UP CLOSE: The Kingston pub for everyone
By Emily Dalton
2nd Feb 2024 | Local Features
Launching its sponsorship with Nub News Kingston, regional editor Emily Dalton spoke to manager Stacey on how The Albion is a pub for everyone.
Just off the beaten track, nestled next to Fairfield Park, proudly stands The Albion. It radiated in the sunshine with an iconic architecture and a cosy interior.
Although manager Stacey started her role as manager here in August 2022, the corner pub opened in 2014.
"I've been really accepted here by the staff, locals and customers," she said. "It's a nice community pub."
Stacey says she grew up in pubs, but The Albion is "definitely the most taps I've worked with".
Boasting 35 taps, 20 are keg lines and 15 are cask. Some of the taps are 'core', but most of them switch so customers can experience a different beer or ale every week.
It even has a non-alcoholic craft beer on tap. Cask ales are changed as soon as the tap is finished.
All locally sourced, the nearest beer is supplied from Park Bewery- less than a mile away from the pub. The Albion also sources beer from its parent company, the Big Smoke Brew Co. in Esher.
"We're all quite knowledgable," Stacey says. "The staff can try and help guide people to something they like or maybe that they didn't even know existed. We always give tasters to help people choose."
Variety is the key word; The Albion always tries to have different beers from IPAs, sours, to IPAs and whit beers. Dark beers and stouts are especially popular at the moment.
From the diverse selection of beer mats embellishing the walls to the charming mis-matched wooden furniture, The Albion certainly has character. Iconic art on the wall lets the imagination wonder, and there's a proper chimney fire which warms the soul.
Situated almost opposite Fairfield Park, in between Kingston University and the town centre, The Albion benefits from a diverse range of clientele.
From tourists to local residents, students and young people, parents and retirees dog walkers to mums and tots- Stacey tries to make it as welcoming as possible.
"We try to make it as much for everyone as possible," Stacey says. "That means making it inclusive and having options for everyone." She ensures there's a good kids menu so families are welcome, ample vegan and vegetarian dishes, no& low alcohol options, as well as a games section catered to children and students alike.
A proper community pub, The Albion holds different dining deals every night of the week to suit its varied clientele.
Offers include: Burger Mondays, Pizza Wednesdays, Steak Day on Thursdays and, of course, Stacey says: "We do the best Sunday Roast in Kingston."
Aware that the cost of living crisis makes things tricky for everyone, Stacey pours this consciousness in the offers.
Proper lunch deals are available for £8 Monday to Friday, 12-3pm. For the older locals and beer drinkers, cask ales are around £3.80 on Mondays.
The Albion hosts a yearly keg fest and Spanish Fiesta with live music and glorious food- and lots of different beer of course.
"We get the faces each year which makes you feel good because we must be doing something right," Stacey adds.
More of a chilled out pub, The Albion does not host as many events as its partners like The Antelope or The Abercorn Arms. It is perhaps one of the lesser known hidden gem pubs in the Kingston area.
"We're cautious about being of the community and not interrupting it," Stacey explains. Still, every last Friday of the month is Vinyl Night where Shaks from the record shop Shaks' Stax of Wax puts on a DJ set.
The weekly Sunday Night Quiz is a roaring success and is often fully booked with people of all ages. Stacey says one customer one £800 bar tab in November.
Only working with a handful of suppliers, The Albion likes to keep things close to home. Meat is sourced from Walton, a mere stone's throw away.
Rather than daily specials, the menu adapts on a seasonal basis to get the best out of local produce.
"We're everyone, really," Stacey says. "We don't want people to be scared coming in as it can be quite daunting to come in on your own."
Kingston Nub News is proud to announce that The Albion is the latest sponsor of our news service.
The Albion's support will help us deliver the high-quality journalism that Kingston deserves - no clickbait or intrusive ads, just the latest updates on what's happening in our town.
It is thanks to the generosity of organisations like The Albion that we can continue our mission to revive local news, both in Kingston and across the UK.
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