please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Great atmosphere usually packed-a bit on the pricey side prob due to central location; however one ongoing prob is the 25 min wait to get served! continually insufficient bar staff!! If you're prepared to wait-then fab!Anya the Manager is great and always remembers who is next to be served!
|
Has the potential to be the best pub in Ealing but there are never enough staff on and the ones on are slow. Would make triple the money if you could actually get served.
|
Great selection of continental lager and the onlt decent pub right on the Broadway. Does get a little packed at the weekend though and I only really enjoy drinking there in the week when it's more chilled.
swizz - 14 Feb 2008 10:54 |
Not bad at all. Could do with more staff behind the bar, though. Great selection of beer, much like The Champion in Notting Hill. Unfortunately, like that place, you can wait quite a while to get served. I've met some interesting, friendly and unfriendly characters there on my visits. A microcosm of the wider environment, naturally.
|
This is a lovely pub, although I doubt I'd visit it again as it was a little bit to trendy for me. suit a younger crowd.
|
One of the better pubs in Ealing, but very crowded. Perfect for an afternoon drink but i'd avoid it in the evening. Also it does have a rather Yuppie clientelle
|
Nice pub, does a decent Sunday roast.
|
You do meet a lot of arty farty wank arsed people in this place - you talk to them once, and they think it's okay to join you every time you come in for a quiet drink with your mates. For those of you reading this, you know who you are! Apart from that, nice pub, nice beer and nice beer garden on the side.
|
Had a good laugh with the barman serving me - he was hassled so kept forgetting what I had asked for but it was all done in good spirit..
A nice pub with a lively atmosphere & everyone in there is just out for a good night. The outdoor bit was crammed with smokers so it didn't look like it was worth venturing out there for anything else, but a decent pub in an easy to find location.
|
This is the best Friday/Saturday night pub in Ealing - great range of beers, nice crowd, DJ playing cool tunes - and there comes the downside in that it's always packed. Ealing could do with a few more pubs like this. It's always worth looking for a table and if you can't find one, try what was the Bell (just be the Hogshead) just up the road. I've only been once and can't remember what it's called now, but it;s lovely, with nice food, table service, outdoor covered seating, great decor and DJ.
blink - 24 Jul 2007 11:46 |
Nice place, nice people... Service is quite slow but place is nice. Best place in Ealing if you are looking for a typical British Pub.
|
Very student place! Beer garden is ok not great though! Worth a visit esp with the dj playing some funky tunes!
|
This isn't a review, it is a comment. My family (mostly ancestors) owned the North Star Ealing during WWII and perhaps some years before and some after. My mother stayed in the upstairs rooms before I was born (in 1943). I have a photo of the owner at that time (Frank Burgess Barraclough, 1902-1959) at the bar, and another of him with some of his family and friends. I have a photo of the outside of the pub at (I think) around 1945 or so (not dated). Next time I travel to the UK, I will visit the pub, show you the photos and have a pint. GillWu
|
A good pub in a great location. If it was a bit less pricey it would be excellent.
|
I sort of don't mind this place, even though I'm no fan of the pointless DJ bar thing (why, oh why? No-one's listening/dancing). It's one of the few on the Broadway that's palatable, so maybe that's it.
|
Definately the best pub in Ealing, but unfortunately anyone with any taste knows that so it gets busy. Music always laid back and funky, volume can vary.
I agree on a couple of previous points:
YES - They do need more barstaff, though at least the ones they have are ok (i.e no chips on shoulders etc)
YES - They do run out of booze. Think Schneider Weiss has only been on once during several recent visits. Amstel is my backup and they've run out of that once too
|
North Star is a cracking pub and arguably the best in Ealing. Really friendly manager and superb beer which is well kept. Though I have to say their bloody marys are not quite as good as they would like to think they are
|
Has a fair bit of atmosphere and an ok selection of beers. Trouble is it's forever packed and noisy in the evenings, but not bad as a meeting place for a saturday morning. Certainly a better choice than the Townhouse across the road.
|
OK, before I start let me say this is a positive review (I like the pub, food, staff when they're around etc) BUT.....
It ALWAYS needs at least two more staff on duty than it has, they must be raking in the cash and would do more if people could get served quicker. Surely this is the basics of pubs - enough staff to serve your Customers?
Also it has (but haven't noticed lately) seemed to run out of random stuff, Guiness, Stella, wine, etc. But maybe that was just earlier in the year.
Like I said I like the pub, just would like to be able to get a beer in there too.
anonymous - 11 Sep 2006 21:53 |
This bar is the first one you'll see coming out of Ealing Broadway station, and it's blatantly obvious from the massive crowd inside that everybody else has spotted it too!
A fabulous pub with a great outside but if you can get served within twenty minutes then you deserve a medal! Don;t get me wrong the staff are great, but are always and the popularity of the pub works against you sometimes as you'll find yourself fighting for bar space and seats in the wet weather.
|
Excellent pub - the best in town with good management, regular and honest locals and ale of high quality. Service is usually first rate. Well worth a visit.
Mcloj - 25 Aug 2006 13:44 |
Nice selection of European beers and a good place to meet friends for a chat on a Sunday etc but is allways rammed making it somewhere I do not venture often.
Also don't even think about watching sport here, they wheel out a couple of 14" portables when the football is on, someone should tell them not to bother!
|
What has happend to this once great boozer? It used to be a good old fasioned pub where you could meet mates over a few decent pints. Now they have dj's blasting you out and the place looks like a branch of IKEA. Shame.
|
I wouldn't recommend it during evenings at the weekend if you're anything like me and just want a pub to relax and socialise in rather than one where a DJ is blasting music at you. One of the better pubs towards Ealing Broadway during the daytime though.
|
Youngs Ordinary or Adnams Broadside in this fairly traditional pub which has no smoking at the bar and a no smoking area in the middle. Not too crowded on a Saturday afternoon. A decent bowl of chips also.
|
hmm
Guinness was off when i went there. strange pub and strange selection of drinks. Just because a drink is "different" doesnt mean it's good. the whole smoking area thing is weird...bouncers are idiots, no real atmosphere to the place and a few too many cokeheads for my liking. but for some reason i cant mark it less than a 7. worth one or two pints before you move on.
|
Lived locally for 3 months. Found this to be my favourite pub in that short time. Beer was well kept and friendly bar staff. Didn't often eat there so prob best not to comment. Nice place to pop into on way home after leaving tube station close by. Worth a try.
|
The north star was far better before it was refurbished. Call me a luddite, but anything that was unique about it has now long since disappeared.
Although the ale selection, if you like that sort of thing, is very impressive, and the food never dissapoints.
The DJs are typical of suburban spinners, playing house and occasionally funk that was fashionable about two years ago to a crowd who aren't even listening but nevertheless have to shout to be heard over it. Better to go in the day when it is quiet, and more eclectic sounds boom out the soundsystem.
Also, i have no idea why the middle part is a no smoking area, as anyone who smokes has to walk through there to get to the toilet, 'thus smoking it up'.
Still, it's better than the townhouse.
|
came here last sunday, great atmos with dj playing funk and soul while you enjoy a roast. you can even bring you own classics for him to play! good to see friendly staff, best place to go in ealing
anonymous - 5 Mar 2006 23:17 |
It's ok. Nowt special. One drink and move on. Bouncers terribly rude after last orders, especially the grandpa bouncer, watch out for him. He kind of ruined the moment when you're enjoying a nice pint of Deuchars. Cigarette machine in the non smoking area, why? So all the non smokers can look and point at us in disgust? People smoke in the non smoking area in this place anyway.
|
This is definitely one of the better Ealing Broadway pubs, somewhere you can have a good drink with decent service and a friendly atmosphere, which is more than can be said for a lot of pubs around here.
|
On a rare visit to this neck of the woods I went in and was very happy with a great pint of Staropramen Granat. Seems to be a good selection of beers here, clearly a pub for young people. Really liked it.
anonymous - 5 Jan 2006 12:23 |
Fist of the North Star, hands up if you love standing, oh yes. Its stand or freeze, indoor seating is at a premium. Very frothy guiness, two words, line clean ladies, actually that three but not a retraction, although it may be the cooler, hmm.... Nice ale and chzechoslopolski lager such as Seinfeldpramolskovich turnip ale, genkuye!
|
I agree with Gostevie, the North star used to have a great feel and atmosphere that has been replaced by a souless noisy 'wine bar' I too console myself with the fact that the Greystoke is just around the corner.
|
Pretty much the only decent bar (despite it's name and outward appearence this is definately more of a bar than a pub) around Ealing Broadway. Good selection of alcohol, especially premium foreign beers & Lagers. Has a DJ at weekends, playing predominantly house music. Attracts a relatively young (25-35ish) and trendy crowd but always has a good atmosphere. Haven't tried the food so can't comment on that, though it's definately on the pricey side. Has a no smoking are but doesn't really hep much when its busy as it's sandwiched between two smoking areas! Also has an outside area which is pleasant enough though gets very busy in the summer. In my opinion the place only has two real faults. Firstly that it shuts at 11pm (not the fault of The North star really, but the licensing laws and that there is no where decent in Ealing to go afterwards) and secondly that at 11.01pm the bouncers are hassling you to drink up and leave - have they not heard of 20 minutes drinking up time? Still if you're sick of chain bars (hello All Bar one),give this a try.
|
Trendiest + best bar in Ealing. Makes a change from the chain bars that the area is infested with.
|
the food is pretentious and overpriced turgid pap but the beer is ok if expensive,something about the place won't let me relax enough to enjoy it.
|
Nice for a drink, but I would rather starve than eat here again, the food is revolting slop and overpriced - try Baroque in West Ealing for a trendy bar with good food.
|
Absolutely, realalesnob. I couldn't agree more. Used to be the best pub in Ealing until the refit - now just another trendy "bar" - as if there weren't already enough of those in Ealing. If you don't mind the walk (or a short 83 bus ride) to North Ealing try the Greystoke. It has a similar feel to how this place used to be.
|
Gutted - Used to love it in here. A refuge from all the noisy teenager hang outs in the rest of the area. Sadly the North Star's now become just that itself. Pity. Seems it's pretty much illegal to be over 35 and want a beer on The Ealing Broadway now.
|
The North Star is really cool pub and I love the music and the DJ on friday!
volly - 19 May 2005 15:43 |
When i first lived in Ealing (6-7 years ago) this was easily one of the least appealing pubs around the Broadway.
Now it is asily one of the best - def. much better than the others in its immediate vicinity
anonymous - 16 Mar 2005 15:49 |
It's a good pub - Especially the area surrounding it is filled with rubbish pubs/bars.
Particularly like the interior in this place - Olde dark wood
TheGP - 18 Feb 2005 21:14 |
following on from my comment in November - I've just seen that the middle room is now a non smoking area - though it's not completely separated from the other rooms, this is still good news. I shall rate it higher now!
|
The modernisation of the North Star was not nearly as severe as these things often are. Plenty of dark wood has been maintained and enough detail left in so as to retain a degree of character. You get the impression that whoever runs this place knows what they are doing. The music is congenial and the menu's got posh stuff in it. What's more the price reflects the effort but maybe to a greater degree than it should?
Good for: Only ever been here on afternoons and it wokds well for that. Certainly the best pub on the Broadway.
|
i would rate it higher and go there a lot more if it would cater for non-smokers. it's got about three rooms, why can't they have a non smoking section somewhere? i agree it's got a better atmosphere than most pubs around the area, but it's *very smokey* IMO, which makes me leave after one pint usually. It's okay in the summer tho' cause there's a good outside space.
|
Range of beers average but the staff in particular the Assistant Manager was rude and needs to be re-trained.
Hogshead better option
anonymous - 11 Nov 2004 14:48 |
Dont like this pub any more since the refurb - it's just like any other High Street pub now - totally lacking in atmosphere and impersonal.
John - 25 Oct 2004 13:15 |
This is the best pub in ealing without doubt and always has a friendly vibe and cool staff. Great Djs and tasty food. Good nights to be had all round!
Tracy - 14 Sep 2004 13:00 |
Was the last traditional old-fashioned pub on the Broadway. Now modernised but still better than most. Beer garden at side useful to escape to if they have a rubbish DJ on.
Jon - 30 Aug 2004 00:53 |
Clearly the best pub in ealing.
Excellent food, unusual and tasty beers, great atmosphere and staff, nowhere else like it in the area
Adam - 16 Aug 2004 11:07 |
Good range of beers, nice vibes, decent pub all round.
TheGP - 12 Aug 2004 14:14 |
This used to be a good pub with great beer, spoiled only by having a very rude landlord who clearly despised customers. Used to go a lot, but got sick of being treated like unwelcome intruders, so have avoided the place ever since.
Johnno - 7 Jun 2004 15:19 |
One of the best if not the best in Ealing!!
Lara-Jane - 3 Jun 2004 22:26 |
Nice atmosphere, pricey lunches though for what you get. Can get a bit chilly too. Nice in the summer in the garden. Excellent range of beers.
emma - 2 Feb 2004 22:32 |
Since March '03 I've been a regular here.
Food's very pricey
even for haute pub grub but the music and atmos is usually a winner. The bar staff are cool too.
A nice selection of bottled belgians Duvel,Leffe, Chimay red and blue and Belle-Vue Kriek for the adventurous.
If you've a fave chat up 'The Manageress' and she'll get it in on request!
Riz - 27 Dec 2003 15:21 |
Excellent pub. Perhaps the best around the Ealing Broadway area. Decent music, nice atmosphere and some good beers.
Andrew - 8 Oct 2003 16:21 |
Since the bomb, this pub has benefitted from a much needed facelift. Unfortunately this means that some of the old codgers who used to sip bitter there have been booted out to be replaced by the young and beautiful of Ealing. Fortunately, I am one of the said young and beautiful people, and this is one of my favourite pubs in Ealing. It's funky artwork and cool soundtrack makes it a perfect place to meet friends and relax.
peep_babe - 10 Sep 2003 12:51 |
I quite like this place actually. Go here alot with my old work mates. There's a good range of beers, the food is decent and it's nice outside in the summer. Never had any problems getting in on a Friday (regardless of gender).
Stuart - 27 Aug 2003 14:51 |
Really Like this place, friendly staff, good beer and i really dig the pacman table lots of fun on first date after dinner drinks
John - 22 Aug 2003 23:14 |
I always thought the landlord was a decent bloke. Anyway, bit of an old guffers kind of pub but good for a quiet beer. You can generally get a seat and the jukebox has a half decent selection of tunes.
|
One of the few pubs I would go into that is not too rough or full of kids nowadays!
Viking - 13 Jun 2003 15:09 |
Got refused entry cos I wasn't a woman on Friday
Dan - 20 May 2003 20:01 |
Food, beer and atmosphere during the day all good. Landlord seemed very friendly. He did short change my mate though, but I think it was an honest mistake.
alf - 30 Apr 2003 14:08 |
First visit here for a while and its been totally re-done. I'm impressesed- its a bit trendy though the music is excellent and the crowd unpretentious. If the tinyboppers in Finnegans Wake start to get to you try here.
Gary - 28 Apr 2003 12:06 |
Used to be second to The Bell as the toilet of Ealing ... quality refit and now still retaining old feel but attracting a trendier and more vibrant crowd ... good upbeat ambient tunes .. very busy but worth getting to early for a table.
Expensive but tasty food. Good but pricey wine list. Very friendly staff.
anonymous - 25 Mar 2003 15:55 |
Good pub, nice decor and beer. Above average food. But very busy in the evenings getting a seat is a challenge.
james - 19 Mar 2003 11:37 |
Used to be Ealing's best pub. Completely ruined by the refit.
Steve - 7 Mar 2003 08:37 |
This used to be a quality spit-and-sawdust pub, with pool table and lots of old men talking about nothing.
Completely changed now, but still a good place for different reasons - biggest of which is the choice of tunes - much Kruder & Dorf, Thievery Corp and Nightmares on Wax on my last visit. Which was nice.
Phil - 4 Mar 2003 18:11 |
This used to be a fine classic old pub. But since its been refurbished it is now a <b>bar</b>. If you like photos of Guatamalean Street Urchins on the walls then this for you, otherwise avoid.
Warren - 8 Jan 2003 16:49 |
This Pub has been refurbished and is a very cool pub, good food,good wine, great fun.
Una - 8 Jan 2003 13:55 |
skip nav