please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Looks the business for a RA/foody mix but is neither. Poor food and dodgy ales. No apparent management. The staff at front of house try hard but the basics are not there. No competition within walking distance so it is TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT time. A typical example of an English pub in decline.
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Has now undergone an expensive refurbishment. One can only ask why? They have taken down some partitions, crammed in a few more tables and smartened the place up. The menu has changed but the food is still average at best. The popular curry night on Thursday no longer exists which is a shame. One TV screen remains in the back room which is not particularly practical to access for viewing if there is a popular sporting occasion on. There were five beers available during my visit including two from Hammerpot, Hogs Back Tea, GK IPA and boring Doombar. A little more imagination would be nice as none of these beers inspire the discerning real ale drinker. The clientele are still the same mixed bunch as before so I'm not sure what the refurbishment is supposed to have achieved.
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Have increased the number of handpulls to five. Uninspiring selection though - London Pride, Courage Best, Bombardier, Old Speckled Hen, and the latest "guest ale" Timmy Taylor's Best. They have reverted to serving these ales far too cold. The glass has substantial condensation on it when the beer is served which is not a good sign. The other day when visiting they were not serving a particular guest ale because it was cloudy. When offered a taster it was found to be perfectly clear. They had obviously only pulled off what was sitting in the pipe and made a decision based on its appearance. The Squirrel should be encouraged for its efforts but also needs a few lessons in real ale cellar management before recommending.
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As stated by many below, the food quality can vary at The Squirrel. However, the beer is consistently good, as is the staff's service and attitude. A great local.
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The staff are a really enthusiastic and friendly group, whipped into shape by "Kat". Great attitude by friendly locals and although the food quality can vary, it is generally acceptable and good value for money.
Being new to the area, having recently moved from Reading, we were pleasantly surprised to discover this almost little "gem" around the corner from us.
Will definitely regard it as our local.
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Lovely pub with some of the most reasonable drink prices in the area - �2.85 a pint for Stella!
And slugbreff - People like you have forced us to go outside to smoke, please don't try to stop us smoking there as well. The smoking area at The Squirrel is tiny, if the smell of smoke offends your precious little nostrils, go sit on the other side of the pub.
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Can't they move the smokers away from the windows? On those blazing hot summer days the smoke came straight into the bar!
Huge rating reduction from us - although lovely beer, foul cigarette smoke make me heave.
Guess its just a winter pub from now on.
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I love this pub!!!!! All the staff are friendly and helpful and always make an effort to talk to you. The food can vary depending on how busy they are, but the new burger menu is a definate winner. As with all ember inns they do not allow children in the bar...which may prove to be a problem for myself and husband in 6 months!! although I can always go and sit in the pretty beer garden!
All in all a very pleasant visit.
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We have been back here on several occasions since my last review, and although we have always enjoyed our visits I do have a couple of quibbles.
The food is seriously variable. Sometimes we have enjoyed eating here immensely, but on several occasions the food has been of a much lower standard than we are used to.
The other quibble is about cleanliness. The menus are always sticky and grubby which conveys an unpleasant first impression.
My husband says the beer is consistently good, and they are a friendly bunch, which is more important to me than anything else. If they could only get the sticky menus and cooking under control we would be happier to recommend The Squirrel.
As things stand we visit The Squirrel when it is just the two of us, but tend not to take guests there in case they are having one of their off days.
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An improving and busy pub. Two observations. The Guest Ale pump is often turned round due to its popularity and is not replaced quickly enough. I end up having to drink the ubiquitious London Pride. Why not change the uninspiring Green King IPA for something more interesting?
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Since the Swan got vandalised this is probably the last "safe" pub in Farnborough where you can have a few beers and a good laugh without either a) being murdered or b) getting kicked out for enjoying yourself.
Under 14's are a no no except in the garden. Good policy in my mind. For you filthy smokers there's a very good shelter and it keeps most of the rain off.
Beer wise they have a good reputation for real ales and the lagers are always cold, fizzy and wet. What more do you need? It's also pretty good value, �2.70 for a "premium" lager.
The food can be variable to say the least but is usually good around lunchtime/early afternoon. Portion sizes are good, one look at the landlord will testify to that. Curry night on a Thursday is VERY popular, be prepared to wait ages at the bar to order. It does tend to arrive pretty quickly and comes with a nan the size of Wales. Unfortunately the gnomes at Ember Towers decided that the quiz should be on the same night so finding a seat can be difficult. Eating a curry standing up is tricky to say the least.
All in all a pretty good pub. If you fancy a real laugh pop over to naughty corner (right hand side of the bar).
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I have to take issue with the anonymous post below - I just didn't like the possible negative tone regarding "has a policy of not being family friendly". Personally, my partner and I (and I'll bet that we are not at all alone) often *prefer* to go to the Squirrel *because* they do not have facilities for under 14s. That means that they don't cater to *children.* Not *all* families have small children, you know.
We are tired of going to "pubs" which cater far too much to the kiddies. Perhaps a new term, "kubs" could be invented to describe places where one can no longer go to enjoy a quiet pint, but instead, one must endure stereophonic toddler tantrums while the kid next to you repeatedly kicks the back of your chair.
So Hurray for the Squirrel (and Ember Inns) for bucking the Kub trend! Their beers and ales are good too. Their food is alright (but not terrific). The staff is friendly and efficient enough and we've always been able to go and have a calm drink in a mellow atmosphere.
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There used to be a problem with the real ales being served far too cold in here. This has now improved and the choice of ales is also more inventive. Everards Yuel Fuel with a garish flashing pump clip, Adnams Explorer and Fullers London Pride were all in good condition last weekend.
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Advice...Being part of the Ember Inn group this group has a policy of not being family friendly, and has a min. age limit of 14, the place itself looks reasonable.
anonymous - 28 May 2007 18:23 |
The Squirrel was my local for three years, and it was a very worthy local too. It's quite cosy, so it can get full quite quickly. It's fitted out very well, smart, well kept decor. The toilets are refreshingly clean and tidy. There's no TV, Pool or Darts, which is good. It could pass as a smart country pub. Sofa's are in short supply, and so is space, so if there's a big group of you, and it's summer time, sit outside on the patio or in the garden, both are lovely on a summers day or evening.
Part of the appeal of the Squirrel is the real mix that it provides. It can be busy and lively, like on quiz nights, but you can also usually sit and have a relaxing drink. There's a good mix of young and older, men and women, but I've never seen it rowdy or troublesome.
It's not the cheapest pub in Farnborough, but probably not the most expensive either. I'm not a beer drinker, so I'm afraid I can shed no light on that front.
The food used to be fairly good a couple of years ago. There are other places to eat in North Camp, and Aldershot and Guildford are only a few miles away along the Blackwater Valley Road if you don't fancy trying it.
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Went there last Thursday night, this is an example of how an Ember Inn can be run. The beer was in good condition and people were actually enjoying themselves! The bar-staff were polite, food looked OK and the quiz was well hosted - I'll return for sure.
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Seems that the trainee chef has still not got it right. Don't eat there it is quite awful - cold or over-microwaved food that takes ages to arrive.
What a disappointment as it used to be alright-ish.
Still has a guest beer though and that was nice.
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Generally a pretty good pub, clean and friendly which are 2 things hard to come by in most Farnborough/North camp pubs.
Beer here is usually good, although i went in recently to find all the ales were off and apparently had been for a week.
Food was, unfortunately, very average, my girlfriend had a burger with cheese and bacon which she says was ok but nothing special. I had a steak which i asked for rare and came out well done. My other friend asked for a steak medium and she couldnt even cut it.
In fairness though, i found out it was the trainee chef in the kitchen so if somebody showed him how to cook a steak it would have been fine.
Somewhere i would go back to, but my local will always be the PoW.
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friendly staff. refurbished in May 2006. the pub is unusual as there is no t.v. or pool table or dart board. a refreshing change!
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We popped in here a few weeks ago mistakenly thinking that it was part of the same group as The Swan in Ash Vale - It isn't.
Unfortunately they weren't serving food. (Nobody explained why not.) so we didn't stay very long.
It was certainly very lively. I understand it was Quiz Night. We would probably like to return some other time and try our hands at the quiz when we weren't so hungry.
In addition, I found it a touch claustrophobic with all those nooks and crannies.
I can't say I was at all impressed with the staff, but I liked the look of the other clientele - I like a random mix of ages and types - so this must say something good about the place.
And my husband gave the beer a thumbs up as well.
We were only here for 45 minutes so I'm just giving my first impressions of the place. I shall update when we pop in again.
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I agree that this is an average pub, but some good locals. Management northern, but I suppose someone has to come from there! Food very average and overpriced. A curious mixture of wannabee trendy and old farts.
If a certain person skipped a few meals it may help a small developing country!
Bar staff and management friendly.
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This certainly does have a lot of sitting space available, you do need that many when the quiz nights are on (thursdays and sundays) seems a bit designed for car drivers, dont be put off if you cant find a way to get in at the 1st attempt, its not rocket science just can take a big of logical thinking
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This pub is a typical Ember Inns pub - plays tricks with you when you look around for tables and find there are more than you thought. Is unique in that it has the hardest-to-find enterance I've ever come across. They are having a beer festival on at the moment so plenty to choose from. Don't think I would bother to eat here, given previous comments and it is a bit expensive anyway
Will2 - 24 Oct 2005 14:40 |
Better after the refurb but stupid to bar families (an Ember Inns Policy) when in such a family populated area. Outside of pub very bodged up and looked dreadful a few weeks after opening. Landlady very snooty and gets her employees to empty bins of bottles at closing time (approaching midnight)with no thought to the local residents whatsoever. Food very bland and very overpriced with a chef often seen smoking outside the kitchen door. (I used to live 20 yards from the pub) Yuk!
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Great atmosphere - real rapor between staff. Landlady genuinely friendly to anyone who's not an arsehole photographer or fat redheaded bitch from farnborough tech.
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Great little pub. It is a chain pub, yet still has some character. It's nice, clean and does reasonable food, although it is quite expensive. The landlady never smiles, unless it's for the regulars. Most of the bar staff are very pleasing on the eye, which is fantastic when you're enjoying a quiet pint.
anonymous - 11 Oct 2004 17:57 |
This is a much cleaner and nicer pub after the refurbishment, but maybe lost a bit of character. Staff are very good, but the food is expensive and not very nice. Good location if you are on a Farnborough pub crawl though.
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This pub is certainly better now its been refurbished and changed hands. It is an Embers Inn pub and is fairly reasonable. Appearance is good, comfy leather sofas. Manageress could smile a bit more and be friendly to everyone rather than just her favourites! Quiz nights on Tuesday and Sundays which are enjoyable and good prizes. �5 off drinks vouchers and the Prize money for the final round. Prices are a little high and dont have any special deals, could do a monthly deal though on something different each time? A plesant pub and nice atmosphere. No trouble either.
Iain Coleman - 9 Oct 2003 10:46 |
A pub for any time of day - beers are always on form, food good, staff helpful (and some are quite scenic!). O.K so it's run by a big company, but the formula works, it's always busy, and it's come back from the dead, as anyone who knew it a year or so ago will testify
Jack Reddall - 5 Jul 2003 17:25 |
