Spanish Galleon, Greenwich

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user reviews of the Spanish Galleon, Greenwich

please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.

I sometimes pop in when waiting for a takeaway from the noodle house opposite. Has anyone else noticed it always seems to smell of piss?
Glasgowboy - 12 Sep 2008 14:09
I like the Spanish Galleon.

The beer here is good being Shepherd Neame. Bishops Finger was decent and the service was prompt and friendly.

Whilst a tourist trap of sorts, it remains a fine pub and comfortable and smart without resorting to olde worlde trickery and chronological exactitude or maritime-related tomfoolery as it might being in Greenwich.
terenced - 28 Jul 2008 08:49
Went here today with a colleague from Croatia. She was delighted with her Fish Pie although it wasn't as large as she'd hoped. My Bubble and Squeak with lamb was plentiful although a little on the cold side. The beer was spot on. The master brew (and we both had one) was among the best I'd tasted. Very friendly service too. I'll take the wife next time.
ButchEgg - 4 Mar 2008 23:21
The wait for a drink in here was short, the barstaff quick to serve. Unfortunately, the whole pub stank of the maen's toilets and the missus' white wine was tepid and 'odd' tasting. My pints were fine though.
Trevzy - 13 Feb 2008 00:07
One of the best pubs in the centre of Greenwich. Generally a decent choice of beers, and never too crowded, so a good bet for getting a seat in my experience. I'm never sure why it isn't more popular. The Sunday lunch left a lot to be desired though.
old_at_heart - 5 Feb 2008 12:43
Remains one of the better pubs in Greenwich and unlike some others always has enough staff on to ensure that you don't wait an eternity for a drink. I cannot comment on the quality of the ale as I normally have lager or cider in here. The food is good too.
nrj746 - 22 Jan 2008 07:23
First visit here for a spot of lunch on a Monday.

Had a few pints of Guinness and the burger. Both of which were of high quality, fairly priced for London and accompanied by very friendly service.

Well worth a visit.


Badgers - 12 Dec 2007 09:39
I have been very disappointed in this pub recently. One of the only Shepherd Neame pubs in the area and should be a good favourite. Had a pint of Master Brew, rotten. Had a pint of Spitefire, rotten. The staff do not know what makes a great pint of Ale, and are not interested when you tell them. It’s a shame as a good pub has been spoilt. Bring back the old Staff!
cooperob - 30 Oct 2007 11:25
Ruined pub, following recent updating and refurbishing. Bishops Finger Ale definitely watered down on last visit. Challenged landlord, who suddenly couldn't speak English, despite doing so most clearly in the few minutes before.
elthamlass - 17 Oct 2007 14:45
Sunday (Sept 2nd) was my first proper visit this excellent Shepherd Neame pub in quite along time. My previous visit was cut short due to the lack of seating and I was completely off my tits on my only other visit… whenever that actually was. Well, I was a little more sober this time and gladly so. The Spanish Galleon is a well looked after, comfortable enough pub, though perhaps slightly bare. Spitfire, Bishops Finger and Master brew were the well conditioned ales on offer, though prices are not particularly cheap. The background music was pleasingly easy on the ears and a definite calmness echoed around us. 7 out of 10 from me.
HTM69 - 5 Sep 2007 19:09
Paid my first visit here for some years. Pleasantly surprised to get a seat on a Friday evening, so enjoyed good pints of Spitfire and Master Brew. Pleasant decor and friendly bar staff.
JonW999 - 4 Aug 2007 08:53
I didn't know it before the refurbishment, despite having lived in Greenwich for over 3 years, but it's a great pub and has obviously benefited from clean air. Loads of room, friendly staff, and good ales from Shepherd Neame on tap. The bar food is great value but a bit variable - the burger is superb, but I had a pretty poor egg, ham and chips today (overcooked egg and slightly rubbery ham). That being said, the guy who took my plate away very kindly gave me a free half pint of Spitfire to make up for it. Which it definitely did. Highly recommended.
rumbers - 21 Jul 2007 23:51
The Galleon has now reopened after a mild refurbishment (a lick of pain/varnish) and is now a non smoking pub! Still a great boozer and now less smelly too!
Shaft - 29 May 2007 14:10
This pub has now been closed i hope for refurbishment and not for good. It was a nice pub to watch sport in as it had a nice tv and freindly staff. The alchol was expensive but hopfully this will change when it re-opens
anonymous - 7 May 2007 16:46
good down to earth pub. You can almost always get a seat. There's the quiet half and the TV half. Relatively good barstaff too.

Recommended for a swift one,..... or two.
anonymous - 13 Apr 2007 16:12
A Sheperd Neame pub situated in the touristy part of Greenwich, The Spanish Galleon is a seemingly rough and ready establishment with tatty wooden floor boards, but actually does the job quite nicely. I walked in here with my girlfriend when last in the area (10th Feb), bur we couldn’t get a seat and left, but didn’t fail to pick up on the good atmosphere and 80’s music blaring. I recall being here once before and attempting (and failing!) to nick a Holsten Export pint glass! Recommended and I’d certainly check it out again.
HTM69 - 2 Mar 2007 16:47
The spanish galleon is a down to earth boozer, mercifully free of your average self-absorbed, arrogant twat-of-a-punter found in most other greenwich pubs.
anonymous - 18 Jan 2007 19:27
Since my last comment there has been no sign of the miserable deputy landlord. I think he must be gone. No other changes of note though.
nrj746 - 27 Dec 2006 14:31
My girlfriend and I came here Saturday night (25 Nov) following our H-File and meal in the nearby High Chaparral restaurant. It was not too busy and my girlfriend was served fairly quickly at the bar. The member of bar staff who served her was also friendly enough. A bottle of Corona and a Magners came to over 7 quid, so make what you want from that if anything about the prices of drinks!

We sat away from the main section of the pub in the virtually empty and therefore quieter non-smoking area, which was ideal for a chat and relaxing drink before continuing our H-File. The main section of the pub did appear to lack any atmosphere though. In spite of this, I would certainly come here again on a Saturday night when with out the missus. This place seems ideal for a few quiet drinks - especially if you are a non-smoker - after a meal given the plethora of restaurants found in Greenwich.
Searching_for_H_Files - 27 Nov 2006 12:28
Despite the tourist element (well, it is Greenwich), I found this to be a wonderful pub. Great decor (wood floors, panelling, lots of ephemera on the walls and a fireplace) nice beers, well-ventilated and a good no-smoking section. It was quiet, not overly-expensive and made a pleasant escape from the wild November weather. Under-rated, considering how many establishments have lost their "pub-ness" these days.
sirensofsilence - 17 Nov 2006 12:15
A dingy tourist trap
anonymous - 7 Nov 2006 11:18
You probably mean the deputy to the landlord, I think his name is Lee, he truly is a right miserable b**tard. Shame really as most of the other staff are friendly. There was also a French guy there for a while who didn't have a clue what he was doing, he told one tourist (who admittedly originally asked for a pint of snakebite) that it would be illegal for him to serve a cider and black. Then he got into an argument with me when I pointed out to him that he was being ridiculous.
nrj746 - 22 Oct 2006 18:25
The landlord's gotten even more prickley. I think what ever atmos this place had is being sucked out by his attitude.
MrScott - 17 Oct 2006 11:39
Top draw proper good pub - friendly bar staff. As always, the atmosphere is good and no trouble. Watch out for the truly surly landlord.
easyskip - 23 Sep 2006 16:59
Al lunchtime this place REEKS of fish and chips. An absolute stife, truly awful. We didn't stop for a pint and fled from the nearest exit up to the Richard I and Greenwich Union.
anonymous - 21 Aug 2006 13:52
Average tourist orientated pub with overpriced food and weird Shepherds Neame beers. Not bad, though. Just average.
mrfalafel - 14 Aug 2006 19:38
I don't actually mind this place at all!

Nice place to chill for a pint after work, beer always of a good quality, though price wise a little on the expensive side.
chrisgum1 - 3 Aug 2006 17:10
Nice atmosphere and not too over priced. A nice place to chill, away from the lary students in the Admiral Hardy
ST2004 - 27 Jul 2006 12:25
No complaints here, the Bishops Finger was in fine condition, even though it was one of the hottest days of the year. Very friendly (and cute) girl behind the bar, who knew what she was serving, I thought I'd tried all the Shepheard Neame ales, but I was wrong. If I lived in Greenwich I could see this being my local
mannyowar - 25 Jul 2006 16:22
Not the most atmospheric pub you'll ever go into, but the beer's good and it's worth a visit. In agreement with the anonymous post, "it's not trying to be something it's not", which is why it's good for a quick pint ahead of some of the trendy bars which seem commonplace in Greenwich.
man_of_kent - 9 Jul 2006 17:47
Visited yesterday and thought this place was completely shi-ite. Inattentive staff, dirty tables and a strange musty smell lingering in the air.

Beer was average at best.

Won't be going back.
anonymous - 3 Apr 2006 12:23
Compared to the rest of the greenwich boozers, this is never going to compete on the coolness stakes, but why should it? It has competant staff who know what they're doing, and the beer and lager selection is great (oranjeboom on draught), and the food is decent quality and good value. Unlike the rest of the pubs in the imemdiate area, it's not trying to be somethign it's not and it's refreshingly good because of it.
anonymous - 28 Mar 2006 12:11
Average pub in good location has a run down and miserable atmosphere as the tourists are conveyor belted in and out
greenwich_paul - 18 Nov 2005 14:58
More of a large bar than a proper pub. Chuck full of people both times I have been there. Did not find the beer objectionable although have had better Shepherds Neame ales elsewhere. No lovelys to be found when I visited excepted the one I brought (you never know when she might check up on my posts)
jorrocks - 22 Oct 2005 05:06
You've already been sussed, Freeman. See you at the Galleon on Monday?
MrScott - 4 Oct 2005 09:01
My dear Mr Scott, I am a wanderer in time and space.
Pertwee - 1 Oct 2005 17:28
Cheeky blighter - identify yourself!
MrScott - 21 Sep 2005 12:16
Intresting bit of colour. The Spanish Galleon is supposed to be haunted by a phantom dog. A huge, black mastiff type. Supposedly been seen for years and still reported recently.
Pertwee - 12 Sep 2005 21:55
Echo the sentiments about the Ale being poorly kept. Shepherd Neame are done absolutely no favours by the slop served up in here. Friendly bar staff a plus point.
DickieC - 14 Jun 2005 16:18
Visited the place late on a Saturday afternoon for a beer or two, to get out of the biting cold wind.
Friendly staff, good selection of beers if pricey.

harlequin - 7 Mar 2005 02:10
The staff here are friendly and fun, but on my visit today, the Shepherd Neame ale was atrociously kept. How does real ale acquire a harsh flat taste, a slight fizz and a thick creamy head? What on earth do they do to it? More like keg beer than real ale.
foxski - 20 Feb 2005 21:52
i arrived with my girlfriend....at the weekend pub was packed, had to wait a few minutes for a table....a tad over priced.sunday lunch at £8.50 each choice of meals the traditional roast was ok, but i chose fish and chips the fish was the smallest portion i had ever seen barely more in quantity than a fish finger, in all the place was packed...mainly with tourists the service was good...shame about the tiny fish
gruppe8 - 24 Jan 2005 10:16
Decent place, much better now its been done up.
Lovely looking blonde bloke behind the bar.
A little overpriced.
VickieB - 6 Jan 2005 16:15
It's been done up and has friendly staff, fud until 9pm, three Shepherd Neame ales on tap and a good vibe.

And a cute goth-babe behind the bar.
MrScott - 22 Sep 2004 09:59
Good unpretentious food, real ale in excellent condition (Shepherd Neame), kids welcome in the dining area. A bit tatty interior, but nice. Great location for maritime Greenwich and public transport.
Sigmund - 13 Mar 2004 23:17
I love the Galleon! Nice place, nice people, nice location, fun themed nights..went there on Fireworks night and had a great time, also a host in the Jazz Week
Helen - 9 Jan 2004 19:34
Great traditional Greenwich pub, the last one left I'm afraid as all the others have gone very glitz. Great on a Sunday afternoon for a bit of honest grub & a good pint or nice glass of chilled white.


becks - 4 Sep 2003 17:00
Pretty decent place. The food we've had has been good, and the Spitfire has been in good shape.
It does get a bit busy at lunch and on weekends, and the staff can get overwhelmed & make mistakes on orders.
martineaux - 21 Aug 2003 09:48
Excellent pub, wonderful food, and equally edible bar staff. Comedy is good and also Salsa and other events.
Kim - 16 Jul 2003 19:52
Always has been the tattiest of the central Greenwich tourist pubs, but to be honest it's not all that bad, doesn't get too busy and has started doing comedy and club nights upstairs - a rare effort in what's usually a very complacent part of town.
Darryl - 10 Jul 2003 20:27

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