BITE user comments - GibTom
Comments by GibTom
Decent if unspectacular pub in amongst the tailors, cigar shops and hunting outfitters of St James'.
A Taylor Walker pub with three or four ales on pump, I had a nice pint of Spitfire.
Pub is just a little bit soulless, fairly transient custom; nice to pop in for one but not really the sort of place you would spend the whole night.
Popped in at eight on a Saturday evening; only one barman working, who was Eastern European. Sadly, his limited grasp of English meant a huge wait to be served while the chap before me struggled to place a food order. Curious staffing choice.
Basically OK to pop in, nice pint, 5/10
3 Aug 2011 17:57
The Hole In The Wall, Waterloo
Curious pub hidden in the railway arches behind Waterloo station. Comparatively difficult to find, which can give the place a pleasantly secretive, clubbable feel. Two rooms, the first a small, cosy public bar; the second a larger, spacious room of wooden tables, music and fruit machines. Beer garden not the most pleasant in aspect but the metal canopy, barbed wire and roar of trains overhead brings to mind an air raid shelter, though with real ale and two (silent) TVs.�
Clientele is mixed, and transient, given the proximity of the station.
Decent selection of half a dozen or so real ales; generally those commonly seen, though TEA is always welcome. I enjoyed a very pleasant pint of from the. brewery, sadly pulled by a spectacularly miserable barmaid.�
Overall a fabulous destination, especially late at night, sacrificing the 10pm train for the 11pm on order to have a couple of pints and enjoy the unique location.
Highly recommended 7.5/10
2 Aug 2011 17:06
Superb, small pub in a quiet location an inconveniently long, steeply uphill walk from Clapham Junction.
The pub is, in many respects, a country pub transplanted to south west London. Cheerful, friendly staff and a slightly rustic decor create a delightful, cosy atmosphere. Chairs, as I frequently remark, are often overlooked, and here they are deep, cushioned and comfy.
This is a Fullers house, with Pride, ESB and Elsie Mo on tap at the time of my visit. I enjoyed a smooth, well-kept pint of the latter, perhaps the cause of some bias as this is a favourite ale of mine at present.
Televisions are strategically positioned throughout the bar for sky sports. Some lovely old pictures on the walls and a classic 1950s jukebox.
A fine hidden treasure, worth an effort as it's the sort of place to stay for a while. As close to a quiet countryside village pub as I've seen in a while in London. Great place, can only mark it down on beer choice.�
8/10
2 Aug 2011 17:03
Huge disappointment!
The pub is adorned with all manner of awards an accolades it has recently received; presumably so much so it feels it no longer needs to make any effort.
Entered to find the place stinking of sweat and dirt, and not very clean. One of these pubs where the regulars look at a stranger as if you have three heads. Self-same group saw my choice of ale and one politely asked "fuck you wanna drink that for?" Miserable monosyllabic barman ignored them.
Couldn't abide the smell so sat in the pleasant beer garden.�
Real shame as had such high hopes given the awards it has won.
Only come here if you've been a regular for at least 30 years. Others not welcome.
2 Aug 2011 16:58
Kings Head, Mayfair
Like a lot of pubs, one that changes nature a lot depending on the time of your visit. I imagine this is packed with office workers on a Friday evening, but was very quiet on my visit at ten o'clock on a Saturday night.
Nice Nicholson's house, as mentioned by a reviewer below, it is larger than most pubs in this part of town. Very nice selection of ten or so ales; very pleasant, refreshing and well-kept summer ale. Found the staff to be particularly friendly and attentive.
Only real issue was a riduiculously loud, rowdy group in one corner; it isn't really that sort of pub, and this lot were annoying everyone else there. Appreciate that this one is tricky for pubs to handle but they were slowly leaking custom to the Goat Tavern across the lane; shame a quiet word couldn't have been had.
Overall, by no means a destination pub, but a reliable Nicholson's effort and one of the better stops in the area. 7/10
3 Aug 2011 18:14