please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Now flats.
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Demolished, long gone./
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Thanks petronille, will check this out. We must stop this development, Teddington is losing too many pubs to developers who are only interested in quick profit with total disrespect for the long term residents of the town.
All beerdrinkers - get your objections in to the council NOW.
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I hear this is closing. More profit for the PubCo to sell to developers - but one less pub for the locals.
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On Tuesday evening after work (so about 6.30), my girlfriend and I popped into the Queen Dowager for a drink. However the first pint and a half of Young's Special was awful. I had to return the two drinks. The girl (one of two) behind the bar went away to the cellar, returned five minutes later, pulled a couple of pints through the pump and then offered me a sampler. It was better than what I'd originally paid for so I accepted the replacement pint and a half. But once we'd sat down in the armchairs again, we realised that the beer was still pretty awful and we left after five minutes, leaving two half-full glasses on the table.
I know that some pubs tend to use up all their casks/barrels until a customer complains and only then make the change to a new source of beer but leaving the customer to be the quality monitor rather than the landlord is not what I'd expect from a Young�s pub! Clearly the customer has a say but I would have hoped that a landlord would check BEFORE the product went on sale.
As to the ambience of the pub--well, there was none. At 6.30 in the evening there is nothing more enjoyable than that well-earned drink after a day's work. One would expect a pub to be busy with people stopping off on their way home and enjoying a chat or a quick read of the paper. What I would not expect is the two bar staff watching episodes of Friends on a television screen which dominated the pub with a solitary customer at the bar on his mobile phone.
Anyway, we left this pub in disappointment and instead, enjoyed superb beer at the Masons Arms in comfort, five minutes walk away. We shall not return to the Queen Dowager.
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Back in the dim and distant past, I used this pub a lot. Sadly, over a couple of changes of landlord, the quality had deteriorated. I am pleased to say, now, though, that the Dowager has come on in leaps and bounds.
Andy, mine host, is a friendly and engaging landlord. It would be lovely if there were a larger selection of real ales - as it is, there is Youngs' Special, Bitter and, as the guest ale, Tribute - I'd like to see more (Twickenham ales would be nice). The pints will set you back just over �3.00 - not cheap, but on par with other pubs around here.
The food is good (the burgers especially), and less expensive than many other pubs in the area. Service is usually prompt (though occasionally it helps to nudge them if you are on your lunch hour) and always friendly.
Andy and his staff will always give you a warm welcome, and all seem competent. The staff are young and bubbly, which is nice to see.
The d�cor is still...odd. Following a refurb some years ago, the pub has lost the tradition pub decoration, and as such, feels very open and pseudo-trendy. I miss the traditional style bar. There is a telly, which usually has Sky Sports News on silent - I wish it didn't, but I expect I'm alone in that.
The garden is still lovely. The apple tree (cookers) is still there, and the garden is kept well. It is a very pleasant spot, on a summer's day, to eat, drink and relax.
I am thrilled that I can once again recommend the Queen Dowager.
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I love this pub and am so going to miss it when i move away!! Barstaff always friendly and so much better than it was before!! Andy rocks!!
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Actually, credit where it's due, the Dowager is a really decent pub these days. It is very quiet but maybe it is because people remember it from when it was rubbish.
I think people should give it another go.
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Ouch ouch! What was that? Oh, it was the price of the Queen Dowagers beer burning a hole in my pocket. Now I will have to buy Tesco's value pork pies instead of Ginsters. Damn.
Friendly bunch of people running the place but the food needs a BIG rethink and the prices must come down. A bit more variation with the music wouldn't go a miss even if 'teddington_tim' (nice but dim) does like it.
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I personally think the Dowager has made some significant improvements under the new landlord. There's a new a group of young bar-staff, who are always friendly, efficient and 'banterful'. The general atmosphere is just a lot more pleasant than before, although it still never gets that busy. And you're always guaranteed good music (as long as you like the Beatles and the Stones, which i do:)). I recommend going to have a look, if, like me, it used to be one of those pubs you never considered going to; you'll definitely notice things have changed.
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I agree with most of the previous comments. The new bloke Andy is a bit of a big head. His girl friend Sammy was quite nice (and seemed to do most of the work) but the rumour is she has walked out, so even she found him hard work.
Previous Landlord - Mark - was always fun, so friendly and hospitable, it is going to take a bit of getting used to.
According to the planning permission notice, Youngs are going to do a refurb and are actually going to tart up the front of the pub and not before time too.
Food quality has also deteriorated.
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Clean toilets, but you get Young's prices! Friendly place that as a family feel.
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the pub is definitely cleaner which is good, however, ladies toilet got new bloody air freshener and everytime im there i just feel sick. the new landlord makes me feel sick as well. he knows everything best and must be the centre of attention. doesnt want to talk to you even when u pop in for a quick drink. he is not interested in u at all. simply because you are not as big fan of the rolling stones as he is. hes got nothing to say (except the rolling stones), and is not very bright. even the questions for the quiz are copied from the 'pub quiz' book.
once ive heard him complaining and gossiping about his costumers. from that moment on ive decided not to come again. you are leaving your money there and later on you will hear from sbd else that according to him you have smelled or that your too loud laughter made his other customers leave. he treats his poor girlfriend as a slave. she cooks cleans works behind the bar and in the evening he obviously expects her to be his lady. what a looser. hopefully hell loose this pub. youngs, please kick him out of this place and bring sbd sensible!
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I agree with most of the previous posts - this pub has morphed into a dull wine bar and gone backwards. Judging by the fact it seems even quieter when I go in, it has not worked.
New couple are pleasant enough but lack any umph.
I hate the candles and cushions.
Why get rid of the deluxe barstools and replace them with crap ones?
anonymous - 27 Mar 2009 22:29 |
it's much improved now there is a new landlord, nice food and just way better in every way also great new look!
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Went in at 7:00 last Friday night whilst waiting for a friend and was the ONLY customer. No real surprise to me as to why. The place looks like a wine bar trying to be a pub. No conversation from the bar staff, they were too busy deciding where to put the sickly smelling candles.
When someone else did come in they toe curlingly cringely tried to pull the foreign barmaid. Beer was overpriced and flat.
All in all very disappointing and the Abercorn in Teddington is by far the better bet.
It's just an opinion before i get accused of wearing sandals !! (previous reviewer)
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Groundhog day
The pubs that do well locally are the modern, comfortable, stylish ones.
A summary of Youngs philosphy...
1 When something fails (unmodernised pubs in Teddington), try, try again.
2 Never learn from history or those who are successful round you
3 Take the pub back to the old / traditional model - it has recently failed at the Kings Arms (although there were other problems too),
mimic the Masons - closed apparently.
4 Keep battering away at it.
5 Appoint a young couple who they can control & bully.
The stupidity of the Area Manager and those in Wandsworth never ceases to amaze me.
Beer 10p cheaper - good (well it's a start)
Andy looks after his Bitter well - so far- (good) we are used to that here
Nice cushions - good
Quiz night - good
The big leather couch gone - bad
Getting rid of the good movie portraits in the loos- bad
Landlord / landlady who are boring / bland (bad)- charisma free zone here.
Magda still works here (good)
The big clique of boring Welsh teachers back - oh dear.
A couple of the rougher locals who Mark cleared out are back - Thick Nick etc.
Apparently there will be a paint job - good
They are apparently going to bring in some of the terrible old pub seating -(bad) which was got rid of because it didn't work...
It is coming from Youngs who have taken it out of other pubs where it hasn't worked....
Caroline whose food was laughably bad used to do fish finger sandwiches for about �2.20
The new girl is a chef so is doing ....wait for it....fish finger baps for �3.30. I suppose that counts as progress.
ROFLMAO
I could weep.
Norman -decent landlord not supported (shafted) by Youngs, replaced by someone useless -Caroline
Mark -decent landlord not supported (shafted) by Youngs, replaced by someone useless??? -Andy and Sam
Youngs really are hopeless at looking after this pub or good landlords, locals like me who love Youngs beer but have put up with their idiocy for years - I really don't want to make the Mallard my local or go to the Adelaide which is well run by Dermot and well supported by Shepherd Neame.
The Dowager has a difficult location - the rent is obviously skyhigh - cut it, stop messing around with my pub and taking it backwards.
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Heard a rumour that it is under new management in the new yr - so maybe things will improve here.
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Is it safe
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This is a truly fantastic pub, the beer is very well kept indeed, especially good youngs special and at a good price. The landlord is a thoroughly decent chap, many stories to tell and is also a fine conisseur of whiskys. Vast array of whiskys on offer, from Chivas Regal 12yr to Lagavulin 16, what more could a pubber want. And to top it all, superb sushi.
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I love this pub even more now than ever.
Even tried the sushi the other day which was excellent (my companion had a pizza but said she wll have sushi next time.
As a South London lad I have been drinking Youngs for many years - it is well kept and presented, lines are clean etc.
We like the barstools, booths and Hollywood iconography- makes a change from the usually drab Youngs fare.
Staff are always friendly and hospitable. Mark is a nice bloke and several people fancy the gorgeous Magda (intelligent, funny, good body etc)
(The one exception was a cute, dopey, miserable looking west country yokel barmaid but she has gone).
(a few points of observation - those who don't like it and drink else where, carry on doing so - you are not missed by the regulars. It is categorically not a pikey pub. The clientele are a friendly and ecclectic bunch -As well as locals there are a few from the local shops and offices, a few from the universities, by dint of its location not much passing trade, the girls from the stables etc)
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Someone has been leading a campaign and spreading ridiculous rumours and malicious gossip. Some of the community do not support this pub and it appears to be neglected by Youngs - a succession of landlords have tried hard but it needs investment.
This is a nice pub, well run, friendly, good beer, good food (the paninis, bangers and mash, fish n chips etc are all good).
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I told you all a Year ago this Pub was a Khazi, but would you listen to me ~ owww no.
A Pub like this attracts Pikies and other low life like flies to a Dung Heap.
And to those who slagged me off twelve months ago, please don't transfer to the Adelaide - it's too good for you - may I suggest the Masons or Tescos Car Park with a take away.
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This is not a good pub, for several reasons. Firstly, the landlord no longer serves good English pub food, he has branched out and now does takeaway sushi...
Prices of drinks vary (go up) during the night, and I know for a fact that the wine is bought for about �3 a bottle at the Tesco next door, and sold at roughly �4.50 a glass at the Dowager.
Most of the people in the pub are lovely and are mainly regulars. However, there are some who come to the pub at the end of the night having been kicked out of the high street ones and are already drunk and looking to cause trouble. They are allowed in by Mark, which very often causes the regulars to leave as their quiet evening has been disrupted.
The other night a group of self-proclaimed 'pikeys' ended up beating up a man at the bar while the landlord hid in the back, and it was only due to a customers dog that they left. Mark then refused to call the police, and threw out all the customers, locking himself in. This group were on pubwatch but had still benn allowed in!
I would strongly recommend you don't go to the Dowager as there is nothing you would want from a good English pub - decent food, safe environment, traditional decor and an honest landlord!
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PS.
Always get very well looked after by Mark and Louisa -very hospitable (even when we struggled to use the cigarette machine).
Why is it the people who are nice about the pub write in proper sentences and those who moan about this pub can't spell or punctuate properly...is this a reflection on sophistication
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The girls and i like this pub - it is always pleasant, fun & the wine, beer and food are excellent. Service is efficient and friendly, music is good.
Can't believe there are negative views, the QD is a gem.
We represent the younger part of the clientele (I am 27, my friends are 26, 29 and 32) and WE ALL LOVE THE BLACK & WHITE PHOTOS. Guvnor, ignore old fashioned drinkers who don't go out or spend too much time in gay bars.
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well what can l say!!!!!!!! lve been living in teddington for a long time l don't go out much but when l do l would like it to be pleasant at least! well the Queen Dowager has always been one of those working men pub's that had alot of charm, not these days my word what a ballsup!!!!! to say the lease who know's what the landlord was thinking with those booths and pictures (its like a gay bar!!!) maybe it should be in Richmond or something. Anyway don't want to take up too much room for reviewing this pub there is really not much els to say than NOT GOOD!!!!!
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(Not sure how many pints of Ordinary Alan C had drunk but the seating is brown and made of leather...)
I think the modern seating is very comfortable, stylish and modern - we always sit in the Grace Kelly or Jane Russell Booths. The high backs are good for privacy and snuggling into.
Occasionally we sit on the sofa and of late we have been outside in the fantastic patio garden.
The beer here is always in excellent condition.
I can also recommend the Pinot Grigio Rose and the Paninis.
anonymous - 1 Jul 2008 17:11 |
The Ordinary is over �3 a pint,in good condition on a recent visit, although too cold for my taste.
The main problem I have with this pub is the cheap and nasty high backed black plastic seating which completely dominates and clutters the interior.
The recent sympathetic refurbishment at the nearby Builders Arms shows what can be done and their Ordinary is considerably cheaper.
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We went in this pub after a chance meeting with an old friend.
What a wonderful place it is - we sat in the garden (had 3 children and the dog with us - who are apparently all welcome inside too).
Sitting in glorious sunshine in the garden, good beer, a jug of Pimms, the kids playing happily, scoffing free cherries from the cherry tree - absolute paradise.
The charming landlord even brought out some steps so the kids could pick more cherries.
We will definitely be back.
In the bad old days it used to be a locals only type outlet- not too hostile but cliquey - now a very warm friendly modern style of place.
Usually drink in the Adelaide - which is good too. Youngs (aka Charles Wells) could learn from Shepherd Neame on how to look after their pubs a bit better decor wise.
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My colleagues and me love this pub again - if only they did pizzas like at the Hogarth. We Did have some of their panninis which were excellent.
New regime is good for the place - I like Mark, Nina and Tamsyn + the funny Yugoslav guy.
"It's getting better....."
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The weather has been so nice it is a real treat to be able to sit outside in February.
My office had given up on this pub but it is much better -we like it now - can't wait for summer (if we get one!).
Not sure why this place is not busier. Can't comment on weekends but Mon to Fri food is fine. The Panini and fries I had were excellent - with the discount offer a bargain too.
Clientele are a mixture but everyone seems friendly enough. We are not supposed to drink at lunchtime anymore so maybe thats why so many don't come to the pub.
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We came here on for Sunday lunch on Mothers day and it was excellent. I had heard it was greatly improved and I can also striongly recommend it - surprised it isn't busier. We are fussy and the quality of food, drinks and service were exceptional.
Due to delays my mother arrived first and rather than feel awkward was welcomed by the landlord and a couple of affable locals.
The chap running it was extremely friendly and funny. The beef was top quality and I can also vouch for the bangers and mash, fish and chips and paninis.
Like previous posters we liked the Hollywood photos- mum still fancies Clark Gable.
His wife is also delightful and we liked her home made chocolate mousse.
Keep up the good work, we will be back.
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Best Pint of Youngs Special for miles.
The ordinary is good and the wine list splendid.
New chap continues to impress.
Youngs could do with spending a few quid.
I came here with my parents for Sunday lunch (My mother does not go to pubs normally). They thoroughly enjoyed themselves and will be back again.
A couple of pints, quality Beef, 2 Yorkshire puddings, a decent claret and a fabulous shared cheeseboard to round it off.
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Not impressed
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The Pub Ghost and Capt Fab are getting married in the new year .Hopefully they will be very happy .THE PLUS SIDE TO THIS IS THEY WILL NOT BE CLOGGING UP SERVERS WITH THERE NONSENSE COMMENTS.
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I now live in South East London but was born & bred in Teddington. The Queen Dowager had a stark choice, change or die. Pleasantly surprised - at new improvements - dimmer lights, good soft furnishings, lovely artwork (Clark Gable, Robert de Niro, Brando with his shirt off...). New bloke is taking the place in the right direction.
Nice sun terrace & wine selection.
Ignore comments of those wanting the pub back the way it was when it was packed every night (most people now have central heating & colour TV at home so dont spend every night in the pub)
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Good real ale and wine selection. Nice decor though not really my style, though the other half liked it.
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You can insult me and launch further personal attacks but I have a right to offer my opinion regarding my subsequent visit to this shabby Pub and if you don�t like it ~ Tough.
Service: Reminiscent of East Germany before the wall came down
Furniture: Appears to have been reclaimed from an old Wimpy Bar
Atmosphere: Building site before PC.
Youngs Bitter: Stale
Soft drink: Small serving from a Tesco pack charged at Harrods prices
Captain Fab
anonymous - 25 Nov 2007 12:10 |
Dear anonymous
I can see your point regarding product & packaging.However you dont go to M&S to get Tesco product.Smooth Starpromen lager,sexy rose,steaming roast dinners..........
Simply The Queen Dowager.
For a pub that people slag of there seems to be moreposted about it than any other pub in Teddington.
Must be good.
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This is a greatly improved pub. It is nice to see some effort put in to what was a sleepy local heading for closure. It has changed for the better and whilst not everyone likes it, the fact that it is much busier means something is being done very well.
Some people posting here are more interested in slagging off other posters than expressing a balanced opinions on the pub (YAWN).
I think the new owner is a massive improvement and will be going there rather more often than we used to.
Can't comment first hand on the beer quality as I drink wine or spirits but my male colleagues seem to like it. Some excellent wines on the list though.
anonymous - 8 Nov 2007 14:51 |
A sad Pub for sad people. Tries to be trendy and maybe in Chelsea it might get away with it. If you want a laugh pop in for a flat Lager but hurry, the present management wont be there long.
The Thing from Planet Z
anonymous - 8 Nov 2007 12:57 |
Perhaps Mr Howat - previous contributor - would care to comment on the quality of the beer / wine / food that's now on offer as that's what most people are interested in finding out about.
It's the product, not the packaging that matters
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Well done mark ,ignore all these negative comments from these real ale drinking ,sandal wearing,mung bean munching ruperts.Excellent staff super decor ,the television looks super on the shelf.
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Best pint of Youngs in Teddington!
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I guess if you like chidren running up and down than you and the Q.D. are well suited
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Ignore the anonymous idiot on the 12th Oct - he must be the new owner.
This Pub was always was a white Elephant - and it always will be.
It doesn't sell enough Beer to keep it in good condition and just like the staff it goes stale.
It wont be long before Youngs sell the site for redevelopment and trust me when I say it will be no great loss.
If you want decent Youngs Beer ignore this dump and head for The Abercorn.
anonymous - 28 Oct 2007 22:51 |
My problem isn't with the Pub nor with Captainfab who I suggest faithfully reported what he experienced.
My problem is with anonyous 12th Oct who doesn't seem to like the opinion of others.
The whole point of this site is to report experiences and give opinions and not to slag off those who do.
Sounds to me that this guy has a vested interested in the financial success of this Pub.
Either that or he is so sensitive to the opinion of others he should back under his rock for fear of being further offended.
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Captain Fab you are a ringpiece.Anyone with any sense can see the Q.D is going through a major change.If you can't see that you should get your bus pass out and take yourself of to a pub that is owned buy a major chain,maybe you should try speaking to people more instead of making wild assumptions on the basis of ordering your pint.I have found the new landlord a friendly chap and very knowledgable about the industry .Lets hope when it the work is finished people like you keep your slippers on and stay at home ?
anonymous - 12 Oct 2007 19:56 |
Haven't been in for some time - do you still need to wear sunglasses to protect your eyes ?
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Queen Dowager has indeed been recently taken over by experienced barman, Mark, and is now well worth visiting. In the next few weeks, it will be refurbished and will be serving food, and so makes for another option in Teddington. Highly recommended.
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This is a good pub with great potential which has lost it�s way. Nice friendly locals, excellent terrace & garden (in need of some work). Sunday roast is good.
The last ghastly landlady Caroline has gone & been replaced by someone who is going to spend some money on the Queen Dowager. The rumour locally is the new owner is Mark who used to run Joes Bar in Richmond. I hope so as he was fantastic. Good food, good beer, friendly ambience, party atmosphere & fond memories as I met my husband there when having a jug of strawberry margarita with the girls.
anonymous - 28 Sep 2007 12:48 |
have been to this pub for years.mostly on monday evenings.has now changed ownership.went in there on monday evening the same old faces are allways in there the atmostpher in there was good and was relaxed the landlord/landlady were not present at the time but been told that they are nice people,if u are around teddington pop in the the queen dowager for a pint.
anonymous - 18 Apr 2007 13:03 |
super pub
anonymous - 22 Nov 2006 20:20 |
Mr Eddie,in defence of the weirdos,maybe they found something about you that made them grin
anonymous - 22 Nov 2006 20:20 |
Agree with other comments. A very odd pub. Unlike some
of the pubs in Teddington which are just full of old drunks. This pub seems to attract deliverance style
weirdos, who just sit there grinning at you bizarely.
Too weird.
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What an odd comment from Anonymous - Why would I want to sit in the garden? You have to accept that the pub might not be to everyones tastes. Rather than just general negative comments care to address the actual downsides of the pub, such as the crap bar design, general tatty state etc.?
TheGP - 13 Aug 2006 17:31 |
i used to live in teddington and went to every pub at one stage or the other. nice beer garden but why did the land lady always look at me like i murdered her budgie?
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What a load of rubbish.I have been going to the Q.D for 12 years .If you go to a pub ,try talking to people ,dont expect to walk in and be the centre of attention.its a bit like a job ,no one remembers a shrinking violet,only the sunflowers.matty if no one remembers your name ,thats your problem ,no one elses.G.P why not sit in the garden .answer;you would not be able to listen to everyone elses business.Get real you sad cases .The queen Dowager is a family pub.
And long may it remain so .
anonymous - 28 Jul 2006 18:53 |
On a recent visit to Teddington on a Friday afternoon i was amazed by the number of people still attending our traditional british pub for their working lunch.I decided to indulge .However the menu was so extensive i spent half an hour deciding what to have.It ranged from traditional pub food such as cottage pie, steak and Guinness pie etc. to fajita wraps morroccan lamb plus a large choice of sandwiches and baguettes all looking very good as was borne out by the many customers eating.To top it off even in the extreme temperatures the Youngs beer was excellent
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A very odd pub. Teddington has a lot of nice pubs, and this isn't one of them. Service was very friendly, but the interior decor and design of the pub is atrocious. The bar appears to have been planted in the middle of the room and sticks out a mile. It was very very smoky. No ventilation. None of the furniture matches. There was a small TV, but the picture was very very fuzzy. And the point of that is?
Apart from the service, which was prompt, I see no reason whatsoever to come in here, especially when there are so many better alternatives.
TheGP - 12 Mar 2006 18:48 |
We used to drink in the Dowager every Sunday - both pre Norman (Bill-the-perpetually-puzzled and Betty) and post Norman. Norman spent a good deal of time (and no doubt someone's money) refurbishing the pub.
It is clean and 'pretty', but as has been pointed out, characterless. The Sunday crowd was largely 'older' folks (40+ I'd say, many quite a bit older - including a pair of old dears - must have been over 90 - who always wore knitted hats and gloves that didn't fit), yet the decor is very 'trendy wine bar'.
On the up side, there is a lovely, spacious pub garden. My daughter, in Bill's day, used to be given permission to climb the Bramley apple tree and take home whatever she could carry. There both paved and grassy seating areas, and it is fenced off from the road, so it is fairly safe for children (apart from children who climb the apple tree, of course).
The Dowager serves food, and has a reasonably busy (if elderly) Sunday roast trade. I've eaten there a few times - the food is good and wholesome, if sometimes unadventurous.
All in all, not a bad pub, but I wouldn't hold it up as a 'typical' British pub, and wouldn't (now) travel to get there. If in Teddington, I'd probably choose the Adelaide. Even though Norman does (did) know my name.
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I've been drinking in the QD for two or three years. Norman the Landlord doesn't know my name - doesn't want to know my name.
I only ever drink Special Bitter, but he doesnt know that and has to ask each time he serves me.
I visit regularly, but to Norman I and many other regulars are just ships in the night.
Landlady never stoops as low as to serve the punters.
A souless wateland of a Pub run by someone unfit for the Pub business.
anonymous - 5 Jan 2006 22:09 |
The Pub where customers go to die...
Desperately needs something and I don't mean a rewire(Check out the new above surface wiring job).
The whole joint lacks something...it's like having a drink whist waiting for a train. Its better than no drink - but only just. I've never known a pub so lacking in atmosphere.
Now I'm not saying the Pub is crap - I'm not saying its good I'm just saying if the Pub is closed and you want to replicate the experience, just sit in the Dentists waiting room (actually they sometimes have tropical fish).
PS If there on your own don't expect converssation The Landlord and Landlady are only allowed to talk to their three or four friends.
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Had an unintentionally hilarious evening here, after meeting with a couple of friends for a quiet chat. The young barmaid was very pleasant but completely untrained (or had never actually been in a bar before): asked us what the difference was between slimline and ordinary tonic, had never heard of bitter lemon and had to ask me how to make a shandy (although I'm sure my instructions didn't include pouring 1/4 glass of beer then wandering off to do something else). It wasn't a busy night, but every customer came away from the bar looking even more baffled than the barmaid.
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I have drunk (and been) in this pub many times and I dont know why. I keep going back to it like a child to an electricity socket. I know its bad but watch me crawl back again and again.
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Captain Fab has hit the nail on the head - the area by the toilets seems an after-thought. Not a bad pub but atmosphere can be a bit flat
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I agree with the floating drinker - previous contributor - this place could be so much better. Try the Abercorn Arms instead which still feels like a pub, not a doctors waiting room
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Nice little garden on a sunny day but rest of the Pub has all the character of a Doctor's waiting Room.
Avoid the Quiz Night - a very Sad affair.
The Whole Pub desperatly needs a happiness injection.
The floating Drinker
anonymous - 1 Jul 2005 19:20 |
NORMAN, PLEASE READ... It's still too bright in your Pub!!! Especially in the characterless 'land that time forgot' end by the Toilets.
Other than that well done. With Beer quality now resolved, all it needs now is a little imagination regarding the decor.
A nice little Pub well worth a visit.
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Doesnt seem qite as bright now as it used to be - perhaps it's just because I haven't been in for some time.
Pub seemed efficiently run and clean and the beer was in good form, but to my mind, the pub lacks the atmosphere and warmth that it used to have in the days of Bill and Betty.
In fairness, there is still a bar billiards table and a regulars corner by the door leading to the garden, but I'm afraid that this is another example where the old adage - " if it ain't broke, don't fix it !" seems rather apt.
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Congratulations!
It's still too bright for me and unfortunately the local yobbery had decided to play Darts the night of my visit (I had to work hard to prevent the Paratrooper I was with teaching them some manners).
However the Special was 8.5 out of 10, The Barmaid was very plesant and as we left we were wished a "Thank you and Goodbye" which cost the Management nothing but will guarantee my swift return.
The Pub Ghost
anonymous - 7 Apr 2005 14:26 |
I think The Pub Ghost has a point and I'm not sure if Norman should be critcised for only finding out that his beer is suspect by reading this website or congratulated for accepting he should do something about it!!
Whatever - I'll give Q.D another go.
Incidentally, Ive been using the Q.D infrequently for 20 odd years and the Special has on & off under a succession of Landlords.
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Nice owners. Shame Victoria no longer serves there!
anonymous - 2 Mar 2005 19:22 |
We are sorry that the pub ghost does not think our special is upto standard as we have very few adverse comments about any of our beers. Perhaps this is because like the Pub Ghost they do not say anything at the time, because if we are told that our beer is not right we will do our utmost to put it right and change any pint that is not good. Its difficult to do anything if we are not told.
As most people know we are mainly a lunch time pub and probably do some of the best quality and reasonably priced food in the area.
I have taken on board the comments about the brightness and will experiment with the lights down lower to see what comments we get.
Norman - 28 Oct 2004 17:52 |
I agree with the recent comments about the brightness - you can seriously damage your eyes in here if they're unprotected for any length of time. Otherwise the pub's OK with me, no other real criticisms
Simon - 22 Oct 2004 14:20 |
beer and staff OK, but the refurbishment is dreadful. Take your sunglasses for the brightness.
anonymous - 13 Oct 2004 16:25 |
I agree with the 'pub ghost' comments - several of the barmaids act as if you've broken into their house - the beer garden is one of its few plus points
PJ - 22 Sep 2004 14:15 |
Revisited recently. You know... with a little more effort this could be a happy busy little Pub. Suggestions. 1) The Barmaid. I'm sure she's a nice lady but she really should be put out to pasture. Her attitude doesnt help the ambience. 2) Turn the lighting down. Its like drinking in an operating theatre.
3) Get the Special on form - last visit was better but not great.
Other than that it might just work.
The Pub Ghost - 5 Sep 2004 21:23 |
Have they got the beer sorted yet. Maybe the Pipe run is too long, but I've never had a good special there - had to drink ordainary (Yuk)
The Pub Ghost - 8 Aug 2004 17:39 |
Nice beer and I prefer to go in the summer and sit outside otherwise indoors the women behide the bar give you the evil eye for not drinking there every night of the week
PJ - 19 Feb 2004 13:07 |
a recently rerubished youngs pub that has a warm freindly atmosphere and welcome most people. also has and extrembly good looking bar man called Tim
anonymous - 23 Dec 2003 22:57 |
