BITE user comments - Joseph65
Comments by Joseph65
Glasgow Boy - Good chance I might of seen you there in 84/85 as my family were living on Inverness Terrace at the time. Wasn't my everyday local, but used quite a bit. Didn't like they way they opened it up when I was back in London, but things change. I read last year the property is up for 28M quid or something. Shame.
Cheers
Joe
USA
29 Jan 2015 13:42
Too funny...I thought about this pub when I got back from my London holi's in October. Got off Bromley S vs. North, so I had a few moments to knock down a bottle of Becks waiting for my mate to pick me up. I have never seen a pub as big as this. Maybe being used to city pubs, don't know. For some reason it looked a bit intimitading, but I think it was because of the size and how it might be different when it was rocking at night. Anyway...nice young lady at the bar who was friendly, and the rest of the bar staff seemed to be polite.
Joseph65
USA
24 Jan 2012 19:13
Perfect Spy - Thanks for your review on the closed Australian pub. Sounds like it really changed back from when I was local in the 80s. Really changed ! Couldn't imagine the rough crowd in there. Will always remember the good times in there. Hate seeing the old pubs closing. Cheers.
Joseph65
Baltimore, MD USA
6 Dec 2011 19:54
Was here in October again with another top chap like last year. Maybe because the barstaff know him, I never had any problems getting served. Pluses are cheap pints. 2 quid and change for a pint ain't too bad in these shite times.
Cheers,
Joe
USA
8 Nov 2011 17:30
One of my locals many years ago, and was just back. The Arms just had something about it that makes me come back. Haven't tried the food, but I found the barstaff quite friendly and the manager looked like a good chap. Clean pad to boot. Beers that I had mostly different lagers, were on good form.
Cheers,
Joe
USA
8 Nov 2011 16:16
Was back at the Victoria again the last few weeks in October whilst on vacation. Posted last year and many before that about this one. Friendly staff who always have a smile on their face, good food and cozy atmosphere. Nice outside sitting as well. This hasn't changed since it was my local in the 80s. Well done.
Cheers,
Joe
USA
8 Nov 2011 16:14
Was just at the Duck a few weeks back with my top geezer for few in the early afternoon. Never felt what the previous person wrote, but then again was in most likely at a different time of the day. I liked it. Thought it was quite cozy. Didn't get a vibe with the barstaff as I encountered one of them helping out a tourist on what beer came close to something that they liked. Was here last year too during the rush, but didn't have any problems.
Cheers,
Joe USA
8 Nov 2011 16:11
Ganger - Well done with your history input. Shame about the pubs nowadays.
Cheers,
Joe65
USA
7 Apr 2011 12:57
A mate took me here before I departed the next day after a nice long holi in London. Very intimate and cozy. Nice beers on tap. A real classic.
Joe
USA
8 Dec 2010 13:05
Lived around the corner from this one in the 80s. Wasn't really my local, but when lazy would pop in each week.
They made it much larger when they blew out the glass wall which is a shame. Went in mid October on a Sunday reading the papes. Not bad. Very open and no problem with the barmaids. It didn't feel like a local like it used to be though (previous posting with the tourists). I think having all those tourists tours etc around the area bring them in. Not bad, but noting to go outta the way.
JOE
USA
18 Nov 2010 20:56
The Uxbridge Arms, Notting Hill
Spent a lovely hour plus here on a Sunday in mid October. Stumbled across it as I took a right vs left. Read reviews of it here the past several years, and I am glad I found it. Nice cozy pub. Was a bit quiet when I was there, but it just opened. The barmaid was quite nice. Will go back again when I get back to London.
Joe
USA
18 Nov 2010 17:58
Was here a few times whilst on vacation in London last month before I moved on for the evening.
Good prices, nice wood, clean and all around a pretty nice pub. I didn't get the courier vibe, but the clientele seemed to be young and very cool. No Chavs, scumbags, etc.. I actually liked it.
Joe
USA
9 Nov 2010 19:23
Was in London for 2 weeks plus and made sure I went back to one of my old local haunts from the 80s. Nothing much has changed at all. Great beers, lovely setting, fire place, great food and service with a smile. Well done.
Joseph65
USA
1 Nov 2010 13:43
John - Good news about the Kings. I see your responses, and I trust your judgement. I was back here again in 2001 after a 14 yr UK hiatus and then last in 2004. This was one of my locals back in the mid to late 80s. A few pints and then off somewhere else, but always made it. The decor never changed, and when I was there, they always seemed to have a good manager. I remember Hurlimans being served in 84/85 that was toxic !
Cheers for the update.
Joseph65
18 Feb 2010 13:09
Pat - Heard the same too. Too sad. It was never my local, but used to stop in here and there in the mid 80s. My Mom and Dad were quite the regulars back then. In fact one the bartenders, Paul, a South African chap came to work and stay at our beach home in the U.S.
It saddens me reading about all the pub closures. I am just glad I lived in the UK when I did.
R/Joe
18 May 2009 18:33
A shame to hear about one of my locals from the 80s era. This used to be one of the coolest little pubs to chill. I knew once this was picked up by Madge and all the other ponce co-owners, it was going turn into a total annoying hoorah, fake gangsters, etc..
31 Mar 2009 18:04
The Only Running Footman, Mayfair
Such a shame. This used to be a cozy little pub when I used to be a regular in the mid to late 80s. Good food, nice little fire going on, good customers, juke box, etc.. Revisited in 2001, and it was beat up.
I am amazed how pubs can go in the toilet. I will always remember the Footman as it used to be.
Joe USA
5 Mar 2009 18:49
Tiger Tiger, Piccadilly Circus
When I get back to London, I will check this out for a good laugh and then leave without having a pint. If you want to see the best write up of this joint, check out Pgazz's review of 30 May 2005. Classic - I even cut and pasted that out to my mates around the world.
BTW,Where is the famous PGazz ? Miss his majestic reviews !
Cheers, Joseph65
18 Sep 2008 14:46
I just read that Madge and his wife are going to do a make over of the P'Bowl ? What a disgrace. Another classic pub going to be ruined.
Joseph65
25 Apr 2008 12:25
Finally found this pub after years of trying to look for it in this site. I enjoyed this boozer when I was back a few years ago. I am sorry I didn't make it one of my locals when I used to go to the Footman, Punchbowl, The Grapes, etc.. many moons ago. It's been a while (2004), but I found the place clean and the staff very pleasant. I will hit when I get back.
Joseph65
18 Mar 2008 17:40
Q'man - I just the saw the same thing. What a bummer! I hope it doesn't run out the local crowd who I used to enjoy when I would come back to London.
Cheers.
Joseph65
4 Mar 2008 17:30
Just saw a pic of the Aussie being boarded up with scaffolding around it. Story in the Beeb saying it's being turned into office spaces and flats.
What a bummer. A little sloany pony back in the 80s, but this was pretty much my local back in the day. Some real good piss ups, darts and taking the piss out of the real sloane rangers lot. I am glad I hit in 2001.
Joseph65
Baltimore, MD USA
7 Feb 2008 20:45
The Hog in the Pound, Bond Street
I believe yer right Strummerville. My mate from NYC just sent me this today from the Beeb website about pubs closing. You know it's bad that 3 of my locals were on the there as well !
This pub will always bring back memories of good times. Uusally the last pub to hit for yer final lager as you needed to get home before you got too pissed (miweek boozer mind you).
This was a stop by boozer I thought. If you ate any food here, you'd be crazy. A classic pub in it's own way. Thank good I got to go a few times several years ago before it closes.
Joseph65
Baltimore, MD USA
7 Feb 2008 20:38
Anon - Cheers ! Same age as you are, and had some mates who lived on Cadogan Square, so the Australian was sort of our local. Tons of Slonie Ponies in my age bracket back then, but our lot consisted of piss artists and not the up tight sort. And trust me, their was quite a bit ! Concur with yer thoughts, and it is a real shame that it's boarded up. I even have a picture up on the fridge at home of us sucking down pints, so got a tad of it living stateside with me.
Heath - Didn't know ACS was around the corner. I went to London Central in High Wycombe 79-82. We just found out their shutting it down for good in May. Bummer.
Joseph65
Baltimore, MD USA
12 Apr 2007 19:58
I can see where Stonch is coming from. I posted a listing on this ages ago, and used this pub tons of times in the 80s and when I go back to London now. It's one of my local stops before I carry on to others.
It did change hands in 2001 from a top geezer who was pissed quite a bit, but won best pub food for that year.
This pub is much better during post work hours where the touristy vibe dissapears. However, during the a'noons (post lunch)it seems to suck in the boring tourists. Spot on Stonch - Its (tourists)like they're forcing themselves to be in a pub because at least they can they have been in one. Odd.
Cheers,
Joseph65
USA
15 Feb 2007 19:26
Was only here once 5 yrs ago with some locals who live in Mayfair. Top Pie if you like it. Must be an English thing because I thought it was gross (liver). Others had steak which I tasted and it was outstanding. Spotless, old style and a bit pricey. Nice to see a good old fashion boozer still around. Would go back.
Joseph65
20 Dec 2006 19:41
Anon - I believe that is what a publican told my mate in July. A real shame. It was a real jewel many years back, and don't understand why as it was a pub that never attracted any trouble for the 'hood. If yer as old as me, pls let me know as I would love to hunt down some cats I used to hang out with there all the time between 84-87. Cheers. Joseph65
13 Nov 2006 16:23
Is this still a gay bar ? A mate and I stumbled in this pub many moons ago, only to find out a pub full of chaps were checking us out with twinkles in their eyes. Drank fast and split. It was pretty much a dump back in the 80s, but how seems to be cracking. Will have to check out.
Joseph65
USA
13 Oct 2006 17:10
Concur with the past comments. I have been trying to find this pub for ages as it was my hang out before meeting my mate coming off work on Garrick while visting London. Great place to chill and watch the people waltz by. Cannot comment on the ale, but had good lagers. Also, bar staff were cool too for an area that can get a bit hectic. Look forward to going back.
Joseph65
USA
27 Sep 2006 14:15
Beeronaut - Many thanks mate ! Man, what the eff is going on over there ? What a shame. Two pubs not even 100 yards away, shut down. Didn't do the Shuckburgh Arms much, but had a lovely time there by myself in '01 when I was only boozer in the place. Leaves me now with The Cod to go to whilst pub hopping.
Thanks for the update.
Joe USA
28 Aug 2006 15:50
Squatter - I hear you. Used to live at this pub between '84-87. Die hard regular and it was a total gas. A lot of hoorah henry's, but we were all 19 or so and all we wanted to do is to get pissed. It is a shame, and I do not look forward telling all my mates and family back here in the states the bad news. Just lucky I was able to see it again 5 yrs ago. My mate was told by another publican that it was being turned over for real estate
Hey - Since you used to go there, is the Shuckburgh (sp?)Arms still down the street ? It was in'01 and I do not believe it's in this bite website.
Cheers,
Joe usa
9 Aug 2006 20:24
A mate of mine just told me the news last week while visiting London. What a shame. Used to be such a good pub in the 80s. I told him that I was there in '01 and it was open. RIP
31 Jul 2006 14:47
The Marquess Tavern, Canonbury
Oops, forgot to say, that it got totally redone with some help from the folks at The Ivy (food wise). Ale supposed to be good as well.
Sorry - Jose
12 May 2006 12:49
The Marquess Tavern, Canonbury
I belong to a website back here in the states that gives me the skinny every day on what's new and what to check out in London as far as pubs, eateries, fashion and all that shite.
Anyway, todays story was of this pub and how it supposed to be, as one of yer great reviewers put in a review, "the dogs bollocks."
Pls let me know if this is the case, so when I get back in October, I'll check it out.
Cheers,
Jose USA
12 May 2006 12:19
The Hog in the Pound, Bond Street
Haven't been back here since '02, but used to pop in here on the way to other watering holes back in the 80s. Being a yank living in London, I stayed away from the place because it was just loaded with tourists, smokey, slow service, etc.. It was same 18 yrs later. If you want a quiet pint and no tourists, go else where.
28 Feb 2006 20:01
The Dirty Duck, Stratford Upon Avon
This brings back some wicked memories of a weekend in a cottage house for a long weekend back in '86. Can't believe it's here. Great pub. Had a lot of good laughs here with the family and still even have the classic pictures of us slowly getting pissed. Sounds like it's still holding up.
12 Oct 2005 19:54
The Bricklayer's Arms, Marble Arch
Nice cozy pub. I believe they do good food as it was packed when I went there with people chowing down. Will go back and it seems like it blocks out the tourists off of Oxford St.
29 Sep 2005 19:32
Cheers for the heads up. Will have to check it out. From my last posting here, a lot of funny times in this place. Especially my brother seeing some geezer getting bottled for the first time. Priceless. Cheers/Joe
29 Sep 2005 17:30
I have been going to this pub since 2001 while visiting London and waiting for my mate to finish her day as a casting agent. Always had a good pint and good conversations with the bartenders. Clean and safe (no dodgy looking chaps looking for a pick). Don't know if I would make it my boozer for the night, but spent quite a few times sucking down pints.
26 Sep 2005 20:34
The Soldiers Return, West Ruislip
A godamn classic this one. Got pissed plenty of times at this juicer.
26 Sep 2005 18:14
This wasn't that bad of a pub. At least the service was good and it was better than sitting at the grapes staring up at ceiling bored out of yer effing skull.
cheers/joseph
22 Aug 2005 13:36
It's a shame about this one judging from the alesluggaz ! We used to go here quite a bit in the very early 80s. Mind you, it was more my parents pub, but it had a cozy feel to it.
Joseph
8 Aug 2005 20:23
Was in this one visiting the missus's mum last year. They got boring, I went for a boozer. A bit smokey and dull. Wouldn't recommend it.
Joseph
8 Aug 2005 20:19
The Coach and Horses, Ickenham
Hee, Hee. Man, do I remember this pub back in the very early 80s. Used to be rough where most of enjoyment was puffing outside vs drinking pints. A lot of dirtbags as well. It was always a nice pub inside though. Looks good now w/the picture. Will be heading out to the burbs when I get back to visit the UK in a few months and will have to check it out for old times sake.
Joseph65
25 Jul 2005 19:53
Not that bad. Used to live around the corner of this pub in the 80s. Back then it was sometimes a bit nutty, but comfy. Looks like they gutted a lot of things in there. A bit bland looking. I prefer taking a left outside the pub and walking up to the leinster arms about 4 blocks up. cheers/joe
5 Jul 2005 19:50
John,
Cheers, my old china ! I will make a visit back to this one this October when I go back for my annual trip. It's a real shame how a lot of the pubs lack the feel that I was so accustom to when I had the wonderful opportunity to live in your country as a teen and an adult. However, there are still a ton of them around. Miss hanging out at the pubs. All of us Yanks are quite jealous of them compared to the "Genrica" bars, restaurants, etc. that are all over the US. Disgusting ! Maybe I'll see you there for a pint in October.
Cheerio,
Joe
7 Jun 2005 14:42
The Royal Standard of England, Beaconsfield
Haven't been to this one in ages, but went a lot in the 80s. Concur with the input here. Very cozy, and a ton of history if I can recall (Charles 1 hiding out there ?). And of course the famous Jolly Roger if it's still on the pump.
cheers,
joseph65 usa
7 Jun 2005 14:20
Good to see the Lion keeping up with it's image. My parents used to practically lived there while we lived in London. Haven't been back to it since '85 or so. I bypassed it all the times while I was back in town only because it used to have very odd hours.
25 Apr 2005 18:29
The Lamb and Flag, Covent Garden
Stumbled across this one last September. Agree with Travis. I was just bying time and came across it. I have no idea how to get back there or let alone trying to give instructions out. Good pub and good service. I believe this first pub that I have ever been to that actually served Lowenbrau on tap. Cheers Joe USA
11 Apr 2005 16:17
The Marlborough Head, Marble Arch
Ooopaloopa - Yes, the building up the street is the us naval headquarters and we used to go the head quite a bit. thank god the crew i hung out with were some what cultured and didn't fill the ugly american cast ! I totally forgot about sitting outside of this place in the summer. had a lot of good piss ups here.
28 Mar 2005 16:53
The Coborn Arms, Bow
Alistair - Bummer news about my old haunt. I believe I was the first to post on this site years ago about how much I really liked it. At that time, my old gf lived at the Wellington Bldgs, so I was always here. It was a proper 'hood boozer with really good food. Glad I was there back in the day. Cheers. Joe USA
9 Apr 2015 17:33