BITE user comments - gnuts
Comments by gnuts
The Royal Albert, South Lambeth
Oh dear... What has happened. This is a classic case of putting profits above a good pub (when was it ever different you might ask?).
The revamp has stripped the pub of all the memorable features. The great upstairs games room with two pool tables has gone; the darts board has gone; the character of the pub area has gone - replaced by bland wall colour and spartan pictures; the food menu has pretty much gone; the fruit machines have gone; the nicely mixed clientele has gone; and most of all the jewel in the crown, a wonderful beer garden enclosed by high hedges has gone.
Why even bother keeping the pub downstairs?? Why not just convert the whole pub into flats. I understand that the landlord wanted to close the whole place, but I suspect planning permission wouldn't have been granted for a change of use due to the character of the pub.
The staff are still cheery and do a good job, but in the space of a year the pub has gone from being great to less than average.
Boo hoo. There are no other good pubs in the immediate area. The Fentiman is overpriced and full of sloanes; the Canton is dirty and serves terrible food. I think the Hanover is the only decent pub left; but certainly has its limitations.
16 Feb 2006 12:44
The Old Bull & Bush, Shepherds Bush
Nice big screen for watching football on, but bog standard chain pub apart from that. Not helped much by the local 'boys' who like to hang out in the dark back room and abuse anyone daring to venture in. If you're not wearing a 'Nickelson' or 'Hackett' polo shirt and reebok classics, don't even think about going out back!
9 Oct 2005 11:37
The Royal Albert, South Lambeth
Apparently the owner actually wanted to shut the whole place and convert into flats but has not been allowed to - possibly as is an original pub in a character area. Explains why despite having the potential to be a complete winner (and still my favourite pub in the area) it still falls short of being consistently good.
Really needs someone who loves pubs to take over. Removing the upstairs room - with pool etc - is just scandalous
23 Sep 2005 14:02
Despite living in the area and having been here before - in fact spending a good New Year's Eve here one year - haven't been for a while. Went last night and was pleased to see is still really good. Now has a pleasant decked outside area which - despite the vista of the lovely Camberwell New Road and Aylesbury Estate - is actually quite pleasant on a balmy summer's evening. As always a friendly bar staff and reasonable prices help - and of course the fact it stands out in the area as a nice place to go to!
18 Aug 2005 23:28
The Canton Arms, South Lambeth
OK pub - does what it says on the tin, with friendly staff. Food was a bit middling. Potatoes on he sunday lunch were lazily cut and cooked (the size of Geoff Capes' fist).
29 Jun 2005 21:48
The Royal Albert, South Lambeth
What has happened recently? The food quality has gone markedly downhill (cold food anyone?).
This is still a great pub though. Let down purely by ever changing staff. Only the ever consistent staff (seen on weekends) sort you out.
29 Jun 2005 21:45
Great little pub tucked away in between Whitley Road and Whitley Bay Metro Station. For those in the know, this pub offers a great range of ales - including cask - and a friendly environment. The Landlord is a canny fella too.
29 Jun 2005 21:43
The spacious beer garden to the rear has to be the major plus to this pub. Unfortunately, the high beer prices, poor beer selection, and popularity with the rugger-bugger sloaney types tip the balance the other way!
1 May 2005 13:02
Quite a nice place for an evenings drinking. A bit spartan inside, although the snug areas at the back are nice, and the bar layout is good with friendly staff.
12 Feb 2005 18:29
Very acceptable place, but very bland and boring in the extreme... Decor has been pulled from an 'Edwards' bar, circa 1996, and there's plenty more interesting places in a 2 mile radius. That said, the staff were friendly and it was empty enough to be served quickly.
28 Nov 2004 20:21
The Kings Arms, Waterloo
Great old-school boozer. Lovely location on a picture postcard street near Waterloo. Good choice of ale and largers, pleasantly tatty. Nice Thai food and English bar snacks.
13 Jul 2006 16:38