please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Somewhat surprised to see that no-one has mentioned it's now named the Alexander Pope [not that BITE would have taken any notice].
Never been here before yesterday but found it functional, lady behind the bar polite, the Special perfectly OK.
Suited its purpose drinkwise, but not a pub I would rush back to.
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I notice that neither EmilyBright 123 or Nicholas7 have posted about any other pub anywhere since their little shills for this one. Quel surprise!
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Went back in this pub after years. ironically, what annoyed me the last time I went in this pub was the fact that a decent old boozer had been refitted to look like a hotel.
Now it has been refitted again it seems, and I have to confess it seemed a bit better than I remember - let's not pretend though that the old pub was some sort of old world ye tavern, the refit before was crap, this one has just made it a bit nicer.
I'd like to visit again as this looked like an appealing place to spend an afternoon
TheGP - 29 Jun 2010 13:42 |
The cretin that dreamed up this unnecessary renovation ought to be ASBOed.
Very anti-social
A monstrousity, like the worst excesses of modern Japanese public architecture.
And as if the last incarnation wasn't bad enough!
Just an excuse to put prices up yet again.
No wonder the proper boozers with character around the green are getting all the local trade from the Cross Deep/Tower Road end of TW1.
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We always used to joke that Youngs were famous for their pub "moderations" but this is the most radical that i've seen. The glass box has opened the pub up considerably. So much so that we might end up feeling claustrophobic in traditional boozers. The practical outcomes are more tables to eat and drink at which has to be better doesn't it? Kew Gold - on tap - was bit bland on the day. Special better.
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Yes it is a coincidence, I have no idea who Emily is. Was there again on Friday for a nightcap and I would modify my opinion to saying its okay but I take the point about an airport lounge. If you look at Young's website they seem to be doing this kind of 'makeover' to alot of their pubs. But it's done now, so all you can do if you don't like it is drink somewhere else!
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Nicholas7 must be EmilyBright123's boyf...both 1st-time posters, posting on how wonderful the refurb is, minutes after they've registered on the site. Coincidence?
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The makeover is an improvement, although I can understand how it must have upset old regulars. Basically they have ripped the front out of the old pub and built a huge conservatory with some serious plate glass. It is better; there was something faintly depressing about the old place, which smacked of grey cardboard Sunday roasts. The new pub is brighter and smarter and from what I could see last Friday night, very popular, even towards midnight.
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"EmilyBright123" is clearly a shill - a bumsucking write-up and no previous reviews...think we are stupid? I hope it wasn't you, "Emily" (if that is your real name) that thought it was a bright idea, having chucked away the old pub and the old pub atmosphere to now chuck away the pub name and its historic associations. Is "grotto" too downmarkert for you and your airhead image/marketing-driven 'mates' (as pictured on the erzatz new website?
This pub belongs on a bypass in Bracknell now.
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The new development at this pub looks so exciting, I had a sneaky look in the window and its a real trasformation.
I am looking forward to finally seeing a decent pub in the area. It gets quite tedious always having to go into Richmond for a night out. I went there a while ago and the team where really friendly so hopefully it will still be as great ... I will keep you all posted!
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going to be even more like an airport lounge soon, youngs are building a greenhouse on the front and changing the name to The Alexander, local landmark or not.
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I went there in summer 2007 and found it as other people have said, like drinking in an airport terminal.
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Modern, big and as far from an English pub as you can get. Reminded me of an airport lounge. I'd bet that none of the staff could even tell you who Pope was.
The youngs was ok though.
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Went back for the first time in fifteen years - the most memorable feature of a tiny public bar has gone and separate saloon bars. Instead there is a large room with separate areas for eating and drinking. The result was a bit bland, rather reminiscent of an American bar. There was a very mixed clientele with families, groups of friends and the occasional loner reading the Sunday papers; the beer Youngs Ordinary was good and the steak sandwich tasty. The young staff helpful and friendly, although it took time to get served. I don't much like it, but clearly Youngs are doing something right.
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Beer's ok. Staff are friendly enough. Fortunately the odd Hooray Henry wannabe/Yank looking for "a real pub" are only sporadic visitors. Rooms are accepatble enough for directing out-of-town visitors to.
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Having been a regular haunt of mine until the mid 80's, I was glad to have arranged for my wife and kids to meet up with my father in law at the Popes Grotto on Fathers Day 2008. Disappointment soon set in however, the interior decor is looking somewhat tired, despite having been refurbished twice in the last ten years or so, and for a place that now likes to be known as an hotel, the cleanliness of the wc's left a little to be desired. Shabby decor I can deal with, but what left me more than a little dissatisfied was the food. The kids had sausage and mash, having ordered steak pies, to be told that they had run out, which I understand were OK, Father in Law had Mussels, which whilst being served in a nice sauce, out of a bottle I suspect, the size of the mussels ranged from mediocre to 'surely should have been thrown back in the sea for a year or two', as they were less than the size of an old half penny!. The real disappointment was the Baked Shoulder of Lamb, as ordered by my wife and I. With a price of �15.95 we expected rather more than the piece of dried out lamb chop that arrived on a bed of dried out mashed potato, which given the way the heat dispersed out of it, I imagine had been prepared in a microwave. Ok, the red wine jus was OK, home made? I doubt it. I am not usually one to complain whilst eating out, but I was so shocked by what arrived, I did. The waitress said she'd have a word with the chef, and returned saying 'that's just how it is'. In summary, the Popes Grotto remains a great place to enjoy a pint of real ale, but charging restaurant prices for less than average pub grub is not acceptable. If you�re looking for somewhere to eat, there are plenty of better places in the area to go to.
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i have only been to this pub a few times and what i have seen has been great service great dfood and great hhotel the bar staff are really freindly expecally two of them one was blond young boy who was behind the bar the other was a irish girl very warm and welcomeing will defo be going bac
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hotel rooms lovely staff very very good great ales restraunt bloody great have looked at other reviews what a joke they must be from london 2 star travelodge what a load off rubbish well worth 3star
anonymous - 24 Sep 2007 14:27 |
new managers what a different place very good ales and great atmosphere go see for your self
anonymous - 24 Sep 2007 14:17 |
yes, expect more pubs to start changing into Hotels, etc, as they try to pay their bills on the greatly reduced customers coming in, mainly due to high prices, and having to turn away many who like a 'pint & a smoke' ...
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Sadly lacking in character and atmosphere -- somewhat ironic considering the literary heritage in the immediate vicinity. Imagine a two-star Travelodge from Redditch transported through some portal in the space-time continuum and dropped unceremoniously in Twickenham and you'll have a fair idea of the atmosphere here. More of a hotel than a pub -- the hotel prospering from corporate events and rugby union matchdays at Twickers. On the plus side, the Youngs beers are well kept and you can usually get a seat (on a comfy sofa).
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Is it a restraunt? Is it a pub? Is it a function room? Or is it just bloody awful?
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Dropped by for a late-afternoon badly-needed pint-and-a-half on the hottest day of the year; sat outside; inside was pretty quiet - can't expect much atmosphere at that hour; a few unobtrusive darts players. Youngs Bitter on good form. Served quickly and pleasantly. Still weep for the pub it was, but you can do worse. They should move the old stained glass of Pope from the corridor next to the loos; some d1ckhead will smash it one day.
anonymous - 2 Aug 2006 16:27 |
I recently on Tuesday night and loved the place, the staff were friendly and chatty, there was a slight coldness about the place but that was made up by fantastic food great wine and nice staff will def make it a regular. thanx for a great pub.
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I've been here about 30 times over the last 10 years.
It's got no atmosphere, but it's clean, not too smokey, the Young's beer is always good and you can usually find somewhere to sit.
But when I visited the week before last the service was truly terrible. I was the only person at the bar waiting to be served, and there were about five staff, three of whom kept leaving the bar area to do something elsewhere and returning every so often.
And all the staff either looked down at the floor or at each other and refused to make eye contact with anyone on the other side of the bar. Two of them fondled each other's buttocks every time they passed (cute, but I came for a drink not a peep-show).
Even the manageress, when she arrived behind the bar, caught my eye but then turned away and started to talk to her staff about the till.
After about 8 minutes I finally started to get served. Then another customer arrived and was also ignored. Unlike me, he was brave enough to get cross about it, and asked how the staff could miss him when he was over 6 feet tall. And the staff reaction? They shook their heads and muttered about the awkward customer.
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Went in for the first - and now only - time last Sunday, for a quick pint whilst waiting for the rain to stop. Funny old layout. Very open and tables were badly arranged. There was only one table that was positioned out of the way of the myriad TVs which was already taken so we were conpelled to unwillingly cast our gaze at the bloody football wherever we sat (does it never end???) Bland, dull - absolutely nothing of any interest to say about the place.
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If your loaded, but enjoy hotel bars with no character, you couldn't find a better venue
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Large Youngs pub beer was fine and the food was ok and I had no trouble with the service.
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The food in this place is awful accompanied by poor service.
anonymous - 5 Jan 2005 21:38 |
This has been my local now for a number of years. All the comments below are were accurate and I avoided it like the plague for a long time. It has now however reverted to a more traditional style and is much improved. Good plasma TVs, cold beer (if that's your thing), good food. All in all not bad now if a little pricey, but still get a "hotely" feel sometimes.
Simon - 13 Oct 2004 19:26 |
I could weep; a really good multi-bar locals pub with great food has been replaced by this vulgar erzatz crudhole. Expensive and meritless. Avoid.
anonymous - 1 Sep 2004 15:36 |
Thanks Pub Ghost, as I suspected, another decent pub ruined by the refitters!
TheGP - 31 Aug 2004 10:23 |
To The Ginger Prince: There was a Pub there before the war which was demolished by the Luftwaffe. A Temporary building was established and lasted till the early 60s! A Magnificant Pub was then built by Youngs until in the 1990s they realised they could squeeze a Hotel onto the site. Now its like drinking in a Airport terminal.
The Pub Ghost - 30 Aug 2004 15:33 |
Stayed the night here for an international and would not go anywhere else now! Met a load of the referees staying there and had a great night. Also saw Robbie Earle drinking there!
James - 14 Aug 2004 19:11 |
I am guessing that this was a good pub before the Ikea refit took place - However, whatever character the place had was ruined when that happened, and the prices will empty your wallet just to add insult to injury.
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pub or hotel I think it needs to address what it wants to be. Food average, dont like children, large open bar and well ventilated.
geoff - 4 Aug 2004 09:29 |
Attached to a Hotel this is a brilliant bar with a diverse cross section of locals and visitors - manic when the Rugby is on.
They stopped serving the bar snacks though which is a great shame and could cost them dearly.
Michael Sankey - 17 Aug 2003 10:59 |
Geoffrey from Rainbow has been seen drinking in here. Don't know if Bungle joins him.
drinker - 27 May 2003 05:09 |
