please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
With this location, a pub like this is never not going to be full of suits while a bunch of people on the pavement outside is yet more evidence of how right The Fall were to title a song 'British People in Hot Weather'. A pint of Inferno from Oakham was most welcome though and meant having to avoid the other more humdrum offerings.
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Went here this evening around 8pm. Ordered Glazed Chicken with side of green veg and scampi and chips. Food brought to table cold, so sent it back. Ten minutes later food returns, just a cold. Really unimpressed. Beer was fine, though.
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Very disappointing - a pint of Moleskin (usually one of my favourites) was clearly badly off, very vinegary. The bar man refused to change it as he "didn't know anything about beer" and called the bar manager, who insisted it was meant to be "fruity and hoppy". I pointed this didn't mean vinegary, and he eventually changed it, with a bad grace, and was rude and off-hand all afternoon. Sharps Doombar was fine, but ran out after one pint.
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Hit and miss in my opinion. A pack of crisps and a half of Harviestoun Engine oil £3! Not the best of service on my visit, especially a supervisor rollocking a member of barstaff in full view of the customers!
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I think pablondon's comments re the staff are a bit unfair - some of the staffs' English leaves a bit to be desired and some of them perhaps haven't yet got to grips with english bar etiquette but on the whole I think they do a fair job (no worse than many other pubs in central London I've frequented). Always an excellent range of ales with 'reasonable' prices (for central london anyway!).
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Very unfriendly staff but that doesn't stop it being a very nice pub, with great ales, staff don't smile or say please or thank you. Terrible customer service but can forgive as has some great ales and a nice interior. Would be a great pub if they got rid of some of the staff
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Great looking place from outside and equally welcoming on the inside. The bar sported several beers, and the Thwaites Mild I had was well kept.
The inside has a nice Victorian look, with plenty of wood and etched windows, certainly worth a visit if you are passing.
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Was in here recently (against my better judgment!) and was amazed to see Paul Weller propping up the bar downing Turbo Shandys (pints of lager with a shot of vodka in them).
Not the greatest...in fact it's dump so give it a swerve....
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Of all the pubs immediately nearest to St James tube Stn, this is the better one. It's probably because it's a Nicholson's and they seem understand what makes a pub work. No complaints about the staff or the beer. Plenty of room inside, can be often be busy and noisy.
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Not impressed at all. It was a busy Saturday, it was crowded, but how long do they expect people to wait to be served? We left bemused by the lack of 'everything'!
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The fish & chips is pretty good here. As a pub, on the whole, it is pretty average. Beer average; staff average; atmosphere average.
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Typical Nicholsons - nice enough - big dining area at back of pub, nice enough for a drink after work - pretty busy with suits and probably half of Scotland Yard!
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Popped in on a Tuesday night, very quiet, handful of people in. Very nice pub, typical Nicolsons, no complaints whatsoever. Good selection of beer, very friendly barman, shame it's not more central but worth the effort and being opposite St James Park underground easy to get to.
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Well as I gave this a 1 last time I was in there I am very happy to say that has now gone to a 8. Excellent choice of real ale, good service and pleasent surounds. Still a little un -atmospheric but still good. :-)
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Yep it's in my view another very decent Nicholsons pub in London...what would we do without them?
Beer good...Food good...Location good...
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I came back in here a few weeks ago after moving away from the area, and I have to say it's not a bad pub now. About 18 months ago ago they changed managers and the beer took a terrible dip for the worse, but it seems to have gone back up to it's previous good standard. A nice selection of ales...usually about 5 on at any one time, and certainly no more expensive than anywhere else around here. It is better than the competition without doubt.
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Pride in here still �2.50 there are other ales too, wouldnt really eat in here ( better places far cheaper locally ) Recommend for a beer & quiet drink though! Has a good selection of Malt ( Oban ) very good!
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Excellant Nicholson pub, I found the staff friendly yesterday (Early afternoon). Good selection of Ales on including Morrisy Fox. Nice Decor with Mirrors and wood panelling everywhere. impressive Chandeliers and music you could hear but was not too load so that you could not hear yourself talk. This very busy pub (Lunchtime) was well worth a visit and I would definately return again.
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This pub is standard Nicholsons: affordable pub food, traditional decor, OK range of ale. But I would echo what other posters have said about the staff. The bar boys and girls are unsmilingly efficient. Beware the waiters though. On my last visit, on a busy night, my party stood around a tiny table and ordered food. When a bigger table with seating became free nearby, we sat at it and kept an eye out for the waiter. When he came round with the food and discovered we were at a different table, he kept the food and went off to get a lady who came over to shout at us for moving tables. If she is the manager, I understand why the staff are so unsmiling. They are probably terrified. I won't come back. Thoroughly unpleasant.
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Yes sometimes the staff are a bit unsmiling but I have never had a problem with short measures. I think that if its Ale sometimes its a bit frothy and may need a top up but I can't see that they would have a problem with that. I run a pub and mine don't. And we teach the staff to serve with a head as otherwise it looks flat.
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The food is great the beer ok, yes its under �3 a pint but its such a pity they do not fill the glass. I get fed up with asking for a top up, I'm serious about taking my business elsewhere.
It wouldn't do the staff any harm to smile and actually make the punters feel welcome either, after all it is a public house.
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Well, been drinking here for 10 years. Currently no Irish people working at The Feathers, so I'm guessing the previous comments are just sour grapes?
Every bar in the area has mice (if they tell you different, they're lying!) because of the tube station and the amount of building work going on. As long as they don't try to steal your drink don't worry about it!
Have always found the staff here friendly and helpful, and the selection of beer and ales is always kept in good order....
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Dreadful!! Went in there today and the barmaid asked for my I.D. Since I am 33 and have never been asked, I don't make a habit of carrying my passport with me. She then called her Manager, an Irish lady who laughed in my face when I explained I was 33. They were unecessarily rude and for this reason I will let my colleagues know to stick to the Old Star just around the corner where the service is much friendlier. The inside looked very grotty and as we were leaving we saw two mice running behind the barmaid. She did not look surprised at all even though they serve food..
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This is a Nicholson�s pub, with a pretty good ale selection available � London Pride; Doom Bar; Tribute; Bombardier; and Landlord. All were under �3 a pint. I don�t think I can add much to HTM69�s informative review below � except perhaps to stress the attractive (possibly original) wood panelled walls. There�s also some rather nice leaded lights above the front of the pub. There is also a large skylight above the raised area at the back of the pub � possibly there was a billiards table there at some time, or maybe it just serves to give some welcome natural light to the back of the pub.
I came in here in the 60s � I can�t remember much about it, but I do remember that it was a fairly basic boozer then. It�s nothing like a backstreet boozer now of course, but it�s not a bad pub. Not really worth going out of your way for, but OK nonetheless.
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EnglishGent - agreed. Bloody tube staff drinking when they should be working (or striking).
Pie was great in here, set me up for a lovely afternoon food coma and the Deuchars was pretty good when I had it last.
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Popped in a few weeks ago and am glad to see that the mice are still entertaining.
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The Feathers is a Nicholson�s establishment and is situated just opposite St James Park tube station. I have paid several visits of late and have left satisfied on each occasion. A large, rambling and spacious interior is immediately evident upon entry, although despite the size, seating is somewhat limited in the main hub of the bar. Towards the back, however, there are enough tables to satisfy: although, they are perhaps best suited to larger groups, than the solitary drinker � admittedly, I usually prop myself up against one of the large pillars! Dinning facilities are available upstairs, though the opportunity for exploration has yet to be taken up. Background music is sometimes aired, though is gladly unobtrusive. Naturally, you should expect your fellow patrons to consist of nearby office workers, tourists and the odd stray. As per usual with the chain, there is a decent array of ale options. As well as guests � Caledonian Raspberry Fool was on good form � there are several of the usual suspects: Landlord, London Pride and Black Sheep � with prices being reasonable, also. The level of service has been satisfactory, with staff proving to be efficient, polite and attentive. On the all-important measurement front, am pleased to report that I have received a full pint each time � no backhand tricks here! To conclude: a satisfactory pub, with a definite sense of grandeur within. I would certainly recommend here for a few post-work sups, although perhaps, not an all-nighter.
HTM69 - 11 May 2009 11:07 |
Okay; but far too many Tube staff spending their ill gotten gains from the offices across the road.
anonymous - 27 Apr 2009 11:07 |
Been drinking here on and off for a few years. Have to say it's much better now than the good old/ bad old days of late night DJ's and fighting squaddies from round the corner. Seems like they spent a lot of money here recently, as the interior looks much better than I remember. Great new sweeping staircase up to the smaller "Black Prince's" bar (used mainly for dining, but saw a notice that it can be hired for private parties). Some tweaks to the bar too, which means more space for the booze! A great range of ales on for those that like that sort of thing (6 on when I visited) and a decent pint of Staropramen for the fizz-lovers.
Don't be put off by the crowd of smokers outside, the place is big enough to find somewhere to stake a spot inside. Will be back to try the menu one night, as they have an impressive range of sausages chalked up.
Worth a look if you're in the area....
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This is a nice pub for lunch or an early evening drink. A bit busy on a Friday but we have always been told of any wait that there is. I think some of the reviews are a bit harsh. I would do and do go back here a lot.
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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.
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An unscheduled stop yesterday, this is a fairly large Nicholsons with a big main front bar, and a smaller more comfortable raised area to the rear. Stairs curve up at the front to "The Black Princes" dining rooms. The main bar area has wooden floors, panelled columns with drinking shelves attached, and seating along the side wall. I preferred the rear section with its chequered tiled floor, stained glass rooflight and smaller tables. There is a long upholstered bench along the back wall. Architecturally rather grand but spoilt a bit by the air-con cassettes and duct boxiing on what was clearly once a decent ornate ceiling. TT Landlord, Pride, Jennings Cumberland Ale, Springhead Polar Beer, and Skinners Splendid Tacle on yesterday. The usual Nicholsons sausage menu is rather heavily advertised. The current rating is very low to me, the place isn't particularly special, but ok for a stop off.
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Cavernous front area gives way to a more snug rear part. This seemed serviceable enough and far enough away from Parliament Square to cater for local civil servants rather than tourists.
Given the nearest department is Jackboot Jacqui's Home Office though I would suggest having an alibi lined up
Ok to drink in while waiting for your passport to be processed
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Such a wearyingly typical London pub experience..pleasant enough exterior afront the usual charmless jigsaw of condiments on every table, flashing gambling machines, blaring television and production line soul music. A suitable venue nonetheless for any prospective British emigrant to have a last drink to the memory of our dear lost country prior to departure at Victoria station for the coast and a better future.
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I went to The Feathers with two friends for lunch. Not really an offensive activity, however the with the staffs attitude you may think that we rolled up abusive, hollering for food, jumping on the tables and dancing on chairs.
We waited a long time JUST for our order to be taken. The staff were not busy, they could see us and where eyeing us with disdain. Can I just point out that we are not yobs - we all work in corporate companies and were dressed accordingly. In the end we had to ASK to be served to which two waitresses eyed one another while one begrudgingly took our order. The food (two sausage and mash and a salad) arrived 35 minutes later with no apology for our wait. They had got one of the orders wrong after it was specifically checked that it was ok for us to have. We didn't bother to send it back for fear of them spitting in it. The vegetables were hard, the salad plain and the service shocking.
When we finally went to leave my friend (a rather petite person) was literally shoved out of the way by an irritated waitress trying to get past her. No-one has obviously told her how to say in ENGLISH 'excuse me please'.
I agree with the above comment that it is The Feathers mission to make people not come back.
The decor is actually quite nice and it would be a nice atmosphere if it wasn't for the APPALLING waitresses. Stuck up and rude. If you dont' like your job - get another one and don't make my lunches with my friends stressful!!!!!
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Used to drink here in the eighties and it is unrecognisable. Beer was ok but can't help thinking it had more character 20 years ago.
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Yet another refurb that is unrecognisable, unless you count the number of disturbed mice. Heard a woman scream the other day as one scurried over her flip flop clad foot.
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Visited this pub as part of the "Dick Whittington Ale Trail" - Westminister To Piccadilly. You get a Frre T Shirt after visiting 5 different Pubs - There a Six different Trails to do, all run by the Brewerey. This pub was unexpectedly CLOSED!!! waste of time and effort doing the Trail - moved swiftly on to the next...... No Comments
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Currently closed for refurbishment. Fingers crossed they are removing the roof on the first floor ready for the smoking ban...
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Wow these reviews are harsh!
I work next door, and this is the best pub in the area. It gets very crowded when the upstairs is closed, but we can usually get a seat and they do excellent beer, especially the Timothy Taylor's Landlord. Most of the other pubs around here are Greene King, so this makes a change.
I also came in here on Sunday, after camping out for 3 hours in my office trying (successfully!) for Glastonbury tickets, and I can't fault the Bloody Mary's or the Fish Finger sandwiches.
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There are far too many pubs like the Feathers around Victoria... This area is crying out for something a bit different but all we have are loads of clone busy-on-a-Friday-yes-we-sell-food-gosh-that-wallpaper-looks-familiar pubs doing the same thing. The Feathers isn't really that bad, but then it's not really that good either - unremarkable I suppose, like someone else said. There is an upstairs area you can book for private functions, although when this happens at the weekend, the main bar gets packed out.
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i used to work in the feathers, years ago, and i loved working there. The staff was fun and management aswell. What a shame it's not that much fun anymore. I'll check it out, the next time when i'm in London....Just for old times sake...
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Oh dear oh lor. What's going on here then? The coppers at least used to drink in the Buckingham up the road. When I worked locally with a Scots DI* called ... well, I won't name him, but he had a bit of a reputation, it was a proper pub with proper sofas you could get lost in. Now it has been ripped out and turned into a ghost of a fleapit - I doubt there are any crims in here, they wouldn't be stupid enough to drink on the doorstep of Scotland Yard, surely. That is something in its favour, and by god apart from the pretty darkeyed barmaids it needs something in its favour.
*Daily Inebriate
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Pleasant enough, but unremarkable. Close to St. James's Park underground station.
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a great pub top drink in after work (if you like the old bill). i used to work there a few years ago & it was a thriving pub. Always busy (to the rafters) & everyone enjoying themselves, staff & punters alike. They have got enough screens so you can see the sport where ever you are. the beer is nice & the food is o.k. give it a go if you are in the area.
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The Feathers is a decent but aesthetically disjointed pub and certainly not one of the better Nicholsons establishments. Being one of the closest pubs to my new office it was one of the first I tried and walked out the first time over the standard of service. Things have not got much better in almost a dozen visits. The staff never acknowledge your presence while you are waiting and every, yes EVERY, pint that I have drunk here has been woefully short measured. Despite constantly requesting top ups I still get short changed with the next pint � if it isn�t a management scam to cream more profits then they must be the most inadequately trained bar staff in the country. The only reason I continue to (temporarily) venture in is because they show each World Cup match on the 3 decent plasma screens. The pub does have an unusual layout and an element of character although the better features are usually offset by tacky or uninspiring d�cor. The mix of styles may not be to everyone�s taste � the walls are adorned with either dull paintwork, elaborate rich wallpaper, fine wood paneling or bare brick depending on which part of the pub you are in. Despite the dark interior there is a lot of natural light emanating from the large picture windows and a skylight at the rear where there is a raised almost dining room type area although the furniture here is again a mixed bag of stylish chairs and airport waiting room padded seats. An open staircase leads to the balcony bar although I have yet to see this bar open (it should be said I have only used this pub at lunchtimes). The beers are rather mainstream � the guest beer is Landlord which is hardly a rarity but to their credit, they do hold Cask Marque accreditation and my (almost) pints have been pretty decent. Prices are reasonable for the area (�2.50 Bombardier) and food looks presentable. With several decent pubs in the immediate vicinity, the Feathers will need to considerably up itself in the service stakes for me to cross its threshold once the World Cup is over.
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Thursday night is the only guarantee of a good time. However those Thursday nights are still my fondest memory of living in Westminster.
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This pub has really gone to the dogs in the past few years - even when I stared drinking in here 20 yrs ago you could guarentee a fight 3 out of 4 fridays, and sometimes more. Banning the squaddies was a good move.
Beer is overpriced and badly kept. Not bothered with the food for many a year so can't comment.
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Sadly, it really is as bad as it's been made out by others. The staff seemed vaguely annoyed by any request, nearly all the decent beer was out (on a Friday lunchtime), and my wife and I had to make do with a cider and an unappealing Staropramen.
The jackets were puny and came with slopped-on toppings, and the whole experience seemed designed to convince us not to come back. Mission accomplished.
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If your looking for a punch-Up, then this could be your type of 'pub'.
Shame - years ago it used to be average - now its simpley shite !!
Avoid !!!!
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Used to be a regular Friday night haunt many years ago. Now it has tacky decor, no real beers, rude and obnoxious staff and an atmosphere that is similar to waiting for a bus (okay maybe not that exciting). Strangely most of the people I know avoid it and go somewhere nice, like the Old Monk or Colonies.
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Definitely the roughest pub in St James�s Park. In it�s defence it always seems busy but I suspect this has something to do with the late licence and the regular karaoke nights it seems to put on. The early evening ground usually consists of Police & London Underground office staff. They also have quite a large �dance floor� at the rear of the pub that seems to attract a plethora of WKD fuelled �chav� birds trying to hold in their bot bellies as the night goes on. This in turn seems to attract �chav� lads! Probably why they need to have a couple of bouncers on the door!
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What a place...service was appalling! Staff were rude and un helpful! Lager was cloudy and no one wanted to help.
After a bit of confusion at the bar...I left, and did not get my pint ..or my money back!!!
anonymous - 11 Sep 2005 20:49 |
Used to be alright but has gone down the swanny. Looks like the place has been stripped of its assets and very soulless. However, the food's pretty good.
Met up with a lady friend of mine there (5'10, blonde, rather pleasant) and anyone would think that they'd never seen a girl before. An old bill rattler, it being the nearest to Scotland Yard.
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Bit rough but ok. Karaoke and Sky TV so if that's your thing....
Paul - 5 Nov 2004 12:01 |
Rough and ready. Good old boozer. Never seen many girls in there though. Always busy, always buzzing.
Lawrence - 5 Oct 2004 16:40 |
Good for a few pints beers after work and good to see a pub open past 11pm on a Friday night that doesn't sting you for a tenner on the door.
Nick - 13 Sep 2004 17:11 |
great place, nice staff a far better place now it has had a face lift. live music on wed nights. went to there first 70/80's night fantastic night.
give this pub the thumbs up.
sn - 18 Aug 2004 20:59 |
Went here for the 1st time to watch the England match, fantastic atmosphere and friendly staff! Beer and food reasonable price so this is likely to become a regular drinking hole!
Dave - 20 Jun 2004 22:12 |
Since it's been recently refurbished, with new management and new team the place has changed into a much nicer pub. Went to see the England v Switzerland match there, great atmosphere.
Janie - 20 Jun 2004 22:05 |
A really busy pub which is surprising considering the staff are so slow, few and far between and rude
Andy - 3 Jun 2004 13:27 |
One of the worst pubs I have stepped foot in !! The tables are never kept clean, with ashtrays full and empty glasses everywhere. The larger is nearly always flat.
Michael - 30 Mar 2004 13:15 |
At face value this pub appears to have a decent menu and the deccor upstairs is relatively appealing. However, having just waited an hour for our lunch to be served the baked potato they finally produced was abismal. I would not recommend it to anyone short of time or seeking a decent meal.
Joanna - 15 Mar 2004 14:29 |
Bitter? A little bit considering you have a great choice of one (which is a boarderline bitter at that). Great when the guest beers were floating around for the Real Ale celebrations. Now I can see very little point in going in there. However, good friendly service is a bonus.
Robin - 8 Feb 2004 13:15 |
The late opening hours and drinks deals just about cover the fact that, at face value, this pub is bordering on sh*thole.
Bill - 6 Feb 2004 16:18 |
Not bad. Only of only a few with a late licence around this part of the world (and next to New Scotland Yard to boot). So expect to see some of the Met boys & girls trying to blend in -unsucessfully.
Beer isn't that bad. And makes an ideal stop off for a late drink before heading back to the 'burbs on the vomit comet on a Friday night.
Rob - 1 Feb 2004 18:38 |
nice place to eat & drink monday to friday,thursday & friday after A hard days work you can let your hair down till 1am singing & dancing,staff are very friendly, show sport as well & value for money pint of carling,wine,�1.99& a jug of grolsh for only �6 from 5pm brill !!!!!!!!!
bully h - 31 Oct 2003 01:24 |
Ive been to a lot of different pubs around westminster, I have to say taht the Feathers is one of the best! There is a fantastic Karaoke every Thursday and a DJ playing 60s to chart every Friday!
Definatly one to pop into! Make sure your in by 10.30 or you will have to que, open till 1am!!
Steve Night - 29 Oct 2003 07:55 |
with a pub situated next to scotland yard, its gonna be full of old bill,trying there best to not to stand out,loads of stupid office bods who think they are it,foods not bad,beers ok, and its open till 1am on a friday.
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Has the gayest man in the world behind the bar. Also full of coppers. Bad place to go if you're a homophobic criminal. Disco and drunk office types on Fridays.
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its a local, they treat you well. after a hard day at the yard our order is ready at the bar before we ask for it - happiness.
jeanie m - 19 Jun 2003 15:41 |
A lively after work on Friday pub. Mostly nice office workers, few arrogant city types. Shows cricket. Disco until 1am OK for a couple of quid.
Sickboy - 28 Apr 2003 22:29 |
Well what can you say about the Feathers? If you like a cheesy 80's music and a crowd, then this is for you!
Jeff - 5 Mar 2003 08:54 |
