please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Having recently found the pub I have to say it is fast becoming my City Local. I can't agree with the last posting as beer quality and choice has always been excellent. Usual Nicholsons fare served in 15 minutes - very good for a Thursday lunchtime.
Only downside will be in the summer when Al Fresco drinking will become impossible due to the number of smokers in the small entrance alley
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Stopped in for a couple while waiting for SWMBO. First pint of Landlord was in good shape. Shame the same couldn't be said about the Tribute. 3 of the other ales had signs stating they were being cleaned. Is it just me or has Cask Marquee started to become meaningless. Far too many pubs displaying the sign as of late have not been living up to the standard.
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Much to my surprise, this Nicholson's pub managed to produce a very drinkable pint of Timothy Taylor Landlord. Definitly one of this chain's better offerings (but don't believe their Dick Whittington 'Ale Trail' leaflet whichs shows it in the wrong place east of Ye Old Watling whereas it is actually located to the north in a small alley off Bow Lane).
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Went here last Thursday night whilst attempting the Cask marque pub crawl (see previous entry for Ye Old Watling).
I like this pub. The two bars separated by the narrow corridor gives you the chance to move from one to the other and they both have a slightly different atmosphere.
We were not eating but I can understand the previous comment that the larger back room is probably more focussed on food at lunchtime.
But in the evening it is more beer drinking and we contributed by trying the Landlord, Speckled Hen and Pride, all of which were good. And unlike the previous entry 75% was Pride. But this may have been due to there being none in Ye Old Watling.
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Excellent Nicholsons pub, well worth seeking out. Marvellous pint of Timothy Taylor's Landlord yesterday - it was noticeable that of the other three beers on, no one was drinking either the Abbot or the Tribute and very few people were drinking the London Pride. 75% approx of the trade was the Timmy's landlord during the hour or so that I was there.
Very impressed all round
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Found this pub by accident and was pleasantly surprised. Good selection of real ales and they have made a great effort outside the pub for outcast smokers so we were able to sit at at table and drink and have a cigarette in comfort, even had a candle. The only downside is it's city location which unfortunately attracts the usual guffawing suit types. Other than that very nice and will keep it in mind next time I'm in the city.
cluck - 15 Jan 2008 10:48 |
Fairly average
TheGP - 21 Dec 2007 19:07 |
This pub is my boss Tim's favourite. I don't understand why because it's a complete sausage factory with no atmosphere. I wish it would shut so we were go somewhere decent as a team. Friday night is for knockers
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Found this little pub by accident. Friendly and helpful staff, not bad food, good beer.
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Just back from a lunchtime excursion. Based on this and other recent visits it seems that the quality of the beer has declined quite drastically. Had a pint each of their summer guest (whose name escapes me), Deuchars IPA and Marston's Pedigree (this last to see if it's as lousy a beer as I always assume..) The first was vile, the second slightly sour and the last only stiffened my resolve to continue avoiding this beer in future.
I used to use this place quite a lot but won't be rushing back in a hurry.. shame.
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The food in this pub is excellent. Not a very wide range of bottled beers though. The staff are very friendly and helpful. The decor is ok, but rather dingey. But, on the whole it's not a bad pub and me and my colleagues have spent many a happy lunch time in there.
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Haven't been here for many years pleasantly surprised stiil has some of its features left 5 ales Landlord particularly good great service food better than average pub fare
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Wow hard to find but well worth a visit good food quality ale 5 ales constantly rotating today Landlord London Pride Cambridge Adnams Deuchars Black Sheep Nicholsons brand lots of wood panels fast and furious lunch typical city changed over the years not so many old city gents more 25+ and more females
anonymous - 20 Feb 2007 22:40 |
A reasonable city pub which has slight character due to its history (house of lord mayor in years gone by). Reasonably friendly and efficient staff (The manger is a bit of a jobs worth though). Mainly frequented by older city types. There is one member of the staff - a tall black guy who is particularly good and efficient - although don't try to get served by him at busy times because the ladies are all over him.
anonymous - 8 Dec 2006 23:02 |
It's Ok. Worth a pop if you're in the area and it's a nice area too. I preferred the watling though for some reason.
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Typical Nicholsons decor - shiny mahogany, wood pannelling, burgundy wallpaper yesterday, but in contrast to certain other pubs in this chain, the Deuchars IPA was positively brilliant last night. This pub is much bigger than it looks at you approach it down the alleyway. Recommended - worth calling in.
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Apologies, idiot momemnt, date visited was 17 Aug.
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Visited 19 Aug 06. A spur of the moment decision to pop into this pub, and I wasn't disappointed. As it was in the middle of the afternoon, it was reasonably quiet. I had Timothy Taylor's Landlord, which was in good condition, and was served by a very friendly barmaid.
It does have a "square mile" feel to it, but don't let that deter you.
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Dilly Dally down the Alley.
This is a quite remarkable boozer, I could barely see by the time I left, a sign of a truly awesome establishment.
I lady played footsie at the bar with me, another good sign.
Adious.
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Great old fashioned city pub. Staff were really friendly, Superb pint of Timothy Taylor's today, other options were London Pride and Adnam's Best so there's something for everyone, and they have the guest ales on rotation. The food looked slightly suspect - chain-pub-itis of those nasty laminated menus - but for a couple of ales this place is hard to beat in this neck of the woods.
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A classic. Simply an awesome pub... great location, friendly staff, happy customers, great beer, surroundings that are equally good whether you're drinking with the boys or out with the missus. EXACTLY how a pub should be.
anonymous - 9 Jun 2006 18:16 |
Unassumingly civilised proper City boozer just off Bow Lane. Very decent ales - London Pride, Bombardier and Timothy Taylor on my last visit yesterday lunchtime. I've not tried the food but it looks good. Definitely worth a visit if you work in the area or are just passing through.
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Visited this pub in April and was extremely impressed with decor, food, ambience, range of ales and staff. Unfortunately the pub had run out of gents Ale Trail t-shirts although three members of staff tried in vain to find one. My wife was delighted with hers and the landlady actually gave me two other t-shirts from Adnams and Youngs. Brilliant customer service!!
Overall the staff could not have been more friendly and attentive and I will definitely be back next time I'm in London. A true gem of a pub.
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Very Nice Big Pub With 2 different bars, well worth a visit.
My Rating 8/10
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Great old-fashioned boozer in the heart of the City. The back bar is the best choice if in trhe company of of laydees, its got nice soft furnishings (they like that kind of thing!?) ..... the front bar is far blokier affair. Good for sport watching.
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Don't get SMDC's comment on the beer choice. This pub has London Pride, Adnams, Dechaurs IPA and Old Speckled Hen with occasionally Landlord, Bass or another.
Beer is always of top quality with great service from friendly staff. Amongst the banality of the likes of Pitcher and Piano and Corney and Barrow swamping The City, this is a good old fashioned British pub.
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The SMDC have visited this pub on a number of occassions recently. It's rather busy until about 7:30 or so, when things begin to quieten down as the office workers head home.
The food is rather fantastic for a pub, and extremely well priced. The Selection of beers sufficiently broad, so long as you like London Pride - which we do.
Generally a nice comfortable place to be, good nosh and booze - which is why we've been several times.
Thank you.
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Work your way to this one and enjoy yourself. Agree with much from prior reviews. It is a nice pub tucked down a quiet alley. Like the food well enough (but I tend to like the Nicholson menu). Much roomier than one would imagine on the inside. The front bar is the most interesting. Had a 1930s feel to it to me (although weakened by the 80s music playing). Staff was not terribly friendly.
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good atmospheric place this,..only ever just the one ruskie bird serving in the front bar though,...best to walk straight through,..get served out the back and then bring it back to the front/better bar.
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The pub is tucked away in an alley way off Bow Lane It has a public bar and alarge bar that at lunch time is predominately food. The food is around £4-6 and is of good standard may have a little wait at lunch it is full to the brim. Evening time very much a drinking house with dimmed lights and candles. Function room downstairs overall very nice good selection of ales 5 on offer and good pub food with high standards enjoyable
Dawn Roberts - 5 Dec 2004 17:01 |
Does this pub have a "Library Bar", do a good pint of 6X and fine steak sandwiches? I knew a pub in the area about ten years ago, and am now working back in London but want to make the journey worthwhile!
Paul - 27 Jul 2004 20:43 |
This place is nice enough and offers half decent typical pub grub. An infuriating lack of staff means you can wait a while to get served though
Dan - 14 Jun 2004 15:09 |
Down a little alley which is off another alley, this is a pleasant and well-hidden place. Another historic London building built up from the ruins of the Great Fire and indeed, built over Roman ruins - you can see some old tiles in the fireplace that were found 15 feet underneath that spot. It was once the official residence of the Mayor of London and William III and Queen Mary are amongst those once entertained here - it was they who presented the fine wrought iron gates that stand outside. It was Robert Williamson who bought the place and converted it to a public house in 1739. It has three decent sized and tastefully (perhaps too tastefully) decorated bars - the best of which is the main bar - the first you come to on the left; this is the only one with any real historic flavour - it is said to contain a stone that marks the centre point of the old City of London. There is a lot of traditional bare wood and nice details such as decorative ironwork lamps and framed pictures on the walls; garden scenes in one bar, Art Nouveau-ish stuff downstairs and old photos of local scenes in the main bar.(Description from http://www.professorharbottle.co.uk/pub/londoncity/williamsons.html)
£2 for a pint of Carlsberg which is a bargain for the City/Square Mile. Quiz machine/Fruit Machine/Sky Sports on widescreen tv/Good food (Burgers & chips etc)
Have killed many a long "lunch hour" here. Great place!
Ringo - 24 Mar 2004 14:16 |
