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The Europa, East Molesey
East Molesey
KT8 0DX
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Europa
This pub is still as described below with its classic three-room format, so no need to repeat it all. The Cabin Bar still seems the bar favoured by regulars as there were a handful of them in there when I visited yesterday; the Public Bar was deserted; and the more comfortable lounge bar at the back seems the most popular with ten or so customers in there.
Two of the ales available in the Cabin Bar were repeated in the back room (Young's Special and Pride), and the third ale on offer was Thwaite's Wainwright. The Wainwright was apparently the guest ale, indicating that Pride and Special are both regularly available. They currently do a happy "hour", from 12.00 - 5.00 on Mon to Fri, with the London Pride at £2.60 a pint, and the Young's Special and guest ale at £3 a pint. These are competetive prices, but I didn't see anything saying what they cost in the evenings and at weekends. I saw a small sign advertising Peter's Pies, but didn't see anything else about food availablity.
This is a real pub that still retains much of its original internal structure. It's used entirely by local regulars (apart from the occasional wandering pub reviewer of course) as far as I could see. It's definitely worth dropping in for a pint if you're in the area.
On 9th April 2013
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
John Bonser left this review about The Europa
This is a three bar pub on the main Walton Road in East Molesey.
Notably, the pub sign features a scantily dressed woman riding a bull and the framed potted history of the pub inside tells us what this depicts.
A small snug style room – named “The Cabin Room” – to the front appears to be mainly used by regulars. Here we find some interesting old photos of the former racecourse at Hurst Park, nearby, which closed in October 1962. There’s also a photo from the 1920’s showing the pub as a Barclays Ales and Stout pub. Notably, for a room this size, room is found for a sofa, although the locals appear to favour the stools at the bar.
A small corridor, which leads to the larger main bar, features a framed potted history of the pub. Here we learn how, in 1856, a certain Mr Roberts applied for a full Innkeepers Licence for the Europa Beerhouse and how this was opposed, on a number of occasions by the licensee of the nearby New Inn. Somewhat ironically, The New Inn, a Greene King pub not so long ago, is now a private residence.
This larger main bar is comfortable, carpeted and traditionally furnished. Some paintings of wine bottles led me to initially wonder if this was a food orientated area, but I saw nothing to indicate that food was available at all. In this bar is an old Friary Meux mirror over a fireplace and a skylight with an attractive decorative coloured glass cover. A small TV, tuned to a foreign channel, was showing the Blackpool v Arsenal game, without attracting much interest.
A corridor from this bar leads to a basic public bar which is dominated by a large snooker table and a dart board.
A pleasant garden, accessed from the main bar, features a smokers shelter ( which appear to be former stables ) , a fish pond and a childrens play area.
On my recent Sunday afternoon visit, beers on were Harvey’s Best, Courage Best, London Pride, GK Abbott and Hook Norton Old Hooky. Note that the pumps in the Cabin Bar are supplemented by two additional pumps in the main bar. Beers sampled were in reasonable condition.
The Europa appears to be mainly a locals pub, but I quite like it, particularly the way it has retained its multi bar layout. Well worth seeking out when in the vicinity.
On 21st April 2011
- rating: 8
[User has posted 560 recommendations about 560 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about The Europa
A large traditional pub which is rare in so much that it retains three separate rooms, all served by the bar. The saloon to the front right seems to be the popular choice for the regulars, a number of which were clustered around the bar watching the racing on TV. This room has a number of horse racing related pictures, several from the now defunct nearby Hurst Park course. There are also cricket, golf and general local life photos too. Four handpumps in here, serving Harveys Sussex Best, London Pride, GK Abbot and Courage Best, but be aware that the larger rear room also has two pumps, one had Hook Norton Old Hooky, the other reversed with a Courage Directors clip, so up to six on. This room is comfortable and carpeted, has traditional seating but also with the odd sofa or two. The radio was playing in here, with adverts which isn't really to my taste but to his credit the landlord came across unprompted and asked me if it was too loud and offered to turn it down. I moved around to the public bar, which needs a walk outside and back in, this is a wooden floored room with a pool table and dartboard. There are small framed old magazine adverts over the bar gantry in here. Another TV in this room was also showing the racing.
There is a rear garden with some cover for smokers, and a small kids play area.
The pub looks like it once had stables attached to the rear, see photo.
Pubs like this are few and far between nowadays with the modern tendency to gut them and form single large spaces. Hopefully The Europa can resist this fad and remain in its current state for years to come, recommended.
On 24th March 2011
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1708 recommendations about 1681 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Graham Coombs left this review about The Europa
Good traditional local with separate rooms. Range of ales is fairly predictable but seem to be in good condition. Occasional music etc; pool and darts in public bar.
On 12th July 2010
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3339 recommendations about 3276 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Philip Carter left this review about The Europa
Sells real ale. Has a large garden. There are three bar areas each has a bell to ring to attract the bar staff. Has lots of golf pictures around the walls. Very friendly staff.
On 21st February 2007
- rating: 8
[User has posted 757 recommendations about 720 pubs]