The Norbiton, Kingston Upon Thames

An impressive circular building, painted in dark colours as is the wont. Inside has been a bit trendified but is still not bad, despite a horrible scaffold pole bar back. The circular bit round the bar has mostly high tables and stools, while at the rear is a large tabled room with a big garden area beyond. Fifteen high copper fonts carry a goodly range of craft from the likes of Park, Kernel and Siren, with minimal mainstream. A clutch of handpumps offered Sambrooks Junction and Pumphouse, not in the best condition. OK for craft drinkers.

Official site of The Norbiton & Dragon - www.thaipubs.co.uk

Official site of The Norbiton & Dragon - www.thaipubs.co.uk

This is another pub that seems to be mainly a Thai restaurant with a pub attached to it. The restaurant area at the back has all tables laid for diners of course, but looks to be a quite attractive room in which to house a restaurant. I didn’t look at the restaurant menu, but the bar snacks menu in the “pub” area offered stir fries at around £7 - £8, plus a handful of standard pub grub items for a similar price. The place is as described by others, but I would emphasise the lack of traditional seating, as furnishings were almost entirely sofas, low tables and tall tables and tall stools. I struggled to find somewhere comfortable to sit, but that’s just me and maybe others like this sort of non-traditional seating. The restaurant looked comfortable though. There was only London Pride on when I visited, now up to £3.25 a pint. I doubt whether I would pay a return visit here unless I wanted to eat in the Thai restaurant.