BITE user comments - Strongers
Comments by Strongers
Without the restaurant extension on the back this old country pub is quite small with low beams, an inglenook at either end of the bar and not a straight wall in sight. The extension is large and stretches up the beer garden at the rear which is a good size and well kept. There are even some small climbing apparatus at the back to keep the kids amused on a summer�s day.
My Guinness was very nice and although there was only a limited standard draught selection available there was a good ale offering of Pride, Skinner�s Best, Brakspear and Trooper Ale.
I thought that the helpful woman behind the bar was friendly and apologetic when explaining that my choice of lunch was off the menu. I ended up with a nice substitute and the wife was happy with hers, it was a shame though that my daughter�s pasta was inedible and the sauce looked like the liquid that is found at the top of a ketchup bottle that hasn�t been shaken. Unsurprisingly it didn�t taste very nice either and I wondered why it ever left the kitchen.
On the whole I liked this place as it made a change from the London boozers that I usually find myself in, but I wouldn�t make another special trip to visit again.
2 Feb 2010 13:57
This pub has a small bar at the front with an inglenook that had a nice fire burning giving a cosy atmosphere. Unfortunately the larger rear of the pub feels more like a restaurant and I was offered a menu whilst ordering my pint of Guinness, which was on good form. The usual Hall and Woodhouse draught selection was available along with Badger, Tanglefoot, Pickled Partridge and Sussex.
There is a large courtyard out the back which I�d imagine being nice in the summer and there are also three picnic tables out the front with views of the duck pond, it�s just a shame that there are a few parking spaces allocated directly in front of the pub.
I thought that the barmaid that served me was pleasant enough, but I wouldn�t make a special trip to this small village again just to visit its pubs.
2 Feb 2010 13:31
This is a shop converted Irish bar with all of the usual favourites including a jukebox, old men propping up the bar talking about all things Gaelic and many flat screens for the football and horse racing. It took a while to get served my Guinness, which was very nice, and I got the feeling that nothing ever happens in a rush here.
There was a standard draught selection available during my Friday afternoon visit and I was surprised to also see Directors available, not that I tried any.
Although this place is nothing special I found the welcome to be friendly and I would have no problem returning here for a quick pint before jumping on the tube.
2 Feb 2010 12:59
This place featured on Channel Four�s Property Ladder where it was turned into a four bedroom house.
28 Jan 2010 14:34
This place is certainly up there with the best Sam Smiths pubs although I�m not their biggest fan. OBB is on hand pump and I thought that it was well served by a very friendly and polite barman.
This place is on a quiet mews so it isn�t that easy to just stumble across, but it is easy to stumble out of as I could have happily stayed for a few more beers.
22 Jan 2010 11:12
Unlike some previous reviewers I found the barman in here to be very friendly and I was served as soon as I got to the bar. Pure UBU and Doom Bar were the ale choices as the Pride was off, but there was a standard and premium draught selection and I counted seven draught ciders � although the A-board outside boasts eleven along with fifteen bottled ciders.
This is a small quirky pub that had a mixed clientele whilst I was there. I spotted some DJ equipment in the corner so there are obviously music nights here, but there is no sport and I don�t even remember spotting a screen.
I�m not sure that I would return here as my Guinness wasn�t the best and I think that there are more comfortable pubs in the area.
22 Jan 2010 11:06
This is a fairly unremarkable pub, but it was pleasant enough sitting on one of the armchairs at the rear whilst flicking through a �London Drinker� that I had picked up earlier in the day. The bar area at the front is pretty basic, but there is a selection of draught beers along with Staropramen and three ales. The governor wasn�t the friendliest, but the barman was nice enough and my Guinness was well poured.
There is a plasma screen which was off during a football match so I gather there is no Sky Sports. However, there is a jukebox which was playing a decent few songs at a reasonable volume.
The toilet downstairs is a little grim and there was no toilet paper or soap which was a little annoying as I could have done with not having to wait until the next pub before the big purge.
I think tht there are better pubs in this area so I don�t see myself returning.
22 Jan 2010 10:56
The Crown and Sceptre, Fitzrovia
I think that the below review sums this place up very well, but the ale had changed to Pride, Tribute and Youngs Ordinary during my visit earlier this week. There was also a premium draught selection and my Guinness was on good form.
This was one of the busier pubs on my crawl so it is popular with drinkers in the area, but it�s not really my sort of pub so I doubt that I�ll return.
22 Jan 2010 10:40
I liked this small Sam Smiths establishment and I was a little surprised to read on here that the staff are regarded as rude and slow as I found both of the barmaids on duty to be very friendly and I was served promptly.
OBB is on hand pump and although I�m not its biggest fan it was still as good as the pint I had later in the highly regarded Dover Castle up the road.
I though it pleasant enough in here, but I can imagine it getting uncomfortable if too many people are present, not that I have ever been into a rammed Sam Smiths pub before.
22 Jan 2010 09:01
My visit here last night was my first for some years and I�m glad to report that I thought it had much improved. I found the barman to be polite and there was a good mix of people in watching the Championship game on the two plasma screens. I would have preferred it if they had put the sound on and got rid of the inane chart music, but to be fair there were probably more people not watching the footie than were.
Greene King IPA, Abbot, Directors, Bombardier and Broadside were all available along with a standard draught selection and my Guinness was well served.
There is always going to be a transient crowd in this pub due to its location opposite Baker Street station and it has a reputation as a session pub before games at Wembley, but I will still pop back in for a pint or two when next passing � just not on match day.
19 Jan 2010 20:51
Metropolitan Bar, Baker Street
This is a vast upstairs Spoons bar that is an ideal meeting place as it is right next to the station, but I wouldn't stay all night.
19 Jan 2010 08:27
This place is still boarded up with signs stating that it is in the process of a refurb - Over a year now!
19 Jan 2010 08:20
The Slug and Lettuce, St Albans
I had a pleasant day out walking around the shops and visiting the cathedral with the family today and unfortunately this was the only pub that I visited (damn it) as I had the nippers in tow.
It�s a Slug and Lettuce with the usual d�cor and selection of draught lager. I spotted a Bombardier pump on the bar, but I didn�t get the chance to see if it was hand pull or draught. I found the two barmen to be very friendly, although they both got an order wrong � not that it was that important.
There�s a plasma screen that was showing muted Sky Sports News to give way to some daytime lounge music. I�m sure the music changes during the evening as I noticed the extended opening hours (midnight Thursday and 1am Friday and Saturday) leading me to believe this place is popular with the youngsters - Like all Slugs!
As Redharvest� has mentioned it is a place for buggies and dining mothers drinking coke, at least in the daytime � although the wife did have a shandy and I discovered that the Guinness was pretty good!
If I return to St Albans with the clan again I'll probably return, but I would steer well clear if with mates or on my own.
17 Jan 2010 21:25
Adnams and Tribute were the ale choices in here before Christmas so they have not changed since September and there is a standard draught selection. My Guinness was well poured and I found both of the barmaids to be very friendly.
The front bar area of the pub has limited seating around the walls and a plasma screen for the showing of Sky Sports and music channels when there is nothing to show. There is a dartboard and a couple of pool tables around the back of the bar and I think that a pool league game was just finishing as I arrived as there were some sandwiches etc laid out on a table, but I could have been mistaken.
I felt comfortable as soon as I sat at the bar and although this isn�t a remarkable pub I will still return for the hospitality when next in the area.
15 Jan 2010 12:48
The Slaughtered Lamb, Clerkenwell
I�m glad that other people on here have picked up on the rude service as I found, who I think was the bar manager, to be full of contempt and the barmaid that served me couldn�t have looked less interested in my custom if she had just told me to piss off.
This is a large open plan u-shaped pub with a high ceiling and harmless twenties crowd. Whilst I was waiting to be served I spotted a couple of real ales lurking at the other end of the bar and there was also a good premium draught selection.
I didn�t spot any sort of TV screen, but I enjoyed listening to the decent background music whilst supping my Guinness. There is a function room with a bar downstairs which was being used for a private party, I wonder if the service was so tart for them.
I begrudge handing over my hard earned to such a rude ungrateful shower so I�ll not be returning.
15 Jan 2010 09:36
My recent visit here was my first for many years and apart from the staff seeming a little friendlier it was pretty much how I remember with cheap booze and a clientele of basic education. There a couple of small projector screens at the rear of this large pub and there are also some plasma screens dotted about for showing the football.
As they were in March last year, the many hand pumps found amongst the standard draught taps are still all dispensing Bombardier. The Guinness was cheap at �2.25, but I would rather pay the extra for a decent pint.
There are better pubs in the area so there is no need for me to drink here again.
14 Jan 2010 13:24
The Alexandra Arms, Eastbourne
The public bar in this pub has a pool table and a dartboard along with a plasma screen which was turned off even though there was live football on so I gather that there is no Sky Sports. There were only two other young customers in attendance who seemed to be enjoying the old skool dance music that was being emitted from the speakers.
The main bar also has a dartboard by the entrance and another pool table is found in the extension on the side of the pub which leads to a good sized beer garden strewn with picnic tables, although this does run along the main road. There is a projector screen which was being used for a mid afternoon session of karaoke and the manageress and the few locals in attendance were all reasonably good singers. Unfortunately I cannot stand karaoke and especially when it�s them same people getting up to sing. One of the singers even had his own CD so I think that I walked into a meeting of the die hard Eastbourne karaoke club. Once the karaoke had finished at around 18:00 the dance music from the public bar was then playing throughout the building. This and the fact that the closing times are advertised as 12:30 Monday � Thursday, 1:30 Friday/Saturday and midnight on Sunday lead me to believe that this is more of a party pub for a younger crowd.
There is a standard draught selection and as this is a Greene King pub it was no surprise to see IPA and Abbot, but there was also Belhaven Best which I had not seen before. I didn�t try It though as I was on the Guinness which was well served by the friendly barman.
I have to say that I was disappointed with this pub and I see no reason to return.
14 Jan 2010 11:07
The Tea Clipper, Knightsbridge
This is a nice enough pub given its location in a popular tourist area. As has been mentioned, there is a nautical theme running through the pub and there is also a huge mirror on the back wall which had me thinking that the pub was much bigger than it actually is.
Oxford Gold, Purity Brewing Co Pure UBU and Jennings Redbreast were the ale options a week before Christmas along with a standard and premium draught selection. The barman was nice enough and he served me a decent pint of Guinness, but the barmaid was a bit moody.
There are a couple of plasma screens that were showing muted Sky Sports News, but I didn�t see any signs advertising Sky Sports proper.
This place is ok for a pint or two if you are unfortunate enough to be dragged shopping by the other half, but I wouldn�t make this a destination pub.
13 Jan 2010 13:29
The Bunch Of Grapes, Knightsbridge
There�s not much I can add to the accurate review that follows this one except that I found the bar staff to be very friendly, especially for a high street pub. The music was also very loud during my visit, but I put this down to it being the last Friday before Christmas and I have to admit that the seasonal songs did give the pub a very warm atmosphere.
There were too many tourists eating for my liking, but the pub itself is very nice and I would pop in again for a couple of pints if passing.
13 Jan 2010 13:13
The Admiral Codrington, Brompton
This place is pretty much how I imagined a pub to be in this area with its well heeled clientele and restaurant at the rear. The front drinking area is quite small with an island bar stocked with Black Sheep and Spitfire along with a standard draught selection. I found the staff to be very friendly and my Guinness was very good, but it was on the expensive side which is to be expected I suppose.
There is some nice covered outside seating to the left of the pub that was handy to escape the smell of coffee beans that was overpowering the pub. This is also the first place I have been in to and witnessed a large group of men order a round of large Bombay Sapphires with port chasers � wtf!
This isn�t really my sort of place, but it was busy when other pubs in the area were not so they have got their target market interested so good luck to them.
13 Jan 2010 10:36
The Hour Glass, South Kensington
This is a very small and narrow pub that has a plasma screen and real fire at either end of the bar. It is popular with diners and the food smelt good, but it is still a proper pub in an area that seems to have lost most of them.
Black Sheep and Pride were the ale options along with a standard draught selection and my Guinness was well served by a very friendly barman.
I wouldn�t go out of my way to drink here again, but if I lived or worked locally I would pop in for a mid week pint every now and again.
13 Jan 2010 10:23
The Old Thameside Inn, London Bridge
This Nicholson�s pub is a bit of a tourist trap, but it to be expected due to the fantastic river location and great views including the full sized replica of the Golden Hind outside the entrance.
The staff were not the friendliest, but I was served quickly even though the bar was busy. I spotted four ales which included Pride and a festive brew from Brains. There was also a wide selection of standard and premium draught products and food is served in the large restaurant area at the rear of the pub.
I spotted one plasma screen which was showing muted Sky Sports as some background music was playing very loudly which may have been in aid of the function in the downstairs bar.
I wouldn�t make a special trip to drink here, but I would pop in again if passing.
10 Jan 2010 22:05
The Bunch of Grapes, London Bridge
This is a rather bland Youngs pub that had four of their ales on during my visit along with a standard and premium draught selection. Unlike some others on here I found the staff to be friendly enough although the other customers were rude and obnoxious, especially the morons drinking at the small bar so as to leave no room for people to be served. I was also disappointed with the quality of my Guinness which was sub standard, especially for this area full of good beer pubs.
I see no reason to visit here again.
10 Jan 2010 21:49
As others have mentioned this is a lovely building with large courtyard that one wouldn�t expect in Central London. It was very busy during my visit and the small bar was unable to cope with the hoards of people waiting to be served.
I spotted five Greene King ales along with a standard draught selection and Peroni that is found in most GK pubs. I found the barmaid to be frostier than the weather outside; maybe she was grumpy about having a busy night.
This place is worth a look, but now that I have been I doubt that I�ll return as there are better pubs in the area.
10 Jan 2010 21:32
I usually find cellar bars to be a bit depressing, but this place has been done out well and you soon forget that you are below street level. There is a large ale selection along with some standard and premium draught products and I found the staff to be friendly and I was served promptly even though the place was heaving with local office staff on their Christmas parties.
Sky Sports is shown and I spotted two plasma screens along with a dartboard that is in an alcove to the left of the entrance. The music was a little loud for my liking, but it was Christmas party night so it was to be expected.
This place is certainly worth a look if in the London Bridge area.
10 Jan 2010 21:23
I probably chose the wrong time to visit this pub for the first as last time as it was the Thursday office party night before Christmas so this place was full of diners and young city nobs that don�t usually lower them selves to drink in pubs. I call this a pub, but there was a kitchen area splitting the bar from a dining room and there were far more waiting staff buzzing around than bar staff.
The beers were more interesting than the norm, but after imagining this place without the clientele that were present I still didn�t like it.
9 Jan 2010 17:13
I walked in here from the snow on the 17th before Christmas and was glad to find a place that wasn�t rammed with drunken chiefs. The reason that it wasn�t heaving was due to the lack of any beers the majority of people have ever heard of, including me. I plumped for the Yellow Hammer from the three ale choices which I thought a little bland. I must admit that I had been on the Guinness for a few hours before drinking here so maybe my taste buds were shot. There was also a selection of German beers on draught and the barmaid was friendly, if maybe a little patronising.
The pub itself is very small but there is a covered and heated outside area to the left and the smoking area is on the edge of the market when the covers are up.
This place is very easy to dismiss when walking past, but it is worth a look.
9 Jan 2010 17:05
Old Wallop and wine being consumed under a bridge � Not really my thing!
Seriously though, fans of Davy�s will like it here and others won�t.
8 Jan 2010 13:46
The Raynes Park Tavern, Raynes Park
This large John Barras pub has plasma screens for the football throughout, a dartboard and a pool table. Being so close to the station there was a transient crowd, but the barman was friendly and my Guinness was good and I counted four ales along with the standard draught selection. Cheap food is churned out and there was a sickly sweet smell present which wasn�t very pleasant.
I�d pop in again if I had time before my train arriving, but I wouldn�t make this my destination pub.
8 Jan 2010 13:37
As the name suggests there is a Beatles theme throughout this pub along with other music memorabilia. I think that it has been done really well and the two barmaids that served me were extremely friendly, but unfortunately the music was far too loud for my liking. I can understand it on a weekend night or for a party, but not on a Tuesday night when there are only four customers.
I didn�t spot any hand pumps, but there was a standard draught selection along with Staropramen and the Guinness was good.
I would revisit this place if I was more local and planning a decent night out with friends that I didn�t really want to talk to all evening.
8 Jan 2010 13:23
This is an above average Wetherspoons with decent enough staff, but it is still a Spoons!
8 Jan 2010 13:00
The Nelson Arms, South Wimbledon/Colliers Wood
There was a league dart match going on in here when I visited mid week before Christmas so there was a lively atmosphere which probably isn�t always present, but I enjoyed it. A laptop was hooked up to one of the plasma screens which was showing the scores and players averages which I�ve never seen before. It was good to see a dartboard as a feature slap bang in the middle of the pub rather than being shoved in the corner.
Two Hobgoblin ales were available along with Greene King IPA and a standard draught selection. My Guinness was on good form and the barman seemed friendly enough.
I wouldn�t go out of my way to drink here again, but I�m sure there is a good crowd when the football is on.
8 Jan 2010 12:48
Trafalgar Freehouse, South Wimbledon
This is a very small pub which had a very hospitable woman behind the bar during my recent visit. I spotted six hand pumps, but I couldn�t get around the bar to check them out as a group of six blokes were blocking the bar � yes the pub is that small! There is also a bank of six draught taps from which I was served a fine pint of Guinness.
There is a dartboard by the entrance and a TV above the door that shows Sky Sports.
I�d be happy to have this place around the corner from my house for a few quiet mid week beers � Not before 3pm though.
8 Jan 2010 12:31
This is a decent Young�s pub that had four of their ales available along with Bombardier and a selection of standard and premium products during my visit before Christmas. I found the staff to be very friendly and the locals harmless. There were too many people eating for my liking, but there was a Christmas party in attendance so maybe the number of diners is not normally so large.
There is a dartboard at the front of the pub where the bar is very narrow, but there is plenty of standing space and seating at the rear where the pub opens up. There is also a good sized well kept beer garden out the back that I�d imagine being nice in the summer.
The plasma screen was off and I spotted no sport advertisements and I cannot remember any background music being played. However, I did spot a lot of photos of past charity events on a back wall and an admirable cheque of �425,000 highlighting the monies raised by the pub for various charities since 1979.
I�m not the biggest Youngs fan, but the Guinness was good and I liked it in here so would gladly return.
8 Jan 2010 12:24
This is a very big pub with the bar area being split in two by the bar and there is a large function type room at the rear which has a large plasma screen. There is also a plasma screen for showing Sky Sports in the left hand side of the pub, but these were both off during my visit and there was no music giving this almost empty pub a very sedate feel. The Victorian d�cor and furnishings are very well kept, but there was a strong smell of food and I got a hotel like vibe which I wasn�t that keen on.
Pride, Broadside, Greene King IPA and Old Speckled Hen were the ale choices during my visit before Christmas. There was also a selection of standard and premium products and I found the barman to be very friendly.
There is some additional caf� type seating on the widened path outside, but Tooting Bec High Street isn�t the most relaxing place for a beer in the sun.
I would pop back in here if passing, but I wouldn�t go out of my way or stay for long.
7 Jan 2010 13:50
This is a large and very grim pub opposite the tube station that I see no reason in returning to and not just because I cannot stand karaoke.
5 Jan 2010 13:18
I counted eight hand pumps on the bar, four of which were on, but the governor was in the middle of changing barrels and pulling pints through. There not much of a draught choice as this is primarily an ale drinker�s pub, but my Guinness was very good and the governor was polite. The other customers were at least a generation above me, but I did visit on a quiet week night.
There are a couple of TVs that were off during my visit and I also spotted a rolled up projector above the front window. There is a sign outside stating that sporting events are shown, but I didn�t spot any signs for Sky Sports but as the pub info above states that Sky is present I�d imagine that they do have it.
I�m not sure that I�d make a special trip to visit here again, but I can see why it is popular with users of this site.
4 Jan 2010 21:48
Wilmington Arms, Exmouth Market
Jekyll�s Gold and Olde Trip were available on my recent visit alongside a premium draught selection and my pint of Guinness was very nice.
This is a gastro pub with music pictures and posters on the walls and there is a separate room next door which I�d imagine has live bands which elevate this place out from the gastro norm.
Unfortunately for this pub I�d rather play darts, but this isn�t a bad place and I wouldn�t deter anyone from visiting.
3 Jan 2010 23:28
I thought that the barmaid in here was friendly and the ale selection of Greene King IPA, Pride, SA Gold and Landlord covers most people�s tastes. I opted for the Guinness which was on good form and there was also a selection of standard and premium products. I visited on a Monday night so nobody was tucking into the Thai menu, but there were some people upstairs utilising the two pool tables and two dartboards. There is some more seating in the front room upstairs and back down in the bar there is a plasma screen for the sports.
I liked it in here but the toilet is tiny and there is no lock on the makeshift wooden board that is hinged to the cubicle. Maybe this has been sorted in the three weeks that have passed since my visit.
This pub is a bit out of my way, but if I lived or worked closer I would revisit.
3 Jan 2010 23:19
I�m a big fan of Fullers pubs as I like their beers, but this place isn�t one of their best and I have to point out that the barmaid on duty was truly miserable when I visited before Christmas.
I spotted four plasma screens showing the news which were muted and there was no music playing as the pub felt like it was closing even though it was only 10pm.
Four Fullers ales were available and there was nothing wrong with my pint, but I wouldn�t return.
3 Jan 2010 22:56
The Betsey Trotwood, Clerkenwell
It took a while for me to be served in here as it was very busy for a Monday night with a large student contingent. I noticed that there is an upstairs bar and a downstairs function room so maybe some event had just finished or was about to start or maybe there is a university nearby as I didn�t think that much of the pub for it to deserve to be this rammed.
It�s a Shepherd Neame house that had four ales off leaving only Bishop�s Finger along with the usual Neame draught. Thankfully the Guinness was ok even if the barman was a little preoccupied in talking to the clientele whilst making a half arsed attempt to serve me.
I would walk past this pub if I was passing again.
3 Jan 2010 22:36
There were four thoughtful ales on during my visit before Christmas, but the lager choice was a little weak with only two available. I didn�t care though as I don't drink lager and the Guinness was spot on.
The barmaid was very friendly and I found the locals to be the friendliest I have encountered in London for a first visit to a pub (this will be my 1133rd pub visited since I started posting on BITE so this is some achievement!)
There�s not much more I can say other than I wish there was a dartboard and I lived locally � Great pub!
3 Jan 2010 22:17
Greene King IPA and Royal London were the ale offerings here on my recent visit along with a standard draught selection and Leffe with Aspalls being the cider option.
The pub d�cor is basic and there was some strange red light glowing at the rear of the pub, but the only other people were a group of lads playing poker on a table by the front door. After I�d been there ten minutes the manager walked over to them and moved them upstairs for some reason leaving me in the pub on my own.
I did visit on a quiet week night so I wasn�t expecting a great atmosphere, but the attitude of the young barman was appalling so I wouldn�t drink in here again if all the other better pubs in the surrounding area were shut.
3 Jan 2010 21:58
The Pakenham Arms, Clerkenwell
There�s not much to add to the previous comment except that the Guinness is good and cheap food is available.
This is not a pub I would seek out, but I would pop in if passing and a match was on.
3 Jan 2010 21:46
This is a proper boozer with four hand pumps, three of which were dispensing Youngs beers and the other Tribute during my recent visit. There is also a standard draught selection alongside what looked like the full youngs bottled ale selection.
There is a TV up in the corner that was showing the snooker on BBC which was muted and I do not recall any music being played.
This is a local�s pub without an attitude towards strangers and although I probably wouldn�t stay here all night it is perfect for a couple of quiet pints.
2 Jan 2010 16:24
As previously mentioned, this is a big pub with a large island bar and a pool table and plasma screen can be found at the rear. Greene King IPA and Ruddles were both available on my visit along with a standard and premium draught selection. I found the barmaid to be very friendly and my Guinness was very good.
This is the sort of place I would go with a group of mates for a night out rather than a quiet pint on my jacks.
2 Jan 2010 16:15
This is a nice enough Shepherd Neame boozer with Late Red, Master Brew and Spitfire being the ale choices alongside their usual draught selection. There is another bar upstairs, but it was closed during my week night visit due to the pub being very quiet.
The back ground music was decent and at a good volume and I spotted a plasma screen that was showing muted Sky News, but I didn�t spot any signs for Sky Sports which I found odd in a pub with Rugby memorabilia on the walls which is called the Rugby Tavern.
The barman was friendly enough and the pub is spacious with some character and I would return here again even though I�m not a big fan of Shep pubs.
2 Jan 2010 16:04
This place has a bland wooden interior and an even blander atmosphere that consists of other people�s conversations echoing around the room. The barman was nice enough when he finally served me after finishing his conversation his boss and my Guinness was good. Harveys Best, Greene King IPA and Caledonian Kiss Me Quick were also available on my recent visit along with Amstel and a very limited standard draught selection.
I didn�t spot any TVs and the background music was on so low that I didn�t really see the point in bothering. with it
There are far better pubs in this area so I�ll not be returning.
24 Dec 2009 13:14
There are a lot of people on here that have bleated on about how great this place used to be, but my experience is based on a first visit and I still wasn�t that impressed. Ok it�s not a bad pub, but it is forgettable and I thought that the seating arrangement was uncomfortable and there was a smell of food wafting through the pub which maybe emanated from the �Bloomsbury Lounge� upstairs. The barman was nice enough, but the disco genre music was a little cheesy and too loud for a quiet week night.
Bass and Flowers IPA were available along with a premium lager selection and my Guinness was well served. I noticed a sign on the back wall that was advertising Stella at �2.75 a pint which is great for a London boozer; it�s just a shame that I don�t drink it anymore.
I wouldn�t plan to go here again.
24 Dec 2009 12:54
I�m not a big fan of gastro pubs, but I think that this one has been tastefully decorated in a Victorian style and is a very pleasant place to have a beer. There isn�t that big a choice on the draught front with Carling and three premium lagers along with Addlestones and my trusty Guinness which was well served by a very friendly barmaid (that chat that the owner had with the staff must have worked, although I cannot comment as this visit was my first). There are also three hand pumps which were pouring Black Sheep, Deuchars and Old Hooky about three weeks ago.
The music was a bit loud for my liking, but there were a lot of young drunk woman at the rear of this long pub that seemed to be enjoying it so who am I to complain!
As I mentioned before, this isn�t really my sort of place, but I have friends that would like it in here and I would recommend it to them.
23 Dec 2009 21:38
The Dolphin Tavern, Bloomsbury
Like the previous reviewer I wasn�t that taken with this small pub as I walked in, but my greeting from the barman was very friendly and my Guinness was very good. The drinks selection of Adnams, Broadside, Amstel, Fosters, Heineken and Aspalls along with the Guinness isn�t the most diverse, but the size of the bar dictates and there was another hand pump which was off during my visit.
There was some very low back music playing and the plasma screen was off when a football match was on so I gather that there is no Sky Sports.
There is a ledge running down the outside of the pub on the wide path side so it is possible to escape outside when the pub is busy, but I wouldn�t want to be in here when 40+ people are present on a cold evening.
This place is certainly not a destination pub, but I would have no problem with popping back in again if passing.
23 Dec 2009 21:05
On my recent visit here there were three ales from Badgers available along with HB and HB Export and my Guinness was on good form and served by a friendly barmaid. The pub is of a decent size and still maintains a cosy atmosphere due to its layout. I spotted one plasma screen which was showing muted BBC News and there was a quiz that didn�t seem to have many participants going on in the back.
This place is ok for a quiet pint, but I wouldn�t stay all night.
23 Dec 2009 20:25
Adnams Bitter and Broadside were both available along with a premium lager selection and my Guinness was well served by the friendly barman. The lighting is a tad too dim for me and there were too many people being served food from the hatch which was lit up like a beacon in comparison to the rest of the pub. I spotted a couple of screens that I�d imagine show the football, but as there was none being played these were off making way for some background music. The pub itself is of a good size with plenty of seating and there is also some covered seating outside along the side of the pub.
This place is ok for a pint or two after work, but I wouldn�t want to stay all evening as I found it a little bland � which was more to do with the clientele than the actual pub.
23 Dec 2009 14:05
Although this place had Adnams, Hophead and Landlord available alongside a very limited draught selection on my recent visit I wasn�t that keen as it was dimly lit and had some rubbish lounge music playing making it feel more like a restaurant than pub.
I don�t plan on returning here.
22 Dec 2009 13:08
Bung Hole Cellars and Wine Room, Holborn
Usual Davy�s affair with business suits taking out their secretaries and a limited selection of overpriced drinks masked as the elixir of the cultured class � do me a favour!
21 Dec 2009 23:34
Hmmm�. There�s a pool table in the public bar and table football in the relaxed bar that has the reggae music and slouching crowd, but it took an age to be served even though there was only one other customer. The plasma screen was off even though a big match was on and the local crowd were less accommodating than suspicious.
There�s a standard draught selection along with, surprisingly, Stowford Press and old Rosie.
I didn�t like it in here and I�ll not e returning.
21 Dec 2009 23:01
For such a small pub in a seemingly rundown area away from passing trade there was an abundance of beers for the discerning drinker on my visit a couple of weeks ago. Five German beers were on draught along with several of the bottled variety and there were also five ales on which were GFB and Summer Lightening from Hopback Brewery, Sussex Pride from Weltons, Quadhop from Downtown and Sharp�s Red Ale. I�ve travelled to a fair few pubs in my time and from my recollection I�ve only come across the Summer Lightening before so I think that some thought goes into the ale selection. Also, I�ve not seen Founders Reserve cider before which I would have lapped up if I wasn�t on a crawl.
There are a couple of plasma screens which were both off whilst midweek football was on so I gather that there is no Sky Sports which makes me wonder why there are two screens. There was some background music playing which was so low that I wondered why it was on at all, maybe it is louder at the weekends � which I doubt.
There is a food hatch at the end of the bar, but nobody was eating during my visit � which was a good thing.
This isn�t my ideal pub, but I can see that a lot of effort goes into it so my rating will reflect this.
21 Dec 2009 22:43
This is a good sized dimly lit island bar gastro type pub that had Adnams Abbey Ale and Tribute available during my fleeting visit alongside Old Rosie cider and a premium selection of lagers. I found the staff to be friendly enough and my Guinness was very good, but it took a while to be served as it does in most bars with four sides that only have three staff.
There are a couple of plasma screens, but I didn�t see any sport advertised so I�m not sure what they are used for as I cannot imagine this place putting music channels on during the evening. However, there are plenty of picnic tables out the front for use on sunny days and I�d imagine the much lauded garden out the back gets very crowded in the summer as it is very nice.
This place isn�t really my cup of tea and although I can see the attraction I�ll probably never return.
21 Dec 2009 21:26
The Clapham North, Clapham North
This is a very dimly lit pub that has a standard and premium draught selection (no ale) and I counted five plasma screens stretching the length of the bar area which is split into two. Food is served, but most of the other customers seemed to be gathering for the start of the football which was being shown on Sky Sports and I�d imagine that the loud dance music would be turned off at kick off.
Maybe I was lucky as, contrary to more recent reviews, I was served a decent pint of Guinness by a friendly barman. Whilst supping my pint I noticed a sign that advertises the closing times as 11pm everyday except Friday and Saturday which are 2am, so handy for a late drink if in the area.
This isn�t really my sort of pub as it was full of twenty-somethings drinking premium lager, but I would pop back in if using the tube station again.
16 Dec 2009 21:54
I think that my lasting memory of this pub will be the man that I saw disappearing towards the toilets whilst wearing a dressing gown and holding a newspaper and some plastic flowers. There is a theatre attached to the rear which probably explains it, but there wasn�t a play in progress whilst I was there. A Champions league game was on though and it was being shown on the two projector screens/various TVs and the crowd in attendance led me to believe that this is the pub to watch football in the area.
Greene King IPA was available along with a standard draught selection and my Guinness was well poured.
I don't plan on drinking here again as there are better pubs in the area.
16 Dec 2009 21:07
This pub has two separate bars which are joined together with a doorway at each end of the bar which cannot be more than five feet tall. The right hand bar is mostly standing room and has a dartboard and plasma screen at the rear which was showing football on Sky Sports. The left hand bar has more seating and another plasma screen which had all seven other customers standing in front of it whilst watching the dog racing and waving their betting slips in the air.
Bombardier and Bass were available from the barmaid who couldn�t have looked less pleased to see me if she had spat in my pint. To be fair she did lighten up a bit, but the seeds were already sown for an uncomfortable stay and I was glad that I had only ordered half a Guinness, which wasn�t the best.
I�ll not be returning.
16 Dec 2009 20:49
The Prince of Wales, Kennington
This pub is in a great location tucked away in the corner of a square so avoiding any passing trade. It isn�t the biggest place and I�m not the biggest Shepherd Neame fan, but I thought that this was a good place to read a paper over a quiet pint � especially due to the lack of any background music or sport on the TV. The staff were all friendly, but there were too many people dining for my liking and it would be nice to see another table or two added to the one already found out the front overlooking the square.
I wouldn�t travel across London to drink here, but it is worth the short walk from Kennington Tube Station for a couple of pints.
16 Dec 2009 08:44
This place has five hand pumps but during my visit three were unused and the Pride was off leaving only Pedigree. There is a decent standard draught selection though and my Guinness was well served by the polite barmaid. The pub is split into two sections with the public bar housing a TV that was showing Sky Sports News and a dartboard with the oche strangely running across the front of a projector screen that was showing a Champions League game on Sky. The larger L-shaped main bar has a traditional feel although it has seen better days. There is another small TV in here and also another projector screen situated above a nice fireplace.
This place is not really worth seeking out, but I would use it to watch the football if I lived locally.
11 Dec 2009 22:25
This basic estate like pub had a good atmosphere on my recent visit and I found the barmaid to be very polite. There is no real ale, but there is a standard draught selection and my Guinness was very well served.
There is a plasma screen and Sky Sports is shown and there is also a pool table and a dartboard found at the rear. The walls are adorned with framed front pages of newspapers charting the modern history of the USA which I found quite interesting in a nothing better to do kind of way.
I would have stayed longer as I liked it in here, but unfortunately there is a pub cat that was strutting up and down the bar and I�m allergic to the pesky little things.
11 Dec 2009 22:08
This is a decent sized horseshoe pub with a pool table and projector screen in the public bar area and a jukebox located on the other side of the bar.
The landlady was polite on my quiet Monday night visit, but I still got a vibe from her that she�d rather I hadn�t walked in. The other three locals all looked at me with an air of suspicion and I was glad when I left.
Maybe it is better when a few more customers are present, but after this visit I�ll not be planning a return visit.
11 Dec 2009 21:56
This is a decent Fullers pub that had four of their ales on the five hand pumps during my visit. There was also a large standard draught selection alongside Staropramen and the barman that served me was very friendly. The pub seemed to be well kept and clean, but there were a couple of fruit flies buzzing around my pint which was a little irritating.
There are a couple of plasma screens that show Sky Sports, but these were both off as no events were on so there was some inoffensive background music playing. There is a dartboard at the end of the long thin bar and there is also a function room upstairs that is available for hire and also hosts a comedy night every other Friday evening.
The food menus behind the bar advertised sandwiches and pies and I laughed when I read the sign saying �selection of foreign bottled beers� with Leffe, Heineken and Budweiser sitting above it.
I�m a big fan of Fullers pubs and I thought that this one was above average and I would have no hesitation in returning.
11 Dec 2009 21:47
Tribute and Doom Bar were available from the aging rocker barman during my visit and there was also a limited standard and premium draught selection. It is not the biggest place, but there was a good crowd in attendance with more old rocker types propping up the bar. This is a music pub that hosts live music nights and several music magazines can be found lying on the tables and the gents toilet is wallpapered with old song sheets.
Food is served and the chalk menu board is hung over a plasma screen that I�d imagine sees little action. There was some background music playing which I thought was good, but it is more in line with the tastes of fifty year olds.
I would recommend this place to others as it is very relaxed and there was no rush to evict anybody after last orders.
10 Dec 2009 13:42
I think that this is the first Greene King pub that I have been into that doesn�t have IPA. Old Trip, St Edmunds and Morlands were available though from the polite barmaid/manageress.
I�m not a big fan of these refurbished wanna be trendy pubs, but I would pop back in here for a swift pint if passing.
10 Dec 2009 13:20
I left this pub after standing at the bar being ignored by the barmaid for a couple of minutes.
Staropramen, Hoegarden and a limited standard draught selection is available and there is a plasma screen and pool table. I didn�t spot any sport ads and the music was playing through some cheap tinny speakers giving this place a feel of a Student Union bar rather than a pub.
A half arsed attempt at running a pub and I�ll not be encouraging them by visiting again.
9 Dec 2009 10:36
This is a very nice Harveys pub that wouldn�t be out of place sitting in Lewes along with some of the best. I spotted London Porter, which was off, alongside the Harveys ale range and Stowford Press cider. I stuck to the Guinness which was well poured by the friendly barmaid.
This is a nice looking well kept pub and I would recommend others to visit if in the area.
9 Dec 2009 10:26
This place is poor even for a Belushi�s, which is not easily achieved.
There is plenty of standard draught and lots of happy hours through the week for those who want to get plastered on their student loan money. The music is loud and there are plenty of screens for the Sky Sports, but I think that there are more relaxing places to watch the football than in here.
The bouncer wanted to see my photo ID which I didn�t have as I�m 34 next week and don�t expect to be hassled by some jobs worth pleb when I go for a beer. Common sense did prevail as I was allowed access, but under strict instruction that I bring my papers next time � I�ll not be returning!
9 Dec 2009 10:19
This small bar is open to the public, but after my brief visit to check the place out I will not be returning as like most hotel bars it is bland, clinical and very expensive. The barman had a basic grasp of English and kept disappearing for minutes at a time leaving people standing at the bar.
There not a great drinks selection as only Becks Vier, Stella, Guinness and Boddingtons Extra Cold are available.
I only popped in as I saw the sign outside advertising Sky Sports and although they do have a plasma screen that does indeed show Sky I wouldn�t want to watch a match in here as there would be no atmosphere and I would end up walking out penniless.
I�ll leave this place to the hotel guests in future.
2 Dec 2009 15:34
This place was closed when I walked past tonight.
I didn't see any Vietnamese fayre being advertised, but I'd imagine that it doesn't take two years to deep fry a Labrador.
2 Dec 2009 00:44
I walked past tonight and the only indicator that a pub used to be here was a battered old sign hanging off the wall.
2 Dec 2009 00:38
The Orange Tree, Friern Barnet
I popped into here again on a Saturday afternoon a couple of weeks ago and was disappointed to find that there was no Sky Sports, which was one of this places saving graces. I also couldn�t finish my pint of Guinness as it was very bad and would have probably had me sitting on the toilet for the rest of the afternoon.
It is such a shame that this place is my geographical local as it is a mess and every time I go in I end up knocking another point off its rating.
1 Dec 2009 10:00
This is a generic Irish bar with the usual standard draught array and more than enough plasma screens that were showing two different rugby matches and horse racing during my fleeting visit. I didn�t stay long as I didn�t find it very welcoming, although the barmaid was pleasant enough.
The Guinness wasn�t the best and next time I�m in the area I�ll purchase it from the Golden Egg up the road as it is better and a pound a pint cheaper.
25 Nov 2009 10:48
As the previous poster has mentioned, the Guinness is �2.25 a pint and I thought that it was of a reasonable quality (I have certainly paid �3.50 a pint for far worse). There was also a standard draught selection available during my visit alongside Double Dragon and Best from the Welsh brewers Felinfoel.
The main feature of this pub is probably the Sky Sports shown on the many screens throughout along with a projector screen on the back wall. I found the staff to be pleasant enough and there was a decent crowd in attendance watching the football results roll in.
The d�cor is a little tired and the toilets are a smelly mess, but this would be my sports pub of choice in the area.
25 Nov 2009 10:41
This place has plasma screens throughout, but they were all off at 16:45 last Saturday afternoon which I found a bit strange. There are also a couple of pool tables at the rear.
The barmaid was waiting for a barrel to be changed, but instead of serving me she stood at the bar talking to the local that was waiting for his Fosters to appear. Whilst standing there scratching my head I spotted a couple of hand pumps but only Greene King IPA was on as the other pump was unused.
It took a good couple of minutes for me to get cheesed off enough to leave without buying a drink and I�ll not be returning.
23 Nov 2009 13:08
The North London Tavern, Kilburn
I thought that this place lacked atmosphere and there is certainly a big emphasis on food which doesn�t keep itself to the restaurant in the rear half of the pub.
Cornish Knocker and Deuchars were both available during my visit along with a standard and premium draught range and I found the service to be polite, but a little slow.
This place may be good for grabbing a bite to eat, but I wouldn�t go here just for a beer again.
23 Nov 2009 12:58
I went to the comedy club with the wife last night and although the three acts were probably worth the �10 we each had to pay I do have to report that this is a terrible bar populated with rude staff and vacuous clientele.
My first disappointment was when I tasted my decidedly iffy Guinness and then scanned the pumps at the bar to see what I would be changing my drink to when I next ordered. I was unhappy to discover that the range of draught was poor to say the least meaning that I was stuck on the inferior black stuff.
My wife was next in line to discover a failing of the pub when she entered the woman�s toilet and came across a grot hole that looked as though a heard of wildebeest had just stampeded through it. Later in the night I would realise that some of the women in the bar were not that far removed from the antelope family in their mannerisms, but that is another story. The missus pointed out that most of the other patrons were taking advantage of the pizzas for �5 offer that was running and we were at a loss as to how anyone could eat food prepared in an establishment with such filthy toilets. In fact the whole bar has an air of grime about it as if the staff would not belittle themselves to reach for a sponge and some soapy water, which is a shame as it wouldn�t take that much effort. I did spot a sign by the entrance informing locals of the impending refurbishment that will be closing the pub from December 6th until the 14th, but I�m sure that it won�t take long to fall back into disrepair with the current attitude towards cleanliness.
Apart from the staff having no idea who was next to be served, youngsters thinking that it is ok to push in whilst waving notes about and me having to ask for two very shy pints to be topped up the comedy section of the night passed reasonably well and I thought that the compare and two of the three acts were good.
We were sitting at a tall table near the bar and the fun and games begun again when the comedy had finished and my wife went to the bar to order another round. Whilst she was gone and I was still taking our belongings from under the table a very rude member of staff took her drink and put it on the bar where it was quickly poured away. He then denied it and said it was empty even though there was half of the �4 glass of wine left. He then proceeded to shove a coat into my wife�s hands even though it wasn�t hers and then push the table around to the back of the bar whilst knocking people out of the way. Heaven knows how this bloke is employed by anyone let alone let anywhere near paying customers!
Just for interest I did spot lots of plasma screens and also a projector for showing Sky Sports and ESPN, but there are better pubs that show the football in the area and if there is an event on the Saturday night anyone watching the sport will not be served after seven as the bar is closed to people that do not have a dirty great ink blot on their hand from the door staff.
I�d rather stay at home than have to go to this pit again.
22 Nov 2009 19:59
As has been said before, this is a small basic boozer with friendly staff and no tourists. The furniture looks and feels like the cheapest Ikea rubbish, even down to a screw falling out as my fat behind rested on one of the tall stools. The pub is down a side street mainly used by van drivers so the view from the bay window at the front isn�t the most inspiring, but this obviously isn�t any fault of the pubs.
Explorer, Spitfire, Pride and Harveys Best were all available during my brief visit along with a few standard and premium draught products. My Guinness was very nice, but it could have done with spending a little more time being filled.
There is a TV, but this was off and I spotted no Sports advertised although the pub details above say that this pub does have Sky so maybe I just missed them.
This place is ok for a quiet beer off the main drag, but there are better pubs in the area.
22 Nov 2009 12:22
The Angel and Crown, Leicester Square
This is a decent little boozer with a restaurant upstairs and very friendly staff. There is a range of premium lagers along with Stella and ale offerings of Thwaites Lancaster Bomber and Wainwright and Adnams Bitter and Broadside. There is also a food menu behind the bar that consists of sandwiches and jacket potatoes.
There was some background music playing during my visit and there is also a TV and small plasma screen which were both off and I spotted no sport advertisements anywhere in the pub.
I�d drink here again if it wasn�t for the fact that the superior Salisbury is just across the road.
22 Nov 2009 12:13
On my visit here on Friday there were three barmaids and only one other customer other than myself, but we both had to wait to be served and even then he was served first even though I was waiting longer. The barmaid knew his drink without him saying anything so he was obviously a regular. I decided to leave without purchasing a drink as they obviously aren�t that bothered about my custom and I only popped in to check it out on my way to the far superior Harp along the way.
Anyway, this is a thin wedge shaped modernised pub that has a selection of premium lagers and two hand pumps, but only Pride was available as the other was off.
I�ll not be returning in any great hurry.
22 Nov 2009 11:39
Champagne Charlie's, Charing Cross
This place is ok for a subdued pint of Old Wallop (which is the only ale offering) whilst talking shop with work colleagues before jumping on the train home, but it is not a bar that I would choose as my destination for the entire evening.
Usual Davy�s set up, so good if you like that sort of thing.
22 Nov 2009 11:29
Although there is nothing really remarkable about this small Irish bar I was glad to find it after a disappointing crawl of Kilburn High Road. Unsurprisingly there is no ale, but I was served a decent pint of Guinness by the polite governor.
I spotted three plasma screens for showing the Sky Sports and also a dartboard which was entertaining a boisterous game.
I wouldn�t go out of my way to drink here again, but it is ok for a couple of swift pints if passing.
16 Nov 2009 21:30
This isn�t the most aesthetically pleasing place with a stainless steel bar and exposed house brick interior with tired looking red panelling around the doors. The barmaid that served me was very friendly, but there is no real ale and the Guinness was off during my visit leaving only a selection lagers available.
There are plasma screens and a projector screen for showing Sky Sports, but during my visit when the rugby had finished the loud dance music reared its ugly head.
This is by no means a good pub and I�ll not be returning.
16 Nov 2009 21:17
I was impressed with this place during my visit yesterday afternoon as the governor was a nice chap and even though there were only four other people in watching the rugby I got a good vibe from the place. One end of the pub has a pool table and dartboard along with a plasma screen and the other end has a projector screen which was rolled up during my visit to uncover a stage area set up with disco equipment and there is also another pool table that I�d imagine gets moved out of the way on weekend nights to make way for a dance floor. There were advertisements up for a stag night in a couple of weeks and a hen night a week later which are both �10 entry and involve strippers � strippers in a pub, whatever next!
There is only a standard draught selection, but my Guinness was very good � in fact the first and the best that I had on my crawl of Kilburn. It was on my way back up Willesden Lane that I passed this pub again and noticed the governor arguing with three feral kids on the doorstep and I overheard him say �I�ll give you ten pounds� to one of the threatening feckers which I thought odd. I then spoke to an associate of my wife�s whom I was I meeting for a lift home and he informed me that this used to be his pub of choice as he lives around the corner, but he has stopped drinking here due to the pikey element frequenting the pub and he is certainly no shrinking violet. I�ll visit this pub again as I always reserve judgement for myself and if this is true, which I suspect it is, it would be a real shame.
Anyway from my experience this place is good for some quiet sport watching on a Saturday afternoon.
16 Nov 2009 00:22
The Sir Colin Campbell, Kilburn
There are lots of advertisements adorning the walls of this U-shaped Irish pub advertising traditional music on Friday and Saturday nights, but it was very depressing during my Saturday afternoon visit.
There are a couple of TVs at the badly lit rear, but no Sky Sports and surprisingly the Guinness wasn�t up to scratch. The barman was a nice chap, but I go the feeling that the old boys in attendance would have preferred it if I had walked past the pub.
There is a dartboard, but there was seating on the oche and I�m not sure that I�d want to stay for a game anyway.
I�m a big fan of Irish pubs, but not this one.
15 Nov 2009 23:47
Until yesterday I hadn�t been in to this pub since the days of John the landlord when this was a famous pub on the darting circuit. There were boards in the bar area and side room which has now become a restaurant and there were more boards upstairs which has now become a B&B guesthouse. There were also numerous plasma screens and a projector for the showing of Sky Sports, but now there is a solitary plasma screen above the front door which was off and I�d be surprised if it is ever switched on for anything. The ornate fixtures and fittings are all still in attendance, but they are a lot cleaner and the place seems brighter without the haze of smoke wafting around the bar � for shame!
I don�t remember any ale being on offer here before and I wouldn�t have drunk it anyway, but now Landlord and Doom Bar are available along with Amstel, Hoegarden and a standard draught selection. I thought that the attitude of the barmaid fitted in well with the pub, efficient yet apathetic.
To be fair this place is probably an improvement on its last incarnation to the vast majority of the population of this great land, but I liked it just how it was as it was a fun destination pub rather than a soulless stop off on the way home from work.
15 Nov 2009 23:23
This place was very busy on my recent week night visit, but I wasn�t overly impressed and would only visit again if waiting for a train from the station across the road.
There was a selection of premium lagers along with Pride, Bombardier and Adnams German Kolsch and there was another ale but this was off. The barmaid was very friendly, but the clientele were of the ilk that knows not how to wait in turn or keep their conversations to themselves.
I spotted a plasma screen that was off and I saw no advertisements for Sky, which didn�t surprise me as this doesn�t seem the sort of place that sports fans would congregate. I did however spot a man in his fifties wearing ultra tight clothes and a burgundy beret, something I hope that I never see again.
This is the only pub I have been into in this area, but there must be better about.
15 Nov 2009 13:31
This is not the most exciting of pubs, but it is nice for a couple of quiet beers in pleasant surroundings. There is a large saloon bar and a public bar with a pool table and small TV, but there is no Sky Sports.
Courage Best, Harveys Best, Bombardier and Youngs Special were all available alongside a standard draught range and my Guinness was well served by the friendly landlord.
This is a nice trad pub with ornate windows and fixtures and is worth a look if passing.
15 Nov 2009 12:27
This place still has a couple of pool tables and a dartboard as well as plasma screens throughout and Sky Sports.
There is a standard draught range from which I had a decent pint of Guinness, but the four hand pumps are all unused.
I found the barman to be friendly enough and, although this place is forgettable, I would use it if my friends and I lived locally as we like a good game of darts.
14 Nov 2009 10:53
The Dartmouth Arms, Forest Hill
This place is dimly lit with an open kitchen and restaurant area at the rear for the serving of gastro fare.
Broadside, Pride and Landlord were all available during my visit along with a premium lagers selection. The Guinness was off and the Landlord was not the best I�ve had, but it was unavailable when I left so I was probably drinking the bottom of the barrel.
This place is one for gastro fans and as I�m not one I don�t plan on returning.
14 Nov 2009 10:45
I thought that the landlady in here was nice enough and the mix of plasma screen, TV and projector make it ideal for watching the football. There is a pool table at the rear of the pub and I had no problems with any of the other customers.
There are four hand pumps, but two of these were off and the other two were dispensing Courage Best. There is only a standard draught menu available alongside the ale, but I had a decent Guinness.
As I mentioned before, this place is good if some sport is on, but I wouldn�t bother if there was not.
14 Nov 2009 10:37
I found it very off putting that I had to shout above the very loud adverts that were being emitted from the radio in order to get my pint in this local�s backstreet boozer. I should have been grateful as it masked the �F this' and �C that' which was being spouted by a couple of people in the pub. I spotted a plasma screen for the showing of Sky Sports, but this was off due to my visit being during the afternoon.
Courage Best and Pride were both available, but the Landlord was off although I did have a decent pint of Guinness.
There is a large decked area out the front with plenty of seating, but unfortunately it was raining so I couldn�t escape.
I�m not sure whether I would use this pub even if I lived next door.
14 Nov 2009 10:29
This is a two bar pub with a pool table, couple of plasma screens and a projector in the public bar and three plasma screens and a sandwich serving area in the other bar. Sky Sports was being shown throughout the pub during my week night visit, but it was muted as the ear bashing music being played at an excessive volume in the public bar was inescapable even in the quieter section.
The two hand pumps are unused and there is only a standard draught selection, but my Guinness was nice enough. I found the barmaid/landlady to be very brash, but the barman was nice enough and I had no problems with the boisterous locals.
I�ll not be rushing back to this pub again.
14 Nov 2009 10:16
This pub has much more of a locals feel to it than most station pubs that I have been into and although I didn�t find it to be the most welcoming of places I was left in peace to enjoy a nicely poured pint of Guinness. On the ale front Hepworth�s Iron Horse was available along with Youngs Ordinary which was the guest.
Along with plenty of Arsenal and Celtic memorabilia I spotted a plasma screen, projector and three small TVs which were all showing football on Sky.
There is a warming cabinet on the bar which I�d imagine gets filled with pies etc during the day, but I think that this is the extent of the food menu.
I wouldn�t go out of my way to return here, but it is good enough for a pint whilst waiting for a train.
14 Nov 2009 09:56
The Cherry Trees, South Norwood
The windows of this pub are adorned with George crosses, Polish flags and a Crystal Palace flag and this d�cor is taken inside making it impossible not to fathom that this is an Eagles supporter�s pub. I spotted a couple of plasma screens which were both off even though there was a Champions League game in progress so maybe only Palace get aired. The music was very loud and there was a party atmosphere with a few pissed up regulars enjoying themselves dancing around.
There were three hand pumps, but only Pride was available as one ale was off and the other pump was unused. San Miguel was also available along with a standard draught range and I was poured a nice Guinness from the friendly barmaid.
I�d probably walk past this place if in the area again as I�m a Bees fan.
12 Nov 2009 15:31
It was quiet in here on my recent week night visit, but I liked the set up of the pub and it was good to see a dartboard. There are a couple of plasma screens, one of which had a George cross on one side of it and a Kiwi flag on the other so maybe this is the rugby pub of the area.
There are four hand pumps, but only Abbot and Pride were available as the other two were unused. San Miguel was also available along with a standard draught selection and I found my pint of Guinness to be very good.
The barmaid was polite, but miserable with it � maybe it was the boredom of standing behind a bar with only two other people in the pub.
This place is pretty forgettable, but I would use it if I lived in the area.
12 Nov 2009 15:18
William Stanley, South Norwood
This is a typical Spoons with the usual array of ales, standard draught products and clientele.
The barman was surprisingly on the ball for a Spoons employee, but I�ll still not be returning in a hurry.
11 Nov 2009 12:53
This place is far too food orientated for my liking, but it was very busy on the week night I visited so they must know what people in the local area want.
There are three hand pumps, but only Greene King IPA was available on my visit as one clip was turned and the other pump was unused. There is a standard and premium lager selection and my Guinness was well served, if maybe a tad expensive.
There is a plasma screen around the back of the bar, but this was off even though there was a champions league game on. I shouldn�t really be that surprised as the main feature of this pub is a large shiny piano. There is also a restaurant type area at the rear of the pub that has an open kitchen, but there were no diners whilst I was there as there seemed to be a couple of organised poker games in progress.
Contrary to some of the previous comments I found the staff to be extremely friendly and attentive and I would say that they were the best feature of the pub.
This isn�t my sort of place so I�ll not be returning, but I can see the attraction.
11 Nov 2009 12:48
The Gipsy Hill Tavern, Upper Norwood
Unfortunately the much lauded landlord was absent during my visit and I had to endure a curt barman who needs to learn some manners.
That pub itself is nice enough with a plasma screen that was showing football and I also heard some table tennis being played in the back room. There is a fire in the bar area with some sofas placed around it that would be good as the weather turns for winter. I was glad to find some covered seating in the nice sized beer garden out the back as it was raining heavily, although there were some die hards sitting in the pouring rain which confused me a little.
Pride was the only ale offering and there is only a standard draught selection, but my Guinness was on good form.
It�s a shame that I had to endure the rude service as I would have marked this pub much more favourably.
11 Nov 2009 12:37
I wasn�t expecting to find a Sam Smith�s pub here after walking through the estates from New Cross and I have to say that it was a welcome surprise. The barman was very friendly and was getting involved with conversation with the locals which is rare for chain pubs in London. The other clientele was a mix of local residents and Sam Smith fans who had made the trek to have a pint in a relaxed no frills atmosphere.
The pub itself is very basic and I think can be best described as looking like an early 1960s terraced house living room. There are three areas around the bar that are barely partitioned off from each other with some old screens and one of these areas houses a dartboard.
There is a poster up on the wall that was advertising a meat raffle every Sunday and a darts knockout every Tuesday. There is also a list of sandwiches that are available, which is as far as this pub goes on the food front.
I love all of this wallowing in the past when pubs used to be boozers and I have to say that this is one of my favourite SS pubs, even though there is no OBB on hand pump.
11 Nov 2009 12:03
I found the barman in here to be very pleasant and he was apologetic when he informed me that the Guinness had run out and they were still waiting for a delivery. I swerved the premium and standard lagers and plumped for one of the four random ales which was very nice.
This place is quite food orientated and there is a dining type area at the rear. The front of the pub is mainly laid out with sofas and there is a table football game located in the centre. I spotted a plasma screen, but this was off and I didn�t spot any Sky Sports Signs.
There weren�t that many people in during my visit, but I did get a student pub feel to the place.
This place is ok for a pint or two if passing, but I wouldn�t make this my destination pub for an evening.
11 Nov 2009 11:48
This pub had Harveys Best on during my visit, but the spitfire was off and there is a limited standard draught selection along with Red Stripe, Amstel and Stowford Press cider.
There is a whiff of student in the air of this dimly lit high ceilinged pub and my days of sweating it in a late license live music venue passed years ago so this old bore will be giving this place a miss in the future.
11 Nov 2009 11:32
I was initially drawn into this pub by the offer of a toasted sandwich, but unfortunately the apologetic barman had to inform me that the bread had run out. It was a shame, but the nicely poured Guinness that I ordered filled the gap in no time! Courage Best and Pride were the limited ale options, but there were plenty of standard draught products to choose from.
It was very busy in here with locals for a weekday afternoon which wasn�t really that surprising as I found this to be a friendly pub with three plasma screens for the Sky Sports.
There are some picnic tables outside the front of the pub next to the main road, but there is some nicer seating to the side of the pub which includes some under a large umbrella for wetter days.
This place has a good atmosphere and is my favourite at the moment from the limited amount of pubs I have visited in this area.
11 Nov 2009 11:23
Although this pub has been knocked through to make it one room it still retains a 1970s boozer feel which is right up my street. I think that it even has rooms upstairs that the local workmen stay in during the week.
I thought that the landlady was nice enough and although there are four unused hand pumps there is a decent standard draught selection and my pint of Guinness was spot on.
I spotted a TV, a plasma screen and a projector screen for the showing of Sky Sports and there is also a pool table and a nicely laid out dartboard on a small stage area at the front of the pub.
I liked it in here and would gladly return.
11 Nov 2009 11:10
This is a large high ceilinged ex hotel pub that has been recently redecorated making it a very comfortable place to have a few beers with friends. The large island bar was being run by a very friendly barmaid during my visit, but although there are three hand pumps unfortunately only Courage Best was available on the ale front. San Miguel was also available alongside an extensive standard draught range.
There are a couple of plasma screens which were showing VH1 classic during my visit, but I think that these are really there for the Sky Sports which is advertised. There is also a small pool table to the right of the bar and a dartboard on the stage by the front window to the left of the bar.
This pub isn�t in the most aesthetically pleasing area being situated on the approach to the Blackwall Tunnel, but it is a nice pub and worth a visit if passing.
11 Nov 2009 10:55
This place had Spitfire, Greene King IPA and Harveys Best available during my Saturday evening visit along with Peroni, Amstel and a standard draught selection.
The bar area was heaving with obnoxious twenty somethings as was the balcony area. I spotted no TV and there was no music, but I still had to escape to the food serving area at the rear of the pub to get some peace.
I wasn�t that keen on this place, but I would try it again if passing at a quieter time of the day.
10 Nov 2009 23:20
This is not the most welcoming pub and it wouldn�t be out of place in a dodgy sink estate. Like any self respecting estate pub there is a standard draught selection along with three plasma screens for Sky Sports, a pool table and a mix of dodgy looking characters smoking in the entrance.
Pride of Pimlico � I don�t think so.
10 Nov 2009 23:12
The Lord High Admiral, Pimlico
This place has plenty of outside seating as can be seen in the above picture and there is a pool table in a raised room to the left of the pub. The main bar has a plasma screen and there is a projector screen on the wall behind a small stage which was set up for a solo guitarist on my Saturday evening visit. Some of the tables were laid out with table cloths and cutlery giving a strange mix of sports pub and cheap restaurant and I�m afraid the mix doesn�t really work very well.
The barmaid was friendly and Pride was available along with Bombardier, but my Guinness was undrinkable so I would steer well clear of the ales.
I won�t be drinking in this pub again.
10 Nov 2009 23:05
I agree with the general consensus that this place is more gastro than one would like, but the staff were friendly and the groups of thirty somethings packing out the pub sharing bottles of wine were harmless enough.
Bombardier and Adnams were available along with a selection of draught products that were hard to pick out as the metal etched clips were hard to decipher in the dim light. My Guinness was well poured though, if maybe on the expensive side rocking in at �3.55 a pint.
I wouldn�t return to this pub on my own again, but as the previous post says, it is a good place to take a partner and I would probably pop in if passing with the wife.
10 Nov 2009 22:08
This is a late bar/club with loud music and only Staropramen and Becks on draught, which were both off during my fleeting visit.
One to avoid if looking for decent pint and convivial atmosphere.
10 Nov 2009 21:53
I liked it in here and found the barman to be friendly as were the mix of other customers. Spitfire, Pride and Pedigree were all available, but I cannot comment on the standard as I was on the Guinness which was well served. It�s not the biggest pub, but they have still managed to cram in two plasma screens and a small TV for the showing of football.
This is a good local pub and my only complaint would be that the TVs were left on after the match had finished meaning that we all had to shout above extremely loud adverts.
10 Nov 2009 21:47
The Marquis Of Westminster, Victoria
I wasn�t that impressed with this place as I found the barman to be inattentive and the clientele to be pretentious.
Pride and Spitfire were available during my visit along with a standard and premium draught selection. There is a staircase leading down to a restaurant and cocktail bar, but I passed up the opportunity to take a look.
The plasma screen was off and there is no Sky Sports, but there was some sitar music playing through the speakers which isn�t really on my list of things I like in pubs.
On a plus note the barmaid was friendly, but I will not be returning.
10 Nov 2009 21:35
The Hedgehog and Pheasant, Pimlico
Now the Warwick.
I�m amazed that a pub serving up Greene King IPA and Abbot can be so pretentious.
I overcame the urge to sit with the �oh ya�s� in the sofa section at the rear and I knocked back my half and left.
5 Nov 2009 00:14
This is a pretty standard boozer which is long and thin as can be seen from the picture above. Landlord and Pride were available during my visit, but there were three hand pumps with their clips turned around and Amstel was also available along with a standard draught range.
It was pretty busy during my visit as a match on Sky Sports was being aired on the plasma screens at either end of the bar. There was nowhere to sit so I sat outside on one of the picnic tables and enjoyed my well served pint whilst people watching.
This place doesn�t really stand out and I wouldn�t purposely return.
5 Nov 2009 00:00
The Surprise at Pimlico, Pimlico
This place has a public bar at the front and a larger bar at the rear that houses the pool table and dartboard. There are plasma screens for showing Sky Sports and the music selection was decent.
Whilst enjoying a pleasant pint of Guinness I spotted Greene King IPA and a standard draught selection also available.
The landlady was nice enough, but I cannot comment on the locals as my visit was early and I was the only person in the pub.
I thought that it was ok in here, but there are better pubs around.
4 Nov 2009 23:52
I�ve not much to add to the comprehensive review from RogerB on Sep 19 except that I found the barmaid to be very friendly, especially for a London pub.
I had a nice pint of Pride whilst reading the subtitles on the plasma from BBC News 24 and being a fan of Fullers pubs I will return when next passing.
4 Nov 2009 23:45
This place is a lot less like a restaurant and more like a bar than the outside suggests and I was surprised to see Adnams and Landlord hand pumps, although the latter was off. It is only a small bar so a limited selection of Peroni, Amstel, Heineken, Becks, Strongbow and Guinness is available.
The chilled background music was at a unobtrusive volume and there is a plasma screen which was off during my visit and I didn�t spot any ads for future sporting events so probably no Sky.
This isn�t the sort of place that I would normally choose to drink in, but I can see the attraction as it is a nice little bar.
4 Nov 2009 23:39
This place was very busy during my recent visit, so much so that I couldn�t get to the bar, but thankfully the nice barmaid spotted me and I was served promptly. She even brought my Guinness over to my table once it had settled and been topped up which I found very thoughtful.
I noticed eight hand pumps on the bar and although three were not being used Harveys Best, two guest ales and Biddenden cider were all available.
I sat at the front of the pub, but I did wander around to the back and spotted a pool table and dartboard along with a plasma screen and projector for showing Sky Sports.
I liked it in here and would definitely return if in the area again.
4 Nov 2009 23:27
Harveys Best, Dark Star, Over the Moon and a couple of random ales were available during my visit along with a standard draught selection from which I had a decent pint of Guinness.
I�m glad to hear this is a music venue as I got that feeling whilst there even though nothing much was going on. There was a match football match playing, but the plasma was off and I saw no sport ads so I gather there is no Sky Sports.
I was surprised to see a paper-mache tree in the bar area, but not so surprised to find the smelliest toilet in Lewes festering at the rear of the pub.
I found it hard to get settled in here and if in Lewes again I will walk past to the superior pubs up the steep hill.
4 Nov 2009 22:52
I enjoyed a decent pint in here sitting at some of the seating made from old wine vats that straddle a log burner at the far end of the pub. To be honest the rest of the pub is a little bare and the history room has no more pictures on the wall than a normal pub does.
There is a function room upstairs, but I�m not sure if the jazz nights on Wednesdays or the folk nights on Tuesdays are held here or in the bar area.
There were three hand pumps on during my visit along with three gravity fed barrels at the back of the bar, which I think were all Harveys beers.
I liked it here, but I�m not sure that I�d make a special trip to visit again.
4 Nov 2009 21:04
As previous reviewers have mentioned, this place deserves far more than its current rating as it is a very pleasant pub.
I thought that the barmaid was polite and my Guinness was well served. Harveys Best, Tribute and Doom Bar were also available alongside Old Rosie and a standard draught selection.
The background music was decent and at a nice volume and I collared a couple of friendly locals who were very forthcoming in their explanation of the toad-in-the-hole game which I had not come across before.
I�d certainly pop back in here for a pint again if passing.
4 Nov 2009 20:42
I found this pub to be very food orientated and I�m always suspicious of pubs that advertise an a la carte menu, especially when it is only on a Friday and Saturday night. My wife and I decided that we should eat before we started our crawl of Lewes and I will report that our sandwiches were a bit on the pricey side for what they were and I did start to get very irritated by the bong coming out of a speaker at the side of the bar that lets the staff know that there is food ready to pick up.
The pub consists of a small public bar with a toad-in-the-hole table which was probably the nicest part of the pub and a rather bland L-shaped main bar area that stretches around to a large fireplace that segregates a few more tables in the far corner. There is also a dining type area at the rear and plenty of seating out the back which overlooks a car park. The wife did argue that it was very clean and the staff didn�t stop working even when there were no customers, so 10/10 for effort.
Best, Star of Eastbourne, Old Ale and Armada were all available from the Harveys Brewery along with Old Rosie and Westons for the cider drinkers.
I didn�t spot any TV and the music was so low that I wondered why they had bothered putting it on.
The staff were nice enough, but I think that there are better places to drink in the area.
4 Nov 2009 16:49
This is a very small and basic pub in which I spotted seven hand pumps and apart from the Harveys Best the rest were all unseen by me before. I�m into my Guinness at the moment and I have to report that I was glad to see it in the very limited selection of draught products and it was spot on.
The music was a bit random, but it fitted the pub well and was played at a decent volume. The barmaid was a little off at the beginning of my visit, but she seemed to cheer up the longer I stayed. There were plenty of locals in that had managed to conjure up a bit of a whiff which I put down to the beer and meat pies.
I was wondering if this was the unluckiest pub in the south of England due to the pictures on the wall of a flood and a fire. There were no hints as to the origins of the photos so maybe it would be nice to put a little note on them so that non locals could be informed of the history.
I liked it in here as it is all about having a beer and a chat, but it�s not the sort of place I�d go for a lad�s night out � which I think is the whole point of the place.
4 Nov 2009 16:24
Although this is a Greene King pub and the layout and d�cor is pretty basic I still enjoyed my visit and supped a nice couple of pints of Guinness. There were also four standard GK ales available along with Davenport�s Highland Whisky Ale and a standard draught selection. As has been mentioned in previous posts, food is served at very reasonable prices and although I didn�t eat I saw some being served and it looked good value for money.
My visit was very early afternoon so it wasn�t that busy, but there were a few aged locals smoking away in the small paved beer garden that has some covered seating for wetter days.
There are no TVs, but the background music was ok and played at a nice volume. I spotted a sign in the toilet for folk nights every Thursday evening in the large function room that is available for hire.
The maid was very friendly and I would go back in here if passing again.
4 Nov 2009 12:51
The Elephant and Castle, Lewes
This is primarily a sports pub as there are a couple of plasma screens in the bar area and another in the back room which also has a projector screen, table football, pool table, toad-in-the-hole and a dartboard. There is also a jukebox with a vast array of songs available which are quite loud, but a little quieter in the front bar.
The barman was very friendly and Harveys Best and Landlord were available along with a guest ale, Old Rosie, Guinness and an array of lagers.
The locals seemed friendly enough and I would make a point of revisiting if in the area again.
4 Nov 2009 00:11
I laughed when I read the previous review as when I walked in with my wife I heard a bearded old guy sitting at the bar whisper �tourists� to the barmaid as if it is obscene to travel out of your own locale to enjoy a nice beer. His appearance and comment lead me to believe that he had been sitting on the same bar stool for the past sixty years. It�s not the biggest pub and the front and back bar areas were taken up with locals so after our initial welcome we decided to find a table in the side room that also houses a dartboard and toad-in-the-hole table.
Harveys Best and a range of Fullers beers were available alongside Staropramen, Amstel and nicely kept Guinness.
This place is ok, but there are plenty of great pubs in Lewes and in my opinion this one doesn�t really stand out from the crowd.
3 Nov 2009 23:56
The Potters Arms, Lower Dicker
The good news is that this place is now open and the bad news is that it is now called Potters Pantry and it is a cafe.
31 Oct 2009 22:59
This is a very basic boozer with a standard draught selection and Oranjeboom available. There is a pool table and a dartboard in the bar area and I also spotted another pool table in the back room that looked like it had been done up for some kind of party.
I thought that the governor was nice enough as were the locals who were glued to the racing on Sky during my weekday afternoon visit.
I wouldn�t go out of my way to drink here again, but I feel that the rather low rating is a little harsh.
28 Oct 2009 11:07
I�d not visited this pub before my fleeting visit last week, but I did get the feeling that it had seen better times. There are two unused hand pumps meaning that only a standard draught selection is available and the Sky Sports future events board was being used to advertise the premade rolls that are available from one of the drinks fridges behind the bar � I did have a couple of ham salad rolls though and they went down a treat. The projector screen above a small piano at the rear of the pub looked like it hadn�t been used in some time, but there is a plasma screen in the front bar which was showing Sky Sports News. There is also a pool table and a dartboard which is good to see although I�m not a fan of test your strength boxing machines in pubs. The background music was a bit loud for my liking and the constant change of genre was giving me a headache.
The barmaid was nice enough, but I don�t think that I�ll be returning here in a hurry.
28 Oct 2009 11:00
This is a below average Spoons and as there are far better pubs around the only possible reason that I can fathom why anyone would drink in here is to get loaded on the cheap booze.
I�ll not be returning.
28 Oct 2009 10:43
This place isn�t going to win any awards, but I found the staff and other clientele to be friendly enough. Greene King IPA and Abbot are still the only ale offerings, but my pint of Guinness was well served.
I spotted a couple of plasma screens for the showing of Sky Sports and there was some decent background music playing.
I wouldn�t rush back here, but there is a nice beer garden out the back handy for the summer months.
28 Oct 2009 10:32
This is a forgettable pub with the ubiquitous Hertford drinks range of McMullens Country and AK along with a basic draught selection. There are plasma screens throughout the pub and another in the large yard out the back that also houses table football.
The maid was friendly, but this alone is no reason for me to return.
28 Oct 2009 10:27
This is one of the few pubs in Hertford that ale other than McMullens can be found and all of the seven available were from different breweries. There was also an interesting range of premium lagers available alongside Old Rosie cider and a standard draught selection.
This is a nice pub by the river although the outside seating all seemed to be on the opposite side to the water and most was located by the car park which is unfortunate.
I thought that the barmaid was very friendly and the locals seemed like a decent bunch meaning that I would return if in the area again.
28 Oct 2009 10:18
I thought this place to be a little bland and apart from the nice paved beer garden out the back that runs alongside the river I thought that this was another unremarkable McMullens pub in Hertford.
The barman was very friendly and the usual Mcmullen ale range was available along with a standard draught selection.
There is a plasma screen in the bar area and another out the back, but these were showing an under 17s football game so they were muted and some inoffensive background music was playing.
I would walk past if passing again as there are better pubs a stones throw away.
28 Oct 2009 10:06
I found the barmaid here to be friendly, but I was offered no apology for having to wait whilst she had some lengthy dealings with a delivery driver and I received the shortest measure on a Guinness that I have ever seen. It would be forgivable if it was poured by a chimpanzee, but she seemed to know how to work the bar so it was an attempt to rip me off.
There was a selection of premium lagers alongside Pride, Spitfire, Harveys Best and Adnams German Kolsch available during my visit.
There is a covered area out the back with some potted plants and also an advertised roof terrace that I did not visit.
I found this pub to be very pretentious and I would walk past if in the area again.
27 Oct 2009 14:03
I popped into here as I had a 20 minute wait for a train and I needed a tom tit. Trap one was acceptable, but trap two needed a new lock and I think that at some point a gang of tramps may have been washing their bottoms in the sinks.
27 Oct 2009 12:23
It�s funny reading the previous review as I there was no food on during my visit and I actually noted that the chalk board on the wall with the title �food menu� was being used to list the ales available which were Landlord, Pedigree, Malt and Hops and Autumn Fall. There was also a standard draught selection and my Guinness was very nicely poured by a friendly landlady.
The pub itself is a bit tatty, but I think that this adds to a pubs character and from all of the postcards and photos adorning the wall behind the bar I think that there are a lot of regulars that would agree with me.
I didn�t spot any television, but there was some unobtrusive background music and also a pool table at the rear.
I liked it in here and would make a detour to return.
27 Oct 2009 12:10
The Princess Alice, West Thamesmead
There is obviously no rolling selection of ales as Pride and Greene King IPA were still the ales of choice as they were in June. San Miguel was also available along with a standard draught selection and although my Guinness was a little short due to it being poured wrongly it was still good.
This is a Crown Carveries pub which is basically a cheaper version of Harvester, even down to the bland d�cor and constant smell of cooling meat wafting through the air. That said, the barmaid was friendly and if I worked locally I would probably pop in for lunch every now and again.
I wouldn�t go out of my way to visit here again and if passing in the evening I would probably walk past even though the nearest pub is about a mile away.
27 Oct 2009 12:01
This pub wouldn�t be out of place in the middle of a housing estate and having grown up in the middle of a housing estate I didn�t mind it in here. I see nothing wrong with having a pint in this basic boozer whilst waiting for a train as the barmaid was very friendly and although the air was a bit blue and the locals looked a bit rough and ready I was made to feel welcome by most.
There are five hand pumps, but unfortunately four are unused as only Pride was available along with a standard draught selection.
There are a couple of plasma screens and a projector for the airing of Sky Sports, but as no worthwhile events were on during my afternoon visit a few of the locals were watching Judge Judy which I thought a bit depressing. There is a dartboard at the front of the pub and a good sized garden out the back that has a climbing frame at the rear to keep the kids amused whilst on a mind bending session.
I certainly wouldn�t go out of my way to drink here again, but it serves a purpose and is better than nothing.
27 Oct 2009 11:37
This is small for a Spoons and the short bar also leads to a smaller range of drinks than one would expect in a Spoons, but there are still five ales available. I did hear the very efficient barmaid mention to one of the many aged locals that were soaking up the cheap booze that there was talk of only having one hand pump in the future. (Yes this is a Wetherspoons and I referred to a member of the staff as being efficient � whatever next!)
This is the only pub in Eltham that I have visited to date so I cannot compare it to any of its peers, but I�m sure that there must be better pubs in the area as it wouldn�t be very difficult to outshine this place.
27 Oct 2009 11:14
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.
22 Oct 2009 16:31
This is a grotty shop conversion bar with a standard draught range available and my Guinness was below par, but drinkable.
On a good note the barmaid was nice enough and there is a dartboard and a pool table along with a couple of plasma screens and the pub has Sky Sports. There was a rugby game on during my Saturday evening visit, but it was muted as there was some brain damage chav dance music playing at an ear splitting volume.
There is a limited choice of pubs in this area, but I think that I would rather stay at home than drink here again.
22 Oct 2009 15:21
The main bar was closed during my visit at 22:45, but the sports bar that houses a pool table and dartboard was open. I waited at the bar for a minute or so for some service before turning to the old soak sitting at the bar and asking if it was still open. He pointed to a clock that was chalked onto the wall that read 00:15 and said that it was always open. Thankfully the manager turned up to save me from the madness and I grabbed a nice pint of Guinness and sat outside whilst I waited for my train.
Whilst waiting I spotted the ubiquitous Hertford AK and Country so assumed that the rest of the selection in the main bar is standard draught.
This is a big Mcmullen pub opposite the station and the public bar smells of ketchup. When I revisit Hertford to properly check out the White Swan I will make sure I venture into this place again before shutdown.
17 Oct 2009 00:14
I cannot believe that this place hasn�t been commented on before. I thought that the governor was very friendly and the locals were great with a small group jamming on there guitars in the corner and a dart match was going on meaning that the jukebox was redundant. Sky sports is advertised and I spotted a TV and projector which was good to see for this side of town.
Unsurprisingly for the area only AK and Country were available alongside a standard draught selection, but my Guinness was well served.
I liked it in here and would choose this place over its neighbouring peers.
17 Oct 2009 00:02
It was great to find some Fullers beers in Hertford; it�s just a shame that I didn�t explore the pub more as I thought that the two small bars at the front were the extent of the building.
Oh dear, now I will have to make a return visit!
16 Oct 2009 23:52
The Old Cross Tavern, Hertford
This is a tiny living room type pub with a small bar at one end with eight hand pumps. There is a covered courtyard out the back with lots of vines and hanging baskets, but it is no smoking.
My Landlord was in tip-top condition, but I think I would enjoy this place a lot more if I was twenty years older.
16 Oct 2009 23:44
In relation to the last few reviews I thought that I�d start by first mentioning that when I walked in the governor was polishing the pumps on the bar and who I think is his wife made me feel very welcome even though I was the only person in the pub at 22:00. It is Greene King, but there was a guest and I don�t really care as I was drinking Guinness and I was glad to find a pub in Hertford that didn�t have the McMullen mark stamped on it.
I spotted a plasma screen that was off due to no worthwhile sport being shown on Sky and there is also a dartboard which I gleaned must be used regularly after spotting all of the events advertised on the A-board outside.
I think that the management of this pub are hospitable and are making an effort, so if the blinkered few out there that can�t see past the Greene King badge were to open their eyes they may just enjoy this pub.
16 Oct 2009 23:30
I was greeted by a very friendly barmaid before I even got to the bar and was served a well poured pint of Guinness, although it wasn�t the best quality. A standard draught selection was available along with Staropramen as well as Pride, but the Greene King IPA was off � which isn�t a bad thing.
Sky Sports is shown and there is a plasma screen in the front bar and two in the back bar along with a couple of pool tables and a dartboard, but I didn�t spot the third table or the table football advertised above.
The music was a little loud, but I can�t argue with a little Hendrix being overbearing on the ears!
This would be the sort of place I would pop to on a lunch break from work for some pub sports, but I wouldn�t go out of my way to drink here any other time.
16 Oct 2009 23:04
The Hand and Flower, Kensington
My recent visit to this pub was the first for many many years when it was still called Harvey Floorbangers and to be honest it hasn�t really changed that much, which isn�t such a bad thing. I say this as I always enjoyed an early evening beer in here after work before jumping on the Silverlink to go home.
The staff also seem to be of the same ilk, friendly yet not really up to speed on service or attentiveness. This was highlighted when, being the only customer, I had to wait a while at the bar for some very polite service. Unfortunately the barmaid forgot that my pint of Guinness was pouring and as I was talking to my brother I also didn�t notice it overflowing. She rushed over and thankfully, unlike many other pubs, I wasn�t fobbed off with it and a new one was poured. I wouldn�t normally mention this, but she did it again on the second pint, but I leant over and stopped it being another write-off. I was thanked and given the overflow for free, which was a nice gesture.
Along with the standard and premium lager selection was an ale selection of two Marstons, a Jennings and a Brakspear. There is also a basic food menu which is pretty good value for the area, unless you choose to go to the sandwich bar over the way!
Whilst having a cigarette outside I noticed a sign by the door stating that there are extended opening hours on a Thursday and Saturday until 12am and on Fridays until 1am, not that I would be that keen on drinking here until the early hours.
This style of pub isn�t the sort that I really go for, but I like it in here and would go back.
16 Oct 2009 21:47
The Earls Court Tavern, Earls Court
This is a very unexceptional pub and I left without a drink as I didn�t appreciate standing at the bar for two minutes whilst waiting for the barmaid to finish on the phone.
I spotted Doom Bar, Youngs Bitter and Pride during my wait and there was also another ale being conditioned.
On my way out I noticed the plasma screen which was showing Sky Sports News which was muted and also a sign on the door advertising for team players (waiting staff), maybe they should also be looking for more bar staff.
I cannot see myself returning as there are better pubs opposite the tube station.
16 Oct 2009 16:12
The Prince of Teck, Earls Court
This place maybe ok for a drink on a weekend night when out with a large group or maybe for the football which can be seen on a projector screen, but make sure you take plenty of money as I was charged �1.90 for a half of Guinness.
There is a bar upstairs which was closed on my daytime visit, but if it is anything like the main bar it is probably worth missing.
16 Oct 2009 15:57
I agree with the recent comments below that the current low rating must be due to exceptionally low scores in the past as this is a nice enough pub which had a good ale selection of Adnams, Ruddles, Landlord, 6X, Tetley�s Dark Mild and Hopback�s Odyssey during my visit. There was also a decent selection of standard and premium products and I found the governor to be polite enough.
The d�cor is quite traditional although I have the feeling that it was not that long ago that it was decorated � or maybe there is a strict cleaning regime. I spotted signs for a dining room upstairs, but I didn�t venture to it, but I did notice a large area towards the rear of the pub that looked very comfortable. Maybe this is where the jazz and blues sessions are held on a Sunday afternoon.
This is a decent enough pub and worth a visit if passing.
16 Oct 2009 15:44
For a pub basically opposite a tube station this Fuller�s �ale and pie house� is a top draw traditional feel boozer with a full range of Fuller�s beers available.
I found the barman that served me to be extremely welcoming and it was nice to have a brief conversation with him rather than just having my pint slopped over the bar which is all too common in London these days.
This place is well worth a visit if passing through Earl�s Court.
16 Oct 2009 15:30
This is a nice and cosy little pub that has a conservatory built on the back which was accommodating some diners during my visit. There were three ale offerings from McMullens along with some standard draught, but my Guinness wasn�t the best.
There is a large plasma screen which was off, but some background music was playing at an unobtrusive volume.
The staff and locals seemed nice enough and I would visit this pub again if in the area - hopefully the below par pint was a one off.
9 Oct 2009 10:44
I popped in here on Tuesday evening and thankfully there were no events on as it was pretty quiet apart from the courtyard being packed with student types. The barmaid was very friendly, but there is no real ale as only a standard draught selection is available along with Amstel. There are plasma screens throughout which were showing music videos on my visit. There is also a small room at the rear of the pub which houses a pool table.
The �floor fillers� and �R&B� nights advertised are the sort of things I run a mile from these days, so although I wouldn�t return now I may have done ten or so years ago.
9 Oct 2009 10:35
This place has obviously just been refurbished as there is a strong smell of paint and although the d�cor is fairly basic it is a nice enough pub. There is a large plasma screen in the bar area at the front of the pub, but this was off during my week night visit and a Beatles CD was playing over the speakers. There is some more seating in a small area at the back of the pub which is next to a courtyard with a few tables and chairs.
The governor was nice enough and three ales from McMullens were available alongside a standard draught selection.
This place is a little quirky, but I wouldn�t have a problem returning if passing again.
9 Oct 2009 10:26
This place seems to be Hertford�s answer to All Bar One, but being in Hertford it is obligatory for them to have a couple of ale offerings from McMullens.
This is one for the younger crowd who wouldn�t be seen dead playing darts and eating a packet of pork scratchings in a proper pub.
9 Oct 2009 10:18
This is a large two floored Spoons and it was very busy on Tuesday night with an older dining crowd. The frontage is all glass on both floors and apart from a small section to the left of the bar it is open plan making it very noisy with chatter.
The staff seemed more attentive that the average Spoons and the beer selection was nothing out of the ordinary.
I�ve been to worse, but there are far better pubs in Hertford.
8 Oct 2009 16:35
The Snug Bar
The powers that be have gone for a bistro come cocktail bar with lists of coffees and iced teas available, but no draught and only limited bottles of lager.
There was a guitarist doing a set whilst I was there, but none of the other six punters were listening to him.
The barmaid was nice, but I�ll not be returning.
8 Oct 2009 16:24
The Salisbury Arms Hotel, Hertford
I have no idea why anyone that wasn't staying in the hotel would want to drink here.
8 Oct 2009 16:18
The Seven Stars, Chancery Lane
This is a tiny little pub which was heaving during my visit. Adnams seemed to be the order of the day on the five pumps and I have to report on having no problems with the staff, although my stay in the pub was brief as I ended up standing outside with the vast majority of other drinkers.
I would pop back in here again at a quieter time if passing.
8 Oct 2009 16:15
This is a pretty good pub that is hosted by a jovial Irish chap that made me feel very welcome. The same ales were available as reported by Sussexcrawler a month ago and I�ll also add that Amstel is also on offer along with a standard draught range of which the Guinness was very good.
There was a bit of back music playing and I spotted a plasma screen which was off, but there was a list of upcoming London Irish games stuck underneath it.
I liked it in here and would return.
8 Oct 2009 16:04
This is a decent sized L-shaped pub that had Pride, Greene King IPA and Broadside all available during my visit alongside three guest ales. There is also a standard draught range and my Guinness was well served.
There was no background music and the plasma was showing Sky News, which was muted.
I thought that the staff were friendly and that this is a good pub, but it doesn�t really stand out of the crowd in an area of good pubs.
8 Oct 2009 15:57
This place has no TV or music, but I did spot eight ales all from different breweries and none of the usual suspects. There are some standard and premium lagers for the non ale drinker and my Guinness was spot on.
I found the staff to be pleasant and I would highly recommend this pub to others.
8 Oct 2009 13:19
Coach and Horses, Fleet Street
This place is ok for watching Sky Sports on the plasma screen or maybe for a couple on games of pool on one of the two tables upstairs, but I wouldn�t go in here on my own again just to relax over a pint as I found it a little cliquey. Maybe it is just my aversion to pubs that have prints on the wall that are for sale.
I can�t see myself returning.
8 Oct 2009 13:14
Only London Pride was available on my recent visit, but there is a standard draught selection and Staropramen is also available. The barmaid that served me was pleasant enough, but the girl who seemed to be in charge came across as being quite rude.
There is a plasma screen and a couple of portable TVs that were all showing Sky Sports News which was muted as there was some background music playing.
I thought that this place was very basic for a Fullers pub and it was one of the quieter pubs in the area, but I still would have no problem in returning.
8 Oct 2009 13:09
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, Fleet Street
This is a historic pub that is worth a visit at least once and Sam Smiths fans will love it and be glad to find OBB on draught.
The walk to the gents is a little treacherous, damn those short arsed ancestors!
8 Oct 2009 10:47
This place is very small, although there is an upstairs bar that I didn�t visit, but I got the feeling that it is more of a restaurant. Greene King IPA and Adnams were both available on my visit along with a standard draught selection and San Miguel. My Guinness was well served, but a bit on the dear side rocking in at �3.60.
This place is ok for a quick pint, but I wouldn�t stay all evening.
8 Oct 2009 10:42
This isn�t the biggest pub, but it is done up well with a nice bar and balcony area as can be seen from the picture above. Pride, Adnams and Broadside were all available on my visit along with a selection of premium lagers and Carlsberg.
There were a couple of groups of blokes in whilst I was there that acted and spoke like they were big cheeses and it is the first time a barman has called me darling without mincing away to get my pint.
This place is a little too expensive and pretentious for me and I won�t be rushing back.
8 Oct 2009 10:32
The Blue Anchor, Chancery Lane
I wandered down to the cellar bar which had some jazz music playing and unbeknown to me it was closed, but the friendly maid still stopped what she was doing to serve me and then give me directions to the street level bar up the stairs. This was a shame as this bar wasn�t as nice and many of the tables were reserved meaning that I ended up standing in the alley outside with my pint resting on a pillar.
Bombardier and Greene King IPA were both available and there was another unused pump and a standard draught selection.
There are better pubs in the area so I don�t think that I�ll be drinking here again.
8 Oct 2009 10:20
This is a nice little boozer that had eight thoughtful ales available during my visit along with a standard and premium draught selection. There is a small plasma screen that was showing Sky News which was muted as there was some background music playing at a low volume. Food is served at very reasonable prices for the area and there is a restaurant upstairs that I did not visit.
I was a little disappointed that the barmaid pulled my Guinness in one rather than letting it settle, but I still think that this place is worth seeking out.
8 Oct 2009 10:05
The Old Bank of England, Fleet Street
This is a large and impressive Fullers ale and pie house with a centre bar and balconies. The full Fullers range is available and I found the staff to be efficient.
I think that this place lacks some atmosphere, but is well worth a look if in the area.
8 Oct 2009 09:46
I have been meaning to visit this pub for some time and I have to say that I was not disappointed as it was better than I had imagined. I think that everything that can be said about it has so I will just add that it is a must visit for any pub goer interested in good beer whilst taking in a bit of history in friendly surroundings.
Ye Olde Mitre is well worthy of the accolade of being my 1000th pub commented on and rated on BITE.
5 Oct 2009 14:25
The first things that I spotted as I walked into this good old L-shaped boozer were the three plasma screens and the projector on the back wall which were showing the demise of England in the cricket. It�s a shame about the result, but not a shame that I found this pub as the atmosphere was good and the governor and staff were very friendly.
Black Sheep, Oxford Gold, Adnams and 6X were all available along with Scrumpy Jack, Amstel and a standard draught selection which included some very good Guinness. Thai food is available for those who are hungry, but I didn�t see anyone making use of this facility.
There is an advertised garden terrace out the back which is actually a small courtyard, but it is better than standing in the street whilst having a smoke.
This is an excellent pub for sports fans that prefer to drink in a boozer rather than a chain sports bar and I will certainly be back when next in the area.
5 Oct 2009 14:14
Now 'Sir Christopher Hatton' again.
The most notable part of my visit here was the dreadful pint of Guinness that I was served by the barmaid who knew that it was bad as she swapped pumps halfway through to try and get some life into the pint. I shouldn�t have knocked a couple of mouthfuls back as I paid for it a couple of hours later whilst in the Seven Stars.
Anyway, this is a Nicholson�s pub with a decent sized open plan bar with numerous picnic tables available for sitting outside. There is also a large cellar bar which was unfortunately closed during my visit as I visited before 5pm. Both of these bars are badly lit, but then most Nicholson�s pubs are.
Pride, Landlord, Golden Best, Morrissey Blonde and Daleside�s Autumn Leaves were available alongside Old Rosie and a standard and premium draught selection.
I can�t see myself returning here again as there are so many better pubs in the area.
5 Oct 2009 13:51
As would be expected there is a decent ale selection from the Fullers range in this place which is one of their ale and pie houses. There is also a selection of standard and premium lagers and my Guinness was good, but as mentioned by others it is very expensive.
The bar is on the left hand side of the pub and it had a large plasma screen on a stand at the end of it which was showing Sky Sports News which was muted. At the rear of the pub there are some booths with a balcony area above them that seemed to have the only other people in that weren�t dining, although my visit was just after lunchtime.
This is a decent pub, but it doesn�t stand out amongst its peers.
5 Oct 2009 13:39
This is an antipodean cellar bar that hasn�t gone down the Walkabout route by pandering to the drunken yoof of London.
Unsurprisingly, there are plenty of plasma screens for rugby and cricket etc and I noticed a full Speights range behind the bar.
This wouldn't be my pub of choice in the area, but I'll be imforming my Kiwi pals about its existence - although they probably know of it already.
4 Oct 2009 11:01
The Knights Templar, Chancery Lane
This is a large and very impressive building, it�s just a shame it is a Wetherspoons � although I will concede that it is well above average.
It was nice to see a projector on the wall showing Sky Sports news so that people could follow England�s progress in the cricket, shame about the result though.
A far better atmosphere can be found in numerous pubs in the surrounding area.
4 Oct 2009 10:47
The Bleeding Heart, Clerkenwell
I walked up the steps to the bar and the only drinks available were Adnams and Bitburger, not that there was anyone to serve me. I looked around at the people sitting at the tables and they were all dining so I decided that I wouldn�t feel very comfortable staying just to drink so I left.
4 Oct 2009 10:33
I popped in here late last Saturday night and was informed that there was a problem in the cellar and no draught products were available leaving Bombardier, Pedigree and Greene King IPA along with bottles. I was a little disappointed as I had been on Guinness all night, but the Pedigree was an ok substitute.
There are two separate bars, both of which have plasma screens and the ability to show Sky Sports. VH1 classic was playing on them during my visit and the pub has a late license until midnight at the weekend.
There is a covered outside area to the left of the pub and a beer garden to the rear.
I picked a bad time to visit here, but I still liked it and I will go back again when next in Enfield.
4 Oct 2009 10:18
I have to say that out of all the pubs in Enfield that I have been in to this place has the nicest group of locals and I was impressed that every other word wasn�t an expletive.
The staff were nice enough, but I spotted no real ale as there was only a standard draught selection and unfortunately my Guinness wasn�t the best I�ve had. There is a dartboard and a couple of plasma screens for the showing of Sky Sports and I spotted a sign advertising a live band on my visit last Saturday.
There are a few picnic tables out the back along with a smoking shelter that back on to a car park.
I would go back in here if in the area again.
4 Oct 2009 10:08
This is a good sized pub with a public bar that houses a pool table, dartboard and large plasma screen for showing Sky Sports. This bar seemed to be frequented by the younger group of locals who all had to check me out as I walked in. The other larger bar is a little more relaxed, but it still has plasma screens throughout and the same football match on ESPN that was being shown in the public bar was being shown. There is another good sized room at the rear of the pub that has a dartboard on a stage area, which also doubles up as the band�s area for live music nights. If you continue on into the back garden you will find a good sized drinking area with a large covered smoking area that has an old TV in it so that none of the match needs to be missed on a fag break.
I found the staff to be polite without being very attentive and I spotted Well�s Eagle available alongside a standard draught selection.
This pub has everything that I would wish to have in my local, but this isn�t my local and I wouldn�t travel to drink here again � although I would probably pop back in if passing.
4 Oct 2009 09:47
It was packed in here last Saturday and there was a disco in full swing in the large back room of the pub. There are plasma screens throughout and to the right of the bar there is a separate pool room housing two tables.
The staff seemed to be nice enough, but some of the other customers left a lot to be desired. One such 60�s wide boy throw back made a point of pushing past me to get to the bar, but he was left a little confused when I still managed to get served first whilst standing behind him - hats off to the barman!
I spotted a standard draught range and Greene King IPA, but this may not be exhaustive as it was very busy at the bar making it difficult to see.
I�d imagine this place being great fun if you�re a local, but I think that there are better pubs in the area for thirsty travellers like myself who are just passing through.
4 Oct 2009 09:34
This is a decent pub for McMullens with a dartboard, and three plasma screens which show Sky Sports and ESPN. I thought that the barman was very friendly and my pint of Guinness was good. Unsurprisingly, a range of McMullen ales are available alongside a standard draught selection.
I thought that the choice of background music was a little depressing for a Saturday night, but this is my only real complaint.
3 Oct 2009 23:08
The sign on the window states that this is a gastro pub, but I don�t really agree, although there is a restaurant out of sight upstairs. There are a couple of plasma screens, but I didn�t see any ads for Sky Sports and they were both playing music videos on my visit last Saturday night. It�s not the biggest place and all of the tables were taken meaning that I had to stand at the bar, but I found the barman to be friendly enough.
Greene King IPA, Broadside and Courage Best were all available alongside a selection of standard and premium lagers and my Guinness was good, although very expensive for the area.
It does shut at 2am on Friday and Saturday nights which is handy to know and I wouldn�t have a problem in returning.
3 Oct 2009 22:58
I agree with the previous posts that have mentioned the menacing wide eyed locals and they were arguing amongst themselves and talking hard during my visit. It�s a shame as the barmaid was very friendly and I spotted three plasma screens which were showing muted Sky Sports as some decent old tunes were playing on the speakers.
Like most Irish bars this place has no real ale, but my Guinness was up to standard and it didn�t break the bank.
I�ll be avoiding this place in future or at least until the management grow some balls and get control of their bar back from the knuckle dragging morons that seem to hang out here.
3 Oct 2009 22:42
There is something about crossing a river to get to a pub that makes me have high hopes of a finding a decent establishment, but unfortunately this place was a let down. As has been said before it is tired and needs some work doing.
This is a Greene King pub and they had three of their ales available during my visit alongside a standard draught selection. I found the staff to be polite enough, although they certainly gave the impression that the last place they wanted to be was standing behind the bar.
The beer garden is huge and the grass is thin and patchy, but I was more put off by the thousands of cigarette butts that have been thrown on the floor and there has been no effort to clean them up for some time.
Nice location, shame about the pub.
3 Oct 2009 22:27
I got a bit of a frosty reception upon entering and so I decided to have a half of Guinness and make my visit brief. The landlady served me a pint knowing full well that I had asked for a half, but I didn�t complain as it only cost �2.25 and I found her to be slightly menacing.
There are three hand pumps, but two were out of use as Courage Best was the only available ale.
I spotted a pool table and there were a couple of old hells angel look-a-likes playing some decent live music last Saturday.
I felt a little on edge in here which is unusual for me, especially in a proper boozer � I�ll be avoiding in the future as I shouldn't have to win the trust of the locals before enjoying a pint of beer.
3 Oct 2009 22:10
There were five ales on during my visit including Abbot, Ruddles and an offering from St Austell Brewery as well as a standard draught selection. It was busy so it took a while to be served, but I thought that the barmaid that served me was friendly enough.
I�m not a big Spoons fan and I found this one to be distinctly average with an above standard level of old fart smell.
I�ll leave this place to the students in future and drink elsewhere.
3 Oct 2009 22:00
This place is certainly open, but no point in informing the powers that be on this site as nothing will happen to the current closed status � unless maybe the management pay for it to be changed and on my experience of this place the management couldn�t care less about what the discerning pub goer thinks as this place is directed at the yoof of Enfield, the worldly wise bunch that they are.
I will say that I was served by a very friendly barmaid during my visit here and my Guinness was good, but that is as far as the praise goes.
I�ll not be returning, although if I lived nearby and had no knowledge of how good life can be this would probably be my local.
1 Oct 2009 23:50
This is a modern bar with Broadside as a token ale offering and San Miguel as the premium lager alongside a standard draught selection.
There are high tables and sofas, but it is easy to get comfortable and I found the staff to be very pleasant.
This is the sort of place that I would end up in on a work do organised by a woman and I would moan, but probably enjoy myself once I was there. I would still gripe about the tinny speakers and this would make me disappointed if I had hired the place out as many of the advertisements about the place invite me to do.
1 Oct 2009 23:31
This place is ok for a couple of quiet pints in a relaxed atmosphere, but I did find the staff to be slow � although friendly with it. Bombardier, Pride, Greene King IPA and Old Speckled Hen were available during my visit along with a standard draught selection and my Guinness was well served, in the end.
It is a dark bar with lots of pictures and nick-naks adorning the walls and there are plenty of snug areas to have a conversation with the mates or misses. I spotted a couple of plasma screens that were showing Sky News which was muted due to some decent background music being played.
I�m not a fan of pubs that have condiments on all of the tables as you can get settled and find yourself sitting next to people swilling into a plate of slop covered in ketchup, but this place is big enough to set yourself up for a good night.
I would pop back in if passing.
1 Oct 2009 23:20
The Carpenters Arms, Marble Arch
This is a decent pub, but the only ale selection that I spotted was Adnams as another was off and the other was unused. The previous post mentions six hand pumps so maybe I missed the other three, but even so I think that this pub has had better days from the clip badges adorning the walls.
A muted Spanish football game being shown on Sky was on the three plasma screens and some inoffensive background music was playing to the decent sized crowd having a week night drink.
I found the barman to be nice enough and I was made to feel welcome immediately, making this a pub that I would gladly visit again.
1 Oct 2009 23:03
It was fairly busy in here during my week night visit, but this was mainly due to a football match being shown on the large plasma screen up on the wall in this open plan pub. It was good to see the TV being muted during half time with some music playing for 15 minutes so that we weren�t all subjected to the ramblings of Andy Gray.
I thought that the barman was nice enough and my Guinness was well served. There was a range of Greene King ales available alongside a standard and premium lager selection.
There is a sign for the Winston Churchill outside which may have been an old pub name and the theme is taken inside with a few portraits of him mingled in with the gun theme. I did note an impressive display case full of rounds and cartridges.
I would use this pub again if I was in the area and wanted to watch a match.
30 Sep 2009 13:29
This is a nice looking pub that I could imagine having a good atmosphere when a bit busier than it was on my early evening week night visit, I just felt that the attitude of the barman let the side down a little.
Old Speckled Hen, Pride and Adnams were all available alongside a standard draught selection and although my Guinness tasted fine it was a short measure. This was more irritating than usual as this is not the cheapest pub in the area.
Maybe I went at the wrong time, but from this experience I would not return in a hurry.
30 Sep 2009 13:18
I wasn�t expecting this place to be much cop due to the crap name, but I was very wrong as I had a good time watching the football on one of their three plasma screens. The barman was very friendly and my Guinness was on good form. Young�s Ordinary and Adnams were also available along with a standard draught selection.
It is primarily a sports pub, but I would happily drink in here when there is no match on which is rare for sports pubs as they are usually devoid of atmosphere when the footie is not on.
As the name suggests, Thai food is available, but I did not try any even though it smelt really good.
I�d get rid of the electronic advertisement screen in the bar area the type of which is usually found in a club toilet, but apart from that I really liked this place and would have no hesitation in returning.
30 Sep 2009 12:27
This is a nice boozer and although it was quiet on my visit it was still an enjoyable experience. The barman was extremely friendly and my Guinness was well served. Pride, Tribute and Brakspear bitter were all available along with a very limited standard draught selection.
There is a piano against the wall which was covered up, but there were posters on the walls advertising sing along nights on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday nights which I�d imagine are great fun. I had to make do with some hits of the 80�s being played through the speakers, but it was at a good volume. I spotted a portable TV up on the wall, but I didn�t see any sport advertisements which was no surprise as this pub is about drinking and socialising.
I�d have no hesitation in returning here again.
30 Sep 2009 12:16
The Devonshire Arms, Marylebone
This is a very basic boozer with Staropramen and limited standard draught selection along with Bombardier, Greene King IPA and Young�s Special, which was off during my visit. The food menu stretches to pies and sandwiches, but what more does one need.
There was some sort of music quiz/karaoke going on at the back of the pub which seemed to be very popular with a very loud group of girls, but everyone seemed to be having fun. There is a plasma screen on the back wall, but this was off and I saw no signs of any upcoming sporting events that were due to be shown.
This place is ok, but there are better pubs in the immediate area so I doubt that I�ll return.
30 Sep 2009 11:03
This is a reasonably sized pub, but the actual bar takes up a lot of space and I think that the layout could be changed as there is limited seating and I found it hard to get comfortable. The barmaid compounded this by being very offhand and abrupt.
There was a bit of background music playing whilst one of the plasma screens was showing Inter v Napoli on ESPN, which I thought a little strange as Man U(re) were being shown on Sky Sports.
Spitfire and Pride were available along with a standard draught selection and although my Guinness was perfectly acceptable I will not be returning here due to the crap atmosphere.
30 Sep 2009 10:53
The Cock and Lion, Bond Street
This is quite a small pub with Sky sports and a plasma screen at each end of the bar. There is another bar and a dining room upstairs, but these were not checked out during this visit.
Black Sheep, Tribute, Pride and Spitfire were all available during my visit along with a standard draught selection.
The staff were nice enough making this a pub that I would revisit.
30 Sep 2009 10:43
The Pontefract Castle, Marylebone
This is a decent enough pub with nice bar staff and there was a decent drinks selection of Doom Bar, Landlord, Tribute, Pride and two guests alongside a range of standard and premium lagers on my visit.
The music was a bit loud for my liking, but I would go back here again if passing.
30 Sep 2009 10:37
There were more people outside this pub than in during my visit which could have been due to the nice setup of seating merging with the many restaurants or it could be due to the overly loud dance music blasting out of the speakers on a Tuesday night. There are a couple of TV�s that were showing Sky Sports news which was muted, not that anyone was watching them.
Bombardier, Greene King IPA and Pride were available during my visit alongside a limited standard draught selection and the barman was nice enough in a disinterested kind of way.
There are a lot of pubs in this area and I don�t think that this one stands out from the rest.
30 Sep 2009 00:40
The Angel in the Fields, Bond Street
Sam Smiths with old ornate windows and no OBB.
Staff were very friendly, but I doubt that I'll return.
30 Sep 2009 00:18
The Conduit of Tybourne, Bond Street
Now called the Coach makers.
This is a high ceiling open plan pub with gastro menu and loud music. On a plus point for the real ale fan I spotted four obscure ones that I had never heard of, but the inane chatter echoing around the room was too much and I left after a half of Guinness and a piss.
This is probably ok during the daytime so maybe I will give it another go at Christmas after being dragged to an afternoon shopping session.
30 Sep 2009 00:14
It was busy in here for a week night, although you wouldn�t have noticed at the bar as everyone seemed to have a mouthful of wine left as nobody wanted to go to get their purse/wallet out.
Usual crap ABO.
30 Sep 2009 00:01
This is a gay pub for old men, which I didn�t spot until I was sitting on my own by the gents writing my little notes in my phone.
Before I left I spotted a standard draught selection alongside Peroni and there was a plasma screen showing Sky News, which was muted for the decent background music.
I've been to a few gay pubs on my travels, but this one seemed more like a pick up joint than pub.
29 Sep 2009 23:54
Now the Wall Bar
I hadn�t planned on going here on my crawl around the area due to the exceptionally low rating, but as I walked past I recognised it as a bar that I flittingly visited about eight years ago during my debauchery years so I had to see if it was how I remembered.
Unsurprisingly it is still a multi floored bar, but it is now full of fools that would pay �3.80 for a pint of Guinness only to get an evil stare if they dare to take all of their change off the silver tray.
The music is still good, but I was very disappointed as I�m sure it used to be better in here.
29 Sep 2009 23:33
This is a pretty much run-of-the-mill Central London O�niells with a street level bar and a more relaxed downstairs bar. The barmaid wasn�t the friendliest that I have ever met, but she poured a decent pint.
OK if you like this chain, but if not avoid.
29 Sep 2009 22:57
This is a large bland Greene King Pub with the usual ales and Peroni, like a couple of other pubs I have been into in this area. I spotted two plasma screens, but I saw no sport advertisements.
I will make a point of saying that the barman was extremely friendly, but this is not enough for me to want to return again.
29 Sep 2009 22:50
Corney and Barrow, Old Broad Street
Only Peroni on tap and the two members of staff were men so the attractive barmaid card was lost on me. I spotted three plasma screens and they do show Sky Sports, but I can think of umpteen places a short hike of this place that are far better for watching the football.
This place is a bland chain bar and as my brain isn't enclosed in my scrotum I'd rather drink elsewhere..
29 Sep 2009 22:32
The Lord Aberconway, Liverpool Street
As has been mentioned, this is a dark pub with some nice booths and a balcony area overlooking the bar. There is a leather bound plasma screen up on the wall, but I wouldn�t have thought that this place has Sky Sports.
Pride, Seafarers, Landlord and Brewhog�s The Physics were available during my visit alongside Staropramen and Amstel, but I opted for the Guinness from the standard draught selection which was well served.
This is an OK place, but I think that there are better in the area.
29 Sep 2009 22:22
The Railway Tavern, Liverpool Street
Popped into the City Bar for a half of Peroni and it was empty so after noticing the upstairs seating and additional limited standard draught I popped into the bar next door which was much more what I�d expect from a pub. The Aussie barman was very friendly in this decent sized bar with a plasma at either end and the facility to show Sky Sports.
The standard Greene King Ales are available alongside a larger standard selection than the City Bar and again Peroni.
For a station pub this is a decent place, it�s just a shame about the pungent smell of Ketchup polluting the air.
I wouldn�t be put out if I had to go here again.
29 Sep 2009 22:04
There�s nothing wrong with this pub if you�re after a game of pool or darts or want to watch the big match as there are plasma screens and a projector for the showing of Sky Sports. The d�cor is a little bland and the only ale offering of Greene King IPA was off during my visit, but the barmaid was very friendly and my pint of Guinness was spot on.
I wouldn�t go out of my way to drink here but I would regularly use this place if I lived locally.
29 Sep 2009 20:00
Before reading the last couple of reviews I hadn�t realised that this is a hotel bar (or affiliated with a hotel), but now I understand why the seating out the front was mobbed with northern tourists drinking Tetleys Cask whilst making rude comments to passing pedestrians. Abbot Ale was also available, but the Pride was off � no worries though as Old Speckled Hen was available on draught!
I�ll not be returning here as there are far better drinking establishments in the area for those who dare to leave the main road.
28 Sep 2009 23:44
Whilst standing outside to finish off a cigarette I peered through the window and a sense of dread overcame me as I scanned an almost empty pub with eight, yes eight, young bar staff standing around wondering what to do. The barmaid that served me was so young that her parents hadn�t yet taught her how to say please or thank you.
This is an open plan pub that the Barracuda chain decorators would be proud of, even down to the plasma screens that were on for no reason. The frontage is all glass with a great view of a foreign currency exchange and Greek Taverna across the main road. There is some seating out the back in the square, but I found it rather depressing.
Abbot and Greene King IPA were both available alongside a standard draught selection, but my Guinness was below par so heaven knows what the ale is like.
I�ll not be returning here.
28 Sep 2009 23:27
This place is always shut when I go past so I was happy to find it open last week. Unfortunately it was just closing, as the barmaid pointed out as she hinted towards me being illiterate. Strangely I don�t stop outside every pub I visit and spend five minutes reading all of the signs in the windows.
I will get in here one day, but I�ll not be making a detour again to do it.
28 Sep 2009 23:01
As O�Neills� pubs go this place isn�t that bad and I would pop back in again if passing, especially if there was a match on.
28 Sep 2009 22:51
As you can see from the picture above this looks like a good old fashioned boozer, but as you walk through the doors your heart sinks as you realise that you have entered a gastro pub. Thankfully I do agree with the previous comments that this is better than most gastro pubs as you are made to feel welcome by the polite staff, even if you are not dining.
There is some outside seating running up the side of the pub that was a pleasant area to have a couple of beers.
Pride, Deuchars and Meantime Pale Ale were available alongside a standard and premium lager selection.
I�d rather drink in a pub that has awards for beer rather than food, but this place is well worthy of a visit if in the area.
28 Sep 2009 22:39
Railway Tavern, Buckhurst Hill
This place isn�t much to look at from the outside and the large main bar at the front is unimaginatively decorated leading one to think that the owners can�t be bothered. Thankfully my fears were unfounded as the barmaid that served me was very hospitable and my pint of Guinness sloshed down with no effort. There is no real ale and only a limited selection of standard draught available, which is unfortunate.
There is a plasma screen and another couple of tiny screens that were all showing the rugby on Sky Sports creating a decent atmosphere, but I can�t imagine much going on here when there is no sport showing.
There is another bar around the back that I think is used as a function room rather than a general bar. I was very impressed with the large garden and I was surprised that more people weren�t utilising it as the afternoon sun was fantastic. There was a large BBQ ready to churn out some sausages and also a seafood stall that is open thus-sun 12 till 8.
I think that this place is a little hidden away and doesn�t look that inviting which maybe the reason it had not been added to BITE already.
28 Sep 2009 21:03
This is a small pub that has been extended with the addition of a conservatory which is labelled as a restaurant and children�s area. The beer garden is huge and has a climbing frame and swings to keep the kids amused. The bar area is very ornate with an inglenook that is adorned with all sorts of brass and copper objects and there seems to be a horse theme throughout with cart wheels and bridles hanging up alongside numerous horse brasses.
I found the barman to be polite enough and Adnams and Pride were available alongside a standard draught selection.
There is a dartboard, but there were too many tables on the oche for me to think that it is readily used by passing customers. There is also a plasma screen which was switched off as there was no sport being played, although I didn�t actually see any signs advertising live sport.
There is a late license until midnight on Friday and Saturdays, but I think that this pub is frequented by an older crowd as the hits from the fifties that were playing would suggest.
This is a nice enough pub, but I wouldn�t go out of my way again.
27 Sep 2009 23:55
I agree that this is an old pub that should be visited as it has a lot of character with low ceilings, snug areas and an inglenook, but I wouldn�t want to spend all night in here.
The R and B music seemed to be more for the barmaid than the customers, but she was extremely friendly and made me feel very welcome.
There are three hand pumps, but two are unused with the other dispensing Greene King IPA which is a little lazy on behalf of the management.
There is a dartboard which is good to see, but I still think that this place is more worth a look for the building rather than the atmosphere and beer.
27 Sep 2009 23:39
This is a Large Mcmullen pub with their standard ale range available alongside a standard draught selection. Like many Mcmullen pubs I found this place to be a little too food orientated as the function room which doubles up as the Sunday Carvery room would suggest.
There is a decent beer garden which had a bouncy castle for the kids and there is plenty of parking, just remember to get the code to exit the car park.
I found it a little sterile in here, but my visit was mid week and I would imagine that it livens up on Friday and Saturday nights as a disco was advertised for both.
I�m not a great fan and I wouldn�t make plans to return.
27 Sep 2009 23:20
This is a typical example of a small London boozer with an additional bar upstairs that I did not visit. I found the barman to be nice enough and my Guinness was well served. Butcombe, Greene king IPA, Deuchars and Pride were all available during my visit, but the Bombardier was off.
I wouldn�t go out of my way to visit here again.
27 Sep 2009 23:07
I think that the recent reviews have been spot on and I would recommend popping in for a beer if in the area.
27 Sep 2009 22:54
Blimey, I can�t believe that this pub hasn�t been commented on for three and a half years as it is in a busy part of town. To be honest it�s not really worthy of much comment as I can compare the atmosphere to that of the Britannia in Euston Station, which is not a standard to be aspiring to.
There are five hand pumps with Bombardier on two of them and a Landlord and two unused. Peroni is also available alongside a standard draught selection and I have to report that my Guinness was below par.
There are three plasma screens, two of which were showing the videos to the R and B music that was polluting the air and the other screen was showing Sky Sports News which was muted.
The barmaid was nice enough and she didn�t ask me if I wanted nuts or crisps with my pint, but this is not enough for me to frequent this pub again.
27 Sep 2009 22:45
The first thing that I noticed upon entering here was the lack of the pool table and dartboard as advertised outside. I was then a little disappointed by the lack of manners from the barmaid who had the attitude of someone who had just found out that they had contracted syphilis. I will mention that my second pint was served by a different barmaid who was very friendly, which made me happy as I love these old boozers and hate leaving them with a sour taste in my mouth.
Greene King IPA, Ordinary and Webster�s Green Label were available alongside a selection of standard draught products. There is a basic pub grub menu and, as a previous reviewer has mentioned, the pizzas are worth a punt.
I spotted a plasma screen which was showing Sky Sports News feed which was muted, but I saw no live sport advertisements although I would be surprised if a pub of this nature didn�t have the facility.
In the end I liked it in here and I would return.
27 Sep 2009 22:25
The below review is an excellent description of this place, but the Pride had been replaced with Adnams and I�ll also mention that there is a decent selection of standard and premium lagers.
During my visit the projector screen was down and a small group of people seemed to be enjoying themselves playing on a Wii, which is not really my cup of tea.
I would pop in here for a pint if passing again.
27 Sep 2009 22:00
This place is a bit food orientated for my liking with condiments on every table, but the governor was extremely friendly and my pint of Guinness was very nice. Ordinary, Special and Bombardier were also available alongside a selection of standard draught and premium lagers.
The pub d�cor is nothing out of the ordinary, but there is a decent pool room downstairs that houses two tables.
This place isn�t worth a special trip, but I wouldn�t have a problem with having a beer here if passing.
27 Sep 2009 21:49
As usual for an ABO the bar staff are also waiters, cleaners and washer uppers meaning that there is never anyone serving the drinks. On this visit I have to admit that the barmaid did drop what she was doing and serve me quite quickly, but this place is still off of my radar for a beer in the area.
27 Sep 2009 21:38
Corney and Barrow, Liverpool Street
I found the staff here to be very friendly, but there is no atmosphere other than local office workers chatting away at lunch and just after finishing work.
There are six Peroni taps and no other draught products which I find pathetic and a little pretentious.
The pub itself is thin with an open area at one end and a couple of balconies and it stretches around the circle below.
As mentioned before the prices are a little excessive making my choice not to drink here again an easy decision.
27 Sep 2009 21:33
As I approached the bar the lone barmaid walked off leaving me standing there like a plum - I turned around and walked out again.
27 Sep 2009 12:30
The Porcupine, Leicester Square
On the face of it this is a typical Central London Nicholson�s boozer, but a point of note was that I found the staff to be extremely friendly to the transient commuter crowd and although busy there was a nice atmosphere and the Pride was good. Greene King IPA was also available alongside a couple of obscure guest ales and a selection of standard and premium lagers.
There was some decent background music playing at an inoffensive volume and there is a TV, but no Sky Sports.
Next time I find myself in the Leicester Square area I will pop in here again.
25 Sep 2009 23:16
This place is OK if you want to watch sport in a pub with no atmosphere, otherwise I would avoid.
Was probably better as a church.
25 Sep 2009 22:52
The new Players Lounge, Charing Cross
This place is OK if you've had a couple too many and 23:00 has been and gone. The staff were pleasant enough and the clientele were not the sort that you'd find in the Dog and Duck supping on an ale, but I had no problems with them even though there were a few that looked like they were about to disappear up their own backsides.
This is not a venue that I would actively seek out and I doubt that I'll ever return.
23 Sep 2009 10:03
The Hope and Anchor, Islington
This is a bit of a pit and the barman looked and acted like that strange bloke in the Mighty Boosh, not that this is a slur in any way. There is a pool table in a large room upstairs and a live music club downstairs that didn�t seem very good going by the fuzzy plasma screen showing the CCTV pictures of the bar.
There is a standard draught selection alongside Greene King IPA and Old Speckled Hen, but I opted for the Guinness which was passable.
I spotted a poster that said that Madness played here on the 7th April 1980 and I would have been very interested to see that, but unfortunately those times have long since past and I can see no reason for me to return here again.
12 Sep 2009 22:01
This is another popular pub on Upper Street that had a good atmosphere during my week night visit.
During my visit there was a selection of premium lagers alongside adnams, abbot and Youngs Ordinary. I found the staff to be nice enough and there was a young student type crowd.
I would go back here again.
12 Sep 2009 21:49
This is a very popular pub that was serving up a selection of premium lagers alongside Pride, Landlord and Doom Bar on my visit. I thought that the music was at a good level and there was a very chilled out atmosphere. There was no available seating in the bar area downstairs, but fortunately I was able to find a table up the spiral staircase and was able to enjoy my well kept Pride.
I will visit here again when next in the area.
12 Sep 2009 20:17
This is a decent boozer with a dartboard, TVs and a projector screen for showing Sky Sports. It is not the biggest pub, but there is a small decked area out the back.
There is a standard draught selection available alongside Pride, although there are another two unused hand pumps.
I found the barman to be extremely friendly and I would return if in the area again.
12 Sep 2009 19:55
This is an Indian restaurant. Good for food, crap for a beer in the evening!
12 Sep 2009 01:40
This place looked shut on my approach as the entrance isn�t lit and the front bar area was very subdued with a couple of regulars drinking by the dartboard. As I walked around towards the rear off the pub the music got louder and I spotted the pool table and sofas in the raised area at the back of the pub and some plasmas and TVs for the Sky Sports.
There is only a standard draught selection available, but the barmaid was extremely friendly and although there is a St George Cross painted on the wall I wasn�t apprehended by any skin head thugs!
There is a selection of Chicago Town pizzas available on the menu to eat in or take away, but I think it would be cheaper to get them from Iceland yourself.
This pub is ok for a night out with the lads, but I wouldn�t go here on my own again.
12 Sep 2009 01:32
This is a McMullens pub with a public bar housing some boisterous locals, a couple of plasma screens with Sky Sports available and a dartboard. A muted county cricket match was being shown on my visit whilst Magic FM was being piped through the speakers, ads and all.
The lounge bar was much quieter with some families dining and I did spot another plasma screen showing the muted cricket again, but it was almost too small to mention.
AK and Cask Ale were both available alongside a standard draught selection and I found the staff to be very friendly, but I wouldn�t go out of my way to drink here again.
12 Sep 2009 01:00
Unlike many large estate feel pubs with a couple of pool tables, a dartboard and plenty of plasma screens for the showing of Sky Sports this place doesn�t come with the thick barman, rude manager and incredulous stories of the great night that you missed earlier in the week because the venue is intrinsically crap. Thankfully the barmaid was very friendly and the governor was the most hospitable that I have found in Hatfield.
There is a standard draught selection, of which I had a nice pint of Guinness, and although one hand pump is unused there are a couple dispensing AK, but I�m not a fan at the best of times.
I�d drink here if I lived locally and if I were a student at the uni I�d probably work here.
12 Sep 2009 00:46
It was pretty quiet in here during my week night visit, but the barman was very friendly and the locals liked gossiping about people that weren�t there.
The pub has Sky Sports and a pool table and, as mentioned in a previous post, there is a disco and karaoke every weekend.
Greene King IPA is available alongside a standard draught selection, but unfortunately my Guinness wasn�t the best.
I wasn�t impressed with this place, but it was very quiet and I could see the potential for a good craic so I think that I�ll reserve judgment until after another visit.
11 Sep 2009 21:37
This is a good little local�s boozer with a very nice barmaid who was serving up a standard draught selection along with Abbot, Directors, Greene King IPA and Ruddles.
This is an old pub with a certain charm without being over the top and I loved the inglenook set up to the right of the bar.
I walked in during the break of a dart league match so the fried food and sandwiches were being devoured in the opposite corner to me and the memories of my darting days came flooding back. I was awoken from my reminisce by a couple of old boys shuffling their dominos so a decided to pop into the back garden for a cigarette.
From what I have seen of the Hatfield pubs this place would be my local if I lived in the area.
11 Sep 2009 21:05
I didn�t get the friendliest welcome from the cocksure barman/governor and had great difficulty extracting some information out of him on the whereabouts of the gents. Not a great start and it didn�t get much better as the smattering of locals on my week night visit were the sort that you wouldn�t get into a conversation with at the bar.
The pub has two bars with a pool table in each and numerous plasma screens for Sky Sports. The larger main bar has a couple of dart boards which was good to see, but it would take more than them to get me in here again.
Cheap pub food is served, but I think that I�d rather eat at the kebab van that seems to be permanently situated outside.
I�ll not be returning to this pub again.
11 Sep 2009 20:49
There were four people in here playing darts during my recent week night visit and one of them was the barman. He spotted me as soon as I walked in and left his game to politely serve me a decent pint of Guinness. There is also a pool table along with some plasmas and a projector for showing Sky Sports, but as no sport was being played the plasmas were being used for the videos on some music channel.
The toilets are located upstairs and the condition of the gents was unacceptable as it had not been cleaned for some time and the door off of one of the two cubicles was missing and both bog rolls were sitting on the damp floor. I dread to think what the state of the toilets is when the pub is busy.
There is no real ale and the d�cor is basic, but this place is ok for a pint whilst waiting for a train from the station over the road.
11 Sep 2009 20:29
One could be forgiven for mistaking this place for the Premier Inn next door as they seem to melt into one.
Pride, Adnams and Hobgoblin were available during my visit alongside a standard draught selection. Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, my Guinness was poured in one go creating a massive head making me wonder if the staff were trained how to work the bar or just how to put money in the till.
I suppose this place is ok if you�re a guest next door and you don�t know the area as this place is better than no pub at all � just!
11 Sep 2009 10:00
Great name for a station pub, it's just a shame that this isn't a pub.
11 Sep 2009 09:24
There was a decent selection of ales in here on my recent visit, including SA Gold and Mordue India Pale Ale and also a selection of premium lagers including Lowenbrau, which I�ve not seen for an age.
This is a large pub with three separate drinking areas and although I spotted no TVs the jukebox seemed popular and some decent songs were selected.
I found the staff to be friendly and the other punters were nice enough creating a good atmosphere.
There are a selection of stone baked pizzas available and maybe I will try one next time I'm in the area.
11 Sep 2009 09:20
There�s not much that I can add to the last few good reviews except that I found the staff to be very friendly and I had a couple of nice pints of Guinness.
Also, there is a small decked garden out the back which is well kept.
I will make a point of visiting here again when next in the area.
11 Sep 2009 09:10
The Florence Tavern, Islington
This place is just off the main drag meaning that the drunken masses that crawl along Upper Street don�t venture in here so a decent pint can be had without being jostled and bored to death by braying imbeciles.
Adnams, Bass and Pride were all available during my visit alongside a standard draught selection and San Miguel. Thankfully the staff must have changed since the review from October last year as I found the barmaid to be extremely friendly and she poured a good pint.
The d�cor is a bit bland, but there are a couple of plasma and the pub shows Sky Sports.
My only couple of complaints would be that the background music sounded like someone had turned on a portable radio in the far corner of the pub and there were a few too many fruit flies buzzing around my pint for my liking.
This place is advertised outside as a proper pub and I would agree that it is and I would go back again if in the area.
10 Sep 2009 22:42
Albert and Pearl
This is a lounge/cocktail bar and I spotted Amstel and Kronenburg, but couldn�t read the other pumps as it was too dark and the names on the metal etched handles are too feint.
I asked for a Guinness, which they had, and the friendly barman served me a decent pint, but I�ll not be returning as this is not my scene.
8 Sep 2009 23:30
The Slug And Lettuce, Islington
Like every other Slug this is a great place for people with no personality or imagination.
8 Sep 2009 23:12
I liked it in here and thought that the chill out music went well with the d�cor, although it was a little dark. The barman was extremely friendly and there was a selection of standard and premium lagers available.
There is some limited outside seating next to the main road and a few covered standing places for smokers if it is raining.
I visited on a week night so cannot comment on what it is like here during a busy weekend, but I really liked it and wouldn�t hesitate in returning.
8 Sep 2009 22:53
Although clean, I thought this place was soulless and imagined it being more popular with diners than drinkers. I read the menu and there is a good choice of different priced meals and the ingredients suggested good value for money, but I did not eat so cannot say for sure.
Country Bitter, AK and Whole Hop Brewery Googly were available on my visit alongside a standard draught selection and my pint of Guinness was well served by a friendly barman.
There are two tiny plasma screens which were both off during my visit and I wondered what they were actually for other than aesthetics.
I know people that would like this pub, but it not really my cup of tea so I�ll not be returning.
8 Sep 2009 22:38
This is a sport orientated pub were I found a very friendly barmaid and an amiable group of locals.
Around to the right of the front bar area the pub opens up into a larger area housing three pool tables and a dartboard. There is a DJ booth and once a few tables and chairs are moved a dance floor opens up. There was no dancing going on during the week night I visited, but there was an organised poker night that had attracted a good attendance.
Out the back door there are some picnic tables on a paved area which leads to a thin grassed area the runs alongside a large car park.
There is only a standard draught selection so this is certainly not a pub for an ale connoisseur, but it is fine for watching the match on Sky or for some pub games.
8 Sep 2009 22:11
The first thing that I noticed as I walked into this L-shaped local�s pub was the smell of stale beer. Overcoming this I walked to the bar and was greeted by the landlord who seemed friendly enough, although the drinks selection of standard draught and Greene King IPA was hardly imaginative.
Sky Sports is shown and there is a plasma screen and a tiny TV which the decent crowd of locals were glued to.
A first for me in this pub was discovering that the only trap in the gent�s toilet is in fact a disabled toilet with a baby changing facility � nice one!
The large beer garden was pleasant enough and it had some children�s toys, although it is next to a noisy main road.
I wouldn�t go out of my way to drink here again, but I would pop in if passing.
8 Sep 2009 21:57
The Cask and Stillage, Potters Bar
I wasn�t that impressed as I walked in as the first thing that I noticed were the four unused hand pumps alongside Youngs Special that was off. There are no premium lagers, but I did get served a decent pint of Guinness from the friendly barmaid.
There are plasma screens for showing Sky Sports and there is also a dartboard and a pool table that was being used by some of the locals, who seemed friendly enough.
There is a large beer garden out the back which has a climbing frame and swings for the kids.
This place grew on me the longer I stayed and I would go back again if passing.
8 Sep 2009 21:29
This small place has a lounge bar with a TV and a public bar with a plasma screen, pool table and dartboard. There was a football match on in both bars, but I had to leave the lounge bar at half time as for some strange reason Coronation Street was put on. I didn�t feel very comfortable entering the public bar as I felt like I had just walked into a strangers living room and I wasn't invited.
There is a standard draught selection available and although one hand pump is unused there is Courage Best.
I would walk past if in the area again.
8 Sep 2009 21:01
This is a grim pub with knuckle dragging regulars and a tired drab interior.
The barmaid was very friendly and there is a projector screen for showing Sky Sports, but as there was no worthwhile sport being played the screen was off and very loud 90�s music was being boomed around the pub. I did spot a dartboard case on the wall above a piano, but there were many tables on the oche so I doubt that there is an actual board.
There is only an uninspiring selection of standard draught products available and I didn�t feel very welcome so I won�t be returning.
8 Sep 2009 20:41
The Canonbury, Canonbury Place
This is a big bright pub with a large restaurant area at the rear and a range of expensive standard and premium lagers alongside Black Sheep and Timothy Taylors Landlord and Golden Best. There are plasma screens dotted about the pub that were showing a muted black and white film during my visit, which I thought was a bit over the top.
The barman that served me was friendly enough and I didn�t find this place anymore offensive than the many other gastro pubs in London, but I still wouldn�t return.
8 Sep 2009 20:18
The Marquess Tavern, Canonbury
This place is ok, if maybe a little subdued due to the leaning towards food with the restaurant at the rear.
Youngs Ordinary, Special and Kew were available alongside a standard draught selection and, as mentioned, an interesting range of bottled beers. I found the two barmen that served me to be very friendly.
I would pop in here again if I was passing, but I wouldn�t go out of my way.
8 Sep 2009 19:46
This is a local�s boozer with a plasma screen in the front bar and a dartboard in the back. I found the barmaid to be nice enough and there is a standard draught selection alongside Greene King IPA.
It is not the biggest pub and the d�cor is very outdated and my Guinness wasn�t the best so I doubt that I would return.
6 Sep 2009 21:35
This is a pleasant enough place with Adnams, premium lagers and a limited standard draught selection. The barman was friendly enough and it was nice sitting outside have my pint, but this is more a restaurant so I wouldn�t go back here again just for a beer.
6 Sep 2009 21:23
This is a small Spanish place with two bars that are very relaxed, although it has seen better days and the gent�s toilet is an abomination. This all probably adds to the good atmosphere of the bar as the posers and tossers that frequent most pubs in this area wouldn�t be seen dead in here.
As is to be expected there are all kinds of foreign currency stuck to the walls behind the bar and all the staff that I met were Spanish and very friendly with it. The jukebox has many great tunes on it and the other customers seemed to have the same sort of taste in music as myself which was handy.
There is a selection of premium lagers alongside John Smiths, Guinness and Strongbow.
This is a grubby place, but I thought it had a certain charm and would travel to visit again.
6 Sep 2009 21:09
This is a nice looking London Boozer, it�s just a shame the staff that I encountered were rude and had trouble grasping the English language.
I counted six ales alongside a decent selection of standard draught and premium lagers. There is also a plasma screen, but I spotted no advertisements for any sport.
There is a bar and restaurant upstairs which I didn�t visit, maybe I�ll have a look next time I�m passing.
6 Sep 2009 20:42
This place is split into two bars connected by an open arched door with a public bar to the right housing a dartboard, pool table and a plasma screen and the larger bar to the left has a plasma screen above the fireplace, but it has a social club feel.
There were only a few locals in watching the football on the week night that I visited and they seemed ok without being that friendly. I thought that the barman could cheer up a bit and maybe learn how to interact with people without coming across as rude.
There is a standard draught selection alongside Red Stripe and although there is an unused hand pump in each bar there is an option of Pride.
I wouldn�t go out of my way to drink here again.
6 Sep 2009 20:26
The Strafford Arms, Potters Bar
This is a large pub with a good sized concreted area out the back with a smoking shelter and brick barbeque. There are some steps from this area that lead down to a huge tree lined beer garden with plenty of well spaced out picnic tables and there are even some children�s toys at the far end.
There was a football match on Sky Sports which was being shown on the TVs and the projector screen. The pub wasn�t that busy, but everyone in seemed to be a local and I�d imagine that there is an estate nearby. I found the barmaid to be friendly enough and there is a pool table ready for use.
There are five unused hand pumps, but Greene King IPA is available alongside a standard draught selection.
I wouldn�t go out of my way to drink here again, but if I lived locally I would use this pub for watching sports and maybe I would utilise the garden on a nice summer�s day.
5 Sep 2009 16:48
This is a lovely looking large pub that is set back from the road by its car park and some seating by the side of the car park. There is also some more covered outside seating at the side of the pub.
This is a very food orientated pub with the larger room to the left of the bar being used as a restaurant and the other people in the atual bar area during my visit were all eating. It seemed to be popular with all generations of family and I think it is the sort of place you would take granny for a meal on her birthday.
Spitfire, Directors and Ordinary were all available alongside a standard draught selection and Amstel.
The barmaid that served me was very polite, but I don�t think that I would go here again just for a drink.
5 Sep 2009 15:36
Don�t stand more than two feet from the till when you want to be served as the barmaids are on some sort of invisible tether that doesn�t allow them to work the whole bar. I�d also not bother if you are employed as both times I have been here it has been mobbed with students and the work shy.
I�ll not be visiting this Wetherspoons again.
5 Sep 2009 14:45
As has been mentioned, this is a good looking pub with some interesting beers and the full Fullers range. The service that I received was woeful, but that seems to be the norm in these big island bar pubs with �hotel� tagged on the end. It is the first time that I have been into a pub and had an alco pop spilt over me by the pot boy, an apology would have been nice.
I wouldn�t go out of my way to drink here again.
5 Sep 2009 14:33
I spend a lot of time crawling around pubs and I sometimes find that within the sea of dross there are a couple of gems and, as mr.toes.5_ points out, this pub along with its neighbour The Old Ale Emporium are a couple of diamonds.
I think that the best way to sum up this shop conversion is to say that it is a happy place with friendly staff and a good selection of music.
Along with the Directors, Sunchaser and Honey Bee was a standard draught selection and Amstel.
This is a good bar and I would recommend it to others.
5 Sep 2009 01:51
The Old Ale Emporium, Harringay
This is a great pub and I�m disappointed that it is so far away from my local as I would easily be able to relocate my mates into here to become regulars. The reasons for this are the very friendly staff, the plasma screens showing Sky Sports, the decent jukebox which is free on a Friday night and most importantly the well kept dartboard with a competition every Friday night which awards ten pints to the winner and five pints to the runner up. Maybe we�ll get a cab down there next Friday!
I�m not the sort to read a book in pub, but this place has some literature in a bookcase at the back that I�m sure some will appreciate � it�s nice to see a bit of effort from the management to accommodate all, whether it is afternoon or night.
During my visit there was one ale off but Pride, Summer Lightening and Honey Bee were available alongside a standard draught selection and Staropramen with Bulmers being the cider option.
There is some covered seating out the front facing the high street, but I personally preferred it in the pub.
I loved this place and will make a point of visiting again very soon.
5 Sep 2009 01:26
The Magpie and Crown, Brentford
The governor here spends a lot of time caring for the great range of beers that he gets in and he begrudges anyone that stumbles in that is unknowledgeable � which I think is a little unprofessional, but it is his pub and he calls the shots.
Great time if you don't order the Fosters!
5 Sep 2009 00:49
I agree with the previous posts that this is a nice out of the way pub where one can relax over a pint of standard draught or Staropramen. I thought that the Scottish guy behind the jump could brush up on his customer service skills as a hello and thank you goes a long way when a newcomer walks into a pub.
This is a good sized L- shaped pub that has been recently refurbished with a couple of plasma screens and a projector screen and Sky Sports along with a pool table. There is plenty of seating out the front in a decked area and there is also a beer garden out the back that I didn�t get to see, but it looked nice enough in the photo advertisement at the front of the pub.
I don�t think that this is a hidden backstreet gem, but I would make the three minute walk from the high street to drink here again.
5 Sep 2009 00:19
The Old Ivy House, Clerkenwell
I doubled the occupancy when I walked in as the governor and a regular were watching a 2008 Serie A game on a plasma screen with terrible reception. Although clean the interior looked in need of some sympathetic refurbishment, but it was great to spot a dartboard.
The old school governor was a very friendly chap who made me feel very welcome and my pint of Guinness was very well served. Spitfire and Master Brew were also available alongside a standard draught selection.
I think that the gov likes to pour beer, but a little more attention to detail like writing on the A-board outside in legible writing and not playing depressing love songs would put this place on the radar of a few more people.
4 Sep 2009 23:53
Adnams Bitter and Broadside are available in here, but if my Guinness was anything to go by I wouldn�t touch them with a barge pole. It was unfortunate that I stumbled in during a till roll crisis meaning that it took a few minutes to be served and then the Guinness dribbled out of the pump slower than the sweat from a panda�s ball bag. Even though I had paid I would have disappeared into the night, but the barman was very amiable and there were a couple of friendly locals at the bar that engaged me in conversation as I waited for my pint of excrement.
There is a pool table and plasma/projector screens for showing the football and I would imagine it being raucous in here during a big match, but I still cannot see myself returning.
4 Sep 2009 23:22
The Charles Lamb, Angel, Islington
This place was mobbed outside when I visited on an early evening a couple of weeks ago, but it was almost empty in the bar area. There was a small room to the side with some tables that was very busy so maybe this was a dining type area.
Dark Star, Butcombe and another ale called something Hound were available alongside a couple of Meantime beers. The barman seemed a nice enough chap, but I also had to escape to outside with the majority of the patrons to drink my nice pint of Butcombe as the music wasn�t my taste and was a little loud.
I would pop back in here if passing.
4 Sep 2009 21:12
I struggle to give a good review to a pub that has both of its TVs playing quiz shows on Challenge TV at full volume because if I had wanted to watch Catchphrase I would have stayed at home.
The locals sitting at a couple of picnic tables outside were very rowdy and seemed slightly threatening. Thankfully I have learnt that first impressions are often misguided and I ended up talking to one of these �hooligans� and discovered that he was actually a very nice chap.
Adnams and Spitfire were available during my visit along with a standard draught selection and Old Rosie. My Guinness was well served and I found the barman to be friendly enough.
It�s a shame about the choice of TV program and hopefully it was a one off as I liked this pub and I would go back in here again if in the area, but I would turn on my heels at any sign of Roy Walker.
4 Sep 2009 20:33
This isn't the best Spoons due to it's location and whilst I was there a strong smell of Skunk was wafting in from the people standing outside. Maybe not the pubs fault, but I'd rather drink elsewhere.
4 Sep 2009 01:46
As has been mentioned before, this is a good looking pub with woeful staff that don�t seem to know what they are doing. I was asked by the barman what I would like and I asked for a pint of Pride as the Doom Bar and Landlord were off, he then said that he was serving someone else and walked off to serve a girl at the other side of the bar � that was a first for me.
I decided to cut my losses and drink elsewhere.
4 Sep 2009 01:40
I was surprised to read that this place has been recently extended as it is still very small and one of the narrowest places I�ve been to - Hence the name I suppose. There are a couple of small balconies overlooking the canal, but one was out of bounds and the other was rammed so I didn�t get to check out the vista.
Wandle, Pride, Black Sheep and TEA were all available alongside a selection of premium and standard lagers.
There is a plasma screen and Sky is shown, but I thought that there was a leaning towards food so I wouldn�t plan to go here to watch a match.
The barmaid was very friendly and the other patrons seemed decent enough making a nice atmosphere for a pub with a professional crowd.
Based on my early evening visit I would return here again.
4 Sep 2009 01:30
The Duke of Cambridge, Islington
If you close your eyes and try to imagine what a large high ceilinged open plan organic pub in Islington looks like you probably wouldn�t be too far off this place.
On my visit there were four pittfield�s ales and two freedom lagers alongside Luscombe organic cider.
There is no music or TV, but it was very busy as you probably couldn�t have put a pub like this in a better place.
I think that this is a pub run by publicly educated people for publicly educated people.
4 Sep 2009 00:11
My first beef with this place is why do pubs use these stupid metal handles on their pumps that have the name of the drink etched into them so that you can only see what drinks are on offer if you are standing directly in front of the pump. You end up having to ask the barman who resents being asked what drinks are available every time someone who has not been into the pub before walks in. I did manage to find out that one ale was off, but Landlord and Pride were available alongside a selection of standard and premium lagers.
The target market seems to be the young middle class professional who likes playing board games whilst sitting on cheap looking furniture.
There is a lounge and cocktail bar upstairs, but I didn�t investigate as I decided that I had seen enough and moved on.
3 Sep 2009 23:51
I think that everything that can be said about this popular and highly rated pub has been said so there is not much that I can add except that I had a nice pint of Hophead and that I thought the dartboard was in one of the strangest places I have seen.
I will enjoy returning here.
3 Sep 2009 23:26
This pub has two separate bars with a good sized L-shaped main bar and a smaller public bar housing a pool table and a plasma screen which shows Sky. I spotted no real ale, but there is a standard draught selection alongside Amstel and I noticed an advertisement for a four pint tube, but I decided against enquiring further.
I wouldn�t mind if I found myself in here again.
3 Sep 2009 23:10
The Duke of Wellington, Hoxton
There are two hand pumps in this locals boozer, but they were both unused during my visit leaving just a standard draught selection. There is a pool table and a dartboard as well as a plasma screen for showing Sky Sports.
The barman was nice enough, but a woman who seemed to be the landlady was quite miserable and I didn�t feel at all welcome so I won�t be returning.
3 Sep 2009 23:00
In total contrast to the Eagle across the road I found the barmaid and locals in this pub to be very welcoming. The only ale offering was Bombardier and there are no premium lagers, but my Guinness was well served and enjoyable. There is a pool table and a dartboard along with a couple of TV�s and a projector screen for airing the sports on Sky.
There is a function type room to the side of the pub that houses two more dartboards and I�d imagine that this is where the dart league teams play. There is also an enclosed, but well kept pebbled beer garden out the back which is overlooked by a tall tower block.
This is a good pub for playing/watching sports or for chatting on the sofas towards the rear and I would recommend it to others.
2 Sep 2009 13:29
This is a good sized U-shaped pub that I thought would be very pleasant as I approached, but I was wrong. It is dark and badly decorated and the barmaid that served me was nothing less than a rude bastard. There was no escape from the smell of food from the kitchen and only Pride was available out of the four ales shown. My Guinness was not the best and I regretted handing over any money.
I can�t recommend this pub to others.
2 Sep 2009 13:19
The Bavarian Beerhouse, Shoreditch
I don�t really have much to add to the previous reviews except that there is a beer garden advertised and the room after the main bar �beer fest experience� had a projector screen showing live Bundesliga football.
This place is ok for a one off theme night out, but now that I have been I doubt that I�ll return.
2 Sep 2009 13:08
This is a large sports pub with four pool tables, table football, a dartboard and plenty of plasma screens dotted about. During my visit half of the screens were showing Sky Sports News feed as there was no worthwhile sport being shown live and the other half were showing a wildlife program about life on the plains of the Serengeti. Both of these had full sound on which mingled into a mess of white noise which wasn�t very pleasant. The gents toilet is disgraceful and can be smelt 20 feet away when being approached, I daren�t think what the kitchen is like that knocks out the cheap pub grub.
Along with the six or so picnic tables in the front car park there is also a good sized paved and grassed beer garden out the back which needs some care and attention.
The barmaid was friendly enough and although there is only a standard draught selection my Guinness was fine. Unfortunately this is not enough for me to want to return again though.
2 Sep 2009 12:46
It was utterly depressing in here when I visited as there were a couple of old boys sitting at the bar chatting to the barmaid in a silent pub. I would have turned on my heels, but I was greeted with a smile from the landlady and the old boys didn�t stare at me for too long. There was only a very limited drinks selection, but my Guinness was well served and whilst supping I remembered that it was a Monday night and, although there are a couple of plasma screens in here, there was no worthwhile sport being played anywhere so why should this pub be busy.
Before I left a small group of Poles came in to play on the pool table in the small back room and I thought to myself that this pub isn�t that bad and I would return and probably have a good night if out with some mates.
1 Sep 2009 22:41
This place is now called Changa Bar and it is a late night dance venue. I walked past a few Saturdays ago and decided not to bother going in as it looked like people were being charged and I didn�t think that my barrel belly would fit in with the young crowd. I couldn�t help myself a couple of days later though as it was almost empty and I�m very nosey.
It is a large enough place with the vast majority of space being standing/dancing room. There was loud house music thumping out through the speakers and I could fell my hips moving and memories of my youth flashing before my eyes before I felt a twinge and had to sit down for a swig of Guinness, which was well served. There was not much choice of other draught with only Fosters, Stella, Kronenburg, John Smiths and Strongbow being available.
There are a couple of large plasma screens that were showing some random foreign outtake show that one of the staff seemed to be enjoying. There is also a small kitchenette area next to the entrance that housed a couple of deep fat fryers and a dumb waiter.
My disco days have long gone, but I probably would have been found in here every now and again if it was open a few years ago.
1 Sep 2009 22:10
The Great Northern Railway Tavern, Hornsey
This is a good looking pub with the bar area housing a pool table on a raised level and I counted four plasma screens that have the capability of showing Sky Sports. There is a larger room towards the rear of the pub which has a plasma screen on the wall behind a small stage area that I would imagine being used for live music nights. Past this room is a small conservatory that leads to a small sunken garden that is full of creepers and entertains a barbeque. There is also a Thai kitchen attached, but I did not try the food so I cannot comment.
There is no real ale and Staropramen is the only offering other than standard draught products. I thought that the barmaid was a little frosty, but the governor seemed polite enough.
I liked it in here and I would return again if in the area.
1 Sep 2009 21:55
This place is now called Funky Brownz and it is a club that was empty on Monday evening, but still had a bouncer on the door.
One to avoid if your posing and dancing days have passed.
1 Sep 2009 21:40
There was a good crowd in here doing the 8pm Monday night quiz during my visit.
The large front bar had four hand pumps, three of which were dispensing ales that I had never heard of and there was also a standard draught selection alongside Leffe, Staropramen, Hoegarden and Addlestones cider. The even bigger back bar also had Pride, Deuchars and Landlord available. There is also a pool table and a projector screen for the football on Sky. I spotted a sign on the wall advertising a two pint �takeaway hopper� which is always handy to know.
I thought that the staff were friendly enough and I felt that a real effort was being made to make this a great pub � Big thumbs up!
1 Sep 2009 21:29
I�ll echo the sentiments of the comment below about the atmosphere not being great. There is a projector screen in the rear of the pub where all of the locals had congregated and there is also a large plasma screen at the front of the pub for showing the football.
There is a standard draught selection and I spotted three gravity fed barrels at the side of the bar, but the only label on display was for Old Trip.
I thought that the music was a tad loud for a week night when the pub is almost empty, but maybe that�s the way the locals like it.
I wouldn�t go out of my way to drink here again.
1 Sep 2009 21:20
The Devonshire Arms, Piccadilly
I had a suspiciously quickly poured pint of Pride in here which tasted distinctly odd. I challenged the barmaid as to whether she had topped up a pint that was sitting behind the bar and she said that she had before going and topping up the already brimming pint � a bit of a language barrier there. I decided to drink at the side of the bar and noticed another half full pint glass sitting in a drip tray and a couple of empty trays, one of which was Pride. I�m no Poirot, but I saw enough to warrant myself leaving my beer and the pub never to return again.
1 Sep 2009 16:16
This is an average London boozer that was serving up Landlord and Pride during my visit. There was an ale that was off and also an unused hand pump along with a standard draught selection.
The staff were friendly enough and I�d go in again if I happened to find myself standing outside.
1 Sep 2009 16:06
The Glasshouse Stores, Piccadilly Circus
As mentioned previously, this is a Sam Smith�s pub with no OBB on hand pump putting it off the radar for many drinkers.
I�ve been in better SS pubs.
1 Sep 2009 15:59
This is a nice enough gastro pub with friendly staff and it was one of the busier pubs that I went into on a recent crawl of Eastbourne.
Harveys Best and Thwaites Original were both available alongside a mix of standard a premium draught products. There is also a leaning towards cocktails, but that�s not really my cup of tea.
Half of the pub is taken up with dining tables, but the bar area is pleasant and big enough to allow a comfortable beer or two.
This is the sort of place that I�d take the wife to keep her happy, but I don�t think that I�d be mister popular if I dragged the lads down for a session.
1 Sep 2009 15:54
The stairs at the front entrance to this place lead down to a large dimly lit bar with plenty of greenery, as the name would suggest. There is a standard selection of draught alongside Peroni, but unfortunately the Guinness was off, which would have been nice to know before my wife�s pint had been pulled.
There is a courtyard up some steps at the rear of the building, but due to being partially covered it is a no smoking area.
I thought that this bar was a little pretentious and I�m not a fan of relaxing to the hits of Kylie Minogue so I doubt that I�ll return.
1 Sep 2009 15:28
As I approached this place I thought that it was more of a caf� than bar as most of the tables along the glass frontage were being used by people drinking coffee whilst using their laptops. I was grateful to see that there were some draught products, albeit very limited.
There are two floors with an old school staircase at the rear of the building connecting the two. The downstairs bar is nice enough, but it is not the most intimate due to the caf� feel. The upstairs bar wasn�t being used, but the remnants of a raucous night could be spotted. The toilets are also located upstairs with the gents being a bit grim and the wife informed me that the ladies smelt like a farm.
There was a live band setting up as we left and I got the feeling that this place could turn into some sort of cattle market at the weekend, but I could be way off the mark.
I can�t see myself returning here as I do like a traditional pub, but the staff were nice and I couldn�t fault much as they don�t pretend to be anything they are not.
1 Sep 2009 15:01
I�m glad to report that this pub is still standing and the really friendly barmaid is still in situ. The drinks selection is very limited with only one of the three hand pumps being used for Harvey�s Best and the lager is limited with only Kronenburg and Fosters being available. There is also surger Guinness which I had not seen before so I plumped for the Harveys which wasn�t at its greatest. My wife�s Fosters also had a tinge of old which she wasn�t overly impressed with.
It was great to see a pool table and a dartboard in this local�s boozer and I spotted a TV, although no advertisements for any sport.
There are a few picnic tables in the paved beer garden to the side of the pub which is hedged off from the busy road.
It�s a shame about the beer quality as I really liked it in here and wouldn�t have hesitated at an opportunity to return. hopefully I just caught them on an off day.
1 Sep 2009 14:28
This is a neatly laid out gay bar that was playing some decent retro music on my recent visit. There�s not much of a drinks selection with only standard draught and Amstel, but my pint of Guinness was spot on. There is a decked back garden with a very lively pond and a barbeque facility at the rear. I found the barmaid to be a little off, but the barman was friendly enough when I returned my pint glass.
I can�t see myself returning here, but it is a nice enough pub.
1 Sep 2009 14:11
There�s nothing spectacular about this pub and it is a lot quieter than its peers, partly due to it�s location just off the main square and also due to it being very average.
The Spitfire was off, but Pride and Greene King IPA were available alongside Staropramen, Leffe and a standard draught selection. There�s not really much to the pub and although there is a plasma screen there are no sports shown on Sky. Even standing on the pavement outside isn�t the nicest experience due to umpteen black cabs whizzing around the back streets.
I didn�t have any problems with the staff, but I�ll still not bother with this place again.
1 Sep 2009 13:42
This place had Pride, Doom Bar, Greene King IPA and Spitfire alongside a standard draught selection, all of which were overpriced � probably to pay for the steward outside who took it upon himself to order people about that weren�t even drinking in the pub � tit!
I knew that I wasn�t going to like this place when I spotted the tip trays on the bar for the unsuspecting tourists to fork out even more money. There is another bar upstairs which has more seating for people who choose to dine and both bars have a TV which were both off during my visit and I also noticed that the pub does not have Sky Sports.
I wouldn�t drink here again as there are far better pubs in the area.
1 Sep 2009 13:33
The Only Running Footman, Mayfair
This is a small pub that has been ruined by reserving the larger rear area of the pub for dining. The Old Speckled Hen, Bombardier and Ordinary are tucked away behind the entrance door that had people standing in it waiting to get to the badly placed bar.
I didn�t find the staff to be that welcoming and I wouldn�t bother returning if I was to walk past.
1 Sep 2009 13:23
I will go along with the view that this is a good pub for a couple of beers when the sun is shining and one can stand out in the quiet back street, but probably one to avoid if it is gloomy as it is not the biggest pub. It seems to have been split to accommodate the grill upstairs, which had it�s own doorman in fancy garb.
I�m not a massive fan of Young�s beers, but I enjoyed the Kew Gold very much.
I found the staff to be very friendly and I will return when next in the area.
1 Sep 2009 13:11
This is a soulless pub with the atmosphere of a hotel bar, which it really is. The staff were pleasant, but in a professional business like way rather than a relaxing pub manner.
There is a quiet lounge bar at the rear that had Landlord on three pumps and some jazz type music played at a very low level.
The front bar has a single Landlord pump and a selection of standard draught. There are also a couple plasma screens that I would imagine showing rolling news rather than any sport.
I won�t be returning to this pub.
1 Sep 2009 13:03
The Beaten Docket, Cricklewood
This is a large Spoons with some cordoned off seating available on Cricklewood Broadway, which isn�t the most tranquil place. Unsurprisingly it is a large pub, but I thought that it was a lot darker and depressing than most and there was a bit of an unpleasant whiff. There were six ales available alongside Hoegarden and a standard draught selection.
The barmaid was friendly, but that isn�t enough for me to return here again.
1 Sep 2009 12:54
Now called McGowan�s
This pub is another addition to the McGowan�s portfolio adding to the one around the corner on Cricklewood Lane. I found the barman to be exceptionally friendly, it�s just a shame that my pint of Guinness was undrinkable � especially for a supposed Irish pub.
There are some plasma screens and a projector screen for Sky Sports events and there is also a dartboard and a pool table. There is some balcony seating around the front edge of the bar area and there is also a stud walled function type room strangely located next to the bar.
I�d imagine this place being popular when there is a football match on, but I wouldn�t return to a pub that can screw up a Guinness.
1 Sep 2009 12:45
This is a small pub that was serving five ales plus Stella, Fosters, Kronenburg, Strongbow and Guinness during my visit. I found the staff to be friendly, but they weren�t the quickest.
There is a plasma screen, but this was off on my visit and there is no Sky. There is a restaurant upstairs and the smell of food was wafting down throughout the whole pub.
This place is OK, but I thought that there were better pubs in the area.
31 Aug 2009 22:36
This is a small trendy wine bar with only Staropramen on tap, not that the clientele could care less as they were all drinking white wine.
This is one to avoid if you have a personality or enjoy pubs.
31 Aug 2009 22:24
Unlike the great array of ales that the Kings Head had across the road the only ales available were Pride and Greene King IPA which would explain why there were half as many people using this pub. Another ale was off and there was an unused pump, but there were no premium lagers.
The pub is very small, but there is a dining room and bar upstairs which I�m afraid that I did not see. There is a plasma screen which was showing Sky Sports News, but the pub does not have Sky Sports for the football.
I found the staff to be very friendly and I would return as I thought the Pride was very nice.
31 Aug 2009 22:10
This isn�t the biggest pub, but there are two separate bar areas. The bars themselves are not very big so on a nice sunny evening it can be a bit tricky getting served as the path outside is lined with twice as many people drinking than could ever fit into the pub.
I found the staff to be nice enough and alongside the standard/premium lager selection Pride, Landlord, Golden Best, Ryedale Best and Whitstable Bay were all available.
The background music was quite low and there are a couple of screens, but I saw no sport advertised.
I�d pop back in here for a pint again if passing.
31 Aug 2009 22:01
This is a fairly unremarkable London pub with the expected restaurant upstairs. I found the staff to be nice enough, but the conversation from the hoards of office workers depressing.
Landlord, Pride, Deuchars, Broadside and Wainwright were all available during my visit alongside a selection of standard and premium lagers.
Like all of the other patrons I would probably drink in here sometimes if I worked in the area, but I certainly wouldn�t go out of my way.
31 Aug 2009 21:29
This is a family orientated gastro pub with very friendly staff and a nice beer garden.
Pride, Summer Lightening and Adnams were all available alongside standard and premium lagers. Unfortunately my Pride was on the turn, but the Adnams was very nice.
I wouldn�t return here just for a beer, but I�m sure that I�ll take the family up for a meal at some point in the future.
29 Aug 2009 01:02
The Bricklayers Arms, Shoreditch
I popped in here early on a recent Friday afternoon and found the barmaid to be friendly enough and, although it wasn�t that busy, the crowd was decent. Unfortunately when I returned a few hours later the crowd had completely changed into the sort of Hoxton types that I have only read about � truly up their own.
The Deuchars was good and Pride and Theakston Best were also available alongside a selection of standard and premium lagers.
The advertised patio area out the back is actually a small beer yard with old barrels with cushions attached for seats, perfect for having a cigarette, but not a lot else.
I�d probably walk past if in the area again.
29 Aug 2009 00:52
This was my first time in this pub, but I have been trashed a couple of times in the club � albeit many years ago.
I found the barmaids to be nice enough and although I didn�t like the look of the Greene King IPA that the bloke in front of me ordered my Guinness was fine. There are a couple of floors to the pub and, as mentioned, the roof garden is a nice touch.
Although I wouldn�t drink here again, I think that the current rating is a little harsh, but my visit was on a Thursday so I didn�t get the full impact of the clubbing crowd packing out the pub.
29 Aug 2009 00:29
This is a pub full of bicycle courier riders and students who will become bicycle courier riders. There is a standard draught selection and my Guinness was rank, but the guy who served me was nice enough.
I won�t be returning and I have never come across Molton Brown handwash!
29 Aug 2009 00:04
I�m a big fan of dank old boozers that have seen better days, but I don�t appreciate spending over the odds for a past-its- best pint of Pride whilst having to endure an episode of Family Guy being aired with full sound on an old TV.
There was a selection of standard and premium lagers, but the Old Speckled Hen and Landlord were both off. I found the staff to be indifferent and the pub to be quite depressing.
There is a small pool table and a dartboard, but I will not be returning to utilize them.
28 Aug 2009 23:50
This is a large Spoons pub with the usual array of ales and standard draught products. During my short stay there was a mixture of office workers tucking into the cheap food and professional drinkers propping up the bar.
I wouldn�t go in here again as there are far better pubs in the area.
28 Aug 2009 23:34
The Artillery Arms, Old Street
This is a pub for fuller�s ale fans as almost their full range was available during my visit. I wouldn�t bother if ale isn�t your cup of tea as the only other draught available was Guinness and Grolsch.
It is a very small and popular pub making it difficult to get to the bar, but thankfully the staff seemed to be on the ball with spotting people who are waiting, even if they are stuck behind a fat bearded man wearing sandals.
I liked it here and would return again.
28 Aug 2009 21:08
On my recent week night visit here I enjoyed a decent pint of Pride with a few friendly locals and hospitable staff. Greene king IPA and Bombardier were also available alongside a standard draught selection. There is a small servery at the end of the bar that serves up basic pub grub for the peckish.
Sky sports was being shown on all three plasma screens and from the advertisements in the bar I gleaned that another two screens are located in the upstairs bar that doubles up as a function room.
I liked it in here and would certainly recommend it to others.
28 Aug 2009 20:55
The Hen and Chickens, Islington
The theatre upstairs had just kicked out before my visit so it was very busy with a good atmosphere. I found the staff to be very friendly even though they all looked like they had been busy all day. It�s not a very big pub, but it was a nice evening so there were a lot of people drinking outside in the street, which was good as it would have been rather uncomfortable inside if everyone was crammed in.
One ale was off, but Pride and Bombardier were available alongside a selection of standard and premium lagers.
I wouldn�t grumble if I found myself in here again.
24 Aug 2009 01:33
The Duchess of Kent, Barnsbury
This place has the makings of a great boozer, it�s just a shame that it feels more like a restaurant with the bar area being much smaller than the dining section. The barmen were extremely friendly and GHA Pale, Cornish Coaster and Broadside were available alongside Old Rosie, a selection of premium lagers and Carlsberg.
There is a TV and I spotted a sign outside advertising the Ashes, so they must have Sky Sports.
I�m not one to eat in pubs very often, but it did smell good and I did like the pub so I may return with the wife.
24 Aug 2009 01:15
I had to wait at the bar for the barman to finish discussing the rota with a couple of off duty staff which is unacceptable. It�s this sort of attitude that made this place empty when the Hen and Chickens across the road was heaving � sort it out!
The drinks selection of standard draught and Amstel is what you would expect from a place that only exists for the drunken hoards on a Friday and Saturday night.
There are plenty of plasma screens dotted about and whilst I was there loud mass produced dance music was blaring out of the speakers, even though the pub was empty.
I finished my pint in the paved beer garden out the front whilst I looked over the road and wished I had stayed there.
24 Aug 2009 01:05
The Famous Cock Tavern, Islington
This is a rather bland pub, but I have been in far worse pubs this close to a tube station. I found the barman to be friendly and Youngs Ordinary, Greene King IPA and Pride were all available alongside a selection of premium and standard lagers. Food is served, but I would want a very nice meal for the prices asked.
The background music was at a good level and I spotted three plasma screens used for showing Sky Sports. There is a beer yard out the back, but the extractor fans for the pub create a terrible din.
I would pop in here again if I fancied a quick pint before embarking on a fun packed London Transport journey.
24 Aug 2009 00:46
This place is the usual cavernous Spoons with plenty of ale and a standard draught selection. There is a separate family area on the first floor which was closed off during my visit. There was an array of clientele ranging from the suit grabbing a last pint before making his way home to the old Irish soaks who had been in since opening time.
I have been in better Spoons pubs and I doubt that I will return to this one.
24 Aug 2009 00:36
This place is now called the Library and during my week night visit I felt like I had actually walked into one. This is a place for people who don�t do pubs. My change was returned on a tray and it was dark and depressing.
I left whilst I still had some energy left, never to return.
24 Aug 2009 00:16
The only other clientele on my recent week night visit were a couple of groups of students. The barmaid was friendly enough and they had Pride and Greene King IPA alongside some standard draught products, although my Pride wasn�t the best.
There were a few small plasma screens dotted about and there was a table football located in the sparsely decorated rear of the pub. I got the feeling by the lack of much seating that they are mainly interested in taking the money of football fans passing through to the Emirates.
I wasn�t that impressed and I doubt that I�ll return.
23 Aug 2009 21:51
There is only a standard draught selection in this small pub/bar, like most places in the local area. There is a pool table at the front and a dartboard at the back. There are also a few plasma screens for showing the football on Sky and there was some R and B droning from the speakers.
I found the barmaid to be friendly, but I cannot imagine drinking here again.
23 Aug 2009 21:29
I�m going to agree with the previous comment that this place isn�t up to much. I had to wait for an age at the bar as the bloke standing behind it eating a bag of crisps wouldn�t serve me as he was not working. There is only a basic selection of draught and the decor makes this place look more like a bistro.
I will say that the governor seemed a very nice chap, but I don�t think that I�ll be drinking here again.
23 Aug 2009 20:44
The Lord Nelson, Holloway Road
I visited this pub about a month ago so I am going to take it for granted that only the name has changed since then and the newly refurbished pub that I discovered hasn�t been done up again.
There was only a standard selection of draught available on my visit, but taking into account that there are two pool tables and a nine ball pool table I don�t think that the management is aiming at a real ale crowd. I was pleased to see a very nice dartboard set up towards the rear of the pub and the jukebox level wasn�t too imposing. I also thought that the barmaid was very friendly and it looks like an effort has been made to make this a decent pub.
My visit was on a weekday night so it wasn�t very busy, but I liked it and would go again if in the area.
23 Aug 2009 20:15
This is a decent Fullers pub that was serving up Pride, Chiswick, Discovery, ESB, Pipers Gold and Seafarers along with a limited standard selection of lager on my recent visit.
The pub is a reasonable size, but the back seemed to be set up for the next rugby game on Sky so the many people enjoying a nice few pints of ale were somewhat crammed into the front section of the pub.
If you�re a fan of Fullers ales or you play rugby and enjoy rowing down the Thames at some speed this is a must visit pub.
23 Aug 2009 19:57
The Old Fire Station, Brentford
I was able to gain access to this late bar/restaurant early on a Thursday evening and I doubled the occupancy, but I was greeted by a very friendly manager.
The only draught available from the �drinks mixology� (their words not mine) was Kirin Ichiban, but there was an extensive selection of spirits.
There is a large fish tank and a plasma screen in the bar downstairs. There is also a restaurant area upstairs and some outside seating to the side of the building.
This place is more Central London than Brentford, but good luck to them anyway.
23 Aug 2009 19:44
I liked it in here as there was a good vibe from the other punters and I found the barman to be very friendly. There is no real ale, but I wouldn�t expect any in an Irish theme pub.
Like others have said, this is a surprisingly big three floored pub with a faux rustic feel at the front that seems to tail off as you round the bend to the large open area housing a pool table at the rear. There are plenty of plasma screens dotted about for the showing of Sky Sports and there is also a dartboard by the entrance at the front of the pub.
I would go back here if in the area again.
23 Aug 2009 09:53
I think that I have missed the attraction of this place as I found it to be dark and dingy and my pint of Guinness, which was served in a chipped glass, was far from its best.
There is plenty to do in here as there is a pinball machine and two table football tables along with four pool tables at the back of the pub. I also spotted a plasma screen and a rolled up projector screen so I�d imagine that Sky Sports is shown.
The barmaids were very friendly, but the attraction of sitting in the dark and joining the locals in a Jack Daniels session isn�t really my cup of tea.
I think that in future I�ll leave this place to the under 25�s and the ageing rockers.
19 Aug 2009 10:22
I�m not sure what to say about this pub; maybe I should start with the nutter who walked out and then tried to talk to me in jabbing motions through the open window whilst singing in Gaelic. Or maybe I should start with the barmaid who took ten minutes to pour half a Guinness because �I�ve not served any for a while�. Yes the hardy Guinness was rank and yes I was glad to escape.
The Sky and the pool table are the only things going for this place and I personally would save this place for match days when you just want a pint from anywhere.
16 Jul 2009 15:35
This is a very quiet backstreet boozer that was serving up Pride and a standard draught selection. There was another pump with a Bombardier clip attached, but this was off during my visit.
I spotted three plasma screens for the showing of Sky Sports and the is a pool table around the side of the bar by the exit to the tiny beer yard with some covered standing space and a heater for those chilly nights.
As has been mentioned before, this place is ok due to its peers lacking in many respects, but I wouldn�t go out of my way to drink here again.
16 Jul 2009 11:07
I found the staff in here to be very friendly and the other punters seemed harmless enough; I just thought that the d�cor was a little too clinical and with the woman walking around serving the Thai food the pub ambience that we all love was lost a little.
The pub has Sky Sports and there are four plasma screens dotted about so that you can see one from every part of the pub. There is a lot of seating around the outsides of the pub, but the main road running past is very busy and loud.
Greene King IPA and Abbot were available during my visit alongside standard and premium draught products. I had a very nice pint of Guinness whilst I looked through the Thai menu which I thought was a tad expensive, although I've not eaten Thai in a pub for about three years so I could be out of touch with modern pricing.
Even taking into account the nature of this pub I still liked it and would go back again.
16 Jul 2009 10:36
This is a local�s pub serving up standard draught products to a mostly aged Irish clientele. In the bar area at the front there is a projector screen up on the wall which was showing the stereotypical horse racing on Sky. I did notice the bar area at the very front of the pub was section off from the main bar by a couple of original screens that must date back a while. There is also a large sparsely decorated extension at the back of the pub which houses a TV, pool table and a pinball machine.
My pint of Guinness was on good form and the barmen were polite enough, but I couldn�t really get settled in here and I don�t plan on returning.
16 Jul 2009 10:23
Metro Bar and Canteen, Holloway
Being across the road from the London Metropolitan University this place is a student bar complete with a small room at the back for little discos and a pizza and snack making facility. As would be expected, there are specials nights and more often than not there is a theme night.
San Miguel and Aspall�s cider are available alongside some standard lagers.
This is a great bar if you�re a student and if you are not you�d probably prefer a pub.
16 Jul 2009 09:53
This place has gone for the Cuban look with Che Guevara posters everywhere and upbeat Latino music playing through the speakers. With the staff all speaking Spanish it felt fairly authentic, it�s just a shame that the small group of art students playing pool brought home the reality that I was in fact still in Holloway.
Fosters, San Miguel, Strongbow and Guinness were available on draught alongside various bottled lagers falling into the South American theme.
The bar area is small, but there are two little old TVs and also a projector screen which was rolled up. There were no signs for any sport, but then there were no signs for the toilets or the fact that there is a reasonably sized beer garden out the back with some extra seating. Also not in evidence is any indication that this pub is called the Lord Palmerston. The pub sign is the picture of Che Guevara that you see plastered on lots of T-shirts if you wander through Camden at the weekend.
This place is ok if you like your bars friendly, basic and with a hint of half-arsedness. Me, I think that I�ll leave this place to the students.
16 Jul 2009 09:41
The Swimmer at The Grafton Arms, Holloway
I enjoyed a nice pint of Fullers Summer Ale sitting on one of the picnic benches out the front which are railed off from the path. Although one hand pump was unused Pride and Butcombe Bitter were also available alongside a selection of premium lagers.
The pub is long and thin with an open kitchen at one end and a TV at the other. I saw no sport advertised, but the locals that I overheard talking about the worlds ills didn�t seem the type to even know what Sky TV is, not that this is a bad thing.
I felt sorry for the stuffed otter up on the wall, not because he was stuffed and on a wall, but because he is hung next to some rancid smelling toilets that need condemning. I would never eat in a pub that couldn�t grasp the basic premise of using some detergent and a scrubbing brush.
This pub is ok, but it�s not really my sort of place.
15 Jul 2009 15:31
Granted this place wasn�t very busy when I visited so I didn�t get to see any of the supposed scum that drink in here, but I didn�t think that it was that bad. The barman/governor seemed ok, although he didn�t look like the sort of bloke you'd ask to top up your pint. Not unsurprisingly for an Irish pub there is only a selection of standard draught available, but my Guinness was good.
Horse racing was on one plasma in the bar area and an interesting programme about beavers was on the other. I also spotted a rolled up plasma screen, dartboard and a pool table in the dingy area at the rear of the pub.
I wouldn�t ever go to this pub again, but I didn�t think it was as bad as the reviews on here suggest. Maybe my standards have dropped since witnessing the horror that is The Holloway down the road.
15 Jul 2009 14:58
This place is the usual Spoons affair with standard draught and a good selection of ales. Surprisingly the staff seem to know what they are doing, although the bar area wasn't very busy.
Unsurprisingly the building is so big that there is no atmosphere, but it is worth walking up to the back of the pub, where the rear exit is opened up for the smokers, to get the full scale of this old cinema.
Now that I have seen it I see no need to return.
15 Jul 2009 14:16
This pub has Sky Sports and plasma screens dotted about and there is a pool table at the back past the long bar serving up standard draught.
I popped into here late on Monday afternoon to discover a band playing the sort of songs you would expect at a wedding disco. I wondered why on earth a band would be playing at this time and then it dawned upon me, all of the locals must pick up there dole money on a Monday. This place is a cesspit of feckless wasters that thieve and cheat their way through life leaving nothing but misery and more feckless wasters behind them.
Whilst I was making my escape I was approached by an old crone making her way to the bar. She obviously lost her teeth many years ago, but she still managed to tell me how great the band were whilst tacking a swig of her Smirnoff Ice and lighting her cigarette at the same time. I quickened my pace and made the exit and when I glanced back to make sure I hadn�t been followed I spotted the burnt out remains of an old Litten Tree sign up above the door and then all became clear.
If I ever happen to have my brain removed and I survive I will be a regular customer in this septic pit.
15 Jul 2009 13:56
There were two staff behind the bar when I walked in and being the only person standing there I assumed that I would be served pretty quickly, I was wrong. The barman, who I feel was blinded by the love of himself, disappeared to get some ice and the barmaid was pouring some Fosters for a couple of blokes at a table behind me. I had to wait a couple of minutes for the barman to return before getting served and even then he was laboured. Even including the upstairs dining room which had its own maid this is not a big pub, yet there were dirty glasses and plates on nearly all of the tables. What a joke.
There is a large selection of ale which was Greene King IPA, Old Speckled Hen, Bombardier, Youngs Special, 6X and pride, although three of these were off during my visit.
The toilet is tiny and was a mess, but at least it was usable unlike many pubs in the area.
I�ll not be returning here again until a little care is put in as we are paying customers and deserve better than this crap.
15 Jul 2009 10:02
I didn�t like this pub as I found the barman to be curt and all four of the ales were off. My pint of Guinness wasn�t the best and it was served with over an inch of head, which is disgraceful.
The toilets were a mess with water all over the floor and the tiny cubicle had crap all over the seat and there was no loo paper. This is all on a Sunday whilst hardly anyone was in the pub and the barman spent most of his time scratching his balls.
I�ll not be returning.
15 Jul 2009 09:48
This isn�t the worst spoons that I have been into even if it has less than no atmosphere due to the transient crowd from the station. I thought that the staff were above average and there were a number of guest ales available alongside the usual Pedigree, Abbot and Marstons. I had a nice pint of Twickenham ale whilst I thumbed through my newspaper.
I wouldn�t go back as I find Spoons depressing, but there�s not much wrong with having a quick pint in here.
15 Jul 2009 09:38
This place is a pretty run of the mill London boozer that was serving up Pride, Bombardier and Ordinary alongside a standard draught selection. There was another ale which was off, but I couldn�t see what the clip said.
I found the two barmen to be friendly making the atmosphere very relaxed. There is no TV, but the background music was at a good level playing some old 70s songs.
There is a basement bar that offers more seating and can be hired out for functions, but this was closed during my visit.
I would have no problem in returning here again, although I wouldn�t want to stay all night.
15 Jul 2009 09:17
This is one of the less structurally remarkable Sam Smiths pubs that I have been into, but the barmaid that served me was friendly enough and they still retain OBB on hand pump.
There is a dartboard at the front of the pub and the rear has a dining area feel as it is overlooked by a big food bar.
Worth a look if in the area.
15 Jul 2009 09:06
This place is open from 10am until 12am everyday and serves food from 10am until 10pm, not that you would catch me eating in here. I arrived early Sunday evening and I had to wait a while at the bar even though there was no queue, but I was served a decent pint of Guinness. Also available were Pride and Ordinary alongside a selection of standard and premium lagers.
There is a plasma screen, but no sport is advertised, and the music was very loud which I couldn�t understand until I saw the state of the toilets and realised that it must be to drown out the screams of unsuspecting tourists who think that they have just booked a holiday in the shithole of Europe.
If this pub was located anywhere else it would have closed down years ago like many other inferior pubs have done.
This is not the worst pub I have been in, but I do find it embarrassing that tourists think that we find establishments like this acceptable, even though they are the ones keeping it open.
I will not be returning.
15 Jul 2009 08:56
The Three Colts, Buckhurst Hill
This is a good pub with decent staff and lively yet polite regulars. It has an over 23�s policy, unless with a parent, and no children are allowed in the actual bar area.
The drinks selection is not the most imaginative with Bombardier and Greene King IPA being the ales of choice alongside a standard draught selection. That said, my pint of Bombardier was very nice and I was served promptly even though the pub was busy with the Lions match which was being shown on Sky on the three screens in the pub.
The front of the pub is quite cramped as the bar protrudes quite close to the front wall, but a short shimmy to the left will afford more drinking space. There is a sunken games room at the rear that has a pool table and a dart board which are overlooked by a big projector screen. There is also a beer garden out the back which was hosting a BBQ whilst I was there.
I really liked this pub and I would have no hesitation in returning.
14 Jul 2009 13:30
This is a McMullen pub so they were serving up AK and Country Bitter which were both on good form. I didn�t spot any premium lagers, but there is a decent enough selection of standard draught available.
I thought that the staff were friendly enough and there was a good crowd in split between watching Sky Sports on the many plasma screens and eating the pub food. There is also a nice big paved beer garden out the back which was busy due to the lovely afternoon sun.
I would go back here for a drink again.
14 Jul 2009 11:18
I found the governor in here to be a friendly chap and there were five ales available alongside a standard draught range that were all available at reasonable prices.
There are a couple of plasma screens that were showing a muted Sky Sports feed, not that anyone was watching it.
If you�re a fan of Wetherspoons you�ll like this place.
14 Jul 2009 10:57
I love these old country pubs and apparently this one dates back to the 17th century. I only stayed in the bar area at the front whilst I watched Sky Sports on the plasma screen, but I was under the impression that the other side of the pub was more of a restaurant. I did spot a small paved beer garden out the back which is probably nice when the sun comes out to play.
Greene King IPA, Bombardier and Ordinary were all available during my visit alongside a standard draught selection and San Miguel. I had a pint of Bombardier which was well served and went down a treat.
My only gripe with this place is that I had to stand at the bar for a brief moment whilst the two young barmaids finished their gossiping. This is a minor point as once I was graced with the barmaids attention she was nice enough and I even got a goodbye when I left.
Based on my Saturday lunchtime visit I would go back to this pub again.
14 Jul 2009 10:45
This pub is set back from the road by a large car park and plenty of outside seating. It is a lovely looking pub, but unfortunately it seemed very food orientated and the vast majority of customers were families that had brought down three or four generations. This would have been perfect if I had come down with my folks in tow, but I hadn�t on this occasion.
I entered the pub via the left hand door and ordered a nice pint of AK before exiting out of the right hand door. I found the ceiling getting lower after every step and I thought that I was going to have to crawl out of the pub, which is a regular occurrence. Thankfully I made it back outside and found a nice spot on the gravel in the front garden.
If I lived locally this would never become my regular drinking spot, but it is a nice enough pub that is deservedly very popular.
13 Jul 2009 15:54
The Railway Tavern, Woodford Green
I found the staff in this good sized pub to be friendly enough and my Guinness was fine, although I didn�t spot any real ale on.
There are plasma TVs and portable sets dotted around the pub which seems popular for locals to go and watch sports on Sky. There is also a pool table and a dartboard for those that are feeling more athletic!
I would use this pub if I lived locally.
13 Jul 2009 15:36
The Railway Bell, South Woodford
This is a decent enough place for a station pub and the Guinness I had was well served.
There are two hand pumps, one of which was serving up Pride and the other was unused during my visit. There is a pool table and a dartboard along with some plasma screens and Sky Sports. There is also a paved beer garden out the back with some covered seating.
I wouldn�t make an effort to return here, but it would relieve some of the anger if the tube was screwed and I had to wait around for a while.
13 Jul 2009 15:28
This is a decent enough pub with two separate bars which both have screens for different sports which can show different things at the same time. Whilst I was there the tennis was being watched by a few people that were playing pool in the public bar and there was some Irish sport being shown in the front of the main bar and a rugby game was on at the rear. There is also a small room at the back of the pub that seemed to be a quiet haven from the TVs.
There is a small beer garden out the back that is split into two sections, one of which was holding a BBQ that didn�t smell too great. There is also a large outhouse that had lots of pushchairs and walkers in it; I�m not sure what that is all about.
I would use this pub if I lived locally, but I wouldn�t travel out of my way again.
13 Jul 2009 13:48
This place was dead when I visited on a hot Saturday afternoon a couple of weeks ago. The other two customers seemed to be enjoying the Magners and my Guinness was ok, but there is no real ale.
There is a dartboard, pool table and table football along with 3 large plasma screens for sports on Sky and GAA. The pub is a little sparse and I would imagine that most of its revenue is brought in during the live music nights which are advertised in a shabby fashion on the windows outside the pub.
I don�t think that I�ll be going in here again, unless I�m in the area and need to pop in to check the distance from Leytonstone to Donegal from one of their handy mileage signs.
13 Jul 2009 13:27
This is a typical Spoons with six ales on and a standard selection of draught. Even though the staff looked like they were longing to be somewhere else they were nice enough, which cannot be said about the other customers.
The tennis on BBC was being shown on the two small plasmas, but there was no satellite TV sport being advertised, which is no surprise.
I wouldn�t go back here again.
13 Jul 2009 13:14
It was a little intimidating being sized up by the large group of lads outside that were fading there England tattoos in the midday sun, but once past the picket fence and into the pub I found the crowd to be much friendlier. The barman was polite and it was interesting to see a parrot pruning itself sitting beside its large cage � a first for me in a pub. There are a couple of pool tables, a dartboard and some plasma screens for the football on Sky Sports.
Both of the hand pumps were unused on this visit leaving only a selection of standard draught, but the Guinness was good.
I liked it in here and would go back again if in the area.
9 Jul 2009 10:43
Before popping in here on Saturday afternoon I spotted a sign outside saying that it had reopened the day before. I�m glad that it had as although it is not a pub that is going to win any awards I found it to be relaxing and the governor to be a friendly enough chap.
As I had been on Guinness for most of the day I decided to sample a pint of theirs and it was very nice. Greene King IPA and Old Speckled Hen were also available alongside San Miguel, Staropramen, Gaymer�s pear and apple ciders and a selection of standard lager.
There is no Sky Sports and the only TV was a small portable on the bar that was showing the woman�s tennis final at Wimbledon. There is a piano that had some books piled on top of it that were available to borrow for a small donation, I�m not sure how much small is or where this money goes. There is also a pool table in a room to the side the leads to a partially covered and decked area outside that houses a small BBQ. There is a very big garden/field out the back that has a few picnic tables by the other rear exit, but this needs some work doing to it to be considered a beer garden.
I wouldn�t go out of my way to drink here again, but I would use it if I lived locally.
9 Jul 2009 09:50
This place seems to be a sports pub by day and a trendy bar by night. There is a multitude of plasma screens that were showing the videos that accompany the loud music that was playing during my visit, but there are ads up for football on Sky Sports. There is a dance area that is easily accommodated by this large pub and the lights had been dimmed in the usual club fashion.
I didn�t spot any real ale, which is not really surprising, but there is a standard draught selection alongside Peroni and my Guinness was nice enough. The barman was a little full of himself in an uneducated kind of way, but this is no more than I would expect in a place like this.
If I lived locally I would use this pub to watch the football and I would utilise the three pool tables in the back room, but I would leave the weekend nights to the younger crowd.
9 Jul 2009 09:29
I agree with the positive comments on this pub as I found the locals to be very friendly and the barmaid that served me was hospitable, if maybe a little crazy.
Ruddles, Greene King IPA and Old Speckled Hen were all available alongside a standard selection of lager and the Guinness which was well served.
The d�cor is a little quirky and I�m not so sure about the red light district illuminations. The background music comprised a good selection of old songs, although they could hardly be heard over the chatter of the masses � some would say that this is a good thing.
There is a decked area out the back with a barn that houses a table tennis table to keep the kids amused, which was a first for me.
I would go back to this pub and I would rate it up there with the best in Camden.
8 Jul 2009 14:16
I walked into here and was greeted by the very friendly landlady just as one of the locals selected Mull of Kintyre on the jukebox. I thought that I had stepped back in time, especially after spotting the old �Open all Hours� type tills behind the bar. There is a pool table and a dartboard in this long thin bar, not that anyone was playing. The toilets could do with a bit of a scrub as I was very glad to exit them after having a very quick leak.
There are four old hand pumps in this pub, one of which was displaying a clip for Toby cask, but alas they do not sell any real ale. I�m not sure what the clip is there for, but there is a standard draught selection and my pint of Guinness was spot on.
This is a decent enough pub if you like your old Irish boozers, which I do so I would go back again if passing.
8 Jul 2009 11:38
This is certainly not an area that I would want to find myself wandering around in after dark, but I thought that this was a decent pub. Granted, it wasn�t that busy and I�m not sure that I would want to spend a Friday/Saturday night in here on my own.
There is no real ale, but the Guinness was very good and the governor seemed friendly enough. There is a pool table and a plasma screen along with a smaller TV.
If this pub was in another location I would probably use it, but I think that I�ll leave it to the estate crowd.
8 Jul 2009 11:13
The name and the baseball cap wearing blokes sitting at the tables behind the railings at the front would put a lot of people off, but this place is a harmless enough shop conversion pub. There is no real ale and the generic draught selection would suggest that it has not differed since the good old days of Father Ted�s.
Apart from a few locals dotted about and a group of lads on the pool table it was pretty quiet, but I decided to have a half of Guinness as there was a sickly sweet smell wafting through the pub and Knuckles the Hampstead Heath night rambler was sitting at the bar.
This place isn�t that bad, but there are better pubs nearby so I doubt that I�ll ever return.
8 Jul 2009 10:46
I remember using this place in my clubbing days and it was ok, but nothing to write home about. Now it is more of a dark music venue with strange opening times and odd ball clientele.
Not my cup of tea, but each to their own.
8 Jul 2009 10:28
I�ll go along with the general sentiment that this pub is far better inside than the exterior would suggest. I found the barmaid to be friendly enough and one of the locals allowed me to buy my pint of Guinness before them as they were getting a large round in, now you won�t see that in any well heeled area.
There are plasma screens everywhere for watching the football, including the enormous four screener mentioned in a previous post. I�m pretty sure that there was a pool table and a dartboard, but my memory isn�t the best after the skin full I had imbibed.
There is a paved beer garden out the back which is enclosed by some wooden fencing and is overlooked by some exceptionally shabby looking flats.
I have been to far worse pubs than this one and I would pop back in if there was a game on and I was in the local area.
8 Jul 2009 10:23
The Crown and Anchor, Edmonton
Apart from the limited draught selection and lack of real ale this place has everything you need from a pub with its pool table, dart board, plasma screen showing Sky Sports and friendly efficient governor. Outside the back door there is a covered decked area that leads to a small car park that has had some more tables put into it.
This place was a godsend as I visited on a very hot and humid afternoon and all the doors were open allowing a lovely warm breeze to blow through.
This is a good pub with a relaxed atmosphere and I would go back if in the area again.
8 Jul 2009 09:40
The staff in here seemed nice enough, but the other clientele left a lot to be desired. There is a projector screen around the side of the bar and also a couple of plasma screens precariously hanging above the barmaids heads behind the bar and these were both showing Sky News with the sound on which I find extremely repetitive and distracting. There are a couple of pool tables in a room at the back of the pub and there is a gated off alley to the side with a few tables for al fresco drinking. I visited on a nice sunny afternoon whilst the madness of the market outside ensued, but all of the slated blinds were closed making the pub quite dark and depressing.
There is a standard selection of draught available and I also spotted some food menus dotted around for some reasonably priced grub, although I did not try any or see anyone else eating.
This pub is very disjointed and I wouldn�t go out of my way to drink here again.
8 Jul 2009 09:18
I was initially very surprised with this place as I have also been to the Goose in Wood Green so I wasn�t really expecting much. I thought that the pub was clean and the barmaid that served me was efficient, if maybe a little cocky. There are a couple of plasma screens at either side of the pub and these were both showing a muted Sky News feed.
There is a standard lager selection alongside Pedigree and Pride, although there are another four unused hand pumps that could be utilised. After my previous experiences I decided to have a Coke as I didn�t want to be sitting on the bog all afternoon, but the syrup mix had run out so I was served a glass of brown water. Yes, they screwed up a half of Coke and when I went to change it no staff could be found.
This was more what I was expecting and I was glad that I had visited early afternoon before the locals had got out of bed. I won�t be going back here again.
7 Jul 2009 16:07
This place is pretty much what I would expect from a small east end boozer with its vocal crowd and nice yet authoritative landlady/barmaid.
As previously reported, there is only a standard selection of draught, including Bombardier, as the two hand pumps are unused. I decided upon the Guinness which was well served.
The pub is pretty basic, but there is a dartboard and an outside area for smoking and sitting in the sun. I wasn�t that keen with the set up as the railings up each side make this narrow area feel like a cage sandwiched in between some garages and the busy pavement. There were some kids playing football and their ball kept flying over which was irritating a few of the locals and narrowly missed my freshly paid for pint.
This place is ok for a quick drink if meeting people from the nearby tube, but I wouldn�t go out of my way to drink here again.
7 Jul 2009 15:26
The Railway Tavern, Crouch End
Whilst finishing a cigarette before I entered this establishment I noticed the sign on the A-board on the path outside which was advertising the pub as being perfect for �lovely ladies with babies who love to lunch�. This instantly filled me with dread and I was expecting my first visit to this pub to consist of a quick half before a quick exit, but I was very wrong. I thought that the staff were very friendly and the regulars all seemed nice enough creating a very relaxed atmosphere and there was not a pushchair in sight.
I didn�t spot any TV screens, but there was a table skittles game taking centre spot in the raised back section of the pub and from the signs saying that the back door must be locked when a band is playing I deduced that the pub hosts live music.
Bass, Deuchars and Landlord were all available alongside a selection of standard and premium lagers. I had a couple of pints of the Landlord which I found to be very good.
The beer garden out the back is less garden and more yard, but it has a few decorations and is well looked after, I just don�t think I would want to spend an extended period drinking in it.
I think that this is definitely a contender for the best pub in Crouch End and I would certainly go back if in the area again.
30 Jun 2009 15:18
Like many pubs with �hotel� tagged on the end of them this place is far too big for my liking, making it lack any sort of atmosphere. I thought that the staff were like robots showing no emotion and I had to wait longer than should have been required.
Wells Eagle and Bombardier were available alongside Doom Bar which was a good pint.
The pub consists of a huge island bar in the middle with three portioned drinking areas and a large restaurant with open kitchen to the side. There is also a small paved area out the handy for smoking, but I wouldn�t want to sit out there all night.
It�s a grand building, but unfortunately not the greatest pub so I won�t be returning.
30 Jun 2009 11:04
I had a nice pint of Pride in here one Saturday evening recently and although I found the staff to be nice enough I decided not to stay and try the other ale offering of Banker�s Draft as I found it hard to get settled due to there being no seating or standing room other than at the busy bar. I wouldn�t normally find this a problem, but unfortunately the patrons of the King�s Head that I �bumped into� seemed to be a self obsessed bunch who wouldn�t move out of the way for the queen if she popped in.
Along with the two ales there is a wide selection of premium lagers and also Old Rosie cider. The staff were pleasant enough and seemed to easily cope with the demands of the thirsty punters.
I would go back here again if I happened to be in Crouch End during the daytime when the pub is less busy, but I wouldn't entertain the idea of another weekend night visit.
30 Jun 2009 08:15
This is a decent enough local�s pub with a pool table and bar billiards. I found the barmaid to be very friendly and the regulars all seemed like a nice bunch, even to me when I stumbled in at 22:00.
Greene King IPA and Old Speckled Hen were available, but the Morris Mayhem was off during my visit. I�m not a big fan of either of these ales so I opted for the Guinness which was well served.
The locals had put some good old 70s tunes on the jukebox creating a very nice atmosphere that I would have no problem returning to when next in the area.
26 Jun 2009 10:29
Another change of name as this place is now called the I-Bar.
I�m pretty sure that the pool table has now gone and the room that was closed for a while for renovation is now an in house Thai restaurant.
The staff still seem nice enough and there is still usually some sort of music playing, but unfortunately the same old confrontational regulars still drink here putting this place off my Whetstone radar.
26 Jun 2009 09:53
This place is a tatty dive that harbours one of the worst gent�s toilets I have ever had the misfortune to walk into. Although there are three unused hand pumps there is one hooked up to some Pride, but it wasn�t the best. There is a standard selection of lager, but I ended up on the Guinness which I find is hard to mess up.
I would normally write off a pub in this state and give it a big fat zero, but the Porters Lodge isn�t about sitting at the bar and making notes on the quality of the ale, it is about the darts, pool and fantastic atmosphere that the manager and his misses generate with the aid of some loyal locals. It is a shame that a little bit more care isn�t put in as this would become a great pub.
There are five dartboards which are needed to accommodate the nine dart teams that play from the pub every week. There are also a couple of pool tables that are available for general play or can be hired for parties when one of the six pool teams isn�t playing a league match.
There is an old beat up TV and a couple of ill fitting projector screens that look like they were put up at the spur of the moment, but amazingly no Sky Sports which I find strange for a pub that is so sport orientated. One of the projector screens, that covers a dartboard, was showing a feed advertising the pub with pictures off their Facebook page like the ones above.
The manager informed me that the teams are mostly made up of the local office staff that like to unwind after work and don�t enjoy going to the pub and talking shop. I have to admit that if I worked in the area I would join a team here and this would probably become my local, even with all its faults.
The question is often asked in the forums on this site about whether there is a pub in town with pool and darts that would cater for groups on a night out. Well here you have it, and a point that I haven�t mentioned is that they have a licence from 9am until 3am everyday of the week, but obviously it has to be worth their while to stay open.
So to sum up, this is not a place for the discerning drinker but if you fancy playing some pub sports until the early hours in a friendly atmosphere you could do much worse than giving this place a try.
26 Jun 2009 08:36
This is a nice little chilled bar on a corner near Monument Station. Fosters, Leffe, San Miguel, Pride and Guinness are all available and I found the staff to be very friendly.
There is a downstairs room with a pool table, wii and some comfy sofas, but I stayed upstairs and enjoyed a nice pint of Guinness in the airy bar.
I�d go back here again if I was in the area and looking for something different to a pub.
26 Jun 2009 07:45
This place wins the award for the loudest Karaoke I have ever had the misfortune of hearing.
I spotted Greene King IPA, Pride and Adnams all available alongside Amstel and a selection of standard draught. There is a pool table and four screens for showing the Sky Sports, but I�m afraid that I didn�t stay long as my brain was hurting from the din.
I would walk past if in the area again.
25 Jun 2009 15:11
This was one of the quieter pubs on my travels around the area, but it still took me a while to be served. One ale was off, but Sunchaser, Greene King IPA and Old Speckled Hen were available alongside Peroni and a selection of standard draught.
It�s a good sized pub and there were some decent old songs playing, which made a change from the Karaoke that other pubs in the area seemed to be hosting. There are a couple of plasma screens which show Sky Sports, but these were off as there was no sport on.
This place is nothing special, but I would have no problem with popping back in if passing.
25 Jun 2009 15:06
It is a while since I have been into a pub and the barman has asked me about my day and engaged in general chit-chat making me feel very welcome � it was much appreciated.
Youngs Ordinary was available, but I plumped for the Tribute and Harveys Best which were both good. There was also a selection of standard lagers available alongside Addlestones cider and Peroni. I noticed on the sign outside that they offer �hand cut� sandwiched and toasties; I tend to use a knife myself, but whatever floats their boat.
Jesting aside, this is a nice old historic pub that is well worth a visit if in the area.
25 Jun 2009 09:06
I�m a big fan of the more traditional Fullers pubs so I wasn�t overly impressed with this place. Only Pride and Discovery were available alongside a selection of premium and standard lagers and although the Pride was good it was expensive at �3.30 a pint. There was also another ale that was unavailable but I couldn�t read the back of the clip to see what it was as the pub was so dark.
There is a servery at one end of this large pub and ample seating throughout the rest of the available space. There are big windows that open up onto the walkway outside so that during the warmer months the smokers can converse with their friends whilst enjoying a cigarette.
I thought that the staff were pleasant enough, but I doubt that I will find myself standing in the dark whilst sampling the high prices and cheesy music in here anytime soon.
25 Jun 2009 08:11
This place had six hand pumps on during my visit and when I was eventually served by one of the many barmaids I was able to enjoy a nice pint of Landlord. As mentioned before the pub is split into the Globe Bar and the Keats Bar and they are fairly separate, although both were busy with the chatter of office life.
I saw no sport advertised even though there are a couple of TV screens in both bars, although there was some music playing which was a little loud for my liking.
I didn�t think that this place was anything special, but it is ok for a quick pint before jumping on the tube.
25 Jun 2009 07:26
The Harringay Arms, Crouch End
I was glad to find this place after visiting some of the gastro dross at the other end of the high street. It�s a small pub with a couple of plasma screens that show Sky Sports and there is also a dartboard at the rear of the pub by the exit to the small courtyard.
The barman that served me seemed nice enough and I saw no problems with the other punters who all seemed to be enjoying their night. The pub closes at midnight on Friday and Saturday and 23:30 all other nights, which is very handy to know.
Broadside, Adnams Bitter and Courage Best were all available alongside a standard draught selection and my pint of Broadside was well kept.
Next time I am in Crouch End I will make a point of visiting here again.
23 Jun 2009 16:42
The Princess Alexandra, Crouch End
I went in here very early evening and it was pretty boring so I finished my Guinness and left. I passed it later on the way home and heard some music so I decided to have another look. I wished I hadn�t bothered as it was so loud I couldn�t hear myself think and when I tried to escape to the seating out the front I was informed by one of the bouncers that no drinks were permitted to leave the building.
If you are a pretentious twenty something out for a night of being jostled from pillar to post whilst waiting an inordinate amount of time sweating at the bar, you�ll love it here on a weekend night.
I wouldn�t go back in here if I was paid.
23 Jun 2009 13:34
This is a big Greene King pub serving up IPA, Abbot, Old Speckled Hen and St Edmunds alongside a selection of standard and premium lagers. I found the staff to be ok, but the general ambience in the pub was verging on depressing. There is a plasma screen, but there is no sport advertised so no Sky Sports. I found that the slow jazz music was sucking the life out of me, so thankfully I was able to finish my pint in the reasonably sized paved beer garden out the back of the pub.
This place aspires to be a trendy gastro pub where everyone eats tapas and listens to acoustic sets, but in reality it is bland and forgettable and I can�t see myself returning.
23 Jun 2009 13:24
This place is pretty much what you would expect from the Irish Wishing Well shop conversion chain of pubs with the usual generic draught and plasma screens that show Sky Sports, Setanta (probably not any more though) and GAA.
There were only five other punters, but they seemed like a nice bunch as they discussed the benefits of getting totally plastered. Unsurprisingly, Magic love songs was playing on one of the plasma screens, not that anyone other than the barmaid was listening to it. She said please and thank you and even said goodbye when I left, but she seemed like she�d had a long day as she didn�t crack a smile once.
As I went to use the toilet at the rear of the pub I passed a bloke was smoking at the locked back door inside the pub. He glanced at me and asked if he would be ok smoking so close to the gas canisters, which were actually empty beer kegs. I had a chuckle to myself as he thought he was risking his life just to have a sneaky fag in the pub rather than standing on the high street out the front.
I ended up sitting at a table and reading a paper from the bar that another customer had left. It was here, whilst I was trying to work out why I didn�t like this place as much as other Wishing Wells, that two dogs started shagging in the middle of the pub and it took until they had finished for someone to calm the situation.
I�m still not entirely sure why I wasn�t so keen on this place!
23 Jun 2009 11:33
There seemed to be more idiots in here than the usual ABO. I saw some tanked up prick hit a car with his lighter as he attempted to throw it across the road to his mates who were blocking the entrance and making no attempt to let people through. tits!
Best avoided unless you're a brain dead moron.
22 Jun 2009 15:05
I found all of the staff in here to be friendly enough except for one barmaid that I thought was quite abrupt and seriously in need of a customer service refresher course. I thought that the landlady was very friendly and was surprised that she would put up with a member of her staff letting the side down with a surly attitude.
This place is large and bland with little or no atmosphere, which is what I have come to expect from Ember Inns. The Pride was off and the Newman�s Last Lion of Britain was yet to be put on, but Greene King IPA, Bath Ales Golden Hare and Wadworth�s Lily the Pink were all available alongside a standard draught selection and Peroni. The Golden Hare was ok, but I wasn�t overly impressed with the Lily the Pink � Although it is in aid of a breast cancer charity.
It seems to be popular with the lunchtime crowd and with the hospital being so close there is usually a few people dining. The food is pretty basic, but my chicken burger and chips was very reasonably priced. It�s ok to fill a hole, but you do get what you pay for.
There is some terrace seating only slightly set back from the main road out the front and there is also some more seating next to the car park at the side of the pub. All of the tables and chairs are bolted to the floor so you cannot move them around to get more comfortable, a sign of the times I suppose. I was a little surprised that there is no garden as I would have thought it a perfect location for one.
Another strange thing for a pub that seems to rely heavily on dry sales is that no children under the age of 14 are permitted as there are no facilities for them, whatever that means, and children under 18 are only permitted if dining with an adult, which is fair enough.
This place is ok for a couple of swift pints and maybe a spot of lunch if you happen to be stuck visiting someone at the hospital, but I wouldn�t go out of my way and I certainly wouldn�t go here for an evening drink.
19 Jun 2009 09:45
I had a pint of Harveys Best in here recently and it wasn�t in the best condition. I doubt that I�ll ever return, but if I do I think that I will pick from the selection of standard and premium lagers.
There is some seating crammed in at the rear of the pub under a glass ceiling, but I preferred to lean on the big window ledge at the front of the pub as it was a lot more comfortable.
There is table football and I think that a league has started or is starting up. The plasma screen is a nice size and it is only used for sporting events, so no constant Sky Sports feed.
There are a few caf� type tables on the path at the front of the pub, but these seemed to be in high demand.
There are better pubs in the area.
18 Jun 2009 17:36
The Smugglers Tavern, Warren Street
I thought that this place had more of a bar feel than pub and although barmaid was nice enough my pint of Pride had seen better days. Along with the two Pride, there are two Greene King IPA hand pumps, which were both off during my visit, and a limited selection of standard and premium lagers.
There is a large plasma screen on the front window and the pub shows both Sky Sports and Setanta. There was no sport on during my visit, but there was some nice chilled out music playing at an unimposing volume.
The pub is very small, as is the bar on the back wall, but it is laid out nicely and the three picnic tables on the path outside add some much welcomed drinking space.
It is a shame that my pint wasn�t great as I would have probably stayed for another. I�ll have to try this place again to see if I have more luck next time.
18 Jun 2009 15:30
The Prince of Wales Feathers, Warren Street
This place seems to be a meeting point of the loud and obnoxious sniffers that travel into London and pollute it on a Friday and Saturday night. The music is almost as loud as the groups of drunken blokes shouting at each other as they make their way up to the toilet in groups of three.
There are plenty of plasma screens for the Sky Sports, so it would probably be an ok place to go in the daytime if a game of interest was on.
During my visit Pedigree, Pride and Greene King IPA were all available along with a standard draught selection. The Pride was ok, but I didn�t appreciate having it tossed in my general direction by a young tit of a barman who needs to be knocked down a peg or two.
This could easily be a great pub, but alas it just doesn�t quite cut it at the moment.
18 Jun 2009 15:15
The Court, Tottenham Court Road
This place was heaving with students drinking standard lagers on my recent visit on a Friday evening. There are a few plasma screens that seem to be used to show music videos from the internet jukebox as no sport is advertised anywhere.
I made a hasty retreat when a group of long haired lads started singing along to the Scissor Sisters.
17 Jun 2009 13:25
The Bar at tcr, Tottenham Court Road
This is a student type bar offering standard and premium lagers in an atmosphere of loud music and chatter. There are a couple of plasma screens that were showing the videos to the aforementioned music and there is a large projector screen on the back window that was showing a muted BBC News 24 feed.
I had a pint of Guinness which was ok, although it was served in a Kronenburg glass, which was the first that came to the barmaid�s grasp. I knocked my pint back in the smoking area which is a table and chair at the top of the fire escape stairs at the rear of the building.
This is probably an ok place to go if you are a student, but those days are long gone for me now, so I�ll not be returning.
17 Jun 2009 13:16
If there was an award for ugliest pub in London this place would be a strong contender for top prize. Thankfully once inside thoughts of the grotesque exterior are soon banished by the extremely hospitable governor who seems to make it his business to make people feel welcome.
Olde Trip and Greene King IPA were available alongside Rev. James, which was good, and some standard and premium lagers.
There are a couple of plasma screens and the pub shows Sky Sports and Setanta. A band was setting up during my visit late on a Friday afternoon and I also got the feeling that this is a live music venue at the weekends.
This isn�t the greatest of pubs, but it is very friendly making it a stop off point when next in the area.
17 Jun 2009 08:40
During my recent visit there was some good banter going on in here between the Aussie Barmaid and some of the locals. I thought that it made a change from the usual Central London attitude of �give me your money and feck off�.
It�s a shame that this is a Greene King pub as only Old Speckled Hen, IPA and Abbot were available, although there was limited selection of standard and premium lagers.
I didn�t venture up onto the roof terrace, but I will make a point of it when next in the area.
17 Jun 2009 08:03
There�s not much that I can really add to the previous review except that there are three plasma screens, which is a lot for such a small pub. Also, along with the Bass there is a standard lager selection, Guinness and Magners on draught.
I doubt that I�ll ever return here, but I would recommend it to anyone that is a horse racing fan or maybe has a penchant for Bass.
17 Jun 2009 07:07
I found the landlady in here to be nice enough and my pint of Pride was good. As mentioned in previous posts, T.E.A. was also available alongside a selection of standard draught products.
There are a couple of plasma screens and a small TV and the pub shows Sky Sports and Setanta. The background music was good and at a nice level and there is also a quiz machine.
I wouldn�t go out of my way to drink here again, but would pop in if passing.
17 Jun 2009 06:58
The George And Dragon, Fitzrovia
This Greene King establishment is a typical one roomed London boozer and doesn�t really have any features to make it stand out above its peers.
I opted for the Morris Mayhem which was ok, but Greene King IPA and Ruddles County were also available alongside a limited selection of Fosters, Kronenburg, Amstel, Guinness and Strongbow.
The hits from the 70s playing as background music were at a nice level and the only other distraction is a golf machine in the corner.
The barmaid was nice enough and I would visit again if I found myself at a lose end and happened to be standing outside.
17 Jun 2009 06:50
This isn�t the most exciting pub, much like the ale selection of London Pride and Greene King IPA. There is also a selection of generic draught available and I found the staff to be very friendly.
The pub is big and lacks any character, although there is a nice sized garden out the back that would be nice on a summer�s day.
Maybe I would go back if they could get some more imaginative ales on the two unused hand pumps.
16 Jun 2009 13:21
I think that a large majority of people that plan an evening in here have gone to eat rather than drink as it is a soulless Ember Inns pub intent on flogging cheap food to the masses.
London Pride, Landlord and Courage Best were all available alongside a standard draught selection. The Landlord was past its best and the guy next to me at the bar was served three pints of lager with the biggest heads I have ever seen. You could see he was disappointed, but he never asked for them to be topped up! Maybe he was just glad that one of the members off staff had stopped cleaning/stocking up and taken the time to serve him.
I�ll give this place a miss if I�m ever up in Mill Hill again.
16 Jun 2009 07:03
On the face of it this is a nice enough pub with a good beer garden, but I found it a little stuffy and uncomfortable. The barman was nice enough in a formal kind of way and the three other people in the pub on my Wednesday night visit seemed pleasant. The Pride was good and Abbot was also available alongside a standard draught selection. There was also an unused hand pump that could be hooked up to something a little more imaginative in the ale department.
There is a plasma screen and I found the dance music playing on the sound system to be a little out of place. The sign outside purports this pub as being a �Bar and Eating House�, but I would have said that it is a pub rather than some gimmicky restaurant.
I should have enjoyed it in here, but I just didn�t like the atmosphere so I doubt that I�ll ever return.
16 Jun 2009 06:44
The Railway Engineer, Mill Hill
I popped in here on a week night recently and all the beer had run out except for the Carlsberg which was being changed. I asked the barmaid if the pub was shut and she snapped that they had been busy. It didn�t seem that busy to me as the front of the pub was empty and there were a dozen or so intimidating regulars playing on the two pool tables and watching Sky Sports on the massive plasma screen.
I didn�t like the staff or the clientele and there was no beer � I'll not be rushing back.
12 Jun 2009 11:55
The Bell at Mill Hill, Mill Hill
This is a cock haven staffed by surly Eastern Europeans with a limited grasp of the English language and little experience of working the bar. My pint glass was dropped on the floor behind the bar and the barmaid that served me picked it up and began pouring. No please or thank you, just a short measured pint of San Miguel and an open hand waiting for payment.
There is no sport, but plenty of loud music and even louder shouting from the brainless tits that frequent this cesspit.
Funnily enough I�ll not be returning.
12 Jun 2009 11:38
What a great surprise it was to find this lovely little pub after the dross that I had to endure in the rest of Mill Hill. It looks like a classic picture postcard village pub complete with small picket fence and big heavy doors with old cottage latches to match. There is a blue Taylor Walker heritage inn award plaque adorning the front wall and there are some picnic tables in the small front garden. There is also some more seating in the nice back garden where the toilets are also located in an outhouse.
As you walk in the front door you�ll find the small bar directly in front of you and you�ll be greeted by the extremely friendly landlady. Youngs Ordinary and Abbot Ale were both available, but I decided to have a couple of pints of Adnams which was very good. To the left of the bar there is a good sized and simply decorated room with a fireplace and some tables. To the right of the bar there is a much smaller room with a couple of tables crammed in.
I thought that the locals were very friendly and I would love to go here again, but next time I will get a bus rather than try to scale the Hill.
12 Jun 2009 10:24
This place shows Sky Sports and has a couple of screens in the main bar area and another in the back room where the dartboard is located. There is no smoking at the rear due to it being an access way for the flats above, so a group of bedraggled old soaks are usually standing at the entrance puffing away making this place seem very unwelcoming. Looks can be deceiving, but in this case you would be correct in assuming that this is an inferior pub with a miserable uncultured crowd.
The barmaid was having a cigarette out the front and I had to wait a few minutes to be served even though she had to move out of my way as I walked in. I shouldn�t have bothered wasting my time as she was far from nice and the standard selection of draught didn�t feel me with glee.
To sum up, this place is a squalid pit that serves little more than keeping the bottom feeders away from the other pubs in the area.
11 Jun 2009 08:03
After passing a couple of lads having a funny fag at the entrance and making my way to the bar I found the barmaid/landlady to be quite dismissive. I couldn�t finish my pint of Old Speckled Hen as it had turned and after my first dealings I decided not to bother asking for a new pint. Bombardier was also available and the Greene King IPA was off leaving a selection of standard lagers and Greene King IPA chilled � my god!
There is a dartboard at the front of the pub and a pool table in the extension at the rear where there were also some decks set up from a previous DJ night. I�m not sure that I would enjoy the DJ nights here as the speakers were blaring out drum and bass hits at 19:00 on a Tuesday evening.
There is a small beer garden out the back with a couple of picnic tables and a small hut creating a covered area for smokers on those rainy days.
There was a sign in the toilet that said �please respect your local and the regulars � BY NOT � damaging the walls and the toilets�. I�d rather drink in a pub full of adults who understand the difference between right and wrong and can have a decent night out without having the urge to vandalise anything.
I agree that this place is crying out for a refurb and maybe a change in management and direction. Until this happens I�ll being keeping well clear.
11 Jun 2009 07:20
The Horse and Groom, Great Portland Street
As you enter this pub you come to the main bar area which was being managed by a very nice barman. The usual Sam Smiths selection is available and like so many SS pubs there is no hand pump for the OBB. At the rear of the pub there is a smaller room with a dartboard which was being enjoyed by a group of lads which gave this pub a bit of a vibe, which I find unusual for SS. There is a lounge bar upstairs, but as my visit was before 18:00 I was unable to investigate as it was closed.
I wouldn�t go out of my way to drink here again.
11 Jun 2009 06:32
The Albany, Great Portland Street
On my recent visit Pride, Youngs Ordinary and Piddle Artist were all available alongside a selection of premium lagers. The staff were nice enough, but I had to leave after a pint as there were groups of students screaming at each other across the tables and I started feeling the urge to bang some heads together.
I will give this pub another go when next in the area as I liked it and would have stayed longer if not for the din.
10 Jun 2009 07:07
The Green Man, Great Portland Street
Being opposite Great Portland Street Station, this pub is more of a meeting place than a final destination.
Broadside, Pride, Morrissey Ale and Greene King IPA were all available on my visit, but the Old Speckled Hen was off. There is also a selection of standard lagers, but I stuck to the Pride which was nice enough.
Half of the pub is stand up drinking with a few high tables and the rest is on a small raised level with tables and chairs set out for eating the pub fare. I found the staff to be pleasant enough, but there were a couple large groups of lads that I was glad that I didn�t bump into later in the night.
As mentioned, ok for a quick stop off before finding somewhere a little more interesting.
10 Jun 2009 06:59
This place is pretty much what you�d expect from a Harvester, a small bar selling generic draught tacked onto a large restaurant waited on by students.
9 Jun 2009 16:08
The Jeremy Bentham, Bloomsbury
I didn�t think that this place was anything out of the ordinary for a London boozer except for the efficient staff that seemed to be coping very well with the early evening rush that occurred during my visit.
The pub is named after Jeremy Bentham who was a 19th century philosopher and social reformer who, according to the pub sign outside, looked like a Gorg from the popular 1980�s cartoon Fraggle Rock. His unflattering picture hangs outside over some picnic tables that are located on a handily wide path that people can spill out onto during the busy periods.
Batemans GHA and Bank�s Bitter were available, but the XB was off as was another unidentified ale. San Miguel was also available alongside a selection of standard lagers and I was surprised to see Stowford Press and Old Rosie being sold at the same pub.
I'd drink here again, but I wouldn't go out of my way.
9 Jun 2009 10:38
This is a small one room pub with a tiny bar in the corner. The Landlord and Pride were both off, but the Deuchars was good, although I had to ask for it to be topped up, which it was without any fuss from the cheerful governor. Fosters, Becks, Stella, Leffe, Staropramen and Guinness were also available for the lager drinkers.
There are a couple of plasma screens for the showing of Sky and Setanta and I could imagine this being a good venue to watch live sports. There were some decent old songs being played as background music and I also got the feeling that they have live music some nights, but I may be wrong.
It was not as busy as other pubs in the area, but it is a little out of the way so I wouldn�t expect a lot of passing trade. There is a quiz every Sunday night that seems popular looking at the amount of teams in the league.
Although this place is nothing special I found it very welcoming and would return.
8 Jun 2009 12:15
I�m not sure whether this place is a bar or a restaurant and after asking the apathetic Eastern European barmaid I was even more confused. I asked if they showed Sky Sports and Setanta and she replied �We show football�. There was football on, but it was Spanish football shown on an Arab channel, so I�m still none the wiser. I asked if the place was Turkish or maybe Moroccan and she replied �It is multicultural�. There was a selection of premium lagers on draught and the ordering of my pint was the last interaction I had with the barmaid as I felt like I was wasting my time talking to the queen of tartness.
The venue is split into three rooms with the front and back rooms having a bar, plasma screen and tables to sit at. The central room has some small Mediterranean couches that line a dance floor that has some bongos set up next to it and a DJ booth. The whole venue is decorated in a Mediterranean/African hut style with masks and tribal paraphernalia overwhelming the place. It�s a shame about the silver extractor fan running across the ceiling and the signs on every available wall space reminding patrons that they are on camera.
I spotted some signs up outside, near the limited seating area, advertising belly dancing nights for �5 on the first Thursday of every month and there were also some upcoming Polish parties � Maybe the barmaid was correct when she said multicultural! I have a feeling that this place caters for a lot of private parties and turns into some sort of club in the evenings, but this is just a feeling that I got from the surroundings.
I�d imagine this place being an ok place to go with some friends for a birthday party or some other celebration, but I don�t think that I would go in on the spur of the moment again.
8 Jun 2009 12:13
You certainly wouldn�t find me having a beer during the evening in here. Maybe you�d catch my grandparents sharing a bottle of wine though!
Good for people that don�t do pubs.
8 Jun 2009 10:50
This place was better than I was expecting as I approached from down the alley and into the housing estate. There was a mixed crowd of estate inhabitants and local office workers who were enjoying a boisterous game of darts. The pub interior is nothing special and the caf� type tables in the square outside aren�t in the best location sitting below the numerous council flats.
My Bombardier was ok and Youngs Ordinary was also available alongside Staropramen and a range of standard draught. The barmaid wasn�t the most cheerful, but she was polite and served me promptly.
This place is ok, but I think that I will go to one of the many better pubs on the other side of the Euston Road when I�m next in the area.
29 May 2009 07:58
As mentioned before, there is no real ale available, but there are some standard and premium lagers and I found the barman to be nice enough.
The bar itself is long and thin, but it has seen better days and could do with a lick of paint and a general clean out. There are some decks on the bar at the far end and there was a reasonably chilled atmosphere.
I had to pass two girls sitting near the entrance that were eating some sort of calamari dish that had a stench that hit the back of my throat with such power that I thought I was going to hurl up my liver. Above them were some small motorised palm leaves that were dispersing the foul odour around the bar so I plotted myself near the sweeter smelling toilets.
This place is unexceptional and I wouldn�t plan to go here again.
29 May 2009 07:28
This is a strange pub that had a crowd of city gents in one part of the pub and a crowd off the estate over the road in another part. The barmaid�s English was very basic and I had to repeat that I wanted a half of Guinness three times before she put down the pint glass and filled up a Dreher half glass. The draught selection is limited with a few standard lagers, Staropramen and Magners.
There is a plasma screen that was playing away with some random programme that nobody was watching and the only music was from the adverts on said plasma.
There are a couple of picnic benches out the front of the pub and there is also a conservatory built on the back of the pub.
I had a bit of trouble finding this place and in the end I wish that I hadn�t.
27 May 2009 16:55
The Salisbury Arms, Winchmore Hill
This gastro pub has a wide selection of premium lagers alongside Landlord, Pride, Bass and an unused hand pump. I had a pint of Pride and Landlord during my visit and thought that they were both good.
I found the pub a little draining so I decided to sit outside which was pleasant enough.
I would go back here again if I had time when passing.
27 May 2009 16:24
The Kings Head, Winchmore Hill
This is a big pub with some tables and a plasma screen in the main bar, but I�d be surprised if there was any Sky Sports. There is a small quiet �function� room to the right with some sofas, books and a bar billiards table in it. To the left of the main bar area is a dining area with set tables and I thought that I saw a waitress hovering about. Past the dining area is a nice beer garden with some covered seating under the arch at the side of the pub.
Pride, which was ok, and Doom bar were available from the bar alongside a selection of standard and premium lagers. I found the staff to be very friendly, but the other clientele to be very insular and suspicious of a man drinking ale whilst reading the Standard.
This is a girl�s night out venue or a place you would take the misses for a bottle of wine � Just don�t forget the credit card.
27 May 2009 15:16
The Orange Tree, Winchmore Hill
I really liked it in here and I am of the opinion that this pub is almost perfect. I say almost as the affiliation with Greene King (Old Speckled Hen, IPA, Greene King xx Mild) is a let down, but I am going to gloss over that. I tried the Ffiagra which I wasn�t really that bothered with and I wished that I had opted for a Guinness.
The pub has Sky and Setanta which are shown on the two plasma screens and the projector screen which was rolled up during my visit. There is a room towards the rear which has a dartboard, but there is a pool table on the oche. There is another dartboard in the front bar and I overheard the barmaid telling a local that the pub was quiet due to no football or darts being on so I�d imagine the board in the back room is only used when the darts team is playing.
I found the barmaid to be very friendly as were the locals that happened to be within ear shot. I�m not very keen on pubs that play commercial radio as I think adverts being played bring an air of depression to a pub so hopefully Capital was only playing as the pub was very quiet.
I would make a detour to visit here again and people living locally are very lucky to have this place and the Dog and Duck on their doorstep.
27 May 2009 13:30
As you can see from the picture above this is a big imposing pub, but what you cannot see is the lovely landscaped garden out the back that I�d imagine being packed in the summer months. I think that the garden is probably the best feature, although they could probably invest in some new tables as I had to try a couple before I found one that was sturdy enough for my bulky frame and even that had a rusty nail sticking out of one of the seats. The member of staff that I informed seemed more relieved that I wasn�t making a complaint, but hopefully he went out and hammered the nail back in.
The inside of the pub is very big, but it feels more like a restaurant and they certainly seemed to be more interested in flogging the Thai food than serving beer. The food must be good for this place to have an a la carte restaurant area upstairs as it seemed that every shop on the parade outside was either a restaurant or a take-away making the competition fierce.
Bombardier and Deuchars were available alongside San Miguel and a range of standard draught. I opted for the Bombardier which was pleasant enough.
I didn't try the food so I cannot comment, but if I was just up for a drink I would walk past on a cloudy day.
27 May 2009 13:08
The Three Wishes, Winchmore Hill
As mentioned below, only two of the five hand pumps are being used and they are still dispensing London Pride and Courage Best. There is also a selection of standard draught available from the barmaid who did well to crack a smile as it was empty during my visit apart from a couple of old timers sitting near the front window. The pub has Sky and Setanta which is shown on some plasma screens stretching the length of this long thin pub and there is a small storage type area out the back for smoking.
This place is ok for a very quiet pint, but I did get a little irritated with the sound being on for the football and the horse racing as my brain started to ache.
I wouldn�t go out of my way to drink here again, but I would maybe pop in if passing.
27 May 2009 12:47
The Dog and Duck, Winchmore Hill
This is a great pub with friendly clientele and even friendlier staff. The Landlord was very good and Summer Lightening and Greene King IPA were also available although the 6X was off.
There are a couple of plasma screens for the Sky and Setanta and there is also a projector screen over the front window that was rolled up during my visit.
Out the back is located a very nice beer garden that will be great during the summer months.
This place is exactly how a back street boozer should be and long may it remain so.
27 May 2009 12:20
This is a trendy bar with a pool room at the back and Sky Sports and Setanta shown on numerous plasma screens. San Miguel and Standard lagers are available from a very pleasant barmaid and I found the clientele to be harmless enough.
When it comes to watching the football this place is spot on, but I think I�m a bit old and boring to spend a weekend night in here.
27 May 2009 11:54
The Queens Head, Winchmore Hill
This was the last pub that I frequented on a crawl of Winchmore Hill and I was hoping to find a decent boozer, but I was confronted by an unremarkable pub with an identity crisis. The barman was ok, but seemed a little wet and the drinks selection of Greene King IPA, Staropramen and a limited standard lager selection was very uninspiring. There was actually more choice of different Champagnes than there was draught and if I was willing to part with �99 for a bottle of Dom Perignon I wouldn�t be drinking in here.
There is a plasma screen that had muted Sky Sports News feed playing on it and some reggae music was playing in the background off some popular CD.
I won�t be drinking in here again as this pub�s only plus point is a half decent beer garden out the back and there are better outside drinking areas to be found in the vicinity.
27 May 2009 10:46
This place has reopened and is now called �Willow� and it has been turned into a chilled Spanish restaurant/gastro pub complete with live Spanish guitar that was playing on my visit. There is a sign up outside stating that a restaurant will be opening upstairs shortly which was surprising as it wasn�t very busy whilst I was there.
The three hand pumps at the end of the bar have been cleaned and polished to become a feature, but alas I fear that they will never dispense anything resembling a real ale ever again. The draught pumps for Fosters, Kronenburg, Bulmers and Guinness are hidden low behind the bar so that you have to ask what is on offer as I think that table service is the order of the day. The couple of business men along from me that were talking shop and tucking into the vast array of spirits behind the bar alongside the barman/waiter shaking up some cocktails had me thinking that I was in a hotel bar.
I�d take the wife here for a meal as it is very nice, but it would not even enter my brain to go here just for a Guinness again.
27 May 2009 07:56
The Wishing Well, Palmers Green
You couldn�t mistake an afternoon in this pub for anything but a Wishing Well as it has plenty of plasma screens all showing horse racing and a few old Irish boys shouting obscenities at the screen whilst waving worthless betting slips in the air.
As is to be expected the barmaid was very friendly, but the crowd seemed more transient and grubby than usual. The usual suspects were all lined up along the bar so I opted for a Guinness which was very nice. Whilst I was waiting for it to settle I spotted a dartboard case on the wall, but it was closed and there was no oche so I am not sure that there is a board in it.
Some old Irish music was playing in the background, but it was fighting with the commentary of the racing which was a little frustrating.
I have been in better Wishing Wells than this one so I doubt that I�d return here.
27 May 2009 06:53
The Occasional Half, Palmers Green
This is a Barracuda chain pub complete with Sky and Setanta shown on a multitude of plasma screens and a pool table. There are a couple of hand pumps and Bombardier was available on my visit with the other pump not being used. There is also a standard draught selection available at very reasonable prices as is to be expected in a Barracuda owned pub.
I didn�t spot this manager talked about previously, but I didn�t find the crowd to be the nicest lot in the world.
I don�t think that I�ll be returning here in a hurry.
27 May 2009 06:39
There is no real ale in here, although there are three unused hand pumps, and there is a very limited standard lager selection along with three Guinness pumps. The pub has Sky and Setanta which is shown on the plasma screens and there is also a dartboard. There are some nice mirrored booths either side of the main bar area and there is also a paved drinking area out the back door.
The background music would have been ok if it wasn�t for the sound also being on the football review programme that no one was watching.
There was live music advertised for every Saturday night, but I can�t see myself returning as I do not plan to grace the streets of Edgware again in the foreseeable future.
26 May 2009 16:37
This is a sports orientated pub with Sky and Setanta, plenty of plasma screens, football paraphernalia on the walls and a pool table. I found the barmaid to be nice enough, but there is no real ale with only a standard selection of draught being available.
The front of the pub is adorned with Greene King signs and there is a small makeshift smoking area at the rear with a few seats and a tatty old sofa.
I can�t see myself ever going back to a pub that would put a �test your strength� boxing machine in front of a perfectly good dartboard.
26 May 2009 15:38
Molly O'Grady's, Victoria Place
The only ale on offer during my visit was Morris Mayhem as the Greene King IPA was off. There was also a standard selection of draught and I found the Aussie barmaid to be very friendly, especially for someone stuck away in this quiet characterless pub.
There are a few plasma screens dotted about that were showing Sky Sports News and there are a couple of tables overlooking the station concourse, but the rest of the pub is just dark and boring.
This place seemed to be a bit of a trek from the station and I think that it would be quicker to cross the road outside and get to a superior place so I won�t be purposely returning.
26 May 2009 11:54
The Mash Tun, Victoria Station
My pride was reasonable enough on my visit here and Old Speckled hen was also available, although the Bombardier was off. Carling, Stella, Grolsch, Worthingtons, Guinness and Strongbow were available on draught, which I thought was a wide enough selection for such a tiny bar.
Apart from a couple of fruit machines there isn�t much else in here and I thought that the maid was very abrupt and wasn�t best happy to be interrupted from her conversation with a bloke at the bar.
Like most station pubs/bars this place is crap, but it is ok for a very swift half.
26 May 2009 11:43
Wetherspoons, Victoria Station
There were five ales on in here during my visit, which is to be expected in a Wetherspoons pub. I found the staff to be very clinical with not a hint of emotion, even more so than usual.
By the time I had made it up the escalator I could have probably walked across the road from the station and gone to a much better pub so there�s not really much excuse for me to drink here again.
26 May 2009 11:33
The Iron Duke, Victoria station
The Pride was OK on my fleeting visit here and Young�s Ordinary and Bass were also available alongside a selection of standard lagers. There is a plasma screen in the downstairs bar and another on the wall in the upstairs seating section and both were showing the Sky Sports news feed which was muted.
The barman was pleasant enough and this station pub has access to some outside seating which means that you can have a cigarette.
This place is OK for a pint if there is not enough time to leave the station.
26 May 2009 11:24
This place is basically what you would expect from a town centre pub that is full of plasma screens, plays loud music and has four pool tables. Even the four or five booths in the main bar section have little screens in them. There is a separate room at the back which is a bit quieter and there are a two table football games in there. There is also a small DJ box in a corner next to some tables and chairs that look like they are moved on a weekend night to unveil a wooden dance floor.
The barman was nice enough and Staropramen was available along with the usual suspects. The food seemed very cheap, but nobody was eating any during my visit.
There are some picnic tables located out the front that is separated from the busy main road junction by some railings.
I think that I will leave this place to the younger Fosters swigging crowd in future.
22 May 2009 13:20
My review directly below is for the Masons Arms, please ignore.
22 May 2009 13:19
This place is basically what you would expect from a town centre pub that is full of plasma screens, plays loud music and has four pool tables. Even the four or five booths in the main bar section have little screens in them. There is a separate room at the back which is a bit quieter and there are a two table football games in there. There is also a small DJ box in a corner next to some tables and chairs that look like they are moved on a weekend night to unveil a wooden dance floor.
The barman was nice enough and Staropramen was available along with the usual suspects. The food seemed very cheap, but nobody was eating any during my visit.
There are some picnic tables located out the front that is separated from the busy main road junction by some railings.
I think that I will leave this place to the younger Fosters swigging crowd in future.
22 May 2009 13:14
I had to wait for a while at the bar in here as the barmaid served two sets of locals before me. It wasn�t her fault as she was serving in another bar at the time, but it goes to show the mentality of the regulars in this pub who new damned well I was there first.
Tetleys and Pedigree were available on my visit alongside an unused hand pump and a standard selection of draught. I opted for a Guinness, which was good, as I wasn�t that inspired by the ale choices and I spotted no others drinking them.
It is a good sized pub with a large self contained island bar with access to the upstairs. The front of the pub is quite open and has a dartboard, but the rest of the pub is more like a corridor going around the bar. There is a pool table by the side entrance that leads to some seating on the edge of the car park. They have Sky Sports and I spotted a couple of plasma screens along with a jukebox that was playing rap songs that the younger generation in the pub had put on.
I didn�t really settle in here as I thought that there was a bit of an atmosphere generated by some of the customers and I wouldn�t go back again.
22 May 2009 12:48
If you�re feeling a bit peckish I�m stumped as to what could possibly be better than stumbling into a pub/curry house like this one. There are projector screens and plasmas and although I saw no sport advertised it would be a bit of a waste of funds buying all the screens if they don�t have Sky Sports. The staff have the usual Indian hospitality and the authentic rube-atorium music is piped into the bar along with some great aromas.
There is only a selection of standard draught, although I would expect no more as this place serves its purpose well, although I wouldn�t go there just for a drink.
22 May 2009 12:04
This is a decent enough pub with friendly bar staff and harmless regulars. The Adnams was off, but Nethergate IPA and Friggin in the Riggin were available alongside a selection of standard draughts. The pub shows Sky Sports and there is a plasma screen in the main bar area and another in the pool table area to the left. There is a small decked balcony area out the back with stairs leading down to a good beer garden that backs onto the railway line.
I was starving when I walked in so I ordered a chicken roast dinner which took an hour to arrive. I think that the barman had forgotten to take the order upstairs as some people sat by me had their roasts within ten minutes of ordering and when I mentioned that I was still waiting my food arrived very promptly. I wasn�t really bothered though as I was watching the football and the roast was well worth the �6.95 that I had to pay for it.
I wouldn�t put this pub up there with the greatest pubs in England, but it is a good back street boozer and I would be very happy indeed if this was my local.
22 May 2009 10:41
The Windsor Castle, Lower Clapton
On the face of it you�d think that this would be a half decent pub as it has a couple of pool tables, numerous TVs and a huge projector screen at the back, but alas it is not. I think that its major downfall is the clientele who think nothing of openly skinning up whilst there is a young child present and think it is ok to do tricks on their BMX in the middle of the pub.
The barmaid was quite miserable, but then so would I be if I was confronted with this madness everyday when I went to work. Funnily there was no real ale so I plumped for the Guinness which was thoughtfully served up in a Kronenburg glass. I managed to find a table as far from the locals as possible and watch the last 15 minutes of the Liverpool game on Sky, sorry did I say Sky, I meant to say Nova Sports.
I was relieved once I had passed the group of people generating the purple haze by the entrance and turned the corner up the road.
This is a pub with management that have totally lost control and I wouldn�t step foot in here again if it was the last pub standing.
22 May 2009 10:15
The Three Sisters, Hackney Downs
This is a simple triangular pub that has some picnic tables outside and is located on the corner of a busy junction. The Pride was off during my visit leaving only a standard draught selection, but the Guinness was very nice.
The pub isn�t the biggest, but there is a small pool table in front of a small stage area that had some decks set up on it and there is also table football and a nice dartboard. I got the feel that it was very much a local�s pub, but they along with the barmaid seemed like a nice enough bunch. I spotted three plasma screens, but saw no sign of any sport advertised, but I would have thought they have Sky Sports or there wouldn�t really be any point in the screens.
I found this place to be fairly unremarkable, but I�d pop back in for a quick pint if passing.
21 May 2009 16:12
This place is still closed, but there is a sign outside saying "under new management" and "opening soon".
21 May 2009 09:39
The Waiting Rooms Cafe Bar, Palmers Green
This place looked closed down when I passed at 18:30 yesterday evening.
21 May 2009 09:37
This place seems a bit sparse on the fixtures and furniture, but it is a bit deceptive as there is a pool table, dartboard, projector screen and plasma. It feels a little grubby and there is only a selection of standard draught, but my Guinness was good and the barmaid was very friendly.
As mentioned, there is no real ale and I found it difficult to get comfortable so I doubt that I�d return if in the area.
20 May 2009 16:24
The Duke of Wellington, Hackney
After surveying the selection of standard draught I plumped for a Guinness before having a wander around the pub. It was just after I spotted the pool table and the dartboard that I encountered one of the most pissed up blokes I have ever seen in a pub. He was in his forties and he had an unopened bottle of WKD in one hand and he was using the other to try and push himself up from the wall that he had become stuck to. I walked slowly behind him as he bounced his way down the corridor at the back before crashing through the toilet door, never to be seen by my eyes again. I thought that I would make my way back towards the front of the pub to be nearer the exit in case there were more of these things rebounding of the furniture. Thankfully he was the only one in that state and the barmaid was busy mopping up the bar area to erase any evidence of his patronage.
There are plasma screens dotted about the pub and they have Sky and Setanta for all of the football. I thought that for a Sunday afternoon the music was a little loud, but that is just a personal preference.
I ended up finishing my pint in the smoking shelter that is located in the beer garden and it was here that I decided not to be too harsh on this pub as I quite liked it, even with the drunk who should have probably been refused service two hours prior to my visit.
No ale, but nice staff and plenty to do so I would visit again if passing.
20 May 2009 13:22
This is definitely one for the real ale fans as Fosters swigging football fans need not apply. There is a pool table and bar billiards, but this place is basically a large sparsely decorated room with no TVs, but eight or so well kept bitters and a couple of premium lagers.
This is more �ale hall� than pub and it is good for a few beers, but I wouldn�t want to stay all evening.
20 May 2009 11:42
I'm a bit partial to Wishing Well pubs as they remind me of being dragged around pubs in my youth, but this one isn�t very good. There is the usual generic draught selection and a few plasmas dotted about with the ability to show every sports channel and there is also a dartboard. I think that the problem with this place was the clientele and the depressingly crap music.
I would walk past If in the area again.
20 May 2009 11:29
Robinson Crusoe, Stoke Newington
Standard draught and football on the three plasmas are the order of the day in this pub. It was depressingly quite on Sunday evening, maybe there was no popular sport being shown to draw the locals in.
The barmaid was nice enough and there is a dartboard, but I don�t think that I�ll be returning in a big hurry.
20 May 2009 10:50
This isn�t the most exciting pub and the barmaid didn�t look very impressed to be working, but I did have a nice pint of Pride. Adnams, Discovery and HSB were also available alongside a selection of premium beers.
There seemed to be a more affluent crowd in here compared to some other pubs I have been in the area and there are no distractions from TVs or fruit machines.
This wouldn�t be my pub of choice if I was going out on the tear as this is the sort of pub you would take a date.
I found it quite difficult to get settled and I don�t think that I would stay for more than a couple of pints if I ever visited again.
20 May 2009 10:40
The Bank of Friendship, Highbury
This is a very nice pub with a friendly barman and a good local crowd, even when there is no match on which indicates that this pub doesn�t rest on its laurels and just milk its location.
I had a very nice pint of Pride, but Greene King IPA and Seafarers were also available along with Amstel and a selection of standard lagers.
The public bar has a small portable TV up on the wall, but his was off as all the people that were watching the sport were in the other bar with the plasmas. There is a dartboard at the rear of this bar with plenty of space around it, so no stepping on each others toes!
I liked it in here and would gladly go back to listen to the funny old boys at the bar.
19 May 2009 11:16
Having a soft spot for Arsenal I was looking forward to having a look around this pub at the famous memorabilia and I wasn�t disappointed as there are all sorts on display. Unfortunately the pub itself has as much character as the bog standard lagers it churns out and there seems to be little interest from the local inhabitants.
There are a couple of pool tables in the back room and numerous plasma screens dotted about the pub which proudly states on the board outside that �if it�s on we�ll show it�, there obviously wasn�t much interest in the Spanish match that was airing then. The barmaid was nice enough, but after exhausting the sights I decided to make haste.
Good for football, but not a lot else.
19 May 2009 10:16
This pub is split into two bars with the public bar on the left housing a pool table, dartboard, plasma screen and good sized bar. The right hand side of the pub is much larger with a big projector screen for showing Sky Sports and Setanta located on the wall behind a small raised area that is used for the bands/DJ to set up on during music events. There is also another plasma screen and a pool table located at the rear by the doors that lead to the beer garden.
There is only a selection of generic draught, which is a shame as there are two unused hand pumps in the public bar and another four in the main bar. The barman that served me was very friendly and my Guinness came in at �2.65 a pint. I spotted a menu and the food seemed very cheap (�2.99 for a burger and chips), so I�m not sure what the quality is like.
This is a good place for watching the football, but I�m not sure that I would want to visit any other time.
19 May 2009 08:33
The West Green Tavern, Seven Sisters
I didn�t see any tumbleweed either, but I did have to order my drinks off a rude young barmaid that really didn�t want to serve me. I�m not sure what her problem was as I was looking forward to my first pint of the day and I was nothing but polite to her. I thought that she must be having a bad day, but she was fine with all the locals, maybe my face just didn�t fit.
Anyway, this pub is fairly basic with a generic draught selection, a couple of pool tables, Sky Sports and three plasma screens. The England v West Indies game was being shown and there was some good banter going on between the regulars, who all seemed friendly enough.
I can�t see myself returning here again as I live miles away and I certainly wouldn�t make a special trip to sample the delights of Seven Sisters again.
19 May 2009 08:02
This place doesn�t have the widest selection of drinks, but the Guinness was good and the barmaid was very friendly. I spotted the massive Taylor Walker mirror mentioned in a previous post and the tiny pool table around the back of the island bar. Other than the posters dotted around advertising the live music, this pub is sparsely decorated and could do with a little TLC to bring it back to its best.
There is a small smoking area out the back past the gent�s toilets and the ladies toilet is located up some stairs at the rear of the pub.
Although it was fairly quiet early on Saturday afternoon, I did like the crowd and thought it was very friendly, but I think that I would choose the Elbow Room next door if in the area again.
19 May 2009 07:40
This is a good pub that has a much more local feel than most high street boozers. The barman was very friendly and my pint of Cumberland was nice enough. Courage Best and Bombardier were also available alongside a selection of standard lagers. There are plenty of screens and the pub shows Sky Sports and Setanta.
There is a small decked smoking area out the back next to the railway arches and whilst I was out there a bloke came along and started feeding some cats with chicken slices. I counted ten, but I�m sure there were more and this guy seemed to know them all by name!
I liked it in here and wouldn�t protest if I had to return.
19 May 2009 07:25
I agree with RogerB that this place is nothing special, like every other Barracuda pub that I have been into. My pint of Bombardier was poured by an inexperienced barman who, when asked to top it up by the barmaid/manageress, wandered off. There are a couple of plasma screens for the showing of Sky Sports and Setanta and there is also a dartboard towards the rear of the pub.
There was a good lively crowd in during my visit and if I lived locally I would probably go in here to watch the football, but other than that I wouldn�t bother.
18 May 2009 15:11
This is a very basic place that needs new management so that some care can be administered to bring it back from the brink. The barmaid was nice enough and my Guinness was fantastic rocking in at �2.50 a pint. All of the elements are there for a good pub, including a dartboard and a pool table, but alas it has just been neglected for too long.
I will walk past next time I'm in this neck of the woods.
18 May 2009 14:55
Spaniards Inn, Hampstead Heath
In the past I�ve always felt an air of contempt from the bar staff in this pub, no matter how polite you were to them. I popped in early on Saturday afternoon to see if things had changed and thankfully the barman was nice enough. The pub is still very dark and a little depressing, but the Pride and Harveys Best were very good. There was another ale that was off, but Brains SA Gold and Adnams were also available alongside Westons Cider and a good selection of premium lagers.
There is a good sized beer garden out the back, but it fills up very fast at the weekends if there is the slightest hint of any sun. Getting into the pub can be a little treacherous if walking from the Hampstead end as there is no path on the pub�s side of the road and the road narrows to one lane as there is an old listed toll booth on the other side of the road.
This place is OK, but I think that the people that have said that it isn�t worth going out of your way for are spot on.
18 May 2009 14:38
The Old Bull and Bush, North Hampstead
The Landlord was off at 12:30 on Saturday afternoon, but the Adnams was good enough and there was a large selection of premium lagers. The barman asked me if I wanted ice in my pint, I declined the offer � I just wish that he had not left room in my pint for some ice. This place is now very gastro and it may even be verging on the restaurant side.
It is many a year since I was last in here and I didn�t really like it very much then, so now I�m looking forward to another few years of no Bull and Bush.
18 May 2009 14:01
This place is pretty much what you�d expect from an Irish high street pub; the staff were nice enough and the other punters were well oiled. A standard range of draught was available and the Guinness was very nice.
There is a dart board in the back corner of the pub and there are also a couple of plasma screens that were showing the Eurovision song contest. I can�t remember seeing any signs advertising sport, but I would be very surprised if this place didn�t have Sky Sports and Setanta.
There is nothing that really makes this pub stand out from the thousands of other Irish pubs, so I probably won�t be drinking in this particular one again.
18 May 2009 12:47
This is a decent enough late bar than is run by Teddy who used to run Calamities in Hampstead before selling it off. It was quiet on my visit, but there was still a DJ and I enjoyed a few games of pool on the table up the back stairs. I was informed that it is usually busier as there is normally some event planned, but last weekend there was not. There is a wide enough selection of standard draught available and unsurprisingly no real ale.
This place is never going to win any awards from CAMRA, but I like it and will go back again when at a loose end on a Saturday night.
18 May 2009 12:38
The Hare and Hounds, Isleworth
This place is more like a Fullers restaurant than pub, although the bar area at the front is quite comfortable. There is a huge plasma screen up on the wall, but I saw no sign of any sport advertisements so I�m not sure what it is used for. The whole of the back of the pub is a waiter service restaurant and the food looked quite pricey. I had a burger in the front bar and it was very big, but a little bland and expensive at �9.50. The pub is in the middle of nowhere down a lane that splits Osterley Park and a golf course so the food can�t be that bad as it was pretty busy with local workers that had driven down to have their lunch.
The draught selection is very minimal, but the Pride was on top form and Chiswick and ESB were also available. I found the staff and the manager to be extremely friendly and efficient and there didn�t seem to be any problems as the pub got busier for the lunchtime rush.
There is ample parking outside which is mostly hedged off from the picnic tables surrounding the front and side of the pub. There is also a large area of covered seating for those rainy days and another big grassed area at the rear of the pub that sides onto the garden centre next door. I�m sure that the covers will soon be coming off the BBQ and bar area that is located on the edge of the grass.
I'd imagine that this place is lovely in the summer if you are lucky enough to get a table away from any rampaging kids and I would go back if I lived in the area.
15 May 2009 15:57
The Lord Palmerston, Dartmouth Park
Last Saturday I enjoyed a nice pint of Pride and Landlord whilst sitting on one of the picnic tables out the front. Doom Bar was also available alongside a selection of premium lagers and the barmaid was probably the friendliest I have met this year.
The drinking area at the front is very bright and airy and there is a restaurant area at the rear of the pub and I also spotted some more dining space on my travels to the upstairs toilet.
This isn�t the most exciting pub on the planet, but the beer was worth the trip and I would gladly visit here again.
15 May 2009 10:39
The first thing that caught my eye when approaching this pleasant looking pub was the sign on the board outside advertising the �Credit Brunch�, which consists of breakfast and a pint for �7.95, and I though here we go it�s another pub that�s up its own arse. Upon entering I was presented with the gastro pub that I was expecting, except for the fact that I found it very inviting and I�m averse to the general gastro genre.
The barman/manager was very affable and the choice of Ordinary, Landlord and Harvey�s Best had me licking my lips as the couple of pubs I had been in previously had no ale. I tried the Harveys and the Landlord and thought that they were on good form. There were no standard lagers, but the choice of premium was good enough.
I spotted a projector screen discreetly rolled up above the front windows and the Arsenal v ManUre game was being advertised on a chalk board by the entrance, but this was only being shown as it was on ITV as the pub has no Sky. There is a dartboard in the corner of the pub, but the bar seems to interfere with the oche and if someone was sitting there you�d have no chance in getting a game. There is a small beer garden out the front of the pub, but it was closed off during my visit as some carpenters were doing some work to it.
If I could change a couple of things it would be to get rid of the lounge music and the overpowering smell of food, but other than these things I really liked it in here and I would go back again.
15 May 2009 09:57
I�ve been in here a couple of times and the Black Sheep has been off both times and I�ve also been given pints of Guinness with unacceptably large heads. I can understand in a trendy bar when I�m being served by a pole, but not in this supposedly Irish pub. This is my only gripe as I really like this pub and being a football fan it is the place to be on a Saturday as there are plenty of plasma screens and the barman will try to accommodate all games.
There is a selection of standard and premium lagers and an unusually large spirit selection in bottles on the back shelf of the bar.
I will make the effort to travel from the barren pub land of Muswell Hill to visit here again for the footie.
14 May 2009 15:34
This is a very nice pub, as was the barmaid that served me a great pint of Pride. Abbot, Greene King IPA and Black Sheep were also available alongside a selection of standard and premium lagers.
The pub has a dark wood frontage with lattice windows and doors that open out on a nice hot day. The pub is laid out well with dark wooden furniture and has a huge fireplace by the entrance. There are some picnic tables located on the forecourt outside and there is also a courtyard out the back. There is a plasma screen, but it was off and I saw no sport advertised and the ubiquitous collection of gastro chalk boards adorn the walls listing the food and wine available.
I really liked this pub and will definitely return when next in Highgate.
14 May 2009 08:07
I think that I picked a bad time to visit this pub as it was a sunny Saturday afternoon and the Highgate nobs were out in force talking about their parent�s money.
The outside car park area and the marquee that was situated in it were both packed, so I was happy to find an almost empty pub. I was fortunate to walk in at just the right moment as I was served a pint of Pride almost instantly and I managed to easily find a seat. Butcombe Bitter, ESB, and Discovery were also available alongside standard and premium lagers. The bar area is tiny and I know that it was busy, but the barmaid that served me was very curt and my thoughts are that if you cannot be friendly when the pressure is on you are in the wrong occupation.
I think I�m going to arrange another trip to this pub on a week night when it is less busy.
13 May 2009 12:37
This pub is very food orientated, but I cannot blame them for taking that route as this isn�t the easiest pub to get to without your own transport.
As you walk through the front entrance you are confronted by a few stools lined along the bar which has a good selection of premium lagers alongside Becks and Stella. I was happy to also see four hand pumps serving up Landlord, Pride, Betty Stoggs and Greene King IPA and I was even more pleased when I discovered that the Pride and the Landlord were on good form. To the right of the bar there is a small section with a TV, that was off, and some comfortable seating. At the other side of the pub is the restaurant section which stretches around to a conservatory at the back that leads onto some outside seating. This outside seating faces a tree lined farmer�s field to the rear and continues around the corner of the pub where it faces the car park, although it is walled of well enough to not feel like you are sitting in your car.
The food that the misses and I had was of a good standard, but unfortunately the service left a lot to be desired. At the end of our meal we had managed to accrue four pint glasses and three half pint glasses between the two of us. We were lucky to book a table early as once the pub started to fill there were some delays and I had to wait so long for a top up of Pride that I asked for some more from another waitress. To my delight two pints turned up at the same time, but I can imagine less forgiving people getting the hump, as some people around us were doing. I found all of the staff to be very pleasant and I think that the problem is more a lack of ability and direction than a lack of effort.
I certainly wouldn�t go here just for a drink and although the food was good I think that I will try a few other places before returning here to eat.
12 May 2009 07:14
I think that first impressions are very important and having to wait for the landlady/barmaid to finish her conversation before being served didn�t really make this thirsty traveller feel very welcome. The icing on the cake was having to wait for her to finish another conversation whilst she was standing behind the bar with my full pint in her hand. I wouldn�t have minded except for the fact that the local she was talking to looked like he had been there all day and I�m sure that whatever they were talking about could have waited for 30 seconds..
The pub is one of these sprawling places that find it very difficult to get enough patronage to generate much of an atmosphere. The Liverpool match on Setanta was being shown on both of the plasma screens that I spotted and out of the 15 people in the pub only a couple of them were watching it. There seemed to be a lot of flyers up on the walls advertising live music and karaoke on Thursday nights and the last time I went past here there was a wedding reception going on so maybe most of their money is generated through functions, not that I would want to hold any celebration here.
The toilets are a mess with two cubicles that didn�t have a toilet roll, lock on the door or toilet seat between them.
I�d probably use this place if I lived locally as it does have a pool table, but as I live a fair trot away I won�t be returning here again.
11 May 2009 16:44
Since my last visit in May 2008 the name has changed, as mentioned a few times by others, and some patio doors have been put into the back wall which leads onto the decking which has now been completed. The rest of the pub is the same as before except for some modern tables and chairs in the rear and the addition of an extremely nice barmaid.
The Pride cost me �2.50 a pint, which probably made it taste better than it was and Young�s Ordinary was also available alongside a hand pump that was not being used.
I liked it in here before the refurbishment and I think it may have just got a little bit better.
11 May 2009 16:04
After leaving the pit that is the New Brunswick and walking through a couple of estates the last place I thought I would come across is a decent gastrofied ale proffering public house.
The pub is a single high ceilinged room with large windows and ubiquitous gastro colour scheme and furniture arrangement (maybe lose the stuffed animal heads). There is a pebbled beer yard out the back with some uncovered seating, but unfortunately I still felt a long way from the beach.
Brodies Red, Ringwood and Otley�s Boss were the ale choices and Old Rosie and Addlestones were also available alongside a selection of premium lagers. It was nice to see three ales available that I had not heard of before and I really enjoyed the Boss, but I found the Ringwood to be a little bland. The man who seemed to be in charge was pleasant and very knowledgeable and gave me a quick run through the beers, no little taster was offered though!
When nature called I left my pint on the bar whilst I used the gents and when I settled back at the bar it had gone, but thankfully one of the staff admitted to throwing it away and I was given a replacement with no questions asked. I was a little confused by the frosty goodbye that I received from the only barmaid that I had no dealings with during my visit; maybe I was lucky to have avoided her.
I�m not a big gastro pub fan and I don�t like meeting unprofessional staff when I�m letting my hair down, but I still liked this pub and would go back again if in the area (which is unlikely).
7 May 2009 07:23
I popped into here late Saturday afternoon and doubled the attendance. It certainly looked more like a music venue to me with blacked out windows and low tables that looked a little out of place on what seemed like a dance floor. The barmaid was very friendly, but there is only a standard draught range and the actual bar area is very small for the size of the pub and I can imagine quite a queue forming when it gets busier.
I have been past here on the bus late at night on my way home from other pubs and there is usually some rope segregating a smoking crowd from the public path, but there is also a courtyard out the back that leads to a large opened up garage area that has some wall sofas and tables.
The Guinness was good, but I didn�t really enjoy being dragged to these places by my mates when I was younger and I�m even more averse to them now.
7 May 2009 06:34
The Essex Serpent, Covent Garden
The lack of decoration and the smell of piss led me to believe that some scallywag had found an abandoned shop and stuck a bar at the end of it.
The Adnams was good and Batemans� XB and Broadside were also available alongside some premium and a limited selection of standard lager. When most other places in the area were reasonably busy this place was dead and there were actually two blokes standing there staring at the TV which was switched off.
The cellar bar was closed, but on the way to the toilet upstairs I did pass through the �Modern British Restaurant� which was in reality a few tables and chairs in the upstairs bar that were taken up with a number of tourists who seemed to be enjoying themselves.
I�ll leave this place to the tourists in future.
30 Apr 2009 14:32
I'll take that as a yes then!
I'm going to try and get to West Drayton before the 29th next year - Watch this space!
29 Apr 2009 15:32
This is the third Belushi�s that I have found myself in and, as touched on before, they all seem to follow the same Walkabout like format, but with rock posters adorning the walls.
There is a selection of standard and premium lagers, but no real ale and the Guinness had run out on my visit. The staff seemed nice enough and I enjoyed the best of British band selection playing over the sound system. Obviously, being like a walkabout there are plenty of plasma screens and the pub has Sky Sports and Setanta. The toilets were an utter disgrace and looked like they had been used by herd of incontinent buffalo � Sort it out you lazy feckers!
I think that I�ll leave this place to the backpackers whilst I drink in one of the far superior pubs in the area.
29 Apr 2009 15:24
The Corner Store, Covent Garden
I found the staff here to be very friendly and I have a feeling that the seven reviews remarking on the terrible customer service that were posted within three days of each other in August are by the same person, or group of people, as none of these user names have commented on any other pubs. In fact I wasn�t that keen on this place and the main redeeming feature was the polite and friendly staff, so maybe there has been a change in management or service policy.
This place is directed at a younger crowd so unfortunately the powers that be have stocked up on standard and premium lagers and decided that there is no need for any real ale. I opted for a pint of Guinness which was decidedly iffy, which may be down to the barman changing the barrel half way through my pint or maybe just bad cellarmanship.
The pub wasn�t that busy, but it was still difficult to get comfortable and we ended up plotting on the edge of one of the two large reserved tables by the door. The party that booked them were very friendly and thankfully had no problems with us being perched there for half an hour. There are a couple of old TVs up on the walls, but I�m not sure what they are for as I didn�t spot any signs advertising any upcoming sporting events. The background music wasn�t too loud and obtrusive, although I would have opted for a different selection of songs.
The toilets are downstairs where a function room is also located, which was hosting a stand-up comedy night later in the evening, but we left before it had begun.
I didn't find this pub to be offensive, but I wouldn�t go out of my way to drink here again.
29 Apr 2009 15:00
This is the usual O�Neill�s affair with the trio of Guinness and standard/premium lagers available. I found the barman that served me to be very friendly, although my pint of Guinness was very short. It was pretty relaxed, but I did go in on a week night.
I would agree that this is an above average O�Neill�s, but I�ll probably never visit again as there are better pubs a stones throw away where a full measure is served.
29 Apr 2009 10:13
The Marquess of Anglesey, Covent Garden
I spent an evening in here recently and I�d happily like to report that there has been a vast improvement in the attitude of the staff. They were efficient and friendly and served a good pint of ale putting this pub back on my Covent Garden radar.
I have more than doubled my last rating.
29 Apr 2009 08:04
The Brewmaster, Leicester Square
Greene King IPA and Old Speckled Hen were available during my visit along with a selection of standard lagers. The staff were ok, but the background music left a lot to be desired. There is seating in the alley out the back and there is an upstairs bar that was closed at 10 and was wafting a pungent smell of polish around the rest of the pub. Maybe more effort should have been used to clean the toilets.
I�ll not be returning here in a hurry.
29 Apr 2009 07:57
The Bear and Staff, Leicester Square
I liked it in here as, along with a range of standard and premium lagers, there were six ales available from the very welcoming staff.
This was definitely a good find and I will visit when next in this neck of the woods.
29 Apr 2009 07:45
The Garrick Arms, Trafalgar Square
Along with the standard and premium lagers that were available during my visit two out of the four ales were off leaving Old Speckled Hen and IPA in this Greene King pub. The barman was nice enough but the experience was comparable to standing at the bus stop outside with crap music buzzing in your ear from someone else�s IPod.
I�ll not be returning here again.
29 Apr 2009 07:30
I�ve been to Covent Garden more times than I care to remember and I�ve not noticed this place before, which is a shame as even with its faults I really liked it. The bouncer on the door didn�t seem that keen on letting me in, but once I had bought a pasty from the lovely girl in the attached shop he seemed to change his tune and welcomed me in. I�ve since gleaned that this place is the West Cornwall Pasty Co�s Cove Bar, which explains a lot.
After scaling the stairs I found myself in what seemed like a loft with wooden beams and pillars and a few chairs and comfy stools placed for maximum capacity. It was comfortably busy unlike the upstairs area in the Punch and Judy which is always rammed solid. I think that the balcony area overlooking the piazza is smaller, but again it is much more comfortable as there are not people jostling for position.
The only ale that had not run out from the five hand pumps was Tribute, but I really enjoyed drinking this at a table whilst listening to the Gypsy Kings and eating my pasty. I didn�t so much enjoy my visit to the toilet as there seems to only be a ladies and a gent�s cubicle, which is not enough. I�d hate to imagine what the queue is like when it gets busy.
The next time I am up town and start to get the hunger pangs I will certainly make my way here again.
28 Apr 2009 10:43
The Grafton Arms, Kentish Town
I think that the refit has left it looking a bit bare, but it is still better than what I can remember this place being like. I found the barmaid to be friendly and as only standard draught was available I ended up with a Stella which I thought was just passable.
There is a pool table around the back of the bar and a dartboard to the right of the entrance as you walk in. There are also a few portable TVs up on the walls for the showing of Sky and Setanta.
This is another pub in Kentish Town that seems geared towards the residents, and there is nothing wrong with that except that I am not a resident so will not be returning.
27 Apr 2009 15:46
I popped in here early on Saturday evening as it was starting to fill up with metal heads and a band was setting up on the stage in the back room, where the soon to be moved pool table was sitting.
As mentioned before, it is a Greene King pub with no ale and only standard draught and IPA keg.
I�m not really into heavy metal and I think that there are better pubs to go for a drink away from this area, so I won�t be returning.
27 Apr 2009 15:35
The Lion and Unicorn, Kentish Town
This isn�t the greatest pub and it still had three redundant hand pumps sitting amongst a standard draught range. They have Sky and Setanta, but the only TV I spotted was a small one above the entrance (maybe there is a screen in the back that I did not see). The pool table and dartboard mentioned previously are still to be found in the back room that leads onto the beer garden at the rear.
This is a residential local in an area that leaves a lot to be desired and I doubt that I�ll be in the area again to revisit here.
27 Apr 2009 15:27
After leaving a very busy pub up the road I was surprised at how quiet this place was for early on a Saturday evening. There was a family sitting behind the island bar tucking into some crepes and a lone gentleman was sitting at the bar staring into space. There was also a couple sitting in the small courtyard down the stairs at the rear of the building. The hot plate that the crepes are cooked on is located on the bar and the barman was doubling up as the chef. They looked and smelt nice, but I didn�t like drinking in what in effect had become a kitchen and I thought that the condiments and sauces lined along the bar made an already unkempt looking pub look more untidy.
Pedigree was the ale option, but the surroundings gave me the impression that it wouldn�t be very good so I decided to give it a miss, although my judgement may have been totally misplaced as my pint of Guinness was very nice. Standard lagers and Hoegarden were also available and the barman was a pleasant enough chap who seemed very happy in his work which, along with the chill-out music, gave a relaxed atmosphere.
Unfortunately I had to use the toilet and have to report that there is no lock on the gent�s door and there hasn�t been for some time as the old lock holes are painted over. They could also do with a clean as there are so many spiders I thought that I was having a dump in the woods.
I spotted some paraphernalia laying around the pub mentioning the proposed flat development on the site and although this place isn�t my cup of tea and I can�t see myself returning I would like to wish them all the best against the money grabbing developers.
27 Apr 2009 08:40
The Leighton Arms, Kentish Town
Contrary to the previous reviews I found this pub to be quite unfriendly and I regretted walking in. I got the feeling that it mainly caters for the local estates and anyone that is not a local is treated with suspicion. I gave up trying to get to the bar as a particularly unfriendly family of deadbeats blocked one side of it and I cut my losses after a couple of minutes and slinked out.
There are two hand pumps, one of which was unused and the Pride on the other one was off. There is also a selection of standard lagers available.
There is a pool table and a dart board out the back before reaching a reasonably sized beer garden for the area.
I�ll certainly not be returning here again.
27 Apr 2009 07:47
I found the staff in here to be very friendly, but apart from that it is just as forgettable as any other Pitcher and Piano.
24 Apr 2009 14:23
B@1 (Be At One), Covent Garden
I think that the best way to describe this place is to compare it to being at a house party where you don�t know the host and you have to pay over the odds for your drinks.
The lack of any draught or ale had me turning on my heels and out of the door.
24 Apr 2009 14:17
The Punch And Judy, Covent Garden
My visit here yesterday was the first for many years and I have to report that it is still a pit. The upstairs bar was rammed and the downstairs bar was as gloomy and depressing as ever.
I hope it is many years before I find myself in here again.
24 Apr 2009 14:08
The Crusting Pipe, Covent Garden
I popped my head in here yesterday evening and this place looked more like a restaurant to me as everyone was eating and there were plenty of waitresses buzzing around.
I�m not a big port or wine drinker so I doubt I�ll ever venture back in.
24 Apr 2009 11:29
This is quite a nice caf�/bar giving a continental feel to the Kew Bridge end of the Chiswick High Road. I found the staff to be very pleasant and it was very relaxing on a nice sunny afternoon sitting in the small comfortable courtyard out the back. You can almost forget that you�re drinking in a caf� on a crappy parade of shops at the edge of Brentford. The street level section of the building is quite small and narrow as it accommodates the bar/food counter and the toilets, but there is also another larger area downstairs. This has its own separate bar and plenty of seating. The walls are mirrored and there are large speakers on the walls at one end where a dance floor can be mustered up very quickly.
There are signs up in the front window advertising the Sky Sports and Setanta, but I only spotted a small plasma screen in an awkward position in the downstairs bar.
The drinks are very unimaginative being Fosters, Kronenburg, John Smiths and Guinness, but this place never pretended to be designed for a CAMRA meet. It would be a good venue for a work party or maybe a birthday drink during the day and at less than �3 a pint it wont break the bank.
I've worked around the corner from here for many years and today was my first, but not my last visit.
23 Apr 2009 14:12
As shop-conversion pubs go this is a good one and like many it is a lot bigger inside than the fa�ade would suggest. It is well decked out with a nice sized bar with the usual selection of draught available that you will find in most Irish pubs. I counted three plasma screens and spotted various signs dotted about the pub advertising Sky Sports and Setanta. There are two or three tables under an awning on the high street outside and there is also a small decked L-shaped area at the rear that backs onto the alley. It is covered for those rainy days and it also has a couple of heaters for the colder months. There is a sign by the entrance stating that there is no admission or readmission after 11pm and there are also blackout blinds on the windows suggesting that this can be a very late bar. I was wondering the usefulness of the Victorian screen with some scantily clad woman painted on it that was placed in the middle of the pub, anything goes I suppose. Along with the jukebox and some pictures there are also some frames with the words to the old Irish songs like Danny Boy etc. which I thought was a good touch.
I found the barmaid to be extremely friendly and the locals, although engrossed in the racing, seemed like a nice enough bunch. To top off my visit I found the toilets to be modern and clean.
I will definitely visit here again and I may pop in on Thursday for the weekly quiz.
22 Apr 2009 10:53
Dignity (Taylors of Finchley), Finchley
On my recent crawl of Finchley this was the busiest pub that I came across and the crowd seemed nice enough with a wide mix of people from the surrounding area.
I wasn�t overly impressed with my pint of Brains SA Gold as it was cloudy and barely passed the � mark on the jug. When I politely asked for it to be topped up it was returned with exactly the same amount of beer in it. I think this was due more to the barmaid�s skills, or lack there of, than to any slur upon me. Broadside and Pedigree were also available, but everyone in the pub seemed to be drinking the premium lagers that lined the bar.
I�ll agree with previous posters that the pub doesn�t look that appealing from the outside, but it is much nicer inside and I will give it another chance next time I�m in the area.
22 Apr 2009 07:28
I couldn�t believe what I was seeing when I walked up to the bar in this Irish shop conversion pub and spotted Greene King IPA and Tribute available. I had reservations about ordering any real ale, but my fears were unfounded as the Tribute was very good. No need to worry though as all the other traits for this kind of venue were there from the selection of standard draught to the many plasma screens showing the horse racing that was being studied by old men with red noses.
I found the barmaid that served me to be very nice and the other patrons were friendly enough once I had got settled. The carpet is a little bright, but the bar is laid out very well making it a very comfortable place to drink in.
I will pop back in here next time I�m passing.
22 Apr 2009 07:15
You�ll all be pleased to find out that the Central is no more as it has morphed into The Coconut Tree which now purports to be an Indian restaurant and bar. Unfortunately, it is more of a bar than a restaurant and after being collared by a pissed up youth at the bar I gleaned that the old Central lot still drink here. There are five or so plasma screens for sports and music channels and there is also a pool table in the corner which makes this place like no other curry house I have ever been in.
The staff were pleasant enough and a selection of standard draught lager is available alongside Guinness, which was good.
I think that this place has an identity crisis and it will end up just the same as its previous incarnation.
21 Apr 2009 09:27
This place has two pool tables and two dartboards so it is a decent enough place to pop into with some mates for an hour or two of pub sports. I say with some mates as, apart from one or maybe two people at a push I found the patrons of this pub to be quite unaccommodating. It is a shame as there are also two projector screens for showing Sky and Setanta and they have just started up the live music again at the weekends.
There is still no real ale, but I enjoyed my Guinness and there is also a selection of bog standard draught available. The staff were friendly enough, but I got the impression that the locals aren�t that impressed with the owners and feel that they are trying to bleed the place dry.
Unfortunately, I think that I�ll leave this pub to the estate crowd and drink elsewhere in future.
21 Apr 2009 08:43
The Catcher in the Rye, Finchley
This place is a gastro pub with the usual dark gastro d�cor and absence of electric lighting as apparently a candle on each table will suffice. This isn�t 1974 and I�m not on a three day week, so stop being so tight and switch on the lights.
The pub has lots of small little sections making it a good place to go on a first date or if you don�t want to look at the misses all night! The bar is at the front of the pub and I found the barman to be friendly enough. The Lancaster Bomber that I had was very good and Adnams was also available alongside some premium lagers.
If I was a woman or a fan of gastro pubs I�d have probably loved it in here, but I�m neither and I found this place to be lacking any atmosphere during my weekend visit, so I cannot see myself returning in a hurry.
21 Apr 2009 07:13
This is one of those back street boozers that hundreds of people see everyday as they pass on the elevated North London line (Overground) but hardly anyone walks past unless they live on the same road or are maybe off to the industrial park. This explains why I am only the 6th reviewer to comment on this place in over 5 years and the first for over 2.5 years. It is a shame as I think this is a great pub, even if though it doesn�t serve any real ale.
The pub was fairly busy when I visited as the Arsenal v Chelsea kick-off was impending, but there was still plenty of room to sit away from the screens and I was served as soon as I got to the bar. I found the locals to be extremely friendly and I was involved in some light hearted banter with a couple of them before my Guinness had been poured.
I will make a point of returning here when I�m next in the area.
20 Apr 2009 14:23
The Pembroke Castle, Primrose Hill
I found the crowd in here to be nice enough, although there were a few wannabees that were trying a little too hard to be cool. The staff were nice and polite and the Tribute was on top form. Bombardier was also available from the bar alongside a selection of standard and premium lagers.
There is a dining room downstairs and a room that is available for hire upstairs, where the Hampstead Comedy Club now resides. I remember going to a few of their comedy nights some years ago when they used the Flask in Hampstead and I remember them being very good. There is a reasonably sized beer garden at the side of the pub next to a quiet enough road, but the trains that pass on their way to Euston are very loud.
This place is ok, but I wouldn�t make a special trip.
In regards to the previous comment: I didn�t know about the connection of the Castle pubs in Camden to the navvies and found it very interesting. As you mention, the Windsor Castle is no more, but it is still loosely a drinking establishment called NW1 which is also on BITE.
17 Apr 2009 09:58
The Princess of Wales, Primrose Hill
I will agree with the previous posts saying that this is a very nice pub. Pride, Directors and Adnams were all available alongside some standard and premium lagers and Westons Organic Cider.
The barman was nice enough, as were the other customers, and I will return when next in the area, if only to check out the cellar bar and �secret garden�.
17 Apr 2009 09:11
I really liked this pub and it would be my pub of choice in the area if the only ale available wasn�t Greene King IPA and Abbot. Standard and premium lagers are also available from the very nice bar staff.
There is a conservatory at the rear that overlooks the garden and there are also three picnic tables on the path outside the front of the pub.
I liked the crowd in here and it certainly wasn�t as stuffy or stuck up as some other nearby pubs.
17 Apr 2009 08:58
Half of this pub is set up towards dining and the other half feels like a bar that people pop into whilst they wait for their table to be free. The old living quarters upstairs now have set tables and chairs in the rooms to maximise eating space. I�ve been in bigger toilets in a caravan and the cubicle is like a portable loo, even down to no light. I saw some signs up advertising a garden out the back, but I did not investigate.
Bombardier and St Peter�s Organic Ale were available along with some premium lagers.
This is not really my sort of place, but it sits well in Primrose Hill.
16 Apr 2009 07:42
It was a bit crammed in here during my visit and it took a while to be served, but the staff were polite enough when it was finally my turn. The pub looks big from the outside, but the actual bar area is quite thin. Maybe I missed another room behind the bar?
A few of the locals were watching the football on a small plasma screen at one end of the pub and at the other end there is a raised area that seemed to be the prime location to sit.
I had a very nice pint of Deuchars and Ordinary and Special were also available alongside a selection of standard and premium lagers.
I thought it was OK in here, but I didn�t find it to be the best pub in the Primrose Hill area.
16 Apr 2009 07:22
I popped in here on Saturday to be confronted by two ale hand pumps that were off and a selection of premium lagers. I surveyed the bare wooden scene and noted the menus scribbled in chalk all over the dark walls, but after standing at the bar for two minutes with no service I decided to leave the inane ramblings of the Primrose Hill set and wander off to a more prepossessing venue.
16 Apr 2009 07:02
I didn�t think that I would like it in here, but apart from the R&B background music I had a pleasant stay. The barman was friendly and my pint of Pitchfork from RCH brewery was very enjoyable. Harveys Best was also available alongside some standard and premium lagers. There was a decent crowd of twenty-somethings who seemed to be starting out on their evenings, but it wasn�t overly busy like some pubs get in this area.
There are a couple of plasma screens in the main bar area and up some steps to the side of the bar there is a quieter section where a couple were drinking coffee. There is also a cellar bar downstairs that had signs up outside saying that it is available for hire.
I found this to be a bright and airy bar with a decent atmosphere and I would visit again.
15 Apr 2009 14:32
Contrary to the majority of previous posts I quite liked it in here, although I didn�t eat anything and I had no dealings with the manager. My Landlord was very good and Greene King IPA, Pride and Bloomin Marvellous were also available alongside standard and premium lagers.
I would make the effort to walk down the steps to get to this pub again.
15 Apr 2009 10:41
The Barrowboy and Banker, London Bridge
This place is like a grand hotel lobby with a sweeping staircase leading to some upstairs seating. The full Fullers range was available including the brain-tonking 8.3% Golden Pride. Standard lagers were also available alongside Peroni.
There was plenty of staff who all seemed pleasant enough and there was a reasonable atmosphere for such a large pub. I liked it in here and would go back again if in the area.
15 Apr 2009 09:51
This place looks although it needs a little TLC, but I think that is the look that the management are going for. The barman that served me was new, but he pulled a good pint of Hare Raiser. The Greene King IPA and Abbot were both off, but a selection of standard and premium lagers were available. The pub wasn�t as busy as its peers, but it did have a more discerning crowd that were chatting away above the strange muffled music.
There was a projector screen on the back wall and also a dartboard which was blocked in by numerous tables and chairs. A few of the tables were reserved for later in the evening and there were a few people standing around outside waiting for one of the tables on the pavement to become free.
I think that I would probably walk past if in the area again.
15 Apr 2009 09:39
This is a decent Sam Smiths pub split up into little rooms. One is an over 18�s games room which has a dartboard and another has a pool table and another has a door so small that they�ve had to put padding on the frame to stop people bumping their heads. Opposite the pool room is a small lounge room just before the back door that leads to the beer garden which is little more than a walkway with some tables and chairs. The barman was very friendly, but unfortunately there was no OBB on hand pump leaving only draught.
This is a good pub; it�s just a shame about the lack of ale.
15 Apr 2009 09:23
I was a little sceptical with the previous reviews as I think that an ABO is an ABO, but this place is certainly the best one I have been in. The view of Tower Bridge and the financial district from the decking that stretches the length of this long bar are very impressive.
One of my major gripes with ABO�s is the incompetence of the staff, but fortunately there was a large group of us when I visited so we got table service from a very nice chap who knew what he was doing. This avoided being given change on a silver tray and I don�t mind giving a small tip when 15 pints are delivered to the table with no queuing. Another gripe is that these pubs are usually full of braying nobheads drinking pints of wine, but again fortunately I was sitting outside away from the bar and the general populace. Maybe my above average regard for this place is down to circumstance, but I will give credit where credit is due and say that I had a very good evening in this bar.
The only ale offering of Pride had run out before I arrived, but the Guinness was good and standard lagers were also available alongside Carlsberg.
The toilets need sorting out as one cubicle was locked and the other had a broken door. I ended up having to ask for the key to the disabled toilet, which was given with no hassle. I then had to go back into the gent�s toilet as the disabled one had no hand drying facility.
Even though this place is a soulless chain bar and the lack of attention to detail is criminal I still liked it for the location and I would go back again if in the area.
15 Apr 2009 08:26
The Bridge Lounge and Dining Room, Tower Bridge
The island bar in this place takes up most of the pub making it a bit of a squeeze if a few people are in. From previous reviews it sounds like there may be some more seating upstairs, but I didn�t check. Adnams and Bread of Heaven were the ale choices along with some standard and premium lagers.
It took a while to get the attention of one of the barmaids, but she served a good pint of BoH when she finally got around to me.
I didn�t really like it in here and I doubt that I will go back.
15 Apr 2009 07:52
The Shipwrights Arms, London Bridge
I popped into here on Thursday last week and I ended up leaving without being served as it soon became apparent that the five or so people waiting to be served were not as important as cleaning the glasses. I thought that they may have run out of clean ones, but they hadn�t.
The drinks selection is the same as reported last September with Deuchars, Spitfire and Adnams being available alongside premium and standard lagers.
I found this pub to be nothing special and I�m not sure that I�d bother trying to get a drink in here again.
14 Apr 2009 16:26
It wasn�t that busy on my recent visit here, but I still had to wait a while for service as I happened to walk in during a shift change. That aside this is a reasonable Wetherspoons� pub with 12 hand pumps (6 ales) and a selection of standard draught. Unsurprisingly the pub is big for the area, but the crowd was a lot more affluent and there was a much broader spectrum of ages than found in the average JDW.
I think that there are better pubs in the area, but I would go back here without a fuss.
14 Apr 2009 16:15
Even though there is a plasma screen and a couple of projector screens on the back wall that show Sky Sports and Setanta I still think this is a Thai restaurant and I will not be returning to sample there expensive lagers, unless I happen to pass whilst hankering after some Eastern food, which is highly unlikely.
14 Apr 2009 14:40
I�m a big fan of good old fashioned boozers so I was always going to like it in here. I found the barmaid to be very friendly and my pint of Pride was good. Old Speckled Hen was also available alongside standard lagers and some draught bitters. There are a couple of plasma screens and the pub shows Sky Sports and Setanta.
There is a dartboard around the side of the bar heading out towards the paved area out the back that has some covered and uncovered seating.
I would go back here again if in the area.
9 Apr 2009 07:24
The barmaid was friendly enough when she finally made an appearance and I could get used to paying �2.80 for a pint of Guinness. There are a couple of plasma screens and the pub has Sky Sports.
I have to agree that there are better pubs in the area.
9 Apr 2009 07:18
I found the barmaid in here to be very friendly and the general ambience to be quite welcoming. There is an open kitchen around the back of the bar which I�m not a great fan of, but a lot of people like to see their food being fried. There is also a nice sized paved garden out the back which is nicely fenced off from the main road.
There is no real ale and the draught selection is Fosters, Kronenburg, Kronenburg Blanc, San Miguel, John Smiths Smooth, Guinness, Bulmers and Strongbow.
I liked it here and it is the sort of place I would go with my misses for a bite to eat, but I�m not sure this would be a beer in the evening choice.
9 Apr 2009 07:12
I certainly agree that you need to be well oiled to venture in here. The only times I�ve found myself in here have been after a Brentford game where the drinking started at midday and the rational decision making flew out of the window early evening.
This place is full of people that I don�t want to know and I�ll surely never return, will I?
9 Apr 2009 06:56
The Red Lion and Pineapple, Acton
This place has nine hand pumps and there were six different ales on during my visit alongside a large selection of Standard lagers. It is a very big pub with a large island bar and a separate dining area towards the rear. There are a couple of plasma screens and the Arsenal Champions League game was being advertised, although this was on ITV and being a Wetherspoons I�d imagine there is no Sky Sports.
The pub is on a busy corner, but there is a reasonably sized paved beer garden at the rear for the smokers.
This is a usual Spoons affair and I wouldn�t make an effort to return.
9 Apr 2009 06:48
As Irish shop conversion pubs go this is one of the better ones. The barmaid was very friendly and the locals that I bumped into seemed nice enough. Unsurprisingly there was only a standard selection of draught available, but the Guinness was excellent. I spotted three plasma screens and the pub shows Sky and Setanta.
It is a little dark at the back of the pub, but that is my only complaint so I would gladly return.
8 Apr 2009 06:27
The Bunch of Grapes Inn, City of London
I liked it in here as it was nice to step away from the hordes of people in the pubs in Leadenhall Market and have some space to enjoy a nice pint. There were two Pride pumps, Youngs Ordinary, Adnams and an unused pump along with some standard lagers.
Like most London boozers it�s not the biggest pub, but it does have a stand up and drink local feel which was nice to find in the centre of the financial district. The food seemed to be typical pub fare and I was reliably informed that there is an elegant function room located up the stairs with its own bar.
They have a small TV that was showing Eggheads which was muted with subtitles and they also have a small plasma screen that was showing Sky Sports feed that was also muted.
This is a no nonsense pub with polite staff and I would return if in the area.
7 Apr 2009 14:01
I didn�t like this pub and I found the barmaid to be quite rude. I had to wait for her to finishing talking to her friends and then when she did grace me with her attention she was curt and obnoxious.
From what I can remember there were three hand pumps, one of which was dispensing below standard Courage Best and one was off and the other was unused. There were also some standard lagers available. There is a balcony overlooking a downstairs section and I spotted at least two pool tables. There was also a large plasma screen on the wall.
This is not a great pub and I�ll not be returning.
7 Apr 2009 13:57
The Zone 1 Wine Bar and Restaurant, Euston
This is a hotel bar that has signs outside boasting of showing any sport upon request. I walked in early on a Saturday evening a while ago and ordered a half of Stella to drink whilst catching the last ten minutes of an Arsenal game. I was served a pint and after paying the barman informed me that the Sky wasn�t working. I ended up watching 9 minutes (yes I counted) of �Victorian Farm� before leaving most of my whiffy pint and making a hasty retreat.
As I left I couldn�t help thinking that I had just been robbed, hence I�ll not be going back here again.
7 Apr 2009 10:16
The Twelve Pins, Finsbury Park
This is a large pub that is ideal for watching the football on Sky Sports and Setanta whilst drinking standard lagers. The barman seemed quite miserable, but it was late Saturday night after an Arsenal home game so I will cut him a bit of slack.
I often travel through Finsbury Park on the tube and train and this was the first time I had alighted to have a couple of pints. I have to admit to not being very impressed with the pubs or the area and I think that I will stay on the train in future.
7 Apr 2009 08:50
I popped in here at about 22:30 on Saturday night and the place was pretty empty except for a couple of forlorn looking men sitting by the window and small group of pissed up Arsenal fans playing pool and darts and chanting at Match of the Day on the TV.
Only a basic selection of draught is available and the head on my Guinness was huge. I didn�t bother mentioning it to the barmaid as she looked like she had enough on her plate.
This place is an absolute toilet and I can see no point in drinking here unless your going to the Emirates and are extremely unadventurous and go in the first pub you see when you exit the station.
7 Apr 2009 08:39
This is an unspectacular local�s boozer with no real ale and only the usual suspects on draught. The Guinness was good and the barman was friendly enough, but I found the clientele in the Clarence a few doors away to be much friendlier to the weary traveller.
I would walk past if in the area again.
7 Apr 2009 08:11
This is very much a local�s boozer with a nice enough governor. There�s only a generic selection of draught and no real ale, but the Guinness was good and did its job. There are a couple of plasma screens and a pool table takes centre stage in the middle of the pub not far from the shelf full of pool trophies.
There�s nothing spectacular about this place, but I liked it and would go back again if in the area.
7 Apr 2009 08:07
Oh dear, I think that this may be the most pretentious pub I have ever been into. I was at the bar for a minute and was just about to leave, but unfortunately the barmaid caught me, I�m not usually upset to get served at the bar!
I�m not a fan of jazz or Art Deco so I was really onto a loser before I even walked in the place. I like to relax in a pub rather than feel like I�m on show for all around to judge and I like to have a wander around to check the place out and don�t expect to be quizzed about what I�m doing.
Standard and premium lagers were available alongside Broadside and Black Sheep, which was good, if not cheap.
I�ll not be returning here in a hurry.
7 Apr 2009 07:44
I was hoping that I was going to like this place after reading some of the previous reviews before venturing in and I wasn�t disappointed. I found the staff to be very friendly and the Deuchars and Ordinary were very good. Directors, Bombardier and Special were also available alongside Heineken, Fosters, Kronenburg and Guinness.
The walls are adorned with old sepia photos and there is a polyphone in the corner of the pub that can be heard with a small donation to charity. The actual bar is pretty big for the pub, but I liked the layout. There is no seating outside, but there is a shelf running along the outside of the pub that you can put your beer on.
I liked it in here and will go back again.
7 Apr 2009 07:09
The Sir John Oldcastle, Farringdon
This is the usual Wetherspoons affair with 12 hand pumps (at least 6 ales) and a selection of generic lagers. The staff seemed OK and I was served promptly, although it wasn�t very busy at 21:00 on Saturday night.
If you enjoy Spoons you�ll like it here and if you don�t you won�t.
7 Apr 2009 06:55
This place has plasma screens and a projector for showing Sky Sports and Setanta and is the sort of place you end up in when you have run out of ideas of where to watch the match.
As mentioned before, there is only a selection of basic draught available. There was also an overpowering smell of fat whilst I was there making my first and last visit very brief.
7 Apr 2009 06:49
Marquis of Cornwallis, Bloomsbury
I popped in here on Saturday evening and had a very nice pint of Landlord. The other three ales all seemed to be off for the night and the only other offerings were premium lagers. I found the barman to be friendly and knowledgeable enough and the other punters seemed like a good crowd.
The downstairs bar had a DJ who was playing some pretty good tunes, but I wasn�t really in the mood so I disappeared up to the quieter bar, which is sign posted as �The Drawing Room�.
If I lived locally this would probably be the �lets go there for a change� pub on the odd Friday/Saturday night.
6 Apr 2009 17:02
The Lord John Russell, Russell Square
I had a couple of very nice Hare Raisers in here on Saturday. Deuchars, Bombardier, 6X, St George and John Smiths Cask were also available along with some standard lagers. The pub is basically a stripped out room with a wooden floor, bar and furniture causing any noise to reverberate through the air. Every table has a wine bottle with a candle jammed in the top of it, which I find rather tacky.
The barmaid was nice enough, but the locals sitting all along the bar wouldn�t have moved to let me in if I had started pissing on them. There are a couple of plasma screens, but I saw no sport advertised. There are a couple of signs proudly displaying the fact that the pub scored 4 stars in the �scores on the doors� inspection. There is also a picture of the pub site when it was the Marchmont Street Distillery Company.
There are some benches on the pavement outside and there is also limited covered seating under the arch at the side of the pub.
I have to agree with a previous comment that this place could do better, but with all its faults there is something I like about this place and I would still return if passing.
6 Apr 2009 16:48
There were four out of five Shepherd Neame ales on during my visit and the usual limited selection of draught that you find in all SN pubs. I�m not a great fan, but thought that I would have a pint of Spitfire whilst watching the football on the large plasma screen at the rear of the pub. There are another two plasmas at the front, but the reception on all of them was pretty bad for this day and age.
I found the barmaid to be quite miserable and there wasn�t much atmosphere. I was a little disappointed as the pub seems set up for watching sports, but doesn�t seem to pull it off.
There are better pubs in the area.
6 Apr 2009 16:11
The Skinners Arms, Kings Cross
This is a Greene King pub so unsurprisingly IPA, Abbot and Old Speckled Hen were all available, but I was surprised to see some Landlord which was very nice. There is also a selection of standard lagers alongside San Miguel.
I noticed, as some others have on here, that this place is more of a local�s pub, but not exclusively. The barman seemed OK, but the music channel being played on the couple of screens was a bit out of place. I found the pub to be clean and I liked the decoration, but maybe some more light could be generated as it is a little dark.
I�ve been to far worse pubs and wouldn�t mind returning here if passing.
6 Apr 2009 15:51
As mentioned before, this place has no real ale, but it does have Carlsberg, Becks, Stella, Caffreys, John Smiths Smooth, Boddingtons, Strongbow and Guinness. There is a pool table and a plasma screen that shows Sky Sports and Setanta.
The d�cor is very busy with plates, old photos and skiing gear adorning the walls making it looked a bit cluttered, but it�s better than having a sparse pub with no character.
I liked it in here and the Guinness was good so I would go back.
6 Apr 2009 10:55
Along with the Deuchars and Courage best this pub also sells some standard lagers and Amstel. I found the barman to be very polite and the other punters seemed like a nice lot.
The plasma up in the corner was showing the Fulham v Liverpool match on Setanta.
My Deuchars was good and I liked it in here so would go back if in the area.
6 Apr 2009 10:48
The Norfolk Arms, Russell Square
I agree with the previous posters that have said this place is more restaurant than pub. The atmosphere inside was non existent and the only sounds were the chinking of forks on plates and teaspoons in Darjeeling.
Theakston XB was available alongside Greene King IPA which was on the turn and Fosters, Kronenburg, San Miguel, John Smiths Smooth and Guinness. I found the barmaid to be nice enough, but I felt uncomfortable sitting inside so I sat on one of the benches that line the path outside.
I don�t think that I�ll be going back here to eat or drink in the future.
6 Apr 2009 09:14
This place is a trendy pub/club complete with bouncer and rope outside for queuing along. I bet they have a guest list!
Not for me I�m afraid.
6 Apr 2009 08:27
I walked into here on Saturday evening at around 20:30 and after standing at the bar for 20 seconds a young barmaid came over and asked me to leave as it was a private party. It would have helped if there had been someone on the door or maybe even a sign suggesting the exclusivity of the night.
No wonder the only other review is informing of a name change.
6 Apr 2009 08:21
Polski Bar Sportowa, Palmers Green
This is a very large pub on a busy junction of the A406 North Circular. I counted seven pool tables that had been moved and covered to create a dance floor. There were also two other pool tables in use. There was a cover charge of �3 on the Friday night I went for the disco and the pub showed no signs of closing when I left at 00:30. The pub name obviously gives away the fact that the vast majority of patrons are Polish and they seemed to be enjoying themselves dancing to hard house and Polish music that sounded like a throw back to the 80�s. This is a sports bar so there are plasma screens dotted around the pub and there is also a test your strength boxing machine that seemed popular with the hod carriers.
After fighting my way through the pungent mist that was created by the overactive fog machine I managed to get to the bar where I was confronted by plenty of standard lager, Zywiec, and John Smiths. There were also bottles of Perla and Lech piled high in boxes behind the bar. The two staff were more interested in serving the locals, but fortunately for me it wasn�t that busy so I didn�t have to wait that long each time I went to the bar.
The pub was overlooked by a few bouncers who I found to be very friendly unlike the flower selling woman who was wandering around the pub all night.
There is plenty of outside seating, but as previously mentioned, this pub is on the North Circular so it isn�t the greatest spot for alfresco drinking.
Ten years ago I would have probably enjoyed going here with my mates, but I�m afraid those days have long since gone. Maybe during the week and the daytime at the weekend it is a little more civilised and a few quiet games of pool can be played whilst watching the football, maybe I will return.
31 Mar 2009 10:28
Although this place is not as interesting as the pub opposite I have to say that there were twice as many (4) ales on during my visit and they were much better kept. The staff were nice enough, but I think that the music was a tad loud for a Mothering Sunday afternoon.
The pub is basically a large room with the bar in the middle and I�d imagine it is very nice in the winter months when the huge fireplace is utilised.
This isn�t the most interesting place, but the beer was up to scratch and I would go back again.
31 Mar 2009 06:46
This is another Shepherd Neame pub with an unexciting ale choice of Spitfire and Master Brew and the usual limited draught selection. This is a shame as the pub itself is very interesting and I think I can best describe it as feeling like an old pirate ship. As you pass the three or four tables on the main path outside you enter into a small street level bar. The larger main bar is found up some stairs and you will find a dining type area towards the front of the pub and a couple of plasma screens in the main section in the middle. There is a pool room with one table up some more steps at the rear of the pub and there is also a tiny courtyard area outside the back for the smokers.
I found the young staff to be very friendly and the music selection was very good, it�s just a shame about the range and quality of drinks.
I think that this is a pub that you have to visit if you�ve never been before, maybe on a Sunday for food rather than beer as the roasts were very cheap and they looked lovely.
31 Mar 2009 06:44
This is a small caf� that has had a bar put into it, but the metal tables and breakfast menu remains. It sounds like a travesty, but the locals and music added to the dartboard hanging on the back wall gave a very friendly atmosphere. There is a limited draught selection and unsurprisingly no real ale, but the Guinness was good.
I�m not sure that I�d go back again, but I�m glad that I visited just once to see that you can create a bar with a good atmosphere just about anywhere.
30 Mar 2009 14:45
This is a highly unremarkable shop conversion pub populated by Irish builders and pensioners. The twenty or so people in during my visit late one afternoon were transfixed on the tiny TV set that was showing Deal or no Deal. They were giving each other advice on how to beat this game of total chance.
The barmaid was friendly enough, but I think she did wonder who I was and why on earth I had wandered into her bar. It was like sitting in your front room watching a TV programme that you didn�t want to whilst people that you wouldn�t give a second glance to in the street walked in and made themselves at home.
Unsurprisingly, along with some standard lagers the draught selection is John Smiths, Guinness and Strongbow.
I think I�ll give this place a miss in future.
30 Mar 2009 14:43
The Duke of Wellington, Hastings
The landlady in this pub was very pleasant during my visit, but she has to be the oldest person that has ever served me a drink. There were two other customers in their twilight years which made me wonder why R&B and House tunes were piping out of the speakers.
The pub is split into two with the smaller front bar feeling like a living room and the back bar more like a social club with its pool table and dartboard. There are some very good paintings on the walls of both bars. The toilets are to the rear of the pub and the gents had no soap or hand drying facilities.
The Pride was good and they also had Harvey�s Best available alongside some standard lagers and San Miguel.
I doubt that I�d ever venture in here again as the local competition is much better.
30 Mar 2009 12:46
This is not the biggest pub in the world, but it still manages to get some nice tucked away areas in the different rooms/sections of the building.
During my visit there were four hand pumps, two of which had Harvey�s clips on and the other two were bare. None of these hand pumps were being used though as there were a couple of barrels of Harveys sitting on the bar. There was also a very limited selection of draught and a few of these were off. The seated area down a few steps to the right of the pub had an open fire that I�d imagine to be fantastic on those cold wintery nights.
The barman was polite and I would go back if in the area.
27 Mar 2009 11:37
I�ll agree with the previous review that this is very much a local�s pub, but the governor was very polite and I didn�t feel unwelcome at any point. After a couple of pints the wife and I did decide to leave as we ended up being surrounded by kids and we went away for the weekend to escape that.
There were two Harvey�s Best hand pumps behind the small bar along with an unused pump and a very limited draught selection. There is a pool table at the back of the pub by an out of order pinball machine. There is also a very good juke box on the wall next to the gents toilets at the rear. There is a dart board in the main bar area and a TV in both areas, one of which was showing boxing on Eurosport.
This place needs some TLC and it is not that big a place and it certainly doesn�t have enough room for the wooden objects stored along the front wall. I�m not sure that I would go back if I was ever in Rye again.
27 Mar 2009 11:29
There is a sign up outside this pub informing the readers that this is the oldest pub in Rye, which didn�t surprise me. The owners/managers seem to have put a lot of effort into the pub which was the reason I was so surprised when I walked in at the lack of other customers. The reason soon became apparent as the barman was playing a loud game of darts with a mate of his and the dance music didn�t really suit the surroundings. Fortunately after about 15 minutes this friend left and the pub actually became very enjoyable.
I was very happy to tuck into the well kept Pride, but I didn�t try the Harveys as I was getting a bit sick of it as every pub seemed to sell it. There was also a selection of standard lagers available.
The pub had a feel like the parents had gone away and left their son in charge, but as I said, the general ambience of the pub vastly improved as the night went on � it may have been the beer though.
27 Mar 2009 11:13
This is certainly the best pub that I discovered in Rye for watching sport and even though only Old Speckled Hen and Greene King IPA were available I would say that this was my favourite pub visited in the area. The barmaid/landlady was nice enough and the OSH was on good form. Alongside some standard lagers and Olde English Cider there was an unused hand pump, so maybe they occasionally have a guest on.
There is a quiet saloon bar on one side of the pub for the serious drinkers and the other side is much larger with a pool table in the centre and a dart board at the back of the pub. On the opposite wall there is a projector screen and the pub shows Sky Sports and Setanta. I tried my hand at one of the two quiz machines, but the questions were ultra difficult indicating that someone had already cleaned them out. At about 18:00 the barman/governor came out and covered the pool table and then moved it to the side as the usual Saturday night live entertainment was being set up. I don�t know what it was, but I have a terrible feeling it may have been karaoke.
Out the back of the pub there are a few benches lining the driveway that leads into the pub car park. There is also a small smoking shelter found just next to the car park.
This place is a little rough and ready, but it certainly fills a gap in the Rye pub market and it is great if, like me, you like carousing!
27 Mar 2009 10:50
My first impressions of this place were all good as the pub is in a great setting on a hillside at the foot of a castle with some nice views from the outside seating in the decked area and the large beer garden. The barmaid was extremely friendly and chatty and the Pride and Landlord were very good. Harvey�s Best and ESB were also available alongside Fosters, Kronenburg, Becks, Guinness and Bushells Kentish Cider. The only small gripes that I could have had were that the radio was playing instead of some background music and there was a really drunk girl in the pub, but she seemed to be friends with the barmaid and the lad with her was very apologetic and I�ve seen far worse.
Unfortunately at 18:00 it was all change at the Ypres as the barmaid and her friends left and the governor came in with an older barmaid. The governor�s first task of the day was to ask the wife and me if we were eating as we were sitting at the back of the pub which was classed as the dining area. We were going to eat so he said we wouldn�t have to move to the front of the pub, which we thought a little strange as we were the only people in the entire building. I could continue rambling on about the food so to cut a long story short both of our dishes were ok, but we felt extremely rushed to order and finish up.
There is a room with a plasma screen and some tables and chairs behind the bar and there is also a dartboard in the main bar, but I�m not sure that it is playable due to the bench along the side of the wall encroaching onto the oche. The barmaid also informed me that there is live music every Friday night from 21:00, but we left well before this so I cannot comment.
There is a lunch service from 12:00 until 15:00 which includes a reduced rate children�s menu. The dinner service starts at 18:00 and finishes at 22:00 every night except Fridays when it is 21:00 due to the live music I mentioned earlier. Very young children are not permitted to dine during the dinner service.
I felt that the governor was quite unwelcoming and ruined the relaxed atmosphere which was a real shame as we didn�t go back to this lovely pub during our stay in Rye.
27 Mar 2009 09:00
I will just add that the guest beer was Rother Valley's Honey Fuzz which was rather nice. Hopefully I will come across it again somewhere else.
26 Mar 2009 16:31
This place is certainly more restaurant than pub and although the food that the wife and I had was fantastic, the service was just plain rude. I think that it is perfectly acceptable to walk into a pub, as this place advertises itself to be, and sit down at a table and then go to the bar to order some beer and ask for a menu. If we�d have known that it was going to be such a mission to get fed we would have walked straight out. I think that I was meant to sit and get table service as every time I went to the bar I had to wait for the barman to finish making drinks even though I was the only one standing there. This made me a little confused as it was almost 45 minutes before the waiter came over and only then because I collared him.
Harvey�s Best and a guest ale were on and there was also a selection of premium and standard lagers. There is a dartboard up on the wall with tables and chairs set out on the oche? There was also a strange mix of music coming from the speakers and I was surprised to hear drum and bass in the surroundings I was in.
I will not be returning here and if I was the excellent chef I would be blasting these cretins at the front of shop for doing me a disservice.
26 Mar 2009 15:49
I had a couple of pints in here, on a Sunday late last year, whilst I watched the 3000+ Harley Davidson�s ride past after doing their yearly Hoggin� the bridge ride over the Severn. Interesting stuff, but back to the pub.
Bombardier, Wye Valley Bitter and Theakston were all available along with various bog standard lagers. The prices were very reasonable and the staff polite. There are lots of plasma screens dotted about and the pub shows both Sky Sports and Setanta. The pub is big with separate areas so it is easy to get comfortable. There is also a tiny dance floor and DJ box for the evenings and apparently the pub is open until 1am on a Friday and Saturday.
There is a smoking area out the back so that you don�t have to stand on the high street.
As pubs go this one is ok even if it does lack character, but I�d imagine there must be better boozers in the area.
26 Mar 2009 14:45
I found the governor in here to be very friendly; it�s just a shame that the tetchy barmaid ruined his good work. Pride, Bombardier, Landlord and Greene King IPA were all available from the bar along with Staropramen and some standard lagers.
There is a plasma screen in the corner, but I saw no sign of any sport advertised. Also, there is limited standing room as the pub has lots of seating � probably to maximise the dining capacity during the day.
I wouldn�t make the effort to return here again, but would pop in if passing.
26 Mar 2009 09:22
The Buckingham Arms, Westminster
I didn�t think this place to be anything special and some of the other punters left a lot to be desired. It�s a large pub and the staff were nice enough, but the Ordinary and Deuchars were off leaving only Bombardier. Standard and premium lagers are also available, but I think I�ll walk past next time.
26 Mar 2009 09:13
I didn�t notice if the barman served me slops, but like most of the other customers I was so pissed that I wouldn�t have noticed anyway. A slaughtered German bird tried to give me her purse so that I could go to the bar and order as she couldn�t stand up, let alone speak English. Obviously I made my excuses and left (without the purse), but I got the feeling that the transient nature of this pub allows people to let their hair down a little too much as they, like me, will probably never return.
Pride, Old Speckled Hen, IPA and Bombardier were all available along with standard and premium lagers.
I actually found the barman to be very pleasant, but if I had caught him fobbing me off with some slops I would have gone ballistic. Next time I am down I will pop in to see this for myself.
25 Mar 2009 16:05
This place is ok and although the barmaid that served me was very tetchy the governor was polite enough. I spotted six ales alongside some premium and standard lagers.
I'd pop in here again if passing on the same side of the road.
25 Mar 2009 15:40
This place is ok, but nothing special in an area full of real ale boozers. The barman was friendly enough and he was dishing out Pride, Bombardier, 6X, Greene King IPA and Deuchars along with Guinness, Strongbow and three standard lagers.
There is a small TV set up in the corner, but I got the feeling that it is only turned on for royal weddings and funerals. There is some pew seating jutting out either side of the fireplace as to face it at 30 degrees and this does drastically cut down the standing room of the pub, but it looks quite cool and it wasn't very busy when I visited anyway.
I would go back here if passing, but I probably wouldn�t stay very long.
25 Mar 2009 15:28
I saw some signs up advertising the famous 135 seater carvery restaurant upstairs and the waitresses seemed to be darting around in the bar area with plated of food so you can guess what the pub smelt like.
Adnams, Directors, Pride, Deuchars and Bombardier were all available along with a selection of standard and premium lagers. The Pride was located on the smaller bar area around the side past the small glass food display case.
The Pride and Deuchars were good and the staff polite, but I doubt that I�d return unless eating.
25 Mar 2009 14:47
This is a nice enough boozer with an experienced governor and barman. Spitfire, Ordinary, Blessed Thistle and Helmsman were all available alongside Standard lagers, Guinness and Stowford Press Cider.
The food selection is very basic with sandwiches, ploughmans and baked potatoes making it a great pub with no sign of any jus drizzled anywhere. I had a packet of jalapeno pepper crisps which were fantastic, especially as they are from the Real Crisps Company and the last time I had some in another pub I was charged �2, but in here a mere 60p.
The pub is not very big and was barely comfortable on my visit, but that is the price that must be paid when finding a good pub and I would make an effort to revisit at a quieter time.
25 Mar 2009 11:26
This review may be out of date as it is from October, but I thought it better to have something written to start this place off.
This place is a caf� by day and trendy bar by night.
Peroni, Budweiser, Carlsberg, Magners and Guinness are all available on draught along with numerous top shelf tipples. The staff seem very friendly and it is over 23�s during the evening.
There are 2 plasma screens that show sports and DJ�s are often spinning their decks until 1am.
I�d prefer to be in a pub, but this isn�t a bad alternative.
25 Mar 2009 11:06
This place doesn�t look very inviting from street level and I probably wouldn�t have bothered with it if I wasn�t meeting some friends. I was pleasantly surprised when I got down to the bar as I liked the layout and it wasn�t uncomfortably busy for our large group to get settled. The sofas upstairs were laid out well, but unfortunately they were reserved so we had to vacate them at 18:00.
Pedigree, Dirty Tackle and Paddy�s Tout were available alongside standard and premium lagers. I ended up sticking to the Guinness as I had been drinking this earlier and I didn�t spot any people drinking the ale. The barmaids seemed ok, if maybe a little disinterested in their work, but I�m not sure the barman had a clue what was going on and I put him down as a new starter.
There were a few plasma screens dotted about that were showing Sky Sports News, but I didn�t spot any live sport advertised. The background music varied from your expect old rock and pop to some strange coma inducing instrumentals that were better suited to a crack house.
This is a large cellar bar that is perfect for meeting groups of mates or work colleagues for the evening, but you wouldn�t catch me on my own in here reading the paper.
25 Mar 2009 09:37
The Sanctuary House, Westminster
I�ve found that you can�t really go wrong in selecting a Fullers pub for few beers and this place doesn�t disappoint. They have eight hand pumps, but only four ales (Chiswick, Pride ESB and Discovery) alongside some standard lagers. The pub is bigger than most in the area and there is a large TV up on the wall, not that I saw any sport advertised. I had to wait to be served as there was only one barman, but he was polite and quick when he finally got to me.
I would return here again if passing.
25 Mar 2009 09:01
This Greene King pub had five GK selection ales and Peroni available alongside some standard lagers. It certainly feels like it has had a new lick of paint and I think the staff have been told to keep it clean as I had to wait a while for them to stop wiping it down before I could get my drink.
I can�t see myself returning here in any great hurry.
25 Mar 2009 08:52
I can see what people are saying about the lack of interesting ales, but I still think that a choice of five is good enough and is more than will be found in a vast majority of pubs. I really liked it in here and found the staff to be very friendly.
I will definitely pop my head in when next in the area.
25 Mar 2009 08:44
The The Old Monk Exchange, Westminster
The ales on here during my visit last week hadn�t changed since the previous review except the �Dark and Strong� had changed to �Grandstand� also from Twickenhem ales. There is also a selection of premium and standard lagers available from staff that I found to be pleasant enough. I spotted a plasma screen and the six nations rugby was being heavily advertised, although I spotted no sign of any Sky Sports advertisement.
I got the feeling that most of the other customers were local office workers that had crossed the road to drink/eat here as I�m not sure anyone would go out of their way to go here and I doubt that I�ll return.
24 Mar 2009 14:34
The Westminster Arms, Westminster
I think that I counted seven Shepherd Neame ales on during my visit here last Thursday. The usual Neame draught selection of Oranjeboom, Hosten Export, etc. was also available. The pub is your normal smallish London boozer and although I didn�t venture upstairs I did spot signs for a 40 seat restaurant.
There are a couple of screens in the bar, but I saw no sports advertised so I would be very surprised if Sky Sports was available. I�m not a big Shepherd Neame fan and my Spitfire wasn�t the best I�d ever had. I didn�t ask for a different pint as I thought the governor would bite my head off.
I don�t think that I�ll be going back here again.
24 Mar 2009 13:57
St Stephens Tavern, Westminster
I was lucky enough to wander into here just as a large group of tourists were leaving so there was plenty of space in both of the small downstairs bars. The range of badger ales was ok and Peroni, HB and HB export, Guinness and Dry Blackthorn cider were also available from the cheerful barmaid. If memory serves me correctly there was a little background music, but there were no TVs or other distractions.
I don�t think that this place really stands out from many of the boozers in the immediate environs, although I would take no issue with popping back in if passing.
24 Mar 2009 12:54
The Slug and Lettuce, Waterloo
On my visits here I have noticed that this place seems to mainly cater for groups of woman drinking orange juice or coke. I�ve only been in twice and the second time was because I had found out on my first visit that the toilet is next to the entrance so I could have a leak in there after getting off the train at Waterloo.
I will visit here again next time I�m caught short.
24 Mar 2009 12:37
The Windsor Castle, Maida Vale
This is very much a local�s pub and I felt a little unwelcome so ended up sitting in the back room drinking my pint of Adnams, if I remember correctly. This room had a plasma screen and numerous rugby shirts up on the walls, but none of them seemed to be English� tut tut.
There is a small alcove with some sofas in it towards the back of the pub and there is also another plasma screen in the small main bar where the locals were all hanging out.
The barmaid was very friendly, but I don�t think that I�ll be returning in a hurry.
17 Mar 2009 11:29
The Warwick Castle, Maida Vale
I liked it in here and the landlady was very friendly. The Doombar was very good and Cornish Coaster and Pride were also available alongside standard and premium lagers. The main bar is very comfortable and has a small plasma screen (turned off) and an open fire. There is also another quieter room to the side that also has a plasma screen which was also turned off.
After venturing in here after a few disappointing pubs I was pleasantly surprised and would gladly drink in here again and recommend it to others.
17 Mar 2009 11:19
I was in here last week with a few work colleagues and ordered a pint of Chiswick. The barman disappeared away from the ale pumps and returned with my pint of Chiswick. After some wandering along the bar I found that they were also selling keg Chiswick and I had in fact been served this. I told the barman that I was really after some real ale and he informed me that they did not have Chiswick from the hand pump. I would have thought that the clip would have been turned around or taken off as the first thing seen on the bar as you walk in are pumps for the Pride, ESB and Chiswick. It also doesn�t help that the Chiswick keg is hidden behind the food menus at the side of the till.
Maybe a little more thought needs to be put in.
In regards to the food, I�ve not eaten here since the rancid burger with sweaty chef drippings I received about a year ago. They are now selling meals at lunchtimes for �2.50 so I think you can make your own minds up about the quality.
This place was very good about 7 years ago and then it went downhill until an improvement a couple of years ago. It then hit the bottom of the barrel and is slowly picking up again, but it is still not a patch on what it used to be.
17 Mar 2009 09:10
I received unbelievably bad service from the barman in here and my Guinness was the worst poured I�ve ever seen. A third of it was head and it was poured in one go into an IPA glass and delivered to me with a grimace. Often when confronted with an ignorant and curt barperson I usually make the effort to get something out of them in the form of a brief conversation, but this guy was having none of it.
Along with the Guinness, Landlord, Pride, Greene King IPA, Carling and Premium lagers were also available. The pub does have a bohemian feel so if you like drinking in a darkened room with sheets on the oddly fitting sofas and curtains over the windows blocking out the sun you�ll love it here. I think that the mind numbing jazz playing in the background was the final straw that made me walk outside to finish my drink and have a ciggy. If this pub was any closer to the canal it would be in it, yet it has no views of it whatsoever.
Maybe the theatre upstairs has some good performances as there surely has to be something that keeps people going here.
It is a certainty that I will give this place a miss when I�m next in the area.
17 Mar 2009 08:20
I had a bite to eat with the family in here a couple of Sundays ago and although the food wasn�t that great I thought that it was reasonably priced for what it was. The staff seemed very young and it seemed to take a lot longer to get served at the bar when their manager/supervisor wasn�t about. The Country Bitter was ok and AK was also available along with Fosters, Stella, Kronenburg, Strongbow and Guinness.
The pub is very big and like most roadside pubs on main roads it is very much geared towards dry sales making it more of a family pub than an �out on the tear� pub. There is a covered and decked area out the back that leads onto a very large garden that I�m sure is very nice in the summer.
This is ok to pop into for some refreshment if passing, but I wouldn�t go out of my way.
16 Mar 2009 16:37
I found the barman in here to be friendly and the other punters were an excitable lot making it the sort of place I would avoid taking my granny to. There are a couple of pool tables in there own section of the pub and I spotted three plasma screens up on the wall so that you could see at least one of them from any part of the pub. There is also a dartboard on a raised area just to the left of the bar as you walk in.
One ale pump was unused and the other was serving up Adnams which was passable. There was also a selection of usual suspects available on draught.
This is the sort of place I would pop into for the football if I lived locally, but as I don�t I doubt I�ll ever return.
16 Mar 2009 16:16
This Youngs pub only had Bombardier and Ordinary on during my visit. There was also an unused ale pump and a selection of standard and premium lagers. I found the barman that served me to be friendly enough, but the pub itself is totally devoid of any atmosphere and is more like a hotel bar. There is a plasma screen at one end of the pub which was showing Sky Sports News, but I saw no live sport advertised. There is also a dining area with set tables at the other end of the long bar past the high tables and sofas.
I can�t envisage returning here again.
16 Mar 2009 10:43
The Robert Browning, Maida Vale
Another Sam Smiths pub with no real ale. There is a bar billiards table and barmaid was extremely friendly and polite, but there are better pubs in the area.
13 Mar 2009 11:00
The Duke of York, Ganwick Corner
This place is a pre book restaurant with a bar area on the side. The bar has Adnams and Pride along with four draught beers, but it feels like a waiting room.
Maybe it is better when the sun is out as there is a big garden with an adventure play area for the kids, but judging on how busy it was with diners last weekend I�d imagine it gets packed.
The staff seemed very friendly, but I�ll not be returning here for a beer.
13 Mar 2009 10:41
This place is in a fantastic location and it is a massive shame that it isn�t a nice old boozer rather than a pretentious caf�/bar. The barman was slightly snooty and my Pride was barely drinkable, but I stayed to finish it as the patio area by the canal is fantastic. Guinness, Stella and some premium lagers are also available, but the other customers seemed to all be drinking coffee which was quite pungent. There is a plasma screen on the wall above an impressive contemporary open fire.
This is the sort of place I�d take the wife for lunch on a nice summer�s day and not the sort of place I�d go for a beer.
13 Mar 2009 08:28
The Prince of Wales, Maida Hill
I popped in here last Friday afternoon and found myself in a stereotypical Irish pub complete with Ladbrokes atmosphere and Guinness aplenty (I counted five Guinness pumps). The ubiquitous Irish pub draught selection was also available and obviously no real ale was to be seen. I found the staff to be friendly enough and all the other punters seemed to be engrossed in the horse racing that was being shown on the plethora of plasma screens.
Thankfully I love these sorts of pubs and I would recommend a visit if, like me, you like darts (two boards), sports on the TV (Sky and Setanta) and the black stuff.
13 Mar 2009 08:16
I finally got in here last Thursday and have to admit to being somewhat disappointed, but this maybe due to the fact that I was expecting some elaborate fanfare for finding the doors ajar.
The barmaid was OK without being very friendly and the Pride and Harveys were very good. Black Sheep was also available along with Peroni, Hoegarden, San Miguel, Staropramen, Kronenburg, Fosters and Guinness.
Like the previous reviewer I visited here around 18:00 when it was quiet so it didn�t have a gastro feel and the only way that you could tell was from the snippets from Timeout and GPG that have their pride of place in the toilet and on the board outside. From reading the Timeout review I can imagine it being a bit uncomfortable in the evenings if you just want to sit at the bar and have a few beers, but this is only conjecture. There are a couple of benches outside the front of the pub and a beer garden out the back that is �open when the sun is shining�.
This place is a bit out of the way so I doubt that I�ll ever return.
12 Mar 2009 07:31
The Metropolitan, Westbourne Park
Wooden Hand Brewery�s Cornish Buccaneer was the only ale on during my visit leaving the other two pumps unused. Addlestone Cider, Amstel, Grolsch, Heineken and Kronenburg are also available, but I plumped for the Guinness as I didn�t spot anyone else drinking the ale. The barmaid was ok, but I found the scuffed gastro d�cor a bit depressing and would have sat outside in the nice seating area if it was a little warmer.
I wouldn�t bother going here again if passing.
12 Mar 2009 07:08
The Grand Union, Westbourne Park
I was hoping for a lot out of this place as I approached it, but as soon as I had opened the door I realised that this place wasn�t going to be for me. My fears were compounded by the surly barmaid and cost of the Pride. Draught Honeydew and a selection of premium lagers were also available.
The pub is on a great location by the canal and maybe that has been its downfall in attracting people that don�t do pubs. You know the type that phone two days in advance so that they can reserve the large table with the sofas and then spend the evening sanctimoniously looking down their noses at the ilk as they are in the top dog seats so they must be special.
I managed to get a goodbye from the staff, but only after a lot of effort on my part. Maybe my face just didn�t fit in this pretentious cesspit.
I will be returning, but only to walk past as I visit Angies II again.
11 Mar 2009 10:05
Angies Freehouse II, Westbourne Park
I popped in here for a couple of pints on Friday afternoon and although the place is darker than Peter Mandelson�s soul I still had a good time. The barman (Greg) was extremely friendly and the other couple of people that seemed like regulars struck up a conversation with me almost before I had got to the bar.
I stuck to the very nice Guinness, but the usual generic draught that you would find in an Irish bar was also available along with Tuborg.
The pub shows Sky and Setanta and there are a couple of plasma screens which were showing the cricket which seemed to be the hot topic of the day. There is also a nicely placed dartboard in the corner and if I hadn�t forgotten my darts I would have probably stayed a lot longer than I did.
This is a fantastic pub and I will definitely go back here again.
11 Mar 2009 09:50
Ha Ha Bar and Canteen, Muswell Hill
I know this place was crap, but I'm a little confused at why you keep slating it as it has been a Slug and Lettuce for nearly a year now.
11 Mar 2009 07:49
The Defector's Weld, Shepherds Bush
There are four ale pumps in this pub; two of which are unused and the other two were being used for Young�s Ordinary and Deuchars IPA (which was ok). There is also a selection of very expensive premium lagers that most of the young professionals seemed to be tucking into.
I�m not a fan of these places and even though I actually found the barmaid that served me to be very polite I would rather drink the cheaper more superior beer over the road.
11 Mar 2009 07:46
As mentioned before this place has a Wetherspoons feel to it from the cheap drinks and food to the curry nights, and whilst I was there, the stretched staff. Why on earth the management would expect one person to be barman, potman and waiter is beyond me.
Pride, Bombadier, Adnams and some nice Brains SA were available along with standard lagers during my visit.
I�d not go out of my way to drink here, but I�ve been in far worse pubs than this one.
11 Mar 2009 07:32
The Oakmere House, Potters Bar
This is indeed now a Harvester and unsurprisingly last Sunday afternoon it was packed with screaming kids and large groups standing at the bar. The one good thing is that most people in here had young children so everyone was in the same boat.
Old Speckled Hen is available on draught along with a large selection of standard lagers and San Miguel.
I didn�t stay long as my brain started to hurt, but it is good to know that there is somewhere to take the kids in a couple of years and I won�t be expected to keep my eye on them.
10 Mar 2009 15:17
The Uxbridge Arms, Notting Hill
This homely pub is small yet perfectly formed. The landlady is extremely friendly and the ale is top notch. The same ales were on as mentioned below and there were some standard lagers.
If I�d known some of the dross establishments that I ended up going into after this pub I would have knocked the crawl on the head and stayed here all day.
10 Mar 2009 13:29
The Hillgate, Notting Hill Gate
I really liked it in here and found the barman that served me to be very friendly. Deuchars IPA, Pride and Cornish Coaster were all available along with San Miguel and some standard lagers. There are a couple of plasma screens that show Sky Sports and there is also a dartboard in a little room around the side of the bar. There is some seating along the path on the side of the back streets outside the pub, but I didn�t stay out there as I happened to visit during the local school�s playtime and they were making quite a racket � bless them.
There was a mix of other customers from some old posh blokes to builders on their lunch break and the staff seemed very sociable getting involved with the banter of some of the regulars creating a very convivial atmosphere.
I was a little annoyed at being charged about �8 for a burger and then discovering that it didn�t come with chips, so it ended up costing about �10 and it was nothing better than what you�d get for �4 in a Spoons. Maybe I should stick to my usual formula of eating in a restaurant and drinking at the pub as I normally end up disappointed if I veer from this.
If in the area, I�d definitely go back here for a drink and maybe a game of darts.
10 Mar 2009 13:19
I quite liked my visit here on Friday afternoon although there were only about five other people in. The barman was very friendly and Greene King IPA, Bombardier, Pride and Old Speckled Hen were all available alongside standard and premium lagers.
There is a plasma screen up in the corner that was showing Sky Sports News, but I didn�t see any sport advertised.
This pub is OK, but there are better pubs in the immediate area.
10 Mar 2009 12:59
The Prince Albert, Notting Hill
After popping into the Old Swan and Uxbridge Arms across the road I found this place to be an utter disappointment. I didn�t like the attitude of the barmaid that served me so I opted for a half of Pride so that I didn�t have to stay longer than necessary. This was given to me in a Schneider Weisse glass and filled to the line leaving an inch or so at the top making it look very sad indeed.
Landlord, Greene King IPA and Daleside�s Leg Over were also available along with a healthy selection of premium lagers, but I�m afraid that the �can�t be arsed� attitude that I received massively lets this place down and I cannot recommend it to others and I myself will not be returning.
9 Mar 2009 16:35
The Tavistock Arms, Westbourne Park
This place was boarded up when I went past on Friday afternoon.
9 Mar 2009 16:02
This place should be renamed �Up Your Own Arse� and the bar staff shouldn�t be allowed within 100 paces of any licensed establishment.
I had to wait an age for the two staff to finish clearing plates and end conversations about what time they finished and what pretentious hole they were going to spend their evening in. My Guinness was poured in one go and had a 2 inch head and my change was nonchalantly dropped onto the bar. I necked my pint and hastily made my way to the exit through a sea of �oh my god�s� and �no way�s�.
I�m a little embarrassed to admit that I ended up wandering in here, but you can be assured that I will not be making that mistake again.
9 Mar 2009 15:58
I have to agree with the previous comment that this is a typical bland high street chain pub and I wouldn�t make a point of visiting again. The barmaid was nice enough, but there was an overpowering musty smell and my ears were being polluted with Gareth Gates. There is no real ale and my Guinness was served in a glass that I am more accustomed to receiving when ordering an orange juice for the nipper.
Poor show!
9 Mar 2009 13:16
I walked into the public bar and waited for a few minutes for some service and was about to give up when one of the two old gentlemen sitting down told me to knock on the bar to get the barmaids attention. They explained that there was another bar, so as I wasn�t going to play on the pool table I decided to walk around and try my luck in the other bar. As I entered I realised that this wasn�t the poky little one bar old man�s boozer that I thought it was and that it was a large pub with plasmas and dance music that is open until 1am at the weekends.
When I did eventually find her the barmaid was very nice. Pride and Trafalgar were the ale offerings, but the Trafalgar was on the turn. Standard lagers were also available along with Hoegarden and Tyskie.
I�m not sure that I�d go out of my way to drink here, but it�s always handy to know a pub that is open late at the weekends.
9 Mar 2009 13:06
I thought that I�d stepped back in time when I walked in here, especially when I noticed the Mcewan�s tap on the bar. The other selections of draught are nothing out of the ordinary, but they do sell Webster�s Draught Bitter which I�ve not seen before.
There are a couple of plasma screens and small TVs and also a pool table around the back of the pub before the generously sized gent�s toilet. The music was very loud for the afternoon, but my nan would have loved it.
The landlady was very nice, as were the couple of locals that I met making my visit very pleasant.
9 Mar 2009 12:17
The attitude of the barmaid that I was served by was far from satisfactory, but I still think that this is a decent pub and the �dining room� at the back is well worth a look.
The Pride was off during my visit, but the HSB and Chiswick were well delivered. I didn�t spot any TVs which wasn�t surprising as this is a sit down and drink whilst talking to your mates pub.
It is a little dark for my liking, but I would return if passing.
9 Mar 2009 12:05
This place looks a bit grim from the outside, but I was pleasantly surprised upon entering as it is clean and decked out well. There are a couple of plasma screens and a small TV and they show Sky and Setanta. The barmaid was friendly, but my Pride wasn�t up to scratch. ESB is also available alongside some bog standard lagers.
This is a decent pub and hopefully my bad pint was a one off. Next time I am in Acton I will try this place again.
6 Mar 2009 11:18
This is a no frills boozer that isn't everyone�s cup of tea, but I liked it even though there is no real ale. An unremarkable selection of generic draught is available, but it is served by a very friendly barmaid. There is a pool table and a couple of screens for sports that were showing the horse racing whilst I was in. All pints are �2.70 at the moment with John Smiths Smooth coming in at �2.50.
I thought that this was one of the better pubs in Acton that I have been to, not that there is much competition.
6 Mar 2009 11:12
This place is great if you�re an old Irish boy who likes to moan about the world and enjoy watching �Last of the Summer Wine� on the plasma screen. The usual draught lager and Guinness that you will find in most Irish pubs is present along with the Celtic flags and blue air.
A bit soul destroying so I won�t be going back again.
6 Mar 2009 10:56
This is a pretty grim place and needs some decoration. I thought it a bit sparse, but on reading the previous reviews I�ve come to realise that this must be a live music venue. It looks like someone�s tatty old living room with a bar, plasma screen and pool table plonked in it.
The barmaid was very nice, but there was only a generic selection of draught available.
There is a small selection of books on some shelves next to a sign for �Foley�s Book Club� in which you can take any book away with you if you swap it for another, which I thought was a nice idea. It�s also been a while since I saw a barmaid disappear down to the cellar via a hatch behind the bar, great stuff!
I�m sure that this place serves its purpose very well, but I can�t really see myself returning.
6 Mar 2009 10:35
I think that the below review describes this place very well.
I would also like to add that the real ale on during my visit was Pride (which was good) and Harvey�s Best. There is also an unused ale pump and a selection of standard and premium lagers. There is also a projector screen on the back wall which was rolled up, not that I imagine any sport gets shown on it.
This is a good pub if you like the gastro side of things.
6 Mar 2009 10:25
The Railway Tavern, New Barnet
I think that this is the best pub out of the five or six in New Barnet. The pub was busy, but I was served promptly in a friendly manner. Young�s Ordinary, Eagle IPA, and Bombardier were all available along with standard lagers. The crowd was mixed and seemed very nice and the pub has Sky and Setanta that is shown on numerous plasma screens, there are even a couple on the wall of the urinals so that you don�t have to miss a kick when nature calls.
My Bombardier was very good making this place my pub of choice in the area.
6 Mar 2009 09:57
The below review is two years old indicating that this place hasn�t changed in that time. I popped in last weekend and was served a nice pint of Guinness with a smile. The pub has plasma screens for the sport and I spotted a dartboard in the other bar, but I missed the pool table which may have been out of my line of sight.
Unfortunately the 2 ale pumps I spied were unused and there was only standard lager and Greene King IPA smooth on draught along with Strongbow (I think).
This place is OK, but I wouldn�t make a special trip.
6 Mar 2009 08:32
Unfortunately there was a leaving do going on in the back bar when I visited so I ended up in the public bar with a really pissed bloke and a handful of miserable pensioners, one of which closed the door in my face as I walked in � Cheers.
Thankfully the barmaids were very friendly and the ale offering was Greene King IPA and Abbot alongside some standard lagers.
I�ve been here before and enjoyed my stay more then, but I think I picked a bad time to visit.
6 Mar 2009 08:22
Halleluiah, a pub with four dartboards a pool table and plenty of plasma screens for the Sky and Setanta. A disco or band was setting up during my visit and the stage behind had far too many Spurs flags up on the wall for my liking! There�s an unused ale pump and the Guinness was very nice. There are also about five standard lagers, but two of these were off.
It�s a bit bare, but I got the impression that it is more of a music venue as there were only about four other customers at 19:30 on a Saturday evening and there is limited seating for a pub of its size.
The barmaids were friendly, but I�d probably not go back unless I was out for a bop or I was passing and wanted to catch some football or chuck some arrows.
6 Mar 2009 08:15
This is an OK Mcmullen pub and the barman was very friendly, but my pint of Country Bitter was not the best. Ak was also available along with Stella, Fosters, Kronenburg, Strongbow and Guinness. Not a huge selection on draught, but there was an unused ale pump that could maybe be hooked up to give a little more choice.
There is a large plasma screen and a smaller TV and the pub shows Sky and Setanta and the Sky Sports feed was showing during my visit.
The beer is cheap and there is a dartboard, but I still think there are better pubs in New Barnet.
6 Mar 2009 08:06
Passing this pub earlier in the week I noticed that the name has now changed to The Gunnersbury so I decided that I would revisit, which I did late yesterday afternoon.
Before entering my attention was drawn to a sign on the window that was very informative about the owner�s intentions and what was going to be done to the place. Apparently the main aim is to restore the building �back to its Victorian glory� which I think is fantastic. Back in the 1860s there used to be a large ironwork balcony on the front which is going to be re-introduced and the picture looked impressive.
The inside has been decorated and, although a tad bland, some new table and chairs have been brought in making the place seem much cleaner and lighter. The general layout of the pub hasn�t changed as there is still a pub-like section around one side and a big hall around the other that I think will still be used for live music when required. The big half of the pub has signs up everywhere for J B Diner and I�d imagine if the food is any good the office workers from Chiswick Park will start using the pub making the owners a pretty penny. There is also a beer garden out the back with some tables and chairs.
The TV set on the table at the back is still there and I would hope that the projector screen is still in use for the sports.
I enjoyed having a couple of drinks in the smaller pub-like half and was foot tapping to some Motown, which the governor saw so turned the music up a bit. He was very polite and I�m fairly sure that he is the governor that has been there for ages.
The Guinness was good and San Miguel, John Smiths Smooth and some standard lagers were also available. There is an ale pump but unfortunately it is unused.
This place still needs some work which I think is ongoing and they could try and put a toilet seat on the bog if they are trying for a different clientele. If you�ve been in here before and didn�t like it I�d give it another try as you have nothing to lose.
6 Mar 2009 07:31
The Dartmouth Castle, Hammersmith
I�ve always liked this pub and enjoyed my recent stay after a decade away. The barman was extremely friendly and would be up for the friendliest bar worker in Hammersmith if there was such an award. He served me a nice pint of Pride and Skinners Betty Stoggs and I would have stayed for more if time wasn't against me. There is also a selection of premium lagers alongside Fosters.
It is not the biggest pub, but it is very well laid out and there is some seating out the front which has small walls around it that have window boxes with small shrubs in to block out the busy road. There are also some stairs leading upstairs, but I was quite happy where I was so didn�t venture anywhere near them and by the sounds of the last few posts there is only a restaurant up there anyway.
I would make a detour to visit again.
5 Mar 2009 15:27
The Old Fire Station, Hammersmith
This is a good place to go at the weekend if you�re out with a group of mates and fancy standing in a beer hall listening to hordes of people trying to shout above each other. On the other hand if you are out during the day and like to sit alone with acres of space separating you and your nearest neighbour this place is also perfect.
The barmaid that served me was extremely friendly and if I was allowed I would pluck her up and get her working in my local. Bateman�s Hooker and XB were available along with Lancaster Bomber and an array of premium lagers. There are at least three plasma screens for the sport, but I think there are better places to watch it in the area.
I�m not a fan, but can see the attraction.
5 Mar 2009 15:05
This place has no signage on the front except for a piece of paper advertising the Edwards karaoke night. The two barmaids that served me seemed nice enough and my Guinness was fine. There is no real ale, only standard and premium lager, but this is the first place other than O�Neill�s that I have spotted Guinness Red.
It hasn�t really changed much since I was last in about ten years ago and I think I may leave it another ten before I try again.
5 Mar 2009 14:54
I was served an undrinkable pint of Greene King IPA in here and ended up swapping it for an Old Speckled Hen which was ok. There is also a selection of standard lagers alongside Peroni.
Since my last visit ten or so years ago they have added an extension onto the side which has tripled the size of the pub and made it a little brighter. Unfortunately I think that a little bit of the charm has gone, but it is still a decent pub.
I counted three plasma screens dotted around and there is also a pool table at the back of the extension. To my horror I discovered that my once much loved dart board had vanished.
The barmaid was nice enough and the crowd seemed friendly so you could do a lot worse than giving this pub a try.
4 Mar 2009 15:59
This place is a little too restaurant like for my taste. My pint of Pride was passable at best and whilst drinking it from a glass that I would expect to be served an orange juice in I decided that I should have plumped for one of the many Premium lagers.
The staff were friendly, but I didn�t like the layout or the atmosphere so I won�t be going back again.
4 Mar 2009 15:49
I had the misfortune of ending up standing next to an old Irish bloke at the bar that was so pissed that he couldn�t speak except for shouting indistinguishable ramblings at the poor barmaid. He seemed to be a regular and thankfully she informed him that he wouldn�t be served any more drink although this was probably about five pints to late.
The Pride was good, but the other ale offering of Landlord was off as the barrel had just been changed and it needed time to set, whatever that is supposed to mean. There is also an unused ale pump along with a mixture of standard and premium lagers.
On the whole it wasn�t that bad an experience as the staff were friendly and the place has been tarted up a bit.
Even with the drunk old soaks, I think that this place has improved vastly and the current low scoring is a little out of date.
4 Mar 2009 15:38
The William Morris, Hammersmith
When I worked in Hammersmith in the late 90�s all of our work leaving dos were in here as it was cheap. Not a lot has changed in all these years except that the staff seem to be a lot better at their jobs.
This place used to be the pits, but I think that it is now one of the better spoons pubs that I have been in.
4 Mar 2009 14:47
This place is pretty much in the middle of nowhere so they obviously rely heavily on food to make their profits, but I still had a very nice afternoon, with the family, supping on the well kept Country Bitter. Mcmullen Cask ale and Sweet Chariot were also available alongside Peroni and some standard lagers.
The pub itself is a little sterile and uniform, but it is a perfect stop off for a bite to eat if passing. I�d imagine that it is heaving in the summer as there is some decking out the back that leads onto a very large big beer garden. There is also a climbing tree smack bang in the middle of it that my little one enjoyed falling off several times.
Apart from one barmaid who obviously hates her job the staff were very friendly and helpful making this a nice family pub.
4 Mar 2009 14:13
This is a good pub and my couple of pints of Adnams were very good. I also spotted Abbot, Double Maxim and another ale that I forget the name of along with some standard lagers. Whilst I was waiting for a drink the governor chucked a couple of regulars out whom he said had drunk enough and along with a few people at the bar I thought that they were fine.
There is a surprisingly large garden out the back and some covered seating in the alleyway under an arch at the side of the pub.
This is a good pub with some nice ales and I wouldn�t mind returning, I�ll just make sure I�m not loud and that I don�t get pissed.
4 Mar 2009 09:22
Although there is not much wrong with this pub I was expecting something extra due to the high rating. I felt like I had walked into a private �rock around the clock� party for fifty year olds and the barmaid seemed to serve me begrudgingly with a smile. I also spotted the landlady giving me a funny look a couple of times so I�ve come to the conclusion that outsiders under the age of forty are not so welcome. I ended up sitting on one of the benches outside and finishing my pint with a cigarette before moving on to friendlier pastures.
There was a selection of Young�s ale available along with some standard lagers. The pub has some strange d�cor that can be best described as �interesting� and there is a TV up in the corner, but I saw no sport advertised.
The ale was good, but I think I�ll drink elsewhere in future.
4 Mar 2009 09:10
This place has a restaurant feel, but the small separate bar area is very relaxed and I enjoyed my time here. The barman and governor were very friendly and I got chatting to a regular at the bar who seemed nice enough. The Discovery was top notch and Pride, ESB and Osset Brewery�s Black Bull were also available alongside some standard lagers. There are a couple of old TVs and the pub has Sky Sports which is always handy.
I wouldn�t plan to go back here again for the pub itself, but I will pop back in again based on the hospitality that I was shown.
3 Mar 2009 16:07
This is a good pub and the people of all ages packed in on Saturday obviously agree with me. Greene King IPA, Directors, Explorer and some standard lagers are all available from the very nice barmaids. Behind the main bar there is a smaller seating area that leads to a garden at the rear. There was a band setting up under the plasma screen in this rear section but I left just before they started playing.
This is definitely one of the better pubs in Barnet and I would have no hesitation in returning.
3 Mar 2009 15:58
I had to wait at the bar for nearly five minutes when I visited here on Saturday evening and I was the only customer at the bar. I thought that the staff must be doing something out the back so I was a little shocked when the landlady/barmaid got off her stool and then served me as she was sitting in plain view of me and I walked past her twice. I have to say that the governor seemed very friendly though so I will gloss over the 'local pub for local people' moment.
The pride was good and Old Hooky, Greene King IPA and Bateman�s Hooker were also available alongside some standard lagers. There were only about six other customers, half of whom were watching the cricket on the two screens at he front of the pub and the other half were around the back where the dartboard is located watching the Comic Relief dancing on the BBC. A couple came in and asked if he was showing the league cup final on Sky the next day and he confirmed that he was and that he was laying on some free sandwiches, which I thought was a nice touch.
There's not that much wrong with this pub and it is hard to judge when hardly any other customers are in, but I think that this place is just far enough off the beaten track for me not to bother making a trip to it again.
3 Mar 2009 15:46
I was pretty much the only non-regular in here on Saturday night and I have to report that the barmaid was very polite and most of the locals seemed friendly enough. The Pride was good and Greene King IPA was also available along with some standard lagers.
There is a dartboard that was being fully utilised and a plasma screen for showing the Sky Sports. There is also a stage area perfect for bands to set up on, not that there was anything going on whilst I was there. There is a covered area at the back with some seating that leads onto a healthily sized beer garden, although there is a fairly busy road and roundabout right next to it.
This is an ok pub and I wouldn't grumble if it was my local.
3 Mar 2009 09:28
I wasn�t at all impressed with this pub as it seems that maybe the managers have let it run down. There are seven ale pumps, three of which are unused and the other four are for the AK, which was OK. Guinness, Stella, Fosters and Strongbow were also on, so hardly a wide and varied choice of draught refreshment is available.
I popped in on Saturday night and was quite surprised that there were only 4 other customers as this is a high street boozer and the Mitre and After Office Hours next door were pretty busy. I was even more surprised that when I left there was only one person left, not that this bothered the barman who seemed to be having fun playing with the dog behind the bar.
There are two old TVs, but I didn�t spot any sport advertised so I�m not sure if they have Sky. There are also two dartboards and a pool table. Strangely the pool table is on the oche of one of the dartboards so maybe there is some strange pooldart game that is played in Hertfordshire that I have not come across before. The only other entertainment was the humming of the extractor fan over the deafening silence.
This could be a great pub, but sadly at the moment it is not any where near it.
2 Mar 2009 14:45
The After Office Hours, Barnet
There was a jazz band in here on Saturday night which seems to have pulled in the punters. I didn�t stay long though as there was no ale or Guinness to be seen hiding in between the Amstel and standard lagers.
I suppose this is an ok place if there is a group of you and you fancy staying out late, but I�m not sure that I�d bother going back though.
2 Mar 2009 14:25
This place is now called the Hadley Oak.
It's a trendy bar and the only one I found on Barnet High Street with the need for a bouncer. It was busy and the staff were ok, but I prefer proper pubs so I can't see myself returning.
2 Mar 2009 09:52
Unfortunately I missed all of the Irish cheer mentioned in previous posts and found myself in a sterile pub surrounded by objectionable old farts and being begrudgingly served by a disinterested barmaid.
The usual selection of draught that you find in an Irish bar was being served up and I spotted a dartboard at the back of the pub and I heard a pool table around the corner.
There are three plasma screens for the sport, but I think that I would rather watch it in the Gallery across the way.
27 Feb 2009 11:05
Since my last visit a few years ago this place has got louder and brighter, even on a Tuesday night. The mind bending hard house was reverberating around the bar and piercing my brain like a hot needle. The two other punters in this very large bar seemed as equally impressed as I was.
There seemed to be two pumps of every generic lager you can think of, but unsurprisingly I spotted no real ale. The barman was miserable, but so would I be if I had to stand in an empty pub whilst being beaten to death with an electric keyboard. The one good thing from my visit was the joyous few minutes I had curling one out in the five star gent�s toilets.
If passing whilst the football was on I�d pop in to make use of their ample selection of plasma screens, but I�d imagine my old bones not being very impressed with this place at the weekend when the tiddlypeeps flock to chuck their shapes.
27 Feb 2009 10:53
This place isn�t the most exciting pub that I have ever been in, but I wouldn�t expect much in the way of entertainment from a Sam Smith�s pub anyway. Sam Smiths business plan seems to be to provide cheap booze in interesting, well maintained pubs. I wouldn�t say that this place is very interesting, but the booze is cheap and the pub is looked after.
The main part of the pub is open plan with some tables and chairs dotted about. There is some more intimate seating up a couple of steps towards the rear of the pub that lead to the conservatory. There is also ample outside seating at the front of the pub leading up the side to the rear.
The main courses on the food menu cost a maximum of �5.95. I didn�t see anyone eating so I don�t know if it is any good, but you�d be hard pressed to buy a dog turd in St John�s Wood for �5.95.
I found the staff to be very pleasant and although I would stay in here all night I would pop in for a couple of cheekies if passing.
26 Feb 2009 06:53
This is a decent enough Irish conversion pub with the usual array of draught that you would expect to find. The barmaid was friendly, the Guinness was good and the atmosphere after Arsenal�s champions league victory was lively.
With the three plasma screens this is a great place to go and watch the footie, but I�m not sure that I would make a special trip.
25 Feb 2009 15:37
I never really liked this pub and I dislike it even more now. Fosters, Becks, Stella and Amstel are all on draught along with John Smiths Smooth, Gaymers and Guinness. It has been decked out like some trendy bar so obviously no need for any real ale.
There are three huge plasma screens and I think that sport is shown when it is on, but maybe they could lose the CCTV screen from plain view on the back wall as I�m sure that Golders Green isn�t really that bad.
A half a Stella was �1.70, and my change was returned on a silver tray.
The barmaid was polite, but I�ll not be returning here again in a hurry.
25 Feb 2009 15:29
After sinking a few too many pints I happened upon this place and thanked the beer fairies for the big fat slice of luck that I was dished up.
This place has a good atmosphere and a large selection of very good beer. There�s a small glass display area at the front of the pub with a selection of sandwiches and a chalk board advertising jacket potatoes and omelettes at reasonable prices. The governor seems ok and there is a dartboard, although there were a few tables on the oche during my visit.
After an evening visiting some very uninspiring pubs I was glad to find this place and I will make a detour to visit it again.
23 Feb 2009 16:37
The Princess of Shoreditch, Old Street
During my recent visit this place was serving up Landlord, Adnams and a selection of premium lagers with another unidentified ale being off. The other punters seemed to be having an �I can talk louder than you� competition so I decided to finish my pint outside with a nice relaxing cigarette.
I didn�t find the staff to be overly friendly and I can stand outside any pub for a smoke so I�ll be giving the place a miss in future.
23 Feb 2009 16:27
I was unfortunate with my timing whilst visiting this place for the first time as I walked in as the governor was ejecting some nutcase. After a few expletives from the undesirable normal business resumed and I got the feeling that the locals had seen it all before and were immune to the threatening ramblings of the Old Street crazies.
The pub itself is fairly unremarkable, although there is a pool table and a couple of plasma screens and TVs for the sports. The music from the jukebox was set at a good level and the barmaid was friendly enough. The Deuchars was good and Pride was also available along with Hoegarden and a selection of standard lagers.
This place is ok for the area and there are worse pubs nearby, but I still can�t see myself returning in a hurry.
23 Feb 2009 16:17
The Hare and Hounds, East Sheen
This is a very big Youngs pub with a very large garden out the back. Unsurprisingly, Ordinary, Special and Bombardier were available alongside standard and premium lagers. The manager (?) seemed OK and aside from the vast saloon bar that is set out with plenty of tables there is a separate public bar where the music cannot be heard and the dartboard looks well used.
I didn�t think this place was anything special and next time I�m in the area I�ll probably drink elsewhere.
18 Feb 2009 13:27
The Pig and Whistle, East Sheen
I don�t know if I suddenly lost the power of sight, but I had a good look and I didn�t spot any real ale, only generic lagers and plates of food being dished out. The staff seemed nice enough and there are three plasma screens and although no sport was advertised I�d imagine they have Sky etc.
It looks very smart but something is missing and that�s not just the bog roll. I felt like I was sitting in a hotel lounge waiting to settle the bill and check out.
I don�t think I�ll be rushing back here.
18 Feb 2009 13:07
The George and Vulture, Hoxton
I happened to swing past here and caught some of the acoustic night which was very good. The staff were polite and the Discovery was on good form. Pride and ESB were also available alongside some standard and premium lagers.
There�s a projector screen on the back wall and there were a few advertisements for the six nations dotted about on the walls, but I saw no mention of any other sports being shown.
I would go beck here again if passing as I found it enjoyable and it made a change to have a bit of free entertainment.
18 Feb 2009 12:56
This place is a student bar with loud music and four draught lagers and some Strongbow.
I�m not a student so I wont be going here again.
18 Feb 2009 12:37
If you manage to have half as much fun as the staff seem to enjoy you would have had a great night in here. Unfortunately I had to drag the barmaid away from her evening to come and serve me, but she was very nice when she did arrive. Pride, ESB, HSB and Swing Low were all available along with some Czech beers and my pint of Pride was reasonable.
The pub needs a little TLC and the light switch to the gents probably needs moving as no one enjoys pissing in the dark, but apart from that this place has its charm and I would return.
18 Feb 2009 10:26
This is a very good pub with a friendly landlady and regulars to match. There was a good selection of ale available on my visit with Pride, Black Sheep, Brakspear, Twickenham Ales� Grandstand and Nelson Brewery�s Friggin� in the Riggin� adorning the bar. There was also a selection of standard lagers alongside Staropramen.
As mentioned before, the dart oche has a table on it, but I�m sure that it could easily be moved if the pub wasn't that busy and some arrows needed to be thrown. There is also a tiny plasma screen, but I can�t imagine it being turned on that often.
The atmosphere in here was very relaxed and the Black Sheep was very good so I would go out of my way to drink here again.
18 Feb 2009 09:59
This is more of a bistro than a pub and I felt like I had been transported to Paris when the French music CD went on. I found the governor to be friendly enough and the people eating seemed to be having a good time.
Westerham�s Grass Hopper and Sambrooks� Wandle were the two ales on during my visit. The Grass Hopper was excellent and the Wandle was a little fruity for my liking, but maybe that�s more to do with my palate. The ale was �1.70 for a half so I�m not sure what sort of price the premium lagers were selling for. Most of the floor space is set up for dining, but there are a couple of stools at the bar and some more seating in the garden out the back.
If I was a dog I would want my owner to take me in here as there are doggy treats for sale behind the bar and hopefully the pig�s ears weren�t for human consumption. There are also photos of all the regular dog visitors along with their names spread up the arch that separates the main dining area from the bar.
I like a more traditional pub so I doubt that I�ll return, but I wouldn�t mind popping back to sample the food.
18 Feb 2009 09:34
This pub has a great location on the river with nice views visible from the tables along the front window and the outside drinking area at the side.
There are six nations� signs up on the walls and the flags of each team are hanging above the bar, but I didn�t see any other sport advertised to be shown on their two plasma screens.
There are two Pride pumps and the Guest beers were Polar Bear and England Expects along with an unused pump. Standard and premium lagers are also available along with a basic pub food menu.
I�d imagine this place gets packed out in the summer and I may just pop along to find out.
17 Feb 2009 15:45
I really liked it in here and that�s not just because it has a pool table, a couple of plasma screens and TWO dartboards. I�m not that keen on watching �Cash in the Attic� whilst supping my beer, but I was able to sit at the rear of the pub near the exit to the beer garden to have some peace.
Youngs Ordinary, Special and Directors were available with one pump being off. There is also a wide selection of standard lagers.
This would be a great place to have an extended stop off during a pub crawl.
17 Feb 2009 15:37
I have to report that contrary to the crapulous review below this one, written on the 21st of April 2008, this place is certainly still open. Some of the front windows are smashed so maybe the demolition crew were stopped at the last minute or maybe some drunken shithead just decided it would be fun to smash something.
The pub is split into two with a plasma screen on both sides and a pool table on one and a dartboard on the other, a match made in heaven if you ask me. Sky Sports feed was playing whilst I was there and I didn�t spot any football advertised, but I would be surprised if they didn�t show it. There are a couple of benches outside the front of the pub by the car park and there is also some covered seating around the side of the pub.
Youngs Ordinary and Special were available whilst I was there, but the Winter Warmer was off. There is also a selection of standard lagers along with Strongbow and Guinness. I was the only person in the pub during lunchtime, but the barman was friendly and I liked the layout and general feel of the place.
This is the sort of pub I would meet the lads in for a good old session.
17 Feb 2009 15:06
This is certainly more a restaurant than a pub. There are a couple of hand pumps on the bar that have been polished to death and look very good, it�s just a shame that nothing comes out of them. Amstel, Kronenburg, Budweiser and Guinness are all available on draught, but as I fancied an ale I opted for a Coke rather than walking straight out. I was a little surprised at being charged �1.95 for a half. At �3.90 a pint, the urine was royally extracted from this mug!
As a restaurant the place has a bright airy feel and the latino type music in the background gave a relaxed chilled out atmosphere. I liked it and if I was in the area with the wife I�d pop in for a bite to eat as the food smelt good and the waitress/barmaid was very friendly.
If this was a restaurant review site this place would be getting a great rating from me, but unfortunately it isn't.
17 Feb 2009 14:37
The Royal (Harvester), Boston Manor
Like most Harvesters, this pub is huge with the vast majority of the pub being set up as a restaurant. The bar side is large enough and the beer garden is also big and split into three different sections. All of the ashtrays were dirty and there was crisps and ash on most tables and one had a broken glass on it. Probably not the sort of garden I would want my kids running around in on a sunny afternoon.
Pride is the only ale that I spotted and it was off during my visit yesterday afternoon so I had to settle for a pint of overflowing Guinness served in an almost clean glass. Standard lagers are also available alongside Strongbow, Bulmers, San Miguel and a couple of smoothflows from Tetleys and Greene King.
The barmaid was very friendly and the restaurant was very busy for Monday lunchtime, but I still think that the management could do with putting in a little more effort with keeping the place clean and tidy.
I wouldn�t go out of my way to drink here again.
17 Feb 2009 11:16
This place is nothing spectacular, but handy if you want a game of pool and don�t want to queue for ages at the bar. Greene King IPA, Bombardier, Deuchars and Adnams were all available on my visit along with some standard lagers. My pint of Deuchars was up to scratch.
There are three plasma screens, one of which was playing a music channel and the other two were showing a muted Sky Sports News feed. There was a pretty mixed crowd and the staff seemed friendly enough, if maybe a little odd.
This is the sort of place I�d go for a couple of pints after work, but as I work miles away I�ll probably never visit here again.
17 Feb 2009 09:20
This is a very grand pub with the full Fullers range available. The staff were pleasant enough and I�ll agree that it is very expensive.
The pub was packed, but there were plenty of spaces to stand comfortably even if the upstairs balcony was rammed.
I'd go back if in the area.
16 Feb 2009 16:26
I cannot believe that I am about to say this about a Wetherspoons, but here goes � The staff that I encountered were friendly, quick and knowledgeable even under pressure!
There are lots of ales and lagers as you�d expect, although I think this place has more than most Spoons and far more than most pubs. I didn�t spot any drunken old men at the bar fiddling with their crack whilst trying to count out 99p in change and the table I was sitting at was clean and didn�t smell like a tramp's nob. Also the usual Spoons dank crustiness was missing. Has the world gone mad?
I would take issue with the hordes of smokers at the entrance, but other than that I whole heartedly agree with the sentiments of a previous poster that wishes all Wetherspoons pubs could be run like this one.
16 Feb 2009 15:42
The Lamb Tavern, Leadenhall Market
This place was very busy during my visit last Thursday evening, but the staff did a good job in serving even though you had to lean past a sea of suits that were lined up against the bar. I spotted a couple of Youngs Ordinary and Special pumps along with Bombardier and a selection of standard and premium lagers.
The toilets and some seating can be found up a spiral staircase located in the centre of the bar. There is also a private function room upstairs and a dining room downstairs, not that I checked either out. There are some high tables located outside in Leadenhall Market, but it is no smoking as the market is enclosed. The beggars are very active in this area and can be a pest to get shot of.
The beer is good and the staff are pleasant so if I was in the area at a quieter time of the day I would pop back in here again.
16 Feb 2009 15:17
This pub is great if you like drinking your beer standing in a busy corridor whilst all around you jostle for extra space. I was lucky as it just so happened that my round never fell in this pub, but my friends had to wait some time at the bar and then it was a nightmare trying get the beers back past the self absorbed clientele. Being a Greene King pub it wasn�t surprising to see IPA, Abbot, Old Speckled Hen and Moorland Original on offer alongside some standard lagers.
There is a small plasma screen on each of the side walls and the Darts Premier League was being shown on Sky Sports whilst I was there. There is no smoking outside as it is in Leadenhall Market, not that anyone paid any attention to the ban.
I wasn�t very impressed with this pub and doubt that I�ll return.
16 Feb 2009 15:04
I walked past here this afternoon and it looked as though all of the windows were boarded up. Unless vampires have started using it I'd imagine it has closed down.
16 Feb 2009 14:31
It was empty in here on Saturday afternoon which may have had something to do with the pub showing the Setanta football sports feed on the projector rather than England�s first six nations match. I�m not sure whose bright idea that was as most pubs in the area were heaving.
I found the barmaid to be very nice, but �3.80 for a pint of Staropramen is a bit excessive. There is an ale pump, but it was off during my visit.
There is also a dartboard around the back, but I don�t think that I�ll ever be playing on it as I doubt I�ll bother with this place again.
10 Feb 2009 08:40
This isn�t a bad pub although during the day it lacks any atmosphere due to its size and furnishings. The entrance takes you into a big room with large wooden tables and a bar at the back of the pub. There is another large area with sofas and a plasma screen further into the pub that leads to a nice large function room.
The staff were pleasant enough and Youngs Special and Ordinary were available alongside Tribute and various lagers etc. The Bombardier was off, but the Tribute was very good. Unfortunately I thought that the food was a bit of a rip off on the portion sizes, but then this is a gastro type place.
There was a band advertised for the evening so maybe the pub livens up when the sun goes down. I�d maybe go back here with the misses for a nice relaxed drink, but it�s not the place you meet up with all the boys for a large one.
10 Feb 2009 07:40
The Windsor Castle, Clapham Junction
Out of the three ales only Bombardier was on during my visit. There is also a selection of standard lagers, but I opted for a coke as the smell of Christ knows what food had turned me off the beer.
The pub has a separate public bar at the front which I found thoroughly depressing and another bar behind with a plasma screen which shows Sky and Setanta.
As mentioned by the well-versed RogerB the back room is worth a butchers, but now that I have seen it there is no reason for me to drink here again.
10 Feb 2009 07:07
This is far from your run-of-the-mill Fullers pub, but it serves its purpose well and the barman that I met was very hospitable. There are four ale pumps, two of which were serving up Pride and the other two ESB. There are also a few standard lagers etc. to choose from.
There is a plasma screen on the back wall and another TV above the front door.
This is a great place for a few beers, but I�m not sure I would want to stay all evening.
10 Feb 2009 06:52
I had a nice couple of pints of Landlord in here after the rugby on Saturday afternoon. The barman was friendly and the other customers were on good form. I spotted another five or so ales and there is plenty of standard and premium lager to choose from.
There is also a quieter bar at the back of the pub that is good for chilling out and getting away from the TV in the front.
This is decent pub for a high street location and I would gladly go back.
10 Feb 2009 06:45
The Royal Standard, Wandsworth
I found the staff and the other punters in here to be very friendly and I really enjoyed my stay. The Landlord was on good form and Greene King IPA was also available alongside San Miguel and some standard lagers.
There are plenty of TVs for the watching of all things sport and there is also a dartboard as you walk through the entrance. I saw some signs for a beer garden out the back, but it was far to cold to entertain the idea of venturing outside.
The pub is quite small and can get packed out, but I would still gladly go back here again for a few jars.
10 Feb 2009 06:42
The Slug and Lettuce, Clapham Junction
This is another unremarkable Slug that had no atmosphere to speak of whilst the rugby was playing on Saturday, even though they were showing it on a small projector screen.
I won�t be returning.
9 Feb 2009 09:54
This pub is ideally located for a quick pint before braving the tube system. The Pride was good and Old Speckled Hen and Spitfire were also available alongside Hoegarden, Staropramen and some standard lagers. The staff seemed ok although they were more interested in getting the food orders out.
There is a plasma screen, but I saw no sports advertised and the pub has an over 21s policy which I�d imagine kicks in during the evening as there were young kids in with families during my visit.
It�s not the most exciting of pubs and I wouldn�t go out of my way to drink here again.
6 Feb 2009 10:14
The Hereford Arms, South Kensington
This pub is very food orientated and I had to wait for a couple of minutes to be served as the governor was acting as manager, barman and waiter. It�s a shame as the Doombar was very good and Pride, Nutty Black, Red Ember and Springhead�s Polar Bear were also available. There was also a 6X pump which was off during my visit and some bog standard lagers.
There are a couple of plasma screens which were showing the Sky Sports News stream, but I didn�t see any sport advertised in the pub.
It has an over 21s policy and opens at 10am for the breakfast crowd.
I found it to be quite relaxed, but I�m not sure I�d return unless I was hungry and fancied a pub meal.
6 Feb 2009 09:16
This is the sort of pub you end up in when your misses has dragged you along to one of her work social nights. Pride and Chiswick are available along with premium and standard lagers and obviously Addlestones, the gastro cider.
The barman was nice enough, but I found this place to be dark and depressing and if in the area I would stick to the Clarence over the road.
5 Feb 2009 13:33
The Duke of Clarence, South Kensington
If you like gastro pubs you should give this place a try as it is definitely one of the better ones. On my visit, the Doombar was very good and Adnams was also available along with XXXB and some premium lagers. There are a couple of plasma screens, but I didn�t see any sport advertised.
The barman was polite enough and I would return with no fuss.
5 Feb 2009 11:42
The Prince of Wales, West Brompton
This is a nice pub that was serving up some very nice Doombar on my recent visit. Old Speckled Hen and Pride were also available along with some standard lagers and Staropramen. The barman was very nice and greeted me when I walked in and said goodbye when I left. As mentioned before, there is a very nice beer garden out the back and there is also some covered seating out the front on the main road.
This place is a little to food orientated for my liking, but that is my only gripe and I would gladly return.
5 Feb 2009 11:37
The Lillie Langtry, West Brompton
I have to agree with the previous views that this place is a dump. There is a very limited generic selection of draught and the governor wasn�t the nicest person I�ve met this year. On the plus side they do have a dartboard and a pool table, but I don�t think that these will make me want to ever return again.
5 Feb 2009 11:16
This place is nothing special except for the very low prices � Less than �2 for a pint of Deuchars that was very well kept. Youngs Ordinary and Greene King IPA are also available along with some standard lagers. The food is also very cheap so, as you can probably imagine, the pub was mainly populated by OAPs and students.
It�s a big pub with plasmas dotted around and premiership football matches advertised on the walls. There is also a paved garden out the back door. I found the managers (?) to be very friendly even though the snow was pouring down and none of their deliveries had arrived.
Imagine a Wetherspoons with sport on the plasmas and you wont be too far off this place, although I think that the current 3.3 rating is very harsh.
5 Feb 2009 11:11
The Famous 3 Kings (F3K), West Kensington
The service in here leaves a lot to be desired. The barman that served me couldn�t have looked more disinterested in doing his job if he tried.
The Brains SA Gold was very good and Greene King IPA and Pride were also available alongside a selection of standard and premium lagers. Most of the seating is high tables around the windows looking out onto the high street. There are also some sofas up by the gents toilets that look onto a plasma screen. Some more plasma screens can also be found in the main bar. There is also a back bar, but this was closed during my visit.
This is an ok pub and the sort that you would expect to find on a high street next to a tube station. It�s just a pity about the attitude of the barman.
4 Feb 2009 10:38
I popped in here on Monday and noticed two Youngs Ordinary pumps and one Bombardier pump alongside standard and premium lagers. I waited for a couple of minutes and after no staff were spotted I went for a leak. After coming back to the bar I waited again and there was still no sign of any staff so I left.
Poor show!
4 Feb 2009 09:51
This is a grotty pub with standard lagers and an ale offering of Courage Best. There is a dart board and a pool table up the back of the pub on the way to the toilets. There are also three TVs and a projector screen for the sports.
The barmaid was very friendly and the governor was very jovial as were his cronies (read in to this what you may).
I�ll not be returning here as there are better pubs in the area.
29 Jan 2009 16:31
I�m not surprised that there has been no review of this place for over two and a half years as the vast majority of the regulars in here have probably never used a computer.
The barmaid was pleasant and there is a plasma screen at each end of the pub, one of which is huge. Also, there are some standard lagers available alongside two real ales that were both off during my visit.
The reason that I went in here was to watch the second half of the Man U(re) game and the pub did it�s job. I�m not sure that I would have enjoyed it as much if there was no sport on and I certainly wouldn�t go out of my way to visit here again.
26 Jan 2009 15:04
Fairly busy, loud music, early twenties crowd and open late � The exact opposite to the last time I was in here when it was a Spoons.
Some nights there are bands on so expect to pay an entrance fee.
I'm not a fan and will not be returning.
26 Jan 2009 10:29
I thought it a little dark and depressing in here and the service left a lot to be desired. The Black Sheep was nice, but there was a strange smell wafting about so I cut my visit short.
I don�t think that I�ll be returning here.
22 Jan 2009 15:16
This big pub is a little rough around the edges, but it serves well kept beer and I found the staff to be very pleasant. GK IPA, Bombardier and Old Speckled Hen were available and there was one unused pump, two pumps were off and another two had �coming soon� clips on them. There is also a large selection of standard lagers.
The pub shows Sky and Setanta and there are two plasma screens, one of which is in the quiet dining side of the pub and was turned off even though the Arsenal game was on. There were only a couple of people around there so it was good to see the barman use his head and not inflict people with the football that didn�t want to watch it.
It was great to see a dart board, but I�m not so sure about the arcade driving games!
I�ll probably never go in here again as the Doric Arch is just across the road.
22 Jan 2009 15:08
I had a couple of pints of �2.50 Doombar in here on Friday from this gravity bar mentioned in previous posts, very nice. There was more ale than I care to mention alongside plenty of standard and regular lagers. I�m not sure why this ale dominated pub has four Stella pumps though!
The ale appreciation crew were in abundance, but I still managed to find a nice seat without being bored to death.
This place has nice staff and a relaxed atmosphere so If you are an ale fan and in this area, without a doubt, this is the pub you should visit.
22 Jan 2009 09:37
I�m not a fan of open kitchens in pubs and this one is more of an open chip van with at least three deep fat fryers fuming away. It�s a shame as it is a decent pub serving up Spitfire, Adnams and Courage Best alongside plenty of standard lagers. My Spitfire was on good form and the barmaid was friendly enough.
There is a small TV that was showing Sky Sports News during my visit, but I don�t think that they have the other sports channels. The pub is a good size and has an L-shaped bar. I suppose that you can escape from the smell if you sit on the other side of the pub and maybe that was why all of the regulars were plotted around there.
I�m not sure that I�d bother returning.
21 Jan 2009 16:38
Expensive short measures served in plastic cups by disinterested students � Never again.
20 Jan 2009 13:00
I really liked it in here as they show Sky and Setanta on a plasma screen, it is relaxed and the staff are very friendly. There is plenty of railway and London Underground paraphernalia on the walls, but this is the only giveaway that you are drinking in a station.
A full Fullers range was available on my visit along with 4 guest beers, but two were off. There are 70 ales written on some chalk boards behind the bar and the pub is asking visitors to vote for their favourites and the top three will feature in February.
I would definitely go back to this pub if passing.
20 Jan 2009 12:55
This place is has three small TV�s and two projector screens for showing the sports. It also has table football and a dartboard and snooker table around the back � Can�t really go wrong with that formula.
Pride, Discovery and Bombardier were all available along with standard lagers, Bulmers and Guinness. The barman was serving out of order, but he was nice enough when he finally got to me.
I liked it in here as the lively crowd gave it a good atmosphere although it wasn�t that busy. I�d go back if in the area.
19 Jan 2009 16:41
The Prince William Henry, Southwark
This place is ok, but it�s never going to win any awards. It�s a good size pub with plenty of outside seating, but the bar isn�t that long so I could imagine a bit of a wait on a sunny day.
I think that I counted five Young�s Ordinary pumps, one Bombardier and three unused. Peroni, Kronenburg, Fosters, Carlsberg, Guinness and Dry Blackthorn Cider were also available. The food seemed like standard pub grub and it was reasonably priced.
The staff were nice enough, my Bombardier was good and there is a dartboard, but I�m still not sure that I�d stick my head in if passing again.
19 Jan 2009 15:08
This is the sort of place I wouldn�t mind going if I fancied a quick pint before jumping on the train, but I wouldn�t want to stay all evening. The staff were not the friendliest bunch and the pub lacked some atmosphere, which maybe due to its size. They show Sky Sports and Setanta on the many plasma screens dotted around the pub so maybe it is better when a match is on.
During my visit Burton Bitter, Old Empire, Pedigree, Oxford Gold and Brakspear were all available. There is also a large selection of standard lagers along with Hoegarden and Staropramen. The Oxford Gold was on good form.
Unsurprisingly there is a Napoleonic theme running through the pub with a large mural on the arched ceiling at the rear of the pub which is worth a quick look.
As I said before, ok for a quick pint or two.
19 Jan 2009 14:56
This place is much easier on the eye and feels a lot more comfortable since the refurb. The garden out the back has been done up and it is also a vast improvement. Unfortunately it has to be vacated at 21:45, which I think is a little early, although this may be out of the pub�s hands. I�m not a big fan of gastro pubs, but this place used to be a dive and anything would have been an improvement.
There are four ale pumps, two of which serve up Young�s Ordinary and the other two are Winter Warmer and Bombardier (which was good). There is also a selection of standard and premium lagers.
I didn�t find the staff to be the friendliest of people and the manager was more interested in talking to the young ladies. I asked him about the refurb and he was very dismissive saying the pub was done up 5 weeks ago � which according to a previous comment is untrue.
I�ll go back here when I�ve lost a couple of stone and grown some breasts so that I get served in a friendly manner.
19 Jan 2009 12:01
This place is ok, but not as good as it was a few years ago. The pizzas are good and the staff are friendly enough, although there are a couple of locals that need to be avoided.
There are better places in the area.
19 Jan 2009 11:43
The governor here is probably one of the friendliest I have ever met and although this place is not my preferred traditional pub his hospitality more than makes up for it.
There were two real ale pumps with Hooky Bitter on one (I liked) and Black Sheep on the other, but it was off. Three standard lagers are also available along with San Miguel, John Smiths, Guinness and Strongbow.
It does feel too much like a restaurant for my liking, but I would go back as I enjoyed the company of the staff and the locals.
16 Jan 2009 10:07
The Charles Dickens, Southwark
I think that I spotted six ale pumps in here, but only two were on during my visit. Amstel, San Miguel, Kronenburg, Grolsch, Aspells, Strongbow and Guinness were also available and the Fosters was off. I found the barmaid to be very dismissive and she certainly didn�t make me feel welcome in any way.
There are a couple of plasma screens which were showing Sky News, which I have to say was muted although none of us five people in the pub were watching it anyway.
I am a little surprised at the 6.9 rating as I couldn�t get settled in here and I can�t see myself ever returning.
16 Jan 2009 09:54
As mentioned this is a Shepherd Neame pub so they were serving up Spitfire, Porter, Kent�s Best, Masterbrew, Oranjeboom (I can�t remember the last time I saw this), Holsten Export, Guinness and Strongbow. I�m very partial to a pint of Spitfire and I really enjoyed my couple of pints in here.
The staff are very hospitable and the pub had a very friendly and relaxed atmosphere, even though it is tiny and there wasn�t room to swing a cat. There is a small TV and the background music was very low as to not intrude on peoples conversations. There is also a selection of bar snacks and sandwiches available on request, but you wont find any infused dishes covered with jus in here.
This is a simple friendly boozer and it is fantastic!
16 Jan 2009 09:12
The Hole In The Wall, Waterloo
This is a strange pub with a depressing bar at the front and a sports type room at the back. There is plenty of ale and standard/premium lager and my pint of Doombar was very nice. There was only one barmaid serving both bars, but It wasn�t that busy so I didn�t have to wait that long. It�s a little odd at first hearing the trains go overhead, but with the noise in the back bar you can�t really hear them.
This place is probably not what you�d expect from the outside, but it is worth popping in if passing.
16 Jan 2009 08:52
I like this place with its compact public bar at the front with the two plasma screens and plenty of banter and the other bar with a large expanse of tables leading to the conservatory and courtyard that is a little more relaxed and suitable for larger groups. There are also plasma screens in the larger part of the pub, but these were off so maybe they are only turned on if requested.
As mentioned, the only real ale is Pride but it is served well and on good form. Standard lagers are also available alongside Hoegarden, John Smiths Smooth and Guinness.
The staff and the governor are very friendly and it is good for watching sports and relaxing with friends � Making it my new pub of choice if in this part of Camden.
15 Jan 2009 10:11
I wasn�t that impressed with this place. They serve up Youngs Ordinary and some premium and standard lagers and the staff seem ok, I just thought that it lacked something. Maybe I am being unfair as it was a Sunday evening when I visited, but the other pubs seemed to have a lot more people in them.
I found it to be the sort of place you would meet people at before going on somewhere else rather than spending a whole evening.
14 Jan 2009 15:10
I�m not sure that I would want to drink in here all night, but it is ok for a few late drinks when all of the pubs have chucked out. There�s not much of a draught selection with only Fosters, Stella, Hoegarden and Guinness being available. I think that the majority of people that drink here tend to stick to bottles anyway. It�s basically what you would expect from a Camden bar with sofas around all the walls and plenty of standing room around the bar as you queue to get served.
It serves its purpose well and I�ve been to far worse late license venues.
14 Jan 2009 14:08
It was pretty busy in here early on Friday evening and I have to report that I was served in a reasonable amount of time by the barman. Thwaites Nutty Black was available along with Pride which was very nice. There is also a large selection of premium lagers on draught.
The ceiling was leaking above the bar which was a little inconvenient, but I�d imagine that this isn�t a permanent feature of the pub. As mentioned, the beer garden is very large and a big draw in the summer months.
The pub was mainly full of large groups of young twenty somethings, the majority of which were friendly enough.
This place isn't really my scene, but if you enjoy loud hectic pubs full of young trendy people you'll probably like it.
13 Jan 2009 16:28
Escape Bar and Restaurant, Camden
This place has everything that you would expect from a sports bar from the many plasmas screens showing Sky and Setanta to the two pool tables and the dartboard. The barman was nice enough, but I didn�t get the impression that the locals are the friendliest of people.
As mentioned before there is no real ale and only bog standard lagers on draught alongside Magners. I also have to report that my pint of lager was flat as a pancake.
This is by no means a great pub, but it serves a purpose and I probably wouldn�t grumble if I had a few mates with me for some darts or pool.
12 Jan 2009 16:10
This is certainly not a pub that you would actively seek out or take the misses to for a cosy drink, but it�s not that bad for an estate pub in this dodgy area. There are a couple of bitters on draught and four or so standard lagers alongside Guinness. There were a couple of Elvis tracks playing during my visit and there is also an old TV, which was off. The barman was nice enough and the locals seemed ok, but this is not a place that I would advise speaking out of turn.
I would probably not bother with here again.
12 Jan 2009 13:21
This place was heaving with people inside and out on Friday night. The management are obviously doing something right as this pub is tucked away in the backstreets so wouldn�t get that much passing trade.
My Pride was good and even though it was busy I was served in a reasonable amount of time by a nice enough member of staff.
If in the Camden area this pub is well worth the extra two minute walk away from the high street.
12 Jan 2009 12:57
The King William IV, Hampstead
I have to agree that if you don�t spot the rainbow on the sign outside you wouldn�t guess that this is a gay pub, hence the reason that a lot of people I know have started using it for a couple of pints during the weekly Hampstead mini crawl on a Friday afternoon.
I spotted 3 ale pumps during my visit, two of which were unused and the other was for Theakston Mild which was off. There is also a selection of bog standard lager. The staff seem pleasant enough, but the actual pub is nothing to write home about. There is a small beer garden out the back which I think is the only one in the high street area so it is quite popular in the summer, but not as popular as the famous Hampstead crepe stand located outside the pub.
This pub is ok, but there are better pubs in the area.
9 Jan 2009 11:25
This is the first pub I have ever been into that has had a dual player Sega Rally machine in it. There are also 2 pool tables and, apparently, a couple of full size snooker tables upstairs that are off limits at the weekends as they have guests staying up there. I�m not sure if these guests sleep on the tables or not!
The barmaid/landlady was ok, if maybe a little disinterested and the Abbot had turned. The Courage Best was off, but there was a selection of standard lagers available along with John Smiths and Guinness.
If you are looking for a sports bar with plasmas and games you could do far worse than drink here. If however you are looking for a quiet drink whilst sampling the fine ales I doubt that you would walk into a pub called the Nuthouse in the first place.
8 Jan 2009 15:20
This is a large pub that was devoid of any atmosphere during my visit.
Black Sheep, Harveys Best, Youngs Ordinary and broadside were available and one pump was off and one unused. There were also four standard lagers along with Guinness, Strongbow and Tetleys Smoothflow.
The barmaids were very friendly, but I did get a hint of a Wetherspoons feel, even down to the cheap food. Some would say that this is a good thing and others would not. The Harveys and Black Sheep were good and for this reason I am willing to give this place another try next time I�m in Eastbourne twiddling my thumbs at the in-laws. Maybe I'll take the laptop and make use of the free wi-fi.
8 Jan 2009 12:01
This is a strange disjointed pub with a couple of pool tables at the back and a small kitchen area at the front with the dining tables set out with blue and white checked seafront table cloths. I found the staff to be suspicious of a non local and the general vibe to be fairly unwelcoming.
I spotted Brakspear, which was good, and Courage Best alongside some standard lagers.
I don�t think that I�ll be bothering with here again.
8 Jan 2009 11:48
Apart from the owner and two staff I was the only person in here at 20.30 on Saturday 27th December. The other pubs in the area seemed to be doing ok so it wasn�t just the time of year. I regretted walking in before the door had closed behind me as I�m not a fan of R&B and the draught selection of Peronni, Becks Vier, Kronenburg, Guinness and Strongbow hardly had me licking my lips.
My pint of Peronni was flat, but after a couple of forced gulps the owner walked over and said that he wasn�t happy with it and gave me a replacement. This small yet important act has saved his bar from a miserable 0 rating.
There is a decked area out the back and there is an upstairs area, but I didn�t have the inclination to check it out. There were also some flyers on the table mentioning that a pool table was coming soon.
I won�t be going back here again, even though I won a few quid out of the quiz machine.
8 Jan 2009 10:37
I popped in here a couple of times over the Christmas period and I have to mention the decorations. The whole of the interior disappeared and was replaced with fairy lights, baubles and tinsel. The kids loved it, but after a few pints of Abbot I became quite disorientated! Apparently they have been doing it for a number of years and it has become a tradition that the local press have now picked up on. It�s just a shame that the pub was only open from 12 until 2 on Christmas Day and not at all on Boxing Day.
8 Jan 2009 10:05
There are some really bad pubs in Eastbourne and this one is right up there with the worst. The upholstery is filthy and worn and there are stains running down the window frames that wouldn�t look out of place in a condemned kebab house. The barmaid looked shocked to see people she didn�t know walk in and the regulars at the bar were transfixed on the tiny old TV set watching the horse racing. I would be surprised if any of them had any money to place any bets as they looked like their giro/pension had been spent drinking the inferior Stella.
There are two ale pumps, one of which was unused and the other was Bass, which was off. Becks Vier, Dry Blackthorn Cider and Guinness were also available. There is a pool table and a dartboard, but these do not make up for this terrible excuse of a pub.
It is a real shame as the building is fantastic and there is an old walkway above the toilets that would have been worth a look, but alas the only good thing about this place is that it rounds up some of the less desirable inhabitants of the area and keeps them away from the general population.
7 Jan 2009 14:40
I liked this pub although it was pretty empty compared to the other pubs in the area during my visit. The barman was approachable and turned the music down on my request. There is a TV that was showing Sky Sports and a pool table that the only other people in the pub were playing on. I counted four ale pumps, three of which were serving up Pride and the other was unused, along with the usual suspect lagers and Bulmers.
If it was in another area it would probably be the best pub around, but it doesn�t really stand out from its peers even though it is open until midnight at the weekends. That said I still liked it and would go back, if only to play pool.
7 Jan 2009 14:17
This is a great pub with excellent staff and good clientele.
There is a dartboard case on the wall, but there were tables and chairs set out on the oche so I�m not sure if there is actually a board in there. There is also a plasma screen in the back bar above the gents door so don�t worry if you walk out of it and think that everyone is staring at you.
The curtains around the doors were worth their weight in gold as it was freezing outside, but they kept the heat in. I wish that more pubs would add little touches like this to make their patrons more comfortable.
This pub certainly stands out in an area of great drinking establishments and I would make a special trip to drink here again.
7 Jan 2009 13:28
This is a pleasant enough old school boozer with 6X, Pride, Bombardier, Courage best, Harveys Best and Tribute all available along with standard and premium lagers. The governor wasn�t the most cheerful chap I�d ever met, but then I was pretty pissed up when I walked in so I�ll let him off.
The plasma screen was a bit fuzzy, but it was the only pub I found in the area that was showing the PDC darts � Well done The Old Kings Head!!!
My Tribute was excellent and I love no frills pubs so I�ll make a point of revisiting this place next time I�m on the wrong side of the river.
7 Jan 2009 13:13
I found the staff to be friendly, but my pint of Bombardier tasted of vinegar and was undrinkable. Youngs Ordinary and Adnams were also available along with standard lagers, but rather than ask for a replacement I drank a quarter of my pint and then made a hasty retreat as I found the pub to be rather depressing.
7 Jan 2009 10:56
This place is fantastic for taking a leak after scoffing down a large pasty from the shop just over the road. I usually feel obliged to buy a half when I use a pubs facilities, but I was unable too as ironically the staff seemed more concerned about looking at the new rota to see when they were all next working.
7 Jan 2009 10:50
The Southwark Tavern, London Bridge
I have to agree with the previous comments about the slow service. I had to wait a good few minutes when the pub wasn�t that busy as the barmaid was having great difficulty getting to grips with the bottle opener. When I was finally served my pint of Pride was 3/4 full as she had no idea how to pull a pint. She was very pleasant and polite, but maybe she should have been accompanied by a more experienced member of staff rather than running the bar on her own.
Abbot, Old Hooky and Liberty were all available along with the Pride, which was good, and some premium lagers.
There is a small cellar bar which was open during my visit, although the actual bar was closed.
This pub is ok, but it is in an area were it has a lot of far superior competition.
7 Jan 2009 10:41
During the Christmas break I made a point of visiting here before its untimely demise, which I think is tonight. I�d not been in before, but was welcomed by a cheerful barman and made to feel at home. It�s a great shame that this place is closing, especially as I hate to see dartboards disappear!
I wish all the management and staff the best of luck for the new year and beyond.
7 Jan 2009 10:00
This pub is ok with a general mix of characters from chavs to rockers that all seem to get along. The staff are very friendly and the beer is good, although only Harveys was on during my visit. There are another couple of pumps, but these were either off or unused. There is also a selection of standard lager available alongside Stowford Press Cider.
The pub is quite large with a dining type area, that was closed during my evening visit, that comes off one of the bar areas. This side had an excruciatingly loud karaoke machine playing with some dreadful drunk singers so I upped sticks and went to the more civilised bar around the other side. This bar has a couple of plasmas, a pool table and bar billiards. There is also a beer garden out the back and the bus stop is directly outside the front door.
I think that the 7.8 rating is a little flattering, although I wouldn�t mind if I had to go back to this pub.
6 Jan 2009 16:21
I�m not one to go into a pub and eat, but I was under instruction to sober up so I popped in, during the Christmas break, for the first time in ages for a quick bite. I wish that I hadn�t bothered as it was overpriced Iceland crap cooked to an illegal street vendor�s standard.
This is still a good pub for a beer and I would still recommend it; just don�t bother with the food.
6 Jan 2009 15:02
This place has little atmosphere to speak of and it feels like the Thai restaurant has taken over. There is a pool table and some plasma screens for the Sky Sports, but I found it difficult to get settled. Maybe it is better on a sunny day when the huge beer garden can be utilised.
23 Dec 2008 11:07
I was a little apprehensive walking to the bar as the barman/governor looks like a hooligan (no insult intended). I was wrong to judge as he was very polite and accommodating. The pub has a pool table, dart board and a couple of plasma screens for showing Sky Sports. The pub sign outside also boasts of having a huge screen, but I did not see it so I�d imagine that it is in the large sparsely decorated back room. There is also a small paved drinking area out the back. I didn�t spot any real ale, but there is Hoegarden and standard lager.
This isn�t a great place, but I would go back here to watch a match if in the area.
23 Dec 2008 10:24
This place has six ale pumps, four of which are Pride and the other two are ESB. There is also standard lager available and although I had to wait for him to appear behind the bar I found the barman/governor to be nice enough. The front bar is very small, but the back bar is a lot bigger and houses a pool table and plasma screen. There is also a small paved beer garden at the rear of the pub.
Even though the drinks selection is unimaginative, this place goes to show that looks can be deceiving and I would go back here for a drink if passing.
23 Dec 2008 10:15
These types of pubs remind me of my youth when I had to sit quietly in the corner sipping my lemonade and eating a packet of salt and vinegar whilst my parents and their friends got drunk at the bar. I used to love those family days out and every time I walk into a local back street boozer like this one my heart skips a beat and I feel at home straight away.
The review on 11th June 2007 mentions that they only have Courage Best and Pride, no change there then. There is also a limited selection of standard draught that you�d expect to find in a pub that time forgot. A lot of these pubs are grubby and in need of some TLC, but this one is well looked after.
There is a small TV in the front bar and a plasma screen on the rear wall in the smaller back bar. Also, the barmaid seemed friendly and my Pride was good, if not great.
My only gripe is that a radio station was being played over the sound system, complete with adverts. I still rate this pub highly and wish there were more of them.
23 Dec 2008 09:47
This is a decent enough pub, although I will agree that its faux rustic look is a little bland. There is a small TV and a plasma screen and the pub shows Sky Sports. The famous four Fullers beers are all available along with a selection of standard and premium lagers. The service I received was polite without be friendly, but the staff were running around trying to sort out a Christmas party.
I would be happy if this place was my local, but I wouldn�t go out of my way to visit again.
23 Dec 2008 08:22
This is a no frills Irish drinking den with 3 small TVs and a plasma screen that shows Sky etc. The landlady seemed nice enough and Guinness, John Smiths, Bulmers and some standard lagers are available on draught. There are also a couple of tables facing the green on the street outside. it�s just a pity that the buses often block the view.
I think that there are better pubs in Ealing, but I wouldn�t complain if I found myself in here again.
23 Dec 2008 08:09
I found this pub to be as depressing as the outside suggests. The barmaid was surly and the music managed to extinguish the lasts embers of life I had left in me. The draught selection is very limited and there is no real ale.
Rubbish, like its new name �The Lodge�.
22 Dec 2008 16:38
This place is smaller than the average Wetherspoons, but it has everything you�d expect from the large range of ale and standard lagers to the cheap food and pensioner crowd. There is some covered seating outside the pubs large glass frontage next to the main road.
22 Dec 2008 16:28
This is a large pub with a conservatory and beer garden. There is a nice mezzanine level away from the bar, but it overlooks the open kitchen so it was very hot during my visit. The governor seemed nice enough, but I felt that this place lacked any sort of atmosphere except for the inane chatter bouncing off the wooden floors and furniture.
Bombardier, Youngs Ordinary and Winter Warmer were available along with Scrumpy Jack, Guinness and standard/premium lagers.
My Bombardier was good, but I felt that this isn�t the most comfortable of pubs to go to just for a drink.
22 Dec 2008 16:07
What a transformation since my last visit in the early/mid nineties. This used to be a tiny little sweat box of a pub, but a wall has been removed and the rear has been extended out to the back of the building and then a conservatory has been built as well as a large beer garden. I wouldn�t have recognised the place if it wasn�t for the bar area that is exactly how I remember it.
I wasn�t surprised to see Pride, Chiswick, ESB and Porter on as I can remember there always being a full selection of Fullers ales, but I did spot Golden Pride. Unfortunately I was unable to try it as it rocks in at 8.5% and I think that the local constabulary would have something to say about my journey home around the North Circular. Hoegarden, Staropramen and a couple of standard lagers were also available from the polite barmaid.
I think that they have done an excellent job with this place and it was great to still see all of the Ealing Studios photos still up on the wall.
I highly recommend this pub.
22 Dec 2008 15:47
I was disappointed upon entering as the frontage led me to believe that this was a good old traditional pub rather than an up itself gastro. The barman got my pint wrong and a barmaid tutted at me when I sat down at a table she was about to clean. When I apologised and stepped away from the table, as I hadn�t seen her loitering behind me, she walked off as if she hadn�t heard me. Maybe she is a little mutton!
Broadside, West Berks Full Circle, Black Sheep, Tuborg, Ichiban, Addlestones, Carlsberg, Staropramen and Stella were all available from the bar, although it may be pot luck as to which one you receive.
I found there to be no atmosphere to speak of (early Friday evening) and I wouldn�t be returning even if the service was 100% better.
22 Dec 2008 14:53
This pub has a locals feel to it without being cliquey and uninviting. There is a pool table and a dart board along with 2 TVs that show Sky Sports and Setanta. Due to the layout and the inclusion of the pool table there is not as much seating as you�d have thought looking in from the outside, but this doesn�t really bother me. The staff all seem friendly enough and Deuchars, Broadside and Doombar are all available along with San Miguel and a few standard lagers. There is a beer garden out the back but I did not see it as it was pouring with rain.
I liked it in here and it is a contender for the best pub in Camden.
22 Dec 2008 10:36
The Hill Restaurant and Bar, Muswell Hill
This place is now called 'Bouzoukia on the Hill' and it is a Greek Restaurant.
22 Dec 2008 10:05
RE: My previous comment.
Whoops, the Salutation isn�t �just up the road� it�s actually in Hammersmith! I meant to write that the Constitution is just up the road.
19 Dec 2008 09:10
I�ve been to Camden more times than I care to remember and until I found this pub on BITE I didn�t know that it existed as it is tucked down a back street within spitting distance from Camden Town Station.
The Adnams and Landlord were both off during my visit in the early evening so the only offerings were Staropramen, John Smiths and some standard lager. I found the staff to be very friendly, especially for Camden. The food seemed very reasonably priced for the area � especially compared to the Prince Albert up the road. I didn�t try the food though so cannot comment on whether it is edible.
This is primarily a sports pub as it has at least 2 plasma screens and a projector with the ability to show Sky and Setanta. There was a match on but the sound was muted and some loud music was being played.
I�d maybe pop back in here if I was passing, but then again the Salutation is just up the road and I think that is much better for watching the footie.
19 Dec 2008 08:28
This place was reasonably busy a couple of days ago with local office workers popping in for lunch to sample their Thai food. There is a small restaurant area at the rear that leads to a beer yard out the back with some covered and uncovered seating. The Governor seemed to be a nice chap, but unfortunately I had to endure the rest of the 'Cash in the Attic� program that I had started to watch in the Lord Palmerston. This time it was playing on 2 plasmas!
Standard lagers and Guinness are available and there are 2 unused ale pumps. Maybe they should try hooking them up to something as the Wetherspoons next door was full of people drinking real ale.
It�s quite a cosy little pub that does live music and it sounds like it has improved from the previous comments. That said I can�t see myself going out of my way to go to any of the pubs this end of Hounslow High Street.
18 Dec 2008 11:48
The Lord Palmerston (Pickled Newt), Hounslow
This place has a pool table and dart board even though it is not the biggest pub. I found the governor to be nice enough in a threatening sort of way. The plasma TV was showing �Cash in the Attic� so I didn�t hang around as I could watch that at home with a few tinnies.
I�ll not be going here again to sample their generic draught selection.
18 Dec 2008 11:35
The Moon Under Water, Hounslow
The usual Spoons vast selection of real ale and standard lagers. There is a yard out the back with some tables and chairs.
If you like Wetherspoons you�ll like it here and if you don�t you won�t.
18 Dec 2008 11:29
There was one member of staff behind the bar taking orders for lunch and serving drinks. This is the week before Christmas so it was obviously a little busier than usual. I waited at the bar for 5 minutes and she was still serving the same group that she was when I walked in. There were still another 4 people to serve before she would get to me so I left.
Unsurprisingly crap.
18 Dec 2008 08:10
I�m not a fan of Guinness and the couple of pints that I had in here last week were my first for 15 years. I loved them and could have stayed all afternoon and my mates who are Guinness drinkers agreed with me. There are 8 Guinness pumps and plenty of bottles of champagne and wine available. There is also a sign behind the bar boasting that they stock every brand of Irish whiskey.
I visited during the afternoon so it wasn�t that busy; although one of my friends who had been before commented that it does get very busy during the late afternoon/early evening. The place is quite small so this was of no surprise to me.
There is a big old TV up on the wall that was showing the cricket and we were winning making this a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon.
18 Dec 2008 08:00
I had a very enjoyable night playing pool in the upstairs bar last week with a few friends. The pool table is in the middle of the room and you have to constantly ask people to shuffle out of the way for some shots, but we got too meet some colourful characters. The staff were generally pleasant and the offerings of IPA, 6X, Courage Best, Deuchars, Hoegarden, Staropramen and standard lagers seemed to be flowing well. No real ale is served upstairs, as is the case in most pubs, but the staff were pretty fast at knocking the drinks out in the main bar which has a plasma screen and an old TV, although these were both off during my visit.
The walk down to the toilet is treacherous as the ceiling does not clear the steps by more than 5.5 feet, so mind your head after a few beers.
I liked it in here and would gladly return.
17 Dec 2008 15:43
The George, Great Portland Street
This is a reasonable pub, but it does nothing to stand out from its peers. There are a couple of small TVs that were showing the Sky Sports News feed, but on enquiry I discovered that they do not have Sky Sports. The staff were polite enough, but the pub was pretty empty for a Friday evening.
Greene King IPA, Abbot and Rockin Rudolph were available. The barmen gave us a sample of the Rudolph and I wasn�t very impressed (that could just be my taste buds though). Peroni and some bog standard lager are also available.
This is an OK pub, but not worth going out of your way for.
17 Dec 2008 10:01
I�m still not a big fan of SS pubs, but I am warming to them as I have developed a taste for OBB (which is very good in here) and I also like getting change from �2 for a pint. Unfortunately I didn�t stay long as the pub was heaving with 80 odd people in the upstairs bar that was being run by one barmaid. The downstairs bar had 2 barmen and around a 100 people packed in.
If I had a friend that liked these pubs I�d go back, but as I don�t I�ll probably miss out.
17 Dec 2008 09:19
The Kings Arms Bar and Hotel, Brentford
This afternoon I actually got of my train to have a pint in here as I had not been before and after thirteen (yes thirteen) minutes I hadn�t managed to get served so I left and got on the next train to Kew.
Landlord, Pride and Rosey Nosey were available along with some standard lager. I found the barmaid to be quite flustered serving a work party and the manageress was more interested sorting out food orders. A proper barman/maid would have had no problem with the amount of customers, but this outfit seem to fall short of my required standards which are very easy to attain. It�s unfortunate as the pub isn�t that bad inside and there is a pool table and also a dartboard case on the wall, but no oche so I�m not sure if there is a dartboard actually in there.
This could be a great pub with some TLC and proper management.
16 Dec 2008 16:19
This place is OK for a quick pint after a leg stretch around the shops, but I certainly wouldn�t stay for any length of time.
Bombardier, Greene King IPA, Pride, Leffe, Staropramen and an assortment of standard lagers were all available during my visit. The service was woeful even though there were more staff than customers. Maybe it was just my bad luck that I walked in after some twirlies that all ordered tea and coffee.
There is a plasma screen, but I didn�t spot any advertisements for sport that would be shown. The background music is fairly unobtrusive unlike the stench and pools of piss in the toilet.
If this pub was down a back street they would have to get their act together, but they can do whatever they like and still make a profit due to the fantastic location.
16 Dec 2008 10:48
This is an OK pub in a very popular location making it quite a mission to get served during busy periods. Pride, Black Sheep, Rev. James, Frulli and premium lagers were all available during my visit and I found the staff to be friendly even though they were very rushed.
I think that there are better pubs nearby, but this place is OK for a few swifties.
16 Dec 2008 10:30
This is a very good pub with friendly staff and a relaxed atmosphere. Adnams, Tribute and Deuchars were available during my visit along with John Smiths, Carlsberg, Fosters, San Miguel and Guinness. My Deuchars was very good.
There is plenty of seating and you have to walk yourself through it to get to the bar. There is a big plasma screen and most of the customers seemed to be in their twenties.
I would recommend this pub and I would be glad to visit it again myself.
16 Dec 2008 10:24
As has been said, this is a small bar/room. The barman seems nice enough, although the draught selection of 6 Guinness, 2 Grolsch, 2 Carlsberg and 1 Magners is hardly inspiring.
I preferred my pint of Guinness in Mulligans on Cork Street in Mayfair so I�ll have to disagree with the �best pint of Guinness in London/England� posters.
I didn�t find this place to be anything special and I wouldn't go out of my way to visit here again.
16 Dec 2008 08:46
The Marlborough Arms, Tottenham Court Road
This is a decent enough pub that has a good friendly vibe. Only Greene King IPA was available Friday night from a selection of around five ales.
There was a young crowd, but as hinted at before the atmosphere was excellent.
15 Dec 2008 13:56
The Slug and Lettuce, Oxford Circus
Seven or eight years ago I would be seen in here quite often. Not through choice, it just happened to be my mates meeting pub before hitting the city. Not a lot has changed as it is still the same lacklustre Slug with expensive premium lagers and uninterested staff. In fact the only difference I noticed was that the toilets smelt a lot more yeasty.
I�ve promised myself not to ever go in here again.
15 Dec 2008 13:39
The Northumberland Arms, Fitzrovia
This is a fairly unremarkable pub, although I found the staff to be friendly enough � for London anyway. Pride and Landlord were available and another 3 pumps were off.
I doubt that I�ll ever go here again as there are better pubs in the area.
15 Dec 2008 13:20
No character, disinterested staff, 4 ale pumps but none available. There is a plasma screen and they do show Sky Sports, but that is about all this place has going for it.
Thoroughly depressing!
15 Dec 2008 12:49
The Carpenters Arms, Tottenham Court Road
I found it to be ok in here, but nothing special. The main clientele seemed to be of student age and there was a private party going on upstairs. I only spotted Greene King IPA and Pride available along with some premium lagers.
I probably won�t bother with here again as there are better to found in the area.
15 Dec 2008 11:50
I liked it in here and found the barman/landlord to be very friendly.
Santa�s Tipple, Landlord and Wadworth Henry�s were all available along with Staropramen, Amstel and some standard lagers. The decent background music and good atmosphere we see me returning here when next in the area.
15 Dec 2008 11:44
I walked through the door to this place and slipped through the curtain behind the door that is used to keep the heat in and was confronted by the backs of people�s heads sitting at the bar a foot in front of me. Surprisingly a local moved out of my way so that I could get to the bar and the friendly barman came straight over even though it was busy. Kingstone Brewery�s Kingstons Gold and Tewdric�s Tipple were available alongside Old Cannon Best Bitter and a selection of premium and standard lagers.
The front of the pub is small with the bar taking up most of the space, but it does have an open fire. There is more seating around the sides and in the conservatory out the back. There is also a beer garden, but I did not check it out as it was raining.
I enjoyed my visit here and would recommend it to others.
10 Dec 2008 09:18
The Junction Tavern, Kentish Town
This is a gastro pub with decent staff and an affluent clientele.
One whole side of the pub is geared towards dining with every table set with table cloths and cutlery. The other side, which consists of a smaller bar area, conservatory and beer garden is very relaxed and a good setting for a few beers. Everards Sleigh Bell, Cornish Buccaneer, Deuchars, Whippet Clause?, Addlestone cider and standard/premium lagers were all available on my visit.
The pub had a good crowd in and I would enjoy visiting here again.
9 Dec 2008 13:21
This place was very busy on Friday evening with students and drunken old men. There are plenty of plasma screens, two pool tables (one of which was out of use) and a dart board tucked away in the corner. The pub itself is open plan and it has a grubby unwelcoming feel to it.
John Smiths, Guinness, Bulmers and standard lagers are all available from the disinterested bar staff.
I don�t think that I�ll be venturing into here again in the near future.
9 Dec 2008 13:06
I have to agree that the service needs improving as four staff took four minutes to serve three people. I can never understand why bar staff carry on cleaning glasses when there are people waiting to be served. Especially when the place is almost empty so there is no way that they are running out of glasses.
San Miguel, Heineken, Amstel and Guinness are normally available on draught, but on my visit at 19:30 on a Friday evening the Heineken and Amstel were both off. I ordered a San Miguel and nearly dropped it as the pint glass was covered with melting ice.
On the plus side, the barman that served me was apologetic about the lack of lager and the place is relaxed and, from what I experienced, has a decent clientele base.
I wouldn�t want to stay here all night, but as mentioned before, this would be ok for a late drink.
9 Dec 2008 08:50
The Gloucester Arms, Kentish Town
Most of the lights were off in here at 19:00 on Friday evening and the only reason I knew it was open was because a woman was standing in the doorway having a cigarette. The barmaid/landlady was nice enough, but there were only 3 other people in and they were all locals.
John Smiths and standard lagers are available and I spotted a couple of plasma screens showing Sky Sports. I didn�t stay long enough to have a proper look around as I found the whole experience rather depressing.
8 Dec 2008 10:24
I was in here for a couple of beers last Friday night and there were only about 6 other people in. The barmaid was very friendly and the locals seemed ok even though they were so drunk they couldn�t open the door to leave.
The front of this shop conversion is very small and looks very unwelcoming, like an estate social club. There is a plasma screen at either end of the narrow pub, one of which was showing cricket and the other had Gavin and Stacy playing away. Both had the sound on which was mildly irritating.
I was directed to the back yard for a cigarette and found myself plunged into total darkness. I ended up using the light from my phone to discover that there are a couple of tables out there along with the beer crates.
Even though the barmaid was nice and locals inoffensive I don�t think that I�ll bother returning here.
5 Dec 2008 11:02
My suspicions about this being a late bar/night club were confirmed last weekend as I popped in for a Carling Extra Cold so that I could have a nose around. As Alesonly has mentioned, the only other lager is Grolsch so there is next to no selection to speak of, but my pint was �3.00 so it�s not overly expensive for the area.
The three other punters at 21:30 on Friday evening were friends of the owner/manager who seemed pleasant enough and passionate about making this place a success with various ideas in the pipeline.
The upstairs is decked out as I described on the 7th May with mood lighting and lots of mirrors. The bar stools have springs in them so that you bounce up and down every time you swivel round on them. Not the best seating for a fat bloke like me. There is another room next to the toilets downstairs with a DJ and dance floor.
The barman was very polite and I hope that this place makes it big as the people involved seem very nice, but this isn�t my sort of scene so I doubt that I�ll return.
5 Dec 2008 08:33
The Dick Turpin, East Finchley
The lack of reviews on this pub is due to the fact that it is very much a residential pub tucked away in the back streets of East Finchley. There is a pool table and a dart board in the sparsely decorated back bar area where a few locals that were playing pool looked at me quizzically as they wondered who this stranger was wandering into their pub�s toilet.
The front bar is laid out like a lounge complete with sofas and a piano.
I found the two staff to be very friendly as they welcomed me into their pub. John Smiths, Guinness, Strongbow and standard lagers are all available. There is one real ale pump, but this was off during this visit.
There was a good selection of music playing although it was a little loud for my liking. There is also a plasma screen in the back bar which was turned off when it seemed most other pubs in the area were showing the rugby on Setanta, not that this is a bad thing.
This is certainly not a pub to go out of your way for, but the local residents are lucky to have it on their doorsteps.
4 Dec 2008 15:22
I was in here earlier in the week and I have to say that there has been a vast improvement. The lager was good unlike the undrinkable rubbish that I was confronted with during my last visit when this place was called Spoons. Greene King IPA and Pride are also available and the barman was very professional.
There are plenty of plasma screens dotted about and they show all sports on Sky and Setanta.
It is nice to have another reasonable pub in the area.
4 Dec 2008 14:04
The Inn on the Green, Palmers Green
This is a decent pub with a friendly enough crowd, although the barman that served me could do with cheering up a bit. The drinks selection is a little unimaginative with the usual selection of standard and premium lagers.
A band was just starting its set at the rear of the pub as I was leaving and I have to agree that it was extremely loud. No wonder everyone was crammed into the front. The centre of the pub is very narrow so it can be a bit of a squeeze getting to the toilets that are up the stairs and so far away they must be in a different time zone. There are plenty of plasma screens and the pub was advertising sport shown on Sky and Setanta.
The bouncers seemed to be asking for ID from anyone who looked under 21, which is always a good sign and I think added to the nice atmosphere.
I certainly wouldn�t be upset if this late licence pub was one of my locals.
2 Dec 2008 09:53
The Fox Public House, Palmers Green
This is not a bad pub if you like your sports and lager, which I do. There are lots of plasma screens dotted about and there is also table football. There was a disco on whilst I was there playing songs like Sweet Home Alabama, not that anyone was bopping on the dance floor at the rear of the pub. The bouncers were overseeing the place with SAS proficiency, but they were friendly enough if you weren�t up to mischief.
I�m pretty sure that there are 2 real ales, but they were both off. There is also a wide selection of standard and premium lagers.
There is a paved beer garden out the back with covered and uncovered seating.
I liked it in here and would go back.
2 Dec 2008 09:39
The Alfred Herring, Palmers Green
It was heaving with a very young crowd when I popped in here late Friday evening. The proactive bouncer seemed to be doing his best to assert his authority which didn�t create the best of atmospheres.
It sounds like I was lucky to be served very promptly, but this alone is not enough to make me want to return again.
1 Dec 2008 14:37
The Bull and Gate, Kentish Town
This is one of the better boozers in Kentish Town. A very average selection from behind the bar, but the 2 experienced barmen/govs did a sterling job serving the rush of punters as I walked in. The pool table was out of use and covered up as the pub was busy and the TV isn�t the greatest, but the pub has some charm. The Bass was on during my visit, but I opted for the �3.05 Fosters.
Kentish Town isn�t a place that I actively seek out for a drink, but I wouldn�t mind going here again.
27 Nov 2008 14:34
The Assembly House, Kentish Town
It was busy, but not heaving, during my visit here and I had to wait ages to be served. All but one of the staff seemed to have done a disappearing act. The Abbot was ok and I enjoyed watching the football on the large projector screen at the rear of the pub. The front still has public bar characteristics even though the pub has effectively been knocked through in to one large drinking hall.
This is the sort of pub I would pop into for a quick pint on the way home from work, but as I neither work nor live anywhere near here I can�t see myself returning.
27 Nov 2008 11:09
This is a strangely decorated gastro pub with prices to match (�3.30 for a pint of Carling). Bombardier, Adnams, Guinness, Gaymers Pear cider and Addlestones cider are also available along with some premium lagers. There is a reasonably large selection of drinks, but I still felt that this place is more interested in flogging food.
There is an area at the rear that has an open fire and some sofas. It was roped off for a private party during my visit and I go the feeling that this is a regular occurrence. Also, there is plenty of covered seating in the back garden and uncovered seating in the front garden/car park.
I wasn�t really taken by this place and won�t be returning in a hurry. They may also consider losing the big �smile youre on CCTV� sign that is on the wall behind the bar.
27 Nov 2008 10:55
The Southampton Arms, Gospel Oak
I also love these old boozers that time has forgotten, but have to agree that this one is bad. I think that Edward Heath was in power the last time this place saw a lick of paint and a few of the locals haven�t worked since then.
The draught selection is sparse with Fosters, Kronenburg, John Smiths, Guinness and Strongbow all available. I opted for the Fosters, which wasn�t cheap coming in at three quid.
There is a projector screen on the wall for the showing of Sky Sports and Setanta. There is also a small TV that had the racing channel flicking on it. It was good to see a dart board in the corner of the pub, not that anyone was playing. There is a lot of boxing memorabilia on the walls and you could tell that a few of the blokes had faded memories of a dodgy past life.
As I said, I�m a big fan of these places, but try as I did I just didn�t like it in here.
26 Nov 2008 16:17
I wish that all pubs were laid out like this one as it is perfect for escaping and hiding from conversational parasites that seem hell bent on ruining your evening (not that I met any in here).
The Old Brewery bitter was nice and the Scottish barman was friendly and professional.
I think that this is the best SS pub I've been into and I wish that I could have the same partitioning put into my local pub.
26 Nov 2008 13:24
I popped in here last week and wasn�t disappointed with my decision to search for this place (to be honest it wasn�t at all difficult). I think that there were 5 real ales on including Bombardier, Old Speckled Hen and Old Peculiar with an array of standard lagers. The barmaid was a little off and to the point, but apart from that I found this to be very good and would recommend it to others.
26 Nov 2008 08:52
As mentioned before, this place has a good selection of beers and seems to serve up mussels as a house speciality.
I also fell into the bracket of people that didn�t stay long as the music and clientele were getting on my nerves. I ended up sitting on one of the few tables outside and finishing of my pint before finding somewhere a little more relaxing.
26 Nov 2008 08:12
The Opera Tavern, Covent Garden
This is a decent little boozer with two very friendly and experienced barmaids.
Landlord, Black Sheep, Doombar and Beartown Brewery�s Bear Ass were all available along with the usual lagers, Guinness and Strongbow. I can now say that I went to the opera and supped Bear Ass and enjoyed it � Oh dear!
There are 2 old TVs and the pub was very quiet so I must have timed it just right to miss the show crowds.
This is now one of my pubs of choice for this area.
25 Nov 2008 15:30
Nell of Old Drury, Covent Garden
This is a decent boozer and well worth popping into. Even though the pub was packed the barman spotted me straight away and was very polite. I tried the Adnams and Tanglefoot and enjoyed them both. I also noted 3 standard lagers alongside Guinness available from the bar.
I also loved the way the bay window hangs out of the pub making you feel like you are hovering above the pavement outside.
This is a good pub and I�ll be back.
25 Nov 2008 13:32
There is still no real ale here, but Tetleys Extra Cold, Carlsberg, Carlsberg Extra Cold, Tuborg, Guinness and Dry Blackthorn Cider are all available. After asking for a Carlsberg I was confronted with the ultimate trendy bar question �would you like regular or extra cold�. After some soul searching I opted for the regular which came out of the tap a little lively so the manager proceeded to top it up with extra cold. I�m still none the wiser to the point of having the same lager behind the bar coming out at different temperatures. Maybe if these bars would concentrate a little more on giving a full pint I wouldn�t be moaning so much.
I think that the manager has either been on one of those corporate customer service courses or he has worked in menswear, but to give him his dues he is very efficient.
There are a couple of large plasma screens and a smaller one for showing the sports and there is also a pool table. There is also some outside seating around the sides of the building on the pavements.
To be honest this isn�t that bad a place for a trendy younger drinkers bar and if I was up town with a group of mates it would be an ideal starting point, but I wouldn�t wish to end the night here.
25 Nov 2008 13:19
Is this a covert champagne bar as I didn�t get any bubbly vibes during my recent visit?
By the sounds of it I was fortunate enough not to cross paths with the governor, but the barmaid that served me was nice enough. Deuchars, Spitfire and Youngs Ordinary were available along with San Miguel, Fosters, Kronenburg John Smiths and two ciders, Strongbow and Bulmers.
The pub is small, as you�d expect for the area, but there is a real fire.
The background music was depressing and in the end I was glad that I had only ordered a half as there are much better pubs in the area.
25 Nov 2008 12:11
The Coach and Horses, Covent Garden
I liked it in here even though it is very small. The mirrors make the place look bigger and busier, but unfortunately they don�t add any extra square footage.
Spitfire and Courage Best were available along with John Smiths, Guinness, Strongbow and a couple of standard lagers. There is a sign up on the wall boasting of over 70 whiskies available.
I found the barmaid to be nice and they have the worlds smallest plasma screen up on the wall.
I�ll probably pop back in here again next time I�m in the area.
24 Nov 2008 15:57
The Lamb and Flag, Covent Garden
I�ve always liked this pub, but hadn�t been for quite some time until recently.
Greene King IPA, Old Speckled Hen, Youngs Special/Ordinary, Courage Best and Harvey�s Best were all available along with the usual lagers. I found the staff to be very efficient and although there were hoards of people outside the inside was quite comfortable. There is also plenty of seating in the upstairs bar if the bottom is rammed.
The toilet is tiny and you have to watch your step as you exit it as a fall down the stairs and into the cellar is not impossible.
Don�t be put off by the big crowds outside as this place is worth a visit.
24 Nov 2008 14:15
This is a fantastic haven from the cold frosty London streets during the winter months. The pub is small (cosy) and the staff are very friendly.
Greene King IPA, Old Speckled Hen and Fireside were available along with a selection of standard and Premium lagers.
I�ll definitely revisit here again.
24 Nov 2008 14:00
This is just what you�d expect from a walkabout with plasmas dotted about and not much seating. There is a bar down some steps at the rear, but it is just as bad as the front bar.
Ok for huge groups of lads to go on a rampage and for watching sport.
24 Nov 2008 13:37
As said previously, this is you average All Bar One with the normal crowd that these pubs attract.
The usual range of premium lager is available along with keg Pride and East Green.
Not surprisingly, there are far better pubs in the area.
24 Nov 2008 13:29
The Friend at Hand, Bloomsbury
There�s nothing much really wrong with this pub except for the attitude of the staff.
The only ale still available was Courage Best as the other two were off. The barmaid took my order and wandered off coming back with Becks. I, quite politely, pointed out that I had ordered a Best, but she refused to change it and said that I had in fact ordered Becks. Sure I did.
Maybe the manager of this pub has instructed this rude jumped up barmaid to behave in this manner when small misunderstandings occur at the bar and maybe it is their company policy to treat customers with contempt. I won�t be going back to find out.
24 Nov 2008 10:31
Doombar, Sidepocket and Cornish Knocker were all available in here during my visit. It was extremely busy, but it felt busier than it should as the whole of the rear section is a dining area so everyone was crammed into the front of the pub. Fortunately I was able to grab one of the few seats that are available outside the front.
I wouldn�t be upset if I found myself in here again, but I wouldn�t plan it.
20 Nov 2008 09:11
I concur with others comments about the abysmal service in this place. The staff seemed to have no grasp of how to spot who had been waiting the longest and just seemed to serve whoever appeared in front of them. After waiting almost 10 minutes for service I decided to cut my loses and go elsewhere.
20 Nov 2008 09:03
This is a lounge bar complete with big white piano and chandelier.
It�s more expensive than its peers and only a limited amount of lager is available along with John Smiths, Guinness and Bulmers.
I never discovered this �cool cocktail bar downstairs�, maybe I�m not glam enough for it!
There�s not a lot wrong with this place if you like this sort of thing, but I think that I�ll leave it to the sauvignon brigade in future.
20 Nov 2008 07:55
This is a long pub with a very small bar area and limited seating out the front and a beer garden at the rear. During my visit Abbott and GK IPA were available along with some standard lagers, Hoegarden, Guinness and Strongbow.
I found the barmaid to be nice and the pub to be comfortable. There is a plasma screen, but I saw no sport advertised.
This pub is ok, but I wouldn�t go out of my way.
19 Nov 2008 08:13
This is your usual Walkabout with Standard lagers, John Smiths, Plasma screens everywhere and big projector screen.
Good for watching sport, but not a lot else.
18 Nov 2008 16:55
I liked it in here as the barmaid was friendly and my pint of Bombardier was good. Youngs Ordinary and Special were also available alongside some standard lagers.
There is a pool table and small TV at one end of the pub and a large plasma screen at the other. I didn�t see any sport advertised, but as mentioned before there is a lot of advertising for upcoming live bands. There is also a beer garden with covered and uncovered seating.
I�d have no problem going back in here if I was passing in the day time, but I�m not really into live bands so I�d give it a miss in the evening as I�m pretty sure that I spotted a sign advertising live music 7 days a week.
18 Nov 2008 16:46
The staff in here were certainly in no rush to serve the 3 deep queue of customers whilst I waited for my turn at the bar.
There are 3 pumps with 2 Prides and 1 not used. Hoegarden and standard lagers are also available. I counted 4 plasma screens whilst I endured my hellish wait at the bar.
I�ll probably not go here again as it is nothing special and I had no service problems in the Elephant�s Head opposite even though it was busier.
18 Nov 2008 14:03
They still have 3 pride pumps in here along with Premium and standard lager. There are a couple of plasma screens and some sofas towards the rear. I�m not sure about the big disco ball spinning around in the middle of the pub at 5 in the afternoon.
After the barmaid had finished serving the gentleman in front of me I was the only person at the bar. The barmaid then looked at me with my tenner in hand and then walked off and proceeded to empty the glass washer. I�m not sure what her problem was, maybe she�s just a moody teenager. The barman that eventually served me was pleasant enough.
This isn�t really my type of place and with the attitude of said employee I won�t bother returning.
18 Nov 2008 09:59
This is a decent pub that had 4 nice and competent barmaids serving during my visit. There are 4 ale pumps, but only 2 were in use and they were both delivering Courage Best. There is also 1 premium lager and a few bog standards.
The bar almost stretches the length of the pub making it very narrow so it doesn�t take that many people to fill the place up. There are a few more tables at the rear next to the toilets, but the back door is not used so you still have to fight you way along the bar to get to them.
The music was a little loud for my liking, but other than that I enjoyed myself and would recommend to others.
18 Nov 2008 09:47
There seems to have been some issue with the door policy at this place in the past, but I am glad to say that on Friday night I strolled in past the bouncers wearing my white Reebok Classics, blue jeans and brown jacket with no problem. In fact one of the bouncers actually engaged me conversation.
The barmaid was very friendly and my pint of Stella was on good form. Unfortunately the actual pub is a dank crap hole that blares out brain damage music that my feeble council estate brain is not accustomed too.
Although the welcome was friendly this place is not my cup of tea at all so I�ll continue drinking in my local whilst watching Sky Sports and hanging off Jeff Stelling�s every word.
17 Nov 2008 17:17
It was very quiet in here on Friday evening, with the average age being around 65. All of the other pubs in the area were buzzing with people that had finished work or were beginning their night out in Camden, but not here which made the place depressing.
It�s a shame as on the surface this appears to be a great venue, with 5 real ales, a wide choice of lagers and a couple of well placed plasma screens.
I found the barman that served me to be pleasant, but from reading some earlier comments maybe the owners have alienated a few too many people.
I�ll probably pop my head in again next time I�m in the area to see if it gets any busier.
17 Nov 2008 15:02
I found the staff here to be very friendly and they both said hello, even the girl that wasn�t serving. It wasn�t very busy so maybe they are inept at working a bar, but they seemed fine to talk to.
Youngs Ordinary and Special are available alongside Bombardier, Tribute, Standard and premium lagers. The island bar is huge and makes the big pub seem a lot smaller. The rear of the pub with the windows facing the river is a dining area and there are only 2 benches outside facing the river.
As I mentioned, it was quite during my visit, but I found the pub to be very pleasant.
13 Nov 2008 16:05
�3.50 for a pint of bog standard lager� ouch!!!
Young�s Ordinary, Tribute and Bombardier are also available from a very nice barmaid.
There is outside seating which looks out to the river, but the quality seats are at the top by the window (see picture above).
It�s a shame that the pub itself is so bland and it�s definitely not worth the extortionate prices.
13 Nov 2008 15:53
I quite liked it in here even though, as mentioned a few times before, it is very food orientated with a large restaurant area at the rear.
Granted I didn�t get into a deep and meaningful conversation with the Scottish landlady(?), but I did find her very friendly and helpful. No real ale is on offer and there are only a few standard lagers etc. There is a small plasma screen in the bar and a nice beer garden out the back.
I wouldn�t want to stay here all night, but I would pop in for a couple if passing or hungry.
12 Nov 2008 16:07
This is a large venue with a bar area, lounge type area and big restaurant looking out over the Thames. A little like a hotel complex really.
No draught of any description is available and every drink is served with a little napkin. I gave the correct money so I don't know if the change is given on a little silver tray, but it wouldn't surprise me if it is.
If you like pubs I�d suggest skipping this place.
12 Nov 2008 15:12
This is a Caf� by day and restaurant by night. It�s ok sitting by the window and there is some outside seating, but it is a restaurant that calls itself a wine bar, in my opinion.
I�ve not much else to say except that a bacon roll is �3.50.
12 Nov 2008 14:58
The Robert Inn (Master Robert Hotel), Hounslow
Over the years I�ve driven past here more times than I care to remember. Well, I finally managed a visit and I wasn�t that impressed.
There is a pool table on the way to the gents at the rear of the pub, a dart board and there is also a plasma screen that was airing a Man Ure v Arsenal game from the 80�s.
There are 3 Pride pumps and 3 redundant pumps, which says a lot in my opinion, along with standard lager.
Avery sterile pub on the A4 in, what feels like, the middle of nowhere.
10 Nov 2008 16:59
I was the only person at the bar and I had to wait a while for service, but an apology was given. I think that each of the barmaids thought that the other was serving me.
The back room has 2 pool tables, a dart board and an old TV. The main bar area is narrow, but quite comfortable and has a plasma. There is also a function type room at the front of the pub that had a strong smell of curry wafting around it.
The drinks selection is pretty unremarkable with Courage best and standards lagers on offer.
I�d say that this pub is ok for the area.
10 Nov 2008 16:39
This is the best pub in Archway, although that�s not the greatest accolade that one could bestow!
The barman/gov was pleasant and was keeping everyone happy even though he was the only one behind the bar and it was reasonably busy. There is not a greatest selection on draught with Staropramen, Guinness and some standard lagers.
Plenty of plasma screens make the sport watching a good experience and the other punters happened to be choosing some of my favourite songs from the juke box, which is always a good sign.
I wouldn�t make a special trip to drink here, but next time I�m in Archway this will be my pub of choice.
10 Nov 2008 13:43
It was very busy in here on Friday night and they must have been raking it in charging �3.40 a pint.
Adnams, Landlord and brakspear were all on offer along with Premium lagers. The barmaid was nice enough, but she had trouble hearing me as I had to stand behind people sitting at the bar that had no intention of moving for anybody.
Gastro hell!
10 Nov 2008 13:28
This place has no real ale, but it does have 4 bog standard lagers, John Smiths, Strongbow and Guinness. I found the barmaid to be very friendly and I liked the fact that Sky Sports and Setanta could be seen on a plasma from anywhere in the pub. I was paying �2 a pint as I had wandered in between 5 and 8 which just happened to be happy hour.
It sounds pretty good so far, but alas it is a dump with some very unsavoury characters hanging around. It is certainly not somewhere I would recommend to anyone else.
10 Nov 2008 10:49
This is a nice enough pub with a very friendly and jovial governor.
There are two bars with the �Village Bar� at the front that has a dart board, plasma screen and table football and the larger �Lampton Bar� at the rear that has a pool table, projector screen and leads to the beer garden.
This is a Courage house and there are three ale pumps, but unfortunately they are all hooked up to Courage Best. Fosters, Kronenburg, Stella, Strongbow and John Smiths Extra Cold are also available. There is also a selection of Peter�s Pies on the bar in a glass warming case.
Brit Asia music channel was on the TV when I walked in, but as I was the only customer he switched it over to Sky Sports without me having to ask.
This is a good pub, but if at least one other real ale was put in and the Liverpool FC crap was taken off the walls it would be a great pub.
7 Nov 2008 11:06
The Bald Faced Stag, Burnt Oak
This place has no real ale, but it does have its fair share of bog standard lager. The locals were either pissed or very pissed and they all had an air of �dodgy� about them.
There are a couple of pool tables and plenty of plasma screens for watching Sky and Setanta, There is a decked area out the back covered by two huge brollies for the smokers.
This is not a great pub and I would rather watch the match at the Lansdowne up the road.
6 Nov 2008 16:34
This is a decent enough pub for watching football in as it has 3 plasma screens, one of which is huge. I watched the first half of the Arsenal v Spurs game in here and they also managed to have the Chelsea game on a little old TV in the corner. Barman was nice enough and there were signs up that there is a minimum �5 spend when live games are on � fair enough.
The crowd was good for Burnt Oak, but I don�t think I would bother with here if there was no game on.
6 Nov 2008 16:23
This is two pubs in one with the downstairs area to the rear with the two pool tables being for the local Wood Green tossers who love nothing more than arguing over money, threatening each other and generally being intimidating to anyone who dares to go to the toilet. On the other hand, the street level front of the pub is much better as it is frequented by an older more sensible crowd who have gone out to relax and have a good time.
There are plenty of plasma screens for the showing of all things sport and there is also a dartboard in the middle of the pub, thankfully not in the kid�s section downstairs.
I spotted no real ale, but plenty of the usual suspect lager, Strongbow and Guinness.
Apart from the lack of real ale and the local rude boys this is a reasonable pub for Wood Green.
6 Nov 2008 09:41
This is a shop converted Irish bar next to Bengal Berties which is a good curry house.
There are signs in the window saying� real ale sold here� (the bar, not the rubytorium) but unfortunately both the Abbott and Greene King IPA were off. Standard lager, Strongbow and Guinness were available.
The bar is along the wall towards the front of the pub and it was being run by a very friendly woman. There is another seating area down some steps away from the plasmas and the Sky Sports at the rear of the pub. I found the locals to be accommodating enough. There is a poker machine and poker was being shown on the TV, I didn�t see any signs for poker nights though, maybe every night is poker night!
This is a decent bar and I would go back if passing.
6 Nov 2008 08:29
For such a large pub I was surprised that I couldn�t find one table that didn�t have spilt beer on it or dirty plates and glasses. I ended up perching myself on the end of a sticky table towards the rear of the pub next to the coin push machine (I�ve only ever seen these in amusement arcades). All of the fun seemed to be happening out the back where hoards of people had gathered for a smoke whilst they slated the two guys playing pool.
All of the lager seemed to be �super chilled� and the three real ales pumps were off.
The only thing going for this place is that it�s cheap, and to be honest that doesn�t really work in its favour.
5 Nov 2008 15:08
BRB at The Gate, Alexandra Park
I found this to be a decent enough pub with an eating area and stone oven for baking pizzas at the rear and reasonable bar at the front. Adnams, Guinness and standard/premium lagers were all available from a polite barmaid and Sky Sports football was playing on a projector screen and plasma.
This is not somewhere I would go out of my way to visit or stay in all night, but it is ok for a couple of swifties or maybe a nice looking pizza.
5 Nov 2008 07:29
I�m always a little apprehensive when a pub I enter has one of its TV screens hooked up to the CCTV on full display to the pub. Granted there are plenty more for the football, but I don�t understand why they feel the need to broadcast the fact that they are watching you. Is it really that bad in here?
The pub has a central bar and they�ve gone for some sort of �American Sports Bar� feel. Even though the barmaid was very friendly I won�t be bothering with this place again.
5 Nov 2008 06:35
I was in here last week and found the pub to be nothing spectacular. There is a pool table at the rear and some of the pub is closed off for renovation. The front of the pub is a large high ceilinged room with some sofas on a step up to the side.
I got the feeling that it is very much a local�s pub and a lone gentleman walking in on his own will be treated as suspect. One thing that was definitely suspect was my flat pint of lager. Also, I�m not sure what the attraction is with playing Magic on the plasmas whilst love ballads are being blasted out, especially when 90% of the patrons are over 65.
There are better pubs in the area.
4 Nov 2008 15:48
When I walked up to the bar there was a lone barman serving a couple who were paying by card. Almost 10 minutes later when I finally gave up trying to be served the lone barman was still grappling with the card machine and there were now 9 people waiting to be served. Not once did he acknowledge any of us and there was absolutely no attempt to get the glass collector to give him a hand.
An absolute shambles!
4 Nov 2008 15:06
I walked in here and stood at the bar at the front of the pub for a couple of minutes without sighting any staff. I walked around towards the rear and found the barman eating his dinner behind the bar. Not the most professional approach to running a pub, but after a brief exchange whilst I ordered my pint I realised that he is insane.
There is some seating at the front of the pub and some more at the rear leading to a dance floor type area and there were some large speakers in the corner where a DJ/band of some description had recently had their gear set up.
I didn�t spot any TVs but I did spot a projector screen on the back wall, although there was not projector pointing at it.
I wasn�t greatly impressed with this pub and I can�t see myself returning.
4 Nov 2008 14:57
This is a Shop converted Irish bar with bay windows. Standard lager, Strongbow and Guinness are available from a barman that looks a little confused when a stranger walks in, although he was very friendly. The smoking area is at the front making it a mission to get past the smokers hanging out of the door.
I�m not a big fan of listening to chart topping love duets whilst I relax so I didn�t stay very long.
4 Nov 2008 13:11
The Springfield Bar & Grill, Bounds Green
After reading the comments on here I went to the Springfield with high expectations and I wasn�t disappointed as I found it to be a great boozer with friendly locals and bar staff. A shed load of lager is available along with Pride, Courage Best, Tetleys Smoothflow and Guinness. I thought that the Pride was very good.
There is a small TV screen and larger plasma, but last week there was a sign in the door window saying that the Arsenal v Spurs game would not be aired due to no Sky Sports in the pub (surely not). There is also a pool table on a raised area at the front of the pub.
This is a decent boozer and a future stop off on my way home when alighting at Bounds Green after a few beers in town.
4 Nov 2008 11:26
This place has had a recent refurbishment that has turned it into the �Land of Leather� with a bar. Even with the small offerings of beer paraphernalia on the walls it feels a little like a hotel, but it does have 2 large plasma screens and a pool table. The Asian governor isn�t quite with it, but along with his barmaid they are very friendly and accommodating. The first plasma screen is located at the front of the pub at the opposite side to the pool table. In between them both there is a scattering of leather armchairs and a couple of tables. The other plasma screen is located on the back wall around the side of the bar in an area full of more leather armchairs and tables surrounded by dark wooden panelling. It was almost empty during my visit so I got to watch the first half of the match in relative luxury laid back in an armchair with a pint by my side. The place feels very new and unused which is a little surprising as I found it to be very pleasant.
John Smiths Smooth, Guinness and four standard lagers are available, but no real ale.
I liked it in here and would go back in if passing.
4 Nov 2008 10:10
I quite like this pub and it always seems to be busy when I venture in. Deuchars, Pride and bombardier were available on my last visit along with a range of standard and premium lagers.
I�ve found the staff to be friendly and it never takes that long to be served no matter how busy.
Definitely recommended if in the area.
3 Nov 2008 15:55
Youngs Special and Ordinary were available along with Bombardier, Fosters, Kronenburg and Heineken during my recent visit. The barmaid was extremely polite and friendly and she served me in between another large order. It�s not difficult, but seldom seen anymore.
The pub itself is nothing to write home about, but the service I received and the Bombardier I knocked back would make me return.
3 Nov 2008 15:37
The Rising Sun, Tottenham Court Road
This L-shaped pub had 4 real ales on and a selection of standard and premium lager during my last visit. I found the barman that served me to be terse and the atmosphere to be nonexistent. Granted, I wasn�t expecting great surroundings as this is in effect a high street pub with a flitting crowd.
I don�t think I�ll be rushing back here.
3 Nov 2008 15:19
This place has a very deep bar for such a small pub. The barmaid that served me was very friendly and my pint of Abbott did the job.
I liked it in here, but anymore than 30 people and I think that it would get very uncomfortable.
3 Nov 2008 14:50
The Marquis of Granby, Fitzrovia
During my visit last week the same ales were on as the bellow post except that the Black Sheep had been swapped for Deuchars. The Hobgoblin clip had red LED eyes peering out from the bar, something that I�ve not seen before.
I�ve no other comments except that I thought the attitude of the staff was a little offhand and there are plenty of more superior pubs in the area.
3 Nov 2008 14:13
The Hope, Tottenham Court Road
I visited here one evening last week and there were two barmaids on; one was talking to a guy at the bar, and the other was cheerfully but very slowly serving the two blokes in front of me. Whilst at the bar I had plenty of time to note that Pride, Adnams, Landlord and Doombar were all available along with a very limited lager selection. The Landlord was on good form and the barmaid let me try it before I ordered a pint. I�m not sure why, but I�m never one to look a gift horse in the mouth.
The pub also has the ability to show Sky Sports and Setanta on its small plasma screen.
There isn�t much wrong with this place, but there are bigger more comfortable pubs nearby so I doubt I�ll bother with here again.
3 Nov 2008 13:51
The Jack Horner, Tottenham Court Road
This is a large pub for the area that is full of transient customers. The staff seemed eager to serve and there is a limited standard lager selection, Scrumpy Jack and, as mentioned, a full range of Fullers ale.
An ok place to pop in, but I wouldn�t stay for more than a couple of pints.
3 Nov 2008 13:32
The Salisbury, Leicester Square
I had far too many pints of Peeterman Artois in here.
I have to agree with all of the positive comments on here about this pub. It was busy, yet there was plenty of room inside and out. The bar staff were very friendly, as was the inconspicuous bouncer on the door and the beer was excellent.
This is definitely one to revisit.
3 Nov 2008 10:05
I quite liked it in here as the bar staff were very friendly and the Hobgoblin was very nice. The staff were dressed up and they were enthusiastically hanging Halloween decorations around the pub.
I would visit again if in the area.
31 Oct 2008 11:31
Drinking here was like drinking in a living room that has been recently burgled. The upstairs was roped off and the downstairs was heaving with about 30 people.
I had a pint of Standard lager (can�t remember what it was) and it came in at �3.40. In my opinion the surroundings do not warrant the prices.
31 Oct 2008 11:24
Standard lager and Guinness are available from a slightly threatening �F this and F that� Barmaid. Holby City was being shown on the screens and the pool table was out of use.
I ordered a half, knocked it back and left, never to darken their door again.
31 Oct 2008 10:59
Skolars Sports Bar, Wood Green
I popped in here on Tuesday night and there was only one other person in. I thought that being a sports bar it would be a little busier, especially as there was a premiership match playing on the big plasma screen at the back. Maybe everyone was saving themselves for the Gooners v 'Top Four' Tottenham game the night after.
For the size of the pub there�s not that much seating with bar stools lining the bar and some sofas and tables around the walls of the pub. There is a pool table and the dart board is tucked around the corner towards the rear.
There is a selection of standard lagers at very reasonable prices, but there is no real ale.
Although I didn�t stay long due to the lack of any other people the barman made me feel very welcome. This is a pub that I would frequent again if it was a little nearer to my local area.
31 Oct 2008 10:38
The Bricklayers Arms, Fitzrovia
Another Sam Smiths pub with an extensive choice of real ale, continental lagers from every corner of the planet and a young vibrant attractive client base � Ahem!
It is small, but worth a look around as it�ll only take 30 seconds, which is 4 minutes and 30 seconds less time than it took me to be served. I wouldn�t have minded, but a bloke standing behind me was served before me. On enquiry the barmaid thought that I had already been served, she was the only one working the bar.
I�d walk past if in the area again.
31 Oct 2008 10:07
This is an Irish shop conversion bar, as you can probably tell from the name. It can feel a little intimidating when you walk in, but if you give the locals the time of day you�ll find them to be very friendly. There�s no real ale, but plenty of lager, John Smiths Smooth and Obviously Guinness.
There are a couple of screens and a projector to show any sport that happens to be on. There are also 2 dartboards; one of which is on a stage area at the rear. There was a super league dart match on during my visit and I found the team to be very friendly and humorous. Lots of food came out at the end of the night for the dart teams and everyone in the pub was allowed to tuck in.
There are a couple of benches outside the front of the pub for the smokers and a bus stop 10 yards away for an easy journey home.
This is a great bar, you just have to reserve your judgement until the second pint.
31 Oct 2008 09:44
This place is pretty much what you�d expect from a Spoons, massive pub with cheap booze. It has more than its fair share of crazies and it�s impossible to get comfortable. A guy on the table next to me was fast asleep and snoring, but a staff member just breezed past him.
I spotted 4 real ales and there is plenty of lager. There was one member of staff on and I had to wait for the manager to appear before I was served. He was polite enough though.
There are 2 plasma screens and a designated no children area, which I thought was a good touch. There is also some seating outside, but it is next to the main road.
I don�t think I�ll be visiting here again.
29 Oct 2008 15:35
Oh dear, I should have known when I saw the disco lights blazing through the windows at 18:00 on a Tuesday evening. The camp barman singing along to X Factor confirmed my fears that I had walked into a gay bar. Thankfully he and the 2 other punters were very friendly � Not too friendly mind!
There is limited seating around the walls and plenty of standing/dancing room. There is also a pool table towards the back of the bar.
I can�t envisage any reason why I would ever find myself in here again.
29 Oct 2008 09:25
Ye Olde Swiss Cottage, Swiss Cottage
This is a big pub of sprawling dank that offers no discernable reason to visit.
Sullen staff, moody manager and the usual Sam Smiths range puts this place in the blue square league of pubs. The pub and its large paved beer garden are in the middle of one of the busiest roundabouts in the country and you have to brave a 4 lane road or getting mugged in the subway to get to it.
Very poor show.
28 Oct 2008 15:50
I too agree that RogerB�s description of this pub is spot on. I would also like to add that the barmaid was extremely friendly and that there are 2 plasma screens now. It would have been nice if they had turned them off or muted them when the match had finished as I hate the bellowing sound of adverts ringing in my ears, especially in a pub. Also 4 ales were off during my visit leaving Ruddles Best, Old Speckled Hen and Youngs Special. Also available were San Miguel, Fosters, Amstell and Strongbow.
Not a bad pub to be honest, maybe get there before the square and compasses brigade drinks all the beer.
28 Oct 2008 13:15
The Theodore Bullfrog, Charing Cross
This split level pub felt more like a bar for the mid thirties suit brigade. I suppose that I am nearing my mid thirties so would be classed as one of them, but I don�t talk about my work for 3 hours after finishing it every evening. The staff were amiable enough, but it was patently obvious that they didn�t want to be there and I don�t really blame them. Maybe it is more pleasant during the day or at the weekend.
Tring Sidepocket and Jack O�Legs were available along with Spitfire and various lagers. I went for the lager as no other person seemed to be drinking the ale. There is a plasma screen, but I don�t know if they have Sky Sports etc and food is served from 12 until 8.
Thankfully I was able to shoehorn myself into a space outside so that I could have a smoke and rest my pint on the �smokers ledge� that runs around the outside of the building.
Although busy I couldn�t see the attraction other than locality to Charing Cross Station.
28 Oct 2008 11:09
I was standing outside here finishing off my cigarette before entering and I noticed the �open to staff, students and members of the public� sign. It had me scratching my head until I walked in and spotted all of the students and the big �London School of Economics� sign hanging from the ceiling. This was a first for me, but everyone seemed pleasant enough, although there were a couple of strange blokes contemplating which I made a point of avoiding.
The prices are very reasonable and various lagers are available along with Landlord (which was very nice), Adnams and Bombardier.
My student days are over so I�ll probably never drink here again, but I didn�t really find any other fault with the pub.
28 Oct 2008 09:08
The Shakespeare's Head, Holborn
I wasn�t impressed with this place.
I�m not a Wetherspoons fan, but I would suggest to anyone that is and is in the area to give this place a miss and head for The Penderel�s Oak up the road.
27 Oct 2008 17:01
The usual huge Spoons with a good selection of ales and bog standard lager nearing its expiry date.
There is plenty of seating from high tables and sofas at the front of the pub to normal tables and chairs in the 'library' section towards the rear. Once I had worked my way along the winding path to the bar the barmaid that served me was actually on the ball and I was served quickly. Granted it wasn�t busy, but I didn�t have to wait for her to put down the clipboard and to stop counting the stock as is the norm.
I wouldn�t drink in here again as there are better pubs around, but my recent visit wasn�t a hideous experience.
27 Oct 2008 16:54
I�ll definitely agree that this is one of the better O�Neills and I found the staff to be very pleasant. There are plasma screens of all shapes and sizes dotted around the pub with a huge screen at the rear.
Lots of lager is available and unsurprisingly I spotted 4 Guinness pumps.
A good place to watch sport, but I think I would drink elsewhere if just out for a jolly.
27 Oct 2008 16:43
It was very busy in here during my visit, but the eagle eyed barman spotted me right away and promptly served me. Doombar, Hobgoblin, Pride, Harveys Best and Landlord were all on offer along with various lagers. Behind the bar is almost as wide as the drinking area so it doesn�t take a lot to make this pub feel busy. I spotted some seating upstairs, but I didn�t check out the downstairs bar � Maybe next time.
In my opinion this place is worth a visit.
27 Oct 2008 16:35
The barman and other punters in here during my visit were very friendly and made my stay very enjoyable. The 70�s and 80�s hits were played at an easy on the ear level and my Witchfinder was good, although I�m not a big fan of porter.
The pub is narrow so it only takes two people standing next to each other to block the way to the toilet, but apart from that I couldn�t really fault the pub.
27 Oct 2008 13:46
The Pitcher and Piano, Holborn
This is an unremarkable Pitcher and Piano, but I was expecting nothing more. Staropramen, Hoegarden, Pedigree keg and bog standard lagers are all available. My pint was a short measure, but I didn�t ask for it to be topped up as I couldn�t wait to leave.
There is a big projector screen at the back and some gallery seating upstairs. Any noise seems to be amplified through the building making the general chatter of the other customers sound like a full blown riot.
There is some seating on the pavement outside where I managed to escape to.
Not somewhere I�ll be heading off to again in any great hurry.
27 Oct 2008 13:15
This is pretty much what you�d expect from an ABO with premium lagers aplenty and a token offering of keg pride.
I shall not be returning in a hurry.
27 Oct 2008 13:05
It was very busy in here early Saturday evening and I had to wait a while to be served as the staff had done a disappearing act. Landlord, Malt & Hops and Pride were available along with a large variety of standard and premium lager. A very mixed clientele was present from Primrose Hill Nathans to ex Britannia locals.
I find it hard to get comfortable in here and would rather drink in the Steeles or head up to Hampstead.
27 Oct 2008 10:19
This is one of the less remarkable Sam Smiths pubs I have been in. There are a few booths along the side of the pub, but these were taken up by hoards of students.
The barman was very friendly and I didn�t check out the upstairs bar, but I wasn�t that impressed with what I did see.
24 Oct 2008 13:59
The Bell And Compass, Charing Cross
I have to agree that this pub is boring with tables crammed everywhere so that no matter where you sit you feel like you are encroaching on another group of people. I found the staff to be nonchalant and I�ll let the barman off that served me as he was new, but his colleagues just stood around watching him struggle. The first pint of Pedigree was OK, but my half for the road was served up in an orange juice glass.
Huffkin, Jennings Swan Lake and Marstons were the other 3 ales and there is a variety off premium and standard lagers.
Not a great pub!
24 Oct 2008 13:51
Boadicea, Charing Cross Station
Curiosity finally got the better of me and I visited here last night. I ordered a half of lager and handed over a fiver, �any crisps would you like?� No thanks, just the lager and maybe a smile. Nothing there!
I cheered myself up by watching BBC News 24 report on how we are all going to die in poverty.
An irate guy behind me that was being ripped off by the fruit machine shouted �You�re �avin a laugh aint ya� � My sentiments exactly!
24 Oct 2008 12:05
This place is now called �Station House� and it is an expensive gastro pub with jazz every Sunday evening � I wouldn�t have guessed it is in Chiswick!
It�s a big open plan pub with a dining type area at one end and an open fire surrounded with sofas at the other. There are a few high tables dotted about and there is plenty of covered and uncovered seating outside the front of the pub.
The barmaid on my visit was friendly, but my pint of Pride was very cloudy and over �3. Pride is the only ale, but also available are Leffe Blond, Staropramen, Stella, Becks Vier and Guinness. Being a gastro pub there is also food available, but I think a burger and chips was about �10.
I can�t see myself ever going here again as it is in the middle of nowhere and pretty unremarkable.
23 Oct 2008 16:13
This place is now called the Garry Owen and it has had an extensive makeover.
Greene King IPA and Courage Best are available alongside various standard lagers whilst you watch Sky or Setanta on one of the 4 plasma screens. There is also live music at the weekends.
Some outside seating can be found at the front of the pub just off the main road.
I couldn�t really get settled in here as a game had just finished at Twickenham and it was packed with rugger buggers!
22 Oct 2008 09:02
The William Web Ellis, Twickenham
I�ll agree that this isn�t a typical wetherspoons with its many plasma screens and grand rather than drinking hanger d�cor. As you would expect, the beer is cheap and nearing its sell by date and the staff are young and still finding their personalities.
There is a circular fireplace towards the rear of the pub that is surrounded by sofas, but although this is a large pub there isn�t that much seating. There is also a small beer garden to keep the smokers off the high street.
This is certainly not the worst Spoons I have ever been in.
22 Oct 2008 07:56
This place is a 31 bedroom hotel with a large bar/dining area that is open to non-residents. During my visit a couple of days ago there were a lot of older customers tucking into the Sunday roast dinner, which I must say looked extremely good. Along with the bar/dining area there is also a smaller area with sofas and a TV that was showing Sky Sports and a couple of conference rooms that are available for hire.
Draught Stella, Fosters, John Smiths Extra Cold, Strongbow and Guinness are all available from the bar. There is also a hand pump, but there was no real ale on during my visit and I don�t know if there ever is/was.
There is also some limited outside seating but this is situated in the ample car park next to a very busy main road.
This is certainly no great pub, but I wouldn�t be that disappointed if the hotel I had booked into had a bar like this one. That said I would probably walk down the road to find a proper boozer.
21 Oct 2008 16:36
Not a lot seems to have happened since the change of ownerships as I would have had this down as a wetherspoons.
I was served very promptly and I think that my lager was about �2.80, which isn�t bad. The pub is very open plan with a plasma screen at each end and some booths at the opposite side to the bar. Abbott Ale, Pride and GK IPA were all available along with the usual suspect lagers.
The pub shows Sky Sports and Setanta and there is very limited uncomfortable outside seating on the high street.
This place offers nothing that isn�t done better by its peers so I can�t see myself returning.
21 Oct 2008 15:18
I watched the first half of the Man U(re) game in here on Saturday afternoon and didn�t really come out with any complaints other than the lack of and positioning of the seating. The match was on the projector screen and the TVs at the back whilst a rugby game was being shown on the plasma at the front of the pub. The pub also shows sport on Setanta and there is a pool table towards the rear.
I found the staff to be friendly enough and the prices to be very reasonable. Landlord and various bog standard lagers were available from the bar.
It�s a fairly large pub that lacks some atmosphere and from reading the other posts it sounds like I left before the locals arrived as the other patrons all seemed in good spirits.
I wouldn�t make the effort to go here again, but I would pop in if I was passing by and another match was on.
21 Oct 2008 14:01
I�m not sure if this place is still called �The Red Lion�, which is written on the wall outside, or �Filthy�s� which is on the pub signs hanging outside.
Back in the early nineties I used to drink here every afternoon after a Thai Fok lunchtime special next door. The two pool tables are still present, but the dartboard has disappeared along with most of the natural light. It is now primarily a music venue and I�m not sure if it is worth visiting when there is no band on, unless you fancy a game of pool. There is a room with no seating and a big TV at the back that leads to a paved beer garden with some covered and uncovered seating.
I spotted Greene King IPA and some standard lager behind the bar. It took a while to be served as the barman had to finish his chat with one of the regulars, even though I was standing right next to him.
I�m not really into the live music scene or being ignored so I�ll probably never darken this pub�s door again.
21 Oct 2008 11:03
The Woodlands Tavern, Isleworth
I was in here one afternoon last week and found it to be pleasant enough. It has a pool table, dart board and at least 3 screens, which were showing Chelsea TV during my visit. I found the manager to be polite enough and the pub itself to be clean and spacious.
Pride and GK IPA were available alongside a few lagers and John Smiths Extra Smooth. I can imagine the small smoking section at the rear getting very busy late at night when smoking is not permitted outside the front of the pub.
This is a reasonable pub that probably comes alive when there is some sport on.
14 Oct 2008 14:09
The Malt and Hops, North Finchley
I was in here on Saturday night and the pub only had 12 other people in it which isn�t a lot, especially for a large pub like this. The volume of the jukebox was set at tinnitus level with songs like �In the Air Tonight� (Genesis) bouncing off the walls and straight into my brain.
Various lagers are available alongside Courage Best and London Pride. There is a pool table and a dartboard, which is great to see. There is also a projector screen at the rear of the pub for showing Sky Sports and Setanta. The barmaid seemed very friendly and was having a laugh with some locals at the bar.
I think that I�ll try it in here again when there is a football match on as I could see this pubs potential, but I think I may have just picked a crap night to visit.
14 Oct 2008 13:48
This place is now called Papa Js and it is an Indian Tapas restaurant and bar. It has been very sleekly fitted out and still retains a small bar area serving up Fosters, Stella, Carlsberg, Guinness, John Smiths Smooth and London Pride (which was off on my visit).
I spotted 3 plasma screens that were showing Sky News and there were a couple of people dotted around drinking coffee and using the wireless internet that is available.
If the food is good it would be a great place to go for a ruby and a beer, but I wouldn�t bother if I just up for a few jars.
10 Oct 2008 10:37
This used to be my lunchtime local, circa 1992, whilst I was attending the local college.
It is primarily a sports pub with 3 pool tables in their own little areas at the rear of the building and a few large plasma screens dotted about showing Sky Sports day and night. The Manager seems very friendly and was quick to finish playing the fruit machine to come and serve me and the prices are reasonable. Various standard lagers are available alongside Pride and John Smiths Smooth.
There is some outside seating in a small paved area and there is also a wooden smoking shelter to protect from the elements.
If I was in the area I�d probably walk up to the Red Lion, but this place is an OK alternative.
10 Oct 2008 06:47
There is a chalk board above the bar that says �REAL LOCAL PUB WITH REAL ALE�, I couldn�t have said it better myself.
I found the barman to be very friendly and the couple of locals that I met were very nice. My Youngs was the first of the day so the barman pulled last nights beer through making my pint spot on (it�s amazing how many bar staff will not do this). Along with the Youngs I spotted 3 other real ales and various lagers and maybe a couple of ciders.
There�s plenty of outside seating and a pool table with plenty of elbow room. The drinking area is still separated into 2 bars so you can escape the live music and go to the other side of the pub.
You can tell as soon as you enter that this place is being looked after and has a great team. I wish I could pick up this pub and move it to N11 where I live!
8 Oct 2008 16:40
This is a very friendly boozer and from my experiences of the other local pubs I will concur with the general consensus that this is the best pub in the area.
Youngs Ordinary and Special were on during my visit along with Tribute, Bombardier, Scrumpy Jack, Fosters, Kronenburg and Guinness. The Bombardier was on good form as was the barmaid.
Although the pub is very small it has a large well kept beer garden with children�s play area at the rear which leaves the pub for the adults and their boozing.
This is a beer drinker�s pub � and a very good one at that.
7 Oct 2008 13:33
This is a large pub with island bar and great views of the Thames from the terrace and seating area (as you can see from the pictures). It is open plan and very bright and airy and the barmaid was friendly enough, although I had to wait for her to finish her phone call before she would serve me � Her apology was accepted.
I found the prices to be in line with most other pubs in the area and the premises to be clean and fairly well maintained.
Youngs Ordinary and Special were available alongside Bombardier, Tribute and various standard and premium lagers.
This is not the most exciting of places, but a nice place for a few afternoon jars in the sun.
6 Oct 2008 13:12
Is this place some sort of joke?
I waited for 5 minutes at the bar before anyone appeared behind it to serve me. I�m not a fan of standing around like some mug waiting to be served, especially when I�m surrounded by the smell of half eaten plates of Thai food that haven�t been cleared up. An apology may have been nice, but no such luck.
Youngs Ordinary was available along with various lagers, but the Special and Bombardier were both off.
There was no atmosphere to speak of and at �3.50 a pint you won�t ever catch me in here again.
6 Oct 2008 12:52
I was in here earlier this week and found the barman/governor (?) to be very polite. There was a blonde woman behind the bar who totally ignored me and I had to wait for said gentleman to come behind the bar before I was served. I thought that she was the cleaner until she started moaning about something on the menu.
The rear of the pub, which is the majority, seems to be some sort of dining area. The pub front is quite small, but there is plenty of seating outside. There is a duck pond opposite, but it is on the other side of a fairly busy road.
Pride, Bombardier, Broadside, Westons cider, Fruli and some premium lagers were all available. I think that my Pride came to �2.90.
To be honest I quite liked it here and would go back if in the area.
3 Oct 2008 12:38
Until earlier this week the last time I had been in here was in 1992 whilst I was attending Hounslow Borough College (I think it�s called West Thames now, how posh!)
It�s changed a bit with the addition of a Thai restaurant which makes the drinking part of the pub a lot smaller than it used to be. The pool table and dart board are still there and an extra couple of screens have been put in for the sports.
Sharps Doombar and Eden were on alongside Black Sheep, John Smiths Extra Smooth and a few bog standard lagers. I had to wait a minute or so for the barman to finish putting pint glasses in the fridge before I was served � no apology was proffered.
I�ve no real complaints about the pub except for, as mentioned previously on these reviews, the overpowering smell of Thai food wafting around the pub.
3 Oct 2008 11:17
The drinks selection in this place is very limited with only Adnams Spindrift, Hoegarden, Stella and Guinness available on draught (three more than Annie�s across the road). I went for the Stella and thought that I�d certainly had better elsewhere.
I think that most of the drinking that goes on in this establishment is to supplement the eating of food as I found it to be more restaurant than pub. I�ve never been to a pub with a trough of fruit in the bar where my racing post should be sitting!
There is a beer garden/yard out the back but I would hardly call it wonderful, especially as the Coach and Horses beer garden is just around the corner and the seats look like they have been purchased from a greasy spoon.
Although I found the staff to be friendly I like my pubs so didn't rate this place very highly.
2 Oct 2008 16:04
You all may have gleaned this from the previous comments.
This is a small friendly RESTAURANT with Peroni on draft. If you are looking for a good evening meal with a few friends this is your place, but if you are looking for a good beer in the evening give it a miss.
2 Oct 2008 13:53
This is a no frills locals boozer offering Pride (4 pumps), Stella, Carlsberg, Carling, Guinness and strongbow.
I had to wait for a couple of minutes to get served as the governor had popped off to make a cup of coffee for himself. He apologised on his return and luckily I was in no rush. Unfortunately I had to wait in between two locals that have probably had no kind of formal education and have probably never left Isleworth.
There is a plasma screen with the ability to show Sky and a fruit machine. There is also some outside seating just off the main road.
In my opinion this is not a great pub and I wouldn�t bother revisiting.
2 Oct 2008 08:33
The Coach and Horses, Isleworth
I popped in here to escape the rain earlier this afternoon and I was the only patron. I found the staff to be very hospitable and my pint of Youngs Ordinary was OK. Special was also available along with some standard lagers, but the Bombardier was off.
The side of the pub nearest to the entrance is quite nice, but the bar and dart board area needs some cleaning up and maybe the TV needs to come off the table and onto the wall. I still liked it in here even though the music was a little loud for lunchtime.
There is some seating outside in between the pub and the car park and some of this is covered. Whilst having a crafty cigarette I noticed a reasonably sized function type room out the back with a small bar and a piano.
I�m not very likely to pass here again, but if I do I will pop in if possible.
1 Oct 2008 16:35
I was very surprised that this place wasn�t suggested before as it is just off Regent Street and is quite popular. Before a couple of Friday's ago I don�t think that I had ever entered here sober and I certainly hadn�t been for 8 years.
The main floor of the pub has a bar running down one side of it and a limited amount of seating dotted around. There is a dance floor at the back of the pub and some covered seating outside by the entrance. There is a VIP room, next to the toilet downstairs, which used to be another dance floor.
There is plenty of lager to choose from, but not a lot else. If it is anything like it used to be in the evenings it will be rammed and the queue for the bar will be long.
This is not really my scene anymore, so I think that I�ll leave it to the teeny boppers!
1 Oct 2008 13:50
I found the staff in here to be very pleasant and the pub itself is very inoffensive. The rear of the pub is a dining area, but the front has maintained a pub feel. 4 lagers and Black Sheep plus another ale were on during my visit. There is a plasma screen on the wall along with lots of old tankards that have obviously been collected through the years.
I liked it in here, although the pictures on the front page make it seem far bigger than it actually is.
30 Sep 2008 17:01
There is a dining area at the rear of this place and it is full of sofas and high tables as many gastro pubs are. I was pretty uninspired even though there was plenty of lager alongside Bombardier and Youngs Ordinary and Special.
There was some strange music playing whilst I was there, maybe they should have just left the plasma screen on!
I think I�ll give this place a miss in the future.
30 Sep 2008 16:53
I take my hat off to this place for selling sausage rolls and scotch eggs from behind the bar (although they are �2 each).
They have plenty of lager for sale, but both Adnams pumps were off on my visit. They have 2 plasma screens, although they are very small. Talking of small, they have shed loads of spirit miniatures on display behind the bar, not sure what that is all about.
The music is pretty good and I wouldn�t mind going back in here again.
30 Sep 2008 16:45
I found the governor to be very polite and there were 3 real ales on including Pride and ESB. The usual selection of lager was also available along with a gastro type menu.
It�s a big pub with an island bar in the middle although the pub is in sections around the bar rather than being one big room. The beer garden has a covered section and although it is quite small it is well maintained and very cosy.
It is a little sterile in here for my liking, but I may return if in the area and feeling a bit peckish.
30 Sep 2008 16:35
This is a great little pub with friendly staff and simple pub food. It is easy to get comfortable and the 2 plasma screens are a real bonus. Pride was the only real ale on along with Guinness, Guinness Extra Cold and the usual suspect lagers. The music is not to imposing and the locals seemed friendly enough.
There are 3 very small tables outside on the high street for the smokers, but they are not very comfortable with people constantly walking past.
The next time I�m in Camden I will make an effort to visit here again.
30 Sep 2008 16:26
I had to wait a while to be served so I did a quick scan of the place and decided to have a half. The barmaid was very pleasant when she finally arrived and proceeded to explain that the pints were almost half price. So I was supersized into having a pint and I had to stay longer. There is no real ale, but there is John Smiths Smoothflow, Guinness, Strongbow and plenty of standard lager.
There are a few screens with the ability to show Sky and Setanta and there is also a pool table tucked around the corner at the rear of the pub.
It�s basically an American themed pub full of Australian backpackers � I�ve decided that this was my one and only visit.
30 Sep 2008 16:15
I popped in here for a pint earlier this week and was greeted by the barmaid as If I had been drinking here for years, but it was my first visit - Fantastic. Youngs Ordinary and Special were available along with lots of lagers.
The pub has high ceilings and is fairly open plan so it is not very cosy, especially when it is sparsely populated. The adverts playing through the speakers from the radio didn't help.
The 2 seating areas outside are on either side of the car park which in turn is just off a reasonably busy road so it was a little noisy.
I did spy a very small pool table in one corner of the pub and there is a small conservatory in the opposite corner (if my memory serves me correctly).
I didn�t really find this pub to be anything special.
30 Sep 2008 15:20
This place is madness!
There are more tattoos and piercings than you can shake a stick at, and that�s just the women!
It takes an age to be served and when you are the pint is thrust in your general direction and slopped on the bar. No airs and graces needed in here. The tourists look on in amazement supping on there � pint of warm beer whilst there passport is stolen by some thieving scumbag.
You would think that this is a scathing review, but this is how the pub is purposely run and the owners seem proud of this fact. I think that it is meant to be a cool pub by not being cool � The Titty Twister of the lower leagues.
Not one for me I�m afraid, even back in the 90s when I was a little more adventurous.
30 Sep 2008 14:38
It was pretty busy in here with the typical spoons crowd last Thursday lunchtime. I think that I spotted 7 real ales on and plenty of standard lager as very reasonable prices, as is expected in any Wetherspoons pub. My pint of lager was surprisingly OK and didn�t have the usual nearing the sell by date twang. There were a lot of smokers huddled in the doorway which doesn�t give the greatest impression when entering, but there is nowhere else for them to go.
There are 2 bars with the upstairs one being very comfortable and bright, although the views aren�t the greatest. There is also a plasma screen downstairs and a toy train going around the cornice in the main downstairs bar.
It took a while to get served, but the barman was polite enough when he did get to me.
I can�t envisage ever being in here again.
30 Sep 2008 13:53
It seemed pretty Irish to me with fiddles on the wall, old drunken Irish soaks, young drunken Irish labourers and a nice friendly Irish barmaid. I�m pretty sure that the name Flynn is also of Irish decent and the sign on the wall saying �the best craic in town� is a bit of a giveaway. During my quick stop I actually thought to myself �bejesus, how Irish can one place be� before resting my pint on a Guinness coaster.
Anyway, I found the place to be pretty dull, but I can imagine it being lively, to say the least, when the bands are playing. There are a few screens dotted about and also some sofas at the rear just past the large fireplace.
I probably won�t go here again, but who knows.
30 Sep 2008 13:27
I popped in here early Friday evening, for the first time in 7+ years. I remember the staff used to be very friendly and would have a laugh with the customers, but alas I was served by a surly barmaid with a customer service bypass and a masters in apathy. There is now a stage at the back for bands to set up, but I think there is still graffiti in the disgraceful gents from when I used to go (not by my hand).
Lager, Guinness and Strongbow are all available and you are allowed to take drinks outside as long as you ask for a plastic vessel.
For a late bar it is passable, but I wouldn�t go in if the pubs were still open.
30 Sep 2008 13:07
I quite liked it in here even though it was very busy and the tables by the window had been reserved for 45 minutes with no one sitting there. I didn�t spot any television screens either.
Youngs Special and Ordinary were available along with Bombardier and various premium and standard lagers. The barmaid was very friendly and when people left the tables were cleared very quickly.
Food is served from 12:00 until 22:00 and there is a quiz night on Mondays.
This is a decent pub to get away from the madness of Camden High Street.
30 Sep 2008 11:02
This is very much a live band venue and I�m not sure that it is really worth bothering any other time. There are a couple of plasma screens, but it is difficult to get comfortable as you feel that you�ve arrived too early or late.
The barmaid is very friendly and I�m sure that it is a great night when the bands kick off, but my sweat box dancing days are over.
30 Sep 2008 10:35
This place has a couple of pool tables, which I think is the only plus point. The really cool(?) barman was anything but and the pub stank of body odour and stale beer � a truly an awful experience!
The bar was soaking wet and the lager was flat � This is at 18:30 on a Friday. I spotted Old Speckled Hen and Pride, but never went anywhere near it.
I question the taste and sanity of anyone who rates this pub highly!
30 Sep 2008 10:18
The London Apprentice, Old Isleworth
I had a pleasant weekday lunchtime in here recently. 6 real ales were available along with a variety of premium and bog standard lagers. Granted it wasn�t very busy, but the barmaid was very friendly and service was instantaneous. I was on the Pride and found it to be top notch.
The pub itself is lovely looking with lots of room around the bar and a separate room at the rear with conservatory attached. The back of the pub opens up onto a fantastic terrace area with great views of the river.
I didn�t eat the food whilst I was there, but the beer was great and that is why I went in the first place.
Recommended!
30 Sep 2008 09:42
It took me a while to find my way up to the top bar (bottom was closed) and I have to admit to being shocked to find myself walking into a Sam Smiths pub as this is the first one I have been into out of London.
SS pubs usually have some sort of wow factor about them and this one is no exception. A good looking 2 bar/2 floor pub with lovely views of the Thames from the large decked terraces. The barmaid was polite enough on my visit and the beer was very cheap, as you would expect.
I�m not a big SS fan but this pub is well worth a visit, especially if the sun is shining.
30 Sep 2008 08:57
The Crescent, Mornington Crescent
This pub is on a busy corner opposite Mornington Crescent tube station making the limited outside seating very uncomfortable. Granted it�s not the manager�s fault where the pub is located, but I wouldn�t want to sit out there.
Pride and plenty of standard lager are available if you can get served. I had to wait a while and then when I had asked for my pint the barman was distracted and forgot that he was serving me and went onto someone else. There were 2 barmen and only 6 or 7 people at the bar.
The 2 plasma screens showing Sky Sports news all day, loud music, illustrated women and old soaks all added to the disappointing experience.
Until last Friday I�d not been in here since it was an Edwards. I didn�t like it then and I don�t like it now.
29 Sep 2008 16:19
Adnams, Doom Bar and lots of premium lagers are available in this gastro pub. I found the barmaid to be friendly, but the punter after me had to wait a while as all the staff seemed to disappear round the back for quite some time.
There is a covered/uncovered beer garden at the front of the pub with a BBQ to the side. The inside of the pub is very open to make it easy for the waitresses. The only real redeeming feature I could find was the plasma screen, but I�m not sure that I would really want to watch the football in here anyway.
29 Sep 2008 15:52
The Orange Tree, Friern Barnet
I was in here on Saturday to watch the football. It has had a bit of a clean but the place is still a mess. It seems that the outside, including the garden, has been sorted out but that is where it has stopped. The barmaid was very friendly, but the place still lacks any atmosphere.
I�m still not sure that I would want to venture in on a Friday or Saturday night!
29 Sep 2008 14:44
As mentioned, this is a trendy bar on the high street and I think that it pulls it off quite well. It has a stone baked pizza facility, as does the Bar Room Bar in Hampstead so I�d imagine this is part of a chain.
The manager was friendly enough and along with Carlsberg there is plenty of premium lager to choose from. It is a little dark, but the funky music was at a good level and I also spotted a plasma screen.
This is not really my scene but I can see the attraction, especially with the 2 for 1 cocktails from 5 until 7 every evening.
29 Sep 2008 14:35
This is a small boozer packed with lots of high tables and little standing room. In fact the only notable standing room is at the bar. Deuchars, Bombardier, Guinness, Strongbow and 3 lagers were available on my visit.
Unsurprisingly it was busy during my visit at 19:00 on Friday evening and the staff were overstretched. Someone had puked at the bar after downing a short and the barmaid sorted it out after a while by putting some blue paper over it. It was still like this 30 minutes later when I left � Nice!!!
It was my first time in here since the name change and I wasn�t very impressed.
29 Sep 2008 11:34
This place is an utter disgrace and if it was on a high street it would go out of business quicker than a rat burger cafe!
The captive audience is in for a treat of disgusting sky high prices, surly sloth like staff, and at least a 30 minute wait! Top this off with irate Easy Jet passengers and you are left with a big sack of shyte!
It annoys me that these chains can buy up rights to operate in the airports and then give shocking service and prices as they are a law unto themselves.
This dump is one of many reasons why I will not be flying from Luton Airport again!
29 Sep 2008 10:03
The barmaid in here didn�t look like she wanted to be there, but she was very fast � which is more important! Lots of Pride pumps and one Seafarers alongside standard lagers.
I didn�t rate the pub much, but it is ok compared to the other offerings I have ventured into in Putney. There are 2 plasma screens and a little background music was on during my visit as the screens were muted.
The pub has been done up but I think that it still looks a little tatty. There is a raised dining area at the back of the pub, but what�s the deal with the fire exit being camouflaged as a bookcase � My thoughts are that it is a little tacky and a dangerous.
To sum up, not great but I�ve seen a lot worse!
26 Sep 2008 12:53
This is a small Irish run pub on Archway road. Lager and Guinness (funnily enough) are available from a friendly enough landlady.
It was pretty quiet on the Friday afternoon that I went, but the locals that were in there seemed nice enough.
Not bad for the area and better than the Settle Inn next door!
26 Sep 2008 12:27
This is definitely the smallest Slug and Lettuce I�ve been in even though the huge mirror on the back wall makes it look bigger and busier.
The manager was on the phone when I walked in and he got one of the kitchen staff to pour my pint. She had obviously never done it before as there was more froth than liquid. It was topped up, after asking, with an apology which counts for something I suppose.
There are a few tables tucked around the side of the bar with a good view of a plasma screen, but there�s not really that much room around there.
I won�t be going back as this is one of the poorest S&Ls I have ventured into, and that is saying something.
26 Sep 2008 10:20
I shouldn�t have liked it in here but the friendly landlady, low dance music and general surroundings all seemed to work together to make this place very pleasant.
Being a gastro pub it isn�t surprising that lots of premium lagers are available along with a token ale (Adnams).
I would pop in again, but only if I was going out for something to eat.
25 Sep 2008 11:16
I walked in here and was hit by a very friendly greeting from the barmaid and a strong smell of incense. The strange chill out music and the lack of other people had me wondering whether I had fallen unconscious.
Only the Deuchars was on with premium lagers and Frulli and my pint of lager was a little dubious to say the least. There is an array of different seating from high stools to sofas along with a nice fireplace. There is also covered and uncovered seating outside the front of the pub.
This is not a bad pub, but it�s nothing to write home about.
24 Sep 2008 16:29
This place is perfect for watching the football as it has loads of screens and plenty of room to sit and stand. I�m not sure that I�d bother any other time though as the Pride and Bombardier lines get cleaned together and the place has a Barracuda Ltd feel to it.
24 Sep 2008 15:55
I didn�t spot any real ale, but there was plenty of lager and Guinness � This is Archway after all!
The sign on the wall outside the pub says that this place has �the friendliest welcome on Holloway Road�. I know that this is hardly a massive feat, but I thought I would test this out and I have to admit that the landlady was very friendly.
There is a pool table around one side of the pub and 2 well placed plasma screens which were showing Sky Sports.
The major let down I found with this pub were the locals who were not very accommodating and loitering in the wrong century. I ended up leaving just before the band started.
I�m still to find a decent boozer in Archway � The search continues.
22 Sep 2008 14:04
This is exactly the sort of pub I would expect to find opposite Archway tube station with its �diverse crowd�, Guinness a plenty and grubby interior. The bar was lined with locals sitting on bar stools that wouldn�t have moved if I had set them on fire and the barmaid didn�t seem to want to serve anyone that wasn�t standing directly at the bar � Hopefully you can see the problem that I was confronted with.
After a fun game of sardines I managed to part with 3 quid for a pint of lager that was quickly knocked back as on my way out I still had to fight my way past the pisshead that was blocking the door when I entered.
The only plus that I could find was that the pub has 2 plasma screens, but that hardly makes up for the pub�s other failings.
Bag o� Shyte!
22 Sep 2008 13:25
The Freemasons Arms, Hampstead
Along with 90 other people I attended an afternoon wedding reception here a couple of weeks ago and found the service to be fantastic and the buffet to be top draw. There were plenty of staff members to cope with the demands of the guests and everything went extremely smoothly. I was a little apprehensive about the day as I know from my own experience that the reputation this pub has is warranted, but thankfully my fears were misplaced.
I�m not a big fan of �gastro� pubs but if the management could treat all paying punters as we were all treated this would be a great one.
I was informed that a new manager has now taken the pub over, so hopefully he is turning things around � We shall have to wait and see as he is going to have his work cut out!
16 Sep 2008 10:48
This is a fairly cosy pub with friendly bar staff, although they need to start serving correct measures without having to be asked all of the time. IPA, Pride and Bombardier were all available along with some bog standard lagers.
This pub itself is small with seating around the sides and a couple of plasma screens at either end of the bar. The are 3 tables outside that are covered by a canopy.
There is also an upstairs bar with a couple of lagers on tap. The toilet is one of the smallest I have ever seen with 2 urinals in it. One of them is on a step so you have one leg up it and one down.
I thought this place was better than the Woodstock opposite, but it�s still not the greatest of pubs.
15 Sep 2008 14:21
On my visit a couple of Saturday�s ago Pride, IPA and Explorer were available with another couple of pumps being off. My Stella wasn�t the greatest as I think the lines could do with a good clean. The landlord was friendly enough without being overly interested in our custom.
The inside of the pub is a room with seating around the sides and a plasma screen showing Sky Sports at either end. It isn�t the cosiest of places and has a social club feel to it. There is some limited outside seating.
I�d maybe pop in if passing after a long shopping trip, but wouldn�t make the effort to cross the road to drink here.
15 Sep 2008 13:57
As mentioned this place has a large real ale and lager selection. The barman was friendly, but my pint of Stella was the first of the day and he hadn�t pulled one through. I was going to get it changed, but he disappeared out the back.
The music was at a nice level and the layout of the pub is very good.
I�m not sure if I would go back if in the area � I certainly wouldn�t go out of my way.
15 Sep 2008 13:44
The Potters Arms, Lower Dicker
This place is still shut with scaffolding up outside. Not a lot seems to have happened since I last drove past 2 months ago.
15 Sep 2008 13:19
This place feels more like a drinking den than a pub. The barmaid was friendly enough and the choice was fairly good (usual lagers, Bombardier, Landlord, Butcombe, Robins Ransom, Leffe, Hoegarden and Staropramen).
The bogs downstairs chucked up a bit of a whiff and there is no outside seating, although there were plenty of people standing outside. It got a little loud with people chatting and the sound of their voices echoing around the room.
Not the greatest pub, but OK for a quick pint.
2 Sep 2008 13:15
The Leicester Arms, Piccadilly Circus
I thought that this was a pretty good boozer with a better atmosphere than the glassblower across the road. The staff were friendly enough and it seemed to be full of locals. Greene King IPA, Bombardier, Pride and Youngs Special were all available along with a few standard lagers. There is a dining room upstairs that is also available for hire. It is the first pub I have seen this year advertising for Christmas dinner!
All-in-all a decent pub to pop into for a few pints.
2 Sep 2008 13:01
I had to wait a while to be served as the lone barman was in the middle of a large order. Two more people came to the bar just before he finished and he still had to ask who was next, although he was very polite.
Pride, Landlord, Wainwright and Rev. James were all available along with a few standard lagers.
There are better pubs nearby, so I doubt I�ll ever return.
2 Sep 2008 11:17
This is a very small boozer with an upstairs area (I did not visit) and some seating outside with ample standing room. Greene King IPA and Abbott Ale were available from the friendly barmaid as well as some standard lagers.
It was very busy on my visit so I didn�t stay long, but it would have probably been more enjoyable if I could have got a table.
2 Sep 2008 11:05
This place is like drinking in a morgue. It was empty at 16:30 on Friday afternoon and I�m afraid that I had to leave as the only noise was some buzzing from the air conditioning unit on the wall.
The barmaid was very friendly and the beer was very cheap, but a pub needs some atmosphere for me to enjoy it.
Maybe it gets busier in the evenings, but I�m not a big fan of SS pubs so I probably won�t go here again.
2 Sep 2008 08:09
I found the staff to be friendly enough on my visit Friday night. Greene King IPA, Morland Original and Abbott Ale were all available alongside the usual lager suspects.
Nothing about this pub really stands out, but it did shut at 23:30.
2 Sep 2008 07:15
I popped in here on Friday afternoon to find that it hadn�t changed since my last visit around 8 years ago, when an exceptionally ignorant bouncer barred me for pointing out that his head was the biggest bucket of meat I had ever seen.
It looked fairly empty at 5 on Friday, but upon entering I noticed that 60% of the tables were reserved for party groups. I ended up standing outside where I noticed that they have put a couple of tables and a few chairs under a canopy.
I had to wait for a couple of minutes to be served as the barmaid was rushed off her feet and the 2 managers/supervisors behind the bar were far too busy managing/supervising to serve anyone. When my coughing was heard and I asked for a pint I was served the wrong one � well done!
I didn�t really like it in here when I was in my early 20�s, so it doesn�t stand a chance now!
2 Sep 2008 07:02
I�m not a big fan of the lack of choice in Sam Smiths pubs, but they are all worth popping in to have a look at the d�cor and this place is no exception � Check out the windows!
I found the staff to be friendly, although my friends were not happy about the real ale situation mentioned in previous posts. The pavement outside was packed, but the pub was almost empty so lacked some atmosphere.
Cheap but not very cheerful.
1 Sep 2008 15:37
This is another rather uninspiring ABO with lots of Wood, Premium lagers and Wasabi Peas, although there is some token London Pride.
There is so much better in this area � Why drink in All Bar One?
1 Sep 2008 15:06
You�re not going to find any draught in here and the bottled beer selection is limited to say the least, but it doesn�t pretend to be anything other than a cocktail bar � which it pulls off pretty well. The drinks are expensive and the measures are short, but the staff are friendly and there is a good crowd.
This is not a place I would make a habit of going to, but it is good for a special occasion.
1 Sep 2008 14:48
This is a trendy bar playing loud dance music with a club downstairs. Guinness and 6 different lagers are available and unsurprisingly your change comes back on a tray, as if �3.30 for a pint of Becks Vier wasn�t expensive enough.
I echo the sentiments of the previous couple of reviews that there are far better places to go in any direction out of this �pub�.
1 Sep 2008 13:53
As mentioned, every inch of wall space has a painting, mirror or wartime poster on it - GOD SAVE THE KING!
The pub is long and narrow and the bar almost runs the whole length of it. A had to wait for the barman to finish his cigarette outside, but he apologised and was very friendly whilst serving me. Standard lagers were available along with 6X, Deuchars and Pedigree.
There is a plasma screen at each end of the pub and there were a few people watching the cricket whilst I was there.
The bogs are very smelly, but the rest of the pub is good and I will definitely go back for another visit.
1 Sep 2008 13:40
This pub is now called �Toby Carvery�. The pub is split with a huge eating section on one side that was pretty busy on Saturday afternoon and a smaller area that is meant to be the bar, but I think that it would be more for people waiting to be seated in the dining area. There is a paved garden area out the back that is quite pleasant.
Loads of bog standard lagers are available at dirt cheap prices, �2.15 for a pint of Carlsberg. I didn�t spot anything for the real ale drinker though.
Like most carverys this is a great place for a family outing and I�m sure that the many people dining is a good endorsement on the food, but I wouldn�t enjoy sitting at the bar having a beer as it is a very sterile environment.
This is one for families and twirleys.
28 Aug 2008 08:44
I had a few beers in here on Saturday night and found it to be OK, but nothing special. The staff were friendly enough and there was a large selection of lager available alongside Courage Best.
The pub is split into two bars, one of which was empty and the other was very busy. There is also some covered seating outside the front of the pub on the main road.
I found the vast majority of patrons to be extremely welcoming although one guy in his 50�s was a bit of a prick. The live band was ok, although not my cup of tea.
I wouldn�t go out of my way to go here again, but it is better than the Queens Arms across the road.
26 Aug 2008 11:27
Gertie Brownes at the Coach and Horses, Hampstead
Another Restaurant - Just what Hampstead needed!
19 Aug 2008 09:38
The Three Horseshoes, Whetstone
My first and only gripe with this place is that the bar is far too small for the size of the pub. The bar is opposite the entrance and It only takes 7 or 8 of the regulars to sit at it and you cannot get to it or get past to the upstairs toilet. They are not the fastest to move out of the way either.
Bog standard lagers along with GK IPA, Landlord and pride are all available, but as mentioned it is a little pricey. The barmaid/landlady is friendly, but the younger staff need to cheer up a little and pretend that they enjoy working. There is a courtyard with some seating out the back and some more seating at the front on 2 main roads.
I never drank in here before the refurbishment so I have nothing to compare the place with, but there are a lot worse pubs around than this one and if I sit outside I can see my bus home coming.
15 Aug 2008 08:28
This is an OK pub, but there are a few crazies that drink here and they put me off a little. The staff are friendly enough and the bouncer� Well he�s a bouncer!
There are 2 separate bars, one of which has been closed for a while for renovation, along with a big room at the back that has a pool table in it and is where the bands play. There is also some covered seating and a crepe van at the front of the pub on the high road.
The dart board and Sky Sports top off what would be a great pub if it wasn�t for the care in the community crew.
14 Aug 2008 17:08
This is a lovely looking 17th century inn just off of the A26. There are some benches outside the front door in nice surroundings and there is also a non-smoking patio area around the side of the pub with some fantastic views. The pub is just far enough away from the main road for the noise of the cars to not be a problem if you are sitting outside.
I spotted 4 real ales, although one was off, and a limited lager selection. The Landlady was authoritative, but very friendly with it. There is a strict no mobile phone policy and any breach of the rules will be met with a fine that is given to charity. There are a few mobiles nailed to a board at the entrance of the pub just to remind people.
This is a great pub to stop off at if you are passing it on a long journey although it did shut at 14:30 whilst I was there. The landlady informed me that they shut every afternoon as there is not much trade around this time, although they will stay open if there is football or a popular sporting event on. She still served me just after closing though as I didn�t know and I was sitting outside � Result!
I felt that a lot of care had been put into the pub and I would go back if in the area.
14 Aug 2008 09:29
This is the closest pub to the train station and it shows by the clientele. It has a pool table, dart board and Sky Sports.
The barmaid was friendly serving up Sussex Best and standard lagers. There were a few people eating the cheap pub grub, but they seemed to be of the older generation.
The outside seating is on a very busy junction and I don�t think that I�ll bother with here again as there is better around.
13 Aug 2008 13:56
Looks extremely uninviting from the outside with the darkened windows and the smokers on the pavement. Fortunately I was pleasantly surprised when I entered as the staff were friendly and the pub was busy, but not packed and the clientele was a very mixed bag. There were a few people watching the TV which receives Sky and Setanta and another 4 playing pool. There was also a strange posh bloke wearing jodhpurs and riding boots, but the majority of people were in the back of the pub listening to a band singing Irish folk one minute and Cockney the next. The gents are next to where the band was playing so you have to walk across the tiny dance floor each time you need a piss.
�3.50 a pint is very steep, but the pub is open late when a band is on.
There are better pubs nearby, but I think that this place is unique to the area so worth a visit.
13 Aug 2008 09:50
The Earl Of Burlington, Eastbourne
Lots of bitters and standard lagers are available as you would expect in a Spoons. My lager was cheap and rank as you would also expect in a Spoons. It�s a big pub, but probably smaller than the average Spoons. It is very bright with a glass front and back that both open up and a large sky light.
There is a courtyard out the back with a few tables and chairs. The staff should make more of an effort to clean the tables as the sea gulls that flock around the half eaten plates are loud and annoying. The staff may be slow in clearing tables, but I found them to be very efficient behind the bar.
There is lots of seating inside and a couple of plasma screens that show Sky news. I was amazed at the amount of pissed up old boys in here, even for a Spoons. I saw a drunken Irish pensioner fall off his chair and take his table and Guinness with him after trying to hit a sea gull of a wall with a handful of chips�. Not something you see every day!
This is not a great pub and I�ll not be returning.
13 Aug 2008 08:36
This is a big old Victorian boozer like many others in Eastbourne.
It feels pretty rough and ready with a pool table in one corner, a piano in another and CCTV pointing in every direction. The barmaid was very friendly, but there is only a limited selection of standard lager available. There is a TV in the centre of the room that was showing the formula 1 whilst I was there. There were also some free chicken legs lying around the bar, but the locals didn�t touch them so I gave them a wide berth.
I�d probably not go back in as the Marine is across the road and the �Back to the Old Skool� nights aren�t really my cup of tea anymore, but they do explain the CCTV.
13 Aug 2008 08:00
I agree with most of the comments on here that this is a very good pub with a friendly landlord and even friendlier barman. It�s a big pub with a hotel feel at the front, pub feel in the smaller centre and a conservatory used as a dining area at the back. The front of the pub is on the main road (Seaside) and the rear paved seating area leads to a backstreet full of B&Bs.
3 real ales were available and some bog standard lagers, but there was an extensive selection of spirits and cocktails. I felt that the food was more about quantity than quality, but this is a pub not a restaurant.
Next time I�m in Eastbourne I�ll definitely revisit here although I should mention that the pub is closed from 14.30 until 18:00 everyday except Sunday.
13 Aug 2008 07:44
This pub has 2 separate bars with no adjoining door, but the barman let me and the misses walk behind the bar from the crap bar with the dart board to the bar with the pool table and large screen TV.
Our couple of pints of lager were OK and we took them to the garden which looks a lot bigger from the other side of the road than it actually is. There is a covered area directly at the rear of the pub, but this was being used by the regulars.
We weren�t that impressed with the place so ordered a cab, which turned up within 10 seconds. We gleaned from a conversation with the driver that they use the other side of the road from the pub as a rank.
Maybe this place is good for watching sport, but otherwise there are far better pubs a stones throw away.
13 Aug 2008 07:07
As mentioned before this place has a dart board and it also has a pool table with plenty of elbow room. There is a courtyard at the rear that has some covered and uncovered seating for the smokers and sun worshipers.
Being a Harveys pub it wasn�t surprising to see 4 Harveys available alongside Fosters, Kronenburg and Guinness. Not much of a selection if you�re not into real ale, but whatever your choice it will be served with a smile.
I liked it here and would recommend it to others.
12 Aug 2008 14:50
This is a decent enough pub with a saloon bar with plenty of seating and a public bar with darts and bar billiards. There is limited seating outside the front of the pub and I�m sure that in 1787 when the pub was built there was a better view than a Waitrose car park.
The barmaid was very nice and after some confusion over whether I wanted Harveys Best or Courage Best I had a nice pint of Harveys.
I will recommend this place even though the Lamb Inn and Counting House are so close.
12 Aug 2008 13:59
I tend to agree with the previous comments apart from the fact that it felt a little grubby inside and it is a long walk to the toilet. The beer was good, but I couldn�t get past the feeling of a sterile high street boozer with plenty of passing trade. I�d probably like this pub more if it was down a normal road.
Then again if I was waiting for the misses to finish shopping I certainly wouldn�t grumble if this was the only choice of pub.
12 Aug 2008 13:12
This is a big cavernous pub that has a pool table, sells cheap lager and plays modern dance/R&B music. The barmaid that served me was very polite and there is some outside seating on the high street. I think that the psychedelic displays and self advertising on the screens hanging from the ceiling may be going a little too far.
Not really my scene, but I didn�t see anything wrong with the place if you like these sort of pubs.
12 Aug 2008 13:01
I�ve not much to add to the previous comments except that there is a piano. There is also some seating outside for us smokers and I think that there is a balcony, but could be wrong as I never investigated.
I didn�t find it to be the most exciting of pubs, but the beer was good.
12 Aug 2008 11:23
I spent an afternoon here recently, but had to leave due to the depressing music that was being piped out. The barmaid was curt when I walked in and friendly when I left, I�m not sure whether to take that as an insult or not?!!
I noticed the big projector screen and table football at the other end of the bar where there are some stairs to a balcony area. Unsurprisingly Harveys bitter was available along with the usual lager suspects.
A weekday afternoon is never going to be the liveliest time but surely depressing music isn�t going to pull in the punters.
12 Aug 2008 11:12
The Windsor Tavern, Eastbourne
This is a proper football pub. No need for wallpaper, just stick the old football sweeps that we�ve had on the walls. 2 screens can be found at either end of the bar ready to kick into action at the mere mention of the word �FOOTBALL�. I was in my element, but the misses wasn�t so keen so we sat out in the garden. There is a covered area at the back of the pub, but the radio playing through the speakers was a little irritating when the adverts came on. There is also a large decked seating area in the centre of a larger garden. It was a shame that it was raining as I would have liked to have had a closer look at the avery that was chirping away. There is also seating outside the front of the pub.
I found the staff to be pleasant and the pool table and dart board to be an added bonus. There were 2 real ales on and a few standard lagers that were very nice.
I would recommend this place and I�ll pop back in next time I�m in Eastbourne and a match is on.
12 Aug 2008 10:57
This big place has been pretty empty on my recent visits, but I was informed that it used to be called �The Beach Pub� and it had a bad reputation so a lot of the riff-raff has been barred. I was also informed that they are trying to attract a new clientele base, but I�m not entirely sure their master plan is working.
I found the staff to be very friendly and some of the regulars, although it can be difficult trying to work out who is working and who is not.
There are some benches on the path outside and a big plus is that they are open until midnight every night.
12 Aug 2008 10:19
My view on this pub upon entering was that it was ok, but nothing to write home about. The barmaid was friendly and 6X and Spitfire were available with a few bog standard lagers. There is a pool table and a dart board with a small outside area with limited tables and chairs. The toilets were a little smelly and the atmosphere was hard to find.
Fortunately it was a lovely day and the misses ventured into the pool room and out the back door and up some stairs to find a big sloped beer garden with fantastic views to the downs. The benches were spread out perfectly for families to enjoy themselves without encroaching on others.
You can�t go wrong with this place on a nice sunny day, but I�d probably drink elsewhere if it was overcast and raining.
12 Aug 2008 09:07
This is an old pub with the vaulted cellar apparently dating back to 1180. The main bar is no spring chicken itself as you can see the beams bowing and the old subsidence. The olde world feel is topped off by the dark ornate furniture that is all around the pub. There is a Perspex covered hole that looks down to the old cellar, but the bulb had blown a while ago so it just looks like a bottomless pit. This is a Harveys pub so there were 3 Harveys beers available that were in good nick.
I found the barmaid to be very friendly and the regulars in �pig corner� polite.
My only gripe with this place is the lack of beer garden and having to smoke in the street or on the bench next to the pub. It makes it look like yobs are loitering when in fact they are just enjoying the evening with a pint and a demon cigarette. Maybe some of the carpark could be utilised for this.
All in all a great pub that I will be visiting again.
12 Aug 2008 08:29
The Counting House, Eastbourne
This is a lovely looking pub that was apparently built in 1588. As with all old pubs there are a couple of low beams, so if you�re 6 foot+ watch your head on the way to the toilet as one of these beams nearly took mine off.
The barmaid was very friendly and polite, but the barman needs to lighten up a bit and maybe try smiling. At the very least he could acknowledge the customers when they say hello or thank you.
Summer Lightening and Doombar were available alongside 2 standard lagers.
As mentioned before, I think that the main attraction of this pub is the well laid out and cared for beer garden. It was a great location for the wedding reception that was taking place whilst I was there.
The next time I�m in Eastbourne I will visit again.
12 Aug 2008 07:44
If you�ve ever been into a Slug and Lettuce before you�ll know how this place is laid out with the high tables and bland colour scheme. The difference with this Slug and Lettuce was the excellent service from both barmaids � I thought that the S&L staff handbook directed the employee to be slow and curt � Maybe they haven�t read it yet!
Bombardier and Sussex Best were available along with some premium lagers. I had a spot of lunch with the misses whilst there and the steak sandwich and chicken Caesar rap were fantastic.
Good for a bite to eat, but I wouldn�t just go in for a drink.
12 Aug 2008 07:06
The Crown & Anchor, Eastbourne
I think that this pub has been designed for the younger pub goer with 2 pool tables and a dart board in a large room with a smaller area for drinking and talking up some stairs. GK IPA and Old Speckled Hen were available alongside bog standard lagers. The barman was nice, but the pub was loud with no atmosphere.
I found it strange that there is a mural above the door saying �CIRCA 1930�. Surly they must know the exact year it was built.
11 Aug 2008 15:28
This is a nice pub with a big U-shaped bar serving up Olde Trip, Old Speckled Hen, GK IPA and a few premium lagers. The bar maid was very friendly and the Olde Trip was extremely good.
The food smelt good and the couple eating it a few tables away from me in the nice courtyard out back seemed to be enjoying it.
I didn�t spot any TVs anywhere and there was no sport advertised, but there was some funky background music playing.
The misses and I enjoyed it in here and would definitely go back.
11 Aug 2008 15:18
This is a locals local and it was a little intimidating in here early last Sunday evening. The barman/governor didn�t really want to serve me, but did so without a smile or word uttered. The misses struggled to tell me over the barking dog that the ladies loos were in a terrible state. Our table was leaning into the wall, so the building is either suffering from subsidence or some dodgy building work has taken place.
Like many pubs in the area there is a pool table and a dart board. There are also 2 benches at the front of the pub, although one had been stolen according to the polite message in the window directed at the thieves.
I don�t think that I�ll ever bother going in again.
11 Aug 2008 12:56
This place has a long bar leading to a raised area to the rear of the building with a large plasma screen on the back wall. There is some very limited seating outside the front of the pub which is directly opposite Ealing Broadway station with a busy bus stop 10 feet away.
This feels like a bar where all the cool people drink bog standard lagers with funky background music, low seating and high tables everywhere. However, I did notice that they had Adnams Broadside but I didn�t try it.
This isn�t really my sort of place as the attitude of the barman suggested!
31 Jul 2008 12:35
I spent an early evening in here and found it to be OK. The barman was very polite and my Stella was good. It was the first time I�d been in since 1993 and if my memory serves me correctly it hasn�t changed much. Reading the previous reviews about the weekend clientele that hasn�t changed much either.
This place is scaled at the lower end of Ealing pubs, so no need to go to it.
31 Jul 2008 11:24
This is a pretty much exactly what you�d expect from an o�neills, Irish Music, sport and Guinness. (Red Guinness was also available). My pint of Carlsberg was tainted � I�m not sure how you get Carlsberg wrong!
There are much better places to drink in the surrounding area.
31 Jul 2008 10:41
I totally agree about the slow service. I had bar staff peering straight through me so as not to have to serve. It�s the sort of treatment that you�d expect to be given to a drunk to try and hint that he�s not being served without actually telling him, I hadn�t had a drink for 2 days. Disregarding the service this is actually a very pleasant pub with a wide selection of drinks, although there were a lot of spaces for ales and only 2 on. I ended up having a pint of 6X which I didn�t really like, but I�d not had it before so it may have been my taste buds disagreeing with it rather than inferior care.
If I was in the area I�d pop in and give the service another chance, but if it was the same I would find elsewhere to drink.
31 Jul 2008 09:28
I�ll agree that this has a student pub feel to it, not that it is a problem in anyway. I spotted a few premium lagers and an abundance of bog standard ones. No real ales though!
The barman was friendly and the price was reasonable. As mentioned before, there are plenty of screens for watching sport and there is also a dart board and a pool table.
There is some nice seating outside the front of the pub which is great for watching Ealing locals roll by.
This is an OK pub for sport, but I�d probably drink elsewhere at other times.
31 Jul 2008 08:21
I had a few pints and a bit of lunch in here on Friday after spotting it out of the corner of my eye down a walkway. It�s a strange place that feels like it should be on a lay-by off a main Spanish road. The food was pretty standard with my burger being a little iffy, but the misses loved her toasted ham and tomato sarnie.
There�s not much of a drinks selection as the only pints available are Carling, Grolsch and Guinness. When the nearby offices started to empty out I realised why there wasn�t a large draught selection as all and sundry were drinking white wine. This place was formerly called Grayz Inn Wine Bar so perhaps the clientele hasn�t changed from then.
I got the feeling that this place livens up in the evening and turns into a disco type venue as there is not much seating and plenty of standing room.
Not really my sort of place and I doubt that I�ll ever return.
30 Jul 2008 06:24
This pub brought back memories of my childhood, sitting in the corner of the pub with half a coke and a packet of cheese and onion. There is even a fish van in the car park � Fantastic!
I had a few enjoyable games of darts with the very friendly locals and I may have just found my new local!
28 Jul 2008 15:09
This is a decent enough pub with friendly staff and clientele. I didn�t stay long, but the barmaid was very helpful in arranging a cab for me and I won �30 out of the fruit machine.
I would pop in when passing if the York Arms wasn�t so close.
28 Jul 2008 15:04
I will agree with most of the previous reviews that this is a pretty unremarkable pub. I feel that the management are after diners and not drinkers, which is not great for a boozer.
As would be expected in a Fuller�s pub Pride and ESB are available along with Discovery and Chiswick. There are also a few premium and bog standard lagers ranging from Carling to Leffe.
The beer garden is quite nice with covered/uncovered areas and a hut with a sign saying that this should be reserved for smokers. There is no area reserved for non-smokers though - except inside the pub away from the harmful UV rays!
This is not a pub that I would go out of my way for, but it would be nice in the garden on a hot summer�s day.
24 Jul 2008 07:05
I thought that this was a good pub with a polite barman who served me a nice pint of ESB. Pride and Chiswick were also available along with a fairly typical selection of lagers.
There is a sign up advertising the 3 plasma screens (although I only spotted one) and the ability to show Sky and Setanta.
There is a covered alleyway to the side of the pub with some seating and a beer garden out the back that I did not see.
Decent enough pub � much more traditional than the New Inn next door!
24 Jul 2008 06:33
I recently popped in here for the first time in over ten years and I could hardly recognise the place. I have memories of a rough and ready no nonsense drinking den, but it has now fallen to the gastro sword. It is a big pub, but the rear feels more like a dining room although it does lead to a nice beer garden.
Pride, Landlord, Hoegarden, Stella, Heineken, Kronenberg, Staropramen, Amstel, Fosters and Strongbow were all available. I was served an OK pint of Pride by a friendly enough barmaid.
I was disappointed with my visit and I wish that I hadn�t bothered as my previous memories of the New Inn have been tainted.
23 Jul 2008 07:00
From a distance you would think that this was still a caf�, but you�d be very much mistaken. Enter and you�ll find a very friendly barmaid/landlady serving up Stella, Fosters, Carlsberg, Carlsberg Export, Strongbow, J. Smiths Extra Smooth and of course Guinness.
There is an area available for seating outside and the bar itself is the size of a large living room. I�ve not seen a living room with 3 screens showing Sky and Setanta before though.
I�m not that keen on pubs/bars playing commercial radio stations through their speakers as I find the talking and adverts a little irritating. I�m not too bothered with the radio though as I would probably only head here if a game was on as the Paddy Power across the road makes for a great sport viewing location.
22 Jul 2008 16:04
The Ealing Park Tavern, South Ealing
I finally managed to have a couple of beers in here today; maybe it is only closed on Monday lunchtimes!
The barman was cleaning when I walked in and it took him a couple of minutes to spot me, but when he did he rushed over and served me quickly with a please and thank you. Landlord, Marlow Rebellion Smuggler, Hoegarden, Heineken, Amstel, Staropramen, Guinness and Addlestone cider were all available and a pint of Amstel was �3.20.
As mentioned before the beer garden is a little different, but the place settings and large wine glasses set on most of the tables let the gastro cat out of the bag.
The Penny Flyer was never a great pub, but as stevos has mentioned, this maybe a step too far in the other direction.
22 Jul 2008 13:56
The Argyll Arms, Oxford Circus
I agree with others that the interior of this pub is fantastic and it is worth popping in just to have a look.
My London Pride was a bit iffy and the Deuchars was off, but also on offer were Doombar, Bitter and Twisted, Thirsty Work, Landlord, Sunchaser, Stella, Fosters, Heineken, Amstell and Guinness among others.
So, an extensive selection in the centre of town � surely this is a great pub � Unfortunately not. We were served by a clueless barmaid and then asked to leave by another as my 14 year old brother shouldn�t have been served his blackcurrant and water. We were then asked to stand outside with all of the smokers � Nice one! We stayed inside until we had finished our drinks as they should have told us that we couldn�t stay in the bar before we were served.
Good looking and interesting pub run by rude and thick bar staff � Shame!
9 Jul 2008 10:43
I liked it in here even though the service was excruciatingly slow. Once the staff did get round to serving they were nice enough.
The Deuchars was good, but the Bombardier was off. Fosters, Strongbow, Kronenburg, Guinness, John Smiths and Bulmers were also available.
The pub doesn�t look that big from the front, but there is a huge beer garden located out the back, which if the pubs self advertising is to be believed, is the biggest in North London. Before entering the beer garden there is a covered smoking area that has some seating, table football, a projector screen and an outside loo.
There are loads of TV�s in the pub and the staff seemed quite happy to change the channels when requested, so great for watching sport. There is also a dart board in another part of the pub that has some comfy chairs and another TV screen. Apparently this area is also available to hire out for private functions.
There seems to be a lot of effort being put into the pub with something happening almost every night from �cheesy disco� nights to quiz and poker nights.
All in all a good pub that I will be visiting again.
9 Jul 2008 07:46
Opened and then closed with no review or rating. Popular place then!
8 Jul 2008 13:55
The Ship and Shovell, Charing Cross
I liked it in this pub as it was a bit different standing outside between the two bars. I had a couple of pints from each side and they were all very good. The staff were also very friendly and I was served by a very posh sounding barman in the main bar.
I�d make a minor detour to have another few beers in here if I was in the locality.
30 Jun 2008 18:17
I liked it in here and have to say that it is one of the better pubs in the area. The very nice barmaid served me excellent Deuchars during an afternoon session last week.
The chatter can get a little mind numbing as people start competing to be heard over each other and their voices echo through the long thin bar, but other than that I was impressed and will go back.
30 Jun 2008 16:46
The Haverstock Arms, Belsize Park
My previous comment for this pub has disappeared and maybe it was a little harsh. A toned down version is that this pub needs some serious TLC and it is good for watching football.
30 Jun 2008 16:20
The Botanist On The Green, Kew
This is a nice looking gastro pub that was serving up Sharp�s Cornish Coaster, Fosters, Kronenburg, San Miguel, Birra Morreti, Aspalls cider and Guinness on my visit last week. The barman was very friendly, but unfortunately I was the only person in the pub at 12:30 and after returning from the toilet upstairs I was told that I have to move as a reserved sign had suddenly appeared on my table. I�m not 100% that it wasn�t there when I originally sat down, but I�m pretty sure.
It�s a fairly big pub, but it is nicely sectioned so that it doesn�t have a food hall atmosphere. I spotted a couple of plasma screens and I could have sat there all afternoon watching the tennis.
The �sun trap� paved beer garden is fairly small and unexciting although there are thousands of little lights around the walls, so maybe it comes to life at night.
I wouldn�t go out of my way to drink here, but I�ve been to a lot worse gastro pubs than this so I may pop in if passing again.
30 Jun 2008 16:07
I finally got in here this weekend and I thought that it was a decent enough place. The barmaid was very friendly although I wasn�t that keen on the Summer Lightening that she served me, but it looked ok and I�ve never had it before so it was probably me rather than the pint.
I went to the toilet and was followed in by one of the locals. He apologised to me and then dropped an atom bomb out of his arse. He made sure that he took his time out of the bog so that I could fully appreciate his work. Thankfully I�m rather lowbrow!
It was good to see a dart board in the corner and if I lived nearer I�d probably make this one of my locals.
30 Jun 2008 13:22
This place is a hotel bar and although, like most hotel bars, it has a limited draught selection (Fosters, Carlsberg, John smiths, Guinness, Kronenburg and Strongbow) I found it to be more pub like. The prices are definitely not at a hotel level coming in at �2.50 a pint.
There is a large patio area with lots of seating at the front of the bar and although it is tree and hedged lined it is a little noisy from the cars going past on the fairly busy road.
The barman was very friendly, but alongside the 8 or so postmen there were a couple of very strange people, the type that you would expect in the cheapest bar in town.
There is a plasma screen showing Sky in a separate room that is decked out with sofas. There was also some music playing, but it was so low that I could hardly hear it.
This is a nice and cheap place to go to for a change, but I don�t think that I�d ever become a regular.
30 Jun 2008 11:50
I spent a Saturday afternoon/early evening in here and found it to be pleasant enough. Admittedly I did spend most of it in the nice beer garden at the rear of the pub. There is also some seating at the front of the pub, but it is right next to a busy main road.
Lots of standard lagers were available alongside Pride, but the Pride was not good. I ended up on the Stella and this plus a pint of Fosters came to the grand total of �4.95 � Cheap as chips! The barman/manager was polite, but didn�t crack a smile once. The evening staff were a lot happier and seemed to be enjoying themselves behind the bar.
The inside has lots of comfy seating and there are 3 plasma screens and 3 normal sets for watching the sport on.
As said below, this place is OK for a local, but it has a Barracuda Pubs feel to it � maybe it is!
26 Jun 2008 08:13
The Sherlock Holmes, Charing Cross
This place is the king of tourist traps, but then that is to be expected with the Sherlock Holmes theme. It�s a nice looking pub, but I�m not sure about the dog�s head on the wall, be it real or not!
I didn�t check out the upstairs restaurant or the diary room, but the toilet was a stench fest.
The barman was very friendly, but my pint of Sherlock Holmes was decidedly iffy. Greene King IPA, Old Speckled Hen and a few bog standard lagers were also available among others.
Maybe if this pub was on Baker Street I would rate it more highly, but it doesn�t scrub up well to its peers in this area.
26 Jun 2008 07:10
On Friday night I was served a nice pint of unknown ale by a very friendly barmaid. I smoked a cigarette in the alley out back and then climbed the treacherous stairs to the tiny bog. I had great fun; I just wish that I could remember some more of the night!
One thing that I will say is that even though it looked heaving there was room at the back and although I couldn�t get to the bar I was informed of the ale selection by the barmaid and then served instantly.
Well worth going out of your way for!
25 Jun 2008 08:27
The Lord Moon Of The Mall, Whitehall
Like most of the pubs around here this place is geared towards the tourist trade. It�s a �Traditional English Pub�, well that�s what the sign outside says. I�d of said a traditional Wetherspoons pub, complete with disinterested barmaid and drunken bore propping up the bar.
25 Jun 2008 08:12
This pub was full to the brim with tourists on my visit, which isn't really surprising considering the location.
Greene King IPA, Pride, Bombardier, Old Speckled Hen and a lot of standard lagers were up for grabs from a friendly enough barmaid. There are two bars and the downstairs bar was hired out for a private function whilst I was there.
I�ve not really got anymore to say except that I doubt I�ll ever feel the need to go in here again.
24 Jun 2008 15:56
This place seems to be a very popular choice on here, but I wasn�t overly impressed.
The pub itself is very interesting and conjures up all sorts of thoughts from the past (be they warranted or not) and I loved the vats above the back bar and the many booths down the side. I didn�t go into the front bar, but it looked to be laid out in a typical London pub fashion.
The barmaid was slow and needed help serving three customers, but she was friendly and maybe she was new. �1.98 for half a bitter and a coke (sorry cola) can�t be sniffed at, but being a Sam Smiths pub there was only Sam Smiths drinks available. Some would say that this is a great thing, but alas I disagree.
As we popped in at lunchtime we decided to have a steak and ale pie from the strange choice of food on the menu. It was defrosted quite well and the chips were good, but the salad was out of place and should have remained with the quiche. It was cheap, but then so is hospital canteen food.
I�d probably walk past if I was in the area again.
24 Jun 2008 08:05
The Scots have invaded Trafalgar Square � Oh dear!!!
This place is an expensive Whisky bar and restaurant that I was dragged into last week. The food looked good, but the Scottish bottled lager and especially the whisky beer were not to my liking. I found the kilted barman to be very disinterested in the punters.
There is a dining area upstairs from the gastro bar and what looked like a night club with dance floor downstairs, but I could be very much mistaken. The toilets were �DOONSTAIRS� (their words, not mine) miles from the bar through a network of darkened corridors.
I loved the antler chandelier and the paper stag lighting, but from a purely �Beer In The Evening� point of view � This place is cack!
23 Jun 2008 19:06
This is a pretty standard Central London pub, which isn�t a bad thing in my opinion.
The barmaid was very friendly and the selection of drinks available included Old Speckled Hen, Bombadier (which was very good), Adnams, Pride, Leffe, Hoegarden, Staropramen and a few bog standard lagers.
There are four small tables on the pavement outside the pub, but it obviously gets busy with pedestrians and vehicles being on Whitehall. Good for people watching though, if you are that way inclined.
The toilets were a disgrace with piss all over the floor interspersed with bog roll and green towel. Funnily enough the toilet door was propped open with a �CAUTION CLEANING IN PROGRESS� sign. One of the staff obviously has a sense of humour!
In my opinion, this is not a bad pub but there are better in the area.
23 Jun 2008 17:43
The Princess of Wales, Charing Cross
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.
23 Jun 2008 17:02
Walkers of Whitehall, Whitehall
I used to love it in here, but alas the pool table in the downstairs bar has been replaced by hoards of pen pushers talking shop. It was so busy that I couldn�t be bothered to fight my way to the bar. Ruined in my opinion, but they must be raking in the reddies!
23 Jun 2008 16:44
I was pretty worse for wear on my last visit here but I had a nice pint and time to gather myself whilst finding my second wind.
The barman was very friendly and he let me have a sample before I made my decision and parted with any money.
I wouldn�t want to stay all night in here, but I do like this pub (which is strange as I�m not the biggest fan of Sam Smiths pubs).
23 Jun 2008 16:22
The Angel and Greyhound, Oxford
I had a few pints of very nice Waggle Dance in the Beer Garden at the back of here on Sunday and had a very pleasant time. The moody barman from my last visit was absent and the barman that was working kept me topped up and was friendly enough.
The food looked good, but we missed it by 5 minutes as the kitchen shut at 16:00.
It is still very expensive so not a good choice of pub for a session but nice for a few civilised beers. I have upped its rating from my last visit.
23 Jun 2008 13:44
The Black Lion, West Hampstead
Yesterday was my first time in here for about 5 years and the place was unrecognisable. For better or worse I�m not sure as I was never a big fan as it always used to be full of pissheads and there was an air of depression. Maybe the refurb has swung the pub too far in the opposite direction for my liking.
Barmaid was friendly enough, but noisy outside seating with a bus stop 5 foot from the table we were sitting at. I did notice the beer garden at the rear a little later and it looked a lot more appealing than the position we had chosen, but alas it was a little late.
There�s not a great selection of draught and no real ales, but plenty of bottles and spirits which I�d imagine the usual clientele preferring.
This place is nice enough if you like gastro pubs, but I'm afraid it's not for me.
17 Jun 2008 07:26
With Gordon Ramsey involved it is obviously a gastro pub, which is not my sort of thing, but in my opinion it has been done very well. The public bar (image 2) is quite nice, but there isn�t much seating, so get there early. There are a couple of sofas by the front windows, some small tables with armchairs dotted about and the bar is lined with bar stools. There is a large dining area to the rear of the pub leading onto a fairly small, but well presented beer garden.
I found all of the staff to be friendly and polite and the drinks on offer were Pride, Deuchars, Leffe, San Miguel, Fosters and Guinness.
As I said before I am not a great fan of gastro pubs, but this place is pleasant enough for me to revisit.
14 Jun 2008 13:15
I gingerly edged my way into here last week as I couldn�t remember leaving the last time I was in. Thankfully the barman was polite and I breathed a sigh of relief.
Landlord, Deuchars, Tetley�s, Bombardier, Stella, Fosters, Strongbow, John Smiths Staropramen and Leffe were all available although the Bombardier was off. There are lots of tucked away drinking areas and I think that I stumble across a couple having an affair as they jumped out of their skin when I came bowling around the corner with my pint. There was some easy listening music playing, but it could not be heard from the small public bar.
There is some covered and uncovered outside seating to the side of the pub next to the entrance to the Tabard Theatre, but it is next to a busy road.
I quite like this pub and I would recommend popping in if passing.
14 Jun 2008 12:59
The Orange Tree, Friern Barnet
They�ve finally painted over that nasty Orange exterior. I live just around the corner, so I�m hoping that it gets some proper management and clientele to match.
14 Jun 2008 08:45
I�ll agree with the previous comment about this being a grotty old Greene King pub, but with plenty of banter from the locals and the barman. As also said before, contrary to the facilities listed above, there are no real ales and there is a very limited selection of the usual bog standard lagers alongside Guinness.
The large room at the back of the pub has three pool tables and also doubles up as a function room available for hire. Sky Sports is shown and there are a few fruit machines dotted about.
The Polish flag hanging from the front of the pub along with the Polish written on the board outside suggests an Eastern European influence.
This is not a great pub, but it would be OK for watching the football.
12 Jun 2008 09:27
I had a few in here earlier this week and found the barman and the locals to be very welcoming. There seems to be some renovation going on and I�m not sure if the locals were actually locals or if they were builders taking advantage of having a contract in a pub!
The drinks available are Pride, Hydes Smooth, Guinness, Strongbow, Carlsberg, Stella, Fosters and there is also a space for a guest ale, but it was not being utilised.
The pub itself has a large bar that makes the edges rather narrow, but there is enough space for ample seating and a pool table. I spotted three screens, but they were not on so I�m not sure that they show Sky, but I�d imagine that they do.
There is some seating outside the front of the pub which is next to a fairly busy road, so not ideal.
Taking everything into account this isn�t that bad a pub and I would go back if in the area.
12 Jun 2008 08:48
I had a couple of pints in this large pub yesterday evening and was served by a very friendly barman. Pride, ESB, Honeydew Keg, Stella, Kronenburg and Guinness were all available from the double sided bar. It was pretty busy for the Portugal v Czech Republic game which was being shown on a couple of plasma screens.
As mentioned before there is a nice beer garden to the rear and a few benches at the front, but you�d be mad to sit out the front unless you have an interest in watching and listening to cars and vans fly past at high speed.
I�d pop in again if I was walking past, but that is highly unlikely.
12 Jun 2008 07:04
I thought that I�d, once again, try to have a drink in here with it being a Wednesday, but alas no joy. There is now a board up outside giving the opening times as:
Weekdays, 5 � 11
Saturdays, 12 � 11
Sundays, 12 � 10:30
I concede defeat!
11 Jun 2008 13:50
No real ale I�m afraid, but Fosters, Stella, Amstell, Heineken, Strongbow, John Smiths Smoothflow and of course Guinness are available in this Irish pub. Three screens and the ability to air Sky and Setanta give this pub a sporty feel.
I found the barmaid to be pleasant enough although there were only 4 other people in the whole pub and I still had to stand behind them to order as they never acknowledged my presence.
Apart from the tossers at the bar this seemed to be an OK pub and if I was going past I would visit again.
6 Jun 2008 15:51
There�s not really much that I can add to the previous comments and I think that their statement that �ceedoubleu� has drawn attention too just about sums this place up.
I will just mention that the barmaid that served me was very nice and that London Pride and Jenning�s Lakeland Ale were available alongside some premium lagers.
Although this place is pleasant enough it�s not really my cup of tea, but if you like gastro you�ll like this place.
6 Jun 2008 08:22
I walked in and stood at the bar for 5 minutes and then walked out. Pretty run-of�the-mill ABO then.
5 Jun 2008 11:04
The Carpenter's Arms, Hammersmith
This is a pretty small and narrow pub that seems to have an emphasis on serving up food. There were about 10 people in when I went yesterday afternoon and the average age must have been 70. If this pub is aiming for the affluent Chiswick geriatrics it is succeeding.
I was a little tentative upon entering as I wasn�t sure if this place was a restaurant, but upon noticing the Adnams, Guinness, Amstell, Addlestones Cider and Kronenburg I was put at ease that it was in fact a pub. The barmaid was very polite and it was nice drinking my well served Amstell in the beer garden with the sun shining.
There are a few arty farty pictures on the walls and I noticed a picture of a Harp lorry (surely there must have been a better subject to take a picture of!)
This isn�t really a place for people that like pubs, but maybe if it is still there in 50 years time I�ll pop in and have some food and banter with the locals.
5 Jun 2008 10:59
The Ravenscourt Arms, Hammersmith
This tiny pub looks totally out of place siding up against the 13 storeys of the Premier Inn. It�s very estate like and walking up towards the entrance I noticed the obligatory motorised wheelchair that is to be found outside most estate pubs!
It is away from the main road, so unlike many pubs along King Street there is outside seating at the front.
As said before it is an Irish pub, but not so in-your-face as some Irish pubs can be. No real ale was spotted, but there is plenty of lager etc to choose from and the very friendly barmaid will serve you with a smile.
The pool table is an added bonus and I would say to anyone passing by to ignore the exterior and give it a go as you�ll be pleasantly surprised.
4 Jun 2008 10:38
This place is nicely tucked away between the A4 and King Street giving it a nice relaxed feel away from all the hustle and bustle. The usual lager suspects are present along with 4 London Pride pumps. I usually drink lager, but opted for the Pride as I thought that it must be good if that is all the pub sells. Very nice.
The barman was very friendly and polite and the locals seemed harmless, maybe even friendly.
The pub is not that big, but it is fit for purpose and there is covered and uncovered seating in a reasonably sized beer garden which is to the rear of the pub.
With the music at a very nice volume and the dart board tucked around the side of the bar I felt a little aggrieved that this pub wasn�t nearer to my work.
4 Jun 2008 08:45
I swung by here yesterday lunchtime, as did about 30 students who were tucking into the stone baked pizzas. The front of the pub has high and low tables with couches by the large retractable doors which open the pub up to the busy main road. The back of the pub has a few huge couches and a couple of pool tables which give it a student rec room feel. They show Sky Sports, but there are better places to watch the sport in Hammersmith. The beer garden, which closes at 21:00, is quite small and is overrun by the surrounding bushes.
There is no real ale, but Kirin beer, Erdinger, Guinness, Carlsberg, Strongbow, Stella and Tetley Smoothflow were all available.
I have to agree that the toilets are rank and kick up a nasty smell. It always puts me off eating in an establishment if they can�t be bothered to give the customer toilets a quick scrub.
4 Jun 2008 07:42
The Plough and Harrow, Hammersmith
Another big Spoons pub with 5 ales on tap and a wide selection of lagers, which is to be expected. Although this place is a little brighter than your average Spoons due to the large glass frontage and a side entrance with a long row of windows either side of it. There are dozens of tables and chairs stretching from the front of the pub all the way to the back where the toilets are located. There are also some couches at the very front of the pub by the large glass doors, but the view isn�t exactly enthralling.
This place is a little soulless and other than the cheap, nearly out of date, beer I don�t see any reason why anyone would drink here.
3 Jun 2008 17:20
Before I stepped foot into this place I had visions of a dark and dank beer pit, but I was pleasantly surprised. A skylight illuminates the pub and the doors in the conservatory leading to the ample patio garden let the pub aerate. The adding of the conservatory also makes the pub much larger than one would assume from the front of the building.
The drinks on offer were ESB, Pride, HSB, Discovery and standard lagers. I�ve read the raving reviews of this pub in the past so I decided to ditch the usual Lager tipple and plumped for a Discovery, which was very nice.
The staff were friendly and with the Sky TV I could imagine sitting in here a lot more if it was local to me.
3 Jun 2008 16:41
A week or so after the fire they said that it would reopen in around 6 months. I walked past Friday night and it is still boarded up and showing a lot of signs of fire damage, as is the market behind it.
I wouldn�t hold your breath!
28 May 2008 07:53
I never saw this coming as I thought that they were doing reasonably well due to there always being a few people in every time I�ve gone. As said before, it is a real shame!
27 May 2008 12:20
I found this place to be a typical cavernous Wetherspoons that is great for meeting up with friends before going onto somewhere else. I wouldn�t bother staying longer than a couple of beers unless it was a nice day and I could get a table overlooking the lock.
27 May 2008 10:33
I�ve been into the Bell and Crown on many occasions since my last review and have to report that the staff�s attitude is now excellent and this is still the best venue in the area for a few jars. I wish that I lived more locally!
22 May 2008 15:04
Ah� The Six Bells takes me on a trip down memory lane!
I played in their dart team from the age of 16-18 on a Wednesday night in the Hampton mini league. I�d not been in here for about 13 years until earlier this week and it is exactly how I remember it. An L-shaped pub with a pool table tucked around the back and a stage with a dart board to the left. A nice sized bar serving up Pride on 3 pumps and the usual array of bog standard lagers. There is a concreted back yard with a few tables and chairs in it with a building at the back of it that looks as though Steptoe and Son should be living in it.
It is a darts pub as the Landlord is the chairman of the London County Darts Team and some fantastic players hail from here. There are a few more dart boards upstairs, but they only used to be used for Super League, not sure about now.
I still love this boozer as it is like stepping into the 70�s. I always have the feeling that Jack Regan will walk out of the bogs at any moment and tell me to shut-it!
22 May 2008 11:31
The Old Fire Station, Brentford
Tuesday afternoon, for the second time, I attempted to have a drink in here, but it was once again shut. The sign outside says that it opens at 12:00pm, but it doesn�t.
Run by school boys or just my bad luck?
22 May 2008 07:01
This is a pretty small pub with outside seating to the front and rear. It wasn�t that busy inside, but I still had trouble finding a seat and ended up sitting next to the only diners. The food looks very mediocre, but I�ve never been one to go to a pub to eat so I can�t really comment as it may taste fantastic.
Discovery, Pride and Chiswick were available alongside Fosters, Grolsch and Carling. Not the most inspiring range, but this pub does not pretend to be anything other than a proper boozer.
What this pub lacks in size the governor makes up for in hospitality. Cheerful, polite and generally pleasant, it�s a shame all publicans aren�t like him.
21 May 2008 08:36
The Magpie and Crown, Brentford
I had a very quick half in here this afternoon before rushing back to work. Just looking at what was on offer at the bar (most of which I�d never heard of) I could see why so many on here think that this place is the nuts.
I noticed some bar billiards at the back of the pub, which I find great fun and haven�t seen anywhere for ages. I�m not sure about �King of the Hill� playing at full volume on the television though.
I think that I�ll reserve judgement on this place and try to arrange an evening visit with some of my ale connoisseur friends.
20 May 2008 18:21
I really liked it in this very small pub as the barman and governor were very friendly and fortunately I didn�t meet any of the unruly locals spoken about before. It did start to fill up before I left with people wanting to eat lunch, but I got the feeling that the serving of drinks was as important, if not more important, than the food, if not as lucrative.
Pride, Bombardier, Gothic Dark, Twickenham Quadhop and Honeydew keg were all available from the bar alongside 3 premium lagers, Strongbow, Carling and Stella.
I will go back soon as I loved the cartoon picture of Griffin Park almost as much as the pub.
20 May 2008 18:08
There is a limited range behind the bar, Pride/ESB/Strongbow/Carling/Fosters/Stella and Guinness (may have missed a couple), in this rough round the edges boozer. As mentioned before there is a pool table and a TV which I�d imagine shows Sky Sports, but there�s not much else going for this pub.
My pint was a little tangy, which made my mind up that I wouldn�t go back as this pub falls short when compared to other pubs in the local vicinity.
20 May 2008 17:21
The Spinning Wheel, Northfields
I used to go to the Wheel every other Saturday night after watching the mighty Bees and then sinking a few in the New Inn. Until my lunchtime drink last week I�d not been for about 12 years and apart from a few wall partitions being put in and glass doors at the front it is much the same as I remember.
There are 2 bars (one upstairs and one downstairs), 2 big screens and 2 plasma screens. The barman was surly and it took a lot of effort to get more than a grunt out of him.
There is a very limited lager selection and no real ale, but plenty of Guinness.
I wouldn�t bother going here just for a drink, but if any sport is on I�d imagine it being great. Also, if the Friday and Saturday nights are anything like they used to be they are well worth the trip.
20 May 2008 10:55
The plough has a gastro vibe to it and I wasn�t surprised to see signs up for the jazz nights on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month, but it hasn�t totally lost the pub feel.
It has a pretty wide selection of lagers alongside Pride, Chiswick, ESB, Discovery with Honeydew and Fruli keg.
The friendly barmaid added to the comfortable feel and I�d imagine the quiz every Tuesday to be quite entertaining. There is also a beer garden out the back with a children�s play area.
In my opinion this would be a great pub for a relaxing couple of pints, but forget it if you�re up for having it large.
20 May 2008 10:21
This is a �shop front� Irish pub that has been knocked through into the next door shop making it larger than the norm and a lot more airy. I was pleasantly surprised as the interior is much bigger than you would have thought from viewing the exterior.
There are a few tables and chairs outside the entrance which are next to a very busy road and there is a small beer garden out the back with a covered smoking area.
The barmaid that served me was polite and there was a selection of standard lagers alongside Strongbow, Guinness (obviously), Pride and Doombar (another pump was off).
�All major sporting events shown� was advertised outside for Sky Sports and Setanata and I spotted a plasma screen.
I wouldn�t be disappointed if this was my local bar.
20 May 2008 08:42
I popped in here on Friday afternoon and there was one other punter drinking at the bar. I didn�t spot any Real Ales and there was only a limited range of bog standard lagers. There are two separate drinking rooms on either side of the pub with one side have 2 pool tables and the other having a pool table and a dart board. The pub also has Sky Sports which is shown on plasma screens.
There is a big beer garden with children�s play area and although the pub is on a very busy crossroads the beer garden is away from the road and fenced off so I�d imagine the planes going overhead would be noisier than the cars on the road.
This pub would be OK for watching the match or going for a game of pool with the lads, but I wouldn�t go with the family or the misses.
19 May 2008 14:41
The Ealing Park Tavern, South Ealing
I�ve not been in here for about 10 years, when it was the Penny Flyer. I was hoping to pop in this afternoon (13:00) for a couple of cheeky pints, but alas it was closed and had no signs of opening during my lunch break. I did a quick sweep of the outside to see if I could find some opening times, but there were none.
Whilst I was looking I caught the eye of someone inside who quickly turned away, maybe they were robbing the place.
19 May 2008 13:57
There is no way that you could be mistaken about the nationality of this pub with the barman wearing an Ireland top and all of the Irish paraphernalia up on the walls. I spotted three screens, all showing sky sports news and there are signs up advertising Sky and GAA. There was a team off builders there this afternoon putting in new decking around the side and to the rear of the pub. I�d imagine it being quite pleasant sitting out there on a hot afternoon overlooking the Thames.
The barman was friendly enough and the choice of beers are Pride (another pump with clip turned), John Smiths Smooth, Tetley�s Cream flow, obviously Guinness and a few bog standard lagers.
In my opinion this is a pretty decent pub.
14 May 2008 14:11
I walked past on Saturday and noticed the two huge banners hanging off the front of the pub advertising the Thai food and there ability to do functions and take-away and wondered what is running the pub now, the bar or the Kitchen. From the comments posted it sounds like the latter, which is a shame as I really like this place.
13 May 2008 14:08
Unfortunately I didn�t see any characters from Flash Gordon during my visit here yesterday, but I did meet a very friendly barmaid who poured me a great pint. The normal lagers that you would find in a Fuller�s pub were available alongside Pride, ESB and Honeydew.
The pub has a large bar with tables and chairs running around it with a larger seating area at the rear which seems to cater for people eating the pub grub. There is a pool table and also a television which was showing the tennis on Sky Sports. The toilets are nice and clean and I thought that the potted plants were a nice touch.
There is also a nice sized split level garden at the rear of the pub although it is a little noisy with the A4 the other side of a row of houses, although it does still feel like a secluded back street boozer.
I really liked this old traditional pub and feel a little jealous of the local residents as they can choose between here and the equally good Lord Nelson around the corner.
13 May 2008 12:10
This Fuller�s pub has the usual lagers available along with Chiswick, Discovery and Pride, which are served by a very friendly barmaid. There is a big screen and projector and a few television sets dotted about the pub, but as said before this is a traditional boozer and not a sports bar of any description. There is also a dart board and a signed Brentford FC shirt takes pride of place in a display case up on the wall, UP THE BEES!!!
The pub has a few cosy areas and a more open plan space where the big screen is, which would be great for watching any football.
The beer garden is very nice with potted plants everywhere and a fenced of children�s area at the rear with a few climbing apparatus inside it. There is also a couple of tables near the rear entrance to the pub that have been designated no smoking.
This is a very nice back street boozer and probably my favourite of all the Brentford pubs I have frequented.
12 May 2008 16:55
The Bald Faced Stag, East Finchley
I was in here on Saturday afternoon for the first time in over a year and I have to go along with the people that have said that it has vastly improved. As said before, the pool tables at the rear of the pub have gone and been replaced with a dining type area with an open kitchen and serving area. The old no smoking area is now a nice comfy room that has signs up advertising it for hire. Granted the pub has been given an uninspiring lick of paint, but at least the grotty old furniture has been replaced.
The drinks available on my visit were Tribute Ale and Otter Ale (also a spare pump not in use) alongside Becks Vier, Heineken and Kronenburg. I found the bar staff to be very friendly although the head on the pints was just on the limit of being too large and if I had not been in a good mood I would have had to ask for them to be topped up each time I went to the bar. All of the bar staff did this, so it must be a management directive to serve short pints� Disgraceful as each one costs �3.30. It also took a while to get served during the early afternoon as there was only one barman and he also had to sort out teas and coffees. A little later in the afternoon another two staff were behind the bar so there was no problem.
I�m not a big fan of pubs being �gastrofied� but in this case I think that it was well worth it. I also preferred it in here to the much lauded Old White Lion down the road.
12 May 2008 11:00
Upon entering the waggon I was greeted by a very friendly and enthusiastic barmaid, which was great after leaving the Osidge Arms hellhole. Adnams was available alongside a varied mix of regular and premium lagers.
I think that it is aimed at a younger crowd as it has a modern feel and sofas everywhere as apparently young people can�t sit on normal chairs. At one end of the pub there are stairs going up to a seated dining type area and down to a pool table. I think that it has been very well done as it is very light a fresh in the pub with a couple of well placed plasma screens with the ability to show sky sports. The music that was playing was good, but not too loud to be intrusive.
There is decking along the side of the pub that stretches to the rear where there is a beer garden with ample seating. One small problem is that it is a little close to a busy petrol garage.
I think that the food is done by the Black Orchid Thai team, which also operate in the John Baird in Muswell Hill if I�m not mistaken.
This is a decent pub, probably my favourite in Southgate and I�m not gay and have no sexual preference towards parrots (Ryserons 31/01/08).
9 May 2008 13:16
The Windsor Castle, East Finchley
Although this pub is a little rough round the edges I still quite like it. As said before it�s a little off the main drag, so you probably wouldn�t happen to just stumble across it which is why it is more of a regular�s pub (who seem friendly enough).
The offerings from the bar that I spotted were a couple of Mccullen�s ales, Worthington Cream Flow, Fosters, Kronenburg, Guinness and Strongbow. The barmaid was very friendly as was the gent watching Sky that let me get to the bar without me having to ask.
There is also a patio garden to the side of the pub, but unfortunately while I was there someone up the road decided to tune their motorbike.
This place is by no means the perfect pub, but it�s not bad.
9 May 2008 12:27
This place feels as though it has been split with the front, which is the vast majority of the building, being solely for diners and the poky back has more of a pub feel. In the rear there is a sofa and a few tables and chairs. I had to move from the table that I originally sat at because the long chair running across the wall was taller than the table and was extremely uncomfortable. There is a door leading to a tiny concreted outside area with a couple of benches. This backs onto a large car park so I can only imagine it being designed for smokers to have a quick fag because I don�t know anyone that would want to spend to long out there.
A few lagers were on offer along with Greene King IPA Smooth and Tetley�s Smooth. The barman was friendly enough and my pint of Carling was �2:15, but I�d rather pay the extra for a descent pint that wasn�t tangy and that I could finish.
To top it all off the music was terrible and it was almost empty. I will definitely not being drinking here again.
9 May 2008 11:41
It�s amazing how many people have spent a night in this place and decided that it is so good that they felt they had to sign up to BITE and post one review!
Well anyway, I wandered into here one evening last week at 20.30ish and thought that it was quite a nice place. I found it to be clean and airy with nice wicker chairs, sofas and high tables. The toilet was very clean and there is a dance floor to the rear of the bar to bop away to the house music. There is some outside seating albeit on the high street, but I think that it has been decked out well. The barmaid was friendly and polite and I didn�t notice it being any more expensive than a lot of pubs in the area
A few bog standard lagers were on offer along with a couple of premiums and Guinness
It has obviously been designed for the younger generation and I thought that there was a good vibe (although I don�t know what it is like when all of the pubs empty out). I like my old fashioned boozers, but I also like to have a dance and a laugh every now and again and this place would do for me as long as it doesn�t fill up with little scrotes.
9 May 2008 10:51
Ye Olde Cherry Tree, Southgate
I have to agree that this place feels like a soulless hotel bar, which is a shame as it is a lovely huge pub with a nice beer garden at the rear.
The usual lagers were on offer alongside Pride and Greene King IPA, but I got the feeling that the pub is much more food orientated. The barman was extremely friendly, but the barmaid was a little dismissive.
I found it quite boring in here and the depressing music didn�t help matters.
9 May 2008 10:20
Even though the service was very friendly (rude service is one of my pet hates) I wasn�t that impressed with this place when I visited last week. The beer selection was very limited; Stella, Carling, Fosters, John Smiths and obviously Guinness.
I found it to be more like a living room than a pub and the TV that wasn�t showing the muted horse racing on sky had the film �I now pronounce you Chuck and Larry� playing on it with the volume turned up. I do like Adam Sandler�s humour, but not in a boozer whilst I am trying to enjoy my pint.
There is a dart board by the entrance and a small patio garden to the side of the pub.
I think that this is one of my least favourite pubs in East Finchley and I�ll keep on walking next time I go past.
9 May 2008 09:03
It�s a Wetherspoons pub so the usual old men are dotted about this huge open plan pub staring into space with their pint of bitter. There is a plasma screen in a little alcove which was showing sky news, but I don�t think that they have sky sports. It is not the greatest place to position a TV for lots of people to watch so I�d imagine it is there for people who like to watch the news whilst they get drunk�. Exciting stuff.
The barman was very friendly, but had to be encouraged by his co-worker to stop counting stock and serve one of the four people waiting. When he did serve me he was very polite and friendly.
The usual lagers that you would find in a Spoons pub were on offer with Bombardier, Roaring Meg, Titanic Nautical Mild, Exmoor Gold and Mordue Workie Ticket. Loads of old clips were pinned up on the walls so you could see that they usually have a varied range of bitters.
This isn�t that bad a pub except for the fact that it has absolutely no atmosphere, like most wetherspoon pubs.
9 May 2008 08:16
The Fishmongers Arms, Southgate
This is an OK pub with a healthy local contingent that were playing pool and darts and generally saving the planet. It�s pretty spacious inside and there is plenty of outside seating.
Usual lagers were on offer alongside Bombardier and Adnams with one pump clip turned. There are a couple of televisions with Sky for watching the football etc.
I thought that this was an OK pub, but I wouldn�t go out of my way to drink here.
9 May 2008 07:56
This is a reasonably sized pub with a beer garden hedged off from the main road and a covered terrace. The usual lagers were available, but the two ale pumps were off on my visit.
I found the staff and the regulars to be very offish, like I had just walked into their private members only party.
It has 3 pool tables and a dart board, but quite a few pubs in the area have these facilities so in my opinion there isn�t really any reason to even think of drinking here.
8 May 2008 16:43
I quite like this pub with its three seating sections and separate bars front and back. The bar man was polite and the drinks on offer were Young�s Special, Marston�s Pedigree, Marston�s Smooth, Banks�s Bitter, Stella, Carling, Guinness and Kronenburg. I did find it a little dark inside, but then I had just walked in from blazing sunshine.
There is a small grassed area to the side of the pub with a few benches in and a much larger garden to the rear with a children�s play area (both of which close at 21:00 by request of the council). Maybe on the wrong day it could turn into a bit of a cr�che, but it was fine whilst I was there. To the right of the beer garden there is the �Smoker�s Inn� which is a covered wooden structure for those rainy days.
I really liked it here and would go back if I was passing.
8 May 2008 16:24
The Victoria Stakes, Muswell Hill
I was in here last Friday afternoon and although it was dead I could imagine it being very good with the right crowd and less of the depressing blues music. The beer garden was shut, but hopefully it is now open with all this bright sunshine we�ve been having this week. I saw signs for a restaurant upstairs and I thought that the downstairs seating was plentiful and well laid out with a sunken part by the windows. You can spot the gates to Alexandra Palace through a sea of cars and traffic lights.
Normal lagers plus some premium on offer alongside Addlestones, Wessex Red and Whippet of Oz.
This is not a bad pub and the walk down the hill from Muswell Hill is nice, but I�m not sure it is worth the walk home again.
8 May 2008 15:20
During my recent visit here I received a very polite service and found a nice comfy seat to watch some football on a big plasma screen and read my newspaper. There was also another big plasma and various normal TV sets dotted around the pub. It was very quite with four people sitting at the bar and two people playing on the pool table.
There�s a choice of very bog standard lagers and Greene King IPA, which is not very imaginative.
The smoking area advertised at the rear of the building is actually a car park with two benches in it overlooking Asda. There were another 2 old Irish gentlemen sitting outside bringing the grand total of people in the pub to eight, one of which was the barmaid and another I think was the landlady. Something that I have never seen before were the smoking heaters that cost 20p for 5 minutes and �1 for 25 minutes� Whatever next?
I didn�t have an awful time, but this is not a great boozer and I�ll probably never return as there are far better places nearby.
8 May 2008 11:14
This is a decent enough pub, although the service was a little sullen. I loved the courtyard like area out the back of the pub and I�d imagine that it would be lovely on a sunny afternoon.
It�s a pretty small pub, but it is perfectly laid out with a pool table and dart board that don�t feel like they have been shoehorned in. In contrast the toilet is quite strangely put together with a generously sized crapper, but only enough urinal space for one fat bloke and if anyone decides to actually wash their hands you have to stand and wait for them to finish drying them as you cannot get past.
Drinks on offer were the usual lagers plus Abbot Ale, Old Speckled Hen and Deuchars IPA.
I didn�t find the locals that friendly, but it wouldn�t stop me going back as this is a very nice pub.
8 May 2008 10:06
The Priory looks a little grim from the outside, but all is forgiven as it is next door to a Ladbrokes and my bus home stops directly outside.
It�s a lot bigger inside than you would have thought from the exterior and it has a social club feel to it. There are a couple of quiz machines, a pool table and a darts board with plenty of room around them. Whilst I was there Sky Sports was on the TV and the locals were having a bit of banter about the Premiership.
The usual lagers were on offer, but only Greene King IPA for the ale drinkers which made me chuckle at the huge �Charrington since 1757, celebrated ales� mirror up on the wall. The barmaid was very friendly and wished me a good day from the other side of the pub when I left.
The air was a little blue and it felt like a working men�s social club so I wouldn�t rush down there with the misses, but it would be a great pub to go with a few mates for a laugh.
7 May 2008 12:02
I walked past here on Friday at 17:30 and it was closed. It looks like a late bar come night club full of shiny surfaces, high tables and a gleam of stainless steel. There were no opening times on display.
Apparently the Mayor, Councilor Sheik Thompson, held a Jazz Night here about 3 months ago so if anyone knows him maybe he could give us his review! :)
7 May 2008 11:15
The Maid of Muswell, Muswell Hill
I�ve been into the Maid a few times and I have to agree with the last few reviews about the attitude of the staff and the evil eye given by the regulars.
On my last visit I ordered a pint of Star, which was served in a regular pint glass with an inch head on it. I asked for it to be topped up and it was with no face pulling or comment, but she still new that it was a short pint and she was trying to rip me off. I would have thought that it is expensive enough without trying to squeeze every last penny out of the punters.
There are a few benches outside and although they are partitioned off from the main road you still feel like you are sitting next to a main road. There�s also a big plastic Cow outside, but I�ve never seen the elusive maid.
Drinks on offer are Okell�s Bitter, Pride, Fruli, Sunchaser, Leffe, Hoegarden and Staropramen, among others.
This is not really the sort of pub I like as I felt that the mere mention of football or darts would be sneered at � if you catch my drift. However, if you like live piano playing on a Sunday afternoon whilst you eat your roast dinner this is your place.
7 May 2008 09:31
The Clissold Arms, East Finchley
Friday afternoon was my first time in the Clissold and as I walked in I thought that I could have just entered any Slug and Lettuce in the country.
A few premium lagers were on offer along with Landlord, Ruddles County, Pride and a Sussex ale. The barmaid was very friendly and thankfully my change was put straight into my hand rather than onto a silver tray. The inside is quite large and split level with the bar up a few steps to the rear just before the doors leading to the covered patio area. There are plenty of dining tables and a few sofas scattered around the pub.
If you�re ever in the mood for a little chocolate with pistachio mousse this is the place to go, but I think I�ll stick to the Royal Oak!
7 May 2008 08:37
I was a little disappointed last Friday afternoon as I had read the glowing reviews on here and was looking forward to my first visit, but it was closed at 15:15.
Does this place only open in the evening as there were no opening times displayed anywhere?
6 May 2008 17:46
As I left this pub I thanked the Lord that I was given a short measure on my pint of Star.
The barman was offish when he served me and he was arguing with another member of staff during the whole of my 15 minute stay. The beer garden was heaving with families so I sat inside at a wonky table that was bouncing up and down as the two little brats behind me jumped up and down screaming at the tops of their voices. The parents of said children were oblivious as they tucked into their bottle of white and discussed soft furnishings.
On the plus side there is a wide variety of premium lagers alongside London Pride, Deuchars IPA and Outlaw Wild Mule.
I would sum this pub up by saying that it is a dark and unwelcoming.
6 May 2008 17:24
The Slug and Lettuce, Muswell Hill
Last week I had my first visit to the Slug and Lettuce since it had changed from the pretentious hole that was the HaHa Bar and I didn�t really notice much difference except that the kitchen had been closed off to prying eyes.
Lots of premium lagers were available and I noticed a bombardier pump. The barman was polite, but then he handed my change over on a silver tray which I thought was a little out of order for early on a Friday afternoon when there are only 2 other people in the pub.
A patio garden is advertised on the outside of the pub, but I had a look and it is tiny with 4 small tables and it is surrounded by walls.
I�m not sure why a failing pub would be replaced with exactly the same kind of pub with a different name� Surely it is doomed to failure.
6 May 2008 17:03
It took me about 5 minutes to get served in here yesterday as the lone barman decided to collect glasses from the beer garden whilst me and another bloke stood at the bar waiting. I thought it a little strange that only one member of staff was on duty on a bank holiday Monday during the Newcastle v Chelsea game. Once I was finally served the barman was polite.
The three pool tables at the rear of the pub were all surrounded with young drinkers, one of which tried to ride a bike into the pub. The fire exit by the pool tables was open with people hanging in with fags on the go and a few more of them were loitering in the car park smoking.
I found a table right at the back of the beer garden, away from a potty mouthed chav woman, which was nice until the first Northern line train came trundling by about 20 metres from where we were sitting.
All in all not a great experience and I wont be going back.
6 May 2008 16:23
The Hill Restaurant and Bar, Muswell Hill
I had a look through the window last Friday afternoon as obviously it was closed again and there are still no opening times displayed anywhere. One difference that I did noticed was that all of the tables are now covered with white table cloths so it looks like it has actually turned into a restaurant.
6 May 2008 15:34
The Hole In The Wall, Chiswick
This is not a bad pub if the sun is shining and you can sit in the beer garden. Service was adequate, but I only saw Pride and Spitfire alongside an extensive range of lagers which is a little strange for a pub a stones throw from the Fuller�s Brewery.
I can�t really say a lot more about this pub another than it is tucked down a one way street in the back roads of Chiswick and there are better pubs around albeit quite a stroll away.
6 May 2008 14:12
I had my worst pint of lager of the year so far in here yesterday. I didn�t actually finish it as the head was yellow and it tasted like the lines hadn�t been cleaned for weeks. I thought that it may have been that the barman/manager changed the barrel half way through pouring my pint, but it wasn�t as the misses had a crap pint as well.
The inside of the pub is nice and they were showing the snooker final on the TV, but it is next to a very busy main road so it was very noisy sitting outside lapping up the sun. The barman/manager was friendly enough, but I could tell that he takes no bollox from the punters, which is probably good as there seemed to be a few unsavoury characters about.
I�m pretty surprised that I am the first person not to give a good review, but overall I wasn�t impressed with this pub.
6 May 2008 11:52
The Dick Turpin, East Finchley
This pub opens at 15:00 on a weekday and at 12:00 at the weekend.
6 May 2008 11:06
I liked the layout of this pub with a proper pub area at the front and an eating area at the back the leads to a patio garden. There is a spiral staircase at the rear of the pub leading up to some more dining tables. The barman was friendly, but he served me a pint instead of the half that I asked for although it was the correct drink so 50% for that one.
Lagers on offer were Kronenburg, Fosters, San Miguel, Bitburger and ales on offer were Doombar, Pride, Broadside and Twickenham Original.
I don�t think that I would have any complaints if this was my local pub.
2 May 2008 09:13
It seemed a lot smaller in here than what I remember from my last visit a couple of years ago, but maybe I just got bigger!
Honeydew and Pride were available alongside 5 premium lagers, Carling and Guinness. There is a pleasant looking patio garden at the rear off the pub, but with walls on all 4 sides I don�t think that it is very scenic. I have to agree with other comments about it seeming more like a restaurant, but unlike other pubs of this ilk I wasn�t made to feel uncomfortable just ordering a pint.
Although the barmaid was very busy with a delivery she came over and served me straight away with a smile and a thank you. In this day and age with the competition in the pub/restaurant trade as it is you would think that this would be the norm, but unfortunately it is not.
I�d go back in here again if I was near, but I�ll never pay �2.00 for a packet of crisps, be them homemade or not!
1 May 2008 16:13
I had to wait at the bar whilst the lone barmaid served food from the dumb waiter to diners at their tables. After paying �3.40 (gasp) for a pint of Fosters I absconded to the very nice seating outside the front of the pub facing the green.
The usual lagers were on offer as were Youngs Ordinary & Special, Bombardier and Deuchars IPA.
1 May 2008 15:37
This is a dark and dingy Chef & Brewer pub with the emphasise on chef. There is a patio garden at the rear, but I think that the seating at the front of the pub would be much nicer, especially if there was a cricket match on.
Once I had been redirected to the side door to gain entry I was confronted visually and nasally by an eccentric old albino grandmother�s house (potpourri, no light, crinklies everywhere). I searched out the lone barman who was doubling as a waiter and stood for a while at the bar. I then drank my drink and left before all of the life was sucked out of me.
Butcombe Blonde, Abbot Ale and Outlaw Wildmule were the beers on offer alongside Fosters etc.
I think that I�ll stick to the Greyhound in future.
1 May 2008 15:07
I was greeted by a friendly barman when I ordered my �3.60 pint of Heineken (ouch, this is the 2nd pub in a week that has charged me this). Upon sitting down I noticed Black Sheep, Bombardier and Spitfire all available along with a selection of premium lagers. There was also a blackboard hanging from the ceiling behind the bar with this week�s ale listed, which were Youngs, Oldwagg, Daleside Legover, Everards Tiger and Deuchars IPA.
There is nothing wrong with this pub, but I personally don�t think that it was worth the detour from the High Road. Having said this though, it is better than the current 3.4 rating the pub has inherited from its previous incarnation.
30 Apr 2008 17:13
This is an Irish �shop conversion� pub and I think that it has been done very well. As with all these pubs there is live music and Sky television. I loved the layout inside and one of the major gripes that this pub has received in previous posts is that it was too smoky, but obviously this is not a problem anymore since the smoking ban.
The barmaid was very friendly and a pint costs �3.10 which is basically in line with all the other pubs in the area.
I think to enjoy yourself in one of these pubs you have to be in the correct frame of mind, which I normally am!
30 Apr 2008 16:37
I popped into the Barley Mow this lunchtime and had a quick pint of Fosters which came in at �3.10, so it has gone up 20p in two years. As far as I could see it is a free house with the usual lagers on offer along with Doombar. There were two other pumps, but their clips were turned around. The barmaid was a little dozy, but she was extremely friendly with it.
It�s a long pub with the bar running along one side of it. There is an entrance at both ends and one of the ends, not sure if it is the front or the back, has some covered seating. This area also has a BBQ and barrels of Pride and Budweiser. I�d imagine the extra �mini-bar� outside is for those hot and busy summer days.
I�m not entirely sure why this place has such a low rating. I certainly found it to be no different to the many other pubs along Chiswick high road and I certainly wouldn�t mind if I had to return.
30 Apr 2008 16:08
Is this pub a pub or not?
I would say that a varied selection of premium lagers alongside IPA and Abbott Ale would swing the answer towards it being classed as a pub. The problem arises when you ask yourself whether a pub would have 90% of its tables set out with place mats, cutlery, salt crystals, pepper, vinaigrette and large wine glasses.
I think that the Bollo is trying to attract a certain type of clientele and from the sound of the e-mail bookings that they were talking about I think that they maybe doing just that.
I�ll grant them the fact that it was during a lunchtime that I visited, but I did feel out of place as I hadn�t ordered any food and I don�t think that this should be the case in any pub.
30 Apr 2008 15:02
Unfortunately after a conscientious effort to find this pub it was closed.
Fortunately the bloke in the darkened pub did come out to explain to me that it does not open until 5pm on a Tuesday and Thursday. He also gave me top class directions back to Chiswick High Road.
30 Apr 2008 14:06
The Duke of Hamilton, Hampstead
The Duke is still a great boozer and dare I say that it is better since Woody Junior has taken over.
Sorry sweet36, but if anyone can show me a pub landlord that will top up pints of beer that have been brought back to the bar after 2 minutes in the beer garden I will show you a mug!
30 Apr 2008 08:57
Is this place closed down for good now then?
I remember some savage nights in here that started off with some light bantered pool and ended up turning into the Wild West. I still went back every week though!
I've not been for about 15 years, which is probably a good thing.
29 Apr 2008 18:12
The Packhorse and Talbot, Chiswick
I had to wait to be served as the lone barmaid was messing about with the coffee machine behind the bar. Whilst I waited I noted that there were lots of different lagers available along with Pride, Tim Taylor, Honeydew and Bombardier. When I was finally served the barmaid was friendly although she may have waited until she had given my change back to me before answering the ringing phone.
I had a butchers at the food menu and it seemed like proper down to earth pub food � Makes a change!
There is a covered area outside the pub to the rear and the front.
I wouldn�t go out of my way to drink here, but there are far worse in Chiswick.
28 Apr 2008 13:44
Upon my visit to the George IV I found 4 barmaids behind the bar. One was cleaning cutlery whilst another two were counting stock and the forth was having trouble using the till. After about four minutes of me standing there like a mug a local that was waiting for his whisky to be topped up lost his patience and shouted at them. A stunned barmaid approached and asked if I wanted anything. I asked for a half of Carling and was served a pint.
The usual lagers were available along with ESB, Pride, London Porter and Discovery. There was a very nice display of Pride bottles, cups and glasses behind the bar, but I wonder how long the punters had to wait to be served whilst it was erected.
It�s a very big pub with a patio garden and some seating outside at the front. At the back of the pub there are some stairs leading skywards which I think had more seating. There is a raised area at the front between the entrances with some tables and chairs at the windows. A bonus was that they do have a dart board.
Apart from the staff being oblivious to the customers I quite like this pub, even though �3.15 for a pint of Carling is a little dear.
25 Apr 2008 13:41
Being a fan of the more traditional pub I shouldn�t have really liked this gastro type pub, but I did. The barmaid was very nice and a gentleman allowed me to be served before him as I was only ordering 1 drink (I honestly can�t remember the time that happened).
There was an extensive selection of lagers accompanying the Wells Eagle, Regatta and Bombadier.
I liked the layout with the bar area at the front and then a dining area leading onto a beer garden.
I chuckled to myself when I read the bar food menu and found the first item to be bread and butter.
24 Apr 2008 17:07
The relaxed atmosphere, friendly governor and the perfect sound level of the music made my short stay in here very pleasant.
The lounge like area with the fire blazing was an excellent touch. It was 3 quid a pint which seems pretty average for this area.
If I�m around this area again I will definitely try for a longer stay.
24 Apr 2008 16:26
I thought that I�d actually have a stab at reviewing the pub rather than the staff and clientele.
First and foremost half a Carling costs �1 and I didn�t spot any signs advertising a happy hour. There was an overpowering smell of disinfectant, but I didn�t mind as my drink only cost �1. Lots of screens and football advertised on blackboards around the pub and a pool table is situated at the rear of the pub next to the back door emblazoned with fire exit signs. There are a few chairs and tables under a canopy on the pavement outside, but I don�t think that there is a beer garden of such.
It�s not the sort of pub that I wouldn�t imagine having a coffee machine behind the bar, but it does and a couple ordered some and drank it with no complaint (unlike Shackology up the road).
The usual lager suspects are on offer alongside Strongbow, Courage Best and Directors (this is not an exhaustive list of the selection).
The Paragon is a little tatty around the edges, but if I lived in the area I would watch the football there.
24 Apr 2008 15:45
As soon as I had walked into the Crown and anchor I thought �oh dear, this is no pub with the words �crown� or �anchor� in the name that I have ever encountered before�. It was only when I used this site to investigate further that I discovered that it is actually called Shackology, so everything is now clear.
I waited for a couple of minutes to be served as it was very busy with me being the only customer and 5 staff milling about the bar obviously isn�t enough. When I was served it was only because one member of staff had delegated the serving of my half a Red Stripe to another.
The pumps on the bar were Kirin Ichiban, Erdinger, Red Stripe and Bombadier.
If I was the type to go out for a cup of coffee and read the morning papers, which I'm not, this is the type of place I would like, but it was nearly empty and Zizzi is just up the road and it was pretty busy.
This may seem like an overly critical review, especially as it is the first, but it honest and based on a 12:30 pm visit.
24 Apr 2008 15:09
Well done Foghorn, give yourself a pat on the back.
I still think that there are better places to spend my hard earned, but different horses for different courses as they say.
24 Apr 2008 09:11
I got a bit of a social club feel from the Princess Royal this lunchtime. There is a stage at the front of the pub with the bar in the middle and a seating area at the back. The staff were friendly and the only other people in were 2 old boys who seemed very happy chatting away about how crap life is.
I paid �3 for a pint of lager and the only sign of any ale I could see was 2 pride pumps on the bar.
This is by no means the best pub in the area, but it�s not the worst as The Albany is just up the road.
23 Apr 2008 14:51
How about a little less of the arrogant sniping Foghorn.
If you have nothing constructive to say about a pub try keeping your pompous opinions to yourself.
23 Apr 2008 13:54
It was nice to see all of the flags on display for St George�s day in this Fuller�s pub, although �3.20 for a pint of Carling is a bit of a piss take. There is a beer garden out the back (although I did not see it) and plenty of benches at the front of the pub.
I also have to agree that this is the best pub out of the 4 corner pubs of Griffin Park. I usually go to the New Inn on match days, but I�ll give this one a try next time.
22 Apr 2008 15:33
I quite liked this little local once I had found the entrance after the third attempt. I only had a half (�1.50 Carling) whilst I sat by the dartboard reading my newspaper, but got a relaxed feeling from the place. I would say that I�d pop in here next time I�m watching the Bees, but I think it gets extremely busy.
22 Apr 2008 14:43
Oh dear�. When you pop into a backstreet pub during lunchtime any problems are not usually that obvious as it is quiet and any patronage is usually local. Not the Albany!
I had to wait, with fiver in hand, at the bar whilst the barmaid talked through me to her friends who were leaving. Once she had finished she was very friendly whilst serving me, but I had to go into the beer garden to finish my tangy half as I�m not a big daytime T.V. person and I was the only person in the pub.
One saving grace is that there is a pool table and a dartboard, but I think that 50% of pubs in Brentford have a pool table and dartboard so I�ll be giving this place the Spanish archer in future.
22 Apr 2008 14:27
The Bricklayers Arms, Brentford
I was a little disappointed to find this pub closed as I hadn�t been in for about 12 years. There are signs up outside stating that the place is up for auction� Anyone fancy buying a pub in Brentford?
22 Apr 2008 13:46
This pub is now boarded up with accompanying smashed windows. Not sure if it is ever opening again, maybe someone could enlighten me.
22 Apr 2008 13:43
The Duke of Cornwall, Hammersmith
Saturday was the first time I had been in here since 1999, so not surprisingly the name had changed and pub had been refurbished. It seemed a little disjointed with a gastro feel at the front of the pub and a pool table at the back.
It was pretty busy due to a show at the Apollo, but the lack of seating due to the oversized sofas taking up most of the floor space did make it looked packed. It took a while to get served each time I went to the bar due to till rolls running out, staff phoning cabs for punters and the locals blocking the bar.
I ended up on the Fosters as I thought that they only had this and Kronenburg, but I spotted a decent lager on the bar nearest to the entrance as I left (D�oh).
I think that if I was in the area again I would try to find another pub to drink in.
22 Apr 2008 09:15
I�d not been in here since it had changed from the Three Horseshoes (Wetherspoons) until I popped in last Saturday afternoon for a quick pint of Heineken. I wasn�t very impressed, but then I like the traditional boozer that doesn�t have table service and doesn�t charge �3.60 for a pint.
There are plenty of proper pubs within a stones throw, as nw3_bloke points out, so I think I�ll give this place a miss in future.
Did I mention that a pint of Heineken is �3.60?
21 Apr 2008 15:12
The Toast Restaurant and Bar, Hampstead
I didn't think that it would last this long after the smoking ban, due to it being on the first floor with no area available to convert to allow smoking.
It's a shame as I quite liked this place.
21 Apr 2008 11:23
Over the past 5 years I�ve spent quite a few Friday afternoons in the Dove and I have always left in a better mood than I was when I walked in. I think that the staff have improved since my first ever visit and the drink is still of a good standard.
As afternoon turns into evening it can get a little hair raising negotiating all of the stairs to the back off the pub and avoiding the bustling waitresses with plates of food, but it keeps you on your toes.
This is definitely the best pub that I have been into on the North bank of the Thames between Hammersmith and Kew Bridge.
17 Apr 2008 17:45
I�d not been in here for about 6 years and unfortunately the place hasn�t changed, it�s still an O�Neill�s.
I had a very quick pint as the bouncer wouldn�t let my stone cold sober, six foot four, 25 year old bearded brother in as he had no id on him. I didn�t really mind though as I couldn�t believe we had arranged to meet there anyway.
1 Apr 2008 15:28
I was in here for a couple on Saturday afternoon and found the bar to be pleasant enough. I wouldn�t go out of my way to drink here, but then I don�t know anyone that would go out of their way to drink in a Yates�s.
The quiz machine was broken, but the barmaid was very friendly and the bouncer let us all in, unlike O�Neill�s a few doors down.
I�m still not sure why the shiny metal toilet bowls had no seats.
1 Apr 2008 15:12
Decent enough place for a station pub.
I had to drink my pint out of a plastic cup on Saturday afternoon, but I�d imagine this was due to the football. There are a few tables and chairs out the front and a BBQ was starting up just as I left.
I agree with Gristy that it is OK for a couple, but I wouldn�t stay too long.
1 Apr 2008 11:42
I had to do a double take on this place before I realised it was a pub. I had a 20 minute wait for my train so I popped in for a quick pint and wasn�t disappointed. 10 times better than standing on a train platform, which cannot be said for all railway station pubs.
31 Mar 2008 15:05
Unfortunately I read in the Camden New Journal last week that, after 3 years, DE and J Levy have finally been given permission to bulldoze this pub and the adjacent snooker hall to make way for flats.
25 Mar 2008 11:13
The Globe Bar is incorporated into the Chiswick Moran Hotel. I only suggested it to BITE as it has its own entrance and local residents and passers by are all welcome.
It is very relaxing, but it does really feel like a hotel bar, with prices to match (�3.25 for a pint of Fosters). The flat screen TV�s with videos of fish floating in an aquarium just about sum the place up.
My ale drinking pals hit the Leffe (�2.85ish a half) when we pop in here, as the ale selection isn�t that great (I can�t actually remember seeing any).
Nice for a cheeky couple of pints at lunchtime, but I�m not sure I�d be that excited about spending a whole evening here.
18 Mar 2008 13:38
It is funny how a pub doesn�t get a review for 3 years and then gets 2 in the space of 4 days, but I popped into the Plough last Friday. I had a spot of lunch, before walking around the endless garden centres. It�s a big pub with a conservatory, ample parking and plenty of outside seating that incorporates a children�s play area.
The lager was good and waitress was very friendly and helpful. My bacon and cheese burger was missing the cheese, but it was nice anyway. At around 12:30 the pub started to fill up with pensioner types who started to bombard the kitchen with orders for fish and chips. I got the feeling that the local residents are in their twilight years, so I wouldn�t imagine that it is a beehive of activity in the evenings (but I could be wrong).
This is a food orientated family friendly pub.
29 Feb 2008 10:48
During my first visit to this 17th century coaching inn I thought it was just a hotel bar. I remember my group being the only people in here and having to punch in a code to get to the urinal.
Against my better judgement I was dragged in here again to watch Burnley v Arsenal at the beginning of the year, what a difference. The extremely helpful barman opened up the upstairs room so that we could all sit comfortably and watch the match and the place was bustling with rugby and football fans. I tucked into the Stella and a dodgy Japanese lager (�1.50 a pint I think) and had a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon.
I�ll definitely pop back when I�m in the area again.
28 Feb 2008 17:11
I�ve visited the Triumph on a few occasions, but have not been back since asking the drunken barmaid for a white wine and soda, then being told that it is called a spritzer and then being served a white wine and lemonade. What with this and a few shady people lurking about I didn�t feel comfortable in here with the misses.
It is a shame as I was initially glad to find this place on my doorstep as I quite like the pub layout and the lager is good, but it�s very much a local pub for drunkard local people.
28 Feb 2008 16:21
The Orange Tree, Friern Barnet
I recently spent an early evening in here and I take it back, it is Hades.... I've been generous with a rating of 3!
28 Feb 2008 16:07
I�ve been going to The Minstrel Boy, on and off, for about a year and I have to admit to being a fan. Friendly staff and the landlord is nice enough.
The pub has plenty of TV screens, on which every sport conceivable is aired. There is also a pool table and dart board.
The prices are reasonable and the lager/cider is served to a high standard.
As pubs go I don�t think that anyone would grumble if this was their local.
12 Feb 2008 11:33
Typical Spoons pub, nothing much else to say, except that they have had a Christmas tree and decorations up for a week already.
30 Nov 2007 16:31
I was pretty impressed with The Misty Moon when I visited last Saturday afternoon.
I found the staff to be very friendly and the beer cheap. I had a bite to eat and it was of the standard that you would expect in a pub and it didn�t break the bank.
I was very surprised that it wasn�t busier because it is excellent for watching football, well worth a visit.
30 Nov 2007 16:21
The Elephant Inn, North Finchley
I have to agree with the last few posts that this is, in my opinion, the best pub in North Finchley (not that there�s that much competition).
Relaxed inside and a large seated area out the front for us smokers. Beer is fine and the bar staff are friendly enough. You can�t really go wrong with that formula.
28 Nov 2007 07:29
I�m not sure what happened to my previous comments on this pub, but they went something along the lines of:
A great little pub that serves a wide selection of beers and is well worth a visit.
I also think that the bar staff should cheer up and not think of it as a major favour that they are doing for you when they serve a drink� It�s their job!
28 Nov 2007 07:20
This is a very small pub that apparently has a restaurant upstairs. I had a few decent enough Heinekens whilst I waited for a few associates, but we had to leave as there wasn�t really enough room to accommodate a group.
I would probably go back if in the area, but wouldn�t spend the entire evening as it would seem a bit of a waste of time going to Soho and drinking in a run of the mill old mans boozer all night.
28 Nov 2007 07:13
Decent enough pub with friendly staff and great lagers, as mentioned several times before.
The more civilised area upstairs was closed for a function last time I was in, so I only stayed for a couple as the music in the rammed downstairs bar was extremely loud.
I would recommend this pub as I feel it is one of the better ones in the area.
28 Nov 2007 06:59
I had a very quick pint in here with the other half last Saturday. The lounge bar was closed for a party and the other bar was packed with about 10 people. We sloshed back our drinks before the squealing pigs and banjos appeared!
This may be a little harsh as the barman did wipe down one of the 2 tables in the bar for us to sit at, but I still felt obliged to order a Stella as he didn�t look very impressed when I asked for a pint of lime and soda for the misses.
26 Nov 2007 14:29
I had a few pints of lager in here last Thursday night after work and wasn�t overly impressed with any aspect of the pub.
It was busy, but that is only due to the location. It is also very expensive, �3.40 a pint of bog standard bitter/lager. I wonder how much the stella is?
The barmaid was in no hurry to serve and the toilets were an utter disgrace.
There are plenty of far superior pubs in the area, so I won�t be rushing back for another Coach & Horses experience in a hurry.
13 Nov 2007 15:30
The Twickenham Tup, Twickenham
I watched the 3rd � 4th place rugby world cup play off in here last Friday after attending the Twickenham Beer Festival. I wasn�t overly impressed, but it probably didn�t help that I had my jacket half inched from the back of my chair whilst I was playing pool.
The night did get better as more people started to turn up and more points went against the French, but I�d probably try a different pub if I was in Twickenham again.
25 Oct 2007 07:38
I had a few cheeky Heinekens in the huge beer garden on Sunday afternoon and I have to say that I really enjoyed it. The pub is more geared towards serving food, which looked extremely good, but the staff could not have been any friendlier.
My only gripe is being charged three different prices on three separate occasions for the same two drinks.
If I lived nearer I would go back for a couple of nice relaxing pints, but due to the restaurant feel and the abundance of children I would probably give it a miss if I was feeling a little more raucous.
16 Oct 2007 18:55
I have to agree with all the latest comments that The John Baird has vastly improved since the refurbishment.
I had a few San Miguels last night whilst doing the quiz. It�s a pretty basic and easy to follow quiz, which is good, and the �play your cards right� rollover was a good touch.
The barmaid was extremely friendly and the manager was making a visible effort to be welcoming and helpful.
The Black Orchid thai restaurant that is at the back of the pub is very well laid out and separate enough from the pub that it actually feels like a restaurant.
My only gripe is that the tall tables and chairs by the window are a little cumbersome, which makes it a little difficult to get comfortable. I can�t really moan though as there are enough seats in the rest of the establishment to sit at.
I think this may become my Muswell Hill local and I�ve doubled my previous rating.
5 Oct 2007 10:14
This is not the best pub. It gets packed for any football matches, but 2 minutes after the game it is empty again.
There is a pretty good smoking area with tables and benches out the back of the pub.
4 Oct 2007 13:09
I had a few pints of very Nice Stella Peterman outside here a couple of Friday afternoons ago.
It�s not a bad pub, but there are far better places to be found around this area.
2 Oct 2007 18:25
I visited this pub on a Thursday afternoon a couple of weeks ago and didn�t find it to be a great pub. There�s nothing really wrong with it. I just didn�t like the layout or the location.
2 Oct 2007 16:37
I popped in here for a quick pint on Monday and thought it was a very pleasant pub. The staff and customers were very polite and the lager was very good.
Handy if you�re visiting Barnet hospital.
2 Oct 2007 16:14
I watched the England V South Africa game in here and it was a pretty good night (apart from the result).
The bar staff were friendly and the lager was good. I would go back if I was in the area.
1 Oct 2007 18:18
The Tattershall Castle, Embankment
Great for a few beers when the sun is shining, but I wouldn�t bother if it isn�t a nice day as the downstairs bar feels like a holiday Inn lounge.
1 Oct 2007 18:12
Reopened last week after extensive refurbishment. I was impressed with the interior as it is brighter and easier to sit comfortably, but the music was far too loud.
The staff were all dressed in Victorian outfits on Friday night, it�s just a pity that the prices are far from Victorian.
Hopefully all of the dullards that have been cluttering up the surrounding pubs during its closure will herd back into the public bar, which I�m told has lower prices than the lounge bar.
1 Oct 2007 18:05
I totally agree with cleversaz and theregent except that I would also like to add that I ordered a pint of lime and soda and a pint of Stella on 3 separate occasions and I was charged 3 different amounts ranging from �4:30 to �5.90. I was going to watch the Saturday evening rugby game in here, but due to the atmosphere I decided against it.
1 Oct 2007 15:59
This is a decent enough boozer off the main track with friendly staff and nice cold lager.
Had a chat outside with some of the locals and was invited back for a �proper session�. I may take them up on their offer if I�m in the area.
19 Jul 2007 17:59
I popped in here last Friday afternoon. It was totally empty except for a pleasant member of staff who poured me a pint of very nice lager and phoned me a cab so I could go somewhere else.
It�s not really worth me walking past the Bell and Crown to visit, so I doubt I�ll go back.
19 Jul 2007 17:49
I was in here on Friday night and Saturday afternoon (see below).
John the governor was a great host and shed loads were raised for charity.
The pub itself has 3 large TV screens and a dart board at the rear and another 2 screens at the front with a second dart board.
There 3 tables out the front of the pub and another 4/5 tables around the side for the smokers and the sun worshipers.
Previous contributors are right about the TV�s, as I�m sure it is great for watching the sport, but not so good when darts is on one with VH1 classic and Eastenders on the others.
On the whole a great pub that I will be going back to.
13 Jul 2007 11:39
This is a pretty rubbish place with mediocre lager that I�ll never go into again. It doesn�t look very inviting from the outside and in the case of this pub looks aren�t deceiving.
I didn�t venture upstairs or into the loos as I didn�t want the exit out of my line of sight.
10 Jul 2007 14:40
The Red Lion and Sun, Highgate Village
I went into The Red Lion and Sun early on a Friday evening a few weeks ago for the first time in over a year. Unsurprisingly it has been converted into a completely non-smoking establishment. I would imagine that any pub that has a refurb from now on will revert straight to a no smoking policy, but hopefully some (unlike suggested in the details above) will avoid being made into a gastro pub!
I�ll give the staff 10/10 for eagerness and the pints of Amstell I had were very good. It wasn�t very busy and you could tell that it hadn�t been open long, but I saw no obvious reason why this place can�t become very popular, if it already isn�t.
This is another pub that can go onto the endless list of pubs that I can take the other half for a spot of lunch.
4 Jul 2007 07:27
The Finchley Tavern, North Finchley
There are loads of these Irish shop conversion pubs around and they all seem to have the same great banter and service and the Wishing Well is no exception.
I can�t really fault the pub, but I think that you have to be in the mood for it.
4 Jul 2007 07:22
The Toast Restaurant and Bar, Hampstead
I�m very surprised that Toast isn�t a lot more popular as it is very chilled and the bar staff are quick and friendly.
The clientele are not your Mojama spoilt brat types, so there is a good vibe. Even the bouncer was friendly.
Great place to go for some grub or just for a late drink when the pub has shut.
2 Jul 2007 14:00
The Orange Tree, Friern Barnet
The Orange Tree is not the greatest pub, but after my visit on Friday evening I find some of the comments on here a little over the top. I will admit that it doesn�t look the most inviting of places from the outside, but I was surprised at its size upon entering.
The barman and landlady were very friendly and the lager was good (even if the choice was only Fosters or Kronenburg).
There�s American paraphernalia all over the walls and 3 pool tables and a DJ booth at the rear of the pub and TV�s with sky at the front and rear of the pub.
There is a beer garden, but it was raining so I didn�t get to investigate. There is also a good pub across the road called The Triumph which doesn�t appear on BITE.
As I said before, this isn�t a great pub, but it�s not Hades either.
2 Jul 2007 13:47
The Black Lion charges �11.80 + �5 deposit for a 4 pint jug of Carling. I think that is overly expensive, even for the location.
The pub has been no smoking for a while so I had a taste of what it will be like, after the weekend, puffing in the rain, although I did get to read the interesting history of the pub that is printed outside (see 04/04/07).
All-in-all this is a nice expensive pub right by the Thames.
27 Jun 2007 11:28
I am not a fan of The Old Ship as I like to drink in a pub. Maybe it is nice sitting outside with a pint in the summer, but I noticed 8 high chairs stacked upon each other by the orangery, so I doubt it.
I think I�ll drink elsewhere and leave this place to the families and the diners.
26 Jun 2007 16:06
I had a great time getting extremely drunk in here on Friday night. Good lager, friendly staff and interesting clientele all adding up to make this a great pub.
I�ve been through Stamford Brook on the underground hundreds off times, but have never had a reason to alight, until now.
26 Jun 2007 15:36
The Fox and Hounds and the Mawson Arms are actually the same pub.
The Fox and Hounds side of the pub consists of tables and chairs for eating, whilst the Mawson Arms side is where the bar is located.
Great beer, mediocre food.
26 Jun 2007 10:13
Mawson Arms/ Fox and Hounds, Chiswick
Last Friday was the first time I had been into the Mawson Arms without doing the Fuller�s brewery tour, which is a yearly tradition at my firm. There are only so many times that you can have a long drawn out conversation about a Wisteria!
We were met by the usual friendly hello and tucked in to some obviously well kept beers. I don�t usually drink bitter, but you can�t really go to the Fuller�s brewery tap room and drink Stella.
I wasn�t overly impressed with the burger and chips that I had, but it was cheap and I probably got what I paid for.
I�m sure that I�ll be back again next year.
26 Jun 2007 09:31
The smoking ban certainly will bring in a different crowd. The pub is closing in 2 weeks for refurbishment and then it will, apparently, be re-opening as a gastro pub.
Another one bites the dust!
25 Jun 2007 09:06
I had a quick pint of Amstell in here late on Saturday afternoon before heading home. This is probably the smallest O�Neills that I have been to, but as said before it is still unmistakably an O�Neills pub.
When I am back in the area I will give this pub a miss, not because there is anything intrinsically wrong with it, just because I agree with HLC that there is much better on offer.
19 Jun 2007 15:34
It was pretty quiet in The George early on Saturday afternoon whilst I had a couple of decent San Miguels. I thought that the barmaid was very polite and the pub was clean and tidy, although it was quite dark.
I have to agree that as a pub it doesn�t stand out from the crowd and I would suggest fitting a respirator at the top of the 3 flights of stairs to save us unfit chaps from dying on the way to the toilet.
19 Jun 2007 15:10
Ye Olde Cock Tavern, Fleet Street
The Cock Tavern looks fantastic from outside, like it doesn�t belong on Fleet Street. It is apparently on the site of a pub that was originally shut down during the plague and I�m not sure that it ever recovered as it was dead in there.
Both of the barmaids were very friendly, but it didn�t really make up for the lager selection (Fosters or Kronenberg) or the lack of atmosphere.
Overall I was pretty disappointed as the exterior of the pub caught my imagination and I felt robbed upon entering.
19 Jun 2007 11:42
I�ve been in the Wellington a couple of times and by the sound of it I have been lucky as I�ve not had any trouble with the service, although it doesn�t take that many people in the pub for it to be busy and difficult to get to the bar.
It is nice sitting on the benches out front in the summer, but due to the location you have to be lucky to get a seat in the early evening.
The lager is good and my ale drinking pals think that the beer is excellent.
19 Jun 2007 11:12
This is a pretty run-of-the-mill pub. The service can be pretty slow and the last time I went in I ended up leaving as it was taking so long. It is a great location and the view of St Paul�s walking up towards the pub from the Millennium Bridge is fantastic.
The lager is good and the pub is clean, although it does seem strange going to the bar to order food and having to say that you are sitting in Trap 1!
I always pop in when I�m in the area as it is on Knightrider Street and I�m really sad!
19 Jun 2007 10:45
The chairman of Middlesex County Dart Team will be doing a 24 hour dart-a-thon in Father Ted�s starting at 6pm on Friday 6th July. There will also be other pub related events going on throughout the night and day. �1.00 per game if you lose and 50p if you win with all of the proceeds going to Marie Curie cancer care.
It should be a good evening/night/morning/afternoon, so if anyone is interested just go along.
I�ve been told it is a decent pub, but I will have to reserve judgement until after the event.
19 Jun 2007 09:41
I popped in here for a couple of pints on Saturday afternoon. The pub is pretty small upstairs, but don�t let that deceive you as the downstairs bar is very big (seating for 120 I think).
I went for the Fosters as I�m not a fan of Kronenburg, it was well kept, but a bit of a let down after the Amstell, Staropramen and San Miguel I was drinking earlier in the day.
If the cubicles in the men�s toilet were any smaller Harry Houdini would not have been able to escape once he had locked himself in.
The barman was actually very friendly, so I believe that the staff may have changed since the comments below were posted.
I wouldn�t say that this was a great pub, but it�s not that bad for a stop off.
18 Jun 2007 13:55
george2006 agrees with himself... If you are going to pretend to be someone else you should tick the anonymous box!
14 Jun 2007 11:44
The Salisbury, Leicester Square
I had far too many pints of Peeterman Artois in here on Thursday night.
I have to agree with all of the positive comments on here about this pub. It was busy, yet there was plenty of room inside and out. The bar staff were very friendly, as was the inconspicuous bouncer on the door and the beer was excellent.
This is definitely one to revisit.
12 Jun 2007 18:17
I had a drink in here before and after the Derby at the weekend. It definitely wasn�t my idea to travel all that way and end up in the same Wetherspoons pub twice.
The management were very strict on people not drinking outside, which was a shame as it was a lovely day. I was informed by a member of staff that they are waiting for the council to decide on their application for drinking outside.
The pub itself is the usual large spoons pub with very cheap drinks.
7 Jun 2007 08:59
I was not overly impressed with the Lager or the food in here.
I went in with the misses on Friday afternoon and ordered a pint of Fosters (I think) and a cheese sandwich and a BLT baguette. The sandwich and the baguette were both stale and the bacon tasted of fish. The menu was mainly Thai and in hindsight I should have ordered some of that as it looked quite good.
My first pint wasn�t the greatest and was served, in a glass with lipstick around the rim, by a fairly miserable barmaid; although I was later served by a much chirpier barmaid.
In my opinion, unless you are into real ale, this is probably a pub to give a miss.
5 Jun 2007 15:59
The Rose and Crown was pretty empty when I was in there a couple of weeks ago. It was a bit of a neck strain watching the football from the sofa in front of the plasma screen, but the lager was good and the staff were very friendly.
The place is very bright and airy, but it does feel like a small bar attached to a restaurant, rather than a pub with an eating area.
A good place for a drink and some food, but not one for a good old knees up.
31 May 2007 09:34
Winchester Pub Hotel, Highgate
This is a big pub with high ceilings and a huge bar. The barmaid seemed nice enough when I was in there watching some cricket on the small screen Friday afternoon.
The lager was good and I think I�ll probably go back again.
30 May 2007 13:35
I found the barman/landlord to be friendly when I could get past the locals that were sitting at the bar. It was nice to see a dart board at the back of the pub, but the TV was a little small and out of the way due to the layout.
Nice couple of pints of lager and I�d go back if I was in the area as this is one of the better Highgate pubs.
30 May 2007 08:40
It had been about 6 years since I had been in this Yates�s (just after it changed from Capital Caf�) until I went at the weekend for an afternoon drink.
It hadn�t changed at all from what I remember, lots of tourists and a few young kids lining their stomachs with the all day breakfast so that it can be deposited onto the street later that night.
Music channel was too loud for an afternoon and a spritzer consists a quarter of a glass of wine, yet you pay full price � the most expensive soda in the land.
Great if you like the Yates�s experience, but I think I�ll give it a miss.
29 May 2007 16:35
This is a very lively pub, even for early Sunday evening. There was a bouncer on the door that seemed to be letting some people straight in and making others wait outside until someone left, which I thought was a little strange.
There were people dancing on tables and everyone seemed to be having a laugh. There were a few wannabes in there that thought that they were the coolest thing since sliced bread and a few plonkers that seemed to take issue with any faces they didn�t know, but all in all it was a good time had by all.
I don�t see this place ever becoming my local, but it is worth going for an odd night out.
29 May 2007 15:52
I was in here late Sunday afternoon and I think there was a private function going on in one half of the pub, so everyone else was crammed into the other half.
My group felt very uncomfortable having a drink sitting amongst diners so we planned to leave after one pint. Then just as we were about to go we were asked to move to make room for a couple that had made a reservation. You have to ask yourself if this should actually be classed as a pub, I would say not!
I�m not sure that this place is in Primrose Hill, I would have said Belsize Park or maybe Chalk Farm, but not Primrose Hill.
Anyway, it doesn�t really matter where it is as I doubt I�ll ever go back.
29 May 2007 14:36
The Woodman is a pretty relaxing over 21�s pub with a couple of pool tables.
The barman was very friendly, although one of the barmaid�s friends needs to learn some manners. Lots of paintings of half naked women for sale on the walls (the paintings, not the women).
I didn�t think the beer garden was that bad, even if it is right next to a busy road.
The other half said this wasn�t one of her favourite pubs, but she would like it in there now, so it must have changed quite a bit in the last few years.
24 May 2007 16:25
The Charlotte Despard, Archway
This is a pretty small establishment with a widescreen TV and sky sports. It is quite bright and airy with the kitchen area in plain view at the back of the place.
It was pretty empty, but I was still sized up by all the regulars that came in.
As I left I said a cheery goodbye to the barmaid who served me my pint of lager and got absolutely no response.
I won�t bother returning!
23 May 2007 08:52
Ha Ha Bar and Canteen, Muswell Hill
Re-opened as a Slug & Lettuce a couple of weeks ago.
22 May 2007 15:47
I�m not a massive Whetherspoons fan, but this is a great pub with excellent food. It does have an advantage over most spoons pubs with its location in affluent Highgate, but the friendly staff actually made an effort to be hospitable and the place was spotless.
A mixed grill in London for just over 8 quid would normally fill me with visions of vomiting and diarrhoea, but it was great and I would recommend it.
This is the best spoons pub I have been in!
22 May 2007 15:37
I thought that I�d watch a little cricket on Friday afternoon, so I went into the Whittington Cat. I only stayed for one as the cricket was on a small TV with the sound muted. This is not unlike many pubs, as you don�t really need to listen to the commentary. The difference with the Whittington Cat is that on the bigger plasma screen was The Paul O�Grady show with the sound turned up. I know it�s an old man�s pub, but blimey, I thought I was sitting in my Grannies living room!
22 May 2007 11:19
It was pretty empty in here last Thursday.
Run-of-the-mill O�Neills that is smaller, but a little cleaner than the one in Muswell Hill.
8 May 2007 14:35
The grounds of the Five Bells are pretty big; they actually make the pub look small. Lots of no smoking areas, hence no seating in the smoking area even though half the pub was empty.
I found it to be very much a local�s pub, to the point where I thought that I was trespassing. There was no unpleasantness, but there was no pleasantness either. Maybe it was just that time of the day when all the Friday afternoon drinkers were getting ready to go home and have some tea.
I wouldn�t make a conscious decision to walk there from the high street again.
8 May 2007 13:53
I was in here last Thursday and thought that the service was quick and friendly and the atmosphere was very relaxed.
This was until around 21:00 when a DJ started his set and the volume cranked up and within a matter of seconds the average age of the clientele dropped by 15 years. Unfortunately I was sitting directly under a speaker so I couldn�t hear myself think.
I ended up leaving at 21:15, but I would go again if I was in North Finchley during the daytime.
8 May 2007 13:31
I had an enjoyable few pints of Heineken in here on Sunday evening. It was pretty busy with a fairly young crowd, but the layout of the pub is good so there was plenty of standing room.
One of the bar staff managed to squirt me straight in the eye with water from the drip tray glass rinse. Even though he still had a smirk on his face he did actually apologise.
It was over �1 for a packet of crisps, so heaven knows what a full meal costs.
I would go back here as it was a good laugh.
8 May 2007 11:28
This place is a crap Wetherspoons that is just about preferable to a sack & crack wax!
Filthy sticky tables and sullen bar staff that seem unable to grasp the concept of operating a till without having a group meeting every time. 2 bar staff and 2 customers, it still took me 5 minutes to be served!
I�ll be giving the Tally Ho a wide berth in future!
4 May 2007 08:44
The Erris Tavern, North Finchley
Strange pub this, like a house that has been converted into a pub that looks like a bookies.
Yesterday evening I was served a very nice pint of lager by a friendly barmaid. The evening horse racing was on all the screens and the 6 people in there seemed to be enjoying themselves.
Had signs advertising live music at the weekend with not just any Brad but, �THE BRAD�.
Maybe gets better at the weekend or when the football is on, but if this is the best pub in North Finchley there obviously isn�t much on offer.
4 May 2007 08:33
The Hog in the Pound, Bond Street
The location of this pub is excellent for a pint to reward yourself for putting up with the hoards of shoppers and tourists whilst buying some essentials from Next.
I�ve only been to the downstairs bar to use the toilet, but it looks a lot bigger than the upstairs bar (which isn�t difficult). As the local office workers like standing at the bar it can be somewhat of a mission to get served when it is busy. Never really spotted it being smoky, but as a scumbag smoker myself I probably just haven�t noticed.
There is a lot of seating outside, but it�s a little exposed to traffic fumes and it�s not the greatest view.
Definitely a good pub to prepare yourself for a fun packed journey on the tube.
1 May 2007 15:50
The Sir Richard Steele, Belsize Park
I had used the Steeles garden quite a few times before, but had not actually sat inside the pub for a drink until Saturday evening. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised that if you move away from the toilet side of the pub the clientele turn into normal pub going people.
I was always served promptly with nice pints of Stella by one of the hoardes of staff members behind the jump.
There was a queue for the one trap in the men�s every time I went to the toilet and there were a few tits flexing there wallets and talking at each other as sound doesn�t travel through the vacuum between their ears!
I would go back if I was in the area.
1 May 2007 07:52
I hadn�t been to the Roebuck for a few years before I popped in for a couple of pints of very nice Staropramen on Saturday afternoon.
It was never one of my favourite pubs and I still found it dark and unpleasant inside. Thankfully it was a lovely day and I was able to sit in the nice patio garden out the back and read my paper. Gone are the days of pie and mash for 4 quid, but the people that were eating seemed to have no complaints.
I would go back again if the weather was nice and I could sit outside, but I really don't like the interior of the pub.
1 May 2007 07:29
This is not the greatest of pubs, but it was nice not having to queue at the bar for ages like I had to in the bars by the lock.
The staff seemed OK and the pub had a lot of Aussies in it as the cricket final was on. The pub shut at 23:00 and there was no bell or any signal that the bar was shutting. Thankfully the management had the sense to let everyone watch the end of the cricket which didn�t finish until 23:35ish
Beer was OK and didn�t find fault with the toilets, but there are plenty of pubs in Camden, so I probably will never go in here again.
30 Apr 2007 15:46
I think that everyone got kicked out of the Crown and Goose at about 1am Sunday morning. After downing a few pints of Amstell my memory is a little hazy, but I do remember the barmen being very quick and professional and the general atmosphere to be very relaxed.
The shutters on the windows were closed, so it was very dark and I�m sure that if Vampires existed this would be their local pub.
30 Apr 2007 15:19
The Kings Head is a pretty small boozer found off the main drag of Marylebone High Street.
I was in here on a sunny Friday evening for a few Stellas that weren�t anything to write home about. The barmaid serving behind the bar, that is huge in comparison to the area of the pub, was friendly enough.
There are a few benches outside and even though I didn�t venture upstairs I did notice the signs for it being a seated no smoking area (this may be a restaurant though and I didn�t see anyone going up or coming down).
I definitely wouldn�t go out of my way to drink here, but if I was walking past with a few minutes to kill I might pop in.
30 Apr 2007 14:11
The Express Tavern, Kew Bridge
The Express Tavern has a great beer garden for the summer months; it�s just a pity that I�m not a big fan of Dry Blackthorn cider as have to revert to the Stella.
I�m not a bitter drinker, but my work colleagues think that it is excellent. Many a train has been missed from Kew Bridge station.
(I can vouch for the gents, they are always spotless).
23 Apr 2007 14:55
Doggetts Coat and Badge, Southwark
Whilst I was in the Doggetts Coat and Badge the downstairs toilet was flooding so I had to use that one on the 2nd floor. I�m glad that I had to go up there as I ended up sitting at the top of the pub admiring the views rather than sitting in the dark, mediocre bar on the ground floor.
There were a few signs up asking people to keep the noise down as there were exams going on in some of the rooms � I wish I could have done my exams in a pub!
I thought that the lager was spot and the service was up to scratch.
The pub seemed to be advertising everywhere for the hiring out of floors for functions, which I would imagine being fantastic for a party.
16 Apr 2007 11:50
This place hasn�t changed since my carefree youth 13 years ago�.. Drunken meat market!
The bar staff are very attentive if you get there early and start ordering cocktails so that they can show off the juggling skills that they have been practising in front off the mirror all day. You will be ignored once they find out you only want a few bottles of lager.
Not really my scene anymore, but I won�t knock it as I can remember a few good nights in the Roadhouse.
12 Apr 2007 18:05
The only reason I would go into the Rutland is if the Blue Anchor is rammed. Even then it is a false economy as the queue for the Blue Anchor seems to deplete twice as fast.
This is an inferior pub and the owners are just milking its location.
12 Apr 2007 10:41
Small, old and dark are the best ways to sum this place up. I�ve never had a problem with the service or the quality of the lager/cider.
When the sun is shining the queue for drinks actually goes out of the entrance, but it is preferable to drinking in the Rutland.
I do like the fact that the staff actually ask you if you are drinking inside or out before palming you off with a plastic glass.
12 Apr 2007 10:34
When I used to work in Hammersmith I used to drink in the Old Trout, when it was still known by that name, most lunchtimes. It was handy for popping into the shops and then having a couple of pints before going back to work.
I went in for a pint last Thursday, my first here in over 6 years, whilst I waited for someone getting off at the tube station and I was not impressed at all.
It used to be a place people actually went to for a few beers, now I�d be surprised if anyone stayed for a second pint.
No atmosphere whatsoever � Thoroughly depressing establishment.
11 Apr 2007 18:35
The Hammersmith Ram, Hammersmith
I had a few pints in the Ram on the Thursday before Good Friday and it was surprisingly quiet, especially as Hammersmith seemed quite busy.
I hadn�t been to the Ram for about 7 years, but it was as I remembered it and is still one of the few pubs in Hammersmith that I do not have to be dragged into kicking and screaming.
If you are unfortunate enough to find yourself gasping for a beer in Hammersmith you should check out the Ram, or better still get on a bus and go somewhere else!
11 Apr 2007 18:13
To be honest I didn�t even notice that this was a Canadian pub; I thought it was just a sports bar. Maybe I missed the Canadian link due to the little fort that had been built out of pint glasses and placed around me!
The friend who suggested meeting at this place got deservedly slated, just a shame I was the first there and had to stay for an hour whilst everyone showed up.
Strongbow was good, but it took a while to get served and whilst I was downstairs having a leak someone stole my pint. As you can probably imagine I will not be going back.
3 Apr 2007 15:24
I went in here with a group of 10 people and we would have nearly filled the place up on our own. I should have taken my crash helmet to avoid the low beams in the ceiling!
It was overly busy, so after waiting a while to get served at the tiny bar we went and sat on the long benches around the back of the pub. Fortunately it was a sunny afternoon and it was very enjoyable, even if it did feel like you weren't actually at a pub, more sitting in a pedestrian zone in a shopping centre.
Due to it being very busy I never really got to have a look around, maybe next time.
3 Apr 2007 13:20
For a Saturday it was very empty and lifeless. It would probably do very well if there was no competition, but Oxford is full of great pubs and this one isn�t really in the same league.
Saying that the Barmen were pretty friendly and the lager was well kept, but even so this pub is lacking in atmosphere.
3 Apr 2007 11:17
I thought that the Wheatsheaf was a good boozer. The lager was excellent and the Hells angel barman was very friendly.
There is a pool table and a couple of quiz machines, but I was mostly thankful for the TV so I could watch the Saturday afternoon football results come in.
It wasn�t that busy compared with other pubs around the town centre, but I was very comfortable in there.
3 Apr 2007 10:34
The Angel and Greyhound, Oxford
I had a couple of pints here early on a Saturday afternoon and didn�t rate the place that highly.
The lager was very good, even if it was expensive, and I enjoyed the bar billiards, but I would say to the manager/bar staff that if you have a dart board people will want to play on it.
The toilet was a bit of a trek up the stairs, but at least I didn�t have to punch in a security code like I had to at the Old Black Horse across the road. (Which doesn�t seem to appear on BITE).
Looking at the other comments maybe the Angel & Greyhound gets livelier in the evening, but I found it very sterile.
3 Apr 2007 09:41
Madden�s looks a little naff from the outside but I found it to be pleasant enough. The front area, by the entrance, is like a proper pub and the rear area, by the toilets, is decked out with sofas.
Unfortunately the Stella was off so I only stayed for a quick pint as the only other strong lager was Kronenburg, but my short stay was enjoyable and I will be visiting again.
2 Apr 2007 18:00
The Bald Faced Stag, East Finchley
I had to pop into the Bald Faced Stag as the misses and I are always going past it and naming it when giving people directions.
It was exactly what I expected; except for the fact that I underestimated the amount of pool tables that could fit into one pub.
I stayed around the actual bar area near the no smoking section as the side with the pool and darts did feel like a sports hall/youth club.
I can imagine it being great for watching the Football, but there are better places in East Finchley.
2 Apr 2007 17:43
The Old White Lion, East Finchley
I can see why some people would like this pub, but I�m afraid it did not take my fancy. It may have had something to do with the 20 year old hooray henrys sitting next to me that were bellowing so loud that I couldn�t hear myself think.
Maybe I�m being a little harsh on the pub as they cannot help this particular gripe, but I did find it sterile even if the Amstell and Star were very good.
I did like the weekly Roasting Times printed on the back of the food menu which listed all the current guest ales and times/entry fee/rules of the quiz and some other general info about the pub � great idea.
I would probably only go back if I was going to eat something as everyone else around me seemed to have gone for that reason.
2 Apr 2007 17:26
I was really impressed with Gertie Brownes, especially as I had been looking forward to going ever since the Gertie Brownes in Hampstead closed and wasn�t disappointed. The Lager (Stella) was very well kept and the Irishman that served me was very friendly. (I probably would have preferred being served by the barmaid though, if connor_g07 is to be believed).
There are loads of plasma screens, even little ones in the booths, which will show any sport. (Premier league darts was on, but muted, whilst I was there). They have Premiership games on a Saturday at 3pm and can show different games at the same time.
There was a random selection of music playing from Irish to modern chart stuff.
The locals seemed friendly enough and I would say that this is one of the best pubs I have been in for a while.
2 Apr 2007 17:01
I got a feeling whilst in The John Baird that it is a drinker�s pub. There are a couple of pool tables at one end of the pub and a nice seated area around the corner at the other end.
One of the men�s toilets was out of order when I was in there and they have no Strongbow and the Stella was off, but the San Miguel was very good.
I only stayed for a pint, which is probably the same as I�ll do next time I�m in there.
28 Mar 2007 10:27
I managed to find myself in here for happy hour(s) yesterday (17:00-19:00) and 2 pints of Fosters and a Strongbow came to �6.90.
I had to wait 10 minutes for my drinks as the barman was making cocktails and the barmaid had absolutely no awareness of who had been at the bar longest. It only takes a glance; maybe she just couldn�t give a toss.
It was pretty busy for a place on a Tuesday night with people playing pool on both of the tables and others eating pizza, which looked very good.
I think they have some sort of problem with a leaking roof as there were ice buckets everywhere catching water from the ceiling.
I�m not really into places that are full of high maintenance girls and blokes with man bags, but it is handy to know about the happy hour(s) and the half price cocktails on a Thursday.
28 Mar 2007 09:47
The Hill Restaurant and Bar, Muswell Hill
Is this place a pub or not?
Went there at 18:30 yesterday for the 3rd time and it was closed. It would probably be helpful if there were some kind of sign with opening times on it if it doesn�t open and close at the conventional pub times.
28 Mar 2007 09:25
The Wells used to be my local before the brewery put in some relief managers to run the place into the ground so that local opposition wouldn�t stop them making a tidy penny.
I�ve been in since the refurbishment and it isn�t falling apart anymore, but it is nothing like it used to be. The barman was very friendly and I sunk a few bottles of Magners, but it�s not a real boozer. These places are all over the place now and it is very depressing.
I will wait until the summer months before I go again so that I can at least sit outside and reminisce about the good old days!
22 Mar 2007 09:59
For some strange reason my department at my firm always go here for the Christmas party. We always end up in the downstairs bar with the dart board and quiz machine. The food that we end up with has been exactly the same for the past 4 years, it is good but unimaginative.
I can�t grumble about the service as I have always found it polite, but it can get a little annoying having to ring the bell in the lower bar to get a member of staff to come down when they know that 30 people are coming for a party.
Unfortunately for the City Barge, even though the lager and cider is very good, I would have to walk past the Bell and Crown to get to it and that isn�t going to happen.
22 Mar 2007 09:03
There is a dart board by the door as you walk in and I have reason to believe there are a few professionals that play for their super league team on a Thursday night. The lager has always been very good and there is plenty of seating inside and out.
I�ve found the people there to be a little insular, but then I have not made much effort to speak to them as a few seem like old gangsters and a few of the people off the estate think that anybody they don�t know are old bill.
The Old Oak is not a pub I would take the other half again after the fight between a heavily pregnant young woman and a 15 year old scum bag girl from the big estate behind the pub.
It�s a good place for a pint if you need a piss after a long train journey or you are going to watch a match, but other than that I�d keep walking.
22 Mar 2007 08:47
The Holly Bush is a good pub, but I think some people go over the top in their praise for it. The food is very good but I think there is too much emphasis put on it in this place. Anywhere that a table can be put there is a table and I�ve felt in the way standing at the tiny bar whilst all around are tucking into their dinner.
Also due to busybody neighbours the council will not allow any drinking out the front of the pub due to health and safety� A little like one of the homeowners across the road from the Duke of Hamilton blocking the proposed hour extension at the weekend for the DoH. Hampstead residents sure know how to get their own way!
This is a good pub and it is always busy but I think �greatest pub in the land� is going a little far.
21 Mar 2007 15:25
I used to work in here a long time ago, when it was called the Rat and Parrot and I must say that it hasn�t really changed that much � except for the staff being much friendlier.
I could be wrong but I think it was also called the George before it became the Rat and Parrot.
It is well known in the area as a great pub for watching the Football (prem +) on a Saturday, but like a lot of people I never use it any other time.
21 Mar 2007 14:36
The Stag has a large beer garden out the back which is good in the summer, but I wouldn�t bother going in any other time.
The pub dog has a habit of standing by the garden door and barking until someone lets it out and then coming back 30 seconds later and barking until someone lets it in. The dog also has a habit of begging for food from people that have ordered it from the bar�.. Extremely annoying.
The last time I was in there I ordered a Stella and a Fosters and was served 2 Fosters. When I complained I was told that I was wrong and that it was a Stella. I gave the Fosters away and ordered another Stella, which I saw being pulled from the Stella pump�.. It was Fosters again! I told the barmaid and got a reaction of �what do you want me to do about it�.
In my experience it is not the friendliest of pubs to none regulars, but it is not full of chavs.
21 Mar 2007 14:03
I�ve been into the 3 One 7 a few times in the afternoon for the football/cricket and a couple of times on a Friday night to take advantage of their midnight license and I�ve never seen the slightest sign of any violence.
The security guards do stand out but then maybe that�s why there is no trouble. My pint of lager/cider has always been up to scratch and served with a smile and there is always some out of the way seating where one can relax.
I wouldn�t make a conscious effort to drink here but I don�t think it is run that badly.
20 Mar 2007 16:04
This is a large open Wetherspoons located up on the first floor of the O2 centre. It�s full of the usual assortment of Spoon�s patrons propping up the bar and the odd shopper sitting by the huge windows over looking one of the many picturesque Finchley Road traffic light junctions.
The service and the quality of the lager is naff and the only good thing is that there are escalators and a lift that go up to and down from the floor the pub is on.
Utter Pants!
20 Mar 2007 15:43
This is a great place for an afternoon drink by the river but beware the cyclists riding down the towpath, especially after sampling a few of the well kept beers.
The landlady is extremely friendly, even if the landlord and some of the staff can come across as a little curt.
I have found The Bell and Crown to consistently be the best pub along Strand on the Green/Thames Road.
Also keep an eye out for the Ribena shyte because whilst drinking here last summer a bird that had been eating the red berries from the tree outside the pub crapped on some random guy�s white shirt � I found it funny until I realised that I had been sitting in some.
20 Mar 2007 10:28
I always go into the New Inn when I�m at Griffin Park as you are given fast friendly service and the away fans are allowed in, which I find makes the place more interesting.
There is a pool table and a couple of dart boards at the back of the pub and a nice beer garden for the summer.
The lager is pretty good and it is also home to the West London Celtic Supporters Club, so if there are 2 matches on TV at the same time and Celtic is one of them that will be the game that is shown.
All in all pretty good for a Brentford pub.
20 Mar 2007 09:23
The Marquess of Anglesey, Covent Garden
This is a very poor pub that is always busy due to its location; hence the management and staff could not give a toss about customer service. I was the only person waiting at the bar for 2 minutes whilst 3 bar staff talked with each other, occasionally looking over at me and then looking away. When I did finally get served it was laboured, with a sigh.
There are so many pubs around this area that I do not understand why anyone would want to drink in there.
20 Mar 2007 09:00
The White Horse, Hampstead Heath
The large bar in the White Horse is in the centre of the pub and is usually being run by 2/3 polish girls.
The food is very good and the beer is very well kept.
Due to the very large bar the seating is all around the edge of the pub by the windows and they can all be full when not that many people are in the pub. There is another area with a plasma screen that has sofas, but again they can be full with only 6 people sitting on them. There is also a separate eating area with table service.
The toilets deserve a special mention as they should be in a posh hotel and not a boozer.
It is a good place to pop in for a quick pint or bite to eat, but I have found it to be very boring with a lot of passing trade.
19 Mar 2007 16:11
This is not my favourite pub. The bar area on the right as you enter never has any seats free when I go and I end up sitting around the other side in what feels like a restaurant with its large open wall to the kitchen.
The lager is well kept but I do agree that I have felt like I have had to whisper as to not disturb anyone from their dinners.
It would be OK, but there are so many pubs within a stones throw that I choose not to drink here.
19 Mar 2007 15:51
I�ve been into the John Bull a few times on a Saturday to watch the football and see the results come in. I�ve found the lager to be good and the barman to be very friendly even if the d�cor is a little shabby.
This pub is a music venue with a stage and chairs on the dance floor that I�d imagine disappear when a band is playing. Not really my cup of tea, but I do enjoy an afternoon drink in there.
It�s not the sort of pub I�d imagine office workers from the business park next door enjoying, so I can understand the mixed reviews. Maybe they should all head down to the bar in the recently opened hotel as I have heard that it isn�t too shabby in there.
19 Mar 2007 15:14
I had a nice couple of pints of Fosters in here on Friday whilst the Gold Cup was on.
There were 2 old couples sitting by the dart board tucking into some pub food, which they seemed to enjoy. The rest of the small pub was seating a rag tail band of afternoon gamblers who were in good spirits watching the racing.
This is a run-of-the-mill old mans pub� Nothing special.
19 Mar 2007 13:46
I wouldn�t drink in here by choice but I was dragged in on Saturday night and I thought that it was very quiet.
For a so called Australian pub it seemed devoid of Australians, but there were a lot of creepy blokes on their own trying to pull�.. Shame there was only a handful of women in there.
The live band was OK and the lager was OK and the staff were OK and the bouncers were OK, but the toilet attendant was rude and pushy (even for a toilet attendant).
It is better than the Walkabout in Shepherd�s Bush, but then herpes is better than the walkabout in Shepherd�s Bush.
19 Mar 2007 10:37
Wetherspoons T2L, Heathrow Airport
This is a big boozer that I can imagine always being busy. I�m not a Wetherspoons fan, but this is one of the better ones, which I found surprising for an airport.
19 Mar 2007 10:11
I�m pretty sure that �the dour paddy behind the ramp� has jumped ship and 2 younger blokes are now running The Flask. The staff are fairly friendly and the pub is open until midnight on a Friday and Saturday, but once that last bell goes they suddenly start a mad rush to get everyone out.
The men�s toilet in the lounge bar is one of the most disgusting smelling I have ever been into, but it has always been like that. Maybe Youngs should fork out for a plumber or get the council round to look at the drains.
I would never go out with the intention of drinking in The Flask, but sometimes end up there for the extended last hour at the weekend.
19 Mar 2007 09:46
The Freemasons Arms, Hampstead
The serving of alcohol takes the backburner to the serving of food. I�ve never felt comfortable in this �pub�, having to fight your way through buggies and demented families in the 'waiting to dine area' to get to an empty bar. There is a large beer garden that is nice in the summer, but I think that is the only redeeming feature.
16 Mar 2007 12:49
Just to add to my post on 28 Feb 2007 - I have checked with the staff and the half hour extention is only for Thursday thru Sunday.
15 Mar 2007 15:11
Ha Ha Bar and Canteen, Muswell Hill
I spent an early afternoon in here and thought that the �6.80 for 2 pints of lager was a little extreme. The barman/manager kept disappearing from behind the bar to do more interesting things. When he did return he would give table service, but it�s a pub and not a restaurant (or is it?).
The place was empty except for the tables by the big window front where the youngsters were posing because they were in the most expensive pub around. I had to leave when a plate of the strongest and foulest smelling pasta covered cheese dish was served.
Maybe they should rename it Ego Central.
15 Mar 2007 14:54
Vast improvement from when I was last in there in the summer. Friendly staff and their food was being lapped up by the lunchtime crowd. The new management seem to be making a great effort so I�m not sure about Greendragon�s claim that it is being demolished�� Sour bigot me thinks!
The pool table is still there and they have added a dart board, which is great as most establishments are removing them. A lot of the old seating has been removed and some couches have been put in their place.
My Strongbow was crisp and my friends informed me that the Pride was far better than it used to be.
I won�t comment on what a night in here has to offer as I have only ever been at lunch, but it would be a good venue for away fans getting off at Kew Bridge Station on their way to Griffin Park.
15 Mar 2007 14:20
As the Roundhouse is very close to Leicester Square/Covent Garden, but just far enough away as to not be surrounded with tourists, it is a good place to meet up with friends before going somewhere else.
It is a small pub with a large bar and can get extremely busy, especially during the summer months when the big sets of double doors are opened up and everyone spills out onto the pavement. It can be a pain fighting your way through the mass of people to the downstairs toilets.
I�ve found the bar staff to be fairly miserable, but the booze is well kept and you don�t have to wait very long when it is busy.
15 Mar 2007 11:05
I was very disappointed with The Spoons, especially after it had such a high rating on BITE.
I went in on Thursday night and there were 5 people in there with no sign of the advertised quiz taking place. The barman that served my pint of tangy Stella was a little strange, but the 4 people at the bar watching football on the large screen seemed friendly enough.
It is a large clean place with what I think was a kitchen/serving area at the back of the pub and a pool table downstairs in its own room.
It was like walking into the twilight zone. I don�t know if it has changed management since the good reviews or whether I was just unlucky but I will definitely not be rushing back in a hurry.
13 Mar 2007 14:30
Walking up the steps into O�Neills 3 weeks ago I was thinking to myself �Oh god here we go, I�ve got to try and talk everyone into going some place else�. Thankfully I was completely wrong as I had a great time and ended up being the person who wanted to stay. I have also been back a few times since.
Saturdays are great for any sport that is on and then there is a little wait before the goods that are up for grabs in the meat market start filing in. The perfect Saturday venue for any blokes to be honest and there has been a gurning competition in the toilet every Friday night I have been in there.
Apart from one miserable barmaid the staff are very nice and you always get served the good priced drinks pretty sharpish however busy the bar.
If you like a laugh and don't mind what others get up to you'll like this place.
7 Mar 2007 16:23
This is a reasonable �old man�s� pub on Muswell Hill Broadway. Pretty cheap booze, 2 TV�s and a �1.50 a game pool table. There is a food menu with your usual pub grub on it at very good prices, but I have not tried any so cannot comment on whether the food is edible.
I had a good time in here and stayed until closing, but I still do not understand why in this day and age bar staff can still harass people to leave before time. My girlfriend and I were asked four times by 23:15 to drink up and leave. My annoyance was further compounded by the fact that two of these times were by a drunk off-duty member of staff who then proceeded to pile the stools and chairs onto tables around us. I�m sure that the cleaner in the morning wouldn�t mind spending an extra 3 minutes putting the chairs on the tables.
It was a shame as the regulars are a very friendly lot, but I cannot abide the attitude of �we�ve had your money, now feck off�.
I will go back to The Well, but maybe I�ll leave earlier and have my couple for the road elsewhere.
6 Mar 2007 13:51
The Famous Royal Oak, Muswell Hill
I was advised to go to this pub by a local road sweeper as I was complaining to him that Muswell Hill was devoid of any old local pubs.
I thought this place was great with the friendly locals sitting around the bar and the juke box set at the perfect volume that you could hear it, but didn�t have to talk over it. There was a pool table around the back under a large TV screen and at the other end of the pub were people sitting reading in a surrounding of old books and such paraphernalia.
They closed at midnight on the Friday I was in there and before the bar shut the staff came around and personally told people that the bar was about to close and to order another drink if one was required� Fantastic!!!
It felt great not to be rushed at closing time and I will be back to this pub.
28 Feb 2007 11:28
I used to avoid this place as I thought it was very cliquey but it is a good pub now. It is true that the bar staff make or break a pub and Mel, Rob and Borak are very friendly and are a good laugh.
They have a quiz every thursday night which after all these years is still very popular.
The Stella and Strongbow are excellent and the pub food is pretty good. They definitely have a half hour extension on their license Thursday thru Sunday and this may also be for the rest of the week, but I�m not a 100% sure. Thankfully when it is not busy they no longer close the men�s toilet 15 minutes before time and make everyone use the Woman�s.
The pub is split down the middle for smoking and non-smoking which can be a little annoying as the men�s toilet is in the non-smoking part.
If you�re in Hampstead I would recommend popping in for a visit.
28 Feb 2007 10:16
The Garden Gate, Hampstead Heath
Abundant with expensive premium lagers for which you have to ask to be topped up every time one is ordered.
Half of this large pub is smoking and the other half is not and they have a good food selection.
The bar staff are cold and distant, but I think this is due to the manager only hiring people that have never worked behind the bar before. I was a little put off when I ordered a pint of Star and as the beer was a little lively the barman was pouring some into a half glass and then into my pint glass. Then when I asked if he could top up my � full pint he said �that�s as much as I can fit in�� Hmmm!!!
There is a big beer garden that is great in the summer, but it does very get busy very early.
27 Feb 2007 10:20
The Whittington Stone, Highgate
I was visiting someone at the nearby hospital, so popped into this shytehole. The beer is crap and the beer garden is 5 foot from the main road leading to Archway station.
You can hear the local care in the community psychopaths who have ditched their medication screaming obscenities at and threatening passers by.
Rubbish!
21 Feb 2007 09:26
I popped in for a quick pint but ended up staying for a few more as I really liked this pub. Like most good pubs there were various characters drinking here, from the Oxford professor to the toothless West Country labourer that I had some banter with.
The booze was great and the staff were professional. Whilst I was in there a group of 50 students came in for one of their pub crawl stop-offs and I was rueing the fact that I had not bought a drink before. Thankfully the barmaid had spotted that I had been in the pub for a while and was not part of the group and was served almost immediately, well done that girl!!
When I�m back in Oxford I will definitely make a point of revisiting this place again.
20 Feb 2007 17:27
The Spice of Life, Cambridge Circus
I spent Friday night in this pub standing at the bar with a large group of friends and it was very enjoyable. The staff were very friendly and knowledgeable and the bouncers were very amiable. The place was very busy but there was never a long wait to be served and the barman remembered the 12 drink order every time we required another round.
It was a bit pricey, but you come to expect that in Central London. The available lagers were your bog standard Fosters, Krony and Heineken with a Strongbow thrown in. I�m not a bitter drinker, but I did make note of the AK, Country Best and Winter Ale.
There is a room downstairs that had a group playing some music, but as far as I could see there weren�t many people in there and I think there was a charge to go in, so I didn�t.
If I�m in the area I�ll probably pop in for a few jars, but I wouldn�t make a special trip.
14 Feb 2007 14:53
An unbelievable �3.30 for a pint of Fosters. Asked for half a Guinness and was told by the barmaid �we don�t do halves�. You get your change back on a plate, even the change that I asked for to buy some fags!
I was looking at the lunch menu when another barmaid comes over at 16:00 and switches the menu from the afternoon one to the evening one. Double bubble on the prices, but the food was nice and arrived promptly. However I have been here before and waited over an hour for a cold burger and chips.
I would recommend this place if you are in town and want to watch some sport or are meeting up with a few friends and want to have a couple of games of pool before going on somewhere else. It is called the Sports caf� after all!
Also be weary in the toilet as to avoid being sprayed with lynx and having soap and bog paper thrown at you by the change jingling, lollypop dispensing, teeth sucking, annoyance that is a toilet attendant.
14 Feb 2007 11:27
This pub has been renamed Molly's bar.
I first went in here a couple of weeks ago after a pint in The Bank by New Southgate station and found it to be an improvement (which wasn't hard).
I walked past it twice and when I did find it I nearly carried on walking as it does not look the most welcoming of places from the outside.
I was pleasantly surprised when I entered as there was some good banter at the bar and the barmaid was very friendly.
They serve Krony, Fosters, Strongbow, Guinness and a couple of bitters. I may have forgotten some of the selection due to the flow of Strongbow.
Last Friday night there was a band from Donegal playing and on Saturday night a different band from Donegal playing. Obviously this place gets through its fair share of Guinness!
There is a pool table in the back room but wrap up warm as it is bloody freezing in there.
I wouldn't go out of my way to drink here, but as it is local I can imagine myself spending some time in here watching sky sports over a few pints.
9 Feb 2007 10:12
The Duke of Hamilton, Hampstead
This pub is a pub and not a restaurant/hotel bar/bistro/Starbucks, so if you like the candle on the table, cup of tea/coffee and a gastro menu I would give it a wide berth. If however you enjoy very un-PC conversations, rugby/cricket on the box, a few jars of Pride/ESB/Stella/Carling/Strongbow/Old Rosie and a cheese roll you�ll enjoy the Duke. There is always at least one guest ale on and a large spirit for 3 quid in Hampstead can�t be sniffed at!
I wasn�t there to witness the untimely closing of the Duke on New Years day, but I did hear about it, so I can understand why Tala is so peeved. Nobody wants a good day ruined buy unnecessary rudeness. Though on the whole the staff are friendly and know how to pull a pint and the Landlord is a good laugh if you catch him in a good mood and his staff have turned up for work and his wife is nowhere to be seen.
However, It can get very smoky when it is busy or someone sparks up a double Corona and David Attenborough would have the time of his life in the toilet discovering new species.
8 Feb 2007 08:21
As this pub is opposite New Southgate station I've popped in a couple of times on the way home from work.
There seems to be a dark undercurrent in there that I cannot quite put my finger on. The staff are pleasant enough and the clientele are a little rough round the edges, but not in your face and offensive. I just couldn't help thinking that it could all kick off at the drop of a hat, so I found it difficult to get properly settled.
Saying that they serve cheap beer and you can double up your spirits for an extra 75 pence.
As mentioned before this pub is a Barracuda Pub, so like a weatherspoons with crap music (not blaringly loud though) and a constant sport stream on the tele.
6 Feb 2007 14:29
Gertie Brownes at the Coach and Horses, Hampstead
This fantastic pub unfortunately closed down some months ago now. It's was a real shame as this was a proper boozer where you could let your hair down and have a civilised session.
It is sadly missed.
5 Feb 2007 10:45
The Gunmakers, Clerkenwell
OMG - NO CHIPS IN A PUB!
11 Mar 2010 23:53