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The Bear, Esher
Esher
KT10 9RQ
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 5½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blue Scrumpy left this review about The Bear
I somehow missed this pub on my last visit to Esher during Christmas 2017. So, I'd been looking for an opportunity to re-visit ever since.
The Bear is a prominent landmark at the centre of the town. It has a very pleasant garden, with the available space well used, including several private hut-like structures. As a Young's establishment, there were just a couple of ales on - Young's Ordinary & St Austell Proper Job.
Parking can be a little difficult. The pub does have a car park with a barrier, but we did find a space along a street to the rear.
On 21st April 2021
- rating: 5
[User has posted 2452 recommendations about 2451 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Bear
Fine old hotel that still provides accommodation. Wide variety of seating and dining areas, some at a lower level. Refurbished in an upmarket semi-modern style but done in a way that thankfully does retain some character. Pleasant split-level patio beer garden to one side. Two banks of three handpumps, offering Youngs Ordinary, London Gold and Special.
On 13th July 2014
- rating: 6
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about The Bear
The Bear is a large prominent pub and hotel situated at one of the main road junctions in Esher. The long and narrow main bar has wooden flooring, mostly high tables with stools and leaded windows, there are a few side rooms, one snug like one to the left with a couple of sofas, two larger rooms to the right with fireplaces, swirly patterned wallpaper, one with a TV showing Sky Sports. To the rear of here is a formal restaurant, complete with white linen cloths and lit by a stained glass rooflight. Decor comprises mainly modern arty prints of nothing much, plus a few frames of the usual old B&W local scenes. Youngs beers, two banks of three repeated, Ordinary Bitter, Special (£3.60) and Waggledance, no guests. Outdoor area to the left hand side. Rooms are advertised for £120, it is Esher but that sounds steep to me, perhaps a last resort crash pad after Sandown races. Following the theme, menus on the tables had typical pub fare but most mains well over £10. Functional corporate uniformed service, not one down for a revisit.
On 13th May 2012
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1708 recommendations about 1681 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about The Bear
Large young's pub close to Sandown racecourse. The pub has accommodation and food is served.
On 13th March 2012
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2883 recommendations about 2820 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Old Blue left this review about The Bear
Imposing Young’s pub that you can’t fail to spot on the way through Esher. There is a large central bar and a number of seating areas around the place, with quite a bit of floor space around the bar for vertical drinking when it gets rammed on race days at Sandown, and a decent sized patio out front which is quite comfortable on a warm day. I’ve lost track of its refurb history over the years, but suffice to say don’t expect lots of original features.
We stumbled into the middle of quiz night on Sunday, which seemed well attended with mainly younger clientele and a friendly feel to it. There were two banks of three ale pumps available, each offering Young’s Ordinary, Special and St. Austell Tribute, plus the usual tap offerings. The12 other pump labels displayed behind the bar presumably testified to the guest beer changing at least occasionally. My order of Ramrod and Special with a non-chilled Ramrod evidently wasn’t one they’re very used to, but the barman helpfully fetched me a ‘cellar warm’ bottle, which was fine.
The menu has sandwiches starting at £4.85 (tuna, just the sandwich, handful of chips £1.10 extra or splash out £2.95 extra on a whole portion), starters from £4.25 (the soup), and mains from £9.75 (the veggie risotto), perhaps not unpredictable for Esher.
This is an okay pub to stop at for a pint or two, though it wouldn’t be my first choice locally.
On 31st October 2011
- rating: 6
[User has posted 271 recommendations about 270 pubs]