please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Long live The Uxbridge Arms,a pub for those who don't want to shout at the person their talking to.No Music,No food,T.V. only on for the event,then off.The locals are an endless source of fun,full of public school types,retired colonels and builders.What a mixture,but it works.Mid afternoon you could be talking with a plumber and a retired colonel about cricket,7pm a investment banker and a copper about 'modern' music,9pm a QC and a nurse about beach holidays.A good choice of beers and wines to suit all tastes.The Landlady,Linda,is definatly the'Guv'nor'.Great fun watching well heeled ladies of a certain age,knock back the wine,then try to pick up a builder.'Would one fancy a s...' Priceless!!!
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nice pint of St Austell Tribute, 7/10
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really nice traditional pub just off the main road
good service and good beers
obviously full of regulars but friendly
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A nice traditional pub that was quite quiet for a Saturday night. Our rather large post football touring ale party were comfortably seated straight away. It was also very impressive how many staff were serving and they were able to handle our party straight away. 3 hand pumped ales were in use but just a safe selection of amber best beers. Unfortunately the beers were pumped through a swan neck. Virtually the whole of our group were on the lovely St Austell Tribute. Unfortunately after a number of rounds the barrel went and was not replaced. This hastened our move to the other close by GBG pub The Churchill Arms.
The pub seemed a tight run ship by the land lady. She seemed the only one who was able to talk to customers as none of the bar staff seemed to. When I asked about the ale selection the land lady said she was tied to what Enterprise Inns offer her.
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Really enjoyed this pub which has oodles of character.
Lovely pint of Landlord.
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Tucked away and I suspect overlooked due to the proximity of the more storied Churchill and Windsor Castle, this is a cosy little pub with some marvellous posters charting family trees of beers and the odd obscure nineteenth century cricketer.
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Excellent pint of Landlord, friendly staff-some of the punters though,could have come straight from the pages of "Hangover Square".
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Plesant, typical open-plan pub; hard to criticise, but hard for me to enthuse about (sums up many London pubs I find) - Wadworth 6X only OK.
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Still pop in, regular like. All the regulars are there and I've developed a soft spot for them all.
No better place there is to unwind and that's what The Uxbridge is all about.
Even during the power cut we experienced there, a few weeks ago, beer was still being served until they could serve no more.
Now that's dedication.
The only thought is how will the regulars react when the smoking ban comes in?
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My last comment certainly stirred up a hornets nest but a recent lunch time visit found a friendly welcome from the Landlady and staff although trade was quiet probably due to to the monsoon!The Brakspears has gone which is a pity but the three real ales were well kept and the Greene King IPA was the best I have tasted for some time.The Uxbridge is a Pub Pub no food only booze and a rarity. I hope it survives but this will depend on locals rather the occasional visitor such as myself who has popped in for a quick one every six months for the last fifteen years.
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Great pub, with an ever-changing mix of customers. It is true that if you go for a lunch time session you’ll meet the older crowd made up of the “Generals, Admirals” mentioned by others. I can understand that if your face is a little off white like mine you could get a little uncomfortable by all the talk of bringing back the Empire etc etc, But more often than not these old guys are taking the mickey out of each other and can be quite fun to talk to. I have always been treated with absolute courtesy, although short skirts get you a long way!!!!!
In the evening you get a better mix of age groups and it gets a little livelier.
The place is small but I think this adds to the atmosphere rather than detracting from it.
The drinks selection is varied and the wine has the desired affect (don’t drink brakspears so won’t comment). The bar staff are always excellent including the landlady who’s more than happy to share a few with the customers.
They get a gold star for getting two large screens in for the world cup so a great place to watch a Brazil win again!!!
It’s a pity I live so far away or this would be my local.
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Stonch, try the Cock and Bottle in Needham Road - a good addition to the crawl, 5 mins from Notting Hill Tube
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Great place. Reminds me of my local, the Sekforde.
So pleasantly surprised by pubs in this area generally - expected them to be full of tossers, instead this place in particular was packed with genuine pub going folks.
Beer was Young's bitter, GK IPA and Brakspear bitter. Opted for the lattermost which was very lively and a lovely pint - never had it before, will make a point of looking out for it in future. Very tasty despite low ABV.
After one in here we struck out north, but next time will stick to this, the Windsor Castle and the Churchill for a zero effort Notting Hill/Kensington pub crawl.
anonymous - 18 Apr 2006 09:48 |
I see that my review has now become the subject of reviewers, interesting.
Since Behindthescenes has endeavoured to pick up the “simple sword of truth and the sturdy shield of British justice” it would be unfair if I didn’t reply.
Firstly I don’t think the Uxbridge is a bad pub and I disagree that my comments were scathing, I thought the barmaid was very competent and I said so, the décor is very old fashioned but does actually work, again I said so.
I also said that if you are laid back it wasn’t a bad place for a beer.
All in all I thought the Uxbridge was well worth the visit, and I have no doubt the landlady is all you say; such a glowing report must have some merit.
Although it sounds as if you take advantage of her good will since she appears to be managing your life.
But now then…thrust, parry, parry, thrust…rapiers at the ready…on guard. I’m afraid my comments about certain customers notably I used to be…. Generals, Barristers and Admirals et al was formed by observation and although firmly tongue in cheek I stand by them.
I note that you haven’t disagreed with other comments regarding baying locals…hurrah for empire and killing fuzzy wuzzies etc etc so I assume you do not contest this.
I think you will also have to agree that there is far to much of “I used to be…leading the conversations, although your comment about “used to be celebrities” sounds hilarious, I can see it now as one of the Generals at the bar shouts out “see that man he used to be Peter Ustinov don’t you know”
I would also like to say to Walkabout, I don’t know how many eighteen year olds you have met that order a pint of brakspears but I bet its not many, also I don’t think you should mention stabbing metaphorically or otherwise.
I think the pair of you have taken things all to seriously, however I concede that any bar that instils such loyalty in its customers must be doing something right…So I happily say, if you never visited the Uxbridge do pop along for a few you never know you might like it, at least you’ll be able to make up your own mind, and don’t worry if you see so poor sod running down the street being peppered by buckshot from the locals that will just be me.
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After being advised that this site existed I felt compelled to comment on the commentators on the “Uxy” most of which I note happily, are favourable. Although, some comments from trasker - “Small ... decorated by Lawrence lewellyn-Bowen on drugs (sic)... The locals are indeed old school ... more than a few fibbers in here ... They all seem to have been Generals, Admirals or top barristers...” do disappoint, but that is what you would expect from someone who's reviews of other pubs are scathing also.
Yes, the Uxy is small and yes, old fashioned in decoration and does not serve food (do we need and more foodie pubs?) – but kept absolutely spotless, with two fires blazing throughout winter, overflowing with flower boxes in summer, no music or fruit machines, excellent and friendly barstaff and a colourful, local and loyal Licensee/dog walker/house watcher/key holder/nurse/taxi service with an attention to detail bar none. The beers are served crystal clear and nurtured in the cellar like expensive wine which it has a good range of too, its off the main road, next to an old Theatre/Cinema (which those locals saved from becoming a fast food outlet), a stones throw from some good restaurants nestled in the Hillgate Villiage and surrounded by houses that used to be workman’s cottages. What do you expect? Mirror Balls, slick glass frontage and leather furniture?
In my opinion trasker is not a good judge of a “fibber” as some of the locals are old school and were Admirals, Generals and Barristers - and for trasker’s benefit, Judges, celebrities, plumbers, police officers, electricians, writers, caretakers, builders, musicians etc. even a few American’s and the odd Aussie have been spotted too! God forbid!
As for leggless’ “the iron hand of the Landlady ...driven the regulars away” of course has no idea there has always been a “route” trodden and usually followed by some locals which includes a stop at most hostelries in the vicinity.
This is an honest, friendly, community pub in the centre of London and you don’t get that very often.
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I HAVE BEEN USING THIS WONDERFULL PUB FOR A FEW YEARS AND LOVE IT EVERY TIME I GO THERE. THERE IS ALWAYS A WARM WELCOME, GREAT BEER AND A GOOD BUNCH OF PEOPLE WHO DON'T STAB YOU IN THE BACK ( they stab in the front).AS FOR THE COMMENTS FROM LEGGLESS I GESS HE HAS JUST TURNED 18 AND IS JUST LEARNING TO DRINK AND CAN'T TELL A GOOD PUB FROM A DOCTOR'S WAITING ROOM. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK LINDIA.
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Good pint of Brakspears but that's about all. No food,atmosphere or customers on a lunch time visit.The iron hand of the Landlady has driven the regulars away to other establishments such as the Hillgate and the place is more like a chapter from Dickens Bleak House!
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What a hoot!We spent News Years Eve here and had a ball.The staff certainly know how to have a good time,with some of the clientelle in saucy uniforms.Great beer and atmosphere.Well worth a visit.
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Nice pub, with good beer and atmosphere. A good place to head to if The Churchill Arms is too full, especially after the horrible new remodel Hillgate has had.
anonymous - 22 Nov 2005 14:19 |
Popped in after this place was recommended to me by the denizens of the Hillgate. The first thing that strikes you about this place is its small and I mean small. The decor dosen't help it looks like it was decorated by lawrence lewellyn-Bowen on drugs.
The locals are indeed old school. They all seem to have been Generals, Admirals or top barristers personally I think there are more than a few fibbers in here. One local has the annoying habit of continually correcting your grammar even if your not speaking to him, fortunately the barman put him in his place before anyone else did!!
Everything about this pub says wrong, but strangely it does actually work, the beer is good and contrary to what has been said in other comments the barmaid is very good, in fact I would go as far as saying she's one of the better staff I have encountered in my travels.
If your fairly laid back and can handle the regulars insistence of telling you how great they are, this is a good place to have a quiet drink. If however you are offended by talk of the good old days of empire and killing fuzzy wuzzies you should probably avoid the place.
Even if you are offended you can take solace that the public school types who inhabit this place do know what they're talking about when they proclaim "bugger me" no doubt they have first hand experience!!!!
Please note if you are planning on having a few, watch the stairs to the downstairs toilets, very easy to descend faster than you had planned.
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Great pub, because
a) there's no music drowning out conversation
b) the bartenders are very friendly and up for a chat
Highly recommended!
anonymous - 21 Jun 2005 00:03 |
There is an unbelievably poor bar maid in here at the moment,...when i finally caught her evasive eye and ordered my drinks,..she managed to get through the whole transation without a simgle word or any eye contact,... simply held out her hand for the cash at the end,..whilst looking away at the tv. Rated her in a way!..it is a shit business after all,...
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My wife and i have been in the pub again
and the new carpet looks great along with the tables,took care not to spill our drinks incase linda
got a bit upset! by the way Robin my wife thinks you are a very hansome man and like's to see you when she comes for a drink????
aecjs - 25 Apr 2005 21:33 |
Great pub, can't wait to return. can someone let me know when that silly old fart robin is not there driveing his raceing car and eating apple pie, love you Linda.
aecjs - 15 Apr 2005 11:34 |
Inspired by the comment of Ullage on the ‘Effing landlady’ I nervously crept into the pub. The decor breaks every interior design principle in the book but it has a feeling of harmony that only a decent old age brings. It feels warm and welcoming and there are plenty of odd characters that you used to find in the proper old boozers.
It has an eccentric feel and if you like your pub cosy and intimate this is the place. The landlady looked in total charge and as I left I placed my pint glass nervously on the counter and slid out the door.
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More or less my local (though I live about a mile away). Great boozer. All the above comments are true. Not a good idea to get the wrong side of the landlady. I've seen her on two different occasions bellowing at truculent customes to "Eff off out of my pub!!!" at the top of her voice. Except she used the full Anglo-Saxon. I only go in the evening but I have never knowingly known them to do food apart from the usual crisps so be warned, but there are some excellent eateries nearby most notably two fine fish and chip restaurants (Geales and Costas)
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I visited here on Christmas Eve and it was lovely. Comfortable, well cared for, with an open fire and friendly staff who make you feel welcome. The customers were a very mixed and cheerful bunch of locals, with a couple of nice dogs wandering around. Brilliant.
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To maintain the honour and glory of the British Empire sah! This gem is one of a few old world pubs situated within this area. A last bastion of Albion. The decor is authentic as are the locals. Whato! The beer is superfluous and the bar wenches buxom. Hand me my bugle......hoorah!
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Truly, walking through the door to the Uxbridge is like stepping back in time!
Old fuddies talking of the good old days.
Fox-hunting. The Empire. Where one will be spending ones weekend, etc. You get it all.
It appears stuck-up. It IS stuck-up. But, however, it still retains that frindliness that makes it a must-see for anytone who remembers how pubs USED to be...
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by god i read this review and have to comment, the finest examples of humanity are to be found here, they are simply brilliant people, old fashioned hurrah! for that-very good lets keep it that way-rar for public schoolboys -i am one myself you see.
Sir michael chisholm-batten - 22 Oct 2004 16:07 |
nice old fashioned pub full of colonels and spaniels. its ace.
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Smoky, stuck up and very old arse
Roger - 16 Jul 2004 19:31 |
Friendly staff. Unfriendly prices. Unbelievable braying locals, often to be heard muttering about "foreign-types" and "lefties" but otherwise, a relaxing spot to wind down after a tough day at work. Or on the golf-course.
jer - 16 Apr 2004 17:49 |
Pleasant, quiet traditional place. Entertainment provided by middle-aged public school fascists on a Saturday afternoon, but don;t let that put you off.
Tim - 1 Jan 2004 17:59 |
A pleasant traditional pub behind the cinema in Notting Hill. Now this pub WAS in the Good Beer Guide until last year when it was omitted. The place had character when I visited in 2002, but the quality of the beer see-sawed whilst the prices took a ride in the elevator upwards! The up side is that I found the staff to be friendly. For good nearby pubs try the Churchill Arms in Kensington Church Street or the Britannia in Allen Street off Ken. High St.
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