The Star Coffee & Ale House, Ryde

The Star used to be a very traditional local’s pub. Back in the early 1980s when I began to drink in Ryde it was very much an older man’s venue and therefore my age group were not made welcome. After a long closure it reopened as a pub coffee house hybrid. The bar is one long room scattered with tables and chairs. Lighting is kept very low and the walls are adorned with art and music memorabilia giving it the feeling of the sort of place the Doors would hang out. Strangely it still doesn’t feel very welcoming. The bar staff seem to be more interested in the locals and not occasional visitors like myself. On this visit I chose the Harvey’s Sussex Best - one of my favourite beers. It was pretty dire and I nearly sent it back but the bar staff had disappeared. I may give this pub another go but maybe not. It probably just isn’t my sort of place.

Facebook page of The Star Coffee & Ale House - www.facebook.com

Official site of The Star Coffee & Ale House - www.ryde.cafe

Facebook page of The Star Coffee & Ale House - www.facebook.com

Official site of The Star Coffee & Ale House - www.ryde.cafe

Popped in on Sunday, they had a jazz trio playing to a packed house. Rather squashed, yet the barman/landlord made some room for us and we felt very welcome by the patrons. Harveys Sussex on tap was on top form. There are a few Craft beers that I didn't recognise. The toilets were amazingly clean, just thought it deserved a mention. We had an olive and cheese platter, and I really wish we had discovered this venue much earlier in our stay.

Designer makeover of a small corner pub into a "coffee and ale house". It is painted in several shades of grey with various arty decorations giving a Bohemian sort of feel to the place and something of a "laid-back vibe". There are also some tables on the pedestrianised street outside. I have to mention the bar person (manager/owner?) who managed to be both friendly and efficient and clearly kept a tight ship. On handpump were Directors and Marstons 61 Deep, with a few mainstream crafty things on keg. I quite liked the place.

Basic High Street boozer, opened out at some stage to leave a three-part space with the main seating area by the main doors, the bar in the centre and an almost clear area at the back (for live music, by the look of things). Initially appears to be limited interest in the decor too, but there are two attractive old 'Ship Hotel' glazed panels above the counter. Just Bombardier Burning Gold (£3.30) from one of two handpumps, but at least it does now offer a real ale.