please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
First visit since the revamp from yours truly last Saturday.
Yes, some of the "wow factor" of the internal decor has gone, but there is still much to admire, particularly the art nouveau glasswork.
There's 3 real ales regularly on - Adnams Broadside, Fullers Pride and Greene King IPA - all at £ 2.90p , which, I suppose makes the Broadside reasonably good value by London price standards.
Inevitably, its more food orientated now, but drinkers are still catered for and don't feel out of place.
Disappointingly, but not surprisingly, there was no sign ( or sound !) of the effing and blinding shouty one - which was a shame as I was feeling a bit grouchy myself that day.
Still worth going out of your way to visit in my book
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I too was there on a cold night and asked why the fires were not alight. I was told by the duty bar manager (?) that the fires were no loger lit (after 150 years without an incident) because of Health and Safety laws. Absolute bollocks. For "Health and Safety" read "We can't be ARSED". Do us all a favour somebody, buy this pub back off these nincompoops. Please.
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I cannot believe that Gordons designers have done such a comprehensive job of wrecking the Warrington. There is no atmosphere any more. The furniture is appalling. The seating is uncomfortable. The lighting is dreadfull. The small bar is dark, dreary and cold. The fires can not be light any more. The bar staff are re-employed waiters. Their personalities have been removed before they go to work. This pub used to have a large number of regular customers from all walks of life but most of them have not returned as they no longer like the place
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Ruined... bloody ruined. The place is full of human Meercats standing on tip-toe to see who is next up through the doors. Talk about spot the brain-cell!
Seems like most of the locals have been driven away.
There's an unadvenurous selection of ales on offer, the usual suspects from the Fullers and Greene King portfolios, although the Harvey's Porter (bottled) is worth the trip I guess.
The refurbishment is in such astoundingly bad taste that it left me almost speechless. Check out the chrome and silver bedside lamps all around the walls. It seems as though somebody has wandered into B&Q and bought an entire job-lot of an end of range... "I will buy 48 of these for £20 if you throw in some tatty chandeliers to match". Fuckin hell Gordon, get a grip... it's so bloody Romford!
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Visited for a drink and a light dinner in the downstairs bar area. The food came in tiny portions, was overpriced and poorly prepared. Several of the items on the menu weren't actually available, and the wait staff didn't care. The restaurant upstairs left a pretty poor impression as well.
If you're thinking about going, don't bother, its average and overpriced. There are much better pubs for a drink and food in Maida Vale and the surrounding area.
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No sign of Mr Ramsay himself! The place itself was running good though, £3.85 for 500ml bottled beers was not too expensive given the upmarket area. Interesting range of drinks indeed.
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£3.95 for a pint of Peroni! Bit much, but a nice boozer never the less. I did prefer it when it showed football and didn't have uni-sex toilets, but I must be old fashioned. Can someone tell me what is wrong with a pub that sells Stella and crisps. Soon London will be a traditional pub free zone, full of places with people eating cashews and drinking Chablet.
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What a dissapointment!
Carpet has been changed.. big Deal! I'll be sticking to my local the "Prince Alfred" which has more class than the Warrington ever will.
All that's happened now is that parking in my street has got worse! Thanks Gordon
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£6 million renovations spent on what? A new red carpet? A new red espresso machine at the bar? The toilets are a joke and poorly designed. How is one hand dryer going to work?
Uninspiring, boring and disappointing. Obviously Mr. Ramsey outsourced this revamp to some junior apprentice that has no clue.
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Great to see the Warrington open again but there seems to have been a lot of work done for pretty much the same pub allowing that there is now a decent restaurant upstairs. The curious are pouring in and I regret that the Fullers ESB has now gone and the beers on offer are a small stage above water. The new staff were faffing about especially with the computer tills and it took me ages to get served. And the uni toilets - not keen on these. Some of the ease and glamour of the old Warrington has gone but at least its still there in fancy dress mode.
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wow! what a stunning pub! some of the staff are quite hot as well! so worth checking out this place is great.
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I was in The warrington on Friday night and the barstaff said it would be closing for three months as of last Sunday. Most of the work is being done upstairs but downstairs is 'being returned to its former glory'. If it was once better than it was it must have been absolutely perfect !!
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Used to be a great place for an early doors drink, especially in the summer. Had to avoid grtting run over when attempting to take drinks onto the roundabout!
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The beer's improved cosiderably since the take over.
But the locals are not impressed by the new management team, and appear to be heading-off in droves (to the Warwick Castle).
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Been bought by Gordon Ramsey I believe.
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Popped in last night only to be blown away by the decor. It's an impressive enough sight from the outside but the art noveaux decoration is something special.
Looked like a decent selection of Fuller's ale and the barman was efficient without going out of his way.
Likely to go back.
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Quality
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Featured famously in The Sweeney during the episode 'Night Out'. No drunken Scotish football fans in there now through.
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WHAT A WONDERFUL PUB LETS HOPE HE KEEPS IT THIS WAY
JUST NEEDS TO SORT OUT UP STAIRS.
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Be watchful of the workers behind the bar if you are paying by card. My card was swipped twice. The place is over-rated with poor service and expensive drinks.
Quite up its own back passage, but not quite on a par with the Waterway.
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Stunning pub interior like no other, good beer,wine and champagne selection, friendly bar staff and a fun pub quiz on Tuesdays at 8pm
Monica Hayworth - 19 Mar 2007 11:14 |
I really hope Mr Ramsay doesn't ruin this unique pub. Though the decor might not change, the atmosphere undoubtedly will. Am going to go her as much as I can before we lose another great London pub.
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Regarding Gordon Ramsey, taking on this pub, anyone who has been to his restaurant will know he is not a man who unduly interested in interiors, and this boozer is ALL about the interior.
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Apparently he is aware of the significance of the interior and that it's on the CAMRA Local Inventory. Not that that stopped the people who revamped the Queens Arms, Hammersmith.
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I haven't been for a while, but when I lived down W9 way I always greatly enjoyed this, one of the few decent pubs in that area. As I recall, decent real ales and a splendid interior. I hope that the Gordon Ramsey takeover doesn't alter things too much, although I have my doubts.
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Hopefully when it's owned by a TV chef you'll be able to get a decent sandwich with your pint. At the moment all they do when you ask for food is say, 'There's a Thai restaurant upstairs'. If I wanted a Thai restaurant, why would I be in a pub?
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Get yourselves into the Warrington and enjoy it while you can - well kept ales, friendly & attentive staff and an amazing interior make it a very special place indeed. If the newspapers are to be believed(!) this wonderful pub is about to get a tiresome gastro pub revamp courtesy of Gordon Ramsey. He's about to buy it and no doubt strip it of its appeal and whack up the prices. Tragic news in my opinion - the Truscott down the road has just closed down - can't he go and interfere with that instead?!
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Re the 'brothel' rumour: sadly not true, and at least some of the saucy wooden panelling is dated 1965. Still a cracking pub though.
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Splendidly opulent pub with an over-the-top interior in the main (right-hand) bar, serving several ales including Deuchars IPA at the moment. Thai restaurant upstairs. The pub was used in the Sweeney episode 'Night Out' and hasn't changed much since then.
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This pub used to be the famous John otways local when he lived nearby.Another plus!!!!
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Good beer, excellent staff and a stunning interior. My favourite London pub.
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A pretty stunning interior and the ale wasn't bad either.First time i had visited this area of London and will definately return.
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The place to visit if you are bound for the BBC Studios. In fact, some may be tempted just to stay!
Was in there last night and a young bloke walked in with two red seter puppies which he was teaching English to with words like, "Stay", "Roll over", "Lay down" and "Come". Reminded me of my days teaching the language to young Japanese girl students - obviously for many a different reason!
A couple walked in and his lass freaked at the dogs. Waving his hand at the dogs, he asked the barman, "Any place where we can get away from these filthy, slobbering animals?"
The barman glanced over and without a grin swiftly replied, "Sorry mate, all our regulars are like that!" The bar crowd dissolved into hopeless laughter.
They sat in a far corner, quaffed their drinks and hurriedly left!
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what a cracking pub! if you're looking for a pub to go to during the xmas period, this is a must!
warm and cosy in the evening, with great service, drink and atmosphere. it also has a lovley beer garden with plenty of seating surrounded by heaters. just what you need on a cold winter night.
and if you like thai food, i'm gonna bet you'll like the restaurant upstairs. i sure did!
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Easily in my top twenty London pubs and well worth a visit by all. Just a few minutes from Maida Vale tube is very close and just off the Edgware Road.
My Sunday lunchtimes wouldn't be the same without the Warrington (especially since the closure of Crockers).
Excellent selection of well kept real ales (incl. ESB), fantastic architecture inside and out, great seating arrangements for large and small groups, cheese and biscuits on the bar, first rate Thai food, no background music - just the hum of conversation, etc., etc.
Occasionally drink here on a Friday night as well and, naturally it is very busy, but still has bags of charm and character.
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the only place to watch footy in the maida vegas/st johns wood area.
one word: gutted
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Good beer and great decor. Forget you're in London. Envious of locals (they must be minted to live round here)
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they serve magner's, on top of that they also sell dry roasted nuts. brilliant
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This place is jammed during matches, hopping on a warm day, and seemingly busy every day of the week. Warm, friendly, fun, great bar staff, and what an incredible architectural sight! Used to be a brothel, owned by the Anglican church. Order takeaway from Ben's and eat it outside on the picnic tables.
This place is for everyone, from whippersnappers to old fogies. Proper ales and guest beers served hand pulled, and also all the cold lagers the younguns love. If you are lucky and Penny is working, so much the better.
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Very ornate pub - go for the architecture alone. Service could be better, but who cares!
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Yeah its decent,..one of my favourite locals. Good no matter what the season but esp boisterous on a nice sunny day. Two distinctly different bars,...go there for a few months or so and you will automatically graduate to the Shi t one,...apart from on special occasions,...like having birds with you (or when you need to use the toilet/other fruity. Stangely alway music free,..but it seems to work ok. Been in the area 10 years now,...ever eaten in there....
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A very ornate and spectacularly good pub - If only it was nearer civilisation!
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Classic style in the bar. Good atmosphere. Can get quite smoky, though. Fantastic Ben's Thai restaurant upstairs serving good value, tasty Thai food.
anonymous - 9 Feb 2005 11:30 |
Gorgeous Gussie of a pub. Stunning décor of bugle blowing seraphs and dark wood with soft sensitive lighting. Beer is always in great order and the service by the younger staff light and cheerful. Some of the older ones could learn here - they seem to see it as a personal favour to give you their attention. Had a full pint there once and came back from the gents. No pint and complained. Little sympathy.
Saw Frankie Frasier one night with a blonde on each shoulder - our eyes met and then I feared for my health. Not a very mixed clientele - feel slightly uncomfortable among the apparently upmarket whizzy type people. Its always a good sign to see the odd old codger gazing into his tumbler. Very few here. More Thai food. Whoever created this eating craze will have to meet their Higher Being one day. Be warned.
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When i was a student in the late 1990's I used to visit this fine establishment regularly - I never really considered myself as lucky to live so close to such a top pub. Now I realise how fortuitous I was.
The Warrington is a superb pub with original Victorian features. Cracking Thai food in the restaurant upstairs. The beer is good and ambiance was smashing.
Saturday night just gone (18/12/04) was karaoke night which usually fills me with dread and conjures up images of drunk women wailing Gloria Gaynor's "I will survive" however even the karaoke was done well (as is everything else in this pub) and everyone was singing along.
This is about as close to pub perfection that you can get.
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Ben's Thai is just stupendous and the whole deal is excellent in an area where you somehow just don't expect to chance across a really good pub.
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Prepare for a surprise if you go here, the pub boasts a lavish Victorian / Art Deco interior, has lots of history; it was rumoured to be a brothel many years ago and some of the inlaid wooden decor would support this!
Bags of character, maybe a little OTT, but fun all the same. Well kept beer including a regularly changing guest ale, and to top it off a Thai restarant upstairs that you can sit in or order take way which is cooked whilst you have your pint
anonymous - 5 Dec 2004 15:38 |
Just to add an important point to my post below. The other day, for the first time in 4 years of occasionally going here, I went into the back bar, which actually turns out to be the main bar. Big surprise. Has about five Fullers ales on tap and there's a phenomenally popular Thai restaurant upstairs. All very recommended.
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A big old pub that can get absurdly busy in the summer. The London Pride is drinkable, and it looks like a pub, which shouldn't always be taken for granted these days.
God, I sound like I'm about 50.
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go in the big bar to appreciate the history, but finish of in the public bar, which is where the indigenous locals go . on the National Heritage ' national inventorary of historic pub interiors .
dan - 30 Jul 2004 16:26 |
great put with Bens Thai on top. Lovely beer garden.
Justine Davis - 10 Jul 2004 11:16 |
My brother had his birthday here and unfortunately i was unable to attend. I left a message on the pub answer phone for someone to call me so i could arrange to have some champagne waiting for him on arrival. No one called. I left another message the next day and a grumpy, old bast**d called me back saying that "This is my private line and i was out til 1am". The assh**e continued. "It says on the message if you want the restaurant you should call a different number." I explained to him that i didn't realise that this referred to the pub, i assumed that was restaurant bookings, and i was interested in a restaurant booking i didn't call that number. Perhaps, i suggested, you should change the message to say so so there is no confusion. The runts reply "It's been this way for 21 years and i ain't changing it for you!" Charming...
Nidal - 27 May 2004 12:11 |
I used to work there also back in 1995. Great pub, great gov, lots of great punters and lots of good memories. If anyone is reading this Tanya and Craig says hello (staff 1994-1995)
Tanya - 18 Feb 2004 03:41 |
I used to work there for about 6 months in 1996. There used to be a hardcore Spurs fan called Al who held up one end of the bar. Does anyone know if he is stil there !
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Maida Vale's finest drinking establishment, without question.
grecian - 30 Dec 2003 10:20 |
In my top 5 pubs in London and as a CAMRA member, I have been to hundreds in the capital.
frank - 26 Dec 2003 13:14 |
great pub (then again...., if they served cold beer i'd consider brixton lockup a great pub!!), apparently (true story) the Warrington used to be a brothel over 100yr's ago, still the same woodwork over the bar etc???
stevo - 13 Nov 2003 17:02 |
Brilliant, just brilliant, just what every pub should be.
Dan - 29 Sep 2003 22:34 |
The Warrington was beautiful and so much fun. When I was studying in London (I am from the States), I frequented the Warrington often. I loved being able to drink outside in the cool fall weather on the picnic tables with heat lamps. Ben's Thai Restaurant upstairs is also excellent!
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fantastic for all types, mixed crowd of builders to rock starsl outdoors is a suntrap, inside dark and cozy. gets crowded - after closing go to ottos lounge up the street for dancing.
e hourihan - 29 Jun 2003 13:59 |
really get packed when hot. nice food upstairs... even seen liam gallagher here!!
rui - 20 Jun 2003 18:28 |
Reasonably priced, and beautiful. The bathrooms leave a bit to be desired, but all in all a really chill place.
Danielle Mathers - 17 Jun 2003 22:20 |
One of the best pubs in Maida Vale (although there are a few good ones). Two separate bars. Very lively on a Saturday night. Seating area outside which is a big plus in the summer.
simon - 1 Mar 2003 21:42 |
Great pub close to Maida Vale Tube which used to be a brothel many moons ago. Awesome outdoor area makes it a must for summer. Also has a great Thai restaurant upstairs.
Ben Mitchell - 21 May 2002 12:45 |
