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Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat
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Detail Pages
The Compasses, Tunbridge Wells
Tunbridge Wells
TN1 1YP
Pub Type
Greene KingReviews (Current Rating Average: 6 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Mark Davey left this review about The Compasses
First impressions do count and as we walked up to the front door of the Compasses on a sunny Saturday afternoon, we noticed the huge collection of buggies outside. Our fears were confirmed when the place seemed to be catering for a children's party and was rammed with yummy mummies. We decided to stop for a half but the beer selection was thin and most of our party opted for the Abbot. it wasn't great, maybe I should have had a white wine spritzer?? I know that pubs have to evolve and cater for their market, especially when they back onto a children's playground but the Compasses has sold out. Stick to the Grove down the road for a proper drinking experience.
On 11th July 2016
- rating: 5
[User has posted 292 recommendations about 276 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Compasses
Still a Greene King pub, but nearly all the branding was removed a few years ago and it now offers a good selection of guest beers from a total of seven handpumps. On this visit I found a fairly typical selection of IPA, the 'house' Best Bitter, Abbot and the commemorative Purple Reign plus three guests: Landlord, Dark Star Hophead and the seasonal Boundary from Wadworth (£3.40). Some interior signage claims it to be Tunbridge Wells's oldest pub, and the interior retains a two-bar layout with further seating areas towards the back. Refurbished in a smart semi-modern style, with lots of dark wood about the place. Also has a good number of wooden benches at the front and a small patio at the back. Rear door leads directly into The Grove, a very pleasant park on a sunny day and relatively tranquil since it lies some way off the beaten track.
On 14th May 2016
- rating: 7
[User has posted 8679 recommendations about 8678 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about The Compasses
An attractive three storey brick building of some age which has had a single storey addition added to the front where there is some seating and a pair of heavily pollarded trees. The bar is as you enter, in the newer bit, a GK pub with Abbot, branded Compasses...the usual 3.9% brew, plus thankfully Woodforde's Nelson. One not clipped. Looks foody but I was in around 3pm on a weekday so no signs.
Beamed ceilings and timber posted walls, proper roaring log fires, some leaded stained glass and a few doors were etched with "Snug Bar" and suchlike but these looked like modern reproductions to me. The pub meanders about with numerous connected areas, a rear room has a bar billiards table.
Comfortable with some nice upholstered benches, settles as well as a few high tables in the front windows. More outdoor seating was spotted to the rear and side.
Overall, a nice pub, beer range not exactly to die for and the historic side just manages to shine through a bit of a corporate makeover. I'd drop in again but the nearby Grove is a better bet if you only have time for one.
On 26th February 2016
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1710 recommendations about 1683 pubs]