In the past four months, the pub has undergone a change of management and the new menu truly shows the changes in the making at the charming pub.

Pub manager, Bradley Marchant, said: “The big thing with the new menu is that we have some adventurous dishes that are in a safe zone.  We have actually got a few different ones on there: duck and waffles is a good one as the sweet waffle with the duck complement each other.

“We have a lot of regulars who have been coming here for years, so it’s actually a case of giving them more choice and something a bit different to try.”

The mood was set from the moment we walked into the pub, with decor that complimented its name throughout the interior. Also featured are cosy corners that offer privacy, yet the pub has an open feel, providing a charming atmosphere to enjoy a meal with family or friends.

The taster session for the summer menu saw trays with canapé, tables with the pub’s beer, cider and wine spread throughout.

Most impressive was the beef roast served by the chefs. The flavourful beef was cooked to a perfectly moist level, and was served with roast potatoes and Yorkshire pudding.

Marchant, who was brought in as manager four months back, said that they had based their new menu on feedback from regulars.

The menu now features the classic pub food like fish and chips burgers, but it has introduced new dishes such as the guinea fowl kiev, and duck and waffles, in addition to preserving fish dishes as their speciality.

Marchant said: “I know a lot of people don’t like cooking fish at home just because it is a bit more of a difficult thing to cook.  So we focus on the fish specials there and that is really popular.

“We also wanted people who wanted to try something new, so that is where the new, different dishes come into the picture.”

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Showing off her DJ skills, her set was a highlight enjoyed by clubbers who attended the event to celebrate the club’s transformation following a £300,000 investment. Cameo reached capacity on the first night opening which could spell success as it looks to directly compete with Guildford’s other clubs ‘Legion’ and ‘Casino’ that are found at the bottom of the Town Centre.

General Manager, Rachel Young, had this to say on a successful opening night, “It was a fantastic night and a memorable one to celebrate the club’s new look and name. We had really positive feedback from our customers who liked the changes we have made and our new music policy.”

The club will focus on high levels of customer service with a premium drinks range, fresh cocktails and pre-bookable private booths. It is hoping to attract a certain genre of local residents with unique facilities such as a pamper room where guests have access to hair straighteners and hair dryers for example. There are also six pre-bookable, exclusive VIP booths and a stylish new dance room with Cameo hoping to bring a little glamour back to Guildford’s clubbing scene.

Rachel also spoke about Pussycat Doll, Kimberly Wyatt’s guest appearance, “Kimberly was a big hit, which was not surprising as she is a top DJ who plays some of the biggest clubs in Europe.”

And she finished by saying, “We’re excited about the future for Cameo and look forward to staging more special events and delivering a great clubbing experience every week.”

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The venue on North Street that has had many guises before such as Dusk, Time and Cinderella’s has been transformed into a luxurious, aspirational nightclub for the over 21s that will create 35 new jobs. The Luminar Group is the UK’s largest nightclub operator with 53 venues across the UK, employing 2,000 plus people.

The total refurbishment of the site will include the creation of a stylish new dance room and six pre-bookable private booths. The club will also offer a ladies’ pamper area with hairdryers and hair straighteners, with VIP booths bringing back glamour and opulence to the region’s nightclub scene.

With over eight years’ experience in the late night sector, Rachel Young, 29, from Guildford, has been appointed as Cameo’s new general manager. Rachel started her career with the UK’s largest nightclub operator in Liquid Windsor, before being promoted to assistant manager at Tru in Camberley and deputy manager at Casino Guildford. She is one of the youngest female managers in the Luminar business and will now lead the redevelopment of the Cameo site.

Commenting on her new role, Rachel said, “I’ve worked my way up from bar staff to management and am delighted to be the first general manager of what promises to be an exciting new venue, which will bring a completely different clubbing experience to Guildford. With an over 21s focus, Cameo will offer unrivalled levels of customer service, with a premium drinks range, fresh cocktails and pre-bookable private booths.”

Rachel will be recruiting 35 new staff to deliver the high standards that Cameo will deliver, which will include personal table service throughout the venue and VIP booths. The vacancies, both full and part-time, vary from bar staff and VIP hosts to security personnel.

Rachel said, “We are looking for fun loving sociable people who want to come to work and be part of something totally unique! What could be better than working in what will be Guildford’s most glamorous nightclub?”

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The new look pub has a light and modern feel now; a beautiful new bar sits in pride of place surrounded by gorgeous slate flooring, juxtaposed with the traditional wooden interior and fireplaces that have made the George Abbot feel so homely over the years. Since having to be totally gutted due to water damage, the interior has been given some pastel shades and lowered in the side section which has lightened it up and will be glorious during the summertime. All the furniture had to be replaced and the matt black finish on the exterior gives it a stylish look to reflect the type of pub it has become.

Behind the bar there is a fine selection of spirits which would not be classed as premium, but can certainly give you a fine and fresh choice which distinguishes itself from its competitors. There is an assortment of fine ales on tap including local favourites Hogs Back and Shere Drop, plus the added bonus of several different craft lagers such as BrewDog Punk IPA, to bring it in line with contemporary trends. Of course you can also expect a medley of wines if that’s your tipple instead.

In regards to food, the menu has also had an overhaul with a new range of favourites such as Saddleback Pork Sausages, Chicken, Leek & British Ham Pie and Macaroni Cheese complimenting a Grill section that includes steaks, burgers and grilled skewers. If you are looking for something a little lighter then there are starters like Potted Smoked Mackerel and Salt & Pepper Squid on offer and plenty of sandwiches such as a BBQ Pulled Pork Wrap, Laverstocke Buffalo Mozzarella Ciabatta and British Rump Steak Ciabatta.

There are salads, sides, sharers and desserts as to be expected and all the food is fresh and homemade in the kitchen. Offers also include the ‘Sandwich, Side & Drink’ for only £7.95 which is as good value as you are likely to get anywhere in town and a two or three course fixed price menu at £11.95 and £15.95 respectively. All of this can be enjoyed in the spacious eating section of the pub, where you can have a quiet bite if you aren’t interested in the bustle of the bar area.

The George Abbot also prides itself on being one of the top pubs in Guildford for showing sports with four screens scattered around, showing football, rugby, cricket, golf, boxing or anything else on request. For the real fanatics amongst you, you will be pleased to hear that with their multi-screen function, you can keep your eye on two things at once as well! And with BT Sport and Sky Sports on tap, it is likely there will be a lot to see.

So, if you haven’t checked out the new and improved George Abbot pub, make sure you head down and support them in overcoming what was a pretty miserable winter.

James Martin

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Inside, the pub is going to take advantage of the huge rugby following in Guildford by showing all six nations games and now has BT Sport so that you can follow Premiership games the rest of the year. There are going to be a few functional and artistic renovations as well as new owner Richard Jaehme looks to stamp his own mark on the space. Expect a new log burner and intimate snug area, plus some beautiful and creative artwork to freshen the place up. In the back section of the pub there will be a bohemian styled creative space where an upright piano will sit soon for all to play. They also have hanging door panels on the wall which are being painted by staff members, guests and artists before being auctioned off to make money for local charities- what a great idea!

The Keystone is also a really pleasant place to grab a bite to eat; their philosophy is if they can make it from local, raw produce, then they will. So the menu takes traditional food back to basics, making homemade pies, chips, burgers, sauces coleslaw etc. The menu consists of some lighter bites like jacket potatoes with yummy toppings and farmhouse bread sandwiches with fillings like Chicken, Bacon and Avocado, Roast Rib of Beef and Homemade Horseradish and Tomato, Basil and Mozzarella.

Or if you’re after something a little more hearty, then you can grab a steak, a burger or a pie with various optional extra toppings, sauces and sides. With the burgers, they mince the meat themselves in house and provide quite the selection- offering Game and Sloe Gin, which consists of venison, pheasant and rabbit blended with white onions, field mushrooms and marinated in sloe gin, the Moroccan Lamb burger which is pure lamb blended with cumin, mint and parsley served on ciabatta or the vegetarian option of Stilton and English Apple. And finally, there is the option of a traditional, British homemade pie where you can grab a Chicken, Leek and Ham, a Beef and Ale or a Roasted Vegetables and Goat’s Cheese (as well as others) with or without a lid.

Not to mention the daily specials such as soups, fishcakes, Sunday roasts, salads, pastas and desserts which give plenty more variations and options if you fancy something different. And The Keystone shall now be opening from 7am with a new breakfast menu where you can simply grab a coffee and a slice of toast, or some scrambled eggs, a bacon sandwich or a full English. But if you are going in later on in the day then you will have a great selection of real ales with 4 pumps; 2 house ales (Otter and Tribute) and 2 that are constantly switching, plus 8 bottled craft ales. There is also a good selection of wines, 6 red, 3 rose and 5 white currently, with 4 types of bubbly and 10 single malt whiskies.

The Keystone also has a strong program of events and themed evenings throughout the week to give you no excuse not to pop in for a visit. On alternate Monday evenings, there is open mic night with an eclectic mix of people, with Café Scientifique (a series of science-based presentations and talks including topics from nuclear fission to climate change) featuring on the third Monday of each month. On Tuesday night, there is the pub quiz where it costs nothing to play and the winner takes away a bottle of wine and Wednesday is burger night and sports night for the University of Surrey students who can get discounts on drinks and entry into local club The Legion. Thursday is the legendary pie night where you can grab one for a fiver, Friday the kitchen stays open an hour later (until 10pm) just to serve fish and chips, takeaway style and Saturday hosts a variety of different nights and events. Sunday is the perfect way to end the week as there is a New York brunch on offer from 11am-1pm with live jazz serenading you in the evening.

So head down to The Keystone soon to check out the intimate, relaxed and creative environment, listen to some live music, eat some traditional British homemade pub grub, or have a quiet evening on the outside terrace.

James Martin

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Popworld Guildford will be a new addition to the ever-expanding Popworld chain, with sites already existing in Liverpool, Birmingham, Sheffield, Southampton, Swansea, Wolverhampton and York.

Stonegate, who own a number of pub chains including Yate’s, Slug and Lettuce and Scream pubs, are hoping the new establishment will become a staple part in not only students nights out, but will be regularly visited by those of all ages. The club is set to have a cosmopolitan feel by playing all the best pop hits of today and recent years. Popworld bars are lively and with huge dance floors and different DJ’s each night of the week. A variety of drinks are served, including cocktails inspired by retro themes.

The Guildford branch of Popworld will have a state-of-the-art sound and lighting system with a large dancefloor. The bar will serve cocktails ranging from Sex on the Beach, Dandelion & Burdock, American Cream Soda and Love Hearts. A range of spirit shots and mini cocktails will also be available.

In addition to the wide range of drinks, the club will also boast an exclusive VIP section with its own private dance floor and waitress service for large groups.

Response to the launch of Popworld bars around the country has been incredibly positive, adding even more to the anticipation of the unveiling of the new bar. Once open, the bar will host regular appearances of celebrities including Simon Webbe and Duncan James from pop band Blue on the opening night.

Opening times for Popworld Guildford will be:
Monday to Wednesday 9pm – 1am
Thursday-Saturday from 9am – 2am

Dan Brown

Image sourced from: http://tinyurl.com/pyfc6tk

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On the weekends however, the bar creates a much more upbeat vibe with a roster of experienced Hed kandi and Gatecrasher DJ’s, climaxing with a jubilant Saturday night where you can dance the night away. Don’t let that fool you though, it certainly is a classy affair, with the striking modern décor of the building leaving a great impression before you’ve even come in the door.

However, MKB’s reputation lies in its impressive signature menu of cocktails. The trained bar staff, therefore, have an extensive knowledge of the classics and the ability to create and tailor drinks to suit your taste; meaning you are sure to find a perfect liquid companion for the night. One noteworthy drink is their signature Surrey Spritz – an alluring mix of Tanqueray Gin, St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur, pomegranate juice and Prosecco which will leave you dreaming about for days after.

It’s not all shaking and stirring though, with beers, wines and a large backbar of spirits also on offer. Featuring a team trained by the likes of the Blue Bar’s Salvatore Maggio and Mike Scott of Bourne and Hollingsworth, as well as their own award winning bartender and manager, Aaron Hibbert; these certainly are some bartenders you can put your trust in. Recently, MKB was named as one of the Top 5 cocktail bars in Surrey by Essential Surrey, as well as winning Experience Guildford’s Customer Service Award.

As with everything else in the bar, the interior is full of elegance and class. Long sofa’s adorn the edges of the mezzanine lounge, rounded off by corner booths and a covert dance floor in the centre of the bar becomes lively later on. The lower area down by the bar is a darker, more intimate affair, perfect for couples getting to know each other, or for a relaxed drink with a few friends. There is of course, the option to sit at the luxurious bar and sip at a few creations whilst chatting to both the bartenders and those around you, which is always an enjoyable experience.

MKB is open 16.00-23.00 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 16.00-00.30 Thursdays, 16.00-2.00 Fridays and 17.00-2.00 Saturdays. Remember the bar is also strictly over-21s only.

Tom Byrne

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The Boileroom is located slightly out of the town centre (situated in Stoke Fields) and so it is a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle often found in Central venues. Upon its opening seven years ago, the Boileroom filled a notable place of absence in Guildford’s music scene and has grown in popularity despite the slightly out of centre location. Up until that point, the only options for live music lovers had been back room pub music nights and the rare act performing at what used to be the Civic Hall. So when the Boileroom opened its doors a whole new world of possibility opened; not just for music lovers but for musicians as well.

Performances at the Boileroom vary from the weekly ACM Livelink, (a chance for students from the Academy of Contemporary Music to showcase their talents), to wildly popular, big name acts and everything in between. There is also the occasional event held that isn’t in the format of a gig, such as poetry readings and, for example, Howard Marks (the notorious drug trafficker of the 70s and 80s) was recently invited to tell stories from his latest book.

Visitors can expect a wonderful and highly personal experience on any given night, aided in no small part by the friendly, fun bar staff and a widely stocked bar. There is even an onsite Chinese (The Sizzling Wok) for those guests feeling a little peckish (available until 11pm)! For those seeking a breath of fresh air between bands, there is a large and sheltered garden area, made homely and comfortable with booths and benches. The garden has outdoor heaters and even features a quaint and flourishing herb garden that lends a delicate fragrance to the air, not often found in pub gardens.

Thanks to its recent refurbishment, the Boileroom now offers a larger capacity whilst retaining the intimacy and independence that it is striving for. Open from 11am-4pm Monday to Friday for lunchtime noodles and a cheeky pint and open most evenings to showcase music from Guildford and further afield, there is something at this local gem to suit any taste. Visitors can expect to find themselves among like-minded individuals and music lovers of all different tastes, making it a must see for Guildford residents and tourists alike.

Charli Aisha Harris

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