please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Now called the Cannon. Tough guy at the bar with piercings and all sorts, otherwise pretty empty.
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Just on the outskirts of the town, stopped off for a beer while the wife went shopping.
Only had a shandy as I was driving,another clean well kept pub.
I see my new found whingers been here as well.
Resident stay at home with your beer and food from Lidle and stop your goddamm whining or take a bloody happy pill.
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The Keystone does still do food, and very good it is too. Kitchen opening times per the Keystone's website are:
Sun–Mon Noon–3pm
Tue–Sat Noon–3pm & 6–9pm
... though I'm sure I've eaten there on a Monday evening. Anyway, key point is there is a gap in the afternoon which is presumably when the last reviewer was there.
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Well it is still a pub Pilgrim and I dont see that changing. The beer was very good today with at least 3 guest ales and around 5 in total. Only about 3 people in there on a Week day afternoon so they may be short of customers. No sign of a menu so I assume they dont do food here. Looks a bit tired around the edges and nothing to do such as watch TV for example.
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I'll be visiting later today to post a review :)
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Lease is up for grabs and on the market.
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The owners have deliberately distanced themselves from the term 'gastropub' and I must say I couldn't agree more. Given their reputation my friends and I were expecting a decent plate of home cooked grub from the Keystone, yet the meats were so overcooked it made us wonder whether the chef was paranoid about food poisoning. My cumberland sausages were so badly treated they resembled charcoal, the beef burger had a think, crisp outer shell which made the experience of eating it quite unpleasant, and inevitably the chicken was as dry as a bone. Maybe we were just unlucky, but at �30 between the 3 of us plus drinks I sharn't be going back to find out. Give me Wetherspoons any day of the week!
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A proper pub for adults, out of the way of the nearby Bridge Street hordes who should be at home revising for their GCSEs. Pretty quiet midweek evenings - so a good place for a civilised drink.
Usually three cask beers on. Alton's Pride is always excellent. There is also 6X and a guest beer. Food is good and not overpriced (though nowhere in Guildford is cheap).
Light, airy, comfortable - and with a bar billiards table.
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Just a very average pub. Had a real old man pub feel to it (unfortunately not in a good way). I think the new management must've ruined it. The first time I went the food was poor - my sandwich being dry enough to look like it was toasted. Having given the place the benefit of the doubt it didn't redeem itself second time around. The only reason it got one star was because they allow bikes to be stored inside while you have a pint. The landlord is reasonable like that
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Paid my first visit here in around 5 years today - the place has not changed one bit. Good in the sense of the beer was still good, bad in the sense that NOTHING has been changed - the sofas, chairs, decorations and menu selection is the same as it was in 2007. So, the experience was a tired version of 2000. Looking at my reviews from back then they talk about the kebabs only having one bit of haloumi cheese on - and guess what, a friend of mine ordered that today with, you guessed it, only one piece of haloumi cheese on.
Overall mark slipped from 8 in 2006 to 6 now - come on guys, you've earned enough out of the pub since the last revamp to do it again now, surely?!
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An excellent pub. Staff always professional and friendly, food good and reasonably priced, and the clientele are grown ups! Beer is always up to scratch. Triple fff Alton's Pride is the stock beer, with other standards being Wadworth 6X and Black Sheep Bitter. There is always a guest beer on - Wyre Piddle's Piddle in the Cold tonight. The pub has had a little internal repaint to freshen things up at the start of 2012. There is an open patio area out the back which is nice in the summer - and a refuge for smoking types in all seasons.
PhilR - 10 Jan 2012 23:15 |
Good, well run pub.
Nice friendly atmosphere and management who really make an effort.
Well up in my Guildford top 10.
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A little gem.
Always seems to have a good bustling atmosphere. Staff serve you promptly and there's a good selection of drinks.
Definitely worth seeking out.
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Looks a bit modern from the front and set on a very busy road this pub is a bit of a surprise, the food looked good, it served local beer and the terraced beer garden at the rear was very pleasent. Apparently it does a good Sunday lunch too.
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odd place...really good ales and a good crowd...but, it seems really modern inside and there's little character....will always pop in if in the area...
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I've been coming here for 4 years now and this pub keeps getting me into trouble....I just can't leave. Excellent well kept beer and top notch home cooked food and great company what more can you ask for. Keep it up and get into BITE top 100. If the Keep (66) and The Stoke (79) can do it then the Keystone should be No 1.
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A pleasant pub just over the river from the town centre, comfortable and friendly, despite the toddlers infesting one area and one standing right in front of the door to the gents' toilet!
4 beers - 6X, Doom Bar, Alton's Pride and Pigswill. Not sure about the Pigswill - it divided opinion, but I think it is meant to taste a bit strange! When a fresh Alton's Pride went on, it was superb. In the 2011 Good Beer Guide, possibly deserved, but there are pubs in Guildford centre which are at least as deserving.
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This is a nice bar, more so than a pub, but my main comment would be that they serve the Wadsworths 6X far too cold. It is totally tasteless at freezing point, and should be served at room temperature.
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Tried the Black Sheep and the 6X. And something from the Cider festival. Beer well kept and a choice of 3. Seems like there's a lot going on - live music when I went, but also salsa, science discussion and a host of community events. Possibly the best pub in Guildford I have visited.
Loses marks for serving 6X through a sparkler - I'd rather have flat and thin in the devizes style.
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Very well run, friendly pub with a more adult feel than most in Guildford. Chilled atmosphere helped greatly by well chosen seating and lighting, plenty of interesting events and good value food and ales. Well worth the short walk away from the kiddies pubs on Sesame Street, the dreary corporate identikits of the George Abbot and White House and the managed house dross in various roads close to the centre. My ideal Guildford pub crawl would just be walking back and forth from the Keystone to Ye Olde Ship!
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Excellent pub with 4 real ales on the handpump. A splendid discovery!!.
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A nice pub with friendly, efficient staff and good quality real ales. An excellent relaxing alternative when Wetherspoon's is packed and ear splitting on a Monday, Friday or Saturday evening. Be warned though that seems to be closed on Sunday evenings whenever I have attempted to go there then.
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I find the beer here a positive. Good location.
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At least 4 real ales on and bottled ale available. Worth a go.
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Great 'town pub' tucked away from the main drag. Beer is excellent, the Black Sheep and most recently the very delicious Exmoor Gold. Perfect condition.
zambo - 22 Dec 2009 20:41 |
Came in here because the White House did not look inviting! Perhaps it was a one-off but this certainly made up for that. There appeared to be some real ales on, although just a couple. 6X was one of them. Decided on a bottle of Becks which was �3. Quite expensive, but that is probably the case everywhere. Serves me right for not drinking real ale! Plenty of space, although quite noisy as it was a Friday night.
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Good little pub, worth that extra few minutes walk from town!
Jonny
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I like this place, keep meaning to go there for the food but don't get around to it. They have recently added another ale pump so there are now 4 real ales on tap methinks.
Also you can sign up for emails which let you know about events and special offers, so it's keeping up with the times!
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Lol its still there Stroller, i rate Keystone highly.
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Lol its still there Stroller, i rate Keystone highly.
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Am I dreaming or has a comment gone missing ( something about this pub fitting in well in Basingstoke ??)
As it goes not a bad place there are worse in Guildford,but I would not make it here on a regular basis.
Lager ok,service average,nothing special. Well over rated at 7/10 more like a 4.
Lets see if this goes missing too,has the pub something to hide ??????
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A hidden away little treat.
Good atmosphere.
Excellent choice of ales.
Eating here is a good choice also despite what others have complained about.
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Have not eaten here but I think it would be worth a go as it is a nice place in a pretty good location in the town. Many real ales are worth drinking here but the patio outside is a nice place to go when the sun is out or on a evening in town. Beware you'll be sharing it with smokers however.
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Nothing much changed since my previous comments of Nov 2007. Been in twice in recent weeks at lunchtime and food service is apalling. Why does it take so long to cook food and serve it to customers - management clearly don't realise most people have only a limited time for lunch.
We were in a mixed group at the bar but barman was only interested in serving the female customers who were either on their own or in pairs, only the female barmaid appeared to care who was 'next to be served'.
If you want food and have limited time, avoid at all costs!
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Barmen just dont do it for me, ;-) know what i mean. come here for the beer and atmosphere instead.
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The Friday afternoon / evening barman is worth a visit at the very least! The drinks are cheap too.
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My little refuge on the way home. Top quality beer and top quality food all served by top quality staff. Watch out for Bill one of Guildford's finest gentlemen and bon viveur!
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Nice little venue but not obvious to the naked eye. Certainly you would not realise there was a pub here if you were not from the area. So once you've found this neat place you can enjoy the fine atmosphere and settle down to an ale such as a Black Sheep Bitter or Wadworth 6X. There is sometimes a guest ale too. You can even sit outside when its a nice evening.
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Have been a semi-regular in here for some time now. The Wadworth 6X is always spot on, occasionally have the Black Sheep which is also very good and the third bitter is always a guest - St Austells Brewery seems to be a recurring guest which is always looked forward to. The food is a little bit more expensive compared to most other pubs in the town centre but the quality is excellent and more than makes up for the price.
The decor is perhaps not quite to my personal taste, being a traditionalist at heart, but there is a nice mix of older and youngish customers. Sorry I don't understand the previous reviewers mention of a pretentious crowd - not in my personal experience.
9/10 (would be 10 if they got rid of the sofa)
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You'll find this little pub tucked away, well lit-up at night and a fine venue. Plenty of Ales on tap, including 6X and Black Sheep.
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Pretentious crowd have ruined one of Guildford finest pubs.
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Thanks for the info Mr Ford. Will they make me very drunk? I can assume so.
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Great food all home cooked at reasonable prices and excellent range of alternative alcohol. I especially recommend the organic vodka fruit drinks.
JFord - 10 Jul 2008 11:32 |
Trainman has a lot to say. In fact there is not too much to add, seeing as he mentioned what kind of Ales they have, to be honest I like the different range from mainstream ales that this place offers. Well done.
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Trainman - looks like this pub wasnt to your taste. Thats ashame but i'd recommend giving it a few more goes. This is a near little pub with some good beer. They do the 6X with is very tasty. It deserves recognition.
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Bitter&Twisted was good ystdy, but the studo bar'man' passed some snide remark when my friend sent back 2/3 pint of summat else which was cloudy. The mgr said we couldn't play darts coz he was about to set up for a band, then promptly put on his coat & went out! Tosser.
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A pub in a modern style but with a friendly feel. Food looks and smells good although I didn't have time to eat. Real ales are also available but served too cold in my opinion. The 6X I had was a bit old tasting - but then I was the only one apparently drinking bitter in the pub (sorry bar).
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Empty late afternoon and Daleside Legover not great.
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Quite modern feel & young vibe, but it does have a refurbed inglenook to the right of the bar, even if the adjacent sofa detracts from this nod to tradition. Beyond the bar to the left/rear is a tabled area which probably accommodates both dining and just drinking. Antipodean service was polite & friendly, the handpumps offered Black Sheep, 6X, and Wood�s Quaff from Shropshire which was very nice. They advertise �20 deal Mon nt for 2 rump steaks + btl wine.
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Several work colleagues used to eat here regularly at lunchtimes as the food is good but they have now stopped as it can average an hour for food to arrive after ordering even when not very busy. I had never had a problem until recently. Four of us arrived at 12 noon for a colleagues 50th birthday and immediately ordered food. Two more joined us at 12.20 and ordered food. Their food arrived at 12.35 and three of ours arrived between 12.40 and 13.05. At 13.10, 65 minutes after ordering, one of us were told their order hadn't yet been started. They demanded their money back and eventually got it but it wasn't as easy as you would expect. Birthday celebration meal spoilt!
The service/kitchen don't appear to have a clue how to get food out successfully. Word is getting around of the long delays and disjointed orders and many people are no longer returning. Sadly though, as the food has a good reputation, many more diners take their place.
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How this place rates as a 7/10 heaven only knows 60`s built pub no imagination at all should be on a council estate.
Saying that the beer was good did not eat so no comment on that,but still only worth a 5/10 at the very most.
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Quite frankly THE BEST pub in Guildford,no question. Ales fantastic and well kept, great choice of beers and wines and to date I have never had anything other than an exceptional meal there
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Place has not changed a great deal since last visit couple of years ago. Still sell 6X also brakspear was the guest ale on
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ROCKS ROCKS ROCKS ROCKS ROCKS
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As a regular visitor early evening I thoroughly enjoy my chill out couple of pints. The Black Sheep is always on top form and the range of guests is very good. Bar staff and early evening company sometimes get me into trouble by making me leave late but, hey what the heck this is a good pub.
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Had 2 steak and chips with a bottle of wine for �20 as part of the Monday special thingy they're doing at the moment. The food was good and the wine was decent (we had red). It was a really nice evening!
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What has happened to this pub?
I often frequented the keystone last summer and was always greeted by friendly staff, good food and a nice pint.
I went back last week to sadly find that this has all changed. The friendly staff consist of sulky emos and less than graceful pouting bar maids (who got my change wrong!!). The fresh home cooked food has been replaced by the charred remains of what the menu told me was a chicken burger (I've eaten better in a weatherspoons). The beer was served in a used glass and smelt oddly of bile.
It is such a shame to see an independent enterprise fall so quickly in standards. I for one will not be returning.
Furthermore, on complaining to the Emo I was offered no appology and no refund. I decided to leave when I was approached by the red faced ponytailed manager (apparently landlord|) who it seems is chief ininerator in this establishment.
again a great shame. i can only wish them better luck in the future.
anonymous - 20 Apr 2007 21:43 |
Typically 3 real ales on tap, each well kept. The food is very good. Interior more like a bar than a pub, but the atmosphere certainly qualifies it as a pub
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Vastly better than the average in a town centre filled with mediocre pubs. The Keystone serves a good selection of ales and on my occasional visits, they've always been well-served. Never gets too crowded which is a plus in Guildford. Has a jukebox to boot. My only caveat might be that the interior is a little bit soulless.
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Brilliant little pub. Always an interesting guest ale on as well as the black sheep. Staff very friendly, food excellent. Really cannot fault this place.
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Popped in for a quick pint on a friends recommendation, very happy.
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I went to the keystone today for dinner and a quiet drink. I was much impressed, so much so i'm writing this review straight away so I don't forget. the staff were very friendly, the food was excellent for a pub and homemade too. I'll definatly go again.
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This is a typical 60`s built pub.To someone of my age it is still known as The Cannon,it`s an ok pub nothing special,but saying that there isn`t any really good pubs in Guildford now except for 2 (The Royal Oak & The Robin Hood & they don`t have to keep changing their names)
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Consistently decent beer, food, staff and atmosphere. Keep it up.
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Nice atmosphere, friendly staff, comfortable with some sofas, terrace at the rear, but most importantly a good range of well kept ale, especially the Black Sheep.
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Introduced to this place by my housemate. Only had a quick pint in there but it was good (Black Sheep... down south?!?!).
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I'm a little bit partial to an acoustic set myself!Love the courtyard, Love the vibe, Love the fact that it's ever so slightly out of town so it's not really a packed out sheep pen like Ha Ha for example.
Fast becoming one of my favourite bars in Guildford.
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Good spacious and cool place, friendly and attractive barstaff, good range of real ales including mild for May.
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Been going here for a while on and off.Foods O.K beers good, The bands they have here need to be ejected and inject new acts. Acoustic all night . . boring.
anonymous - 8 May 2006 18:49 |
Good beer, but rubbish 'contemporary' interior.Burger was excellent, but how about doing proper thick chips.
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I have fond memories of a mis-spent youth in The Cannon that was, but I have to say I love it even more now it is The Keystone (& I am no longer a student!) The place is beautiful. I can barely remember what it looked like before, but I know it was grotty.
I'm still getting to know the place, but so far I like it a lot. The food is good, & I can hardly wait for the weather to improve so that I can sit outside in the sunshine.
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Really like this bar, as below; top food, nice beer and fast service - maybe cos there's noone in there, but i guess still one of Guildford's undiscovered gems!! Reccomended
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I really like this bar. The food is superb - try it i guarentee you will not settle for frozen pre packed pub grub again. It is relaxed and never so busy you feel pushed around, and i like the live music. It is not pretentious infact always seems quite relaxed.
Only gripe it that it can get very smoky. i know we only have to wait till next year till this is no more but as this bar does have an outside bit it would be great (for me at least) if the inside was no smoking, at least when they are serving food. Despite loving the food i did have to leave last week due to a table of smkers sitting right beside me as we were about to orders. Its a shame but the food is good i want to enjoy it!
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I use this pub on my way home to Redhill (not far from the Station). Excellent quality beer with guests regularly changed. The food is top quality and different from the majority of pub fare.
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Yet another bar with yet more acoustic guitar players, yawn...
anonymous - 10 Jan 2006 13:16 |
Yes, it was once the Cannon and they went through a phase of not being too strict with their ID checking. I quite liked it back then, I must admit. But that was a good ten years ago, and it's been through at least two changes of management since then. It is indeed very different now, just see the description above.
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Didn't this used to be called The Cannon and was a total dive full of under-age drinking.
I am sure it is totally different now
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ok if you like wine bars.
female manager needs to smile or thank you it goes along way.
anonymous - 20 Aug 2005 14:06 |
Been going there quite a lot recently � consistently good beer (6X) and food. Slightly stingy with the lamb and halloumi kebabs last week (one small piece of Haloumi) but other than that, doing well.
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Really rather good. Met friends here for Sunday lunch and didn't leave for 5 hours! Great food and staff. Would get 10 if it had a no-smoking section.
anonymous - 6 Feb 2005 23:15 |
Great place, small, clean and friendly. Haven't tried the food but it does look nice. 9/10 only because they don't have the outdoor patio heaters on at the moment!
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Can't believe that it's taken me the best part of 8 years to find this place! (Granted - it hasn't been the Keystone for that long). A little gem, the location seems to keep numbers down, it's straddled between a little side road and the Godalming road out of town. Really friendly, food is excellent and they serve San Miguel. Couldn't see a non-smoking area bit that doesn't mean there isn't one...
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Great food(specialy the lamb burger & steaks), the best pint of Mig in town, friendly staff and it draws friendly clientelle. I LIKE IT!!! 10/10
Shaun - 7 Nov 2004 10:34 |
Brilliant pub, really friendly people, delicious food and nice selection of wines! Definitely best steak in town and probably best pub in guildford - cool but totally unpretentious. 10/10
J - 28 Oct 2004 11:43 |
Better than I thought it would be. Nice atmosphere, reasonable beer, not sure what it was like when it was the Powerhouse, but it's good now
Will - 14 Aug 2004 22:15 |
This is not a bad place. They do a nice 6X. This is a good place to go if you want to finish drinks later than 11
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Not the 6th form common room any more, but surprisingly quiet now. I think the "new" Whitehouse is drawing people away. I like it, but something's missing. Perhaps it'll be good for the summer - out on the decking.
Calum - 26 Apr 2004 23:05 |
Good food,Good service,nice change! worth a try
Jonny - 5 Feb 2004 22:58 |
Smart. Good food. Friendly service. Oldish crowd. Needs more seats.
OpheliaImmortal - 23 Dec 2003 14:25 |
when i said time small time middle class dealers in hoodies, i meant the old powerhouse, the keystone looks totally different, a lot smarter but i haven't actually been in there yet
Gareth - 16 Dec 2003 11:57 |
i've eaten here several times now, and found the food to be excellent - the homemade burger and the ramakin of haddock gratin were especially tasty. decent value as well, considering that you get homemade grub for little more than the price of most other pubs' microwave-meals.
Dean - 9 Dec 2003 11:48 |
A welcome improvement on the powerhouse which was full of bratty middle-class wannabes in hoodies. They're probably all doing law degrees now, forward progress.
George Abbott - 24 Nov 2003 12:26 |
this pub is gorgeous inside, all posh floorboards and comfy sofas etc - we went on a saturday lunchtime and had a really chilled time sitting by the fireplace reading the papers and drinking a very sexy white wine. the menu looks amazing but have to admit we felt really let down when our food came - chilli mozzarella toast was actually a whole toasted sandwich (back to the 80s!), and not some dainty little pieces of toast with grilled mozzarella on top with a pot of chilli sauce to dip into, which is what we envisaged! also the potato skins with melted Boursin weren't half as yummy as they sounded. we had three dishes - two starters and one main course, and they all came with exactly the same dull salad. however we will still be back - only had three things on the menu, there's still lots more to try! :-)
eleanor - 21 Nov 2003 17:56 |
Vast improvement! Good beer proper food, well worth a visit!..
Neale - 12 Nov 2003 19:16 |
ate food there the other day, and it was excellent, better than the weyside for less money, and way above your usual pub fayre. san miguel on tap as well.
mike - 12 Nov 2003 17:21 |
freindly atmosphere, the bar area is too bright in the evenings,havent tried the food yet but the menu looks delicious & cheap.
lucia fossell - 17 Oct 2003 13:57 |
formerly the powerhouse, much improved bar/pub with home-cooked food.
nick kitchen - 8 Oct 2003 19:47 |
The management has just changed,what is it like now?
In time for the freshers I guess.
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Just went to this place recently on a friday night. Great atmosphere and the tunes absolutely rocked - far out funk and stuff like that. Will be a regular for me from now on.
Dave Berry - 26 Jan 2003 16:50 |
Does Jay own the Powerhouse, Mash Tun and Guildford Tup? I think we need to know! He's given top reviews to those three "bars" when in actual fact they are the most expensive pathetic excuses for bars in the town of Guildford. All three used to be good traditional public houses. Now they've been ripped apart and transformed into the jokes we see today.
Harry - 12 Sep 2002 17:03 |
funky decor, funky music, live djs at the weekend, beer garden, reasonable prices and good atmosphere
jay - 17 May 2002 12:56 |
