The Rubbing House, Epsom

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FancyaPint?'s review...

If you like one-trick ponies, you will love The Rubbing House. Billing itself as the only pub in the world actually set on a racecourse it doesn't matter what else it does (or doesn't) do, the punters will come. And the setting is glorious. There are well-kept and well-maintained seat and tables for hundreds outside on the rolling and beautiful Epsom Downs. The Grandstand is - for once literally - a stone's throw away and the fence between the pub garden and the racecourse is the actual rail of the course. You could - if you want to lose a hand - lean out to touch that nag which is always coming up fast on the rails. Of course if you want to do any of that at Derby time you have to book up and cough up a hundred plus for your place at the Rubbing House. The management can't quite bring themselves to go the full Basil Fawlty and declare "no riffraff" so settle for a flurry of signs banning prams or pushchairs (inside) vests, trainers or dirty boots etc and warning punters to move away from the bar once they have been served. Food and drink is adequate if uninspiring with a pricing policy that takes confidence into the realms of arrogant - eg ten pence short of four quid for a pint of lager, albeit Staropramen, So it is spectacular setting with a soulless, characterless pub and eating house attached with staff who know that, come what may, the punters will come and pay; so why bother? And, sadly, they are right. Unless they actually start eating babies and eviscerating customers with old horses' hooves this place will be worth a visit for its one, glorious trick. Such a pity. It could be so much more.

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Reviewed by dino 16 May 2010 Helpful? yes/no