please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Quiet except for a tourist group on our saturday visit, friendly staff and decent beer at a very decent price. By the way - this pub was called 'Henekey's' until the early 70s. I recently saw it in a 40 year old National Geographic feature on London pubs - and it doesn't look like it's changed a bit.
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In case you were wondering, they don't have WIFI access. But otherwise one of my favs.
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This place seems to be a very popular choice on here, but I wasn’t overly impressed.
The pub itself is very interesting and conjures up all sorts of thoughts from the past (be they warranted or not) and I loved the vats above the back bar and the many booths down the side. I didn’t go into the front bar, but it looked to be laid out in a typical London pub fashion.
The barmaid was slow and needed help serving three customers, but she was friendly and maybe she was new. £1.98 for half a bitter and a coke (sorry cola) can’t be sniffed at, but being a Sam Smiths pub there was only Sam Smiths drinks available. Some would say that this is a great thing, but alas I disagree.
As we popped in at lunchtime we decided to have a steak and ale pie from the strange choice of food on the menu. It was defrosted quite well and the chips were good, but the salad was out of place and should have remained with the quiche. It was cheap, but then so is hospital canteen food.
I’d probably walk past if I was in the area again.
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Sam Smiths beer and all the usual no-frills generic spirits contained behind a low-level bar and lots of little snugs and booths. No music just beer beer and some food (served in the basement area - its OK).
There are few better reasons to visit this place - the Extra Stout is ridiculously moreish (and only £2.20). For less than a tenner you can have a cheery old time people watching. Other Sam Smiths worth a punt are The Chandos (near Traf Sq) and The Town Wharf in Isleworth Ait Creek..
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Popped in for a quiet saturday afternoon pint, I love the little personal cubby holes along the wall.
Was surprised to only get charged £1.85 for a pint of Ale, what good value and worth the extra few minutes walk to get to.
A good selection of assorted beers amd ales on offer.
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Getting worrying popular this one, although the massive hoicking up of the beer prices should soon sort that out. Frankly though, I'd rather make do with the Cittie of Yorke than fight my way through the hordes in the Princess Louise up the road.
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Saturday was fairly busy but still got a booth. The food was reasonable and prices very good. Nice cider but found the lack of branded spirits some getting used to. Nice old fashioned pub though with efficient, friendly staff. Would definately go back.
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No sky tv, no fake sports equipment or library books. Beer has only just gone up to over £2 a pint, a whopping £2.10. The birds complain about the wine being expensive, so they can go down the Goose where it is £5 for a bottle of cheapo plonk! Fridays lunchtime you will see the same old people in there on the left as you walk in! Proper pub lacks saw dust though!
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Interesting interior, but was packed inside so didn’t stay long. That and the Sam Smiths beer. Worth a visit, but during the day would be my suggestion.
mrse1 - 27 Feb 2008 10:02 |
I was at this pub on a couple of nights ago with a few friends.
It was quite busy but not unpleasantly packed. The staff were fast and friendly and the restaurant downstairs seemed to offer tasty food at a reasonable price.
lares - 17 Feb 2008 16:24 |
Great pub, one of the best in London. Good place for a proper man drink at night or even a slightly effeminate lone beer in the day. Good service, good beer, good times.
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Visited as part of my annual birthday pilgrimage to London. Visited early Monday lunchtime and there were only 3 other punters so had our choice of booths.
Great trip which saw us go from here to Ye Old Mitre, The Jerusalem Tavern, The Princess Louise as our next 3 pubs.
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Some time since my last visit, but nothing seems to have changed (which is just as it should be for a Sam Smith's pub). The main bar can seem a bit cavernous when it's not crowded (however this is not usually a problem in the early evening!), but it's worth a visit at any time just to look at the interior (and you certainly can't complain about the drink pricing).
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Certainly can't complain about the Sam Smith's prices! An amazing interior, worth a visit just for that, even if you have to jostle to get near a fire on the cold evenings.
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Hadn’t been into the Cittie of Yorke for some time so I popped in before meeting some friends yesterday. As it was 12.30 on a Friday lunchtime I expected it to be busy but the main bar was very quiet. Just two or three groups eating, a probable clandestine lunchtime assignation and what looked like the start of a pub crawl with all the blokes in Santa outfits (some people have no shame). Still, the pub is still well worth a visit, the OBB was on good form and at £1.78 a pint in the City you can’t go wrong.
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This is a really great pub with a decent busy atmosphere most (recent) weekends and awesome decor! Second only to the Princess Louise for Sam Smiths pubs in this area, its nicely tucked away from the busy high-street and, as usualy, the beer is great. Bar staff can be a bit miserable at times but they warm up after a few trips.
Food is decent pub grub but my only gripe is this... these have to be the most expensive chips at £4.25 a bowl! Tasty, but this is not difficult to acheive with slices of potato!
The usual selection of SS stouts, bitters, lagers and cider is on offer and they all taste superb so no gripes on the booze front.
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Not bad at all, as you would expect from a Sam Smiths. Can get a bit crowded of an evening though and as seating is at a premium I tend to head for the Cheshire Cheese or the Lycaeum instead.
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Excellent Sam Smiths pub in the heart of the stinking metropolis with bags of character (check out the decor inside). Staff are a bit variable but all in all this is a more than acceptable substitute for The Princess Louise up the road (being refurbed for ages now).
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a crashingly superb pub, sam smiths o b fantastic. give it a visit , you wont be dissapointed. must get cold in there in the middle of winter.
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I like popping in here occasionally. Worth a visit just to look at the place. Obviously can't get a top rating because of the beer range but everyone should go here at least once.
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Brilliant pub with an abundance of atmosphere, only let down by the limited choice of just one Real Ale. A better selection would make this a Real Ale Mecca that would no doubt be worthy of a 10-out-of-10.
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Fantastic pub. Great Sam Smiths beer and cheap. Great atmosphere and setting.
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Great pub: amazing main bar with its vaulted ceiling so it has a fantastic atmosphere particularly when full. Beer is also extraordinarily good (I love the real ale from the wooden cask - how many places can you find that these days?!!) and what's more it's extremely good value. To be fair it's what we've come to expect from a quality, no-nonsense brewery like Samuel Smiths. Cheers for the Old Brewery Tadcaster!
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I meet up with mates from across London a couple of times a year at this pub and have been doing so for many years now. We all like this pub for the atmos and the food.
Three main bar areas, main bar generally has boothes and standing room, front bar is a basic tabelled drinking hall and cellar bar has vaulted ceiling with tables along the sides.
Main bar is very atmospheric with its open fire, cellar bar is very cosy, front bar is plain and simple. Food is very good honest pub grub with good sized portions.
Drinks are standard Sam Smiths fare, so dont expect Bud, Fosters, Guiness etc, but all the bases are covered and so you should find something to your liking.
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I am an associate of the gentleman who posted the previous comment and I would echo what he says. I was in the C of Y with another mate yesterday and the beer was excellent as usual. I really don't understand people who keep criticising Sam Smith's pubs - if you don't like their beer, don't go in their pubs - it's that simple. I for one will keep going back.
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Great pub, It’s an old building with very interesting decor, no plastic! I am great fan of the confessionals but they always seem to be full and the beer is very good.
I know peoples tastes are different but Sam Smiths beer is very consistent in quality unlike some others!
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I love this pub, really nice old feel to it - not a plasticy old feel if you know what I mean.
Great location for after work beverages.
Good Sam Smiths beer
poor chips though
anonymous - 14 Aug 2007 09:50 |
Not a bad pub. Nice interior, Sam Smith's (if you like them) and it serves food.
Location isn't too bad. If you fancy a few cheap beers in an oldy-woldy type pub in Holborn then this is the place to go.
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The location is fantastic, but the staff are so-so and it's Sam Smith's, I don't mind there pure brewed lager or the Old Brewery bitter now and again, but it has the huge obvious downside of Sam Smith's only selling their own product....
mps77 - 30 Jul 2007 17:07 |
Nice interior and great beer. I just get a little frustrated (actually, really annoyed) when you are served just before the second bell and ushered out five minutes later. Bar staff that prefer cleaning to serving aren't always the best thing in the world either. Ho hum.
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Great pub but the beer is dreadful, only the stout is drinkable - as for the wine, they should be prosecuted under the trade descriptions act.
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Marvellous interior. I love those huge old barrels. Service could have been better. The bar is about a mile long, and three staff huddled down one end isn't getting it done, is it? Still - fantastic, characterful pub. I'm a fan of Smith's Pure Brewed Lager - the only UK brewed lager worth drinking.
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Similar experience to joegreen below. Went in while quiet, plenty of room for me and my friends in a booth, stunning interior and good beers. I know Sam Smith's isn't to everyone's taste, but these days they do have a pretty good variety on offer, draught, bottles etc!
Had a couple of great pints, and a good wander around the pub, down into the cellar bar etc. Most enjoyable, a must visit place!
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Another lovely pub visited during my holidays. Great interior with a good pint of Sam Smith at a very reasonable price. Always worth a visit.
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Gloriously decked out Sam Smiths pub. OBB was spot on (inc temperature) when I was in there. Great beer at great prices. I checked out the little side room on Friday; different to the main bar but still excellent.
Also does decent food.
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An interesting pub. The OBB is currently bing served quite cold but is still a good pint.
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This is an excellent Sam Smiths pub and I believe one of the oldest boozers in London. There are three bars including one downstairs in the cellar which is usually only used for private functions. The interior has an oldy-worldy feel without being in anyway tacky and there are a number of booths for that cosy evening beer. The toilets were clean and the staff generally friendly. Of course with it being a SSs pub the beer prices are good - £1.72 for a pint of Old Brewery beer.
I've given it a 9 out of ten as I haven't tried the food but I do nonetheless recommend a visit if you do happen to be in the vicinty...
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Caught this one just after 2 o'clock, when the lunchtime rush had eased. Sam's OBB in good nick at £1.75 cannot be complained about, and a big wedge of quiche with salad and chips came in at about £5.50. Thoroughly enjoyable.
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Can't believe that there are no prior reviews of this place. Shurely shome mishtake?
Quite a while since I've been in a pub with such a cross section of people from ageing bikers, Austrian tourists and old codgers to young couples, Asian tourists and rugby fans.
There is a main bar, a cellar bar and a front bar which isn't always open.
Seems to have a wider range of the Sam Smith ales than the nearby Princess Louise though I may be mistaken on this point. Same wonderfully low prices in any case
Look up and admire the old timbers dating from goodness knows when or take a seat in one of the crannies and read up on some of the historical figures that may or may not have drank in this hostelry.
Also does food though I didn't try this so can't comment.
Only negative point is the fruit machine which is totally out of place.
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Visited this pub today for the first time in about 35 years. Last time I was in there it was a Henekey's Wine Bar (as was The Shades in Whitehall then) and as far as I can recall it looked pretty much unchanged. I seem to recall that at the time they claimed it had the longest bar in London. I don't know if they still make that claim with so many new (and fairly unremarkable) bars blotting the London landscape.
Got in there before noon and felt somewhat as if I had arrived at a party a half hour too early. Politely served with my pint, then the staff continued to get the pub ready for customers. A previous reviewer says that it is an inter-war pub, but nevertheless it has been imbued with a lot of individual character and I think the baronial hall layout is fairly unique (perhaps the Coal Hole comes closest). The fact that a pub can retain its unique character for circa 80 years is something of a result in this day and age, bearing in mind the wanton vandalism we have seen inflicted on numerous other pubs. Definitely worth the experience of a visit if you are in the area. Being a Sam Smith's pub you know what beers are going to be on offer.
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Walking round holborn on a saturday afternoon can be a bit desolate luckily the eagle-eyed other half came up trumps again spotting this pub,whether it is ye olde authentic england pub is a bit debatable!but it does"nt distract from a stunning bar to have cheeky beer in.The Alpine lager and Sovereign ale were fine as were the mix of regulars and tourists.As for the triangle fire it"s gas me thinks!
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A great Sam Smith's pub with a lot of character. Couldn't use the dartboard, though, as someone was sitting in front of it. Went as part of a pub crawl, so didn't get to spend too much time there!
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I'd read the reviews on this pub and I'm so glad I took my friends here on Saturday night. The main bar has got a fabulous interior! We got there at 5pm and it was pretty busy then. Luckily a booth became free about 10 mins later. We sat in one behind the 200 year old triangular fire place (burns on all 3 sides), but it was eerily cold where we sat. We couldn't work out where the chill was coming from. We ordered 1 veggie and 1 chilli nachos with 2 big plates of chips which came with 4 different dips. Only £5 per head. Absolutely lovely with huge portions. This along with their own branded drink supplier (no complaints with quality there) made it a very enjoyable and cheap evening out. Shame they don't open the cellar bar unless it gets extremely busy. Hopefully we'll get to see it next time, which there definitely will be.
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One of the finest pubs in London. As with most Sam Smith's pub it's the beer that makes the place. I enjoy nothing better than having a cool alphine lager and a packet of bacon fries. The only downside to this place is the ghost of Len Fairclough (off Coronation st) that haunts the Gent's toilets.
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The best place to be in this Sam Smith's pub is the rear bar, with the huge mounted vats and the unusual triangular stove type thing. Add to that well-kept (and priced) Sam Smith's beer and it's well worth a visit - probably one of the most architecturally appealing pubs in London.
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A very good Pub! As a matter of fact my favorite bitter is Samuel Smith Old Brewery Bitter. Because of the low ABV it is rather a bargain. It is the only brewer still delivering in wooden firkins. The Pub has a large collection of barrels and firkins in lofts overhead. Also serves a decent pub lunch.
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A very nice pub. Only the cellar bar was open, but that was quite atmospheric, and non-smoking too, which always helps the atmosphere along.
sam smiths beer - not the best in the world, but possibly the cheapest, so who's complaining?
Decent Boozer.
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Another beauty, with a wonderful interior, ruined as a drinking experience by only having Sam Smiths on. Well I guess we have them to thank for keeping the place in good nick I suppose.
Was bloody freezing when I went in there, and it felt like a Sunday.
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Intrigueing place, nice interior etc. Cheap because it's Sam Smiths. A lot like all the other Sam Smiths pubs to be honest. I'm not totally sold on the whole Sam Smiths thing, but what is clear is that they are all good pubs.
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Yep, this is definitely a very good pub with a fantastic interior. A previous poster got change from a tenner for three pints, well you normally get change from five pints!... ahh good old Sam Smiths.
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Does anybody actually use the front or cellar bar at this place!? I've (understandably) never seen anyone in the front bar, and have never looked downstairs, as the back bar is so impressive. Coming to this place and drinking in the front bar would be like going to St. Paul's and praying in the coat check.
If anyone's interested by the way, Sam Smiths are now selling fruit beer (feel that cold draught from the ground? That's hell freezing over). I tried one in here on Saturday. If you can't make it to a Sam's pub to try it, just mix 4 parts Cherry Panda Pop to 1 part Children's cough syrup, and you'll have a fairly close equivalent. Ghastly.
Anyway, the rest of the beers here are readily drinkable, and if you haven't seen this place before, you're truly missing out. Best Sam Smith pub in London.
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A superb pub. Great beer (OB and the stout for us ale heads, and good lager for those who like a more fizzy brew).
Been drinking here on and off since 1991 - used to work for British Gas over the road so this was my 'local'. Not changed much over the years but this is no bad thing (apart from they no longer serve Museum bitter on tap - shame).
Drank there on 10th Nov after work - oh the memories!!
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Dropped in to check out the function room but was amazed that the company owning it have a no music policy, shame as it could been good. The place was nice enough but didn't stay to sample the beer.
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Had previously enjoyed a trip to this pub but my last visit was a serious let-down. Service was very slow and beer kept running out - staff appeared very inexperienced and unable to cope with an only moderately busy evening. And I'd advise food is a definite no-go area: poor quality, compounded by staff doggedly arguing the toss over a minor complaint regarding our meal
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Jumped in here after work as needed a boozer near Chancery Lane in which to meet some mates.
Very pleasantly surprised. Considering it was 19:00, I was expecting the usual London City crowd, but there was no pretence, nor obnoxious gobshites.
The premium pure brewed lager was as good as some of the stuff I used to have in Germany and I got change out of £10 for three pints.....that doesn't happen that often in the middle of London!
Whether the decor is new or not, at least it feels like a pub and not yet another soul-less bar with a trendy name.
The service was swift and friendly, and they poured my lager with a decent Germanic head on it - nice and fresh!! Def go back!
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Been a regular but infrequent visitor to the main bar here for over twenty years. Never, ever had a bad pint in there. Typical Sam's pub; great commitment to fairtrade and 'own brand' product. Great pint of Stout, and good to see Imperial Russian in there too, prices remind me of ten years ago!
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Think that barmaid must have been confused. Perhaps something similar did happen on that location but definitely not in those surroundings, which are much more modern than they think.
Tis a great place though, with a nice fireplace. I like it.
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Libero, sorry to piss on your chips, but I'm afraid the decor of this pub is entirely 20th century - interwar period. Apparently this "merrie England" style was adopted for quite a few pub interiors at that time though I certainly haven't seen any other examples still in existence.
A good place though. Despite being in effect a theme pub, it is now sufficiently venerable in its own right to be of historical interest.
anonymous - 4 Aug 2006 11:35 |
This pub is absolute class. The surroundings are incredible - apparently the main bar dates from 1650 and prostitutes would walk the upper galleries parading themselves for the punters below. None of that goes on now unfortunately but the barmaid was happy to tell us all about it. The beer range is good and decent value and I'll certainly be back soon. Highly recommended.
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The main bar (the one whose architecture everyone is struck by) is accessible for wheelchair users, although the gents are not. Consequently, I used this place quite a lot in the early summer when the Penderel's Oak was full of football crowds. Pure Brewed Lager is a delight, but like other Sam's pubs there is the traditional problem with the wines and in particular spirits, the latter consisting of the kind of obscure brands you won't even see being sold off as cheap house doubles anywhere else.
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Although a chain pub, I tend to hold Samuel Smiths in reasonably high regard because it stocks its own stuff, rather than the turgid nitro-keg brands that have colonised this country. Also, the cheap prices prove the huge mark-up that most places have on their £3+ pints.
This pub is a fair old size – divided into a front and back section – and the little rail carriage-esque compartments in the rear make for a nice, secluded spot to have a beer and a chat. This gives it a bit more character than the others I’ve been in, such as the one in Charing Cross (full of tourists) and the one by Smithfield (full of students).
I’ve never had a bad pint in here, although one criticism of Samuel Smiths is that its ale, whilst drinkable, is far from distinct. In fact, I probably say some of their lagers surpass the bitters – the organic lager was a real, crisp treat.
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I wish they kept the beers better, I have visited three times this year and each time the Sam Smiths was not as good as it should be. Shame because the pub has got great character. Barstaff tend to be rather full of themselves
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Hugh you are a muppet - The Samuel Smiths brews are excellent, there are a million and one other pubs selling Stella and Fosters, so go there.
anonymous - 16 Jun 2006 10:04 |
Visited last friday on what is becoming an annual pilgrimage. Wonderfully atmospheric surroundings and cheap Yorkshire Bitter. The only downside was the low temperature of the lunchtime lasagne and chips.
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In an age when most pubs appear to have been refurbished by Argos, this is a welcome change. Architecture and atmosphere great. Food pretty good with large portions.
Clientele, ok, there is a bit of a six o' clock swill around the bar with the crowds of gentlemen of the Law, but I would prefer a crowd of suits instead of shellsuits anyday.
The slightly bizarre range of Samuel Smith's own brands annoys me slightly, but the low prices make this more than bearable!
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Lovely pub (thank God for no music!), friendly staff & wonderful interior. I wasn't a fan of the chilled bitter, but switched to organic lager which was very good.
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There are several very good things about this pub - the stunning interior, the cheap beer, the decent good value food, the fact it is open on Saturday... the staff are also quite good natured.
The downsides are definitely there but I don't agree it would be better with music - in fact that would harm rather than add to the atmosphere in a place like this.
anonymous - 8 May 2006 10:39 |
Walked past this pub millions of times but never went in till last week.. Was staggering inside. 3 bars and like drinking in a chapel.
Sam Smiths so beer cheap and marvellous. Surroundings superb. Only usual downside is lack of music in SS pubs, but a small price to pay for cheap beer in great surroundings. One of the better pubs in London for sure.
TheGP - 22 Apr 2006 19:32 |
whatever greases your pole, baby! not for me, though. bit like boozing in a medieval dungeon.
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Undoubtedly a beautiful pub – stunning architecture. Sam Smiths pubs are usually quite strict about shutting up shop dead on closing time. This place is ridiculous though, at 11.20 on a Friday night, staff were walking around the front bar with smug grins on their faces and literally snatching drinks out of customer's hands!
I have never seen behaviour like this in a pub before. I appreciate that staff quite rightly want to get home after a long shift but there are ways of going about these things.
gjs34 - 14 Mar 2006 15:20 |
to quote nineties kiddy rappers kriss kross The place was wickedy-wickedy wack! Brillyant!
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Great interior... puts me in mind of a German Bierkeller. Typical Sam Smiths fare, and friendly staff. I admire the Smith's approach – they have an admirable policy of not refurbing their pubs to death. Consequently , their pubs are among the most characterful and pleasant places to drink in London. If you like their beer. And I do.
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Good quality Sam Smiths pub. Was busy but not heaving on the Wednesday night was there. Beer is excellent if u like Sam Smiths. My mate is a big fan of the wheat beer. Excellent value at £2.35ish per pint. Service was good and toilets were clean.
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Superb pub full of character. SS Old Brewery bitter is always on and is outstanding value. Even my lager and Guiness drinking mates like SS's own lager and stout. Only downside is that the bar staff sometimes are busy fiddling behind the bar with menu's and cutlery or wiping tables rather than serving customers waiting at the bar. Priorities guys!
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Fine interior, Samuel Smiths beers, often gets very busy, so it might be a while before you get a seat.
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Good Sam Smiths pub
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A really enjoyable pub with snugs, fires going, and massive casks above the bar. It sounds like a great little local, but it's also a spacious place with a heavy (and somewhat annoying) clientele of yuppies from the business districts. The staff was friendly and took their time getting the beer right--always a big plus in my book.
I'm partial to Sam Smith beers, so this place is a real treat for me, especially as they somehow manage to be a relatively inexpensive place for a beer considering its location. If you can tune out the suits all trying to chat each other up in the evening, this is a great place for a drink, and a must on any Holborn-area pub crawl.
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If you can shove past the city lads and carve out a niche, it has the most amazing interior, cheap cheerful food and good drink selection.
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Like Arthur Daley. A little dodgy maybe, but underneath it's alright. Courtesy Chas and Dick.
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Very interesting pub, well worth a visit. Not a massive fan of Sam Smith's but they serve the bottled Imperial Stout here which is excellent.
anonymous - 1 Jan 2006 23:40 |
Beautiful old building, with high ceilings and snug booths down the main hall - and a great big coal fire. It was packed to the rafters with Christmas cheer on my visit, so we ended up hovering at the edges, but still a good atmosphere - and the crowds did thin out over the evening, so if you're in for the long haul chances are you may get a seat regardless.
Sam Smith's always a matter of personal taste - I like Ayinger, and at these prices it is hard to argue with, but if you don't like the range - don't go to a SS pub.
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An excellent pub with atmosphere, something most pubs in London have forgotten about. With tiny snugs for conversation and a fire that was very welcome on a da that was freezing. I expect this place can be packed with city types on a weekday but it was perfect on a Saturday afternoon. Definitely a pub to be recommended.
anonymous - 4 Dec 2005 22:42 |
Paid this very interesting pub a visit at about 9.30 on a Saturday night. Atmosphere kind of dreary - not dead exactly but muted (perhaps this is only to be expected for Holborn/City fringes on the weekend). Had one pint of Sam Smiths draught bitter (hand-pump) which was over-cold and tasted foul to me. I don't understand the appeal of Sam Smiths pubs to be honest.
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Surely London lawyers can afford a more expensive watering-hole than this? It was police officers who seemed to be filling it when I was there. Numerous of El CID, including one who was the spitting image of Collina, the bug-eyed football ref. Staff worked very hard, and beer was fine. Well werth a visit.
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Impressive looking pub; it's a Sam Smiths so the beer is cheap. Too many lawyers though.
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This is a unique pub with interesting historic interiors. Among other rooms the pub includes a large hall with small drinking booths for four og five people. Good home made food at lunch time. All the beers are from Samuel Smiths. The Oatmeal Stout Bottel Beer is very recommendable with an impressive, delicious aftertaste.
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Not your typical pub. Nice lounge bar up front but the back bar is what gives the place its reputation.
Snug little booths for conversation. Booths have always been full when I have been there (at the end of the work day). Interesting decor. I think it is a well done pub.
Sam Smiths is not my favorite beer but the Old Brewery Bitter was okay at my last visit. Hard to beat Sam Smith prices!
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Loverly, but beware, it's closed on Sunday!
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Interesting to read these comments. I arranged to meet my son here during a London visit a few months ago, as it is certainly worth calling in just to see the back bar: he agreed with me that the beer was one of the worst Sam Smiths he had ever had, of such poor quality that gives this brewers beer a bad name with some people - and we live in Sam's country and drink it regularly. I'll go along with Mr.Matt's comment - disappointing, if you're expecting a good pub.
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Too busy full of city types. Having said that they like to get their credit cards out and put them behind the bar (some ego thing I guess). The bar staff often take this to mean they are willing to buy beer for anyone that wants one. given how cheap it is their credit card bills won't be that bad.
Cheers City Types - spread the joy !
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If you don't mind the strange and interesting selection (change from the usual) behind the bar, this place is pretty good. Can be pretty full evenings to nearly dead during the afternoon. Food seemed to be good although they serve rather untraditional salad(including fresh coriander, tomato, super thin slices of cucumber, lettuces, and onion with a creamy dressing), coleslaw and chips with all their meals including the traditional cod. Their draught cider is very good even if it's not real cider, it's better than the leading and most commonly found brands. Staff were reasonably quick to take orders but seemed unprepared and dillydallied a bit when actually serving up the order, having a little chat inbetween pulling pints.
anonymous - 21 Sep 2005 13:40 |
Yes, full of history and the back bar is stunning. Otherwise, somewhat disappointing. Resting on its fame?
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I can understand why it is rated highly, very warm and friendly pub. Steeped in history and the Sam Smiths is good.
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I'm surprised this pub has rated so highly - I like traditional pubs but not this one. The front room is ok, but not so mad about the back room. But then, I don't like Sam Smith's.
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Loved this pub, good beer, like stepping back in time, will definately be back next time I visit London
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yep,..its a quality layout in the back bar,..decent little ornate booths to tuck yourself away in....As a continuation of this theme,..i would maybe just suggest the intoduction of gothic style confessional boxes/booths,..
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I first found out about this pub leafing through a c. 1970 book entitled "The Cooking of the British Isles". The book used it as an example of a typical London pub, and featured a fantastic picture of that famous back bar. I was determined to go and visit this place, if it still existed, but could find no record of anywhere called Henekey's - as it was named at the time the book was printed. I engaged in a fruitless quest over the next couple of years trying to find it. It was only thanks to the internet that I eventually discovered - to my joy - it did still exist, and was now called The Cittie of Yorke.
The back bar at the Cittie is really just plain fantastic, and lives up well to the expectations I'd had from the photograph in the book. It has a well deserved place in CAMRA's list of Historic pub interiors.
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Sam Smith's ia overrated but cheap. The food is good and the staff are friendly.
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One of my favouriet London pubs, looking forward to visiting again, and again.
Well done to "Sam Smiths.
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Good pub, good beer, welcoming staff
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Fantastic interior, good qualty beer. Well worth a visit. Staff can be a bit on the miserable side
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rear bar is worth checking out. nice ambience. recommended
ssrai - 27 Mar 2005 20:24 |
Another one of Sam Smith's gems - not toofar from The Princess Louise.
Look out for the splendid triangular stove in the back bar
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Stunning interior to the rear bar. The front bar was out of bounds for a private function when I visited the other Saturday. Well-kept beer, cheap for London, and open on a Saturday in an area where so many decent pubs close at weekends. Worth seeking out, next to Chancery Lane tube so doing so is no great effort.
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I work down the road and sometimes pop in for a bit of knife and fork and a glass of zider - good pub for hiding in especially in the downstairs bit
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Lovely looking back bar. In at the weekend and got a booth to ourselves. Stove fire was very very hot and much appreciated. Good show.
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Another superb Sam Smith pub. Looks awesome inside - dates back to 14th C. I think. Suffered from major blaze a few hundred years ago. First floor removed to leave massive open space with original wood fittings and windows. Great booths, and stove fires for the chilly winter months.
And, of course, Sam Smith supplies his wonderfully cheap and tasty brews...
Food's also pretty decent.
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Fantastic pub with unique, magnificent architecture. Ornately carved booths along the side. Interesting tangy malty Sam Smiths beer, great music (acoustic, folk, singer-songwriters). Easy to find - look out for the big black and gold clock.
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Spent a good evening down in the basement of this place last Friday. The beer was good, food was alright and the staff were kind enough to reserve an area for me and my mates.
It's a Sam Smith’s pub, you can normally rely on them to be good and the architecture of this one is fantastic.
Well worth a visit.
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Fabulous architecture. I never did find out the history and provenance of the place as stroppy Ozzie barmaid took the menus away (with historical info thereupon) at 9pm. True the barstaff are culturally deficient but then they are there purely to serve beer, and that they do well.
The Smiths is 1.68 a pint (just like the Chandos in Traf. Sq.). Lots of cosy snugs that look like confessional boxes, or perhaps converted stables.
Great place. Very busy onFri nite, full of pompous suits. Great place. Check it out.
Lawrence - 16 Oct 2004 15:10 |
Just stunning - and the Sam Smith's is a bargain if sometimes variable in quality.
wpjh - 13 Oct 2004 16:57 |
Stunning interior to main bar at the back which will surprise anyone who doesn't know it. The other bars nowhere near as good particularly the thin cellar bar. If only it had a choice of beers on offer - the Sam Smith is never an exciting drink with so many others available elsewhere which is why it has to be cheap
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Jeez!....What a stunning place to have a pint. Almost like drinking in a cathedral.Very quiet when I visited on Saturday afternoon. Shall visit again.
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Could do with more selection, stunning looking pub staffed as usual in London by Kiwis Aussies Boks who are friendly and helpful but know nothing about the history or architecture.
Hounded Dog - 4 Mar 2004 16:43 |
Good atmosphere, Good beer and Good if basic food but can be VERY busy early evening. Try the downstairs bar if you can't get a seat upstairs - not many people get down thehre and it can be a quiet place to sit and gossip.
Diomedes
Stephen - 5 Feb 2004 17:20 |
Gorgeous pub-nice to see one in the area thats open on a Saturday.
anonymous - 12 Jan 2004 21:29 |
Decent beer, cosy atmosphere - best if you can get in one of the booths in the main bit.
Al - 30 Dec 2003 15:38 |
Had first drink in here the other day. Inspiring interior! Genuinely polite and helpful staff when I was in. Sam Smiths pub, so decent beer!
The Verderer of Cank - 10 Dec 2003 12:33 |
I went in here for the first time last Friday and the first thing I thought was: Hang on? isn't the inside of this pub supposed to be quite impressive? You see it wasn't until I looked around the side of the small bar that I saw 'The Rest of It!!!' Blimey, what a cracking looking place. Can't wait to go back!!!
Cheers!!!
Boozehound - 19 Aug 2003 19:43 |
I worked at the Cittie back in '95 for Stuart Brown and what a tremendous time I had for the year that I worked there. For those who want to complain about the pub, take a look at the patrons - short arms deep pockets. The pub is great, a pint of Sams is always welcome.
Wayne Jepson - 19 Aug 2003 17:18 |
Good pub, great cellar bar for lunch!
blah blah blah - 6 Aug 2003 12:55 |
A very atmospheric pub, I always go in with great expectations, then I get to the bar and realise that it's a Sam Smith's pub so there is nothing I actually want to drink. And all those nice booths are full of lawyers.
Miranda - 5 Aug 2003 09:22 |
What a wonderful pub - I found it by chance while looking for somewhere else. Amazing architectural features, cosy drinking booths, air conditioning that works and bitter at £1.66 a pint in central London!! Oh, and the barman was polite.
Charles - 5 Aug 2003 07:21 |
I was in here last night discussing 2004 tour dates with Mick Jones as it happens and the bar staff were nothing if not friendly and accommodating. And I wouldn't usually make the effort to remark on a pub on this site unless I had an axe to grind...top hole, what!
Joe Strummer - 11 Jul 2003 16:29 |
A good olde English pub, serving up good olde English ale pulled by good olde Australian bar staff who have been consistently surly on every occasion I have drunk there. Samuel Smiths please have a cull...
Rich - 30 Jun 2003 21:42 |
Who can resist a pub with booths down the side, and remarkably cheap bitter?
David Dunwoody - 5 Nov 2002 16:28 |
Interesting in decoration - the wood panelled walls and the sawdust on the floor give it a time warp sort of feel. Generally quiet, but a nice place.
Chris - 12 Sep 2002 12:16 |
