please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Had a lovely night in here last saturday with friends.
Nice guinness and nice service.
Great mix of customers.
Clapham does bring out the best looking men.
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I really like this pub. Staff have always been good, they don't keep you waiting for a long time like in other places. Pretty decent seating, nice decor.
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The decor (comic book portraits, bowls made from vinyl LPs, kinda rockabilly vibe) doesn't match the atmosphere, which is virtually non-existant - and the music certainly doesn't fit. I suspect the sorts of people who appreciate this aesthetic have decamped to the brilliant and more authentic little cafe over the road in the arches.
Went there for a roast on Sunday. Terrible.
Greasy, boiled (not roasted) potatoes, a scraggily (if generous) portion of chicken and a splat of cabbage. The horseradish condiment have grown a skin and had obviously been put out earlier. Massive disappointment. Could barely eat half of it.
Wouldn't recommend it for food, especially with the likes of The Landor nearby.
Shame really, because it's a good space - I just can't think of a reason for ever going again.
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I used to love this pub. The staff are nice and it's a convenient and fun place to meet, but now I've given it up because it is impossible to sit outside on a summer evening without getting harrassed by people who either plainly ask for money ,or who want to perform street poetry for mone, or who tell you rubbish jokes for money, and who often verbally abuse you if you tell them you don't have any or to move on etc. This happens approx once every 5 minutes or so. Sometimes the person in question will sit with you too (once we had a soliciting drunk who sat for about an hour with us) which makes for an awkward evening. Obviously this happens more if it's a couple of women sitting alone - I can't vouch for what men have to put up with. Last Friday at 6pm we left after one pint to go somewhere else because we were so frustrated by having to put up with this. The management really needs to sort it out.
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Not sure what there is to like about the Railway other than it's quite a nice space. But the beer it serves is the by now tiring standard gastropub range. It badly wants to be the place for the Clapham boys who wear suits and trainers and work in something in the third sector or something. I think it's a bit boring.
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Clapham bar in pub clothing. Has the advantage of outside seating - which is always crowded when I pass in the spring or summer. It's ok in here (and it was quiet when I was in) but I can't see any reason to elevate it above the Alex or even the Bellevue further down the high street
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My experience couldn't be more different than the last few comments.. When I was there last week I was served by a really friendly girl (blonde hair, specs) who couldn't have been lovelier. There's a guy with dark hair and a beard who's also always really nice.. The manager is grumpy but isn't he just a typical landlord?! It's quite funny really. The beer's great and the food's ok and it's far enough up the high street to not be quite as manic as the pubs nearer the common end..
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The landlord has the social skills of a newt. He is rude and unattentive to customers. Unfortunately this rubs off on most staff (apart from one female who is great). Another pub in Clapham that survives on its location. If this pub was off the beaten track or even in the locations of the excellent Rose and Crown and Manor Arms (both owned by the same excellent landlord)it would not survive!
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I spend fifteen minutes waiting to be served on Saturday. I left in the end because it seemed no more likely than when I arrived. This is an okay place during the week, but they need more staff when its busy!
Mobey - 17 Mar 2008 10:02 |
I usually drink in the Royal Oak, but my girlfriend and I went to check out The Railway as it looks good through the window.
The bar staff were fine. I was given a pint of Guinness that was off, the barman acknowledged that something has happened to the gas when he poured it and went to replace it.
The Landlord on the other hand started arguing with me about it. Despite trying to explain about the gas he kept interrupting me. He only stopped when I walked away and sat down.
To be fair, it was a good pint when replaced, but I won't reward this kind of attitude with my custom.
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Good Sunday roast. However the comments about the miserable staff are spot on. What's wrong with them? Don't they check out this website?
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Nice looking bar, could be adventurous on a packed visit, as long as you can find a seat, but seemed a bit flat on a quiet afternoon.
The staff did look in a bit of a daze. Guess thats what working Sta afternoons does to you.
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Presentable on the inside and smart looking bar... however, nothing special beneath all of this.
Service was not brimming with warmth or interest.. standard identi-kit aspirational Clapham pub.
It's funny 'cos I remember coming here about six or seven years ago and thought you had to upstairs to the gents but I may well be confusing this with somewhere else from years ago.
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Service hasn't really improved since the last review. It's hard to get a smile out of this lot, and they do seem a bit shy of serving people. Upstairs is nice for eating/chilling out, but have been chucked out of here when they decide they can't be bothered keeping it open.
Having said that, it's usually a pretty friendly crowd of drinkers, and the music is good for the mostpart.
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Agree service does seem a lot to be desired - look if you dont want to serve people in a pub get out of the pub business
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I went here on my brothers nirthday, admittedly back last may but the service was so bad that i still feel it necessary to complain. It rates as the most ridiculously anitpathetic that i have ever witnessed or experienced. we came in in a large group about an hour before closing. there were two people working behind the bar, one of whom i pressume was the landlord and he knew it well.
despite the flood of paying customers the presmed landlord continued in clearing slops trays and tidying obvioulsy more interessted in finishing as early as possible than serving anyone. a good twenty minute wait iof not longer for many of us as the one barman struggled to match the demand for ale.
This rubbish, rubbish experience was compounded when i was personally refused a drink by the landlord when he finally did give in to the incessant glowering of thirsy punters, clearly he was just looking for any excuse to avoid work. he conmtinued to refuse me even though the bar staff had served me just 2 hours earlier ehan i was alone waiting to meet a friend.
The bar person even admitted to recognising me and the stubborn, anti-social, antagonistic antipodean of a licencee still refused. Simply the Anti-landlord and the atmosphere of the place is vacuous as a result, i'm sure the staff hate working there as they had all the charm of silent abused children.
this place is a waste of your time especially if your in a group.
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Another so called public house thats lost its way ,if the staff had the communicative skills that they use with one another and attempted to share them with us the paying customer then i could possibly venture inside again, i did say possibly.
The inside open plan drinking areas do little to stimulate the eye or indeed the heart,the only up lifting point of my visit was as i was walking toward the exit, talking heads piped up on the sound system with, "Road to nowhere" i smiled or perhaps it was just wind.
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i started going in here when i moved to clapham 18 months ago and very soon stopped because of the awful attitude of the staff i went in there again recently to give it another chance and after one drink kicked myself for being stupid enough to give this place a second chance
juzza - 28 Mar 2006 10:47 |
Food is pretty good for the price. Lots of my friends like this pub but for some reason I don't share their enthusiasm. It is very smoky and the atmosphere can be a bit strange. The upstairs bar is a better bet.
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I dont mind it in here, ok so the staff are pretty apathetic, rude and bored it would seem, because its small it never really bothers me. I like it for a catch up/meeting/pre-somewhere else place. Again some places you have to acccept for what they appear to be. Thats the railway; and lets face it you're on the high street if you want really good food...GO TO A RESTAURANT!!!!
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Have to agree with arrogance of barstaff. Went in for lunch yesterday and barman was completely ignorant, once he deigned me worthy enough of service at all. Tried to get info on lunch menu to nothing but mumbles then condescension in return. We promptly went elsewhere and between us all spent a heap of money. The Railway won't be around for much longer if they think they can afford to turn away easy money. Shame too as it could be a great pub.
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Nice place, and relaxed. the only thing wrong is the music which is shit....depends what you're into though I guess
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This has got to be up there with the top 10 worst bars. Not only are the toilets disgusting & the staff arrogant, but the management need a serious lesson in customer service. A total wast of time!
vicky - 28 Sep 2004 17:26 |
The male toilets in this pub are absolutely vile. I worked in the shipyards in Glasgow for years and the toilets there positively put the railways facilities to shame. And that folks - is really saying something!
anonymous - 17 Sep 2004 15:36 |
just dropped in to check out the venue above which in itself was very attractive, comfy yet smartish. Though I didn't stay the vibe was buzzy and the bar manager friendly
Kate - 26 Aug 2004 15:54 |
I love this pub. Great Thai food, top beer and nice atmosphere. Great place to take a bird. Too many homeless people walking in though and asking for money (this happens to me all the time when I sit downstairs).
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not sure why the other comments are uncomplimentary, as a Clapham resident for 3 years this was one of my favourite pubs there. Friendly and open plan with less of the Clapham horsey types than some pubs!
h - 31 Mar 2004 16:40 |
the beer is ok but the bar staff is always making me cry. please, i never hurt them. they never loved me - the lies the cheats, sitting there with their bomber jackets and their gold rings. they never loved me.
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note to any scots going there. even though it's legal tender they won't accept scottish currency. if i were you i wouldn't bother.
michael - 5 Jan 2004 14:59 |
Bar staff think this place is something special which it is not. Very average pub with not much atmosphere. Loads of other places to go on the high street
The Clap - 24 Nov 2003 10:16 |
Poorer version of Falcon and The Sun. Atmosphere not as good but friendly bar staff.
Jaime - 6 Aug 2003 16:34 |
