The Harts Boatyard, Surbiton

Harts Boatyard is located on the banks of the Thames and is a three floor pub and restaurant that will not impress the traditional pub fan, but I found it a pleasant enough place to visit for an impromptu meal with the wife and kids in tow. The food isn’t cheap, but I thought that the quality was in line with the cost. I found the two waitresses that crossed my path to be slightly curt, but the barman was very polite and poured a decent pint of Guinness. Two hand pumps adorn the bar but one of these was unused and the Doom Bar on the second was off so there was only a premium draught selection available alongside the Guinness when I visited a couple of days before Christmas. The bar area is located at street level and feels like a lounge bar complete with bland lounge music. The restaurant is located up a flight of stairs and was closed during my late afternoon weekday visit (opens for lunch and at 18:00 for dinner service), as was the top balcony that is at the rear of the restaurant. Down a flight of stars at the rear of the bar area is a sunken seating level that also leads to a lower balcony that was open and afforded some lovely views of the river and some boats that were moored directly outside the rear of the pub. Underneath this balcony there is a river level decked area that has some more seating in the form of picnic tables. There is ample parking outside the front of this pub and the car park sets the pub back from the main road. I was glad to discover that although the restaurant was closed food is served in the bar all day and I had a thoroughly good time and would have no problem returning if in the area with the family again. saying that, if I found myself out and about on my own I would walk straight past and find a proper pub.