' was worth it !
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Its official.
The Red Cross is Reigate's worst pub - because of its awful staff and zero management; the same 'management' run the nearby Blue Anchor (tipped for the 2009 award).
For example - staff don't greet or thank (just read The Sun), constantly chat (to each other), Lionel - the manager - is always elsewhere (drinking in other local pubs), no maintenance (whatsoever), etc.etc.
And then there is the matter of hygiene !
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Went into the Red Cross about 6pm the other day........not a person in there. Not even a barman !
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The guy with the laptop clearly now prefers using it at home as the pub wasn't even open when I turned up at 1.00 today..............as for the bloke who practises playing on that out-of-tune guitar..........say no more.
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See what you mean - simwilliams - about the barman on his laptop. No wonder the place is empty; maybe somone should tell the barman to visit this site to see what people think of the place - although the real fault is with the management, or lack of it.
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Dead - barman has new laptop; he's much more interested in that than serving. This pub is on the market - with its nearby sister pub, the Blue Anchor (which also suffers from apathy). New management/staff for both is the only hope.
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Rumour is that the RCI's future is as a wine bar; it simply can't continue to trade as it is. A fine old pub, but empty, rudderless and soulless.
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Another good pub that has gone down the pan.
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Well after another chance of manager my once favourite reigate pub has hit new depths.
The interior was filthy, 2 of the 4 advertised biiter's were off, the remaining 2 were poor. The bar staff were as dirty ( as in unwashed) as the pub with only a very basic command of english. Everone smokes directly outside the front door filling the bar with smoke, i could go on but you get the general idea.
AVOID!
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Having managed this pub for a year puting heart and effort into it, it was with great disappointment to see it go downhill in less than a week on the new chav management takeover. I am extreemly pleased now in Feb 08 to see it making its way back up to a great pub again with the new landlords. Good luck guys.
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hi everyone under new management again hopefully we'll be here a good while and give the pub some stability, we are
passionate about our ales and love to here your comments,
we have 4 main stay ales and 1 guest so plenty of choice,
we are now up and running with our new menu, so why not give us a try? we have live entertainment or karaoke on alternate saturdays and the jam session guys are here tuesday nights, we have brought back the over 21's policy after 8pm (passport or driving license i.d. only)
ps we don't have a pool table & new kitchen hours are
mon to sat 12-3 6-9 sun 12-6 see you soon......
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Well the new landlord is a bit of a "Chav" but things aren't as bad as they could be. `There still seems to be a good selection of bitters. Staff seem friendly, but the village idiots are still in residence, especially at weekend's
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Its now been taken over by the guy who runs the Blue Anchor... Oh dear. things were looking so much better.
I hear the fine selection of Bitter will be cut back, and the kids have already started to arrive. Looks like one to avoid again.
anonymous - 4 Oct 2007 14:35 |
This pub has had a chequered career, veering from being the worst in town to the best, then to the merely indifferent in recent years. I heard about the change of management, and on a recent visit I found the place to be improved, no question. A range of 5 real ales now back on (albeit not an especially groundbreaking selection), the interior was clean and pleasant, and a lively, if rather obviously middle-class, crowd was in evidence. It seems that the new licensee's very well-publicised commitment to higher standards, centred on barring under-21 drinkers and discouraging others who may be potentially troublesome, is working, and it has created a smart and stylish town pub, very much of a "Reigate" breed.
That said, whilst there one of my friends was told by a barman in no uncertain terms to mind her language. I accept that foul-mouthedness and bad language is not to be encouraged, especially in excess and if born of inebriation, but in this instance it was not unduly anti-social, and I confess to finding this slightly precious. Moreover, it was done in a very curt and condescending manner indeed.
I see that the new people are South African? This chap certainly was. Whilst gross generalisations on lines of nationality are far from fashionable these days, I am bound to say that I am yet to find a South African staff member to be anything other than charmless and abrupt, and it continues to perplex me as to why so many of them end up in the British hospitality industry! Sorry, but I speak as I find.
The improvements here would be so much more worthy if a little more charm and warmth were to emerge from behind the bar.
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New management are excellent - great beer, good atmosphere, folk night surprisingly entertaining and not too beardy!? Well worth a visit.
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I thought The Black Horse is also SA owned? Not that that matters much, The Red Cross is somewhere pleasant to go for a quiet pint. Perfect for some
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one of the best pubs in reigate run by south africans!
a great range of real ale each one well kept. good to see the pool table gone to make way for more seating as this pub used to suffer from over crowding.
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With a new landlord comes another approach to running this pub and for the better I say. The Red Cross is now somewhere to go for a calming, mature atmosphere and to enjoy a fine selection of ales (4 last night including Flowers (guest), 6X, Broadside and Pride). Scrumpy Jack and Biltong (Jerky) available too. Plenty of seating and a sensible atmosphere make it a place for, perhaps, older boys and girls. Good stuff!
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I used to go here when I first went to Reigate. it brings back some nice memories for me when I first dated my man. I got used to the crowd in there and bar staff seemed very friendly, specially the italian barmaid.haven't been in there since the pub changed hands so I can't comment now on what it is like in there.
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For all the validity of the preceding commentary, this really has been turned on its head since the '80s, when it was a dire old place serving Skol lager and not much else. Despite an insensitive and slightly pseudo branding in 1995 as the Tap & Spile, I felt that this place became a mecca for those disaffected Reigatians that wanted a nice environment that promotes good converstaion, a range of age groups and a variety of good beer. This was an excellent formula that seemed to work, but all good things must come to an end and after 3 years it changed hands and I believe Punch now own it - as they do everywhere else in the area.
It is okay now; reasonable beer but very little choice. Nowhere near as busy and I think it's become a little tired again. In an historical building like this the pub could be a beacon of hope for the more discerning drinker, but as it is it's quagmired in owner and lessee indifference. Better than it was 20 , but no match for what it was 10 years ago.
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Another attempt at being "traditional". When will these landlords realise that what makes a pub "traditional" is service, not dark wood furniture and brass hanging on the walls?
OK drinks, slightly pricey. Good luck getting served at the rear bar. For some reason I always seem to get either the airhead dizzy brunette or a rather abrupt "older" gentleman serving me, but friends tell me service is usually OK.
OK to use if you're waiting for a table at one of the local restauraunts.
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It's a bit dingy, so i wouldn't go in there if i was on a downer or i'd slit my wrists. But i suppose its got that good traditional pub quality. Just not the traditional pub prices. It's ok, i guess.
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Is the music supposed to be jazz? To me, it sounds vaguely like hardcore punk. The kind that never caught on. Don't think much of the music, but the pub itself is ok.
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They play live music. Didnt really attract much of a crowd, more the opposite effect
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Well I think it's nice. Good selection of beers, seems to be a new one each week. Slightly pricey but not too bad. Can be very busy one weekend then dead the next, very strange. Can usually find a seat though. Nice little patio garden out the back but the extractor fan from the kitchen is out there going most of the night, if they moved that it would be great.
Friendly staff, friendly atmosphere, great beer.
smuj83 - 19 Sep 2003 16:21 |
Has no atmosphere & on an evening the lights are on so low it makes you want to go to sleep.
Plays the same Jazz tunes over and over and over
Most expensive pub in the town
dfr - 12 Sep 2003 13:33 |
Now re-named back to the original "Red Cross" OK pub that gets crowded on weekend nights and attracts Real Ale types.
Mark Gouldthorpe - 29 Aug 2003 12:35 |
