please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
No longer a pub. Now a modern european bistro with a cocktail bar called Graze
mrse1 - 11 Jul 2016 13:49 |
Who owns this place, do they have so much money that they can afford to run it as a drop in center for the Jeremy Kyle set?
It's got one of the best locations in town, bang in the middle of the high street, opposite the castle and on the river with a terrace. It could be an attractive purpose built victorian public house. What is it instead? A run down dump of a building with moss and pigeon shite all over the roof, an interior designed by the same guy that does north sea truck ferries and a small and bad selection of beer.
Please please please, sell this place to somebody that can actually do something with it, redecorate it as a pub with chairs and tables, y'know to sit at, and get rid of the pool table and fruit machines. Until this happens, just stay away from this dump.
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This pub was certainly not for me. No real ales on tap so had to settle for a mediocre Guinness. The interior is cold and modern; decked out in plastic and steel sheeting. An awesome location on the river and opposite the castle, this place should be better. overall poor
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Shame about this pub.I'ts in a fantastic location on the river, near the castle and centre of town so why dont the owner give it an image. Its plastic and cold. Needs lots of wood,pictures, interesting things to look at some immagination put into it. Beer is rubbish lager,no ales music rubbish. Not for me and going by the lack of customers not for many in Tonbridge.
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Some posts may be old but they are still accurate.
Still shite.
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So, you seek a night out in Tonbridge?
The town is long and thin but there is A LOT going on . . .
This bar is dead centre of everything and right on the River Medway. I was there last Friday and the Friday before on the Terrace outside, watching the sun set behind the castle! This is a great place to start of finish you evening, after work or after everything else as it has a late license (c 01.00 + / - ???).
OVER THIS SUMMER (2010) they have live / dj / other entertainment & sport on most weekends and a lot seems to be going right in this place.
Check the dates on other posts, some are old old old.
C U There!
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This modern bar is called The Castle and is no longer called "The Gold Bar". Please update this in your records!
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Pretty poor over all! Beer and staff ok but clientele seemed dodgy to me! Mostly aging divorcees when I went in! Debbie and Vera were ok though and had a good night alltogether. Staff seemed rushed and stressed even when quiet - all in all 5 or 6 out of 10!
DavyS - 14 Jun 2008 20:20 |
No real ale, the only bitter is a frozen John Smiths and two of the dull draught lagers were off. Potentially good location overlooking the River Medway in the centre of town, but the only other plus point is the interior looks rather brighter since the 'Gold Bar' refurbishment. One of the very few things that I can think of which might make the Humphrey Bean (the particularly poor Wetherspoons almost opposite) seem like a good idea for a pint.
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Cheap looking although it's called the Gold Bar. Poor selection of draught largers. If you wanna do a couple of lines join the crowd in the toilets, now they are nice and clean.
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I REALLY enjoyed my night at this pub. Although not familiar with the town I found this pub to be lively (but not too much that i felt like an outsider!) i enjoyed the sepecialty - Pie and Mash and met some excellent people. The pub has recently been taken over by two local lads who seem to have hit the nail on the head perfectly with this place - decor is clean and has a lovely contemporary flavour, it works well for the gents as well as the ladies!
Clean toilets and plenty of loo roll -always the sign of a well run establishment!
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Definitely the place to be on a night out in Tonbridge!
New owners have done themselves proud.
Crazy bar staff who always entertain you through out the night with their weird and wonderful ways and land lady and lord always make the night a great one!
anonymous - 10 Sep 2007 21:49 |
well its been taken over..effort been made with the decor though not to my taste, just a shame the customers bad habits seem to extend further than just drink
anonymous - 6 Sep 2007 02:16 |
this pub is one of the flee pits of tonbridge but it is soon 2 be taken over cant wait 2 get rid of the harry hill lookalike who seems 2 take offence 2 people having fun
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I hate this pub, not only are the bar staff rude but I found the food to be highly disgusting!! I had heard a few nice things about the food here, including that the chef/landlord had once run the third floor restaurant at Harvey Nicholls. I can quite safely say that there was no evidence of that with my meal!!
anonymous - 7 Dec 2006 09:59 |
Can only agree with thirstymonkey, great pub and certainly have never seen any chavs in there. I think the non-swearing and strictly over 21's only rules see to that.
I too have found the staff and manager to be very friendly, and if you treat them with respect, they will treat you with respect.
Food is home cooked, and frankly fantastic. Has the best chips I have ever tasted, the Castle Burger is very good, but my personal favourite is the marinated chicken in a bun.
Very nice, cosy atmosphere too. Highly recommended!
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food is spot on but bar staff are lacking in customer skills in epic proportions
anonymous - 5 Nov 2006 18:37 |
Been going to the Castle fairly regularly for the last year or so and I am surprised at the previous comments (and no, I'm not one of the aforementioned chavs!). The staff operate a no swearing policy which is clear for all to see and surely this makes for a better atmosphere?? Very busy on Friday and Saturday nights but a good atmosphere overall. If you want a quieter drink visit during the day or on a Sunday. The food is superb with a varied menu (The Castle Burger is particularly good). Personally have found the staff and manager to be really friendly!
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This used to be a nice friendly pub, but has now lost the plot big time.
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Last time I was in here the landlord threw out some guy for a) being drunk??? (funny that as you�ve been serving him all night) and b) swearing. Hmm!
The place has been done up a couple of years ago and served some decent food at one point. But it has quickly (like most places in Tonbridge) become a chav magnet.
On the plus side the beer�s always been quite good and it has a reasonable area outside by the river. Although an investment in some decent furniture outside wouldn�t go amiss.
Overall not a place to go of an evening, but a summer pint outside is nice.
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I agree with the other comments here - staff are all really rude especially the manager who seems intent on throwing out as many people as possible! Good selection of beer and other drinks - shame they don't like serving them!
anonymous - 15 Aug 2006 15:28 |
should be great very cosy feel but the staff are rude to a point of no return
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not sort of bar
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would'nt let us in the place was wearing simpson out fit but the said no me and my girlfriend who was dressed as a nurse
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did'nt mind girls did'nt like at all so had a drink and went
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nasty little coffee centered chocolate place looks nice on outside but leaves sour taste in mouth
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not for me blander than it looks
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crappy attitude from staff not a place i would recomend
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got i.d'd 3 times during the night . but wat really took the biskit was it was the same short blonde haired hea dup his own arse guy !
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got turned away for being loud so i guess it's the toff's place
shiny - 17 Apr 2006 15:15 |
bit up themselves but good starting point if your rich enough to drink in there did'nt like swear box
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An horrendous chav magnet. Great for those men (boys)who drive cars with fluorescent lights underneath, or women (girls) who don't wear knickers when they go out.......
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shocking staff bad beer but i will say good food
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I would not recommend this pub at all!!! The landlord is awful and talks to his customers like spoilt children!!! I will not be going there again after my experience the other night
anonymous - 27 Feb 2006 15:20 |
Unfortunately this place has had a number of different managers over the last several years, none of whom seemed to last very long. James was easily the best and for a time the pub did quite well all because he was so popular with the clientele. Since he left, the place has gone right downhill. The staff don't know the products they're selling (it does have the best range in town) and the place looks a mess inside. A pity, as it has the best location in the town right on the river and is great in the summertime!.
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Minimalist but pleasant atmosphere. Friendly staff.
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This is a nice, recently redecorated pub, with a good selection of drinks
G - 15 Nov 2004 09:31 |
