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Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat
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Detail Pages
Robin Hood, St Albans Central, St. Albans
St. Albans
AL1 3TG
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Pub SignMan left this review about Robin Hood
This tidy, single room boozer has a great location close to the station and has become a well respected alehouse in recent years thanks to its commitment to providing a good cask ale range. The pub is split into a bare boarded front bar and carpeted rear lounge bar, but there's no partitioning between these two areas, so the interior essentially comprises one long, continuous space. The modern laminate flooring to the front, combined with bright lighting and plain painted walls, make this a bit of a sterile feeling space, which is a shame, as there are some nice bulls eye windows in a wide front bay, and dark wood beams lined with pump clips, which could make it feel more homely in the right circumstances. High tables and stools to the front and low stools with small round tables through the middle supply the main seating options, with the bar occupying a central position on the left-hand wall. A nice stone fireplace to the right on entry, was lit during my visit, with a bookcase full of Good Beer Guides next to it. Further back, opposite the bar, is an ancient looking Multi-Music jukebox full of 80s pop hits. The bar has a plain panelled counter front, pump clip lined canopy and dull modern bar back. Moving through to the rear space, you find some simple configurations of tables and chairs, with a TV showing live rugby to one side, above an upright piano, with large doors to the rear seemingly leading out to an unexplored garden. There's a mix of old local photos and contemporary art on the walls, plus shelves with whisky boxes and a few bits relating to Disney's Robin Hood movie.
On the bar, three ales were available - Wantsum UXB?, Harvey's Sussex Best and Ossett Rat White Rat. I took a pint of the latter, having not seen this beer on my travels for several years, and thought it was in great shape. The staff were all really friendly and there was a nice Saturday evening ambiance of the sort you'd expect from a good alehouse.
I was a bit unsure about this place at first especially when I sat down in the slightly bland, uninspiring front bar, but the great beer, convivial atmosphere and excellent service convinced me that this is one of St Albans' top pubs and I expect I will find it difficult to walk past on my way to or from the station the next time I'm in town.
Date of visit - 27th January 2024
On 17th June 2024
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3350 recommendations about 3350 pubs]
Blue Scrumpy left this review about Robin Hood
Another pub close to St Albans City railway station, I last visited the Robin Hood in 2018 on a busy Saturday afternoon when locals were watching the rugby. This time, on a Friday afternoon with no sporting events, it was much quieter with just a handful of locals propping up the bar.
There is a wide area at the front, before the room narrows to make way for the bar, before widening out again at the rear, where a larger space overlooks a garden.
The pub is a regular in the Good Beer Guide and has previously been the local CAMRA pub of the year. Harvey's Sussex Best Bitter is the regular beer. Guests on for our visit were Greene King Abbot & Tring Pearly Pale. To the side of the bar is a large selection of boxed ciders - Weston's Rosie's Pig & Old Rosie, Sandford Orchards Devon Red, Devon Mist & Slack Ma Girdle, Abrahall's Lily The Pink, Snail's Bank Orchard Dry & Pig Squeal, Thatcher's Stan's Cheddar Valley, Kent Cider Company Greenhorn, Lilley's Cherries and Berries & Rich's Farmhouse Medium was the range.
The cider selection is certainly impressive and probably explains why the pub is current Cider Pub of the Year. However, there was nothing I hadn't had before. So, I opted for the Pearly Pale, which was a decent beer.
One of the best pubs in St Albans, especially for cider drinkers, but with only one slightly unusual beer, I'll keep my score to a 7/10.
On 5th May 2024
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3040 recommendations about 3038 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about Robin Hood
A mid terrace pub,opened out inside with a large bay window to the front,below which are a set of high tables with pine flooring.Going back into the building there is a juke box,a table skittles game and an upright piano before a carpeted rear extension with french windows onto the beer garden. A flatscreen was showing an FA cup game ,while the welcome from behind the bar was friendly.
Pump clips on the wall shows an ale rotation policy and on my trip the three handpumps were offering Harvey's Sussex Best,Wadworth Horizon and Wantsum Hurricane (decent,NBSS 3.5).
Worth popping in ,the interior is tidy if rather clinical yet I had a decent pint.
On 8th January 2023
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2936 recommendations about 2936 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about Robin Hood
A single roomed traditional pub within striking distance of the train station, carpeted floor and practically furnished with sensible height tables and chairs. Three handpumps with some steady journeyman beers on, my Harveys Sussex Best was in decent form, nothing special but decent enough.
On 8th November 2018
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2151 recommendations about 2118 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about Robin Hood
Must have walked pas this several times over the years and not ventured in but the entry in the 2018 Good Beer Guide meant it had to be checked out.
Three ales on - Sussex Bitter, Long Blonde and a never seen before Black Sheep Rye Mild. And I've been to Yorkshire.
It was that I settled on and it was in great condition.
If I could change one thing? Fit dimmer switches.
Visit blogged at http://bit.ly/2x7wj5w
On 19th October 2017
- rating: 9
[User has posted 1563 recommendations about 1543 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alan Winfield left this review about Robin Hood
The Robin Hood is a nice looking pub that is on the same stretch of road as the Victoria.
Once inside the bar faces in an L shaped room,there are tall tables and chairs to the front,normal tables and chairs on the right side,the rear right side is carpeted and has more normal tables and chairs.
There were two real ales on the bar,i had a drink of Harveys Bitter,which went down well,the other real ale was Loddon Hullabaloo.
Background music was playing.
I thought this was a pleasant pub to have a drink in.
Pub visited 24/6/2017
On 30th September 2017
- rating: 7
[User has posted 6113 recommendations about 6113 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Graham Coombs left this review about Robin Hood
Pleasant small pub near station with unexceptional décor. Three beers from Sussex on offer at time of visit, and seemed well kept.
On 20th July 2017
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3641 recommendations about 3576 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alesonly . left this review about Robin Hood
This was our first stop on our Pub Crawl yesterday where we meet up as usual as its the nearest decent Pub too the Station. There was three Ales on I tried the Hobgoblin & Blacksheep Both of which were in good nick if a little warm but then it was very hot in there and being a quiet afternoon not much Ale was being pulled. Staff & other customers were all friendly & welcoming enough. I noticed there is a Dart Board & few fruit Machines and large TVs scatted around seems a nice cosy place for a few pints if you waiting for the train or your meeting someone. I will no doubt be in here again soon.
On 18th November 2011
- rating: 7
[User has posted 132 recommendations about 105 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Roger Button left this review about Robin Hood
Handily placed on the main road between the station and the City centre, I had always overlooked the Robin Hood in my eagerness to reach the more heavyweight hostelries in town but having now broken my duck I found the pl;ace to be a quite respectable pub in its own right.
The mock Tudor frontage contains a large bay fronted paneled window and the fully carpeted interior is a lot more spacious than is initially obvious. The front section has banquette seating around the bay whilst the central bar runs down the left hand side. The rear section is quite spacious and beyond is a pleasant garden. The décor is typical brewery tudor with a few pots and kettles dangling from the beams and, above the open fire, a face-on painting of the pub that catches the eye.
The 3 ales won’t trouble some of the more illustrious pubs in town for interest but the options on my visit (Black Sheep Best (£3.20), Landlord and Hobgoblin) are better than the average pub.
It was fairly quiet when we called on a Saturday afternoon but it seemed respectable and friendly enough. They do have occasional live music so I would expect things to be a bit more thriving some evenings.
Whilst I wouldn’t rate the place a necessary visit, if there is time to squeeze it in before the train leaves then it certainly wouldn’t be time or money wasted.
On 8th April 2011
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1239 recommendations about 1233 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about Robin Hood
This is a fairly standard town pub consisting of a quite large L-shaped room which then extends back beyond the bar area. Carpeted, standard red banquettes, chairs and tables. A couple of TVs were switched off on Saturday evening and a band were setting up. Outdoor seating to the rear in a well appointed garden with planted tubs and a covered section for the smokers.
Friendly service and a brim full pint. Taylor's Landlord, Wychwood Hobgoblin and Black Sheep Bitter. The pub is handy for St Albans City station and enabled us to have a swift last one before our train. A perfectly acceptable pub but it won't stand out from the crowd in a city so well served with great pubs as St Albans.
On 15th August 2010
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1710 recommendations about 1683 pubs]