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The George in Rye, Rye
Rye
TN31 7JT
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Blackthorn _ left this review about The George in Rye
Located in the heart of Rye’s attractive High Street, this isn’t actually a pub in the strictest sense, but rather a bar within a hotel. Nonetheless, they are certainly open to non-residents, and it’s well worth popping in as it’s a lovely old building.
At the front of the pub is the hotel reception to the right, and a lounge area off to the left, with the bar at the rear. The lounge was very elegant with oak wood panelling on much of the walls, old wooden beams on the ceiling, artwork and comfortable arm chairs. Just what you would expect in a posh hotel. The bar area felt a little more rustic perhaps, but still suitably upmarket with brick style tiling on the floor, more wooden beams on the ceiling as well as some very chunky supporting posts and a large brick fireplace at one end with a wood burning stove. A smaller area off to the side was separated by some wood partitioning, and this included a couple of stained-glass panels set in to the wall. Seating was a mixture of stools at the bar, old church chairs, leather chairs and a sofa or two. Staff seemed pleasant and friendly, and I was very impressed on returning a second evening to find that one of them clearly remembered us, even though we had no real interaction with him previously other than buying the drinks.
First impressions were that there was an extensive keg selection without twenty taps on the wall behind the bar, but on closer inspection I noticed that one of these was labelled water, and Mrs B’s red wine was also dispensed from here, so going on the lack of any menu or chalkboard, I assume none of them were actually beer. The real ales on tap though were Long Man Rising Giant, Harvey’s Sussex Best and Romney Amber Ale, whilst the solitary cider was Curious Apple.
On 9th February 2024
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1947 recommendations about 1860 pubs]
Steve of N21 left this review about The George in Rye
This large hotel, bar and restaurant has been a fixture on Rye High Street since 1719. But as mentioned below it suffered a devastating fire in July 2019 and had to undergo a major restoration project before reopening again in May 2022. So, it actually feels like a new addition to the Rye eating and drinking scene and let’s just say you can well see where all the insurance money went.
You can enter either from the main entrance on the High Street or the courtyard entrance higher up Lion Street towards the imposing St Mary’s Church.
When entering from the High Street the hotel reception is on the right and a comfortable lounge room to the left. But you continue on to find the main bar restaurant section with a spacious bar area to the left and an even more spacious and more formal dining section to the right. As the reviewer below mentions the decor is very modern but with many nods to the historic past of this building giving the various sections their own character.
You then climb a set of stairs towards the toilets, which then lead you out to an equally spacious and well-designed outside courtyard area with its access onto Lion Street as mentioned. On a good weather day this is a superb spot for just drinking and was being well utilised on the fine evenings we experienced in town.
There are usually three ales on in the bar and alongside a Harvey’s Sussex Best pump with the old-style barrel clip was Longman Rising Giant APA and an excellent Romney Marsh Romney Amber Ale for our couple of visits
On 2nd September 2023
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2110 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
. Wittenden left this review about The George in Rye
An old world former Coaching Inn,now a prosperous feeling country town Hotel and bar. Closed for nearly three years until May 2022 after a major fire,it has been refurbished using a combination of ancient and modern styles, materials and themes. My first visit in more than forty years found us enjoying a family meal in the further dining room. Deeper into the building, and slightly to the left is a cosy, heavily timbered and less formal bar, with three operational hand pumps, dispensing the obligatory Harveys,together with Romney Marsh Amber and Dark Star APA. I failed to note the keg or bottled menu.The Amber was in good,if old school form, at £4.75 per pint,which I didn't find exceptional for the ambiance.
We enjoyed our visit, and would return for both a meal and a drink, especially when in celebratory mode.
On 31st March 2023
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 283 recommendations about 282 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about The George
The George is on the High street where it found in the left hand side of a large building it shares with the George Grill. The two are separate but a large table at the end of the bar is designed for diners so there is a bit of an overlap. As I Walked in through the main high street entrance past the front seating area and climbed the steps to the bar area I thought that I was entering a hotel. I was happy to find a bar to the left and even happier when I saw the four hand pumps that were drawing Harvey’s best, Long Man Brewery’s APA, Dark Star’s Pale Ale and Old Dairy Brewery’s Blue Top, which was very good. There is also a standard draught selection alongside Hoegarden and Leffe.
The atmosphere was very subdued with some quiet discussion and the buzzing of the fridges behind the bar. The barman was very polite, but distant and I left feeling that it felt like a hotel bar.
I returned here later the same night when I was looking for the George Tap on Lion Street to discover that there is another entrance to this same bar. The Long Man APA had been changed to Old Man so I decided to stop for another beer which was equally as good as my pint earlier in the evening.
I wouldn’t rush back here if I was on my own, but if I was with a mate or two it would be a venue of choice for a good old chinwag over a few well-kept beers.
On 14th April 2013
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5233 recommendations about 5201 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Old Blue left this review about George Hotel
The George is quite an imposing establishment in the centre of town, which from its outside presentation looks like it’s supplementing its hotel business by trying to be a grill rather than a pub these days. We therefore crossed the threshold prepared for disappointment, but were pleasantly surprised at how well balanced and comfortable it was. An old coaching inn, despite being heavily modernised it retains a lot of charm, and although there are separate areas designated the ‘Grill’ and the ‘Tap’ it had a sort of casual yet efficient, welcoming feel throughout.
There were four ale pumps at the bar alongside the usual other selections, offering Harvey’s, Old Dairy Blue Top, Dark Star American Pale Ale, and Abigale Brewery’s Samphire bitter. We propped ourselves comfortably on two bar stools, and I had very decent pints of the last two of these whilst we pondered whether and if so what to eat. Lots of things on the menu looked very enticing, though the way it was laid out made it very difficult to work out what would be suitable to fill one up as a main meal rather than a starter. The staff were very helpful and honest about the menu and portions, and we ended up sharing three of the smaller plates between the two of us instead of full main courses, all of which were delicious and they filled us up well.
Sticklers for tradition and gastropub-haters might not find this place to their liking, but we had a really good time here – very good ales, helpful and attentive service, excellent food, great atmosphere. I’d certainly come back here if in the area again.
On 12th March 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 271 recommendations about 270 pubs]