Incognito, Richmond

January 2015:- "The Duke" serves 'Meantime Brewery' beers, I'm glad to report! :o)

THE DUKE: an old traditional pub, with a funny extra restauranty bit added on the side, if you like that sort of thing. Quite empty some afternoons, but patrons seem to crawl out of their office woodwork at the magical 5 o'clock hour, and the place springs to life. The sort of pub that you might ignore, or wander passed on your way elsewhere to some more pressing engagement! But could I just mention, one time, "Meantime"..!! The very reason to re-route, re-schedule, and call in on the DUKE, and sup some real London ale for a change. And ask for a taster of the London Pale Ale, or the London Lager, or even the Meantime Pilsner (if you're a lager fan). And even if you're a real ale fanatic, you may like to try the "London Lager" by way of a pleasant change. Not all pubs along the River Thames provide the 'Meantime Brewery' fare, but Richmond Green does, and I'm rather glad they do! I'm going to have to upgrade my rating now... 6/10 :o) TJ

"The Duke" - the nearest pub to Richmond Theatre, so some nights (especially weekends) you may find a lot of "luvvies" in the bar, or the place full of theatre-goers. At other times, ie:lunchtime, the place may be deserted, and you might feel lonely as you stroll up to the bar. Until a couple of years ago this pub was known as "The Racing Page", and you could watch the horse racing 'live' on a couple of t.v. screens, or other live sport. But the 'life+soul' of the place seems to have gone now, and its less a traditional pub and more a soul-less restaurant with a bar beside it! Sorry staff, you do a good job, but this is just a strange pub now, and there are SO MANY other good pubs nearby that sap you of custom. I will still drop in from time to time, en route to those better pubs! Competition is tough. :o)

Not really my sort of place, but this is a tastefully done and well-located gastro-pub in the town centre near the green. The bar seems like quite a relaxed place, once you've convinced the staff that you really, really don't want to eat in the larger dining area. Three beers on handpump, including a reasonable pint of Purbeck IPA at £3.50.