White Swan, Golders Greenback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Now closed down and looks like it will be demolished.
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When visiting relations in the Golders Green area I go here because this is the only pub for miles around. This is for historical reasons - Golders Green was 'temperance' with no pubs until the early 50s, so no pubs were allowed within a mile of the clock tower. Lower Golders Green is now an orthodox Jewish ghetto, so no new pubs have opened to compete. All that said, the pub isn't too bad; it has a big beer garden somewhat gone to seed (the local history books say it was once the most beautiful beer garden in London); it has a 'locals' feel and the Hungarian cuisine is quite good and reasonably priced. It seems to cater also for the large population of transient young men from eastern Europe who live in the area. There was only one real ale when I visited, Doom Bar, which was served reasonably well. Beer a bit pricey but that's normal for London. Service was polite and friendly from an eastern European girl behind the bar. The only bad things were the loud Sky Sports and the loud dog in the beer garden!
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This isn�t the best place, but it was busy during my Saturday evening visit, although it has absolutely no competition. As the description above says, there is a mishmash of nationalities and the menu is a mix of English and Hungarian food. Staropramen is available along with a standard draught selection and out of the four hand pumps only a token offering of Pride is present, although if the quality of my Guinness was anything to go by I would give it a wide berth.
There is a pool table and a dartboard at the rear of the pub and there are plasma screens throughout for the showing of Sky Sports. There was a Championship game on whilst I was there, but it was muted in favour of some very loud music courtesy of VH1 classic � adverts included. I think that this place is trying to be everything to all men and I don�t think that it works so maybe a refurbishment could add some kind of identity.
I can�t see myself returning to this pub again.
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This is a tired old pub with tired decorations.
Category D loos - not enough provision. As a rule loo provision should match the number of pumps on the bar. I expect the quality of loos to match the prices I am paying for the beer. Beer was not cheap here.
The moment I entered this pub the music hit me. It was far, far too loud. Also the whole lounge bar was turned over to Sky Sports.
No visible pricelist. I paid �2-80p for London Pride. The lack of visible price list in my book means that this pub is run by drinks racketeers.
I disliked this pub intensely. I will not be returning to it. The measure of its clientele, is that it services the workers from the local building sites.
This is one of the only pubs in the Golders Green kosher ghetto. It has no real competition.
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This used to be a nice pub. The grounds are still nice, and the food is acceptable, but the staffing has worsened to an unacceptable level.
On my most recent visit, my friends were told off quite rudely for not bringing their empty glasses to the bar (despite the pub being at most a quarter full, and a member of staff collecting glasses - maybe they should buy some?)
Later while playing pool we were accosted by a man claiming to be the manager, whose English was incomprehensible, but who appeared to be accusing us of stealing his cue, of which he only had one.
On suggesting that we were doing no such thing, that he was being very rude, and that at a pricey �1.40 a game the owners could probably invest in a second cue, we were asked to leave.
We did this only too happily, and will, sadly, not be back.
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A local's pub but not so much that you feel like you're intruding when you walk in.. A nice enough place for a quiet drink, grimy grubby seats but I'm not complaining when this is the only pub other than the Refectory or Chaplins in the area...
Really good variety of music too actually, I was quite surprised! Might make this my walking distance local.
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A very average London pub, but none the less a welcome one in an area with virtually no pubs. Only one ale on when I visited - London Pride, which was averagely served. The pub is big and roomy with lots of games machines etc. Big screens for sport and pretty busy (unsurprisingly considering the lack of local rivals).
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the white swan had two unbelieveably attractive bar maids working there between the months of september and december 2005 (i think they were welsh?). Anyone know who these visions of beauty are? one had hair the colour of chocolate, the other a severe attitude problem (but in a sexy manner). I see them about sometimes but not as often.
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A little oasis in an area basically bereft of good pubs. Cosy yet spacious, with a lovely and quite massive garden. Tony the landlord is a gent and very accomodating. We had drinks gathering there after the funeral of a dear friend recently, and it was a super afternoon. All of the staff are friendly and accomodating. Highly recommended for a quiet drink or a party.
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I am that man in White shorts! Do you realise how much time and effort it takes me to keep then shorts looking bright and white? huh? .... along time!
i propose a name change from the white swan to the white shorts in my memory
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This Pub is a good laugh, I always have a great time and it is full of fun loving happy people a definate must see.
Melissa Clark - 31 Aug 2004 15:35 |
ale available in golders green, it's a miricule
dan - 31 Mar 2004 12:49 |
Recently refurbished, this local boozer in otherwise pretty much pub-less golders green is a haven to all those that don't find coffee shops, chemists and bagel bakeries a turn on. All the usual range of distractions are present, including pool table, jukebox, sky sports and the bizarre but amusing deer hunting game. Serves food and has a huge garden out the back. Beer is alright but nothing to write home about - Carlsberg, Grolsch, Worthies and Guiness. Frequented by the local kiwi/aussie/saffa population and the odd local, including a bloke that looks like a 50 year old Darren Anderton and a another who always wears shorts and a t-shirt no matter what the weather. Be warned, he will talk to you about anything and everything till the cows come home
CustardMonkey - 13 Jan 2004 13:10 |
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