Rudyard's British Pub

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KitchenInc

Joined 3 years ago

Come for the pints, stay for the crowd.. On a crisp spring evening a few years back I pulled up to Rud’s on my newly acquired motorcycle to meet a group of guys from our local riding forum that I felt were my friends but had never actually met in person. Bikes lined the length of the surrounding sidewalks, both moto and peddle, while the crowd spilled out around the bikes to discuss them with new friends over beer. My group was easy to spot in the corner table and I hopped over the fence, as many people do, to pull up a chair. One of the boys got up instead and offered me his chair. Since he was not quite of age, I offered to buy that boy a beer when I went inside. He accepted. Turned out to be the damned love of my life. Such is Rud’s.

I’m sure there are many more stories like this to come out of Rudyard’s. Sure the place reeks of attitude, the bathrooms are more “modern art” than lavatory, darts are flying about and someone is bound to say something that will offend any delicate patrons…and that’s before the music starts.

The food will not wow but it will never disappoint, which is all you can ask of a true pub. Far more important is the fact that each pint is perfectly poured to the brim by a genuinely cool bartender who offers up all the basics on draft along with a couple of rotating specials like Real Ale’s Pheonixx, an explosion of bitter hoppyiness in your grateful mouth. I also mean it when I say the bartenders are genuinely cool. They know their beer and appreciate others who do. If they don’t like you, they probably won’t wait on you either, which makes you feel all the more special when they treat you like one of the family.

At the end of the day though, while we come to the pub for the beer, we stay for the crowd; and it is just that which makes Rud’s so truly special. You never know, you just might end up buying a pint for the love of your life.

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NevRa319

Joined 4 years ago

Friendly neighborhood bar. Ruds was a lot like it is made out to be, friendly neighborhood bar. I didn't eat there but did drop a chunk of change on drinks for 4 people and see a Tuesday night show , the cover was 12 bucks....on a Tuesday! The benefit is that you can drink downstairs with no cover, the con is that the cover was advertised in the Houston Press as 10 bucks and when brought to the door collectors attention she could care less. The show was a great show in a very very small spot. I look forward to maybe seeing another show there with better door cover.

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swyzlstyx

Joined 5 years ago

First impressions.... Just dropped in to take a break and have a beer on Sunday afternoon and check the place out. Plenty of parking (Sunday afternoon), with a large free lot right across the street. Fast service from the old dude tending the bar. Definitely a place I'd like to go watch some live music, and maybe not even feel too old, with what seemed like a mixed/laid back crowd. I'd at least like to go back for lunch sometime and try their bar food. I just wish there were a similar place within walking distance in my neighborhood...great place to go for a few beers!

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coog78

Joined 7 years ago

Rudz. Great neighborhood bar. Awesome, laid-back and casual atmosphere, no pretention. Rudz won me over a while back, but I have to give major kudos to the fact they used a generator and were serving food and cold beer within 2 days after Ike. The entire neighborhood was without power for over a week, but Rudz came through. Thank you so much for being there for your base of customers.

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demilieu

Joined 5 years ago

a houston institution. in the heart of montrose for over 30 years, rudyard's has transcended being merely a pub and gained status as a social institution. having said this, i don't think you can get any closer to a 'traditional' english pub this side of the pond. add to this a varied schedule of entertainment upstairs most nights, and it's a no-loose proposition. the comedy night (once a month) can be a bit raw, but it's entertaining as hell. a lot of the bands that show up are still basically garage bands still, but you get a chance to see developing talent. the food is great, the drinks are good and the staff are attentive and friendly to their customers. no pretense here. you can come as you are and not worry about being judged. people show up to relax and have a great time, not to see and be seen.

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cse1973

Joined 6 years ago

Great Food Warm atmosphere. This is the best barfood going. The service is not as great, but what are you gonna do? It also has a really great atmosphere for relaxed beer drinking, music listening. Some interesting people watching from the patio as well.

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

This funky Montrose institution is a great place to see local and touring bands, mostly of the indie-rock persuasion.. The Scene
The downstairs bar is well-stocked with local brews, imports and cocktails, including ever-popular Colorado microbrew Fat Tire. The jukebox is fantastic and so is the comic lavatory graffiti. Watch out for flying, feathered projectiles: Dart tournaments and league games take place on Mondays and Wednesdays. The interior architecture features sculptures by Mik Miano and the staircase has a lovely wrought-iron railing.

The Draw
On any given night, you'll see a friendly dog wandering through the downstairs bar, giving it a comfy, neighborly feeling. Find your way upstairs to play pool and catch the evening's band.

Doesn't Recommend

themightyslug

Joined 7 years ago

What's I guy gotta do to get a beer in this joint?. There is much to love about Rudyards. The food is considerably better than your average pub grub, they book some really fantastic local and out-of-town acts, and the staff is generally very likeable. So what's the story with the Monday bartender? In the five minutes I stood at the bar with money in hand and ready to order a drink, she managed to serve only three people (not including the small group she took a shot with). And I swear I did everything like I was spose to do. I maintained eye contact without looking too eager, I had my money ready and I have always tipped at least a dollar a drink (so no bad precedence). Lackadaisical would be a compliment. She didn't even look at me. It was almost as if it was on purpose. I have never met her in my life. Why does she hate me? Imagine my surprise when I found out she was the MANAGER?!?! I've bartended before and she DOES NOT know how to bartend. She was lazily walking about with a bottle of butterscotch schnapps in her hand and making idle chatter with whoever while the people standing behind the people seated at the bar looked around in nervous anticipation of the beer that would never come... fire her now.

Doesn't Recommend

bar_review

Joined 7 years ago

Nice bar in need of a management reshuffle. Rud's has been popular with us until a rather bizzarre incident a few weeks ago. All is well until a woman declaring herself to be the manager starts shouting at a group of customers and asking them to leave (vaguely referring to some incident with a friend of someone....). The group ignores her but she goes on and on howling and loudly pretending to call the cops. We left along with several other customers as the drama appears to continue with no end in sight.

I guess they have a right to control access to the property but to make a scene and spoil the evening for everybody indicates incompetence and lack of concern about customers.

Otherwise we have found the place to have reasonable bartenders, drinks and food and a good crowd.

Doesn't Recommend

saggitoscorpio

Joined 8 years ago

What happened to Rudz?. Was a great place but now its seems like there is a war on between staff and customers. Afternoon crowd has dwindled to about nothing. Drink prices have all gone up, twice in six months. Lousy pour on shots and mixed drinks. Staff is snappy or just ignores customers, spending time with friends while supposed to be serving the bar. Old crowd seems to have jumped ship and gone elsewhere. Shame to see a once eclectic pub slide down the tube.