Arrack, Dorking

I'd tried to visit this bar the last time I was in Dorking in December 2022. I recall seeing that it appeared to be about to re-open and sure enough I read that it did re-open later that same month. This is now more of a restaurant than a bar, but it still seems to get the odd drinker passing through and seems to open throughout the day. There are still a couple of clipped handpulls at the end of the bar. One has Fuller's London Pride and the other has Surrey Hills Shere Drop. One clip was turned round, but both handpulls had glasses over them. So it looks like they don't keep any cask these days. Camden Pale & Beavertown Neck Oil are the pick of the keg options and the cider is Kopparberg & Aspall's. The pub has an attractive central bar with tables most of the way around. There is a separate section to the left-hand side with further seating beyond in a garden. Inside, there are masks and rugs on the walls and ceilings. On what was a fairly chilly day, the fireplace was unused and the doors were actually open. So, I'm not sure I would have enjoyed any of the Sri-Lankan themed food if I had tried it. I hate eating in the cold. There was a large TV above the fireplace which was off with music playing instead. I also noticed that karaoke and folk nights were advertised. So, this place obviously still tries to attract drinkers. There is also still a dartboard in one corner. I hadn't originally planned to visit Arrack on this visit to Surrey, but thought it was rude not to pop into considering I was walking past. Next time I'll probably walk past, but could still be tempted by the food offering.

A much-modernised backstreet pub noted for its Sri Lankan cuisine. Various bits of presumably Sri Lankan decor tart up the interior, although they sit a bit incongruously with the high tech dartboard. The adjoining room seems focussed on food, and there is a large side patio and the former car park area at the front also tabled for eating. The bar held two teasing handpumps for London Pride and Shere Drop clip reversed and glassed over but I was told they don't sell cask anymore (Keep asking and they might take the hint). Otherwise fairly standard keg, including Neck Oil and Camden Pale. I might contemplate coming back to eat, but otherwise no.

Facebook page of Arrack - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of Arrack - www.facebook.com

As mentioned before , an internally modernised pub but not so drastically, enabling it to retain a pubby feel. Two local beers were on , Surrey Hills Shere Drop and Dorking Surrey XPA, I was pre- warned of the hazy appearance of the latter which I was fine with, the beer itself was of average quality. The pub is ok but not somewhere I'll likely be returning to in a hurry.