All Bar One, Richmond

Now an All Bar One,the most interesting feature is a brass plaque outside stating that when it was the Station Hotel it was the original home of the CrawDaddy Club which hosted the first ever Stones gig in February 1963 ,with the Beatles meeting them here a month later.Given that Mick and Keef lived in Richmond for years (and occasionally still do) it's such a shame that apart from the sign no respect is shown to the pub by the current owners.No references inside just an uber modern interior clean but antiseptic. Soft furnishings near the window,a rank of large high tables to the right,some high tables near the very long bar and 4 tight maroon banquettes on the way to the loos and rear exit.The first floor was roped off but I doubt there will be anything interesting up there. No real ale,generally boring kegs with the best option Verdant Lightbulb but £4 the half.There is a flatscreen with dining style tables below which will show World Cup footie but I couldnt wait to leave this chain pub with it's focus on overpriced cocktails for the naive ,pubgrub mains at around £18,small dishes around £10 although lunchtime mains closer to £12. One to avoid.

Official site of All Bar One - www.allbarone.co.uk

Official site of All Bar One - www.allbarone.co.uk

I suppose if you can't think up an interesting name for your pub I guess you've always got the option of naming it after the number/name of the road it's in. I suppose in times past when it was called the Station Hotel - a hotel/bar opposite the station - it was a bit predictable. As previously stated, it's got that upmarket restaurant feel about it. As you enter there's a seating area at the front, then through another set of doors to the bar proper there are some sofas and a few normal (I say normal, but they are really solid chunky metal framed jobs) tables and chairs for drinkers. The larger area at the back is taken up by tables laid for diners. There's reclaimed wood all over the place, but mostly on the wall facing the stairs leading to another large area upstairs, which didn't seem to be in use during my lunchtime visit. There was just the one ale on - London Pride at £4.50 a pint, which is not too bad for Richmond, and a couple of handpumps unused. I didn't look at a menu, but I saw burgers advertised in the window, and a board outside advertised breakfasts (they open at 10.00 AM). It's a very modern sort of place now, and I'm sure unrecognisable from the place where the Rolling Stones played some of their earliest gigs. It's nothing like a traditional pub, but an early opening place - there's no 'spoons in Richmond! - is useful for meeting chums before an arduous day of essential pub research.

This used to be a very clubby/music type bar but now seems to focused on food more.Smart modern interior.Only London pride on cask.Plenty of seating and an upstairs area.

January 2015:- "One Kew Road" serve 'Meantime Brewery' beers, I'm glad to report! :o)

"ONE KEW ROAD" seems an odd name for a pub..! But when inside you may feel differently. Or you may say, This is an odd pub! It does have an ideal location immediately opposite Richmond train station. It has a long bar which is good when it gets busy, you should find a space to prop your elbow or your pint. It is dotted with eating/dining tables throughout, and there is a feel that this is predominantly an eating establishment. Probably a good place to have lunch, but remember it will be 'Richmond' prices. If you just want a drink, there are quieter places around Richmond Green, or more 'pubby' bars quite nearby (the newly re-opened 'Railway Tavern' right opposite maybe more to your taste). I enjoyed my visit, don't get me wrong, but would I re-visit OKR... well the truth is, I haven't. :o( TJ