please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Walking past a few times, I was really looking forward to popping in when I had time/company, noting the ambiance and the crowds, and the cask marque too.
It depends what you want from a 'pub'.
It appears more of a gastro-pub/wine-bar/peroni-like lager joint, with a sort of affluent 30+ crowd and token Antipodeans. I would empathise with those who think it is a bit pretentious, but I mostly had a sense of deja vu... probably as it's like something out of a BBC2 comedy show, where the central characters go for a drink after a hard day's work and talk about their relationship problems.
If like us you notice the cask marque and think there might be some good ale on offer too, you'll be disappointed by the apparently sole (one) hand pump offering TEA (which, frankly, some people think mings anyway). A token ale to keep 'that lot' happy, yet I suspect wanting the kudos of 'quality' and a cask marque on the wall outside.
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Gordon Bennetts is overpriced and pretentious. The owner is like a cross between Basil Fawlty and Jeffrey Dahmer, and seems intent on being as rude as possible to any one who catches his crazy eye. He seems to think he is running a michelin starred restaurant, when in fact he is running a pub with average, overpriced food.
The clientele are the kind of people who ay nothing very loudly while thinking they are cool because they pay over the odds for average food and drink.
Go there if you feel like being insulted or like wasting money.
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This is not a pub, and does not pretend to be a pub. It does exactly what it says on the can - it is a bar and kitchen, with the emphasis perhaps on the kitchen. And it doesn't try to do what it can't. Food, wine and beer are all familiar things - and the food is real food done pretty well, and at a reasonable price for the area. Not a venue for gourmets or a special night out, but a great place for a late brunch on Sunday. And yes - the Bloody Marys are great to have with it. Lots of regulars, but it's not one of those awful places where only regulars are welcome, so it usually has a nice enough atmosphere for what is essentially an up-market cafe.
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Run by Mr Grumpy, but It is a nice place for food and drink
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Pretty ordinary really. The outside has a sweet appearance but inside its just a boring cafe layout. I found the staff perfectly nice (the owner was a bit grumpy). They may have too many bottles of wine open cos mine tasted a bit off. I suppose its better than the pubs and that's why its so expensive. No style.
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D'you know what, this pub should be nauseating. It's not really a pub, more of a wine bar come gastro-pub but frankly it's got a really welcoming charm. Not quite somewhere "where everybody knows your name" but certainly the place we go to most often in Surbiton. The lack of 30-somethings with kids in there is great. It serves decent lager, has a great wine list (popular and drinkable favourites, not pretentious pseudo-sommelier-selected crap) and the food, whilst a little pricey for the smaller dishes, is quick to arrive and genuinely tastey.
The staff are young and friendly and the music selection is top drawer. The only downside is that it can get a bit chilly inside in the winter and that a smoking crowd outside often means smoke creeps into the bar through the windows.
During the day it becomes a bit more coffee-bar like with good free 4MB/s broadband, papers and good snacks.
You might even spot the old famous face in there. A solid destination for mid-week drinks.
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Agree with most of the points made. The food and wine has been good everytime I have been in, especially the burgers. The one thing that lets it down is the owner. He has a very condesending manner and to make things worse talks down to his staff like they are pieces of dirt in front of customers...??!! For me the staff are efficent and friendly, more so than the Rubicon up the road. If you pay a visit just try and avoid the owner serving you!!! Don't worry you'll know him when you see him!
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I'd say that GB is aimed at the dining & drinking crowd so its more of a restaurant / bar than the other way around. Its packed with tables so there isn't much standing room which I think is a deliberate policy. It is also always kept very clean and tidy.
Food is fantastic and highly recommended, beer & wine is also of a high standard and priced accordingly. It has a wide selection of lagers and a small but very good choice of bitter. It is also a nice place to have a coffee and read the paper or make use of their wi-fi internet.
I would say this is a place for 25-45 year old London commuters - very much the kind of people you will find living in Surbiton's river roads. If this isn't your thing then head for the high st.
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Lovely bar and great food but always soooo packed! Can never get a table despite getting there early!
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think I might be one of the old farts....
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Not a bad venue....but who are the leechy old farts that seem to frequent the place on a regular basis?
anonymous - 10 Sep 2007 19:12 |
gordon bennett indeed! How can this place look so nice on the outside but rather a different atmosphere methinks when one ventures through its doors? deary me!
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One of the few really nice places for a drink in the area. Gets really crowded as a result though and few beers.
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Excellent food, nice range of beers and a good atmosphere.
The only problem is that it gets full by about 6pm on a Thursday-Saturday night.
anonymous - 12 Apr 2007 13:41 |
nice bar great staff, I recommend a visit.
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I really like it at Gordon Bennett! The staff are always friendly, a fire burning and happy hour makes my day. Excellent food too!
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I've only been there once before, so I can't really say either way.
Just an observation, though: a lot of us have always found it curiously uninviting - I'm not exactly type to dive in and start chatting to strangers at the drop of a hat, but the way everyone is sat at their little table...seems all a bit prim and unfriendly.
The name always reminds me of those 80s winebars too...places in Battersea with names like 'Quaffers' and 'Harvey Floorbangers'. Each to his own I suppose!
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Having lived in the area for the last few years I have spent many an evening in GB. Over this time I have always enjoyed the food, wine and beer they serve. Perhaps it is more of a restaurant most of the time but it certainly fills the gap for this sort of place in this sort of area. All the staff are friendly and the owner is a nice chap to chat to when the place is less manic.
aswac - 15 Dec 2006 17:35 |
Got served by pleasant staff and had a burger. Pretty much the same type of burger I've had from any other place that are trying to do burgers but a bit different - with one exeption. Plays music from an iPod - done years ago. Small, not exactly inspiring or different in terms of being modern. Does pull in a vast number of people - I wonder if they are all from the same family. Good luck to Gordon Bennett and thankyou for being something different and not a tired, old, dirty pub. One comment the beers are different - something for everyone but my girlfriends wine was a bit off.
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Begrudgingly I would have to say that this bar does serve great food and good wine. I have eaten here many times and always had a consistently good experience of the food. I say this begrudgingly because I and many other friends of mine living in the surbiton area have found one of the staff, who I believe is probably the owner, to have a serious attitude problem. Despite the rest of the staff being very friendly and helpful he clearly thinks he is a little bit special and has at times treated us in a patronising and condescending manner, quite unprofessional. Its a shame as it has put us off returning to this venue, not that its struggles for business. It is always popular and busy, even if he is lacking in customer services skills.
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On the face of it, this place is completely inoffensive (apart from a few self important individuals announcing the latest dull episode in their city job for all to hear).
The menu out-punches other places in its sort of category. I just feel this place has the look and feel of a restaurant/bistro than a bar.
The closely packed identical tables and chairs also give it a battery-hen ambience and seem to rob the place of any soul it might have.
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I have been in here a few times over the last few weeks, and have come back to up my rating. It is the best at what it does.
The food is well priced, and the menu very varied.
Lagers are now �3.20 per pint, which is a bit over the top, but as mentioned previously it stops the football/chav crowd coming in, so has it's adavntages.
It also attracts a few of people of the more 'poncey', West London variety, but they are normally fairly easy to ignore, and certainly no trouble.
I think this fits in well with the other Surbiton offerings. There are lots of nice 'proper' pubs, where you can go to get a pint below �3. Sure, it is the polar opposite of the '2 for �6' Wetherspoons type place, but both serve their purpose very well.
The only real problem I find is that it gets too busy on a Thur/Fri/Sat night - so much so, that you have to arrive at about 6pm if you want to get a table to eat. Maybe they will open another one!
anonymous - 31 Aug 2006 11:25 |
'Sfunny, I had the same thought regarding KT6 (Surbiton) not SW6 (Fulham); this place may be fine as a restaurant but as a bar / pub it is recherche' in a particularly Fulham kind of way; a menu so pretentious it belongs in 'American Psycho', and no sense apart from the bar in its island of amber light that this place with its stripe-shirted and cocktail dressed habitue's ever had anything of the pub about it? Failing that, why must restaurants be chichi and offer a fusion menu each more bizarre than the last? Could we but impose a Vulgarity Tax on fusion menus it might bring down the price of the beer, beer which is made in the honest brewery of Hogs Back at Tongham but which here costs �3.10 a pint. "Gordon Bennett!" is presumably the drinker's response to the price of the ale.
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I think the last comment is a fair point about this place, but I also agree with the previous post.
Surbiton is clearly not Fulham, or even Clapham, but just because it is a bit further from town doesn't mean that everyone just wants to go to Wetherspoons, down 10 pints and have kebab on the way home!
I don't think that Gordon Bennett is particularly 'poncy', in the way a lot of bars in more central areas are, it just offers an alternative to the more traditional suburban pub scene. You may get a few 'horsey' Fulham types in there, but the main clientele seems to consists of the more normal type of people that live in the surrounding roads.
Some of the pubs in Surbiton are great, but as another review mentioned earlier, the fact that this place is busier serving �3.10 pints than certain other places are serving the same beer for �2.80 speaks for itself.
Great food as well!
anonymous - 29 Apr 2006 10:33 |
The...'It's in the middle of Surbiton comment' was meant to refer to the fact that Maple Road and the surrounding River Roads are not in SW6, they are in KT6. Perhaps the manager of GB's has confused the two.? Or maybe his Rugby top wearing Estate Agent customers like to fool themselves too?
anonymous - 28 Apr 2006 18:23 |
Not sure where the previous review is going with the "It's in the middle of Surbiton for God's sake" comment.
I would have thought this is exactly why they have priced the drinks a little higher!
There are lots of different types of people in Surbiton. The area surrounding this bar is crammed full of young professionals who are looking for something different to the standard pub. There are also lots of people that don't fit into this bracket.
There are plenty of otherwise decent pubs in Surbiton that have been ruined by the archetypal 'Chelsea chav' football crowd.
These places are fine if you are going to watch a game with mates, but not really if you are going for a quiet drink with your other half.
I am quite happy to pay another 50p per pint to go to Gordon Bennett on these occasions if this guarantees that I won't be sitting next to a football-shirted idiot who will not stop shouting all night!
The fact that Gordon Bennett is busy most night of the week is testament to the fact that a lot of other people would agree with this point of view. The only downside is that it is impossible to get a table on a Friday or Saturday night if you arrive after 6.30!
The food is very good value here as well, meaning that the cost of a full night in Gordon Bennett is very reasonable, even when the high drinks cost is taken into account.
The problem is that there is not enough bars like this in the Surbiton area. Rubicon down the road is fine for a drink, but does not have a full food menu. There are a lot of more traditional pubs that are still nice, but nothing that offers this type of combination.
anonymous - 19 Apr 2006 12:29 |
I absolutely hate it when a local bar in a residential street puts it's prices up just because it's become a bit more popular. It's got nothing to do with attracting the 'preferred demographic'. It's in the middle of Surbiton for God's sake.! It's about New Management ripping off customers who have no where better to go in the area without being ripped off ever more (see Rubicon.!)
anonymous - 21 Mar 2006 19:46 |
GB's has been around for several years now though struggled to get punters early on. However new management in recent years has turned this place into perhaps the premier bar in Kingston borough. The atmosphere (and prices) tend to attract an affluent 25+ age crowd. Most nights are busy though Thu, Fri and Sat particularly so. Staff are friendly and professional. Ashtrays kept clean and empties never left on tables for long. A pricey menu though generally worth it. Liquor is pricey also though this is probably to attract the preferred demographic. Ideal place to catch up with friends after work and a stone's throw from Surbiton train station. Much recommended.
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This is a very nice bar with a good atmosphere and is always busy. A good place to get set in for an evening or a Sunday afternoon. Nice clientele too - at least it is if you discount the Surbiton old lech's that frequent.
anonymous - 15 Nov 2005 09:17 |
I was very disappointed to find the drinks prices have mysteriously gone up. Even the barman was embarrassed about the cost of a pint.! Just cos you get ripped off in Rubicon, shouldn't mean you get ripped off here too. I for one will not be returning there out of principle.!
anonymous - 26 Oct 2005 08:29 |
Ate here for the first time last night (Thursday). Was very busy but only had to wait 10 minutes to nab a table.
The service was good, the food was great and good value for money. I would definitely go here again.
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Good place to take the missus. And your credit card. Nice grub and good choice of booze... Bit too La Dee Da
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I've lived in kingston for about 1 year now and this is one of the best bars around, friendly staff, great food (especially the sunday lunch), and chilled tunes.
It can get a little busy at the weekends and could do with a little more space to be able to stand around the bar, that said it's great, I only wish there was a similar one in kingston.
If anyone knows of one I'd like to hear about it.
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I've just had my first gordon beebtt night and it was fab...small plates of meatbaals and sausages with a side order of chips was plenty and well prepped....good bear and wine list and when i had to go back to query change for a 10/ 20 it was no questions asked....good and busy punters, friendly staff, top nosh, and making enuf profit not to hassle slightly squiffy buyers..top rating....can't think of a better reason to go to surbiton!
maloclm
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One for the thirty-somethings, this. Not bad. Not bad at all. Agreed, more like a wine bar than a pub, which therefore attracts a certain type (they would have been called yuppies in the 80s ; cocktails on a Thursday night in Surbiton. I ask you.) Ignore them and the place is alright.
The layout is quite standard though, how about a few different sized tables, possibly the odd sofa? And though the bar is decorated quite tastefully, the dingy toilets are a mess.
Definitely worth a visit, although possibly not if you're looking for a cloudy pint of Old Peculiar in the Snug.
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Their "Boomerang" CabSauv was immensely drinkable (sorry Francophiles), and the koftas went down a treat (though my stomach would have appreciated a slightly larger portion!). As others have said, this is a wine bar more than a pub, but it's a fairly young crowd and reasonably trendy (e.g. no sawdust). It was quite popular last Saturday night, but it didn't take us more than half a glass of wine at the bar to get a table. Right up my street. Oh, the music could have done with being slightly quieter given then we weren't there to dance or pretend we were 18, but that's only a minor gripe.
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Great food and nice atmosphere.
prickly - 24 Aug 2004 13:50 |
The wines are well chosen, although they didnt have a blush wine when i went. The olive mix is delicious, and goes down far too easily, just like the wine. Nice decor and the atmosphere is a lot more friendly than it first appears. A bit pricey, wine bars always are, and not particularly close to anything else if you are walking, perfect, on the right occasion.
Dani - 4 Aug 2004 06:26 |
More of a trendy wine bar than a traditional pub, but it is relatively small and its location is not particularly near many other bars so if you are interested in a big night this isn�t the place to go. However, if you want to sit down and enjoy a few nice glasses of wine and chat this is great and it attracts legal drinkers as opposed to 16 year olds. Probably the typical drinker will be a young professional relaxing after work having got bored with staying at home.
sarah - 9 Jul 2004 16:50 |
a nice cross between a pub and a wine bar it has fruit based drink for the ladies and a few draught lagers for the fellas, a relaxed atmosphere with hihg quality bar snacks. (no pool table or fruit machines, go to the antelope for that)
neil - 27 Apr 2004 15:38 |
I Love this Bar -
Great Service, Good Music, Tasty Food-Olives are my Fav!
Could Deff do with some Sofa's & away with a few of the tables, maybe some candles for the night as well to go with the chilled Vibe-
Fi - 21 Apr 2004 13:19 |
Having frequented a newly opened competitor down Maple Road we found this bar relaxed, unassuming with excellent service and great choice of drinks.Haven't sampled the food yet but we will next time.
Needless to say an excellent choice for pre dinner drinks or a whole evening.
Steve - 13 Feb 2004 19:49 |
This place is one of only places that gets the balance right. The decor, wine choices and food are excellent and the Sunday brunch/lunch an excellent idea. I would give it a 10 out of 10. Friendly staff.
Julie Brown - 18 Jan 2004 17:20 |
A very good bar. Visited there on a Monday evening and it was pretty much full. I disagree with previous comments about the clientelle - I went there with my wife and found it had a very well balanced crowd and we didn't feel out of place.
The decor is light but I think anyone under 40 will find it very comfortable.
The food was a cut above pub fare and well priced.
The only thing I'd say is that it's got a quiet atmosphere so I wouldn't go there for a kicking Saturday night out, but for weekday drinking with a bite to eat it's ideal.
Harry - 29 Dec 2003 11:09 |
Gordon Bennetts has taken on a change recently and I think it's all the better for it...The whole atmosphere seems to have softened down a bit, what with the glamorous flower arrangements and subtle lighting. Get rid of some of those tables and stick a couple more sofas in and it will be perfect.
Fitzy - 22 Dec 2003 23:48 |
I'm kind of in the middle on this one..Surbiton doesn't have a great deal to offer in the way of decent busy bars and desperately needs somewhere to offer the new breed of young professionals invading the Maple Road area. As such this bar deserves to be better than it is. Yes the bar is too cramped. Yes the seating is a bit Ikea and yes you do get a few of the oldest swingers in town there. But that's kind of it's charm. If it was a car it would be a Ford Probe and yet it so desperately wants to be a Jaguar XK8. They should expect some stiff competition from the new bar opening a few doors down next to Terra Mia in a few months.!
crazyfunster - 1 Nov 2003 17:30 |
Totally disagree with two comments below. Great place, by far and away the best place for a drink in Surbiton. Friendly staff, nice clientele and is now serving reasonably priced good food. We are regulars and are neither 30+, rugby players or divorcees (in fact we are happily married)!!
louse - 20 Sep 2003 13:49 |
Clinical establishment - just the sort of place to go if you like your watering hole to be devoid of character, or if you like the idea of sitting on Ikea table and chair sets with minimal decor and a small bar.
Very inoffensive place but strictly for the 30+ singles convention. My learned friend has it spot on below... amusing only for the desperation of the clientele for a bunk up.
"A more wretched hive of scum and villainy one could not possibly hope to find..."
DaveyBoy - 5 Aug 2003 13:00 |
Well presented quiet wine bar type thingy.
Mostly populated by ageing inflated rugger b*ggers looking to flirt (maybe the odd extra-marital affair) with the divorcees and various marie claire reading 30 somethings.
Pint prices are ridiculously high..wine fairly average for a bottle.
Pretty obvious what the agenda is behind the bar "price out the riff raff and pander to the pretentious"
Do pop in tho, even if its just to watch the hilariously predatory rotund lotharios at play.
hoonose - 5 Aug 2003 12:35 |
Its a Bar and I am a regular, its easily the most popular and successful place in Surbiton, It hasn't served food for ages although I am reliably informed that they are finally going to give the locals what they want, some tapas to go with the great wine and mixed drinks they serve.
The clientelle is the nicest assembly of local people you will find with the odd occasional celebrity/sportstar popping up from time to time, which keeps us locals amused.
This place deseres at least a seven and when the food tapas start Iam sure it will be worth a nine
Ian Dalton - 28 May 2003 14:39 |
Is it a pub ?
Is it a cafe ?
Is it a restaurant ?
Confusing place with a lack of balls to stick to one aim
weasel - 4 Mar 2003 09:39 |
