please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
I really like this pub, always a good selection of beers and nice food. the staff are good too. I love the August beer festival here.
|
A warm homely and cosy feel at this old pub with its low ceilings, real timber beams etc. Fairly quiet Saturday evening, sadly a sign of the times, but a few small groups enjoying quiet conversation and good beer. The bar is split between the two main rooms with a sort of snug with a hatch to the back bar providing further seating.
Black Sheep Bitter, TT Landlord, Pride, Harviestown Bitter and Twisted, Titanic Anchor, and Rhymney Brewery Bevans Bitter (superb condition). I think the Watneys Red Barrel was off!
A nice pub, it grows on me with each visit.
|
Great pub. Great real ale selection to. Massive garden which is excellent in the summer.
|
Excellent in every particular; an oasis sitting but a few minutes' walk from the town centre abominations.
|
Wonderful, splendid visit last night with a local and another friend over from Italy. Beer range excellent - I thoroghly enjoyed the superb beer from Saltaire which was dry, hoppy, bitter and perfectly well-kept. All drinkers in the various rooms of this pub were enjoying the Irish folk music session with the musicians numbering into double figures. One of St Albans' best pubs on all counts - will certainly go again!
|
Pleased to report that Dave has posted notices around the garden asking parents to keep their brats quiet and under control (not to mention a mysterious and un-repairable fault which has afflicted the swings). Seems to have worked, garden is now pleasant and usable by grown-ups. Was most gratified to see one of the my-children-are-allowed-to-go-anywhere brigade throw a hissy fit on Saturday lunchtime after reading Dave's notice. Hopefully she will not be back.
|
Blacksheep, Youngs, Bitter&Twisted, Titanic Capt Smiths. Small central bar serves a lovely little snug-like front room (‘the den’), settles below windows, small brick fireplace adorned with brass bedpans, faux fire, local feel, blackboard displays beers on now & ‘coming soon’ (8th pint, no notes) also the larger rooms to the left of entrance are the well furnished lounge bar with dartboard, and dining area (or simply more seating?). Didn’t realise there was a patio/beer garden, & even a boules pitch! I liked the White Lion on my first visit, and still do.
|
Three pounds a pint is too dear for me I am afraid. The beer selection on Sunday was rather boring too.
|
Friendly pub with good beer. One of the best - perhaps the best in St Albans. Marvellous place.
|
Fabulous pub, well run, good beers and great food. Hard to fault.
|
Great beer, great food, great landlord, great pub!
|
Great Pub, Cosy, Good Beer and Darts!!
|
This is easily one of the best-run pubs I have ever visited. Always enjoyable.
|
The White Lion is always a pleasure and never a chore. I popped in for lunch today and was reminded what a smashing pub it is. There's nothing complex about it, just the basics done really well.
|
Possibly the best pub in Snorbens these days. Not surprising really, since it's run by Dave who used to run the Lower Red when THAT was the best pub in Snorbens (which it isn't any more, not by a long way).
Garden in the summer is often spoiled by infestations of unruly brats, but then where isn't?
|
This pub really comes into its own in the Summer months due to the large garden with children’s facilities and a petanqe piste (I think that’s the official term). Plenty of room inside with various seating areas, newspapers available and a dartboard. They pay a lot of attention to their real ales and there are generally 5 or 6 on at any one time that change regularly. There’s an interesting old Watneys Red Barrel pump on the bar that looks as if it now dispenses lager. This pub has improved over the last year or so and is well worth a visit if in the area. Combine it with the Garibaldi which can be reached through the back of the beer garden.
|
Consistenly the best pub in St.A, shame about the prices.
|
Car park full then?
|
Well, one of my favorite pubs and ive only ever visited twice! I just need to state for all the dart players: THIS PUB DOES HAVE A DARTBOARD!! They have a lovely throw in here, probably my favorite throw of all. They have a nice unicorn eclipse pro board (rarely seen in st albans pubs) and my darts just seem to fly into the trebble 20 like magnets! i always take my friends here to impress them ;) haha!
Nice friendly staff and a perfect atmosphere. Sometimes quiet sometimes not so quiet but your always made to feel welcome (even at lunchtime when your the only 2 people there!)
Well worth a visit
|
Was privileged to be in here to view the Rugby final. As ever, a decent selection of ales available. Pricey [£2.80] but much better ambience in here than in the cheaper Snorbans pubs. Pleased to see the Watneys Red Barrel is still here.
|
Great beer; very friendly service; extremely good food: excellent. 9/10
|
Cracking beer festival some great ales (particularly enjoyed the Dark Star Hophead) and decent food.
Prices definately too high and whilst it pains me I will stop coming here if the pricing doesn't improve. Thats my only criticism.
|
Another great beer festival has kicked off here for the Bank Holiday weekend. 20 barrels of real ale and burgers in the garden - fantastuloba! The festival is being shared with the White Hart Tap down the road, where there are 10 barrels.
|
Interesting point about the £2.70 price for Black Sheep. Unless I'm mistaken, the price isn't set by the pub or its manager, but by the Pubco above (no names, no packdrill). I can think of other places in St Albans where a pint of London Pride costs £2.80 or a pint of Spitfire costs £2.90. That doesn't excuse anything, of course, but higher prices in this part of the world are the norm. The question is, how much further can they go? My guess is: not much.
|
OK - I will step up to the plate with a minor criticism. I think £2.70 is a bit steep for a pint of Black Sheep - one can get a very decent pint of JHB for £2.30 elswhere in St Albans. David is an excellent landlord and knows how to keep the beer, but when he is not around the quality can slip. So in my opinion, only the second best pub in St Albans.
|
I struggle like crazy to criticise this pub and every time I fail. All of the comments below are spot on. It really is that good. Fantastic. XXX
|
Lovely bar, friendly and relaxing, good beer, hard to fault it really, a little gem.
|
Due to such a nice day yesterday went to this pub again, it just goes to show that this landlord looks after the building/garden and pub as it all looks so good. i noticed he had one best pub in south herts which just goes to show the old pubs are the best pubs, great selection of beers and now he has some fruit beers (not on tap) great pub, great staff, great food. My rating has to go up!!!
anonymous - 10 Jun 2007 10:01 |
I agree with previous post a fantastic community pub and probably the most underrated pub in these parts.
Puts the HnH and the Goat to shame with its atmosphere, even though it has the worst decor / furniture. Arent pubs weird things....?
anonymous - 29 May 2007 15:54 |
CAMRA's South Hertfordshire Branch has just awarded the White Lion their Pub Of The Year trophy.
It's a well-deserved award, and tonight David gave an eloquent speech praising his team and thanking customers for their support in the 2.5 years since he took over.
Bravo, this is a fine COMMUNITY pub that sets the standard for all pubs, everywhere. 10/10
|
With the weather being as it is, a good choice as has a beer garden out back (en route to the Garibaldi if on a crawl). Still working on finishing off the bbq area thou!
But we were here for the beer. 4 on when we arrived (including Cally XPA), which were all (from our mini tour) in good condition. This had dropped to 3 before we left, but was not long in being replaced. Staff even remembering our previous orders! Nice.
Did not stay for food (as some other pubs to move to), but looked good from those dining. One of a cluster of good pubs in this area. Just not sure about the Watney Red though... (see in pub for details!)
|
Top notch. Nice feel to this place, welcoming barstaff, good selection of ales. Tried the Titanic Anchor & Jennings Cumberland and both were outstanding, I think there were 3 or 4 others on offer. Probably the pub of the day for me on yesterday’s St.A. crawl.
|
This is a really great place - friendly, excellent beer, and good range of six ales on hand pump. They had St Peter's when I went in, which is difficult to find. A really good pub - I shall be returning.
|
A great pub full of nooks and crannies serving good and varying selection of real ales. Nice touch with the 'Watney Red Barrel' pump - which serves Carlsberg; ha ha. 8/10
|
One of the best, if not the best, pubs in St A at the moment. Good selection of beers in good condition, friendly staff and great food (try the nachos!).
Recommended.
|
Brilliant pub even for the non beer drinkers!! I had a lovely cup of tea there!! The staff were friendly, the atmosphere inviting and the Landlord even came to find me when i left my wallet behind. You just don't find service like that everywhere! Deffinately worth a visit and you should all sample The Dark and Stormy!!!
|
What can I say? Fantastic pub! Beer is great, and the staff very friendly to new comers. If I lived in the area this would certainly be my local. The owner even came to find us after we left as a friend accidentally left her purse behind!
|
Good to see this pub getting recognition at last. David works very hard to keep the beers and food at top quality, and barstaff such as Kim always provide a friendly welcome.
|
The landlord had done wonders this is definatley one of the best pubs in town. Fantastic beers, never had one that wasn't spot on.
Prefer it if it wasn't a pubco pub, it makes the beer expensive if nothing else, but thats the way it goes.
|
Despite being in the grip of a pubco, manages to present a decent mix of ales in fine condition. Nearly always something amongst them to delight even this picky sod. Some think food is a bit pricey but you gets wot you pays for and this is high quality. Eclectic selection of bands / musos Tues @ Sun. Much well directed effort by the landlord has made this pub probably the best in St Albans.
|
I haven't voted for this pub for a while, but it seems to just get better and better. The recent beer festival was great, 29 ales on offer, all of which were in good nick, music on the Bank Holiday Monday as a charity fundraiser made for a great atmosphere in the garden. I ate there last night and the food was superb; the beers were top notch. Landlord managed to change 5 of the 6 ales on offer while cooking for 10 people. I give this pub 10/10.
anonymous - 15 Sep 2006 00:09 |
I've just looked at the white lion's beer festival page and seen that the photo's show just how good it really was, the athomsphere and music in conjunction with the children/bigger children being face painted all in all made the two days i went there with friends and family a great weekend. Between us we tried all but one of the beers, the landlord wouldn't sell it due to it not being 'in condition to sell' good for him, i would have hated to have a bad beer considering all the rest where very tasty. Hope it's on again next year.
|
Last night there was good music ,friendly staff and the usual superb beer.Best pub in St. Albans now.
carefree.
|
I've always like this place and a visit to their recent beer festival did nothing to shake that. Like alanharmer, I'm inclined to rate this above the LRL now.
Nice mix of people in the bar and the garden, good service, and excellent beer. You can't go wrong!
|
The beer festival this weekend was good! As a rule I steer clear of these, but the one at the WLion was laid-back, friendly and with loads of good beers. Now I've found it, will visit this pub again when next in StA.
|
First visit to this pub and having been disappointed @ Lower Red Lion , this pub provided a refreshing change.Staff provided excellent service and dispensed beer in very good condition , albeit just a touch on the cool side.
Agree with earlier comments that this is possibly best pub in St A.Have to say the Red Barrel appealed tomy (probably perverse) sense of humour.
|
I like to praise this pub from time to time! It remains an excellent place, with up to 6 real ales in excellent condition - the Adnams Regatta and Waggledance currently available are recommended. For freshly cooked food few pubs in St Albans are better; arguably only the Portland and Verulam are in the same league.
There's one problem at present. Dave's bizarre sense of humour has led him to plonk a Watney's Red Barrel on the side bar; it wasn't just me who nearly had a heart attack on seeing it yesterday. Still, it's a reminder of how far real ale has come in the past 30 years or so.
In my humble opinion some of the other pubs in this area are sliding a bit, but the White Lion remains first class.
|
Great pub, good beer, nice food, lovely garden. Staff have always been very friendly when I have visited. If you live in Snorbans or are just visiting pop it on your list.
Btw as to the previous post about wanting football and good beer, The Farmers Boy is always worth a look, especially on match-days.
|
Possibly my favourite pub in St Albans at the minute. The interior is somewhat old-mannish but not without it's charm. The Landlord is pleasant, not the hail fellow well met sort but obliging to the point of nipping off and cooking a veggie dish of his own design for a couple of friends who didn't fancy anything off the menu. That was the only time I've eaten there but it was late on a busy Sunday and both the veggie nonsense and everything else we ordered was excellent. Best thing about it is the garden, an absolutely lovely place to have a beer and watch the sun go down. One minor criticism would be the lager selection whihc comprises Carlsberg for cooking and Wifebeater for premium, so Hobson's choice there but you can't have everything.
|
So am I - it's one of the most depressing experiences going, being in a pub when there's an Eng-er-lund match being shown on the TV. If there's a better way to attract the riff - raff, I've yet to find it.
Well done to the White Lion
anonymous - 15 Jun 2006 14:25 |
It's not "snobby" to have no interest in football. Personally I'm pleased that not all pubs have succumbed to World Cup fever.
But let's not argue. I have no vested interest in any of these pubs, but for TV football and beer you might be better off going to the Garibaldi, which has plenty of TV sports, London Pride ales, and "old gits" like you and me! See you in there one day, maybe.
But not today. I'm off to the White Lion.
|
I went to go in on saturday as the beer is always excellent and I wanted to watch the footy.When I asked if it was been shown he was rather rude sending me to the Hare and Hounds which was a bit to busy for an old git like me ,and the beer isnt so well kept.Why are footy fans treated like lepers by some snobby pubs,I love real ale and I love football,do they have to be mutually exclusive.
|
I was in here the other Sunday night with Miss Jones. I was struck again by what a decent honest-to-goodness pub this is. The ale is reliably good and there's always a relaxed atmosphere about the place. It's an unpretentious pub for professional drinkers. Had a game of darts with Miss Jones. She won one game I won the other - the right result for an evening of continued conviviality.
|
This is a great little pub near to the centre of town. It should be used more often as the ales (up to 6 available at all times)are always kept in good nick and the food is superb. I can highly recommend it to any ale or food enthusiast. He has just started opening all day too.
anonymous - 31 Mar 2006 15:19 |
P.S. This pub is now open all day, Tuesdays to Saturdays. Good news for afternoon drinkers!
anonymous - 30 Mar 2006 15:39 |
A lot of hard work has gone into this pub recently, and now it's paying off. Every time I enter there's something new: different beers or interesting food or a social/music evening. Apparently more beer festivals are on their way too. A fun summer lies ahead!
anonymous - 29 Mar 2006 16:13 |
Had a great bowl of home made soup here. They even gave me a top up with the bread....Warm and cosy pub.
A nice find with so many pubs in St Albans. Food and beer good value........Mitch
|
The staff in this pub work very hard, and its popularity seems to be growing - deservedly so. Tasty wholesome food, 6 real ales, a good amount of space ... visiting this pub is an enjoyable experience. The only downside from where I sit is that you're never quite sure what the atmosphere is going to be: middle-aged, younger people listening to 90s music, CAMRA types studying the ales, or a mixture? Never mind, I'm sure it will settle down. Easily 8 out of 10, on a good day 9.
|
The new man keeps great beer. Food looks like a rip off though.
|
It must be said that this pub was buzzing the Bank holiday weekend. Great bands, fab beer festival(i'm not really a beer drinker)and great atmosphere.
A great local which is sooooooooooo friendly.
anonymous - 1 Sep 2005 19:07 |
Definitely on an upward trend. More beers, great food and the new manager is very customer-focused. The forthcoming beer festival looks inviting, and there's even a website (www.TheWhiteLionPH.co.uk)! Let the kiddiwink binge drinkers keep their "trendy" bars; the White Lion is now one of several 'traditional' pubs in St Albans that can knock spots off the competition.
|
Went into the White Lion on Saturday night having not been in for a couple of years. It seems to have changed for the better (it was not good back then) and is serving a greater variety of real ales than I remember. Food looks fantastic and they're advertising a beer festival for this August Bank Holiday weekend - I strongly suggest you try it!
Saucy - 22 Aug 2005 16:37 |
Excellent old pub, poorly run in recent years, now back on the paths of righteousness under new (6 months) landlord. Varied range of fine ales well kept.
Food above yer average pubgrub. No SAT TV.
Good sized garden but can feel like a creche at peak hours for ankle-biters.
|
Fabulous pub recently taken over I believe. At least 5 real ales. Very welcoming, clean and above all, wonderful ale!
|
This pub has just had a change of management. New, different beers look OK, but I was there on Friday night and there was no sign of any live music. Still a reasonable pub and worth checking out.
anonymous - 27 Feb 2005 17:36 |
Always absolutely dead - no idea how they keep going. But decent pub, small tv so you can watch the footie if everywhere else is busy. Friendly and cracking beer garden
Dave - 30 Oct 2004 12:36 |
I visit St Albans regularly, and this + The Goat + Garibaldi make a great local trio. The beers in the White Lion are its main selling point; also does some live music - the band I saw there were terrific.
anonymous - 8 Aug 2004 21:41 |
Used to spend plenty of time at the White Lion while I lived in St. Albans. I miss the place dearly. Great wait staff, good garden for summer evenings. And contrary to what I was told about English food before moving to the U.K., the Lion served some great sandwiches.
|
Just down the road from the Goat where one of its ex-regulars told me that it had gone down hill a bit recently. I wasn't disappointed though, it's clean, comfortable and friendly and serves a very drinkable pint of Piddle in the Sun from the Wyre Piddle Brewery. It's a decent enough place but maybe suffers from there being so many good pubs within walking distance.
|
