Always find this pub clean and tidy it`s just outside Guildford so away from the hustle of the town. They had 2 ales on last visit which where fine.
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The Astolat is actually a very nice pub despite the low rating it's received here.
The unfortunate thing is, the pub is quite large but it's usually empty. Unfortunately for the owner he hasn't targetted the student market! Being so close the University of Surrey campus gives weight to the afore mentioned issue...
However, the pub is clean, tidy, has a darts board, a pool table, lots of TVs and the staff are all really friendly!
Recently the pub has loaned it's kitchen to an Indian Restaurant, which to be fair is a great plan (Curry AND beer!? hell yes!).
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Had a decent refurb about 4 months ago. Much nicer place to spend time than it was, and there are usually 3 real ales on at any one time, which are kept well. Worth a return visit if you remember it as it was.
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This is the definition of 'it's not a bad place' which also says it's not an entirely good place either. If you're in the area you can do a lot worse. The staff seem professional and there was a pool table if i remember correctly.
My only criticism is that I felt sick the following day. I blame it on the packet of crisps between the seventeenth and eighteenth pint.
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Ok if in the area, standard beer range.
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Has quite a few changing real ales on at the moment. Definitely worth a go every now and then when in this area of town. Does a pub quiz on both Thursday and Sunday night so an enjoyable place to go aslong as you dont mind the locals who can be noisy at times.
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Has quite a few changing real ales on at the moment. Definitely worth a go every now and then when in this area of town. Does a pub quiz on both Thursday and Sunday night so an enjoyable place to go aslong as you dont mind the locals who can be noisy at times.
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Mixed impressions at the end of the day. Situated at the slightly rougher end of the town but this is a worthwhile pub on a good day with accepetable mixture of drinks on offer and a fair range of entertainment on offer. Not too bad for an edge of town pub. I can't remember the real ales they had on so look forward to returning.
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I love this pub. In fact, it's one of my favourites - the landlord, staff & regulars are all lovely, there's lots of stuff going on to cater for everyone, it's comfortable, clean & friendly. I've only been going there since January this year, so have no opinion on what has gone on before. Food's good, lots of live sport on large screens, family friendly - a great venue in so many ways. This pub is several miles away from where we all live, but there is a growing crowd of us who go though there on a regular basis. Some excellent bands play there too!
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had never heard of this pub before but saw a web site advertising live music here on saturdays. went and took a look last saturday and really enjoyed ourselves.the band were good. will go again this saturday as there is a very good band on apparently and i love live music.Mike, the new landlord seems to be very active in turning the place round. there was a mix of locals and students.
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The Astolat is re-opened. Food is back on, as is Sky sports.
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There was what looked like a staff meeting taking place last night, and the lights were on and Xmas decorations were being put up tonight (4/12/08), so it looks likely that the Astolat will re-open either 5/12/08 or 6/12/08.
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I would like to say as an occasionally visitor to the Astolat I am sorry to hear this news. Have not visited the Astolat for about a year or so now, but it is never good to hear such tragic news. Indeed the Astolat is a decent pub and I hope whoever takes over gives the pub the service and work ethic the pub and locals deserve. Intend to visit when it opens again.
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I asked the site to remove my comment about a month ago, as I posted it when I wasn't aware he was so ill. They haven't done so, which is a shame, as I regret posting it.
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Just in response to the Onslow village resident who left a comment at the beginning of September, may I say, as an ex barmaid at the Astolat that firstly, that Richard was very ill towards the end- that's why there was little chance of being served by him. And Kate, is a great barmaid who probably did have better things to do with her time then serve you, and looking at her reflection in the mirror was probably not one of them. Scott, Andy and Kate had to run the pub for the last couple of months before it shut, while juggling other jobs. So its a bit unfair to slate it.
I loved working there!!
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The Astolat is closed until further notice with effect from the 30th of September 2008 owing to the death of the landlord - Richard.
He was a truly nice man, and while the pub may not have been all that it might have been of late, his passing is very sad indeed.
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I am sad that after 18 months of new ownership, fewer positive things have emerged. After an initially positive start with a new landlord and some new staff, things seem to have slid.
The toilets are plain disgusting, with a broken window having gone 2 years un-fixed and a smell that has to be experienced.
I almost served myself this evening as Richard the landlord was too busy watching TV (and pissed) to help, and the bar girl (Kate?) was either doing something more interesting (looking in the mirror at her own reflection possibly) than serving the one waiting customer, or frankly could not be bothered.
Food is no longer served in the evening.
Light bulbs are out, dust is everywhere and the whole place has a feel of The Plough when it was at the end of its time.
Very sad that a man so nice as Richard can let it go this way. It will never be a gastropub, but it has much more potential that this.
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Good to hear it may be getting better here, warrants a more warm atmosphere, because it has potential. It is not quite in a rough area of Guildford, unlike the Weavers.
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Popped in recently and I did think it had improved. On a Saturday night, the atmosphere was relatively welcoming and service from the barman (who I suspect was the new landlord) was friendly.
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I think best wishes to the new management are in order, it's 8-9 years since my last visit here and it was just about as bad as any licensed premises could be. If the new management succeed in getting rid of those foul mouthed, low-life, semi-retarded morons I encountered, they will do well. This area has what I called in the 'sixties' real people, doing real things who live in a real community. I am of course referring to good old 'Dennisville' ! No rating left as it's too long since my last visit but I will make a point of visiting in August.
Biker - 14 Jul 2007 14:44 |
Well, after more years than most people care to remember, Richard Spall has left the building.
One can only hope that the new landlord - another Richard - can breath new life into the Astolat after 10+ years of surly, disinterested, abusive and charmless management by Richard Spall.
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Of course quiz night still appears to exist Thursdays and Sundays for anyone interested
anonymous - 17 Dec 2006 00:29 |
It is somewhere to go in the area, in an area which can be devoid of life, not great but a pub is better than no pub!
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been there, seen it, done it, bought the t-shirt, took it back for a refund!
heed my words friend this place is a walk past!
for locals only
for chavs only
for the students who lost there way!
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The quiz on Thursday does seem to be a bit of a non-event. Dont expect to get invited to play along if your not a local!
anonymous - 24 Dec 2005 00:17 |
Named in commemoration the famous Astro Cat, that was in fact only the FOURTH animal in space (dog, monkey, gebil then cat). Word to the wise: on entering head to the bar not the games area, the landlord will give you grief over 'this not being a youth club'. Try out their 'good food, reasonably priced' and make up your own mind, I wasn't convinced. Fine selection of bored games, such as Frisk, Chest and Purecheesy. Its sh1t, but you'll love it really, trust.
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Used to live really near this so went there a lot. Now I don't and I am releaved to see no other pubs appear to be this bad !
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I have had some dire times in the Astolat and only attended as regually as I did as it was the nearest pub to my parents house.
The place is devoid of atmosphere, although the quiz did use to be quite amusing for Richard Spall (landlord) comedy question calling. The staff are quite rude and the food is poor. Good selectioon of Ales though and the Lager is cheap for guildford. Varying crowd from Grannies - students.
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went once but probs last time for the fact the staff were rude.
derka - 19 Aug 2005 01:44 |
The pub quiz on a sunday does seem to be for the more mature generation. Didnt seem like the smartest pub in Guildford. Decent Guinness
anonymous - 25 Jul 2005 14:40 |
Always seems a bit dark and dingy and smokey to me, not the best pub in Guildford IMO.
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Famous for the music quiz on Sunday nights. Tends to have an older crowd, but young people may have more of a chance with the later rounds.
Will - 8 Aug 2004 20:27 |
Random observation #2: No Timothy Spall lookalikes.
Norn_Iron_Dave - 5 May 2004 09:28 |
I spent bank holiday monday here, as it's my local and it was pissing it down. Pints are REALLY expensive (2.85 for a pint of Guinness, 2.95 for Grolsch) but it's no Weyside (it lacks the trendy customers, expensively haircut staff etc.), so why the stupid prices? I had to break out my Switch card for the last round, which always hacks me off.
Atmosphere is what you make it in that place, I think, but the quiz is widely rumoured to be good fun. Might check that out soon. The jukebox comprises entirely of "remember: you can't get this album in the shops, so call 0845...)"-style shite. The Royal Oak's jukebox remains the best in town.
Random observation: the barman was a dead ringer for Spudgun off of Bottom.
Norn_Iron_Dave - 5 May 2004 09:27 |
Our pints of Pride were quite good but a bit pricey (�2.55 whereas usually around the �2.20 mark at other pubs in Guildford). Thursday night is quiz night. The quiz is QuizGo and is quite well run with cash prizes after each of four rounds (�2.50 to enter though).
anonymous - 1 Dec 2003 13:27 |
Timothy Spalls Brother was/is the Landlord. Slightly strange pub, did have good live music (kept looseing licence for music), but not always the best staff or pint.
JRamage - 15 Aug 2003 13:26 |
Don't know much about it, looks like a friendly local.
I believe that Timothy Spall's brother was/is Landlord.
Vindaloo - 13 Aug 2003 14:46 |
