BITE user comments - Matthew_of_Ham
Comments by Matthew_of_Ham
Star of Bethnal Green, Bethnal Green
Popped in for a pint while flat hunting in the area. The bar was busy, but not over so, with mostly young people eating as well as drinking. There were plenty f women there which is always a good sign. The atmosphere was good, lively but not noisy, and the bar staff very friendly, there were five of them behind the small bar which tells you how busy it gets. I may never go back to Bethnal Green but if I do then this is the pub that I'll go to.
30 Oct 2015 16:52
The Old Moot House, Kingston upon Thames
This pub has been through many changes and many names over the years. In its current incarnation there is lots of live music and, more to my taste, an Indian menu. My Vegetable Jalfrezi and Nan was delicious, hot and cheap (£7).
Beers are a little overlooked and while I was disappointed to see the far too common Doombar there was also Naked Ladies and so I had a nice pint of that.
22 Oct 2015 09:56
First went here about 25 years ago when I started to work in London and I pop back every now and then when the opportunity rises. It's good to see that it has changed so little, it still serves Sam Smith's OBB at a price way below the average and still has the large comfortable leather sofas upstairs. The only problem is it is very popular so you have to be alert to get any sort of seat, let alone a good one.
6 May 2012 18:43
I go here occasionally when going to the Pentameters Theatre upstairs and I always like the place. There is a good range of beer and a convivial ambience, though that does mean that it can get hard to find a seat. As gastro pubs go, this does nothing remarkable but does do everything well. I'll keep going as long as it keeps like this.
7 Apr 2012 17:34
Still the best pub in Richmond. It knows what it is doing and it keeps doing it well.
27 Nov 2011 21:56
Small but perfectly formed and conveniently placed just outside the often too-busy town centre.
27 Nov 2011 21:55
A little hard to find but worth doing so. Being out of the town it caters for the locals, of all ages, rather than just the young people who flood the town centre at weekends. Always busy, always friendly and always good beer on tap.
27 Nov 2011 21:53
A pub to have a slow beer in to savour the leather sofas and the young-person-about-town atmosphere. Yes it is more expensive than some other places but that is what you expect, and want, in a place like this.
27 Nov 2011 21:49
This pub often features on a night out with friends simply because of the wide range of unusual and well-kept beers.
27 Nov 2011 21:45
The Lass O'Richmond Hill, Richmond
A good pub for several reasons. You can sit and drink beer at the front, eat informally along the side or more formally at the back. I've done all three and will do all three again. Cosy, welcoming and lively.
27 Nov 2011 21:42
A friendly place that is always worth popping in when in the area and making a special trip to for some of the live bands they have on at weekends. Bands like Echoes (Pink Floyd) and Thin White Duke (David Bowie) bring in the crowds.
27 Nov 2011 21:40
Joined a group of vegetarians there for Sunday lunch and was pleasantly surprised at both the range of vegetarian options available and the good value. I'll eat there again.
27 Nov 2011 21:36
One of the joys of going on pub crawls in unfamiliar territory is that you discover pubs like this. It's Fullers so that imposes some constraints but the beer (Discovery) was delicious and the wi-fi was helpful. Lovely atmosphere inside that made it feel like your local even on a first visit. Cute.
3 Jul 2010 17:34
Came across the pub when wandering far from home and was glad I did so. Nice to find a Shepherd Neame pub for a change with some unusual beers to try, settled on the 4-4-2 and it was fine. Talking to the staff and customers was easy and natural. Definitely one to go back to.
3 Jul 2010 17:31
Busy on a Monday night when none of the other places I went to were. Not sure why as it's a fairly standard Fullers pub that retains it's old appearance but has had the innards ripped out to provide the expected open-plan look. Pleasant enough but no spark.
3 Jul 2010 17:27
St Margarets Tavern, St Margarets
Fairly standard chain pub that has little to differentiate it from all the others. The Greene King ale is welcome though. It's spacious and reasonably friendly. Worth popping in for a quick pint but can't see me spending a whole evening in there.
3 Jul 2010 17:24
The Express Tavern, Kew Bridge
Simply a superb little pub. I only get to go there once or twice a year but it is always pleasant, charming and homely. I usually go in the front-left bar and it takes very little to get engaged in conversation with the regulars. Bar staff are always courteous and friendly, and the beer is always well kept.
26 Jun 2010 14:00
Small, cosy, charming and friendly. Was there far too briefly when exploring the area but next time I'll know which pubs to ignore and which to go back to. I'll definitely go back to O'Briens.
26 Jun 2010 13:43
Ye gods! Why would anyone deliberately make a pub look like this? If you are used to wearing beige cardigans it may be for you but it is soooo bland that it sapped my conciousness and I cannot even recall what the beer was. Simply dull.
26 Jun 2010 13:34
The Magpie and Crown, Brentford
Came across the pub when doing a crawl through Brentford and this was one the highlights of the evening. A traditional pub with plenty of real ales to choose from and a friendly atmosphere inn the bar. Even managed a decent chat with the landlord. Gives the impression of being a great locals' pub.
26 Jun 2010 13:28
The Old Fire Station, Brentford
I can only repeat what Strongers said almost a year ago. The place was almost empty (i.e. two other people) when I went in on a Monday evening and I was forced to drink the Japanese lager. The place had its charms and, to be honest, there was nothing seriously wrong with it.
26 Jun 2010 13:19
Thank you to nokindwords for making my point for me. It is because ignorant ill-mannered people like him/her go there that I prefer not to.
26 Jun 2010 12:43
Found this little gem when looking for somewhere to watch the World Cup. It just does what a pub should. There is a reasonable selection of well kept beers supervised by friendly bar staff who keep the place busy by retaining regulars and pulling in passers-by like myself. Basically young crowd who were lively without being too boisterous (mind you, there was nothing in the football to get excited about). The pies were a great hit too with a regular stream of orders through the evening. A great little place.
19 Jun 2010 11:06
A bustling pub that attracts locals, tourists and commuters who combine to generate a buzz that is very much London. The place is large and hollow, as city pubs are these days, which makes it ok for meeting mates after work but not so good for a quiet date. Good to see that it has the hard-to-find Brakspear on tap.
19 Jun 2010 11:00
This pub is quite close to me but I had only been there 2 or 3 times in 15 years or so due to its extreme dumpiness but now that has all changed for the better. Popped in this week after a meeting nearby and was pleasantly surprised by the appearance and the atmosphere. It was bright, clean and welcoming. I even helped out one of the struggling teams in the quiz. The beer was good too if not that unusual, my two pints of Youngs Ordinary went down very well. This is a locals pub very much on the up and will be featuring more regularly in my social calendar from now on.
19 Jun 2010 10:55
Been here a few times over the years because of it's convenient location and have never been disappointed. Met a few friends there last week and had a real struggle deciding which of the many real ales to go for and finally settled for Pitchfork and Pure Ubu both of which were good. Atmosphere was pleasant and lively enough with what looked to be a fairly even mix of locals and workers. A nice pub.
6 Jun 2010 01:07
No.88 Bar and Grill, Kingston Upon Thames
The new look is a familiar look and if you were taken there blindfolded then you would be hard pressed to tell which gasto pub you were in. That said, 88 is a fine example of the genre with a bright clean look (lots of big windows) and a good selection of beers. Probably not worth going out of your way for but if you are local then it's definitely worth getting to know.
6 Dec 2009 16:55
Was very pleased to return to this old haunt (I worked in Red Lion Square many moons ago) after failing to find a pub in High Holborn that was both open after 11pm on a Friday evening and also looked as though normal people went to it. The atmosphere was lively without being too boisterous, the choice and quality of the beers was excellent and the bar staff were helpful and engaging. A great pub.
6 Dec 2009 16:49
A rather jolly pub with a good rotation of beers and a reasonable food menu. It attracts the suits early evening and in some numbers too so it is always lively and has a fun vibe to it.
6 Dec 2009 16:43
I left an undrinkable pint of Youngs behind this evening and moved on to a pub that can look after beer. I could have complained but a) I do not go out to complain, I go out to enjoy myself and b) it would have meant trying to attract the staff's attention when they were far too busy talking to each other. Not impressed.
16 Oct 2009 23:49
The Churchill Arms, Kensington
A great traditional London boozer that has been updated sympathetically to suit modern times. Bright, spacious, attractive and welcoming with interesting nooks and crannies. Good choice of beers, including two I had not had before, which is saying something. Very convenient for the Czech and Slovak embassies too! Probably not worth going to far out of your way for but well worth a visit if you are in the area.
7 Oct 2009 21:06
This used to be a regular haunt of mine back when it was called the Ferndown and it was on the main road (i.e. before the by-pass was built), and that was a long time ago. Revisited recently when passing through and was very happy with what I found. The Ringwood bitter was clear, fresh and tasty and the food menu was a delight with a lot of variety and some unusual dishes. My wife and I settled on a vegetarian kiev and a parsnip parcel both were unusual dishes and both were very delicious and well presented. Could not fault the beer or the food. I'll be back.
7 Oct 2009 20:56
Scores well on its town centre location and even better on the range of beers, for example it has Honey Dew on all year. Plenty of large leather seats to get lost in too.
2 Sep 2009 17:06
I am not sure how a pub this small stays open but I am quite glad that it does. The beer is good, e.g. Hobgoblin, and with such a small room it cannot be anything other than cosy.
2 Sep 2009 17:02
Even though the pub is just a few minutes walk away I find it too unwelcoming to make a regular point of going there. Wife and I went in recently in the early evening for a refreshing drink after a walk but after standing around for quite a few minutes with no reaction from the one member of staff on at the time we left.
2 Sep 2009 16:57
Has the advantage of being open a little later than most of the other town centre pubs so any tours of the town tend to end up there. But the Ship has more going for it than that. The beer range is limited but it is Youngs and it is well kept and here are usually hordes of staff ready to serve you.
2 Sep 2009 16:54
While there is not much particularly wrong with the Cricketers it somewhat fails to impress against some of its better neighbours. The on-the-green location in superb but fails to make up for the limited choice of beer, the often slow service and the lack of anywhere to sit.
2 Sep 2009 16:51
This remains my favourite pub in Richmond. Was pleased to find it packed on a rainy Thursday evening and even more pleased to find Kew Gold on tap. A warm friendly pub that feels like a room in your own house filled with good friends and good beer.
2 Sep 2009 16:48
The Boaters Inn, Kingston Upon Thames
The Boaters is a welcome stop on the walk back to Ham from Kingston and it is currently on fine form. I like drinking different beers and there is always something new and exciting to try. There were so many new beers on during the current beer festival that I had to resort to drinking half pints to try more of them!
In addition, the interior is fresh, the staff attentive and the location excellent. One of the very best pubs in the area.
2 Sep 2009 16:43
It seems odd that foxtrot who has only written reviews for the H&F suggests that I am linked to another local pub when I have reviewed dozens of local pubs with complete honesty. And he is not the only positive reviewer of the H&F who has only written about this pub. So if reviews are being planted here then it is far more likely to be the positive ones.
As for the zero tolerance of unruly behaviour, when I was in the garden the other week a group of small children were throwing gravel at the fish in full sight of the staff walking past.
The H&F is much better than the Frog but it has yet to regain the loyal following from all the local community that it had a few years ago. I go there from time-to-time but there is a limited range of beer and little atmosphere so it has not become my local again. The food may be good but that is not why I go to pubs (this site is called BEER in the evening).
I wish the H&F well, it is my nearest pub after all, but the gushing praise that is often posted here does not match my own experience and it has some way to go before it can tempt me back.
23 Aug 2009 11:47
The good news is the location and, when the weather is sunny, the ample space out the front. The bad news is the very limited choice of beers (i.e. one bitter), the almost disdain shown for anybody not eating, the zero tolerance of children and the traffic on the main road.
14 Aug 2009 19:11
The Police were there again this evening. Clearly this is a pub with problems.
It is better that the Legless Frog was but it is nothing like good enough to pull back the former regulars, like myself, who have moved on to other local pubs.
14 Aug 2009 19:05
The Willoughby Arms, Kingston Upon Thames
The Pub Quizes on Sunday night (from around 9:30pm) are always great fun and should be especially good this week as I have volunteered to do the questions! If you are coming brush up on your general knowledge and if that's not your strong point then just enjoy the atmosphere and the great beer.
10 Aug 2009 15:02
St Stephens Tavern, Westminster
Nice to see somewhere selling Badger Beer (I played safe and stayed on the excellent Hopping Hare) and nice too to see such a traditional looking pub. Went there around 9pm on a Thursday and it was very busy.
20 Mar 2009 16:51
The live music on Friday was good and certainly pulled the punters in making the place a lively and fun place to be. They had Black Sheep on too, which is always good news.
14 Mar 2009 19:17
A welcoming pub that tries hard to please. Traditional looking inside and out, which can be a welcome change. The Twickenham Original was a nice pint too. Would not normally have chosen to go to a pub with karaoke on, particularly as most of the singing was dreadful, including mine during Delilah.
14 Mar 2009 18:57
A cavernous pub with a large screen TV and a collection of bouncers outside, what more do you need to know? When I went all three hand pumps had Doombar on which is normally quite drinkable but this was almost unpleasant.
14 Mar 2009 18:50
A lively and friendly pub with modern d�cor and a good choice of beers. I had a Twickenham Original and my friend had Twickenham Sundancer, both of which went down quickly and easily. The DJ on Friday was a bit loud but the music was good (and I'm not a fan of dance music) so that was OK.
14 Mar 2009 18:46
The decor looks very tired and dated, like a 80s Harvester. The ranges of beers is limited and the pint of Old Brewery Bitter that I had was not very appetising (this used to be my regular drink) or full. Cannot see a reason to go there.
14 Mar 2009 18:36
The Queens Head, Kingston Upon Thames
An attractive and welcoming pub that does just enough food to satisfy the casual eater without becoming just another gastro pub. The decor is fresh and modern and I've always found the staff welcoming. Not the best range of beers but there is usually a reasonable choice to make, such as the nice Hobgoblin that I had on my last visit.
19 Feb 2009 17:52
Acorn 20, Kingston Upon Thames
Thought that I would give this ago last night (Wednesday) but found it dead and with a poor selection of beers (no real ale) so we moved on elsewhere.
19 Feb 2009 15:16
The Grey Horse, Kingston Upon Thames
A cosy Youngs pub with a friendly and lively atmosphere. Not that special but well worth popping in if you are passing by.
19 Feb 2009 15:09
The Canbury Arms, Kingston Upon Thames
I visit the Canbury Arms fairly regularly for food and/or drink as it does both well and still clearly sets the gastro pub standard for the area. I usually eat there on the first Tuesday of the month when the Irish Music is on. It is also curry night and last time I had a lovely Butternut Squash and Chick Pea curry. Last night I was there for a quiet drink with a friend and enjoyed the Harveys Sussex Bitter, one of the several real ales on offer.
19 Feb 2009 15:01
The Willoughby Arms, Kingston Upon Thames
The Willoughby continues to delight with every visit. The recent Dark Beer Festival introduced me to fine beers like Hammerpot Bottle Wreck Porter, Downton Chocolate Orange Delight and Ascot Anastasia's Exile Stout. Sadly these did not help me in the Pub Quiz on Sunday night where I was also let down by a lamentable lack of knowledge of pop music. Perhaps next week will be different.
19 Feb 2009 14:52
There is usually a good choice of beers here, though they are normally all quite common ones, e.g. Adnams, but the place is too dominated by food for my liking. I have tried the place at various times and on various days of the week but it always comes across as soulless and uninviting. Nothing about it to keep you away but nothing, apart from the food, to attract you there either.
31 Aug 2008 10:58
The Hope is now an standard modern pub and has nothing particular to distinguish it from all the other refit pubs. The music was too loud for easy conversation and the choice of beers was very limited. The Doom was OK but, again, this is a common enough beer. There is no reason to choose this pub over the other clones and I will not be back in a hurry. Molly Malones is greatly missed.
18 Jul 2008 09:53
Traditional in a reassuring way. Limited choice of beers but they keep a good Youngs so that's not too much of a problem. Friendly, comfortable atmosphere too.
14 Jul 2008 01:59
The Willoughby Arms, Kingston Upon Thames
My favourite pub at the moment due mainly to the consistently interesting range of good beers available. I also like the friendly atmosphere, the chance to chat with some of the regulars, the friendly staff and the welcoming host.
14 Jul 2008 01:52
I want to like this pub because it is my closest, but I can't. The French restaurant has now consumed all of the back of the pub. The small front bar that is left is geared for food too and is usually empty. The only room for drinkers is on the tables out the front. I'll still pop in occasionally for one drink but it's not the place to go for a night out.
14 Jul 2008 01:46
Good if not spectacular riverside pub. Reasonable range of beers but all of them pretty common, I opted for Speckled Hen and that was fine. Busy but not buzzing. Well worth going to but not worth going out of your way for.
16 Jun 2008 18:05
One of my regular Richmond haunts due to it's good range of beers (e.g. Honey Dew!), exotic vodkas, mixed client�le, comfy seating and town centre location. The many TV screens means that it can be extremely busy when big games are on but I was able to watch the cricket last night in relative peace and comfort.
26 Mar 2008 11:32
You can find previous comments on the Legless Frog under the listing for the Hand and Flower, which is its former name.
11 Mar 2008 13:00
The Canbury Arms, Kingston Upon Thames
I only ever go there to eat these days, which is about once a quarter due to the limited menu. The range of beers is very good but, as somebody else said earlier, it's not really the sort of place that you can just sit and have a quiet pint because all the tables are taken by diners.
6 Mar 2008 20:47
The Willoughby Arms, Kingston Upon Thames
Thanks to having friends who live locally this is becoming my second local, despite not really being that local! Saturday nights are always good; good beer and good company equals good pub. The beers remain particularly good with a wide selection of real ales that makes choosing your first pint rather hard.
6 Mar 2008 20:42
The refurb is good and the place is now light and bright. But the emphasis is very much on food (we were asked if we wanted a table for 2 as we walked in) and there is only Adnams Broadside on tap. A good location and good decor but not really a pub.
8 Feb 2008 17:10
This has now been refurbished and renamed (though I cannot remember what to). The bar has been moved to the front, from the middle, to create a more open space. The client�le is much as before as is the ambience. Very much part of the young scene on the river, and there's nothing wrong with that.
8 Feb 2008 16:56
This is a fairly standard modern pub with comfy chairs and exotic beers but if you like modern pubs then this is a good example of one. I like it!
8 Feb 2008 16:52
Nice look and feel to the place and cosy on a cold winter's night thanks to the real fire. Small but interesting choice of bitters, I went for Twickenham Brewery's Dark and Strong (which is both). Sadly the bar staff let the pub down a lot with their attitude.
3 Jan 2008 18:19
The Willoughby Arms, Kingston Upon Thames
Simply a great pub. The choice of beers varies and is always interesting (I had Riggwelter's Black Sheep and Adnams' Old Ale last night), it feels like a local pub should (I usually end up talking to somebody in the bar), and it's a great place to watch football matches.
1 Jan 2008 21:13
The George and Dragon Inn, Chichester
Suffers a bit from its just-on-the-edge-of-town locations, which means lots of noise and lots of people, particularly at the weekends. Take a short walk to The Bell instead, now that really is the best pub in Chi!
31 Dec 2007 14:27
The Princess of Wales, Charing Cross
Fairly typical after-work pub that is nice enough (decor and atmosphere) but has nothing particular to make it stand out. The night I was there it was pretty full and only had one barmaid working so it was a looong wait to get served. And they had no bitters on. Shan't be back in a hurry; well, to be honest, I can't see why I would ever go back.
24 Dec 2007 21:54
After the recent(ish) changes this is now on my regulars list. The atmoshphere is lively but not distracting, there are always far too many new beers to try, and the new look is enough like the old one not to upset people like me who prefer our pubs to look like pubs.
8 Nov 2007 17:19
The Cardinal, Kingston Upon Thames
Went here 15 years ago and have been avoiding it ever since! Heard about the refurb and so gave it another go and am very glad I did. Decor is clear, spacious and interesting without being fussy. Nice pint of Summer Lightening. Good menu with lots of veggie options, ended up having lunch there when I had not originally planned to. Food was good, the service was better. This will now be a regular haunt of mine.
7 Sep 2007 15:56
My sort of pub. Youngs beers (Winter Warmer in September?!), cosy layout, friendly atmosphere and a convenient location.
7 Sep 2007 09:42
This feels more like a restaurant with a bar than a pub that does food so, as a drinker, it's not really my scene. Worth popping into if you are doing a tour of the Green (like I did) but if you are just going out for a drink there are better options nearby.
7 Sep 2007 09:39
The most traditional pub on the Green and my favourite of the lot. Youngs beer, lots of space inside and out, lively but not rowdy.
7 Sep 2007 09:33
The Botanist On The Green, Kew
Nice location but a fairly standard modern pub, the earlier comment about all bar one is spot on. The sun trap garden was full of smokers when I went so we stayed inside and sat on one of the sofas. OK overall but no real reason to go back.
7 Sep 2007 09:31
Very much worth a visit but, as others have said, you have to be prepared to wait to be served. The wait is generally worth it due to the good beers and lively young atmosphere. The garden is a bit more family orientated so I avoid that!
20 Aug 2007 04:19
Good location but not a lot else going for it. The place was very dead last night, only one other customer in the place, the Youngs bitter was cloudy then died and was not replaced. Shall not be going back in a hurry, particularly as there are so many much better pubs within a few minutes walk.
31 Jul 2007 14:56
Probably my favorite town center pub for many reasons, e.g. beer (good range of Fullers), location, food, live sport and good company.
31 Jul 2007 14:48
Still my favorite pub for sitting in (or outside) on a sunny day or for taking that well-earned break on a shopping trip or for breaking that walk along the river or for including in a town center crawl. This is what pubs should be like.
31 Jul 2007 14:45
Good central location in Richmond, sort of between the river and the Green, which makes it very handy for a crawl. Definitely worth visiting, and regularly too.
26 Jul 2007 15:26
Now that the Hand and Flower/Legless Frog has turned itself into a French restaurant, this has become the only real pub in the area. It's just as well that it's good then.
24 Jul 2007 17:11
Still a great place to meet and to stay a while and even to have a bite to eat before the theatre. Too much open space around the bar and too little seating anywhere for this to be a comfortable regulars' pub but it does what it does very well and is a worth stopping point on a crawl.
24 Jul 2007 17:08
Went there on a wet Monday and the place was empty. No real ale so had to drink Amstel. Decor dark and dull.
24 Jul 2007 17:05
OK but does not stand out from the other local pubs and with the strong competition it really needs to. The pint of TEA was nice enough.
24 Jul 2007 17:03
One of my regular watering holes because of its good riverside location, good service even when busy and reasonable beers. Had three good pints of Greene King IPA and left well satisfied. I'll be back!
26 Jun 2007 13:28
The Leicester Arms, Piccadilly Circus
Went there on a Saturday lunchtime which is probably not the best time to see it. Took ages to get served as the one bar staff was busy carrying meals. The range of beers was unexciting but ok, and the London Pride was fine. The overall grubiness of the pub definately let it down and would put me off going back there.
26 Jun 2007 13:20
A good place to meet up after work; the beer is excellent and the atmosphere is great. Have to watch the measures though!
22 Jun 2007 00:27
Had a couple of drinks there with some colleagues before going on to a meeting and really liked the place. It had a good mix of people (students, professionals, tourists) and some decent beers.
22 Jun 2007 00:24
Recently been refreshed (rather than refurbished) and seems to be trying to go a little up-market. The focus is still very much on food but there is a reasonable choice of beers too. The location is great with a duck pond at the front and a view of the White Horse from the garden at the back.
27 May 2007 13:33
The Willoughby Arms, Kingston Upon Thames
This pub really has come up in the world! I had not been there for some time since moving away from the area and, er, getting banned but went back there last night to watch Derby v Soton with some mates and was very pleased with the place. It's bigger than it was, it has a light and spacious feel to it (but not in a stark way like the Canbury Arms) and a good atmosphere. The aforementioned barmaid was there and was jolly and helpful. I'm going back there on Friday to watch MK Dons!
16 May 2007 12:49
This pub is a little out of the way for me but I still try and get there every couple of months or so, more in the summer, and I am always glad that I have. Went there on Friday night with a mate after wathcing some filming the the studio nearby and we thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere and the beer. He played safe and had Youngs Ordinary and I had the Butcombe Brunel bitter. A good night out.
3 Mar 2007 15:11
The Willoughby Arms, Kingston Upon Thames
Why is it that all the bad pubs get such enthusiastic review (see also Ham Brewery Tap)? This pub has no redemeeming features. Go to the Wych instead.
21 Jan 2007 02:43
The Park Tavern, Kingston Upon Thames
Bit of a gem really. Good beer with something unusual always on and a welcoming atmosphere to go with it.
21 Jan 2007 02:40
The Richmond Park, Kingston Upon Thames
I have no idea what the public bar is like but the lounge is ok if dated. They do Boddies which is unusual in this area.
21 Jan 2007 02:38
OK if unspectatular pub, i.e. no reason to go there but no reason not to go there either.
21 Jan 2007 02:35
The Norbiton and Dragon, Norbiton
A worthy addition to the local scene. The food and beer may be (slightly) better at The Canbury but the atmosphere is much better here. Well worth a visit for a drink or a meal.
21 Jan 2007 02:34
The Canbury Arms, Kingston Upon Thames
Great beer, good food, plenty of women but zero atmosphere. Somewhere to take a date for a meal (unless she is vegetarian) but no place to go with a mate for a drink. The Irish music on the first Tuesday of each month is worth going for if you like that sort of thing.
21 Jan 2007 02:30
The Wych Elm, Kingston Upon Thames
This used to be my local and I went there several times a week and now that I've moved away I still get back most weeks and I always see in the New Year there (it helps that it's the landlord's birthday!). A really good locals pub.
21 Jan 2007 02:28
I tend to use the New Inn for a quick few drinks at the end of the evening, i.e. I get there about 10:30! Then it is usual fairly quiet (but not dead) which probably explains why I have never found the smoke to be a problem there (unlike the Hand and Flower nearby). The beer is normally pretty good and there is a reasonable, if fairly standard, choice. Shame that the staff are more interested in cleaning and restocking at that time of night so you almost feel as though you should not be there.
21 Jan 2007 02:22
Still a good locals pub which is particularly lively on Friday nights. I've always found the Youngs to be very good, which is just as well as it's the only real ale on offer.
21 Jan 2007 02:18
Made the mistake of popping in here last week for a quick pint with a mate. The atmosphere was as dull as ever and, unforgivably, the Youngs Ordinary was dreadful. Most of the regular drinkers seems to have migrated to the New Inn or the Royal Oak (I go to both regularly) leaving the H&F to the lunchtime eaters and the local kids.
21 Jan 2007 02:16
Tries to be a bit hipper than it actually is, and charges the prices to match. Still, it's in a corner of Richmond on its own and has a niced relaxed atmosphere so is well worth popping into for a pint or two when walking between the river and the Green.
10 Jun 2006 18:29
A pub on the up! It is currently going through a gentle refurbishment that somehow seems to have changed nothing but has still managed to make it look bigger as well as giving it a fresh look. It's also a little friendlier. Still not a "must do" pub, particularly given the strong local competition, but worth a visit none the less.
10 Jun 2006 18:20
Well, the refurbishment made much less difference than most of us expected so it's still an OK pub in a good location with a reasonable selection of beers and is full of American students from the "university" around the corner. Good place to go to on a crawl but not really a place to linger,
10 Jun 2006 18:12
A locals' pub which does a great pint of Young's Ordinary, but little else. It can appear a bit small and cliquey but well worth going to if you are local (like me!) or if you are looking for somewhere to drink while walking along the Thames or visiting nearby Ham House. It also attracts a bijou lunch crowd (there are some seriously expensive houses in the area), particularly when the sun is out and the small garden area comes into its own.
10 Jun 2006 18:08
It's always been a good pub making the most of its river front location with a good range of beers and decent food, but the recent make-over has made it even more attractive by bringing in enough of the younger crowd to make the place lively but not too many to put off the traditional tourist/family visitor. The only problem these days is finding a seat! Thoroughly recommended.
10 Jun 2006 17:59
Good place to go for that all-important after work drink. Nice location, good selection of beers and a layout that lets you talk to your friends but still carries a lively atmosphere.
15 Dec 2005 20:15
I recently spend over 12 hours in here over a weekend so It cannot be that bad! Had to have Boddies most of the time and then onto Guiness when I got bored of that. Excellent atmosphere, just needs better beers!
15 Dec 2005 20:13
There are reasons why this pub is quiet but there are times when a quiet pub is what you want. Beer choice is very limited but what they do have is OK.
15 Dec 2005 20:08
A little way away from the main Richmond "scene" and probably a better pub for it.
15 Dec 2005 20:04
Definitely a good place to meet, e.g. before going to the theatre across the road, but this is a place for passing through rather than staying in. That said, the passing through is good.
15 Dec 2005 20:02
Do they sell beer here?! Full of young people drinking young people's drinks. Fine if you want to oggle the young girls but don't pretend that you've gone there for the drink.
15 Dec 2005 19:59
One of the better pubs around The Green. It's more of a local than the others so a) it feels grubbier and b) there is more of an atmosphere. Suits me.
15 Dec 2005 19:57
Great location, particularly in summer, but inside is only OK, as is the beer. Bit of a dissapointment overall.
15 Dec 2005 19:55
Somehow manages to retain the "local" feel while clearly being a town centre pub.
15 Dec 2005 19:54
Sorted! Where else can you enjoy a nice pint or two of Youngs while watching the incoming tide cover the stupidly parked cars! A real gem.
15 Dec 2005 19:52
Tends to attrack the all-day drinkers who can't afford to drink in, or would get moved on from, the better pubs in town. No real reason to go there.
15 Dec 2005 19:51
A great locals' pub (you have to be a local to be able to find it) that has a good, if rather Irish, atmosphere and a good range of beers that changes regularly. Often my last port-of-call when on a Richmons crawl.
15 Dec 2005 19:48
I've never seen more than about 6 people in here and while Sam Smiths is OK it does mean a limited choice.
15 Dec 2005 19:45
Fine is you like expensive posh nosh and are not that interested in the beer. At it's best in the summer when you can sit outside but, even then, you have the road traffic to contend with and a very limited choice of beers. You are meant to drink wine.
15 Dec 2005 19:44
This is really a restaurant that also happens to sell beer and I cannot imagine going in here just for a drink (except when doing the Richmond Road crawl of course!).
15 Dec 2005 19:40
This is my nearest pub but no longer my "local", which is a great shame because it was a good pub not that many year ago. Now it is always smokey and dark (the new shutters were a big mistake) and it increasingly caters for the lads from the local estate. I still find the beer OK but I can get Youngs Ordinary anywhere. They shut at 11pm sharp, with no warning bell, despite having a late license.
15 Dec 2005 19:37
The Druid's Head, Kingston Upon Thames
A regular haunt of mine for the all important beer and snack before going to a meeting at The Guildahall across the road. It's my first choice when shopping in Kingston on a Saturday too. The atmosphere is good, the range and quality of beers is excellent, and the bar snacks are appertising and reasonably priced. Definitely the best pub in the town centre.
15 Dec 2005 19:32
The Boaters Inn, Kingston Upon Thames
Always a good pub to drop into while walking along the river on the way home. The location is good, i.e. in a small park and right on the river, and there is always a good range of beers on. I always try a new beer if I can and have always had a good pint. The food is OK too.
15 Dec 2005 19:28
The Queens Head, Kingston Upon Thames
I like the early-evening atmosphere there when having a couple of drinks waiting for my curry from across the road. Sadly the selection of bitters is very small and unispiring and that keeps me from going there for other than the curry run.
15 Dec 2005 19:10
A regular meeting place of mine because of the location, range of beers and friendly, but not sedate, atmosphere. A well above average after work pub. 8/10
2 Nov 2004 20:27
The Park Tavern, Kingston Upon Thames
A real favourite, I just wish that I lived closer! An excellent selection of beers that changes regularly and a welcoming and friendly atmosphere.
19 Sep 2004 18:31
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The Triple Crown Inn, Richmond
Comfortably the worst pub in Richmond, and has been for some years. Dark, scruffy and always empty, apart from the people you wished were not in there with you. Avoid.
7 Jul 2016 19:18