The Soldiers Return — Restaurant in Basingstoke and Deane

What can I say? I've been a local pub drinker for decades, and I'm 28. I have been to pubs since I knew! Good old days with the Popinjay, and it's now gone to shame with the result of having to go to the soldiers. I like this pub, and that's why I was there, but we have a respectful owner and a miserable one. Trust me, you won't last a minute. I was having a lovely day for my birthday, which was also part of a fundraiser, and now I have been technically kicked out. Not me, but after 1 minute of being told that kids are not allowed to be drinking their drinks, I said that's fine, and now I will get from the bar. Please bear in mind that I am looking after my own brother and sisters, and in addition, they have their own money to go to the shops. One more sip of her drink means that's it; she's out, and I mean, gone. No questions about it. 1: She is a minor; 2: I agreed to buy her additional drinks from the bar, but apparently it was not good enough. If you see Kev, the owner, he is a really good guy. If not, run a mile because the generation has changed and we are now living in a moany, grumpy woman era, which you do not want to be around for. Not all women obviously but some really just live such a weird life. So sad to see such a good pub go to trash. It use to be my local pub, if you thought we was doing it to disrespect your pub even though we was also just playing a good game of pool with the other landlord. Every time we come in we say hi to the owner because there's a two way respect. Sorry that this review had to be so low because we was all having a good day but it was...

Been coming into this pub on and off for the last 12 years since living fairly local to it. Drinks are a fairly reasonable price and the atmosphere in the pub is always decent with a generally good crowd of punters. So today after booking a table for Sunday My wife and I decided to have their Sunday lunch carvery. Well top marks to the pub it was lovely, the food and service was very good and I cannot fault it. I'm no Soldier but I will be returning very soon for...

I last popped into this pub in 2002, and having moved away haven't had the chance to return since, so it was more out of nostalgia that I popped in at the weekend having found myself in the area, and it's still as nice ( much more modern since I last went) as I always remember it. The lady behind the bar was really friendly and welcoming. Good selection of beers on tap and just a decent atmosphere. It's great to see proper local pubs with some history like this...