BITE user comments - Alexh1982
Comments by Alexh1982
I was saddened when I saw his place yesterday - apart from the name 'Poison' - the interior has been completely gutted. This was a fine example of a real pub, one of a very rare breed in Basingstoke and someone has destroyed it all. Why did they have to choose The Castle? You can take any old unit in town and turn it into a bar. No regard for history at all. It is a real, real shame.
16 May 2010 11:25
The Soldiers Return, Basingstoke
It's open again! Bit strange walking back in there this evening but a lot of features there from before. Very surprised indeed, I never thought I'd see this house open again.
15 May 2010 23:32
The Crown and Anchor, Winchester
I actually really liked this one! Tried a nice pint of the Belhaven Best. Really good prices (�2.60 for that one) and the army verteran who helped me with directions and the chap behind the bar were really friendly! Top marks!
16 May 2009 12:07
The Bishop On The Bridge, Winchester
Very pleasant but horrible expensive.......�3.80 for a pint of Peroni. Garden nice and didn't sample the ales, but looked nice enough.
16 May 2009 12:05
The Soldiers Return, Basingstoke
As for the last comment about closing during the day.........it is now closed 24/7. The Soldiers is no more, I have it confirmed by two people I know that it closed down around two weeks ago. The end of an era of one of the oldest pubs in Basingstoke.
23 Feb 2009 15:53
What an excellent boozer! Went yesterday and ended up staying about 10 hours......friendly place and proper local working mans pub. Excellent pint..very well kept, was very very impressed, this pub is an absolutely lovely place!
17 May 2008 16:53
Agree with much below, this is a really good pub and one of, if not the best in Basingstoke. One thing though, Jim is not the manager, he is the landlord of the property.
2 Nov 2007 10:50
Went there and was amazed at the amount of chavs hanging around
24 Oct 2007 21:31
Absolutely amazing place! As mentioned the pub is still split up into very small bars, and the atmosphere is really special. I think every pub user should visit a place like this, and see how interesting this really is. Lovely pint of Late Red while I was there and really friendly staff and locals. Excellent stuff.
24 Oct 2007 21:26
I have also read the comments in the Basingstoke Observer, and totally disagree with Rob Bates comments......I know a good few people which including myself) will never set foot in this place again over this. Makes it sound like a lovely place................
21 Apr 2007 09:28
Chrisbullet is correct - Ian Rockcliffe IS that good. An amazing guitarist.
23 Mar 2007 12:21
The Great Western Hotel, Basingstoke
I went in the pub yesterday, and it is depressing and dirty. A wall has been built where the old hotel eating area was, and the only drinkers in the pub on my brief visit looked about 14 years old. Avoid
23 Mar 2007 12:10
I use the Queens quite regularly and think it is a very good pub. Always welcoming and pleasant to be in. Keep up the good work!!!!!!
22 Mar 2007 18:37
I totally disagree with the two anonymous comments below - it is not full of freaks, in fact the people there are very friendly. Secondly, it is not a s*** hole, it is quite well decorated (traditional) and as said, Kurt has done a good job here for some years now. As said, if you don't like it, don't go in.
13 Jan 2007 12:45
Trafalgar Freehouse, South Wimbledon
What more can I say - Mr. Norman is doing a fine job, as is his regulars making all welcome. Brilliant pub, no rivals at stake for it's excellence, come here and you won't go wrong. It's all cool stuff.
4 Dec 2006 01:51
On the two occasions I have been in this pub I have been impressed, it's a traditional boozer, which is an oasis of the late 80's in 2000's Sutton. Nice pint of Courage Best, and very friendly staff.
29 Oct 2006 16:16
Trafalgar Freehouse, South Wimbledon
You're right about the friendly service Mitomighty, David, Christie, James and Lorraine are very good, and as for the range of beer when all the pumps are working there are no less than 12 to choose from (with no less than 6 hand pumps), which for the size of the pub is amazing. It's a very cosy place to go, and I'm sure that if you haven't visited before you won't be disappointed with what you find.
29 Oct 2006 10:13
Having visited myself, I am amazed that this is the same pub, it is an amazing transformation. The ales were on amazing form and this is a very welcoming pub to go in. As said, it is very hard to believe this is the same pub as the old Rising Sun - it is so so good now! Definately a 10 / 10
2 Sep 2006 12:59
The Rising Sun is no more. It will be re - opening soon with a completely new look and a new name - The Way Inn. Rumours have said it'ss be a gastropub as opposed to the traditional one, but we'll have to wait and see.
22 Jul 2006 10:24
The Hole In The Wall, Waterloo
Went in last night (21/7) and enjoyed the choice of ales, but it was absolutely boiling in there!!! Mind you, can't be helped in this weather. Nice small bar (didn't visit other bar) and relexing sit down and pint. Lovely Jubbly!
22 Jul 2006 10:20
The Archduke Restaurant and Wine Bar, Waterloo
Quite possibly one of the most expensive places I've ever been to. Very upmarket clientel.
22 Jul 2006 10:18
Visited on a Bank Holiday Monday, and was amazed at how packed the place was. Also was blown away by the sporting decor adorning every surface in the pub. I was also very impressed with the real ales and the ESB was spot on. Excellent.
3 Jun 2006 08:17
I visited the pub after a trawl through this site. When I heard about a pub, on it's own down a country land accessable from a Travelcard Zone 6 railway station, I knew I had to have a go. I was surprised at how small the pub is, and also how old the fittings are. I particularly like the 'Charringtons Ales' cabinet above the bar, which I believe now would be a real novelty. Nice atmosphere and an encouragement to enjoy the real ales, there are three hand pumps. Some real features, including a Metropolitan Police 'Business Watch' window sticker which looks about 25 years old!! Friendly landlord and nice beer here. Great stuff.
21 May 2006 02:01
Went in there tonight. Wasn't very nice. The lemonade was all watery and the beer range wasn't as big as I expected. Not very friendly atmosphere either. Also horribly expensive. Most real ales around the �2.50 - �2.70 mark and Carling/Fosters at �2.80 and Stella at �2.95. Not good.
17 Apr 2006 00:53
Mind you, not bad going. See the post I wrote in March 2004 about rumours of renovation. Not bad, only a two year wait!!!!
15 Apr 2006 21:32
I have been informed that this place will be closed for a little while. Richie, who Jim Turner mentioned in a post below will be leaving and a new manager will take over. The shutdown will to facilitate a full overhaul of the pub and turn it around. I look forward to visiting when the work has been completed, and I'll give it a score that matches the improvements.
15 Apr 2006 21:31
Went in there yesterday - I might have misinterpretated the newspaper advert concerning food as I didn't see any when I was there, but I was very surprised when I visited. The interior is in process of renovation at the moment and it's looking really nice. There's a selection of bitters, as it's a Greene King house and it's spacious and lively. It's also a lot friendlier than I thought it would be too. Worth giving a try, you'll be amazed!
11 Apr 2006 17:33
The Beach Arms Hotel, Church Oakley
Excellent place, on the main Overton Road. Don't be put off by the 'hotel' suffix, this is a proper pub. Excellent food and beer prices here, including the carvery, known for it's good value in the area. Monday - Saturdays 12 - 5 will set you back �3.50, between 5 and 9 for �4.50 and �6.50 all day Sundays. The staff here are so good, when my girlfriend left her bag in here by accident they were literally nearly falling over each other to give it back. Very helpful. Definately be back soon.
3 Apr 2006 17:37
I have been informed that it has seen a revamp. New paintwork and fittings. I have yet to visit myself to view the improvements.
3 Apr 2006 09:17
It is rumoured to be the most expensive pub in Basingstoke, with a large 'office' community and commuters using it the landlord has upped the prices to keep 'the kids' out. Bet every landlord wished they could do that.
25 Mar 2006 01:35
The Maidenhead Inn, Basingstoke
Don't know if this is just the Maidenhead Inn, but there is a 'Monday Club' here, where certain drinks are reduced in price on a Monday. One of them is Strongbow, lowered to �1.69 per pint
16 Mar 2006 19:10
I have been past and had a look, it certainly is well decorated and people did seem happy there. Should do well in it's market, as the only other drinking establishment of this type in the town is the 'Rhu Bar' on London Street. Sleepers is at the other end of town so in a good location
2 Mar 2006 17:58
I have it on good information that ales are now �2.50. On offer at the moment are Jennings Cumberland and Hopback Crop Circle, in addition to a few others. This is current of 13th Feb 06.
13 Feb 2006 19:39
To be fair I have the impression that 'Shani' who runs the pub is trying to turn it around. There are offers on drinks, particularly during football, and also more food on. Adverts have been taken out in the local paper to push this. I have heard many good things about the staff, who are trying to do their best in the face of some very negative publicity a few months ago.
10 Feb 2006 17:29
The Great Western Hotel, Basingstoke
It's not one of my favourite pubs. Not too nice at all
4 Feb 2006 16:39
Visited again more recently. If you're looking for a real British gem of a pub come here. It's the geniune article. The ideal place for the crib player and very very friendly.
12 Jan 2006 14:43
Lovely pub. Excellent Fullers beers and so comfortable and lovely on a cold day. A real proper pub.
12 Jan 2006 14:39
To be honest I was a bit disappointed. I have visited Hopbacks pubs in South Wimbledon and Weymouth and enjoyed myself at both of them. Here was not as friendly, the woman (don't know if she was landlady but a young scottish woman with glasses) behind the bar was rude and customers very cliquey. Awful fruit machine which involved a 'pinball' type mechanism which makes you lose was there. Not the best Hopback pub there is
1 Jan 2006 19:16
Haven't been in there for a while but it is a neon infested garish chain pub
26 Dec 2005 09:59
Lots of weekend entertainment, in addition to a cosy atmos and traditional bitters.
26 Dec 2005 09:57
Good selection of well kept ales and private cosy room if needed
26 Dec 2005 09:47
Metropolitan Bar, Baker Street
Very good for the meet - up we had in there yesterday (Saturday 10/12) - well priced beer, tidy atmosphere and polite staff made for an good day out
11 Dec 2005 11:37
This is the newest pub in Basingstoke. It only opened this Tuesday (4/12/05) and is very comfortable inside. There are real ales here and the pub is managed by Celtic Inns, the new landlady Erin seems keen to make the place work. It is, however a non - smoking venue and in the evenings door staff are employed.
9 Dec 2005 21:58
Trafalgar Freehouse, South Wimbledon
Excellent description Rich, put it this way I live 50 miles away (Basingstoke, Hampshire) and if I feel like a day out to get away from it all I do like to come here.......long journey but the pub, people and beers certainly are worth it.
15 Nov 2005 18:13
Visited yesterday (11/11) and was amazed! If you're into pub history this is a must - very traditional and well kept. �2.25 for a lovely pint of Youngs. Friendly atmos and proper 'back street local'. Excellent
14 Nov 2005 08:55
The King of Wessex, Basingstoke
Better now since it has been redecorated. A lot lighter. Seems a bit like a teleport to a respeciable London Estate pub, a world away from Basingstoke's Winchester Road
12 Nov 2005 02:08
The Maidenhead Inn, Basingstoke
UPDATE: Has improved recently with better service and very well kept beers. Recently there was an offer - all ales �1.59 a pint! Lovely.
12 Nov 2005 02:05
I went there last week, (25/09/05) and had a really good time with my mate and his dad. Cheap pool, friendly atmos, doors and awnings (we estimate) haven't been changed since WW2 and reasonable prices. Even had a light and bitter just go with the feel of the pub. Lovely!!!!
2 Oct 2005 19:14
Have to confess it was a very hard job to get served, but got there in the end. Nice layout but very manky toilets
2 Oct 2005 19:09
The Hare and Hounds, Basingstoke
Went in there at a lunchtime and was impressed - one of only a couple of traditional pubs in Basingstoke and met a couple of very friendly regulars and had a nice time. A very nice pint of Courage Best was served up. This is probably (I reckon) the smallest pub in Basingstoke. It's probably the only remaining 'back street' local in the town
6 Sep 2005 14:55
The menu has now gone up in price and is not available all day now, as it was before. It's the standard 12 - 2 and 5 - 9 sort of times now. The meals have basacally gone up by a pound each, the Steak Breakfast which Nik Laws refers to used to be �3.95, that is now �4.95
22 Jun 2005 22:54
I was there myself yesterday (20/6)and enjoyed myself with a nice pint of bitter and a very well priced menu (big burger and big plate of chips and salad - �2.55). Also the 'Who wants to be a millionaire' caused excitement too. Nice old pub, and friendly atmos.
21 Jun 2005 09:19
Nice pint of Greene King IPA there, old fashioned pub but could do with some new seat covers
10 Jun 2005 03:27
Went in early in morning, was only customer there but as I say it was early. Traditional designed pub, with quite a comfortable lounge area and Tetley Mild on tap.
10 Jun 2005 03:26
I was very impressed with the pub, a lovely pint of Gales Trafalgar there to be had. Also, I even got tempted into lager drinking with Red Stripe on tap here. Very friendly staff and nice comfortable atmos.
10 Jun 2005 03:24
Features a very old and rusty 'Tavern Snacks' lorry in the Beer Garden. Classy
17 May 2005 18:00
Now run by 'The Skids' former drummer, Tom Kellechan, the Sax Bar features live music from 10 to midnight every night, usually by well known local guitarist Ian Rockcliffe, who is excellent. Other entertainment is provided by Tom himself, who sings a selection of easy music (Sinatra, Nat King Cole etc) from 9 - 10. Beer is excellently kept Murphys Stout and the lovely Irish Red, and lager is Amstel. All proper pints here, not the 'large beer' measures spaniards use. Very friendly and very interesting, a very good night out.
17 May 2005 17:51
I had a pint of Hoeggarden down there, it is advertised as 'White Beer' but is it supposed to be luminous?
26 Mar 2005 08:13
Went there yesterday (22/3/05) and it does some lovely real ales, Wadworth 6X being there with Courage Best and some West Berks stuff. I had the lovliest packet of pork scratchings I have ever had, and the pub is bigger inside than you'd think
26 Mar 2005 08:11
Trafalgar Freehouse, South Wimbledon
I visited the pub twice last week, as I was so impressed by everything there, the character of this place is something really special and the people I met there were really friendly. The beers were gorgeous and I spent a good few hours there on my second visit. I have been informed that the pub is quite unchanged since the 1950's/1960's and it is a real treasure. The tipple I was indulging in was the Gales Festival Mild, a lovely drop at 4.8%. The HSB was in excellent condition too. I don't live locally to the Trafalgar, and I really didn't want to leave to come home again! This is quite possibly the friendliest pub I have ever been to, and I take my hat off to the people that work there and the locals that were so welcoming to me. Thank you.
20 Dec 2004 09:46
The Princess Royal, South Wimbledon
Went there for a quick one, and I do see what crinkly means about an outside lav. Nice decor and location, away from the main road
20 Dec 2004 09:32
I liked my visit to the Popinjay earlier on today. A lovely pint of Courage Best was to be enjoyed, as well as a win on the fruity. Marvellous
10 Nov 2004 01:18
Does anyone remember Moria and family that ran the Miners in the late seventies / early eighties? Moira is one of my grandparents and any memories would be interesting
20 Oct 2004 03:32
The Soldiers Return, Basingstoke
Has this pub got a website? The Good Beer Guide 2004 reckons it has but it doesn't work
20 Oct 2004 03:12
Paddington Packet Boat, Uxbridge
That's what i like to hear. A nice pint of pride. see you in there. Pride fan
19 Oct 2004 14:47
Went back there a couple of times, met the new owner who was very pleasent to talk to, overall i'm impressed! Much better than it was this time last year and I'd recommend it. Cheers!
19 Oct 2004 14:41
Excellent place, I went in there with my girlfriend a couple of weeks ago and to my surprise found that no less than 12 real ales were being served on the handpumps. Lovely!
17 Oct 2004 17:50
The Thatched Cottage, Farnborough
I visited yesterday (Tues 14/9/04) and was very impressed by the lovel old building and the impressive selection of beers on offer. I was particularly impressed that they have Courage Directors and Best on the handpump all the time. Excellently priced menu. Less than four quid for a steak and gammon with everything. Lovely!
15 Sep 2004 09:44
Really good value menu, I had a lovely Gammon. Steak Chips Sausages and egg and beans for under 4 quid. Bargain!
13 Sep 2004 13:42
I went in there on Sunday (5/9/04) and it is one of those plasticy 'Happy Eater' type places. However it is 5 mins from the rail station and as I had a 40 minute wait for a train, it was quite handy. Only serves Greene King IPA on hand pump
8 Sep 2004 14:41
I didn't think it was an Italian place. Went past the othr day and is now called 'Zizzi'. Looks like a wine bar
6 Sep 2004 11:40
The Purefoy Arms, Preston Candover
Lovely yet again on my most recent visit, the good news being that a new 'cango' bus service launched by the county council now serves the pub every day in both directions (Basingstoke or Alton/Alresford) so you don't have to drive down here now to enjoy a lovely, moreish, Purefoy Pint
2 Sep 2004 16:59
I have heard about the change of owner and haven't tried it ou yet, but I have been informed that it is a great improvement
7 Aug 2004 16:44
I visited again on Tuesday (7/7/04) and my girlfriens and I had quite a nice time. Big leather settee to drink our pints on. Very good. I liked the atmosphere and she did too.
9 Jul 2004 13:07
Yes, I visited on Tuesday (7/7/04) and it was closed down. Not too good as I have never been inside myself and reading the comments below I really wanted to. Shame
9 Jul 2004 13:05
Very good, quite difficult to find if you don't know the area, but well worth the look. A must for real ale fans
25 Jun 2004 17:47
The Purefoy Arms, Preston Candover
Very good for the recent football, and Thursday night is steak night with a 12oz rump at 5.95 with all the trimmings. Can't beat it!!!
25 Jun 2004 17:46
I think it's a shame it closed actually. Thinking about it when on the website and wished I could go for a pint in there. With Euro 2004 on it would have been ideal. The dark interior with it's submerged toilets was a place full of character, as well as the staff and regulars alike. It's such a shame it's gone, other pubs in the town don't live up to the atmosphere and others, (such as the Beacon) are not worth going to at all
13 Jun 2004 18:50
I had a lovely pint of Hogs Back TEA in the Waterwitch and was most impressed. The beer garden is huge and you can havesome nice towpath walks from the pub too.
6 Jun 2004 21:51
I must admit I have a bit of a liking for this pub, in my quest around the area. Quite pleasant during the late morning / early afternoon
6 Jun 2004 21:31
As Jim says, the beer range is very good. Recently the Hopback Summer Lightning ang GFB has been on, but these ran out very quickly and have been replaced by the Crop Circle. More Hopback on the way soon though. Very good pub, with the food getting better all the time.
24 May 2004 15:46
The Chicago Rock Cafe, Basingstoke
When I wnt in there once my shoe nearly come off, as that's how sticky the floor is. If you want to pull easy women from the 30 - 45 age range, you will succeed here.
9 May 2004 12:43
The Portsmouth Arms, Basingstoke
I have to admit, I quite liked it when I went in it last, and enjoyed the Tanglefoot. Also the Badger Best was quite good too. I think the fact I was in there at 1pm and it was very quiet had something to do with it.
4 May 2004 11:20
I used to go there to buy Summer Lightning but now they do it in my Local Safeway. Ha Ha Ha!!!!
3 May 2004 11:47
I went there and was amazed about the fact that every time I looked up from my pint, there was something else I hadn't noticed, such as the man climbimg out of a toilet bowl, rows of old glasses hanging from the ceiling, old radios and even an upside down christmas tree hanging from the ceiling! Lovely Summer Lightning on there. Very nice pint. The games cupboard is good, with just about every pub game catered for. I had a very close game of crib there. Very Good. Highly recommended
1 May 2004 11:43
The Horse and Groom, Wimbledon
It's really good at the moment. A new landlord took over about 2 months ago and I really enjoyed it here. It was friendly and clean and a nice pub to be in. Excellent.
2 Apr 2004 07:29
I'll give it 10/10 too. Went there on my way to Kent and enjoyed it. No sign of 'The Viking' but a lovely atmosphere and a gorgeous pint of Courage Best too. Lovely. I am 21 years old, my early memories of Saint and Greavsie and DLT conjure up the sort of pub atmosphere you want (That sort of era) and this is the best one for that lovely atmos. Keep up the good work Champ!!!!
29 Mar 2004 13:38
The Maidenhead Inn, Basingstoke
This place is terrible. There is a mainly non-smoking policy on the place and smoking is limited to an area in front of the bar which is really small. There is no seating there either. The beers crap the staff are all on sad ego-trips and the place has all the atmosphere of a Kinder egg toy.
25 Mar 2004 09:12
I've heard this place is to be renovated. Not before time really, you have to wipe your feet when you leave at the moment.
25 Mar 2004 09:04
The Soldiers Return, Basingstoke
I liked it myself actually, just a quick visit on a lunch break. Very peaceful. Ideal for a real ale man.
24 Mar 2004 08:20
The Popinjay's been renovated! Not a shadow of it's former self and now very very lovely
24 Mar 2004 08:16
I have heard that this pub is the only one in Basingstoke to serve the gorgeous 'Summer Lightning' from the Hopback Brewery. Does anyone know if this is true?
18 Mar 2004 10:19
I have heard that this pub serves 'London Pride' on tap. Does anyone know if this is true?
18 Mar 2004 10:17
The Soldiers Return, Basingstoke
Very good food yesterday. I had the jumbo sausage and chips which was a nice big plateful and a lovely bit of salad too. Excellent value at 2.30 and cooked really nicely by Gill. Also nice pint of Youngs bitter (3.7%) on at the moment, with an unusual guest in the shape of The West Berkshire Brewery's 'Full Circle'.
18 Mar 2004 10:15
The Soldiers Return, Basingstoke
It's here! The Hopback Brewerys Entire Stout. Very lovely, very earthy and an aftertaste to die for! A lovely range of ales here at the moment. Try it, you will like it.
5 Mar 2004 12:13
The Soldiers Return, Basingstoke
I have been informed by Neil the Landlord that the Hopback Entire Stout after the Porters has run out. A rare treat in this neck of the woods.
24 Feb 2004 16:45
I look forward to trying the roast Jim, sounds very lovely. The Queens is in my top 5 pubs in Basingstoke and I imagine I'll be going in there again very soon.
24 Feb 2004 16:42
The Soldiers Return, Basingstoke
On Friday I was at the presentation of a certificate by CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) to Neil, the landlord. The certificate was to the pubs services to real ale, and I thorougly enjoyed the occaision. Give the ales a try one day, it really is worth it!
9 Feb 2004 09:05
The Soldiers Return, Basingstoke
If you haven't tried the Soldiers, please do you won't regret it. They do a lovely drop of Porters you know, very moreish. The ales are Porters, Debaurs and Courage Best, with a guest ale which changes every so often. At the time of writing it is a nice pint called Butcombe Bitter. According to Neil the Landlord it is very popular and might have a permanent home in te Soldiers soon. I can tell you that the pub has one pool table, darts and SKY tv in the public bar. On draught also includes Fosters, Kronenbourg, John Smiths Smooth and Guiness. There is also lots of reading material in the Lounge bar, includng books on the history of Basingstoke, and that of Hampshire villages. Very relaxing. Try it one day, with a nice pint of Butcombe or Porters, and the knowledge that you have all the time in the world - bliss!
31 Dec 2003 11:31
Mmmm...the Enrire, GFB and Summer/Winter Lightning (from the Hopback Brewery) is well worth a look, as is the bottled 'Crop Circle' from the same place. Very nice.
29 Dec 2003 10:08
I visited the Queens last week, and unfortunately the new management have withdrawn the Special Brew. On the plus side, the pub is now open all day which it wasn't a few months ago. June is still there but the dog has gone.
22 Dec 2003 12:18
I have heard a lot of stories about the quality of the real ales in this pub. Sounds quite good.
30 Nov 2003 14:03
I am not a fan of Town Centre pub, but compared to some of the others this one is ok. I prefer the local Yates but most of all the Soldiers Return up at Oakridge.
26 Nov 2003 12:30
I have been in there once. It is very old fashioned and the beer is reasonable. The wooden seating is in some places quite uncomfortable and if you are under the age of 25 the bar-lady probably won't talk to you. I have to admit it's not one o my favourites. Try the Soldiers Return at Oakridge.
26 Nov 2003 12:25
I like the layout of the Hogshead, very nice with it's split - levelness. I prefer this tothe George personally, but reading other comments I think I might be in a minority! Anyway the Hogshead is nice and I would recommend it.
26 Nov 2003 10:48
The Swan Inn, North Warnborough
This was taken over in recent months by the former landlord/landlady of the Soldiers Return in Basingstoke, so if they can keep up the same standard in The Swan it will be a good pub.
25 Nov 2003 12:02
Too garish and too many neon lights. Go up the Soldiers instead.
25 Nov 2003 00:45
If you are from outside the area The Fox is very difficult to find as it is in the middle of no-where. It was good when I last went there, but the welsh barman didn't call time and me and my girlfriend didn't know what the time was, so when we asked for a drink he asked us to leave. Very nice! It is under new management now so might be different. Just as a point of interest my old PE teacher lives in the cottages next door. If i was him I'ld have a pipe running from the cellar to the house!
25 Nov 2003 00:41
The Victory is well kept, well decorated, a proper London pub with a huge ceiling and majestic woodwork above the bar and borders. I see what another writer means about the internal bus stop, I didn't realise there was one actually inside the pub just thought the bus stop outside was covered by the canopy sort of thing. Polite staff and very convenient for Colliers Wood tube (Northern Line). Sadly the people drinking in it were very loud and a bit intimidating (I was on my own but even still it was 1pm)and I don't know what it is like in the evening. Apart from that it is a really attractive pub.
25 Nov 2003 00:28
I visited the Sultan and was quite impressed, it's a bit of a time warp to the sixties! The pegboard above the bar and the very warm open fires do it for me, and i's just the place to go for a nice pint where if you wanna be miserable, be miserable, and if you wanna be happy, be happy whatever mood for a pint you are in you can have it here, if you see what i mean. Very good, be going there again. Phil the barman is brilliant.
25 Nov 2003 00:20
I didn't think it was too bad actually. A bit dark inside but this was 1230 in the afternoon and in daylight a lot of pubs look dark. I don't know if this is a daytime thing of not but the Kroney was only �1.95 a pint. Had a bit of a twang to it though, but I stayed for a second pint so couldn't have been that bad then. Barman was polite and the two pool tables were a bonus. On the other hand, try finding the toilets without asking anyone..................
25 Nov 2003 00:13
I really enjoyed my stay at this pub, which was run by a scottish gentleman called Alex and his wife Sheena. They left the pub and new management took over on November 2nd, so I don't know what it's like now.
23 Nov 2003 19:15
If it's anything like it was when it was the Feathers I would not recommend it to anyone. The place was a dump with the worst door staff ever. I was barred because a complete stranger who was standing about 4 feet away from me snapped a light fitting off the wall. That's fair isn't it? Might have changed now but I wouldn't bother.
23 Nov 2003 13:00
I quite like the Queens, very convenient for the trains, buses and taxis. Quite small and cosy with a traditional look. Got taken over by new management a few mons back, asthe previous landlord sadly passed away. hink June and the dog are still there though. It's the only pub in Basinstoke that serves bottles of Special Brew, as well as Becks on tap. Very nice!
22 Nov 2003 16:00
I'm afraid there isn't much going for this pub. A small claustophobic place with an outside ladies toilet and one bar decorated in purpe with dark lights and the other like a 1940s' throwback which is all brown and horrible. Not very welcoming, the only time the landlord spoke to me and my mate was to tell us to mind our language, when we were just speaking normally and we were the only two punters in the whole pub.
15 Nov 2003 09:25
Queens Arms, Basingstoke
Milds in May! A fantastic day at The Queens yesterday. Excellent stuff indeed.
16 May 2010 11:26