please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
I used to use this pub extensively back in the 90’s when I worked in the area, in fact I was here so often my mother once phoned the pub to get hold of me, how things have changed as this was my first visit for well over 12 + years.
Now a Nicholson’s pub internally it looks extremely different to when I last visited, outside it’s pretty much the same.
Very busy with standing room only at 11pm on a recent Friday night, the bouncers didn’t seem to be restricting who was going in so it just got busier.
Half a dozen ales on the hand pumps, I went straight for a pint of their house beer brewed by St Austall. A fine beer but slightly annoying to be sold it in a hard plastic glass, this was the norm unless you had a bottled beer which they gave you in the bottle, work that one out!
Stayed for 1 drink before closing time was announced. I may wait another dozen years to return who knows.
|
Quite simply the worst pub experience I have ever encountered. Everything about this place was wrong- the lager tasted wrong, the wine was poor (for that read undrinkable), the staff were rude and to top it off at 7.45 they came around demanding that we change our glasses to plastic - rather than either serving us these or replacing we were asked to pour one into the other. Given that there are half a dozen pubs within a 2 minute walk I would recommend avoiding this place at all costs.
|
A typical banal central London boozer. It's clean and the drinks are okay but there's not much more going for it. When I was in here two weeks they were showing rugby league on TV. It was never discovered whether they have Sky Sports too.
|
This place was refurbished towards the end of last year and looks amazing! The food is, although a bit pricey, fabulous and the staff are friendly and courteous - what more could you want?!
|
Had some time to kill before catching a train and stumbled upon this pub, the 3rd Nicholsons pub I had been to in London in 2 days, but not the best.
My pint of Green Daemon was good, but nothing special stands out about this pub, except that the side entrance to Charing Cross railway station is conveniantly located across the road.
|
Friendly staff and very good ales!
|
I've signed up here just to post my comments on this awful pub. We tried an assortment of lagers and the American IPA and most of them had a distinct after-taste of detergent. the staff were rude/confused when this was brought to their attention. Food was poor and I would defiantly never go again. 1/10
|
Beer was a little funny tasting, barman was moody - nothing special.
|
Was pretty busy when we popped in last night, although the location and the fact it's open until midnight are probably two reasons for that.
Mainly stuck to the Doombar (�2.95) which was in good form, although they also had Brains SA, Pride, Bengal Lancer, a chocolate beer and a very stouty one which varied in price up to around �3.50 for a pint.
Quite dark inside due to the panelling, and the music was also pretty loud downstairs. Much quieter in the smaller dining area upstairs.
Friendly staff, which moves the place up another mark.
|
I hadn't been in this place for several year but dropped in a couple of weeks ago to find a refurbished and much improved pub. The previously manky interior now has an impressive dark wood replacement. I'm not sure how long ago this took place but it has certainly taken the pub from one looking to catch the overspill from Charing Cross (no doubt escaping the horrors of the Boadicea) to a genuinely pleasant place for a pint.
The beer range was also impressive with regulars like Doom Bar, Pride, Landlord and Seafarers interspersed with less common Brains SA and Thornbridge Jaipur IPA across the six pumps. The pint of Seafarers I had was fine.
If you are in the area and can't be bothered to walk over to the Ship and Shovell this is a very acceptable alternative.
|
Close to the Ship and Shovell, this pub offers a nice selection of guest ales served in a sort of cafe bar/lounge style interior. Not bad however the pint of Tim Taylors landlord I had was very poor, I suspect that they hadn't pulled the pipes through from the previous night. Worth a look.
|
Since the smoking ban, this small Nicholson's pub is much more pleasant inside than it used to be since the majority of customers usually seem to be standing outside in the street rather than being crammed into the rather dark interior. There is also an upstairs dining room. The beer quality also seems to have become more reliable in recent years too, with Landlord and others from the usual Nicholson range plus a reasonable selection from their seasonal list (e.g. RCH Old Slug Porter at �3.25, which seemed a slightly odd choice for mid-summer but was served fairly cool and actually rather good). Overall, nothing special, but not bad for a quick one if waiting for a train from the adjacent Charing Cross station.
|
One of the better pubs around Charing Cross/Strand area. Small and dark works well, creates good atmosphere esp after dark.
|
Just upped my rating for this pub - the beer range in here was fantastic on Saturday including one from Neil Morrisseys brewery set up. Great guy behind the bar too!
|
Decent enough Nicholson's pub; Busy on a saturday evening and nice to be able to stand outside supping pints of Everard's Tiger, Morrisey Fox Brunette and Daleside Autumn Ale. Bit small and noisy inside, and didn't stay long as I wanted to show my mates The Harp. Worth a look if you're in the area.
|
Very busy, small size and useful pub which is handy for Charing X station. All in all not a bad pub at all with usually 2-3 beers on. Staff very efficient even on a very busy day like it was on Saturday when I went in. There was a good atmosphere about the place.
|
Decent enough Nicholsons pub. Its much better than drinking in the depressing broom closet in Charing Cross station called the Boadicea. Decent variety of ale regularly rotated and well kept. My only complaint is why oh why do they keep the music at 'Deep Purple' volume 12? Its not pleasant inside at all as everyone has to yell like barrow boys to be heard over the distorted din. Far better to take your pint and people watch along Villiers. Turn down the tunes and it would be a half decent place to sit and fortify yourself prior to the train home.
|
We had passed this pub many times and yesterday we decided to go in. Very good selection of beers and lagers and the prices were cheaper than we expected for a central London pub. The food was excellent and good value for money. A real "drinkers pub" with no chaviness and we will definitely be going back there.
|
Went in here yesterday out of all the advertised Hand Pump beers only one on at Lunchtime which was Tom Fool Nice taste but Horrible after taste - did not enjoy. Nice pub full of City workers but Slack Service, Had to wait nearly 10 mins for a member of staff to apper (I nearly walked out). Will not be going back in a hurry
|
Had a pint of Morrisey & Fox Blonde in here. Not so great but at least we did our bit for comic relief! This pub seemed a bit 'you are not good enough to be in here' but we just stood outside and watched people rush by who clearly had a mission to be somewhere.
|
They had London Pride, Timothy Taylor Landlord and Young�s Bitter on when I dropped in on Wednesday lunchtime. The TTL was OK. This is a very gloomy place with little or no natural light getting in, not helped by the canopy outside, obviously for the benefit of smokers. There was a large flat screen TV in one of the corners, but it was switched off. Fairly cold as well, with whatever heating there was being unable to offset a bitterly cold February day. It was bare-boarded throughout, which always seems to make a pub seem colder than one that is carpeted. In short, a pretty nondescript pub with no obvious redeeming features � other than being very handy for Charing Cross Station, and being better than the Boadicea. Can�t see any reason to return.
|
I agree with whileyourethere that this pub is improving. Smallish somewhat scruffy bar opposite the Villiers Str escalator to Charing X - handy when trains are delayed as mine was yesterday.
Four ales were available from the Nicholson's range - yesterdays choice included Harveys Best, Brains SA, and I think London Pride and Batemans XXXB. Beer quality was very good but watch out for large head / short measure.
|
This pub has picked up its game since I was last in maybe a year ago. Seems to be more focussed on ale now, with a fine selection of guests rotated regularly and seasonal ales that should satisfy most tickers. Worth a visit, especially during the day when its a bit quieter
|
Not bad and quite easy to get served considering how busy it gets. Preferable to Bar HA HA
HENDO - 29 Sep 2008 16:51 |
Visited this pub yesterday Afternoon as part of "THE THEATRELAND" Dick Whittington Beer Trail. Four cask Conditioned Ales on offer London Pride (off),Harveys Sussex Best (off) & Robins Ransom, But I went for BeeZone, which was not really to my taste, far too aweet. Small Pub with Dining area upstairs quite busy with friendly foreign Staff. Quick service. Lots of people spill out onto the pavement, blocking the enterance. Barman should watch the punters entering to ensure he knows who is next to be served. Not sure if I would go out my way to go back
|
Have visited a few times at lunchtime in last 3 months since returning to the area after anumber of years away. I remeber it being a rally dingy, fifthy, unwelcoming pub but now under the Nicholsons banner the range of beers has been interesting and those I've tried from Batemans, Jennings, Hydes to name but three have been in in good nick and at �2.65 a pint or there abouts its good value for central London. Bar staff friendly and know about their beer. Food looks good and reasonably priced but not tried it myself.
|
There�s nothing special about this pub, but it is good for watching the football and having a couple of quick pints before stumbling onto the tube. The quiz machine robbed me of a few quid but I can�t really blame my stoopidity on the pub.
I�ve happened upon a lot worse pubs than this so I can�t grumble, but I wouldn�t go out of my way to visit again.
|
reasonable pub and one of the better in this area of very poor pubs can get a little over crowded
|
Not a bad pub for a quick pint or to watch the football.
|
We had to leave.
After we had waited with other friendly punters for one of the bar staff to return from whatever they were doing and asked for food and drink they just couldn't deliver anything!
They had a food deal on which was a sausage, mash and a pint. But they only had about 3 of the 12 types of sausage left, and they weren't sure about which ones. And they had no beer! Not a single bitter - from 4 pumps plus a guest ale! We just walked away. I suggest you do, they're just surviving because of the location....
|
Fairly typical after-work pub that is nice enough (decor and atmosphere) but has nothing particular to make it stand out. The night I was there it was pretty full and only had one barmaid working so it was a looong wait to get served. And they had no bitters on. Shan't be back in a hurry; well, to be honest, I can't see why I would ever go back.
|
I like this pub. Very nice. Great friendly staff too.
Sarah Witten
|
Service not great and pint not too hot either. Not a good advert for Nicholsons.
|
This Pub is what made my expericance in London worth while the staff was the best. I came home with new freinds. Also it was just a nice place to hang after a long days walk around London.
|
Have to agree with some of the other posters, of all the nicholsons pubs we visited on the Dick Whittington ale trail, this was probably the worst, the real ales although not off were not great
|
came in with few lads after orangeman parade was good quick service considering quite busy and loadsa singing etc . well worth a pint if get off train at charing cross
|
Definitely not one of Nicholson's best, but you can usually get a reasonable pint with less hassle than the 'smarter' pub just up Villier's Street (and certainly better than the 'Block Hole' inside nearby Charing Cross station if your train is late).
|
A fairly average pub for the area, neither great nor rubbish. Well kept beers and nice freindly staff (occassionally!) The food is some of the best that I have tried in Nicholsons although I work near here and go there all the time so maybe thats why i like it! A little worn around the edges although I was talking to the Manager and he told me that they are about to have a refurb although have been waiting for one for the last 18 months.......it really needs one too! I also asked him about running out of beers (Fosters and 2 out of 3 ales were off when I was there) and he said that they had a tiny little cellar and were selling more than they could keep!
Also, why do people complain about a pub being too busy and therefore rubbish? If its busy then they are obviously in the minority thinking this?
anonymous - 28 Apr 2007 17:56 |
As another correspondent has said, the Nicholson's bunch of pubs are generally pretty good but this one is less good than the others. I had a coke, but thought the range of ales looked less good than at some Nicholson's houses; also the pub itself is rather uninteresting and (I suspect) full of commuters. Better pubs in the area.
|
Smoky and poky � the least attractive and welcoming of the Nicholson pubs in the area.
|
I used to frequent this place all the time while waiting for a train to somewhere better..then it took longer and longer to get served. 15 minutes seemed about par...now i find out why...
...The barmaids are recruited for being "Cute", maybe they should be recruited them for being efficient and industrious ....
..plus the recruiter must have been drinking because they weren't that cute either....
|
Been in here a few times on a Friday for a last pint as they have a late licence. Very busy and all the beers were available and pleasant. Top Drawer.
Unfortunately I made the error of going in last night to watch the second half of the football. After waiting ten minutes to be served on a quiet night by the slowest barman in history, I was told that none of the beers were on although none of the handpumps had been turned around. No beer and no apology even though the surly gentleman in question realised that I had been waiting a while.
A pub with no beer - didn't the Dubliners sing about this place?
|
I popped in The Princess Of Wales prior to getting the train home on the 27th Dec. As started in an earlier review, it was indeed dimly lit and I must admit to finding it rather smoker and untidy in here too. It was fairly busy on my visit and a little uncomfortable because of it, but it seemed likely a friendly enough crowd. Prices were reasonable and overall, I found it to be acceptable enough in here. It�s just that I can�t envisage myself paying a return visit anytime soon.
HTM69 - 30 Dec 2006 11:37 |
may mate runs this place so I may be somewhat biased,but the venue itself is cosy,the beer of reasonable standard and has good large sports screens.The bar maids are well picked and cute and the prices arent too bad..phew right howard does this mean I get a free beer now??
|
Handily placed for Charing Cross station but a rather dull pub by Nicholsons standards. Unadventurous beers (Bombardier, Pride and IPA) although reasonably priced for the area. Quite dark with very little natural light. Decent screens for footie although the big screen suffers from poor definition during daylight hours. Good service even when packed with World Cup viewers. Nothing particularly offensive but there are better pubs around if you know where to look.
|
Its reasonably priced, very small and not a bad TV for the football. Handy if you have a while to wait for your train at Charing Cross.
|
I agree entirely with TheBeerMonkey - I went in last Wednesday early evening and all the draught beer was off. Pointless place.
|
Visited here for the first time last week. What a lovely little pub! Great service from the barmaids and the food was far beyond what we expected for a pub. And it was very reasonably priced too, considering this is in Central London. We will definitely visit again.
Congratulations all round
Lizzienrob
|
This pub isn't too bad - the beer quality is usually good. However, I have lost count the number of times I have been in this pub midweek and most or all the beers have finished. Considering this pub has a cask marque and also a board outside advertising that the establishment is on the 'London Ale Trail' defies belief when you can't usually buy a pint of old and filthy.
|
not a bad pub always busy make sure you get a seat because you will get bumped into alot if standing
juzza - 31 Mar 2006 14:23 |
was very busy when we went here , mind you this way around 5pm , nice pub nice drop of beer , seemed ok only stayed for the 1 as was getting jostled and bumped all the time
|
Further to my comment of 30 Dec, I think it's only fair to add that Mitchells and Butler have since phoned and apologised to me for the poor service I received that evening.
|
Go here on a saturday night and this place will be heaving but god knows why? it's small, loud with half cut drinkers and if you're lucky enough to make it to the bar be warned that just dangling a limp tenner at the bar staff (assuming there's more than one behind the bar on the busiest night of the week)will get you noticed, the insanely few (1 barmaid on last visit) staff are stressed out and the competition of the other drinkers doing exactly the same as you is more or less gladitorial....AVOID!!!!!
PS...There's grub upstairs but I didn't have any will left to suss it out!
|
Not a bad pub, with a nice (but typical for the area) range of beers. However it's always packed with rather loud unfriendly businessmen, which always detracts from the experience. Easy to find and get to, but there's better in the area.
anonymous - 21 Sep 2005 14:34 |
Very nice freindly pub for it location, TV is blocked by signs for the bogs, but otherwise an 8/10
|
OK boozer for the centre of town. It is a bit cramped and not ideal if there is a crowd of you. Pies are legendary...Worth going in if only for that!
|
Not a bad boozer, although the big screen does seem to be in the wrong place. If you're watching it, you're bound to be in someone's way.
|
Just had a refurb. And looks all the better for it, though it still stank of wet paint. The beer (Stella) was not upto the usual standards normally seen in here. But still somewhere to go for a quiet end of evening pint before going back to the 'burbs.
Rob - 2 Feb 2004 15:32 |
Watched the rugby final on saturday - full house from the off.... Great, friendly atmosphere with zero trouble all day. Beer good, staff on the ball - good for a session or for meeting. (Didn't notice any old man smells....!)
JB - 25 Nov 2003 23:41 |
this is dirty, old mans pub, not great - cheapish pint for meeting point etc but not very nice. nice staff but odd smells and small size makes this not great for big night out!
fred - 26 Oct 2003 21:15 |
They've got Staropramen on tap, which qualifies any pub for 10/10 by default. Friendly staff and the usually lively crowd all add to the engaging atmosphere, but what's words anyway: drop by and have a swift one, or two, or five...
Thomas - 20 Oct 2003 15:43 |
Cheeky chappy type of pub, nice service, good food upstairs, can get lively downstairs.
Nice one
Jim - 10 Oct 2003 11:58 |
Great atmosphere when there's a game on the big screen. Good range of beers (4 lagers/ 3 ales). Guinness the best I've tasted in the West End! New manageress and staff always seem to be having a good time - and it reflects on the customers...
John - 26 Sep 2003 00:45 |
Small pub, fairly nondescript to be honest. Its not the Kent Tavern, which is a good thing.
Pauly H - 12 Nov 2002 11:11 |
