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Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat
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Detail Pages
The Star, Dorking
Dorking
RH4 1BU
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
Graham Coombs left this review about The Star
Quite a nice little pub at the end of the shops, with an impressive exterior which faces the traffic coming in from the west. Just the one room with motley furnishings, some painted woodwork and a few nice etched windows. It's not huge so goodness knows where they put the band, and be careful of the spiral stairs up to the toilets! Don't be put off by the branding - it does a good job of pretending not to be a GK pub, with Pilgrim Surrey, Crafty Loxley Biscuit and a token Hardy's and Hanson's on cask. A good pub feel.
On 21st August 2024
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3641 recommendations about 3576 pubs]
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Star
At a busy road junction ,the flint covered exterior is noteable,the bar really quite small.To the right there was a drum kit set up plus an electric organ,while the walls had pictures and posters of recording artists.To the left is a small wing with a few high tables but vertical drinking will be the order of the day if it's busy.Don't worry about the Greene King signage,this is likely a Local Heros lease which allows as many guests as there are GK beers meaning a choice of GK Yardbird or Crafty Brewery Loxhill Biscuit (NBSS 3) on my trip.
Cosy little place and well worn,good atmosphere but limited on the ale front.
On 14th June 2024
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2936 recommendations about 2936 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
paulof horsham left this review about The Star
The Star is a Greene King pub on a constantly busy corner, though that doesn't stop the regulars nabbing the tables outside on a sunny afternoon. The brewery has relaxed the tie, so the 2 clipped pumps offer Dorking DB One and Pilgrim Original Pale; the third being out of action on my visit. There's no surprises on the kegs.
Despite the constant traffic, I can see the attraction of outside, as its all a bit basic inside - well-worn wooden floor boards, with an equally scuffed wooden bar. There's a few dark corners in here too.
The Pilgrim was fine, so I'd consider a return some time.
On 21st September 2023
- rating: 5
[User has posted 554 recommendations about 516 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about The Star
A single room pub, fairly traditional with wooden floor and mixed comfortable seating, the walls for the main part were wallpapered with old dorking newspapers which I'm sure would make for interesting reading should you have time. There was easy listening background music at an unobtrusive level, the service was friendly.I wasn't as lucky as previous reviewers with the beer choice , GK IPA and a GK derived collaboration between Orkney brewery and Belhaven,the resultant beer, Kittiwake was predictably ordinary, a third handle had Rosie's Pig Cider on offer. Beer aside I found this to be a nice relaxing pub and would happily try it again, but Cobbetts being just over the road makes it less likely.
On 1st October 2017
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2151 recommendations about 2118 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about The Star
This certainly is a rather quirky place, on arrival the door was closed, another punter was waiting outside. Presently the door opened slightly and a bloke dressed and made up like a pantomime dame advised that the doors would be open again in two minutes, some sort of filming was going on. Once normality resumed and access was gained, there is a small L-shaped interior with a boarded floor, raised at the far end with what looks to double up as a stage judging by the speakers and lighting rig. Etched windows have the pub name inscribed, décor includes Bakelite radios and a 30s looking TV set, there is a shelf containing well thumbed books and a few board games and a piano sits on the side wall. The possibility of bringing in your own takeaway food is reinforced by a holder on a cill containing various takeaway menus. Regular seating with a couple of pew style benches.
Signed externally as a GK pub, there were however better options. Three handpumps offered GK Olde Trip, Thornbridge Wild Swan and Robinson's Trooper. The Wild Swan was first rate.
The toilets were up a steep and winding stair with a confusing tread pattern, care is needed, strangely the toilet door was wedged open leaving any urinal activity on full view to the clearly domestic parts of the pub adjoining. The panto dame and cohorts were in the room at the end editing their production.
The pub seems to be gay friendly but it doesn't seem to be an exclusively gay pub, the clientele were from all walks of life; despite the unusual aspects of my visit I enjoyed my brief stop here and would visit again.
On 8th March 2015
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1710 recommendations about 1683 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Star
A small Greene King pub with a slate-hung exterior and a smattering of café-style outside tables. Dog leg shape interior with stripped floorboards. To the right, some attractive high back wood pews and an upright piano. To the left, further seating and a bookshelf. Appears to be gay-friendly if the rainbow stickers on the door are anything to go by. There’s also a lot of cultural events advertised that take place here throughout the month. Modern electronica playing through the speakers which I found enjoyable but won’t be to everyone’s taste. No food but apparently you can bring in your own and they’ll provide plate and cutlery (best checked prior I think!). At the bar were three ales and a leftfield selection given the ownership; Olde Trip, a GK collaboration ale with Brighton Bier and Oakham JHB (exceptionally good). Not exactly a daytime destination venue but the quality of my ale means that I'd try it again. And it sounds like a good evening bet.
On 30th October 2014
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5552 recommendations about 5533 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
dave stray left this review about The Star Inn
I remember the interior being fairly unique, but more in the way of a Cafe on a visit a few years ago. I also believe they used to hold music nights.
On 20th January 2012
- rating: 6
[User has posted 265 recommendations about 183 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Star Inn
The Star now styles itself as a 'public house and creative venue', and it is certainly the only pub that I've ever walked into to find the landlord practicing the violin behind the bar during a quiet late afternoon period! There is also a range of open mic events, 'vinyl nights', cocktail evenings and even a forthcoming pub pantomine. The interior decor is tastefully done, and a little discreet signage makes it clear that this is a gay-friendly establishment. Beer-wise, two of the handpumps were in operation, offering the regular Greene King IPA and Old Speckled Hen (£3.50 and in good form). Overall, it seems a very well run place and certainly offers something a bit different to the good people of Dorking.
On 7th January 2012
- rating: 7
[User has posted 8679 recommendations about 8678 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
I L left this review about The Star Inn
A small corner pub on the edge of the central part of the town. Used to have a life size Dalek in here a few years ago. Nothing special on the real ale front but at least they had a few well kpet ones on. One of the more lively pubs in Dorking on our Saturday afternoon visit. Well worth visiting if you are catching a train from the smaller less well served railway station of Dorking West.
On 18th August 2010
- rating: 7
[User has posted 287 recommendations about 284 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Philip Carter left this review about The Star Inn
Corner pub with outside seating, right next to a busy road. Sells real ale. Has weekly quiz and live music. Not much else to say. Pay a visit.
On 10th April 2007
- rating: 6
[User has posted 759 recommendations about 721 pubs]