1. Anchor - Friday Street (Brakspears)

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"Having spent many an enjoyable evening in the Anchor winter, spring, summer and fall, I have found it to be one of the most comfortable in the area. I would take exception to the description as posted without having some more knowledge as to the identity of the writer. Is there a bone to pick?...and I do not refer to Ruger's, the pub's lab. (Note from the Editor: The reviews are not anonymous and are only posted if an email address is supplied (email addresses are not displayed on the site. If a review is received without an email address, and/or the 'thanks for the review' email is returned due to a false address then the review is not posted.)" - Foley, December 2008

"I must say that I'm not surprised to read the negative reviews regarding the anchor. They match my own experiences quite accurately, including the reference to the local 'clique' (which is merely descriptive rather than derogatory.) Whilst I found the landlady to be rude, her attitude was nothing compared to the landlord. I have seldom been spoken to in such a manner and, whilst he was clearly very drunk (at 7pm on a Saturday evening, whilst manning the bar), I do not consider this to be an excuse.

Unless the management changes, there are far nicer places to spend my hard earned cash!" - Chris, July 2008

"Am really sorry to read the review below, which in no way matches my experience of the Anchor - a fab 'local' pub right on the bank of the Thames at Henley. What better location? Good food, great people, friendly atmosphere - don't know what the lady below was talking about!" - Pru, December 2007

"I concur with Colin of 2007, the landlady is a bitter and twisted woman that has no place being a landlady or anyting to do with customer service. She clearly was fed a bag of wasps some time ago and has been spitting them at her customers ever since. She's dreadful and so is her dreary pub. There are many other great pubs in Henley and the surrounding area, she should remember that...otherwise, her punters will start putting their money in coffers elsewhere. I'd hang up my broom if I were her and let some 'nice' people take over. We're tired of her rotten attitude." - Emma, December 2007

"I can genuinely say that this place has possibly the rudest, most offensive land'lady' I've ever had the misfortune to meet.
Appauling service aside, I honestly thought I was appearing in a new 'Fawlty Towers' style reality TV show. The 'woman' quite simply is a witch, she should climb back onto her broomstick and get back to rentaghost." - Colin, March 2007

"If you are a member of cask marque, the beer has to undergo stringent procedures set out as in guidelines by cask marque.
As the pub has gained this award for 2007, I find your comments totally unprecidented.
All I can say is that im sorry you feel this way towards the public house. I on the other hand have enjoyed numerous evenings at this establishment.
Where the atmosphere is freindly and welcoming.
I feel the comments you have posted to be quite offensive and derogitory.
Your personal feelings should be kept personal and not aired in such a way.
If you have issues, I feel you should speak with the management in person as a pose to slating them on the internet.
Anyhow mines a pint of Brakspears!!!!!
See you there Cheers...." - Bob, March 2007

"A strange and eerie place. The left hand bar is your granny's front parlour where a local clique makes you feel uneasy by not letting you invade their space. The right hand bar is almost pitch black, its only spark of light (and life) provided by the ubiquitous couple at the bar as they light their cigarettes. Its noiseless claustrophobia finds you inching back towards the clique. It was so dark in there that I couldn't make out the coins in my change. The Brakspears tasted like floor cleaner." - Richard, January 2007

"Popped in over the regatta. Although this pub has served the worst beer I have ever tasted (see below) I live in hope and as the pub has such a great location, and potential, I keep going back. However, I will not be going to this pub ever again unless the landlord changes.
I was in the pub a few weeks before the regatta and I could not believe how rude the landlord was to some customers. During the regatta I popped in twice. On the first visit I was told-off by the landlady for drying a wet garden chair with a single paper towel I had got from the loo. She then went off on a rant about how much she hated the regatta (the pub was full of visitors to the town who had gone to the regatta).
On my second visit I approached the door and the landlord said 'Haven't I told you? Don't you people ever listen?', I said he hadn't told me anything and he said 'We are shut'. I replied OK, and asked if I could pop in, find my friends, and leave, his reply was 'Haven't I told you? Didn't you listen?'. At this point I phoned my friends, they came out of the pub and we went to a decent pub for a decent pint." - Nick, July 2005

"I love this pub, it's really cosy out the back and full of trinkets and bottles and all sorts hanging from the walls and ceiling HOWEVER the landlady is very rude. On the three occasions I have been there, my visit has been spoiled by comments (of a homophobic nature) made by her to me and the friends I have taken with me. It's a shame because it really is an excellent pub all in all." - Jon, January 2005

"In town having a few beers and popped in to the Anchor for a pint. The bar was quiet and I ordered a pint of Brakspears Special. IT WAS THE WORST PINT I HAVE EVER TASTED. I complained to the landlady (I may have complained a bit too loudly as I was overcome with the combined taste and fumes of acetic (vinegar) and butyric acids at the time - I thought I had been poisoned!) that 'The special is off'. The landlady took great offence to the way I complained and stated that she 'did not drink the stuff' and 'didn't know it was off until someone said'. The thing is, the fumes from the beer were so bad that you only had to smell it to know it was off. For the beer to be in the state it was in it must have sat in the pipes for days (weeks?). It was a truly awful mouthful of beer, and 24 hours later I can still taste it. In fairness to the landlady I must say THAT THE PINT WAS REPLACED" - Nick, January 2004

"Impressive pub with multiple rooms all with a different character. Some of the things on the menu board were quite inventive e.g. Devon Crab, but we didn't try the food. The pub had pumpclips showing for Brakspears Bitter, Special and Downpour but only the bitter was actually on, which was in fine fettle and was £2.20 a pint.
Once again we sat in the beer garden (we don't get enough sunny days to miss out) which was very pleasant and nearly out of earshot of the stroppy caged bird which was having a bit of a squawkfest at the time." - Ian and Kevin, July 2001

"Popped in for a quick pint over the Xmas period. I had no idea that the caged birds were so noisy! Also discovered that there is a backroom. How did I miss that? Mike Downs (formally of Brewers fame) can be found serving behind the bar on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday evenings" - Nick, January 1999

"Great little town pub down near the river. Interesting collection of 'things' hanging from the walls. A recent visit showed that the pub hasn't changed, the beer was good and the old clientele of the Two Brewers had moved there. Tried a pint of Bee Sting. I didn't think much of the beer, not to my taste, and expensive at £2.20 a pint." - Nick, June 1998

"Miserable as sin during the winter, great in the summer 'cos of the garden tended by Lisa" - Jon, April 1997

"The Anchor has a reputation for good food, but I have to say that, having visited it several times in the last few weeks and having eaten there once, I can't see why.
My girlfriend and I were charged roughly 10 quid for two small and only partially warm jacket potato with cheese and a hamburger with no relish, cheese, fries or anything else at all. Burger. Bun. Nothing else. £4.95, thank you very much sir. Yes, sir, we're proud of our record for serving the most expensive frozen burgers in the world.
It's a real shame, as there aren't many pubs in Henley that have real potential to become regular haunts for people like my girlfriend and I - most places seem to be full of kiddies (e.g. Three Tuns) or old men (e.g. Kings Arms) or to be rough as hell (e.g. Victoria). The Anchor seems like it has promise, but it'll take me a long time to get over that extortionate food." - Tim, April 1997

"Cosy atmosphere, one very local and chatty bar, another with games (i.e. Bar billiards, darts, TV). Worth a visit to see the dog Cognac who sprawls in a chair there at all times. Landlord and landlady are real characters. Going in there is a bit like entering Fawlty Towers. One is guaranteed a scene! Great fun. Restaurant available and lovely garden complete with rabbits, cats etc. which is quiet and secluded." - Luci, August 1996

"Location: Friday street, close to river, swans not welcome.
Decor: Dark, nice garden, worth a visit. This pub is a zoo, the boxer Cognac starred in Oliver in the Kenton. Several cats, one quite vicious, also caged birds.
Clientele: Mainly locals, very busy during regatta, often several firm ripe rippling young youthful rowing crews staying.
Bar staff: Beware of the landlady's language, may offend!
Food: Very reasonable, good pub fayre!" - Mary, July 1995