City Retreat, Holbornback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Good pub, not the cheapest tho', but well worth a visit for decent service, beer and atmosphere. Not too many suits, despite its location and has a dartboard!
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Visited here tonight playing darts for London Saints (lost 9 - 2). Ordinary, Special and Bombardier on, nothing to write home about. Average pub, take it or leave it.
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Fantastic 'proper' pub with a great atmosphere. Even better now the smoking ban is in force. Not full of suits like next door and always guaranteed a laugh.
Even if you pop in on your own you will no doubt become involved in a conversation at the bar, (probably with a tall chap called Steve - you have been warned), which will be highly amusing!
Has won cellar of the year on many occasion and the food (12-2 only) is of very high standard too, try the lasagne or steak and ale pie.
The place is run very well and I am surprised also, as mentioned earlier by JohnBonser, that there aren't more comments about 'The Retreat' as it's far better than others in the area.
Go pay a visit and check out the cast of 'The Office' round the corner of the bar.
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In the concrete jungle that is Shoe Lane this is indeed a welcome retreat. Sure it aint anything to look at but the staff are very polite and speedy and the times when I have eaten the food has been good.
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It's seldom mentioned amongst drinkers in the London area, but a true and honest thought, that one hardly finds real Londoners as Landlords behind pub counters in the London area. Those I can number in my years are five; and it has to be said that "The City Retreat" is one of the very best. A Young's pub that the late great John Young would certainly be proud of in up holding both the best of British, but the loveliest of London welcomes. The pub is clean, the beers are well served and the hosts are very friendly. In many ways this is a drinkers dream, with the school of regular drinkers and new comers huggling around the bend of the bar. The banter is fast and funny. A secret pub for the true Londoner and lover of beers. The Landlord's Mother is a lovely girl too! A credit to Young's brewery.
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Note that this pub serves food only at lunchtime, not dinnertime! I got caught out on a visit on 12 January 06. Good atmosphere, however.
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I'll rise to John's challenge and comment on this pub: I agree it's quite atypical for the city and has more of a local's ambience. That said it didn't get me over-excited and the location (at the foot of a very 60s office block) is uninspiring. There are better local pubs about.
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I'm staggered that no one has posted a comment on this pub, since my first comment below in October 2004. Nothing really to add, except that this pub is well worth seeking out.
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Well, looks like I 've got the honour of being the first person to comment on this pub.
Its a fine traditional pub not too far off the bottom end of Fleet Street. It seems to get a wider range of customers than you would expect for a City pub and its not overrun with "suits". The Youngs beer was first rate. It feels a bit like a regulars pub, but there was a warm and friendly atmosphere.
It wasnt too busy, unlike the pubs in Fleet Street itself.
If, like me, you like proper pubs, you'll like this place. I will definitely be going back. Remember that it might not be open at weekends, best to check first if you're planning a weekend visit
John - 29 Oct 2004 09:51 |
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