Rising Sun Freehouse — Restaurant in Dacorum

Really loved this pub. I chose to go there as it made no mystery on social media of its political allegiance and left-leaning views which in my opinion definitely are a plus in a community-minded pub - and I do like places making a stand and having some personality in these days of anodyne, cardboard cutout establishments which seem to think that homogeneous standardisation is something to aim for! The place is wonderful, sitting along the picturesque canalside where you can see boats immersed in their transient stationary lull - and the pub fits nicely with that atmosphere, almost feeling like an extension of the boatmen's bohemian lifestyle and nonchalant attitude. The staff are really nice and the moment you walk in you instantly know that this is a great spot to mingle and while time chatting and musing with them or other punters - rather the opposite of a gastro-sit-down model where interactions tend to be on the formal side and limited to your orders. There's also music played on Sundays at lunchtime. All in all, this is a magnificent social pub, which has not forgotten the meaning and purpose of the definition of "public house", so come if you're open-minded and still curious about...

Great cider list and selection of beers on tap. It was an absolutely gorgeous day, so the place was packed inside and out. Regardless, service was friendly and quick.

We managed to snag a table and relaxed in the sun tossing a small wood shard around for a border collie at the next table over. Given the proximity to water (on canal), there were also swans. There was a particularly audacious swan that waltzed slowly on up the pavement. Some small children gave it a wide berth, however a small young doggo got a little too close and got wing fwapped a few times. The owner of the doggo watched and did nothing at first, likely unaware that the swan, if provoked just a little too much, may have pecked the poor thing's face off. Something tells me he wouldn't have enjoyed raising a blind and mutilated dog. Not everyone should own pets, eh? People really should educate themselves on the dangers of modern water foul. Read a book, people. Jeez. Maybe a celebrity could do a PSA or tribute song to swan safety or something. Is Adam Sandler...

A great pub if you like to have a political lecture prior to ordering your first drink, watch the staff walk on egg shells as the owner / manager berates their every move and get to feel generally unwanted unless you a regular. The staff serving the drinks and bringing them were 5 star though.

Edit... I also wish the owner would have put the reply he sent to me directly as the response to this review instead of the snowman he has put (now a snowflake - no doubt a thinly veiled jab, I can assure you I am not). If you're going to write it, at least have the minerals to publish it so everyone can see what you're like!

Apparently, I'm a "knob" (for not giving a gushing review). Thanks for that! By all means spend your money here people, just be aware this is the gratitude you get from...