The Antelope

The pub that launched Big Smoke Brew Co — and still the best place to drink their beers.

Walk into The Antelope on a Friday evening and you’ll find the split-level bar humming, candles lit against the dark wood panelling, and a line of Big Smoke taps behind the bar pouring Solaris Session Pale, Cosmic Dawn and Dark Wave Porter. It’s a pub that earns the “Tardis-like” tag The Telegraph gave it — the L-shaped front bar opens into a dining room, which leads to a covered, heated courtyard, and beyond that the old Brewhouse with its retractable roof and its own bar. Big Smoke brewed here from 2014 until outgrowing the space and moving production to Esher in 2019, but this remains their flagship.

The food menu changes seasonally, leaning on ethically sourced British ingredients — beer-battered haddock and chips, smashed double cheeseburgers, stonebaked pizzas and bao buns sit alongside more considered daily specials. Sunday roasts run the full spread: sirloin, lamb, pork belly, half chicken, and a vegan Wellington for good measure. Mondays are the deal day: buy a burger or hotdog and get a free beer, plus Cask Club drops Big Smoke cask ales to £3.50 all day. There’s a pub quiz on Sundays from 7:30pm.

Dogs get treats and a water bowl. The Brewhouse books out for private functions. And if you’re choosing between this and the other Maple Road pubs — come here for the beer.

Local’s Tip: Monday is the night. A burger and a free beer, or £3.50 cask ales — either way, it’s the best-value evening on Maple Road.