Kingston pubs
The population consists of a mix of smug rich people, welfare mothers and students and the pubs reflect this. The ones in the town centre are generally OK during the day but many turn into vertical drinking establishments at night, the ones further out tend to be quite decent local boozers.
| Albert Arms, 57 Kingston Hill, Kingston Upon Thames, KT2 7PX |
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Has just undergone a refit, which from the outside looks truly horrific.
Reviewed by Doogal Bell, Apr 2007
Telephone: 020 8546 7669
Nearest station: Norbiton, Zone 5 (580 metres)
| The Albion, 45 Fairfield Rd, Kingston Upon Thames, KT1 2PY |
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Recently underwent a refit and although there is nothing wrong with the new decor, it is lacking something. It serves OK beer, serves decent Thai food and was quite busy when we visited in mid-week but it seems to be somewhat soulless. My brother was quite happy with it, but then he lives in Hong Kong so doesn't get to visit real pubs very often. And even he was grumbling about the poor selection of proper beer (IPA and, er, that's it, on the evening we visited).
Reviewed by Doogal Bell, Oct 2007
Telephone: 020 8549 2346
Nearest station: Kingston, Zone 6 (450 metres)
| The Artful Dodger, 20 Richmond Rd, Kingston Upon Thames, KT2 5EB |
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The pub’s sign does not bode well. The dancing image of the famous character from Oliver Twist and the wacky writing promise the kind of 80s theme pub hell that died out over a decade ago. We were expecting such varied delights as plastic furniture, video machines and perhaps even a bowling alley. Thankfully we were wrong. The reality is a decent local boozer with a pleasing variety of offerings at the bar. There is a pool table, a modest number of games machines and a small beer garden that is covered by a vine-clad pergola. Its proximity to the station is a likely indication that it gets busy after work. For maximum enjoyment arrive on a Saturday afternoon when all the idiots are drinking elsewhere in the town.
Reviewed by Paul Melton, July 2007
Now closed. Looks like it will be re-opened as "acorn urban bar and kitchen".
Reviewed by Doogal Bell, Oct 2007
Telephone: 020 8546 5957
Nearest station: Kingston, Zone 6 (50 metres)
| The Boaters Inn, Canbury Gardens, Lower Ham Rd, Kingston Upon Thames, KT2 5AU |
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It was a very proud moment for me when my two and a half year old daughter turned round to me and said 'I want to go to the pub'. Not wanting to disappoint her, I stopped what I was doing and immediately took her down to the Boaters. OK, this isn't entirely true since I'd already planned to meet the rest of the RPF team there already. It was a beautiful summer's day, the kind of day this pub is designed for (if you're wondering why it's taken me this long to review the place I've been kind of busy. That and being useless). Located on the riverside in the park this is a great place to sit outside in the beer garden with a cool pint of fizzy. If you've got kids, they can run round in relative safety whilst you get merry. If you're not in the family way, the hordes of screaming tiny tots may put you off your beer.
In the winter months, it's a different proposition. The walk through the park can be pretty terrifying with about one functioning street light. Inside, it's a pretty ordinary pub and the beer is not outstanding.
Reviewed by Doogal Bell, Dec 2005
Telephone: 020 8541 4672
Nearest station: Kingston, Zone 6 (770 metres)
| The Bricklayers Arms, 53 Hawks Road, Kingston, KT1 3DS |
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It seemed for a while that, like many of the other pubs round these parts, The Bricklayers was doomed to demolition and replacement by a block of luxury flats. With no customers and no atmosphere, there wasn't a great deal of point in visiting. But the arrival of AFC Wimbledon has helped revive its fortunes, as it seems it has been adopted by their fans. I presume AFC fans have a pile of cash, because 'Honest' Kev has upped the bar prices to a ridiculous level. So of course any other night but Saturday the pub is dead, which at least means there isn't a wait at the bar and the pool table is generally available
Reviewed by Doogal Bell, Oct 2003
The AFC Wimbledon fans are now a distant memory, the tumbleweed blows through the pub and there's very little beer behind the bar. I'm not sure how it manages to keep going.
Reviewed by Doogal Bell, Sep 2007
It's all over, it is now closed, future uncertain.
Reviewed by Doogal Bell, June 2008
Telephone: 020 8546 0393
Nearest station: Norbiton, Zone 5 (700 metres)
| The Canbury Arms, 49 Canbury Park Rd, KT2 6LQ |
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Not reviewed yet.
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Telephone: 020 8255 9129
Nearest station: Kingston, Zone 6 (430 metres)
| The Cricketers, 20 Fairfield South, KT1 2UL |
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A good-looking, traditional local boozer, cosy in the winter with a real fire and lots of beams overhead. Summer evenings can be spent on benches outside, giving views of the Fairfield and its population of drunks. There is also a beer garden out the back, although this has recently been re-jigged, losing most of its character. The thing that really raises The Cricketers above the ordinary is the great Thai food, also available to take away.
Reviewed by Doogal Bell, June 2004
The Thai food is no longer available, it's moved across the Fairfield to The Albion
Reviewed by Doogal Bell, Jul 2006
Like some kind of weird catering tennis match, the Thai food is back...
Reviewed by Doogal Bell, July 2007
Telephone: 020 8296 0479
Nearest station: Kingston, Zone 6 (630 metres)
| The Grey Horse, 46 Richmond Road, Kingston, KT2 5EE |
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Primarily a music venue, in the rough’n’ready tumbledown student manner of old. Quite cheerful, does food and all of that stuff, and seems to have bands on almost every night of the week. Styles itself as ‘South West London’s premier live music venue’, which may be pushing it a bit, but it isn’t bad if that’s your poison.
Reviewed by Fred Flange, July 2007
Telephone: 020 8541 4328
Nearest station: Kingston, Zone 6 (190 metres)
| The Kelly Arms, 2 Glenthorne Rd, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 2UB |
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Before I even have a chance to review it, it has shut down. Future uncertain.
Reviewed by Doogal Bell, Jan 2008
Re-opened, allegedly not too good.
Reviewed by Doogal Bell, June 2008
Telephone: 020 8541 4340
Nearest station: Kingston, Zone 6 (1150 metres)
| The Marlborough, 46 Fairfield South, Kingston, KT1 2UW |
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The highlight of my last visit here was the sight of a trampolining dog. That I think is reason enough to recommend the place but it has other things going for it. It is owned by Badger Breweries, so they have some more interesting beers than the usual London breweries. They do decent food, have a pleasant beer garden and are child friendly (although offering to put CBeebies on the telly is perhaps a little too child friendly...) so no complaints really. But forget all that, they have a trampolining dog, get down there.
Reviewed by Doogal Bell, Sep 2007
One of the better pubs in the area but unfortunately not popular enough. It will be closing shortly.
Reviewed by Doogal Bell, Jan 2008
Previously known as: The Newt and Ferret, The Refectory
Nearest station: Kingston, Zone 6 (670 metres)
| The Norbiton and Dragon, 16 Clifton Rd, Kingston Upon Thames, KT2 6PW |
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Not reviewed yet.
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Telephone: 020 8546 1951
Nearest station: Norbiton, Zone 5 (370 metres)
| The Spring Grove, 13 Bloomfield Rd, Kingston Upon Thames, KT1 2SF |
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The heavens opened as we wandered the streets of Surbiton so a trip to the nearest pub was required. As it turned out, the nearest pub was The Spring Grove. My first impression on entering was 'Crikey, this is a bit busy for a Saturday afternoon'. I think this was down to the rugby being shown on the numerous big screens. Fortunately the pub is pretty big so it's not overwhelmed by the number of TVs, there are still areas of the pub where you can avoid watching if you want to.
Unfortunately the Winter Warmer was off but the pint of Bombardier was a decent replacement. There were a couple of raging fires to keep us warm so this seems to be an ideal winter pub. We didn't try the food but the menu looked reasonably priced and unpretentious. Overall, a top quality pub if you're in the area.
Reviewed by Doogal Bell, Dec 2006
Telephone: 020 8549 9507
Nearest station: Kingston, Zone 6 (1050 metres)
| The Wych Elm, 93 Elm Rd, Kingston Upon Thames, KT2 6HT |
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Not reviewed yet.
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Telephone: 020 8546 3271
Nearest station: Kingston, Zone 6 (650 metres)
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