please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Recent visit very early Saturday afternoon. Using my trusty Cask Marque app, I found my way to the White Hart after a morning at the British Museum. Quite empty at that time. The interior is a little brighter than most pubs, painted largely in white. I found this a refreshing change from the dreary and dank one often encounters. Solid if somewhat pricey pour of Pride but I appreciated access to the newspapers so I lingered. Staff was fine considering the minimal interaction needed to order and serve up a beer. I imagine this place is jammed on weekdays but this was a quiet and very pleasant - restful even - visit
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Interior nothing special to look at, with ducting from the air conditioning hanging from the ceiling. Took ages to get served. Clientele mostly young and boisterous. I understand the food is good but we didn't stop to find out.
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I recently found myself in the White Hart because I overnighted in Travelodge opposite.
I nearly walked out again but after a long wait I eventually was served by a Barmaid who needed another few Minutes of hand signals to direct Her to the Bottle of Laphroaig.
A third rate Suburban Pub some how transplanted to central London.
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Shoulder barge through the small entrance clogged with desperate smokers, pass under the ludicrous and increasingly ridiculous claim to be the oldest licensed premises in London, and you may be lucky enough to grab a table in this pub that looks like it has been refurbished by someone who spends a lot of time reading Sunday supplement style magazines. All the swirly chintz and curtains and sparkly chandeliers can't hide the fact that they should perhaps spend more time reading the Food and Drink supplements instead though. The pint of London Pride I had made be gag and retch like a quivering meths drinking wreck and ensured that I left as soon as I possibly could into the wilds of Bloomsbury to search for a decent pint that didn't taste of stale vinegar and warm furniture polish.
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Officially the 'oldest licensed premises in London', as it says outside on an antiquated blackboard. Yet upon entrance it's recently been done up and is so refreshingly modern even Michael J Fox would be impressed. The 'all girl' bar staff has been compromised by a new male manager with a box beard and peculiarly small hands I noticed as he was pouring my seventh pint of Hoegaarden. The urinals came fitted with pipes which took my watery booze-filled piss into the sewers, which was a novelty for me having spent my earlier evening in the yellow paddling pool known as Brown Sugar. The cubicles had no paper though, so it's a good job ASDA was sold out of Brussell Sprouts the night before. Top bant.
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Having traipsed up from Holborn as the Central Line was closed for a bit, I chanced upon this place on a weekday lunchtime and nipped in for a quickie. There was a stack of scaffolding up outside so it took me a couple of minutes to actually recognise it as a pub: West London currently resembles a huge building site.
From the outside, especially sans signage, the pub looked like one of those minute "snug" places that are still dotted round London.
Inside, this proved completely misleading, as the bar covers the central pub area in a narrow (ish) corridor and is bookended by two medium sized drinking areas.
Anyway, couple of very nice Amstels and a delicious rare roast beef salad (my concession to a healthy diet), and service was quick and polite - although the place was only half full. . And yes, the bar staff are very pretty.
Furniture was comfy, place was nicely decorated, semi-raucous photos behind the bar were slightly incongruous with the rest of the design, but I spose the biggest recmmendation would be that I would definitely return, take a mate or two, and have a lunch with maybe a couple of extra ales for dessert...
By the way, one other recommendation (in my book at least) was the diversity of clientele all enjoying lunch and a drink in a very nice atmosphere, including a couple of familes. Highly recommended pub, particularly for this part of town.
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well, it is not the oldest pub in London for a start; that is irresponsible marketing. but, if they majored on food it would do very, very well. i have eaten at nearby restaurants with michelin stars and whatnot and the menu here compares favourably. for value, this place is phenomenal: a tenner for exceptional food is very good. pity that the beer is not good, the staff are beautiful and friendly but not very good at serving a decent pint.
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Pretty decent effort of a pub all in all. Cute barstaff that have obviously bucked their ideas up since previous reviewers visited, as there was no long wait for a drink and they were perfectly friendly to strangers like myself.
Choice of beer about average, but quality pretty good and prices par for the course.
Nicely decorated with comfy furniture and not too rammed or noisy, so a nice place to drop into for a couple of pints and a chat with your friends.
The pictures behind the bar of various drinkers who range from the local "characters" to C-list celebs are a bit off-putting but it doesn't seem to be particularly up itself or self-consciously whacky despite this.
If you are in the neighbourhood you can do a lot worse but not really worth making a specific destination for an evening's drinking. Although one of the barmaids is very attractive.
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I had to smile when I read the comments about delays in getting served I felt like the invisible man stood at the bar, it was very obvious that the staff were inclined to ignore you and serve familiar faces first regardless of how long you had been at the bar It wont put me off going back as I liked the place but you should not have to feel like being rude in order to get served. And as for Dick Turpin being a regular wasnt he hung in York ? perhaps he popped in once and got fed up waiting to get served and headed north.
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this pub has been done up in the last 6 months or so, what they have achieved is quite a pleasant lively bar which is worth ducking in to if you are in the area but I wouldn't go out of your way.
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Went in here last night for a quiet drink. Nice looking pub (claiming, somewhat dubiously, to be the oldest in London). Slow bar staff who would rather chat to each other than serve you, but otherwise a pleasant experience, with room to breathe.
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I can't stand this pub. It has no atmosphere, the bar staff are reluctant to serve you (my friend had to wait over half an hour for one drink on a Tuesday night!) and the female staff only ever serve the male customers when it's a little busy, seeming to have no idea of the concept 'first come, first served'. I'm about to look up other pubs open past 11pm on a Tuesday otherwise I'll be forced to keep drinking there for want of an alternative.
anonymous - 4 May 2007 15:31 |
nice place , frienly staff and great atmosphere
anonymous - 16 Apr 2007 16:12 |
I used to love the White Hart - mainly because it stayed open when all the others were shut. However, a couple of weeks ago I left my jacket behind. When I went back to fetch it the staff were just leaving. I asked if s'one had left a jacket (describing it) they said yes. I asked if they'd mind getting it. They said, YES!. I was stunned. Then the guy slammed the door and posted the keys through the letter box saying:'Too late now'. As far as I'm concerned, it's one to boycott from now on - I'm going along with Charlotte (below) on this one.
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Pub is softly decorated in a light green and gold. End room extention is like an Edwardian dolls house drawing room. Not the White Hart of my City Lit days - all character has been removed. London Pride the only cask on offer.
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another find in the west end use to be a god awful scream pub but mand b have finaly done something right a peaceful busy place where a luch time drink can turn into anything. Staff a are great becuse they will talk to you with out judgement.Put me in mind of the spice of life just with out the great music.
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I actually take back what I said below. Went in there the other night, took 25 minutes to get served on a reasonably quiet Saturday night despite having about five bar staff on, most of which were standing around talking to their mates. Got told I couldn't have any change for the fag machine and got our pints taken of us at about five minutes after time was called. Staff were slow and rude to all of my gang, think they were all unhappy about having to work an extra hour till 2am. There are other pubs in the area with a late license now which me and my folks will head to instead from now on!
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Lovely pub and good food. Staff are not that friendly and lacks a bit of atmosphere but well worth a visit especially for a late night drink as their open till 1am at the weekend.
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�2.90 for a pint of lager. tastsy barmaids. nice enough; beats an All Bar Slug & Lettuce
oliver_penney - 23 Apr 2004 15:41 |
Given the title oldest licensed premise in London I expected more in the way of atmosphere and real ale.
Not really my scene
Acid Sorceror - 18 Feb 2004 09:45 |
Under new(ish) ownership, this is now a highly individual pub with eccentric but tasteful furnishings designed to compliment the low light levels and provide for a relaxed, warm atmosphere. The background music is audible but not intrusive. Has a very late licence as well to cater for the theatre crowds (hic!). A treasure trove.
Pendar - 5 Jan 2004 19:37 |
Really nice pub, good beer, and good snacks and meals. Not too busy/quiet after work, and very friendly and professional staff. Recommended.
Dermot (Brain Surgeon) - 4 Dec 2003 19:39 |
This is a great pub for a good night out. Not being a regular in London we had a good time and didn`t feel ripped off.Thanks to the friendly staff, good food and resonable priced drinks give it a try
Phil Criddle - 3 Dec 2003 18:18 |
Thank God it's changed. Now it's simply my favourite pub in town. Great staff (bloody gorgeous barmaids - what I would do ... ) and a wonderful atmosphere. And it's just across the road from the Shaftesbury Theatre (where 'Thoroughly Modern Millie' previews from Oct 11). Despite the job titles of others it's not just a suit's pub, all are welcome.
Peter - 27 Sep 2003 19:19 |
Knowing this bar previously as a scream, I popped in out of desperation to use the loo & ended up staying for 6 gin & tonics & a plate of prawns. Everyone should go there. Please change that out of date picture.
Nicola Scott - 31 Jul 2003 20:42 |
Fantastic bar, great staff, very friendly, bar maids were very cute, and my food was increadible. I remember this as a scream bar & you wouldn't think your in the same place. I am now very much a regular visitor.
Peter Canon (new business executive) - 31 Jul 2003 20:37 |
What a transformation, this pub is now a funky bar. I had one of my best nights in London that i've had for a long, long time. recommend it to anyone.
Simon Smith (bank manager) - 31 Jul 2003 20:30 |
Pub has changed hands recently and now is a much more relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere. The staff are very polite and efficient and the quality of drinks on offer has improved markedly. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a traditional 'pub like' night out.
Matt Thorley - 24 Mar 2003 18:31 |
Hi, actually, The White Hart has been chenged! This is not a Screm Pub anymore, and now, instead of pool table, they've got a nice piano! It's changed all the atmosphere, and as old customers used to say, it's diferent, but better. Also, the fresh food is really nice and highly recomended!
Paula - 11 Mar 2003 23:26 |
Pub will no longer be a Scream outlet. changing hands and is going to be a bar/restaurant. I was the boss, and maybe all you folks would still be drinking there if you weren't all coked up to the eyeballs and watching certain old assistant managers steal your drinks for you. now stick it up your ass.
Dicky - 21 Feb 2003 10:40 |
I went to this place last night (12.02.03) to watch England v Australia (footy) to find out it was closed. It is either being refurbished or is closed for good. Anyone know what is going on?
Kevin S - 13 Feb 2003 15:01 |
My friend John would like to appoligise to the girl who he accidently hit in the EYE with the ball from the pool table when he somehow "lost control of it"!
Katie - 23 Jul 2002 15:14 |
Hi, my names Jamie. I go to the White Hart every Thursday and generally hang out and have a good time (I'm very cool you know). Hope to see you in there sometime
Jay - 17 May 2002 17:22 |
I remember the good old days, when you automatically had a yellow card just for turning up, your poison was poured before you even got to the bar, and the lighting was subdued and welcoming. Now the harsh overheads make you feel like you are being interrogated by Nazi's for the privilege of paying prices that wouldn't be out of place in the Met bar. And the beer is shit.
Geoff - 17 May 2002 15:49 |
They show football on a couple of screens around the place as well.
Dave - 3 May 2002 11:10 |
I once went past this pub on a tour bus. Looked good. Pity the bus didn't stop though, bastards.
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