please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Great location, a short walk away from the noise of the town centre. Nice little garden out the back. Only 3 beers on tap but they�re all good, more spirits than you can shake a stick at, extensive cocktail list, 2 for 1�s, live music nights, comedy nights, loads of stuff. Knowledgeable staff. What more could you want? My new favourite bar. Oh, and did I mention the lovelies behind the bar? Without a doubt the gorgeousest barstaff for miles around. I realise �gorgeousest isn�t a real word, but may I suggest you visit this place, you�ll see what I mean.
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came here last week, good music and lounge feel we had the greek salad platters deff needed more pittas 4 the dips staff v friendly!
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Sorry, I've just read a couple of things others have written and felt the need to add some more: 'Loos miles away' - what? I found them just down stairs. 'Tiny' - what? Did you actually go there?
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They do cocktails and they seem to do them bloody well. That's why there's no Fosters. I think it's great. I had my birthday party here and it was a brilliant night. They looked after us really well. The food was delicous. Some people don't seem to get it - well this site does have 'beer' in the title I suppose.
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It's OK I guess. We went there for our Checkouts Christmas party. The drinks were good (a tiny bit pricey though) and the barkeeper's juggling was entertaining. The atmosphere is friendly but the music was a bit too loud and our buffet was served on large plates and placed in the seating area so you couldn't really see what you were eating and you had to lean over people to get it. They ought to have had a buffet table.
Size-wise, it's fine. And I like the wallpaper.
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Sorry, 'aspirationa' should have read 'aspirational'.
My tip is, if you're going to insult the clientele of these places, make sure the buttons on your keyboard work properly...
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If you like hanging out with 'aspirationa' people who work in sales, then this is the place for you. I'm proud to say that its not for me.
It doesn't serve beer either. Cocktails, yes. Expensive, weird foreign lager that appeals to sales-types desperate to impress, but franky tastes about the same as a pint of Kronenbourg (and probably is a pint of Kronenbourg, lets face it), yes. But not proper beer.
I used to like Surbiton... God I'm getting old.
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Really nice bar - loos are miles downstairs which isn't ideal but space is a premium I guess!
Amazing Bramley Apple Martini - just delicious!
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Givemeale - it's just a little hard to introduce myself, nay, talk to anyone in there at all when all their heads are so far up their arses.
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Well PunkRockBee, you do sound like a pleasant girl....please make a point of introducing yourself next time you are in there....
Anyway, I have only been here once, last weekend in fact, and I thoroughly enjoyed my evening! However, 2 reviews below mention Warsteiner on the bar....It was Bitburger and Paulaner Wheat when I visited! Both of which are wonderfully unique beers and won't be seen in many places in Surbiton or surrounding areas! Nice laid back atmosphere and not what you would expect located in Surbiton amongst all of the chain pubs and bars.
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I can't stand this pub...sorry..BAR. It's tiny, pretentious, expensive, drinks are in TINY measures with a tonne of ice, you practically have to leave the building to go to the toilets and it's full of self-involved art/fashion students. Maybe it's just because I'm honest East End gal who works for a living instead of a spoiled rich Surbiton brat who thinks 'fashion history' at Kingston Uni is a real degree but if I get eyeballed at the Rubicon one more time by some skinny bint in footless tights I'm going to bottle someone. The ONLY good thing about it is Jono McCleery's regular spots there - he's reason enough to go back...which is why I do.
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I think that this place keeps getting better.
The Warsteiner makes a refreshing change from the Stella/Kronenbourg duopoly, and the Paulaner is also very good.
This is a great place to go for an early couple of drinks before a meal or going on somewhere else.
It is strange that it is absolutely packed some Saturday nights, and only moderately busy on others. This is unlike all of the other places in the area, where you know how busy they are going to be before you get there.
anonymous - 5 Mar 2007 19:23 |
I think they should be commended for having a go at something a bit more loungy and relaxed.
It's really quite nice on weekdays and the Warsteiner is fantastic - behold, a pint of lager that tastes of something! I can't stand Philip Starck, but they've gone a good job on the interior and the barmaids are kinda cute.
I wouldn't bother on Friday nights or Saturdays though, unless you like a pile-up - and those steamy windows are a bit of a turn off (reminds me of being on the 8:32 to Waterloo!).
Perfectly decent place though - sort of place you take a new girlfriend to, having spent the customary 4 hours reassuring her that Surbiton isn't really like the Good Life/you don't really live with your mum/isn't a 1950s New Town of 1930 semis-to-the-horizon beyond the M25.
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Yes, okay they only serve two beers. BUT, it's beer you can't get anywhere else. It's actually different. Sometimes when I go to a pub I look around and see the same old boring, bland stuff. I will umm and arr until I finally rest on choosing either a weak lager or popular ale or guiness. Come in here and you can go oh! haven't tried that, I'll have a pint. Won't do cocktails though - do nothing for me at all - except for one time in Mexico but that's a long story. As for the interior, well it's a bar not a pub. And it looks like.... well a bar!
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Though narrow of aspect, an offering not narrow of mind; enlightingening for those who enjoy and those who do not. The allegedly immiscible qualities of modernity and anitiquity here merge.
A cool place well worth a visit.
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This is a good one. Really different from anything else in Surbiton or Kingston.
Obviously, a lot of people see that as a bad thing, but I think it is nice to have a bit of variety once in a while without having to go too far afield.
On the negative side, there is only one draft lager, which is quite expensive, and the food offering is a bit sparse.
However, there is a great cocktail list. The drinks are well-made, and quite reasonably priced for what they are.
The atmosphere is relaxed during the week, but it can get a bit too busy on Fri/Sat nights as it is so small. It is slightly out of the town centre, so there is never any hint of trouble, even without any door staff.
anonymous - 18 Oct 2006 16:57 |
"Half Time Pie & Pint �5.50" during the World Cup.What a change from their original mission statement - "to provide a top quality drinking experience in a stylish and friendly encironment"
Have they lost the plot?. It started as a Cocktail Bar and is now trying to compete with conventional neighbouring Pubs. I'd rather have real beer and watch the World Cup on a big screen in a tradditional Pub. Forget the Pie, I'll have another pint thank you.
anonymous - 1 Jun 2006 19:51 |
Everything about this place says I shouldn't like it...but I do. Only downside is it gets a little too crowded and uncomfortable
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All this place has done is polarise Surbiton drinking into two camps (why its so cack in surbiton now): Girls and Boys.
Girls go to the Rubicon, and Chaps go to the pubs.
There are some chaps in there too, but they get there late as it takes so long for them to get ready.
Get the picture ?
anonymous - 10 Jan 2006 16:14 |
It's not about the cole and son and the louis ghosts.. although they work well. It's about the chilled atmosphere. No one is looking for a fight, everyone is having a good time, staff and customers alike. As for price, try other suburban cocktail bars, even further out of london and you will see that Rubicon's cocktails are much better priced and better made. We've been drinking here for a few months now and have met loads of great people. I don't suppose it matters if some people don't get it.
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I still don't see why sticking a bit of Cole and Son on the walls and scattering a few Louis Ghost chairs about the place means they can charge you more than anywhere else.?
anonymous - 5 Oct 2005 08:25 |
Right then, Rubicon. Seems like we have a bit of clearing up to be done. They're a few contrasting views it seems so allow me to clear up a few of the finer points.
Yes, it's different and no it's not going to be to everyone's taste. Surbiton is served by a bevy a pubs that are all basically the same (Gorden Bennett being an exception here) they offer the usual unimaginative lagers and ales mixed with the standard spirits you will find in any drinking hold from here to Aberdeen. What Rubicon does is break the mould and it seems some people take issue with this. It breaks with their vision of a 'pub' and they can't get a 'stella' and it may cost them a little more for a round. If you want a pint of 'the usual' and take exception to paying the cost, deco, vibe etc then fair enough, not a problem head over to the Antelope or any other of the local pubs. I quite often frequent these and they're all good at what they do, but don't knock the Rubicon for being different and having a bit of flare!
But what the Rubicon does is offer that something different, yes it is a bit more expensive (but what do you expect, surly you'd formulate an idea of this upon entering? It is unique in Surbiton, and that's a good thing, variety being the spice of life and all that...!! The downstairs basement lounge is fantastic, not quite a lively as upstairs which makes a great contrast, yes it is small, no sorry, intimate, but again unique and again a refreshing change if you fancy it. The range of cocktails is unrivalled in Surbiton and they're made well, the DJ spins his 'beats' and the staff are friendly and welcoming. Some people have exercised a view of 'Narcissistic Clientele.. This writer feels that this is an erroneous and unfounded point of view.
Surbiton does have some great pubs and some bad ones, and for different occasions, nights out they're good at what they do. Rubicon for me gets full marks! - 10/10
Get yourself down there and I reckon you'll be as happy as ten Englishmen and a 'Freddie' dressed in whites right now...
Oh and the wallpaper... Marvellous!!!
anonymous - 1 Oct 2005 13:47 |
Awfull.About the size of my front room.Its very dark.the decor is crap.The music is depressing.And while i was there 2 "actors" from the bill turned up and a some bloke that shows his face on eastenders once a year.Head to the Antelope.
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Just the ticket this place - if you're some sort of low rent, fashionista type whose idea of a good night is not just being seen, but sadly for more interesting people, heard as well
anonymous - 28 Jul 2005 15:46 |
I do quite admire the cheek of this place, the prices are on a par with a number of bars and members clubs I frequent when in town....the only difference in the class....this place doesn't have any....on the up side, they are still in business so some people must be happy.
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Fabulous. Discovered this bar very recently and am blown away. Fantastic atmosphere, amazing service, chilled tunes and the staff really know about making drinks... i was talked into trying a delicious fruity martini for only a fiver... I can't believe some people's comments about this place being over priced. I'm a cocktail convert! I live in Wimbledon but this place is worth making my local. Seems to be a fringe theatre venue too. Only gripe.. it shuts at 11.
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So so bar if very 90s (practically 80s) - at least its trying to be different (for Surbiton taht is) but personally (and this is just an opinion) if I want a bar like this I'll go into town for the real thing, especially when there are so many good "proper" pubs around this area.
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had some great nights and great cocktails here. surprised to find some of the best new classics from top cocktail bars on the list at prices 2 or 3 quid less than up in town (ok, more than a pint up the road, but worth it in my opinion). has always been a good mix of other customers and a lively atmosphere when I've been. bar staff seem to really know their stuff and have been helpful and good fun (and no, I'm not dating any of them). not to everyone's taste - as some of the drama queens on here seem to like pointing out - but I'll certainly be back with my friends.
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I think you will notice an ongoing theme here.
Arrogant pretentious owners
Narccisistic clientelle
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Beer is ok but the choice very limited (only german lager or weiss beer).
very small and can take a long time to get a drink
music is ok but can be a little loud for the size of the bar
can't see the point of the basement lounge only big enough for about 10-15 people.
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Good for a night out if you fancy standing queuing at the bar all evening and then paying a fortune for a sub standard cocktail. At least it keeps those who consider themselves to be the "classy" people of Surbiton under one roof!!! Thanks Rubicon!
Loz - 5 Oct 2004 14:00 |
I've recently had a few sublime evenings downstairs in the Rubicon, on Wednesdays in particular, seeing the most wonderful acoustic and well known musicians play unique and special sets. All free.Good food. Exotic drinks. Friendly staff. Snazzy place, with earthy musical edge. Nice midweek combo change. Well done & thanks. 9/10 (wednesdays)
Pete - 23 Sep 2004 16:19 |
They always said The Good Life was in Surbiton. Good (and cheap) non-alcoholic cocktails as well as a full range of cocktails where you won't be embarrassed to order them by name! Classy atmosphere, good food platters too. I wonder though if opening a bar opposite a school says something about the former lives of the proprietors, or perhaps real education starts early in Surbiton, over the road at the Rubicon.
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Rubicon is a dash of New York in leafy Surbiton and home of the local Bella Figura (and a sprinkling of Chavs,). It serves leading edge cocktails, has personable/sexy staff (Anthony is King of flaring, Kitty queen of flirting). The patio garden is a great suntrap and the often DJ supplied music is great. It also seems to be taking off as a very intimate alternative music venue with lots of members of famous bands working on new line-ups. I don�t entertain going anywhere else to drink.
tipplestar - 6 Sep 2004 23:30 |
A gem of a place. Great cosy atmosphere yet modern feel. Big choice of cocktails makes it popular with the ladies. If you want a lager don't discount popping in - Bitburger on draught is a rare but welcome sight! Top German brew slips down easily :) Staff very friendly. Definitely worh a visit to see if its your kind of place...
Ed - 29 Jul 2004 11:16 |
OK lets get this straight this place is a cocktail bar which means if you want a pint of wife beater go to the pub. However if you want a quality drink go there and let the staff guide you though the great range of cocktails this place provides.......... who knows you might enjoy yourself
Anthony - 21 Jul 2004 17:15 |
The Rubicon has DJ's playing at the weekends. House/Funky House on Friday nights with myself on the decks, Latin Grooves on Saturday nights with Adam and once a month the Sunday 'Solarium' session playing chilled Ibiza style vibes brought to you by Sungroove. Something for everyone.
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I've been in the Rubicon a few times and I most certainly don't go there for a pint (the Grove, Gordon Bennett and Antelope have plenty of beer). What you get at the Rubicon is good cocktails at a slightly less than Soho price in a significantly less than Soho attitude atmosphere. Obviously it attracts a few people who like themselves a little too much but they're easily ignored.
Atz - 28 Jun 2004 15:45 |
Not a bad little place, good atmosphere although a little on the snug side. Enough space to squeez a DJ in although the mixing (and tunes) could be better IMHO. The two girls who own it (?) seem friendly enough although they appeared to be pished when we were there (fair play to 'em though!) The place almost had a quirky feel to it, quite intimate, yet at the same time it seemed a tad cliquey (for Surbiton) with what appeared to be a few 'groupies' but it was fun nonetheless.
But seiously ,together with Gordon Bennets (which is a great pub too) the Rubicon is starting to make Maple Road, and Surbiton in general, a decent place for a night out. Nice one, well done, and keep it up.
VP - 28 Jun 2004 13:55 |
Went there on a quiet Wednesday night and nearly choked when I was told a pint of some beer I'd never heard of and a martini and lemonade (for the lady) was going to cost me �8.!
The best part of a tenner gone, I sat down to ruminate over these extortionate prices and there I realised what was going on.
Rubicon is one of those bars that don't play music, they play 'vibes' and they stick doubles in your glass without telling you. The only people who seem happy about this are the 20-something 'Heat' readers perched precariously on their Louis Ghost chairs.
My next round was in Gordon Bennett's a few doors down. The same drinks were 2 quid less and I'd even heard of the beer. Her name?..Stella.
Jonny - 10 Jun 2004 19:52 |
I'm sorry, but I can't agree with the last comment about Rubicon being the only decent place to drink in the area. The fact 'Kobbie' knows the names of the management makes me suspect that their opinion is more than a little biased in the first place.!
Don't get me wrong, Rubicon is ok, but if you want to sit down, sit outside in the sun or drink something other than cocktails there are other places close by which are far better suited. Look how busy these other 'less decent' places are on the average week night and you'll see my point.
Tom - 27 May 2004 15:02 |
The only place that comes remotely close to being a decent drinking hole , for the more discernig clientele, who want a little bit more than just a drink. Between Maeve and Rachel you have two lovely and fastidious characters who have given Surbiton dirnkers an atmospheric venue, LONG OVERDUIE. Thank you
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one for the girls it think, it is very pretty and they do cocktails, but it a little small.
As anthony says it is classy and as a result the cliental is mainly female and blokes with spikey mullet things
neil - 27 Apr 2004 16:09 |
Far classier than anything else in Surbiton, arguably Kingston as well. Small, but perfectly formed. Friendly staff and managers as well.
anthony - 26 Apr 2004 17:39 |
I liked it and will be back, but wish it was a little bigger as it seemed to be suffering from it's own success. Still, I shouldn't moan that Surbiton now has somewhere that people want to go!
OJ - 14 Apr 2004 14:33 |
I appreciate that this bar is quite small, but couldn't they squeeze a bit more seating in? The clientele it seems to want to attract are being drawn to their main rival a few doors down because they offer tables and chairs to sit at. Oh yeah, and a bit more selection on the beers wouldn't go a miss either. Other than that, it's quite nice in a 'West-End' comes to Surbiton kind of way.
Henry - 28 Mar 2004 16:24 |
A breath of fresh air for Surbiton!! Cool atmosphere with a different class of clientele compared to the other local venues. Staff are always friendly and entertain you with their cocktail making skills!! Perfect for a good night out with friends
douglas - 19 Mar 2004 10:40 |
Apologies to you...we have introduced happiest hours where you get 2-for-1 cocktails until 8pm. Web site voucher therefore no longer necessary...but wasn't clear yesterday. Happiest Hours don't include champagne cocktails (�10 perfectly reasonable for two glasses!!)...although I thought the bartender did give you 2-4-1 champagne cocktails, as the web info WAS unclear. Is this why you thought you were being done 'a favour'...because you did get some free champers?! sorry if you felt badly received; but it's a shame if you don't want to come again - most of the time we do get it right, and you will miss out on lots of free cocktails!
rachel - 18 Mar 2004 19:55 |
I think bar rubicon is very nice inside however that's where it ends, a few of us from a office in surition went there for night out with the 2for one cocktail voucher and we were amazed that after only one cocktail they told us that we could not use the voucher again and wanted to charge us �10 for two glasses of champagne the manager said reluntanly that we could infact have drinksbut they all acted like they were doing us a favour. The voucher says two for 1cocktails and crosstini until 8pm. I think that they should realisethat they cannot rip people off in a surburban wine bar, i will not go there ever again, which is a shame as the office I work in is rather large, i organise the staff parties and they will lose out on a great deal of money
linda Parmenter - 17 Mar 2004 10:20 |
This place just gets better. Fantastic guitar/bongo playing duet in the cellar on Wednesday. Cool as you like!
BF - 12 Feb 2004 15:07 |
Since the place has opened I have been calling in on a regular basis. I find that the combination of funky music and stylish people make it the perfect place to spend a night out drinking and socializing.
Richard - 11 Feb 2004 13:58 |
Feel I have to counter this last comment. Our perception of things was very different. The party booked for 7pm and turned up at ten to eight. They're confused about what we said - we had set aside tables at the front upstairs for them, and as the bar was full, released them at 7.40. There was a party downstairs who said they didn't mind sharing the space. We explained this to them and they seemed happy. However, when we explained again why we'd let the tables go to one of the other guests in the party, and said 'you can see our problem' (bar packed and empty tables for 40 minutes)he responded sharply 'yeah, you're badly organised'. Totally unfair. We would have offered them a free drink, but this comment was uncalled for. Only said 'you don't have to drink here' after he made another rude remark.
Sorry if they feel that way...we were trying to accommodate them until his remark.
rachel barnes - 11 Feb 2004 00:34 |
Bring back Howie!!!!
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First impressions are very good, so I decided to book the lounge area for pre-dinner drinks for my birthday. However, when we arrived we were greeted with a sign saying it was booked for another private party! Having then queried this, we were told that as we arrived late (15 mins) it went to another group of people. Strange that a group of people suddenly decide to book it and the staff had managed to write out the sign. I believe that they had double booked but for some reason did not want to admit to that! Quite frankly to not have an apology, perhaps a complementary drink was bad enough, but to be told "well you don't have to drink here" is shocking. Customer service 0! We then went to another nice wine bar a few doors down and consumed a serious amount of champers there instead! Rubicon's loss I think....
KATE - 9 Feb 2004 11:14 |
Yeah, it's cool, but the beer selection is limited. The location is just a bit far out...
Mike - 2 Feb 2004 23:59 |
rachel and maeve are such fabulous hostesses it's difficult to imagine feeling more at home.
rubicon feels the gap in surbiton's 'bar scene' (!) so completely it's hard to imagine it being topped. Well done to all concerned.
Adam - 21 Jan 2004 18:12 |
popped in just before Xmass
This place manages the near impossible task of being a bit posh, yet lacking any pretentions. Its a plain dealing food/wine/cocktail bar, A good white beer on tap but otherwise your on bottles, basement eatery which is cosy. Staff seem top notch. not had the luxury of sitting on the sofa yet, but if they are half as comfortable as they look, getting out will be a task and a half. At last something a bit different than yet another 'industrial boozer'.
jon-paul - 5 Jan 2004 09:48 |
I felt a bit like an uninvited guest at a Soho drinks party when I visited this bar. It's nice enough and certainly wasn't empty, but I think it's in danger of becoming a bit cliquey and this could put people off.
Saying that, this bar will have no problems attracting those who confuse KT6 with SW6!
Phil - 2 Jan 2004 18:17 |
Nice.
Nice place, nice (continental) booze, Howey runs it - which is nice AND it's nicely near to home.
An excellent watering hole for us beautiful folk of Surbiton. Nice.
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This bar is excellent and long long overdue for Surbiton, which is sorely lacking!
Well-made cocktails, friendly staff and a good atmosphere. We got there at 7.30 on a Monday evening and we only just got a seat. Half an hour later it was standing room only and stayed that way all evening. Very good!
Harry - 29 Dec 2003 10:58 |
I can't think of a better bar in the Surbiton or even Kingston area at the moment. Admittedly I popped in just before Christmas, but where as a lot of other bars were half empty this place was standing room only. Friendly, vibrant atmosphere and beautifully decorated. This place will soon be THE drinking hole for Surbiton's trendies.
Sam - 23 Dec 2003 22:42 |
OK yeh he's a kiwi but damn don't they hate being called Aussies...!
This place has so far been very bad for my liver, its been open only 6 days and I've been in 3 times... lovely staff (the lovely Ruthy in particular!) and great atmos, chef there is also a whizz and v creative!
A+++++++++
However my bank manager doesn't like the place too much...!
DaveyBoy - 19 Dec 2003 14:45 |
I have no doubt that this stylish lounge bar will be successful. The money spent on the interior was worth every penny and will appeal directly to the 20 somethings in the area who go home to their plasma teles and bottles of Sancerre. Expect to see a standing room only sign very soon.
crazyfunster - 18 Dec 2003 19:13 |
Fantastic! This is just what we need in Surbiton. Beautiful decor and a lounging vibe. Can't recommend it highly enough.
Deb - 18 Dec 2003 10:20 |
Got the latest from the kiwi bugger, it is finally opening tonight from 7.30!!!Be there with bells on
Alex - 13 Dec 2003 09:32 |
When does it open?
Had a look last night (Dec. 11th) and they were still painting in there. Looking forward to the opening though!
AndyT - 12 Dec 2003 13:01 |
last time i checked the manager of Rubicon was a Kiwi...never mind him, everyone has to come along so the two lovely waitresses can serve you the best drinks you've ever tasted...
Bunny - 3 Dec 2003 13:21 |
Not to worry! If you can't stand the middle aged tedium of Gordon Bennetts there's a new bar opening up just down the road called the Rubicon - its gonna be a quite swishy cocktail bar run by a very affable Aussie.
They're gonna be aiming for the upwardly mobile mid 20's crowd... give it a try from 22nd November...
DaveyBoy - 4 Nov 2003 17:03 |
