please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Had an awesome night here a couple of weeks back. live music and great service. not really close to anything major nightlife wise, but will be back in the summer as beer garden looks pretty well set up.
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Very cool pub run by some antipodean lads, didnt try to guess Aussie or Kiwi for fear of offending anyone :-) My gf moved in around the corner from this place a while back and had been raving about it. Went down last week and am certainly looking forward to the next big football game as this place was completely sorted for sports. They had the essential plasma screen set up almost everywhere, even one outside. And then the ever popular post game pool table, darts and foosball table. Recommend the burgers too. Very tasty stuff
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About time Kennington/Oval had a good local. I popped into The Pilgrim the other day and was well impressed compared to 5 months earlier. No major changes but the guys running the joint seemed prety friendly guys and liked a chat. It was pleasant and there were a few people in there for a Thursday afternoon so I'll have to go back when its got some football showing on in the weekend.
Good Beer, chat and sports coverage. Simples. I'll be back.
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I nipped in here the other day to catch a bit of the cricket cheaply - there is a banner outside declaring "Great pint prices here" with pictures of John Smiths and Fosters. I don't like either but I'm skint so went for it. Great pint prices? Try �3.10. Is that a 'great price'? They should be reported to the ASA for that. A pint of GK IPA was �3, about standard for the area, but �3.10 for a pint of Fosters/John Smiths?
Otherwise the pub is clean, but then so is my bathroom and it has more atmosphere.
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was dead as a door nail when we popped in the other day , didnt stay for long.
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Visited sunday afternoon , lager was fresh and crisp , no real ales though. didnt eat but saw some sunday lunches going out that looked and smelt lovely , overheard good comments as people left.
will return maybe on a cricket day
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I have a real soft spot for this lovely local pub. You are greeted like a regular whenever you go in, making you feel like you are living in a village as opposed to practically central London! The Pilgrim doesn't try to compete with the pub/bar market or the 'gastropub' concept, it just wants to be a fun place to hang out. Best points: Amazing landlord and bar staff who are friendly & engaging, authentic pub Alsation, sunny beer garden, big screen for sports, pool table in designated area (so no jogged elbows) games machine, themed evenings and simple pub grub. I suggest you leave your Pimms in the White Horse for one evening and give this place a try.
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Good Pub with a good Landlord. My friends and I would visit here almost every Friday.
Food is usually good, though the Lasagne could do with some flavour. Though I will give them there dues as they gave me my money back.
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I practically live here. Love it. Frequented by Nigel Cadbury Buckworth and Finley Crawford Bickington so bring your autograph books.
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this place rocks. we arrived for a pint early in the day and ended up staying for 7 hours. tunes were awesome, food was hot and delicious, staff (bar man rob) was so full of chat and energy and pretty much made sure we will be regulars from now on. and the beer garden out the back is a total sun trap so all in all this is the best pub in london if not england.
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Well my! Three words to describe this place: wonderful, wonderful, WONDERFUL! The drinks are superb, the jazz is a joy, and, they serve HOT food!
This a truly remarkable place to which I shall be frequenting a great deal, all credit to those involved.
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we came in here and we fought it was alrigt, i twas better then it was be-fore and wee did,nt see anny dog poo or heir or anth,ing it was quiet good
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The Pilgrim now has a "WII Night" every Monday @8pm. Entry to the competition is free with a prize for the WII Champ. Its "Killer Pool" night too.
We have taken on board the negative comments made and addressed them. I would like to thank "Anonymous" for their concern regarding my personal wealth but can assure them im all right.......lol. How nice it must be to be free to be a "regular"....."sick of waiting at the bar during the day". I.....like most of society work during the day and to be fair wouldnt have it any other way. I earn my money......where does yours come from Anonymous??? And let me get this straight....you drink in THE DOG HOUSE now for Hygienic & Service reasons...........O...K.
Anyway....the reason i came on here today was to thank all those who took the time to leave an honest message both positive and negative. Your guidence is genuinely appreciated. We have changed our policy on polishing glasses and also changed our detergent which tackles Hard Water which is what is at the heart of this issue.
With regards to Max.......our 2 year old German Shephard. We have discovered the reason we were finding Dog Hair in the Pub. Max is never allowed into the Pub during the day or for a further 4 nights of the week but the draft generated by having both the front and back doors open has been blowing his hair and dust in from the back garden. We have rectified this by stopping the draft, increasing maintenence on the back garden and hoovering the affected areas twice daily.
For anyone who has never met Max, he is a very nervous young dog who still misses his brother who we had to move on due to behavour concerns. Max is no gaurd dog thats for sure and is off on his heels as soon as he is approached, much to the annoyance of my regular customers who adore the little guy. For all intent and purpous Max is a "Pub Dog". The kind one would expect to see in a country pub. Indeed this was the very and only reason to bring Max on board at The Pilgrim. I honestly want to offer a haven from the concrete world of London and believe a pub Dog gets me a little closer to that country pub feel. Simple as that. I understand not all people like dogs and i fully respect that which is why we put Max in his Hut away from the Beer garden whenever required. Its absolutely no problem whatsoever.
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I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE BULL THAT HAS BEEN WRITTEN!!!!!
I HAVE BEEN GOING TO THE PILGRIM FOR THE PASS 5 YEARS AND SEEN A LOT OF OWNERS COME AND GO AND I CAN TELL YOU THAT JAY IS THE BEST OUT OF THE LOT OF THEM!
GRANTED THERE WAS A PERIOD WHERE THE PUB HAD NO CHIEF AND THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ROOF BUT TELL ME WHEN ANYTHING GOES SMOOTHLY.
WHEN EVER I GO FOR LUNCH I HAVE A LAUGH, MY FOOD COMES QUICK AND THERE'S VODKA (WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT!?)
I HAVE 2 THINGS TO SAY,
FIRSTLY GO THERE AND HAVE A DRINK AND SEE WHAT I MEAN.
SECONDLY THIS IS FOR ANONYMOUS GROW SOME BALLS AND STAND BESIDE WHAT YOU WRITE!
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I used to be a regular at this pub. However, I don't go there anymore. I just got fed up of the complete inconsistency of this place.
I'm sick of waiting at the bar during the day, there has been dog hair everywhere and the food is not up to scratch.Some of the glasses are dirty (from previous comments)- It's not the "chilled " beer glasses as the previous comment says, but all of them.
It's a shame really- yes, this bar has improved somewhat since the previous owners left, but still has a long way to go. It looks like the owners must be short of money.
I do hope, with all my best wishes that this bar gets to be where it wants (or needs to be). Until then, I will be drinking in the Dog House down the road. I wish Jay all the luck for the future, but has to pull his socks up.
anonymous - 2 Sep 2007 18:44 |
It annoys me SO much when you go into a bar and get a dirty glass! I have been to this bar 3 times now (Only to accompany friends I add), and every time I have been here, the glasses that they serve drinks in are DISGUSTING. The toilets also stink and the staff need to speed things up a bit
anonymous - 21 Aug 2007 17:39 |
havent been in here for a while but it looks rather nice. they play jazz here. it gets a lot of the Tesco crowd, which is nice.
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Another cracking lunch i had today homemade beef burger on ciabatta with cheese and bacon, very scrumptious and massive....thanks jay
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I bought The Pilgrim just over 20 months ago and for anyone who knew the pub will confirm, it wasnt a very nice place at all. Comments previous to our arrival back in Nov 2005 will testify to this. The Pilgrim was a run down bar in a very sorry state of affairs. Trouble in the place was not uncommon and lets just say i would have been horrified to hear if my Mum or Sister were planning to go there as it was one of the most intimidating and un-female friendly pub i had ever been in during my 20 years in the business. This situation was rectified within weeks of our arrival and we now enjoy a much normal breakdown of 50/50 with men/women and the atmosphere, people have commented, is now a million miles from what once was a loud and uncomfortable one in the past.
I have always followed the comments left on the site and can honestly say totally welcome any level of critism in our quest to provide a decent local bar but am simply left appalled by the comments left "Anonomously" in an amazingly short space of time. A fact you would not be aware of is that it also coincides with the sacking of a member of staff who is only too aware the damage accusations like this might bring to the business. I dont wish to bring myself down to the level of this person and begin a debate on a site meant purely for honest opinions but i cant let go the accusation that my Barmaid "is only interested in whos she is going home with that night". To attempt to bestow such a character on a young, hard working and honest girl sickens me to my stomach and you should be ashamed of yourself.
I continue to endlessly try to provide the community with a haven from the hustle and bustle of fast life outside the door. I understand we will never get to please all of the people all of time and that i fully accept (we would be the only industry known to man if we did).
As for "anonomous"......Slander is a cowards revenge in itself without remaining anonomous to boot. Sad.
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Nice pub, friendly staff, good mussels in white wine or something like that and amazing cod with chips. I went with my girlfriend to lunch and I will definetly come back. Highly recomended. Nice dog too.
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This pub is just the greatest! Its the only pub in london I can go in by myself and know that Jay (the landlord) and the bar staff will make you feel welcome. Having made this pub my local even though i live over 10 minutes away I have found the guys are like family. Clean, good food, great athmophere and fun each day of the week. Want proof come along on a friday night for Kareoke! Good or bad everyone has fun and is welcome to blast out the hits! Great range of drinks for all. Never seen any trouble as everyone including the locals (which now is me!) are laid back and friendly. Come in say hi and enjoy a pub where everybody knows your name...
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I have been going to this pub for a good few months now, and i don't have a bad word to say about it. The bar staff are a real joy to go in there and have a laugh with, and the pub owner (Jay) really knows how to liven up the place. They have more going on in the week then any other place that i have ever been into!!! I have read some of the other comments and like someone said, the people who have written bad comments must have a grudge or something against this place as they cannot put their name on their comment! I know for sure that the comments they have written are not true, The best pub i have been to and will continue to go to.
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This pub is the closest to where I work and i stumbled upon it one wed afternoon when I was having a bad day, I was a bit dubious as im not really a pub person and have had bad experiences in the past. I was welcomed by Jay the landlord who i can honestly say is the the most warmest and friendliest landlord i have ever met, he made me feel so welcome and comfortable, i ordered some food and it was fantastic and very reasonable. I sat in the garden which was very clean and comfortable, jay brought me all the condiments i could possibly think off as well as my cutlery. I think the pilgrim is excellent,shame certain people have to spoil it, i will continue to go to this pub along with my work buddies,eat,drink and be merry along with the wonderful staff.
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Don't agree with the comment below, the pub is fantastic, the staff are always cheerful and the food is great.
Shame the person writing the untrue comments wasn't sure enpugh of their comments to leave their name.
alcky - 24 Jul 2007 15:35 |
It's a shame this pub is so up and down. Previous comments are right- It opens and closes whenever it wants - Especially on a weekday (you never know if it's open). You go in there sometimes and it looks like its not been cleaned from the night before. The food has recently taken a nose dive (although the new chef is producing cheaper food, it unfortunately shows!)
Shame, have to frequent the White Hart down the road if you want a decent pint and some quality grub. The landlord however is a lovely guy, he just unfortunately cannot run a pub to a good standard.
anonymous - 24 Jul 2007 11:46 |
i agree i wont be going back to this pub,people say its always busy,wel when ive bin in there is bin dead, it opens and closes when it feels like it.the barmaid seems to care more bout wat bloke she will be going home with that night.over priced.wont be going back.
anonymous - 22 Jul 2007 16:36 |
If you don't have any personal hygiene or cleanliness issues and you don't mind being greeted by a big dirty alsatian, waiting at the bar for five minutes then this is the place to go.
anonymous - 13 Jul 2007 16:03 |
I left a comment a couple of weeks ago about this pub- But my opinions have changed drastically. It seems that this pub is very inconsistent! what a shame.
I went in there last week and there was so much dog hair lying around that one could have knitted ones-self a small rug had one brushed up all the loose dog hairs. To make matters worse, I went and sat in the garden and the dog decided to give me a show by sitting there and straining out a large poo in the middle of the patio area whilst I enjoyed my (previously) delicious baguette.
I waited at the bar for about five minutes to be served - Only to be served by a bartender that was carrying on a conversation with some rough looking regulars at the bar. She said the "F" word more times than I care to imagine(Not great customer service). My beer was also served in a glass that looked like it had not even been washed. When I pointed this out, the barmaid laughed and made a joke of it saying it was the hard water in the area! To make matters worse, I visited the loos and they were absoulutely minging! Smelly, dirty an unclean.
Maybe this was just a bad day, I don't know....very disappointed as previous visits I have enjoyed.
anonymous - 13 Jul 2007 11:37 |
This is still the only pub in the area where i feel so welcome. The Pilgrim girls are just delicious. How great it is to be able to walk into a pub after a long day and to be met with a smile and not as if i should be honoured to be drinking there. Whats wrong with Bar staff these days........cheer up. They should take a leaf from the pilgrim girls.
What more could be added about Big Jay that hasnt been said before???? Since i arrived in kennington about 9 months ago, ive seen this guy tackle everything from the BBQ to compering the friday night Karaoke (you need to hear this guy sing!). Ive seen him handle the most demanding to the most difficult of customer with absolute ease. He should be negotiating for the united nations......seriously. I would have no idea just how many times i have seen him leave a table with the lot on them in stitches of laughter. My old mum just cant get enough of him and has me taking her there every sunday for lunch now. Youre a credit to your profession Mr Murphy.
Welsh Paul
anonymous - 10 Jul 2007 15:58 |
The Pilgrim seems to have gone through quite a lot of changes recently. The place is generally more vibrant and looking better. The beer garden at the back is lovely on a lazy weekend. The Sunday roast is phonemenal? (did i spell that right?)...And the staff are lovely. Try this place out.
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The best bar in the area by far. Friendly manager, attractive bar staff and delicious food.
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My friend and I went to this pub today. I don't usually frequent pubs, but this place is a lovely, welcoming place to visit- We were welcomed by the Jay- He's great (a real charmer). He is the landlord. We had some amazing food - Great free range steaks (one of the best steaks I have tasted). We then had blueberry trifles which were out of this world! It is such a pleasure to see a pub that is so well run and serves great food. we will definitely be back. This pub is such a find and we reccommend it to anyone who is local and anyone who is visiting the area.
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My family and I went to the Pilgrim in Kennington on Sunday for my Mum's birthday. We had the most amazing Sunday roast. We were looked after from beginning to end! What a nice and very charming landlord! The food was excellent.
anonymous - 9 May 2007 18:57 |
This pub is by far the best drinking establishment in the Kennington area. Previous comments suggest that this pub has a bad rating. However, as a local to the area, I often frequent most of the bars around. The landlord Jay, is amongst the best- He is a proper Irish landlord with the gift of the gab! The pub has recently been upgraded. The beer garden is definitely the best in the area with its new tables and parasols. This is a traditional boozer. It has its own pool room and comfortable seating.
As for the food - Amazing! There has been a recent addition of a new chef at the Pilgrim. The menu is made up of free range and organic meat and fish. This chef certainly knows his stuff! I have eaten here 3 times now and the food has been fantastic! They are doing private hire barbeques in their garden. You have a choice of menus ranging from simple barbeques to gourmet barbeques complete with bbq'd lobsters! I have booked in for my birthday!
In all fairness, you will not find another bar in the area with great beer, great service and great food such as this one. The Pilgrims nearest bars are the White Hart and the Dog House (In my opinion, both of these bars are pricey and too posey). See you in The Pilgrim!!!
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has been done up recently, nice wood decor inside. just popped in for a look on my way to tesco; looks ok, definitely worth another look.
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have managed to visit most pubs in the area now and have no doubt The Pilgrim is the place to be. The White Hart is seriously over priced, The Dog House belongs in Camden and the others i didnt feel safe in as the customers at the Bar were far from friendly and i didnt feel welcome. Jason & his crew know how pubs should be and i wont be using any other bar in the area from now on. The big irish guy knows how to make everyone who enters feel like the most important person in the world and its truly a sight to see when he wheels out the unique irish charm & wit. On St Patricks night he sang a 2 hour irish set and had the place rocking....what a legend. keep up the good work mate.
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The Pilgrim pub is the closest pub to where I work and to be honest used to not like it. But have to admit that since the new managment has taken over the pub has come on in leaps and bounds the new landlord has done alot with the place to make you feel welcome and the staff now, as compared to times of old are polite and very attentive and always seem to have a smile on thier faces. I go their reguarly at lunch times as they now have an extensive menu with home made good quality food I particularly recommend the homemade burgers and spag boll...really descent size portions. They also serve San Miguel on tap which is one of the few places in London that does so. The Pilgrim although much improved could do with a bit of an added facelift decor wise... but as I was told just today by the cheeky irish chappy landlord a re furbishment is due to take place in the next few weeks. So looks like things are going to get better...well done new managent.
Added bonus if you are a single fella you do get quite a few nice looking girls going in the pub of late at lunchtimes and on a Friday nights which is always a plus. Keep up the good work mate
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WOW, what a difference!
The pub is under new management!
Lovely atmosphere, impressive menu and a very yummy lunch was had....
will definately be back again for a beer or 15 and some lunch
Thanks guys
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Excellent place under new management and undergoing major renovations. Was very impressed with the menu, lunch time mid week was very busy, cute staff. Will be checking the place out again after renovations.
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So so - always seems to be almost empty when I think about going in and the few customers in there put me off
anonymous - 22 Jan 2006 00:05 |
Dont go to the Pilgrim - Go to the Dog House or Prince of Wales instead if you're in the area - far superior in every respect
anonymous - 29 Nov 2005 14:12 |
Are there any good pubs in this area? After a trip to the Pilgrim I do not think I can bring myself to go out for a drink in this area ever again. The pints of Kronenbourg that we drank tasted very strange,almost chemical like.
The pub was empty on a saturday night. The staff were unwelcoming and the one other patron was one of the most odious people I have ever come across.
Steer well clear if you like beer.... or pubs for that matter because this place is certainly not worthy of the title.
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Walking past I've noticed that this "pub" has banners advertising Chinese food, there was even a beer delivery this morning so things are looking up! I believe this pub was up for sale late last year, so this may be the new owners. I'm writing this to be fair on the possible new owners as my previous comment was very negative. If anyone has tried this new re-incarnation, please post a comment.
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Having read the comment above and observing a lack of customers I had reservations about holding a Christmas drink here - I must admit it was far worse than I expected. A number of beers were off, the full selection of food was not available, some items of food that were supposed to be available were off and the place was empty (apart from us)and cold! This is probably the worse pub I've ever been in!
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There used to be a fantastic manager there called Moni. Now it's just average, there are better places to go in the area.
Sam Fiztgerald - 26 Sep 2004 07:23 |
