13. Row Barge - West Street (Brakspears)

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"The Row Barge is another 'old hand' of Henley. Went in for a few beers over regatta to see how the new landlord was getting on. Beer was in good order. Place was busy. Back garden was a great place to sit outside and relax. I was disappointed to note that they didn't have an 'rowers specials' on the menu (a ton of pasta and a beer for a few quid), or any 'regatta attendees' specials (sausage and mash, fish and chips, ham egg and chips etc.)." - Nick, July 2010

"Popped in to the Row Barge for a few beers. Pub is now under new management (new landlord took over just after Christmas). Pub is greatly improved and now feels more homely with a splash of colour on the walls and logs stacked near the fireplace. All the tables had a little bunch of flowers on them. The pub was reasonably busy, which was great to see for a Sunday night. Beer (Brakspears Ordinary) was in good order. Only negative comment would be that there was a strange faint smell (vomit?) in the bar area, which put me off my beer and I had to leave after one point. Other people in the pub didn't seem to notice it." - Nick, April 2010

"Just heard that the Row Barge is currently under temporary management, and has been since July. The new manager is rumoured to be starting the first week in January. This may explain why the pub has felt so 'bare' on recent visits." - Nick, January 2010

"Is the Row Barge the brightest pub in Henley? The new landlord has now been in for a few months, and the pub still seems and feels bare. The lights are bright, and the walls are white. Had a good pint. Pub was very quiet." - Nick, December 2009

"Popped back in to the Row Barge for a pint. Nothing dramatic to report other than the new greatly improved garden. I haven't been in the garden for years. It used to be a real mess of festering ponds and cracked and disjointed concrete. It now has one of the nicest (complete with heater lamps and a roof) outdoor smoking areas I have seen, and the main garden has been re-landscaped with the removal of the foul smelling ponds, and a new patio. Very nice. Beer was also good." - Nick, July 2009

"Popped in to the Row Barge for a quick couple of beers on my way down to the Henley Arts Festival. I had a great pint of Brakspears Oxford Gold, and Brakspears Bitter (Ordinary). The pub is still looking a bit bare, but the big news is it may have a new permanent landlord (for the last few months it has definitely had temporary manager). There were not many people in the pub, but it was early evening. Anyway, if there really is a new landlord then I hope things in the pub will improve." - , July 2009

"Had a few beers in the Row Barge during the regatta. Beer (Brakspears Oxford Gold) was in good order, the pub was disappointingly quiet. The place still looks a bit bare, can't quite put my finger on what is missing, but something is." - Nick, July 2009

"The Row Barge has changed hands again. The pub was very quiet (almost seems 'clinical' inside as it is very white and bright). Had a pint of Brakspears Oxford Gold, and a pint of Brakspears Bitter, both of which were very well kept. As I was drinking Brakspears I was given a scratch card with a chance of winning something (no idea what - I assume some Brakspears merchandise - doubt it was beer), needless to say I came away empty handed. I just couldn't get over how quiet the pub was." - Nick, June 2009

"Popped in to the Row Barge for a quick beer and was delighted to see that the place had been given a fresh coat of paint, but disappointed to discover that the previous landlord had left (The previous landlord, who was Canadian, has moved to Australia with his wife (who is Australian) and their young child). The new landlord is temporary until Brakspears can find a replacement. The beer (Brakspears Ordinary) was, well, interesting. First they couldn?t get it out of the pump. Then we caught the staff pouring beer from the tray under the pump back in to the glass (the landlord also saw this and corrected the mistake). When we finally got our pint it was terribly cloudy (it shouldn?t be), but it did taste OK. The bar was very quiet with only 6 other drinkers in. Worrying for a Saturday night. (I have heard that Brakspears are planning to ?upgrade? the bar and accommodation?)." - Nick, March 2009

"I continued my beer trip around the town with a trip to the Row Barge (this is a pub in Henley that has always amused me?. in the 80s it was full of under-age drinkers from King James?s College, now not a student in sight? and the pub was the third closest to the now closed police station on the corner of King?s Road, which could be seen from the door about 150 yards away. The two closer pubs were the King?s Arms and the Victoria). Had a quick couple of pints of Brakspear?s (which were very good). I was a bit worried and surprised at how quiet the pub was for early on a Saturday evening." - Nick, October 2008

"Your current review is somewhat outdated. The previous landlord of 20 years plus was Dave not "Barry". It is still a cracking pub and well worth finding although not good for Parking. They have good beers, a good selection of wine (as far as Breakspears allows) and the Food is of very high quality from their full-time chef and exceptional value." - Mark, January 2008

"I have been in the Row Barge a few times since David and Diane left, and I have not been disappointed. The pub is now run by Neil, from Canada, and he is doing a good job. Food is good (had a very good sausage and mash one evening during the regatta) and the beer is well kept. The ban on smoking in pubs in England has certainly benefitted this pub which has low ceilings and tended to get a bit smokey. Nice to see the same 'old crowd' in there on each visit, always a good sign when a pub has a bunch of regulars." - Nick, July 2007

"A case of 'famous last words'. In June I sent in a report saying the pub had not changed in 20 years, and now, after 27 years at the pub, the land lord and land lady (David and Diane) have decided to retire!" - Nick, August 2006

"Popped in for a beer. The place has not changed in the 20 years I have regularly visited the pub. A fine example of a town pub." - Nick, June 2006

"Apparently, back on Dec 17 1977, George Harrison performed an unannounced gig at the Row Barge Pub in Henley near his home. A recording exists, but has not been released either officially or on bootleg. Does anyone know more about this event?" - Roger, July 2005

"Dave and Di have returned! They've been back since Regatta and show no sign of disappearing any time soon. Good news for all concerned - but I suspect that they've only done it so that they can have another retirement party in a few years' time. What a top night that was....." - Tim, October 2003

"You might want to amend your own note about the Barge in which you state that the landlord "Barry" has retired. His name is actually "Dave".
By the way, might also be worth listing that Dave & Di plan to visit the pub for the Easter weekend. When they left, they told me that they would be doing about four weeks a year as relief for Matthew - including Easter and the Regatta / Festival fortnight.
Keep up the good work (as always)" - Tim, January 2003

"Popped in for a beer. Very quiet. Beer was good, although they were only serving Special" - Nick, December 2002

"Sad news. Barry (This should read Dave - Ed) the landlord has retired after more than 20 years. This was the very first pub in Henley where I bought a pint. Popped in for a quick beer at the end of a crawl of pubs in Henley. Very, very quiet. Most strange." - Nick, November 2002

"The Row Barge has just recently been taken over by a new landlord, a man with a rather unpronouncable name(especially after a few ales), Matthew Sztumpf. The pub has just as good an atmosphere as it ever did and I can't praise his home cooked food highly enough. The previous owners will be greatly missed, but it looks as though Matthew should be a an excellent replacement." - Hannah, August 2002

"Way back in the early seventies, I was a regular at the pub, I used to play darts with George Harrisons two brothers, Peter and Harry, it was a great time, although I never met George. At that time a couple named Dot and Norman ran the pub, it`s a few years ago now, but I have some good memories. the Brakspears bitter costed 11p for a pint in the public bar,! I am now living somewhere in Scandinavia married to a Dane, and have a few kids, but I will return to Henley at some point in time." - Bob, July 2002

"Long thin pub on 2 levels. When we walked in we were pleasantly surprised to realise that the men were outnumbered about 3 to 1 by the ladies. I don't know if this is normal in here, but it certainly makes a change. Brakspears Bitter and Special were on offer. We both had the Bitter which was a good pint in nice surroundings. There is a very pleasant ambience in this pub, it wasn't very full, but everyone was very friendly. We'll call back again next time we're in Henley." - Ian & Kevin, September 2001

"Some updates for you on the Barge. Dave and Di Cheney have run this place now for over 20 years, and it's the best kept secret in Henley. Excellent atmosphere and a good mix of people. A sporting crowd - lots of golfers and rugby players, and the better class of football fan, too.
Best time to visit (in my experience) is early doors (6pm in the week and on Saturday, 7pm on Sunday). There's good value accommodation above the pub and the breakfasts are renowned. Dave looks after his Brakspear's well.
Please note - 'Row Barge Rules' dictate a 'use it or lose it' approach to bar stools. Get up to go to the loo and you may lose your perch - but don't worry, as one will come free sooner or later. Oh, and I think the cat passed on years ago." - Tim, April 2000

"I was in for a few beers in July 1999. The place has been re-painted. Very bright colours." - Nick, July 1999

"Popped in for an earlier evening beer. This place has not changed in 15 years! Beer was good." - Nick, December 1998

"This pub is strictly a local since it is hidden away from the general main stream. The menu is limited but good, and darts and trivia groups are encouraged. The area in which it is located was the red light district many years ago (Henley with a red light district next to the police station! - Ed.)... it has calmed down to inertia. One strange thing... the landlord steadfastly refuses to change the pay phone, which is geared to the original decimal coins. In order to make a call you have to get the old five pence from the bar, and give them a new ten pence piece." - Bill, September 1996

"Good pub this. Good mix of people of most ages. Brilliant music played here (I think, but then I like the Bee Gees so who am I to judge!). Never eaten there. Lovely big tables and benches and lots of space so it's fine if you're in a big group or if there's only a few of you as you will probably be sitting next to lots of other people. Really friendly cat which will sit on you all night if you so much as look at it. Garden is awful... all concrete and just beside the men's loos so you see and hear each one `go'. Also have a tendency to forget that there are people in the garden and suddenly turn off the light (it's next to the loo) so that you are suddenly plunged into darkness. Sit inside. Don't go there if you want a lock-in. They are VERY prompt to throw you out at 11 pm, often with what I think is a rather unfortunate manner!" - Luci, August 1996

"Cracking little pub! Good friendly landlord who has run the place for at least 15 years! First pub I ever bought a pint in! The pub has two bar areas which in a strange way seem quite separate in style and customers from each other!! I have never understood why the 'Gents' and 'Ladies' on the loo doors are in Welsh! Gents loo good for watching people in the garden and for a 'laugh' you can always turn the light off on them! Good beer!" - Nick, February 1996

"Reputed to have been one of George Harrison's haunts, before the shooting of JL. Good atmosphere, I like this pub, can get quite busy. Came first in the quiz night there once. Luci and I went there once to try and meet new people, we ending up the only ones sitting in the garden freezing. We also had to listen to men going to the toilet and looking at them through the frosted glass of the gents toilet. However, I would still go back." - Mary, July 1995