please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Was I that passerby I wonder. On seeing no handpumps I too walked on by.
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The Gazebo was recommended to me by a Kingston resident as being a quiet place where it's possible to have a drink without jungle noises from loudspeakers or loud-mouthed yobs. So I went there at 4.00pm two days ago and found it to be exactly what I hoped it would be. I walked up to the bar and saw that every single beer on draught was Samuel Smith's, possibly the most tasteless beer in England. The riverside setting is really charming but the beer kills it stone dead. A couple of passers-by looked in but noticing the name on the pumps, walked on.
I loath Wetherspoons pubs on account of the number of old plonkers who spend all their days there cackling and hooting inanely like the inmates of an asylum, but after a pint of Samuel Smith's I had to pop into the KIng's Tun for a pint of Leffe which immediately restored my tastebuds to normal.
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So disappointing. My 5 year old and I Entertaining a friend visiting from Germany. Bank holiday Monday and we sat outside downstairs. The signs say sandwiches available from both bars however when I went to place order I was advised we need to be sat upstairs but there were no tables available. About half hour later a table became available so we moved upstairs. Once we had looked at the menu and decided I went to order only to be told they had stopped serving food. It was only 2pm. What a disaster. Not very prepared for a bank holiday Monday. Will not be returning to this pub.
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Do not go to this pub as there are many better in kingston.
They fail to have music in the background, there was not enough staff to have both upstaits and downstairs open. The staff were rude. The coke was flat and it was blamed on the ice? However I've never had that in any pub I've been into before. And it was obvious the bourbon was waterd down. Also compared to other pubs such as those across the bridge, extremely expensive.
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A pub of two halves (or floors). Downstairs looks like it has been furnished via a charity shop's skip with mismatched and pretty grim furniture with a dark and dingy aura to boot.
Upstairs is nicely done out and a good place to enjoy a cheap beer or two while gazing out over the river.
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No cask OBB but the Extea Stout (�2.55) went down ok. Plastic glasses and a plastic feel to the place. Pleasant enough to sit by the river.
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Visited this place recently, and if you are a fan of traditional Sam Smith's establishments, you'll be extremely disappointed.
In complete contrast to SS's central London pubs, with their attention to detail, etched mirrors and solid dark wood furniture/decor, The Gazebo has the aura of a hastily cobbled-together function room, with a few basic tables and chairs strung about a bare bar.
The barmaid was sullen as well, which there really is no excure for when a pub isn't exactly heaving.
In addition, the cackling and loud anti-social shouting of a couple of local ageing chavs reverberated across the otherwise silent bar. It was enough to spoil what little ambience there was.
Saving graces? Cheap pints and the riverside view if you want to take your drinks outside when it's sunny.
A pub that could have so much more to offer, but, frankly, you get the feeling the management just can't be arsed.
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My local Sam Smiths pub isn't the best in the chain but it does the job for having a cheap beer when in Kingston. It's hardly the typical SS interior either, making the place a little functional rather than characterful but does have a pool table. Good views from the towpath and the balcony.
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whats happened to this pub? I used to be able to get GOOD food & a GOOD pint!
and still no music? whats the point of even opening the doors?
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Probably the least dingy Sam Smith's pub I've been in but still has a feel of bar in a Spanish holiday resort. The food is nothing amazing although the beer is the usual SS standards and quite cheap.
The main selling point is the view od the river, which is great.
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Went here on Sunday, nice view, friendly and efficient staff. It has its faults but as a place to come to in the Summer all they need to do is sort out the food. Chips are so much nicer if they've actually been fried after they've been blanched.
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isnt the gazebo over 21s only?
e_kbh - 26 Dec 2006 17:40 |
fukin awesome place!
nice an cheap! great atmosphere! great in the summer!
everyone should try this place out!
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Great Location but very tatty. There are new managers there as of about 2 months ago, a big improvement on previous couple who were there minding it. Beer is cheap but is that enough to make it a good pub - I think not. Sam Smith's really need to let their London pubs sell other beer - I guess it has a big following up North but here in London people crave the variety. It could be a lot busier if there were some more popular beers & spirits readily available here.
anonymous - 5 Aug 2006 14:37 |
Yes, the beer's cheap, but does price alone make a pub?
Has that spartan, slightly tatty look that gives it the air of a Student Union bar, which in my opinion doesn't do the location justice. However, there are a lot of bars and pubs in the area, and I suppose you need different things for different people. It's just not really my cup of tea.
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Great place. Barstaff are spot-on and rather pleasing on the eye too.
Prices good for a river pub, beers fantastic and it's a great location. Well worth a visit!
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A hilarious place. Nice to see Nottingham prices in SW London. The stout is identical to guiness. Was a bit a bit disappointed cos cant stand guiness but love REAL stouts. But the again i can shut up about that cos i was looking a tit in my squash kit!!
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what happened? it's gone a bit sh*te!
patsy - 27 Jan 2006 15:41 |
Sam Smith's pubs usually have the virtue of cheap proper ale. However this place does not have proper ale and so you are left with somewhere with all the atmosphere of a building site (minus the sense of purpose) and crap cheap beer. And this is on the riverside?? Smith's should be ashamed of themselves.
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No atmosphere here, and the beer on offer is unheard of stuff- but overall it's great place- cheap, i mean cheap beer and also you can sit ou on the river steps in trendy plastic glasses. Good place in the summer, or if you are on a bar crawl- but i wouldnt spend the entire night there- good starter pub to see the river area
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Not for me, no real beer, and what was on offer was not good.
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Lovely location right on the river but that's the only positive thing about this place. I've been in here twice. The first time was in the afternoon and I had a pint of Prinz, not recognising any of the other draft beers. It was rank. The second time was one evening and this time I had a German beer which tasted okay but I was violently sick when I got home and it was certainly nothing to do with the quantity of said German beer I had consumed. Suffice to say, I shan't be going back and wouldn't recommend anyone else does either.
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probably one of the best places in kingston, gladly not overun by minors like the rest of the riverside has become. (i bet it'll be packed next time i go now!)
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Lovely food and setting - perfect for summer sunday afternoons. If only there could be a late license, I'd probably never go home
patsy - 17 Dec 2004 16:08 |
This pub is great for a relaxing pint sitting buy the river after a hard days work
dylbo - 21 Oct 2004 08:09 |
They do a lovely pint of Aiiingerbrau (however you spell it - still tastes good). Great location by the river and fantastically low prices.
Briony - 31 Aug 2004 15:45 |
Ahhh, sam smith stout is bloomin' lovely, as is their weiss beer, oh my, what am I doing here in front of computer when there's beer to be had??! Don't be put off by the funny brands, the beer is just great. shame it's a tacky trendy bar.
Jane - 17 Aug 2004 11:02 |
Delicious Sam Smith Double stout for �2.04 - a bargin
By the way, the backing tape played Queen's Thank God Its Xmas yesterday for 3 minutes before the bar staff noticed - I think thats a new record for hearing a Xmas song so in advance of December.
PB - 12 Jul 2004 10:35 |
Some good beers in here. This could and should be the best pub in Kingston cos of it's location but unfortunately they have modernised it into a slightly tasteless all bar one theme.
stamina - 5 Feb 2004 18:37 |
Not bad for the summer, beer is a bit ropey mind, so so as far as pubs go.
Scotty Boy - 13 Jan 2004 14:17 |
Best pub by the river in Summer> it is a Sam Smiths Pub, hence all teh odd brands, but the bottled Pilsner is a cracking summer drink. Only downsides - upstairs is hardly ever open, and they make you use plastic glasses outside. Nice place.
Stephen - 25 Nov 2003 18:08 |
Great beers, Pilsner is a wife beater of a beer. Great in summer time on the steps by the river. Great for bird watching, both types.
Sore Head - 11 Nov 2003 16:05 |
TRY THE DIAT PILS... ITS FAB...
WICKED STAFF ALL FRIENDLY....
GREAT TRENDY PUB
Ren - 27 Sep 2003 16:56 |
i like this pub!!! not as many pikeys as you will find else were about town, or as many people trying to impress by blowing a weeks wages on a round of drinks!!!
by the was all lager is own brand , and blows your head of after a few pints!!!
hulk hogan - 19 Sep 2003 11:38 |
Was in there on Sunday - the beer is really cheap, and you normally get a seat
Chris - 29 May 2003 16:39 |
One of the better pubs in KUT.
This pubs had more work done on it than any pub I know (at least 4 times in 20 years).
Gilly - 23 May 2003 15:44 |
The beer is a bit odd. But it is quite a nice pub generally.
Mike - 29 Apr 2003 14:55 |
if you fancy sitting down with a bunch of mates - great place
sit upstairs - nearly always quiet so you'll have a table.
good beer - nice staff
jim - 23 Apr 2003 13:50 |
Personally i've always liked this bar, in the summer & when they have enough staff its nice to sit upstairs on the outdoor balcony + they play cool tunes... Well done Gazebo + staff !!!
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OK Pub since the refit. But the beer (Sammy Smiths) is appalling.
Angus - 19 Mar 2003 12:51 |
try the 'superior quality white rum'
it will knock your socks off!
anonymous - 4 Nov 2002 03:27 |
Hmmmm, its ok. Good for the summer time, sitting outside by the river, but otherwise there is little to say.
Chris - 9 Oct 2002 11:39 |
