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Picture of The Empress
Image posted by john mcgraw
Submitted on Wednesday, 13th November 2019
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The Empress, Romsey Town, Cambridge

72 Thoday Street
Cambridge
CB1 3AX
Correct details

Served areas

Reviews of The Empress (Average Rating: of 10) Add Review see review guidelines

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 3697 recommendations about 3440 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 3268 recommendations about 3233 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]


View more reviews of The Empress (4)
This pub features in the following crawls:
Cambridge by train man
External web links for The Empress

No known official website for this pub.

Pub location see interactive map of local area
Map location corrected by elizabeth mcgraw
Cambridge, 0.8 miles, 15 min walk (show)
Cambridge North, 2.52 miles, 48 min walk (show)
Shelford (Cambs), 4.31 miles, 1 hr 23 min walk (show)
Latest updates View all updates for The Empress, Cambridge
29th Feb 2024, 16:44
Review submitted by Will Larter
 
24th Feb 2020, 06:06
Review submitted by E TA

Pub Details

Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.

  • Accommodation : No last updated 05 December 2019 by E TA
  • Bar Billiards : Yes last updated 05 December 2019 by E TA
  • Beer Festivals : No last updated 05 December 2019 by E TA
  • Beer Garden : Yes last updated 18 April 2010 by hondo .
  • CAMRA Discount : No last updated 05 December 2019 by E TA
  • Car Park : No last updated 05 December 2019 by E TA
  • Child Friendly : Yes last updated 05 December 2019 by E TA
  • Darts : Yes last updated 18 April 2010 by hondo .
  • Dog Friendly : No last updated 05 December 2019 by E TA
  • Function Room : No last updated 05 December 2019 by E TA
  • Hot Food : Yes - Occasional pizzas - last updated 05 December 2019 by E TA
  • Jukebox : Yes last updated 05 December 2019 by E TA
  • Live TV Sports : Yes last updated 05 December 2019 by E TA
  • Micropub : No last updated 05 December 2019 by E TA
  • Pinball : No last updated 05 December 2019 by E TA
  • Pool Table : Yes last updated 18 April 2010 by hondo .
  • Quiz Night : Yes - Tuesday - last updated 18 April 2010 by Quinno _
  • Real Ale : Yes last updated 27 April 2009 by Alan Hurdle
  • Real Cider : Yes last updated 05 December 2019 by E TA
  • Wheelchair Access : No last updated 05 December 2019 by E TA
  • WiFi : Yes last updated 05 December 2019 by E TA
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