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Green Dragon - John Novell (14th Jan 2016 - 21:14:11) Went to the reopening tonight after several previous visits. At last the place is functioning like a real country pub. Friendly welcome, good basic food and great ambience. Give it a try Liphook folks it's time the village had a proper pub. John

Re: Green Dragon - S (14th Jan 2016 - 22:15:24) Standard 6-monthly "the dragon is finally a lovely country pub" post.... Betting is open folks, how long until the next new landlord!?

Re: Green Dragon - liz (15th Jan 2016 - 09:01:26) Would be interested to know who the new owners are and if they have the freehold.

Re: Green Dragon - TNM (15th Jan 2016 - 14:08:57) What a change! Really lovely decor and a very pleasant welcome from the new guvnor and his staff. Have just had a great steak for lunch nicely presented. Coffee from the new coffe machine next and I might come in tomorrow for the warmed Danish. Just want to wish the new landlord and his team the very best of luck and a very warm welcome - this is just the kind of pub Liphook needs.

Re: Green Dragon - David Stanley (16th Jan 2016 - 15:42:26) Hello everybody, I am the new (here to stay Landlord) of The Green Dragon I have acquired a long term lease on the Pub from Enterprise Inns, and I am making Liphook and The Green Dragon my home. I have been a licensee for over 40years and have just sold a very successful Pub in Redhill Surrey ,which I had for over 8years. Those that have already visited (thankyou) will hopefully see the improvements I have made and I dont intend to stop there over the next 2 months I intend to develope the patio area at the rear ,enlarge and improve the kitchen,and add some more comfortable seating both internally and outside. The menu will enlarge as the business builds and my Head Chef "Tim" is very keen to work with all our customers, and along with my bar management couple " Andy & Tia we hope to have a vast range of real ales for you to try, along with some excellent wines. Thankyou For taking time to read this and I can assure you all a very warm welcome at The Green Dragon "A REAL PUB"

Re: Green Dragon - g renouf (16th Jan 2016 - 16:51:22) Good Luck With the pub will pop in when youve settled in

Re: Green Dragon - Ian (16th Jan 2016 - 18:23:36) Good luck and please try to ignore those idiots on this site that will inevitably use this forum to try and undermine you.

Re: Green Dragon - Vera (16th Jan 2016 - 20:51:33) Had a really nice meal with my hubby at the Green Dragon tonight. Lovely calm atmosphere and proper home cooked pub food. The staff were very attentive. We shall be back soon.

Re: Green Dragon - paul (16th Jan 2016 - 22:54:31) Hi David, Welcome to Liphook. I'm impressed with your professional approach to running the Green Dragoon, local people want a good pub in the village. In the recent past it has been let down by the poor running of the pub, when done the right way it will be a success. Wishing you and your team a great future. Regards, Paul E.

Re: Green Dragon - Jackie (17th Jan 2016 - 11:35:13) Four of us went for dinner last night. Terrific steaks and a fantastic cheese board. Great wine, wonderful service and all at reasonable prices. Chef came out to make sure everything was right. We will be going back.

Re: Green Dragon - pen (17th Jan 2016 - 12:05:52) get this pub working we need it just keep the wasters out of there and the fellea from manchester who moans about the prices

Re: Green Dragon - h (17th Jan 2016 - 13:37:32) I agree it is some of the drunken customers who have stopped the Green Dragon from being a nice pub in the past, if the present landlord is firm with them, it will not degenerate as it has done before. I wish the owners every success.

Re: Green Dragon - Nick Hancock (17th Jan 2016 - 16:11:22) We were in there on Fri for a drink and so impressed we were back for Sunday roasts today. I normally avoid Sunday roasts (bland over cooked meat etc) but this was excellent. Glorious fire in the refurbished lounge bar as well. Liphook: this is just what we need. Use it or lose it!

Re: Green Dragon - graham (17th Jan 2016 - 17:42:40) The man from Manchester is right . Up to £5.80 a pint very wrong. But good luck. Hope to see the next landlord by the end of the year. Who will turn it back in to a proper pub. For the locals . Like when kev Adair had it and one or two befor him. Don't want it as a turn up nose place . We already got two of them in Liphook.

Re: Green Dragon - H (17th Jan 2016 - 20:00:37) Seems as if you are from Manchester you are a local! locals come in many shapes and sizes, most local people want rid of the drunken troublemakers! There is always the Anchor for cheap drinks to get drunk quicker on. A pub where swearing and drunkenness is not tolarated is what Liphook needs.

Re: Green Dragon - Ian (17th Jan 2016 - 21:50:29) I have heard they sell Timmy Taylor bitter now that is pure heaven get in there enjoy it I went in there had a sparkling water even that was nice who is this fella from Manchester he comes a long way for a drink lol

Re: Green Dragon - Claire (18th Jan 2016 - 06:42:38) Fantastic!! Great food , great staff, great place to while away a few hours. apparently the beer is expensive but as I don't drink it I'm not worried. Wine and excellent coffee was reasonable!!

Re: Green Dragon - Mike (18th Jan 2016 - 13:24:42) Popped in this morning for a coffee to check it out. Real fires burning, comfortable inviting seating and a great welcome from Dave and his team. It\'s just the sort of village pub that Liphook deserves. I will certainly go back to try the food and would recommend that we give it all our support.

Re: Green Dragon - mum (18th Jan 2016 - 18:57:15) Dear David, Having not been in the Green Dragon for years and years due to it's reputation, I was excited to hear about the changes that have been made and to read the recent reviews. I do wish however that WELL BEHAVED children would be allowed to come in and eat. I can understand that you don't want toddlers/ children running around everywhere or making lots of noise, but surely welcoming well behaved children when eating a meal would be acceptable? I have junior school age children and would love to be able to come in and eat with them occasionally...and they do know how to behave in a pub/ restaurant. How about changing your rules slightly and accepting well behaved children?! Thank you!

Re: Green Dragon - Chris (18th Jan 2016 - 19:49:06) Are the Timothy Taylor rumours true if so my partner will be thrilled and will bring him in for Sunday lunch very soon ...

Re: Green Dragon - dcb (18th Jan 2016 - 21:53:03) Is it dog friendly?! (Well behaved ones of course!),

Re: Green Dragon - Phill (18th Jan 2016 - 23:03:17) Hi David, welcome to Liphook. Will give the dragon a go again soon. But over £5 a pint, if true, is pretty steep. Could you give us an idea of ale prices? Thanks and good luck, Phill

Re: Green Dragon - bll (19th Jan 2016 - 09:10:24) I wish the new owner every success with the pub On a more general point, reading comments here, i don't understand why "investment" doesn't always as a matter of course include a decent website - if this was a Freehouse, we would see site info, internal photo's, menu's and a price list - doesn't make sense to me why in 2016 that isn't the case for all businesses trying to compete, offer something new and get new customers An awful lot of people only visit after viewing on the web these days, they don't peer through windows or make a special trip (some do, most don't)

Re: Green Dragon - Simon (19th Jan 2016 - 09:57:34) David, welcome to Liphook and I wish you all the best with the new venture. I'm not interested in turning this thread into a debate about children in pubs, but I have to agree with Mum, it's a shame 'all children are not welcome' which means we, and many of our friends, won't be visiting. I've run pubs myself in a previous life so I understand why the rule might be there, but it seems a little unfair. Good luck with it, from the comments so far you've made a good start.

Re: Green Dragon - M (19th Jan 2016 - 12:46:38) I have nothing against someone trying to make a living serving decent food which maybe more expensive and if he can get people to pay £5.80 a pint then so be it . But I find it very rude to come Into a largely family village and ban children under 10 from the premises , my children are allowed in much nicer pubs with better reputations . would it be ok to ban anyone over 60 ? I think not anyway I have notified the citizen advice bureau who have taken it to trading standards as they were unsure if this is allowed . You could have no children after 5pm or children only allowed in one side of the pub under strict supervision. I've left my number with the pub for the leaseholder to ring me and tell me why he feels under 10's cannot come in ... Or even sit in the garden in the summer !

Re: Green Dragon - D (19th Jan 2016 - 13:16:00) Why should the owner of the business not be allowed to have who he chooses to have in his premises? I'd be interested to learn if those who are complaining about the restrictions used the pub under previous management and if not why are they now so keen to do so.

Re: Green Dragon - M (19th Jan 2016 - 13:44:04) It's enterprises premises . I have used the pub with my children all their life they love the 'dragon pub' as they call it. In recent months where it's gone really down hill we haven't used it just after the refurb a couple of people had a good go at it and we used it then But before the refurb/fire when Kevin had it (and before that) we were regulars and my partner used to go in there with his dad when he was little so we have been using the pub for years . We prefer it when someone who does decent food has it , hence why I am keen to try it as I know the butchers in grayshott are supplying the meat which is top quality - but I won't be going in there if my children aren't welcome out of principle not because I don't go out without them . We often eat at the deers hut and rising sun lovely food and very welcoming . I don't see why he can't have the best of both worlds a only allow children In before 6pm and only one side of the pub . It is a largely family village and not all of us enjoy processed food from the anchor, which is where I was told to go by the manager when I said I had children .

Re: Green Dragon - Russ & Irene (19th Jan 2016 - 16:50:46) Went in for the first time for Sunday lunch. Great improvement. First class roast beef, reasonable price, good service. A lovely cosy pub. Good Ringwood ale at £4-10p

Re: Green Dragon - bob (19th Jan 2016 - 17:55:30) the green dragon is the best pub in the village i hope the beer is not 5 pound a pint if so i will not be going in there and as for kids i do not want kids running around my feet while i am having a pint at end of the day its a pub not a play ground for kids

Re: Green Dragon - h (19th Jan 2016 - 19:10:42) I agree it is up to the landlord whether he allows children or not.Not all children are badly behaved but they get easily bored and start to get fractious. Even if not allowed in all of the pub the noise will still carry over. Perhaps the landlord does not want to serve a children's menu. It is certainly not against the law not to allow children. Some hotels do not allow children in either. Some of the children in Sainsbury's are very badly behaved, shrieking and screaming and running around. Perhaps the landlord has seen the behaviour in there! I would not object to chIldren in at lunchtimes as they do not get a chance to go past their bedtimes and start grizzling because they are tired.

Re: Green Dragon - Tanya Wilkinson (19th Jan 2016 - 20:11:56) Well a Pub without children, interesting, you will have my custom. As an ex-licensee who did NOT allow children in under any circumstances, I think this is brilliant. Years ago any pub who allowed children, could by law only have them in a family room,, where there was NO access to the bar area. Yes times have changed, but there are still people out there who actually (including parents) want to have a drink without children around. Personally I do not think a pub enviroment is good for children, due to the topics of conversation, foul language, and the condition some people get into. And those 3 things no one can do anything about. There are plenty of good places around the area where you can eat/drink with children, so 1 adult ONLY pub is not going to hurt those that do want to eat and drink with children. And yes I do have children ( all grown) and grandchildren. Maybe it is worth looking at the bingeing of youngsters of today and thinking in where they get their examples from.

Re: Green Dragon - Clare (20th Jan 2016 - 07:29:25) I love kids but how fantastic to have a little bolt hole to escape them too!! Plenty of places welcome them and cater for them. When I am out without my little ones it will be bliss not to have anyone else's around too!! The green dragon is offering an alternative , thank you!

Re: Green Dragon - IGS (20th Jan 2016 - 07:58:27) Have no problems with the new landlord deciding that his pub will not allow under 10's. I have two under tens myself and we like to go out to pubs together but it will be nice to have somewhere in the village where the grizzly little buggers are not allowed. As some other posters have commented, locally we are not exactly short on options!

Re: Green Dragon - J and A (21st Jan 2016 - 19:51:25) After seeing this thread we decided to give the Green Dragon a go - we have to say that we were impressed. Burgers from local butchers (as is the steak and the sausages), presented beautifully with lovely fresh accompaniments: The landlord and staff were very welcoming and they've done a great job with the decor. The fires were burning and the whole place was nice and cosy! Top marks from us - we'll be back for sure!

Re: Green Dragon - Nadine (21st Jan 2016 - 21:49:52) Popped in for supper tonight and it was fabulous. Food great, nice atmosphere and had a lovely chat with the chef. And as a mum with grown up children, liking NOT having young kids in there. We all need choices. Good luck..we shall certainly be back

Re: Green Dragon - Tracy (21st Jan 2016 - 23:43:16) Are dogs allowed inside?

Re: Green Dragon - Eb (22nd Jan 2016 - 06:28:58) In all the years I have lived here I've never considered the green dragon to be a child friendly pub, there are plenty of other pubs you can take your children to. Whenever I used to go out with friends (kids at home tucked up in bed being babysat) the dragon was the place we went to when we got fed up with children running around the Anchor. It was nice to go out to get away from kids! Once they have eaten what is there for them to do anyway they only get bored. And to be honest I don't think pubs are the right environment for children.

Re: Green Dragon - Tim (22nd Jan 2016 - 09:08:31) Yes dogs are allowed but only on a lead

Re: Green Dragon - Jackie Bond (22nd Jan 2016 - 13:47:08) Just had lunch at the dragon today with a friend and can thoroughly recommend! Warm, inviting, clean and welcoming! Great food and a nice friendly landlord! Perfect!

Re: Green Dragon - Julie (23rd Jan 2016 - 09:11:41) What times is food served to and from?

Re: Green Dragon - The green dragon (23rd Jan 2016 - 15:03:21) Food served - Monday 12 / 14.30 Tuesday / Saturday 12 / 14.30 Evenings 6 / 9 Sunday 12 / 5

Re: Green Dragon - James (23rd Jan 2016 - 15:17:23) At last! A proper English pub right in the middle of Liphook! Lovely fires, an equally warm welcome from everybody working in this great pub and really good (excellent ingredients), well priced, food. The chef obviously doesn't over-use the cooking oil, everything tasted fresh and looked attractive and he then came round the rooms to ask everyone if they had enjoyed their food. Great not having children under 10 and the beer is not anymore expensive than anywhere else. Don't be put off by the pub's previous reputation. Give them a chance; you will not regret it.

Re: Green Dragon - Oliver (23rd Jan 2016 - 15:58:04) Another satisfied customer. I had lunch at the Green Dragon today. Food was excellent and a great selection of beers and ales. As Arnie would say .... 'I'll be back!'

Re: Green Dragon - Julie (24th Jan 2016 - 14:23:47) Another question, what is the position on 11-17 year old?

Re: Green Dragon - Karen (24th Jan 2016 - 14:37:59) Hi after reading this thread me and my partner are eager to try the food and atmosphere of the Green Dragon. Having grown up in the village and my mum and myself working in the pub many years ago it\'s nice to be able to use it again, it\'s never really been child friendly pub and it\'s nice to have a village pub that is just adult friendly. After a busy working week it\'s nice to have just a quiet drink and a meal without noisy young kids running around knocking into your chair and getting under your feet. The Anchor caters for young families there is no need for all pubs to do so. Good luck see you soon.

Re: Green Dragon - h (24th Jan 2016 - 18:29:14) The sign on the door says no children under 10. I would hope that any 11-17 year olds will be well behaved ones! Good to see all the positive postings on here, keep up the good work!

Re: Green Dragon - Ian (24th Jan 2016 - 19:51:28) Julie, 11 and 12's generally okay but by the time they hit teens, as John Bishops says, they generally become horrible selfish b#*><&£ds that are best kept locked away until they mature into adulthood

Re: Green Dragon - Jay (27th Jan 2016 - 10:54:13) I popped in to the Green Dragon on Monday. Now a great pub, nice decor and very comfortable. Lovely to see the fires lit and sit in a pleasant environemnt. Beer was pricey at £4.20 a pint. I asked re booking a table for lunch, 2 adults, 2 children and was promptly refused. I was surprised at the suggestion that we should eat at the Anchor if we have children, unbelievable! No children under 10! I actually have two well behaved children who have been taught to sit at a table throughout their meals. Questioning the facts I understand that a number of 'older' people have expressed their pleasure at the no children rule, allowing them to have a peaceful meal. Reminds me of some scenes in Chittty Chitty Bang Bang! It appears that David has chosen his target market / demographic and prefers the older, childless fraternity. Please do your research, just look around you it's 80% young families , those who have money to spend in establishments such as yours. They move here for the good schools, not the good pubs, yet Liphook really needs one like yours. I would ask you to be flexible when allowing Children in to your pub; under control, possibly in a "child zone" and not after a certain time. Thanks Jay. Of course they have the right to decide who visits their establishment. Did you eat there with your children before ? I don't think you have actually lost a child friendly pub. You just haven't gained one. No big deal to be honest.

Re: Green Dragon - h (27th Jan 2016 - 12:00:13) Hi Jay, I understand it would be annoying if you want to visit with your family. There are some parents locally who take their children out who are not well behaved, yet when questioned about it would rather attack you than take it on board that their little darlings are not well behaved. Perhaps the landlord has experience of some of this behaviour? How would you ban some families and not others? It is a subjective point. I would also question the figure you give of 80percent of residents of liphook being those with young children, Why are care homes in the area getting planning permission if there were no demand? Perhaps your immediate circle is young families, but I would say Liphook itself is mixed between all age groups, a lot of the children who attend Bohunt do not live in Liphook, hence the yellow buses. Most of my contemporaries welcome the no children under 10 rule. I do not object lunchtimes though when they are not past bedtimes!

Re: Green Dragon - liz (27th Jan 2016 - 12:01:48) Could be a smart marketing ploy. .... As soon as you ban the little horrors there is a tide of righteous indignation from people who would never have previously considered going to the Green Dragon "as a family" if at all!!

Re: Green Dragon - Jay (27th Jan 2016 - 12:04:40) Dear Editor, You would have noted historical threads re The Green Dragon. You of all people should know that it was not really the place to take children of any age :-) Upon our visit on Monday I was very impressed with what the Landlord has done to the pub. Just disappointed to hear that no children are allowed and we are unable to enjoy it as a family. The worst of it all being asked to go to the Anchor! Ugh. Jay. Jay, that was EXACTLY my point. The Green Dragon has NEVER been a child friendly pub, why should it change ? I'm sure you have taken your children to other child friendly pubs in the area and can continue to do so. Nothing has changed for you.

Re: Green Dragon - Jay (27th Jan 2016 - 12:49:19) Yes Editor, but we all welcome change. We all like to explore new places. From your comment "why change", would the Landlord welcome back clientele of previous years? Probably not and good for him. Rather a tongue on cheek comment but if nothing every changed then Liphook would still stuck in the dark ages. :-) Jay.

Re: Green Dragon - marian (27th Jan 2016 - 13:09:15) Three more very happy people booked a table for three on Monday evening great welcome on arrival lovely meal we will be back

Re: Green Dragon - liz (27th Jan 2016 - 13:42:23) The problem, as always, is not your own kids.... it is other peoples!

Re: Green Dragon - tony (27th Jan 2016 - 15:34:00) I think history shows that as soon as you go down the road of 'banning' certain types of people, you are going to cause resentment. Children are not really a 'problem', quite the opposite. I understand the need for older people to have somewhere nice and quiet to go and sit still whilst being fed (ha ha), no really it's OK, maybe they even like children but just fancy a break, or have had a bad experience, I look forward to leaving the little monsters at home and trying it out myself soon! They probably gained the "grey pound" and there is quite a lot of that round here so fair play but could perhaps have been handled a bit more tactfully?

Re: Green Dragon - Richard (27th Jan 2016 - 15:35:07) Just had excellent lunch in Green Dragon. Highly recommended. Food and service excellent. We will be returning.

Re: Green Dragon - Tim (27th Jan 2016 - 16:05:45) My children have grown up around my job as a chef working in many pubs and restaurants, they understand that it's is a grown up environment, I would not dream of sitting in a child's playground drinking alcohol ,so why would I want my children to see what goes on sometimes in a pub , when certain adults bring their children in to sit there and get bored while they while away the hours, it's about choices

Re: Green Dragon - roo (27th Jan 2016 - 17:12:32) I think the new landlord of the dragon is very clever in not allowing under 10's in. It now gives the grown ups somewhere to go without screaming kids running around causing chaos, All the other pubs in the area welcome children and the anchor sometimes resembles a mother n toddler group, So what is the problem. Not everyone wants other peoples children running around and screaming whilst they are trying to eat a meal they have paid for. Looking forward to trying it out soon.

Re: Green Dragon - Dave L (27th Jan 2016 - 18:47:02) Second visit to the Grčen Dragon under new mgt last night with my son (who used to work there some time ago) I do hope people make use of it as it strikes the right balance, good food, good ale, good service, a lack of pretention and virtually no noise, I actualy had a conversation and could hear it. There is a place for the horse, deers links etc and I use them on occasion but have never felt a need to become a regular visitor, but will certainly be back to the dragon ( it also saves me cleaning the cooker!).

Re: Green Dragon - Paul (27th Jan 2016 - 18:47:34) I agree completely with earlier posts. In this PC world we all have to live in, I've lost count of the number of meals I've 'enjoyed less' by the lack of control some parents exert over their children. I have no issue with well behaved children but a lot of parents just seem to let them behave as they wish these days! I decided not to have children, so it's nice to have somewhere to eat where the less well behaved can't spoil things for everyone else. Well done The Green Dragon, I shall come and have a look soon!

Re: Green Dragon - rob (27th Jan 2016 - 19:32:07) The constant thread of the green dragon on this site is really getting boring now . If u like it go there if you don't go some where else simples !!!!

Re: Green Dragon - Lucy (28th Jan 2016 - 19:21:26) I would have loved to 'make use' of this local pub as mentioned in a comment above. Sadly I have a young child and therefore won't be able to. I agree children in the evening is frustrating but at lunchtime I just cannot see an issue provided they are well behaved. What a shame people are so short sighted, not so much community village spirit here.

Re: Green Dragon - roo (28th Jan 2016 - 20:21:03) Lucy did use the dragon with ur child before the new landlord arrived. And the anchor is far more child friendly with a large play area in the garden plus booths with TV's to keep the kids entertained inside .

Re: Green Dragon - Parent with children (29th Jan 2016 - 08:33:03) By the sounds of it no-one used the dragon before the new owners... but now it's improved everyone would like to try it - with or without children. I agree with Lucy, I would like to try it but unfortunately will have to wait until my children are older enough... lets hope the dragon is still around then! or the owners sees some sense and allows children in at lunchtime like every other successful pub in the country. If anyone else suggests the Anchor as a child friendly pub - read the previous posts about it - let alone try to eat what they class as food there!

Re: Green Dragon - liz (29th Jan 2016 - 09:05:20) Rob If you are bored with the thread don't read it. ....How many little grey cells does it take to work that out!

Re: Green Dragon - H (29th Jan 2016 - 15:20:18) Having tried to have a meal at the Anchor, it proved impossible to enjoy it, the din from unruly children made me go home with a headache! Too many parents will not make sure that their children have enough social graces not to behave as if the pub is their own personal playground. Too many parents just seem not to want to hire a babysitter for when they go out in the evenings!

Green Dragon - MH (17th Feb 2016 - 13:27:38) Has anyone visited the Green Dragon on a Saturday night since the most recent ownership change? I understand they are trying to cater for a different clientele and its worth going for the food and less "lively" atmosphere.

Re: Green Dragon - Tim (17th Feb 2016 - 15:48:16) Yes it caters for a more responsible,mature element rather than the shot drinking youngsters of yore. No more pool table etc just a very good village pub.and the food is cooked to order fresh from local suppliers, like kaighin and daughters butchers. But if you are thinking of going on a Saturday night, it would be advisable to book a table as the previous weeks it's been very busy, and the last orders go to the kitchen at 8.45. You will only know if you try it

Re: Green Dragon - Ja (17th Feb 2016 - 15:57:29) Have eaten at the Dragon, really good food and well kept beer. Also on the plus side happy staff and NO 10% added to your bill.

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