The Prospect of Whitby, Wapping

The PoW has recently, in my opinion, lost some of its charm. The old landlord/manager left and this started the downward trend topped off by the recent "refurbishment". Used to feel a homely pub welcoming you off of the street on a cold winters evening.. now you have to wait ages to be served by staff who tend to hide from customers talking in the kitchen rather than serve them.
Don't get me wrong, it is still a great pub, just not what it was. Haven't eaten here in a few months so no comment on the food. London Prices for everything else.. Worth a visit if in the area. The Captain Kidd in Wapping although not having the genuine history of the PoW does serve a good pint and is considerably cheaper with a great friendly atmosphere and very efficient and polite bar staff.

4 Dec 2006 14:47

The Ship and Whale, Rotherhithe

How a local should be. Alcohol, good food & friendly staff who remember you and are polite and efficient. Has been through a number of owners in the past few years but the current owners have it right. Pub quizzes can be annoying if you don't want to join in - or great fun if you do - only once a week and not on a traditional "night out" evening. Beers in the form of lager are somewhat limited in my opinion but there ales and Guinness. Food delicious but like the beer ( bottled in particular ) is at the top end of reasonably priced. But it keeps the riff-raff out ( if you had been in here 7-10, even 5 years ago you will know what I mean - I think they are all at the Moby Dick now ) and still manages to create a good atmosphere that is lively without being rude and obtrusive. Best place in SE16 ( although a couple of pubs along Rotherhithe Street obviously beat it on river views etc ).

4 Dec 2006 14:35

Moby Dick, Surrey Quays

Great location, on the edge of the dock, large "panaromic" windows and an outside space in the summer. So why is this pub so dire ? Decor inside doesn't appear to have had any attention or money spent on it - I know the concrete is part of the building but there are ways to minimise this.
I would say this pub, in general, seems to attract the lower end of the social/evolutionary scale in Surrey Quays - not quite straight out of the dock water and up to the bar.. but not far off.. Much better pubs in SE16 and surrounding area.

4 Dec 2006 14:14