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PuG Reviews - Appreciation Thread with Tris39
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The Empress, Romsey Town, Cambridge
Cambridge
CB1 3AX
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Empress
Semi-traditional side-street pub, thankfully still doing reasonable business on a Thursday evening despite limited visibility to anybody apart from the locals who know where it is. Anyway, it retains a separate bar and lounge on either side of the entrance, but only the entrance to the former is in use. However, the largest seating and games area spans across the back. Three cask beers available from a bank of six handpumps: Doom Bar, Landlord and (thankfully) the Ripchord from BrewBoard (£5.60) as something a bit different.
On 8th April 2024
- rating: 6
[User has posted 8086 recommendations about 8086 pubs]
Will Larter left this review about The Empress
Really nice back street local, probably finding it's way after a new team had to take over after the death of a former landlord, as I was told locally. Half a dozen hand pumps, with a cider, two nationally available beers (Landlord and Hophead) and a local beer from NVB. I went for the Dark Star, which was in very good condition. It was just after opening time when I was here, but I expect it gets busy later, as this looks like just the sort of inner city area that would embrace a pub like this.
On 29th February 2024
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3733 recommendations about 3470 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about The Empress
A well-feted back street pub on the end of Victorian terrace. The pub appears to have spread from its original curtilage into the adjacent house, making it a large and very functional community hub. The interior is much as described by Malden Man, below, though part of the circuit – presumably the lounge to which he refers – is now laid out as a dining area. Pizzas are on offer but we didn’t eat so can’t comment on the quality. There is bar billiards, pool, darts, TV screens and an array of gaming machines to entertain people, but it’s real strength is as a boozer. Ales on were Landlord and Spring Knowle from Timothy Taylor, WB Manhatten Project, Nene Valley Egyptian Cream and Adnam’s Broadside, plus a cider on draught. The locals were reasonably friendly, though it was a bit annoying to be drowned out by gangs of unruly children whose parents’ petitions for proper behaviour went unnoticed. Screaming brats aside it was a pretty enjoyable visit, and I’d be happy to come back as part of a crawl or just for a few beers.
On 24th February 2020
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3280 recommendations about 3245 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Olly Fayers left this review about The Empress
This is the best pub I have ever been to, and I went to university in York, where great pubs are abundant. It has an incredibly friendly atmosphere, and a good range of beers. The Empress is located down a side-street off Mill Road, but due to its brilliant reputation, it is a well-known pub and represents the hub of the local community.
It is presided over by Dave the Landlord, who is a decent chap and has made the pub a brilliant part of the community. He has recently acquired a pig named 'Romsey', who makes an appearance from time to time. (Romsey Town is the area of Cambridge which The Empress sits in). Romsey has recently been joined by two extra miniature pigs, named Barney and Chester.
The Tuesday night pub quiz is renowned for its awesomeness. It tends to feature an incredible music round, and sandwiches are circulated towards the end of the festivities. It is only a pound to enter and you get shot at Play Your Cards Right, which Dave rarely loses. That said, I personally won a shot of sambuca by getting to the end of the first row once. Once a month is 'big money night' - £2.50 to enter but even more awesome than the regular quiz. You have to get to the Empress early on Tuesday evening to guarantee a table or seats.
The pub doesn't tend to serve food, though sometimes pizzas can be obtained. The bar staff are the friendliest I've met. There are two well-maintained dartboards and a pool table, a nice beer garden, and plenty of seats inside. Expect the pub to be packed on a Friday or Saturday evening.
On 18th April 2010
- rating: 10
[User has posted 2 recommendations about 2 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about The Empress
Surprisingly off radar on previous Cambridge trips, but we were pointed in its direction by a friendly local post match, and a worthy inclusion it was. Enter through a door marked "Jug and Bottle" to a small traditional bar, beyond which the pub extends to a rear games area with two dartboards and two pool tables then back round again completing the circuit with a comfortable lounge area. Still a traditional back street local, very friendly, we were straight into conversation with a group of locals. A large selection of board games seemed to be popular. I didn't record all the beers, I believe there were 7 pumps including a cider, but I recall Milton Dionysus, Thwaites Original, Marston's Pedigree and TT Landlord. There may have been an Adnams offering plus another more unusual one which had just gone off. The Empress' location makes it a good addition to a local crawl involving The Cambridge Blue, Kingston and Live and Let Live.
On 27th April 2009
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1707 recommendations about 1681 pubs]