please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
With time to kill, this pub was an extra bonus for me. It's a gastropub tucked away a couple of minutes walk from Notting Hill Gate tube in a residential area. The place was busy. There were a couple of drinkers at the bar. But most people were there for food. There are waiting staff, who were turning away people at the door, such was its popularity for meals. Sharp's Atlantic is the house beer. Guests were Marston's Poppy Ale & Wessex Witchcraft. The latter was my choice and it wasn't a bad tipple. Although, as with the Windsor Castle just up the hill, it was standing room only and I felt in the way as there wasn't even a surface to place my drink. Better than I had originally anticipated though.
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The Hillgate has been given a refit and has a new menu with a new chef and is wonderful. Love how the pub looks, and the food is out of this world. I ate Bavette Steak which was perfectly cooked - quite honestly the best steak I've ever had in a pub where so often you're let down when you order one.
They have a good range of ales on offer, including Wandle and Pride.
The loos here used to be a bit disgusting, but they're much better now. If you haven't been to the Hillgate recently, you should make the effort to go back soon.
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I read that this pub had improved of late. Sadly not much. Only one ale on - not well kept. Clientelle noisy and up their own a***s
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Re MrMurphy below...
You should not be surprised that the bar woman asked �what kind of a stupid question is that?�, simply because it is a very stupid question, the reason being that Guinness is a pasteurized keg product that does not easily go bad. It is not an ale, it�s a mediocre keg stout which, unlike real ale, has a long shelf-life and is designed to taste the same everywhere. So, to a bar worker whose profession is working with beer on a daily basis, your question would have come across as ridiculous.
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Down to the Gate to see Swifty (�6 bargain on Mondays) so popped in here for a very quick half so not much to comment on. A few regulars and a couple of barstaff who weren't busy but were busy cleaning tidying up, etc. Beach Boys on which was pleasant and a nicely chilled lager. Pleasant all round.
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It�s changed a bit since my last visit a couple of years or so ago. Not sure if it�s for the better, as it seems to have lost a bit of its character. But it�s still OK though � a fairly unpretentious backstreet pub in a fairly pretentious part of the world. There were a couple of large TVs showing the cricket, but muted presumably in order for the punters to endure the inane pop music. But maybe others like it. There were national flags of the �six nations� draped from the ceiling, something that I think detracts from the positive ambience of any pub � but again that�s just my personal opinion and it may be that those who do come in to watch the rugby have their drinking and sport watching experience enhanced by the presence of the flags.
They had Sharp�s Cornish Coaster (which was pretty good) and Pride on. There was a sign advertising Skinner�s Betty Stogs� Bitter, but didn�t see it on - shame that, as it�s an excellent ale. This is not my favourite pub in the area, but it�s OK. Nothing special, but another �OK� pub.
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I really liked it in here and found the barman that served me to be very friendly. Deuchars IPA, Pride and Cornish Coaster were all available along with San Miguel and some standard lagers. There are a couple of plasma screens that show Sky Sports and there is also a dartboard in a little room around the side of the bar. There is some seating along the path on the side of the back streets outside the pub, but I didn�t stay out there as I happened to visit during the local school�s playtime and they were making quite a racket � bless them.
There was a mix of other customers from some old posh blokes to builders on their lunch break and the staff seemed very sociable getting involved with the banter of some of the regulars creating a very convivial atmosphere.
I was a little annoyed at being charged about �8 for a burger and then discovering that it didn�t come with chips, so it ended up costing about �10 and it was nothing better than what you�d get for �4 in a Spoons. Maybe I should stick to my usual formula of eating in a restaurant and drinking at the pub as I normally end up disappointed if I veer from this.
If in the area, I�d definitely go back here for a drink and maybe a game of darts.
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I think the below comments are a bit harsh! I regularly use the hillgate and think they've got some of the frindliest staff about who always enjoy a chat. Try the albert down the rd for rudeness. And to be honest, I think I may have found it offensive if asked if one of my products was any good, a bit insulting!
It may not be the best looking pub in the world, but give it another go, you may change your mind.
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Sensationally awful.
I went in on a whim with a mate and as usual, jovially asked how often the Guinness's are changed and if they're okay (with being an afficionado of this ale, it's usually dependent on change of barrel as though it was milk and consistency blah blah) but instead of a nice conversation whilst pints are being pulled,the angry bar woman asked 'what kind of a stupid question is that?' and trying to steer away from the apparent no-go area of said topic,I was just given a rude blunt answer each time. Being a gent, I purchased the pints and sank them and made our way to the other, far superior and infinitely more pleasant Uxbridge Arms. Never Again!
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This was once a fab pub.Now has lost its way.Where has all the charachter gone?Lovely etched glass panals ripped out in the name of improvement....NOT.Beer also questionable.LIAM and JOSIE will be turning in their graves
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Mediocre. The Deuchars was off, as was then the Broadside, both of which were poured with a degree of ineptitude. One other ale available (or should I say the clip was on), so we decided to cut our losses and leave. Far superior options in Notting Hill, and not just for the beer.
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Located just far enough from the main tourist drag, this pub attracts an interesting mix of customers. The decor is simple and the walls are covered in all manner of assorted images from days gone by which definitely add to the pub's personality.
They usually have three ales (Youngs, Bombardier and Deuchars, I think), but yesterday the Deuchars was off. The Kronenbourg Blanc was off too.
This is not a spectacular pub but it has a certain type of odd charm. Add this to the fact that it's not very much on the tourist map and it's a pretty decent bet for a relaxing pint. I always find the bar staff to be friendly too.
All in all I would say that the Hillgate is definitely worth a visit (especially in summer with the tables outside and when all the windows are open).
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what a transformation!!!
Kenn is the new guv`nor. a good bloke for a geordie! and a great team of staff too, much better than the last crew,
Keep up the good work!
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This used to be called The Johnston Arms until the late-70s
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Great pub and friendly barstaff, always a large gathering of locals with stories to tell of monkeys and wizards! Very lively in the summer spilling out on to the street. Will definately go back
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Last night this pub had an interesting but scary mix of clients. I saw some things I am not comfortable with. Dont want to go into it here, but wouldnt recommend you go here on your own. The beer was okay.
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I think I commented on this boozer awhile ago. I was in there again recently after a long while. I must say this is a rare occasion when a refurb has made a pub actually much better than it was before. The intervening dividing sections have been removed making one big room which is carpetted. The original large 1930s(?) window area is now fully visible and makes a very nice, classic natural environment, very much like a historic pub, but comfortable and spacious. Big bar in the centre makes a good focal point. It's not overly loud thanks to the carpet and sensibly muted music (though on footy nights that might be different). Had several good pints of Broadside. My only reservation is that the graceless landlord is still there who observes the necessry perfunctory manners but otherwise seems to have had a charm bypass.
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On my last visit to the Hillgate, the place was hopping with lively, attractive people having a fantastic time. The ale was delicious, the bar staff were friendly and courteous... I simply don't see any basis for all the scathing comments below.
Give me the unpretentious, attitude-free Hillgate any day of the week over the hideously overcrowded and rudely staffed Churchill Arms and Windsor Castle - and occasionally, even over the excellent Uxbridge. Too many loud, over-privileged twits will always destroy a good atmosphere, no matter how hard the staff try.
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Good choice of beers and wine, interesting food with a specials board.Friendly landlord and staff who are mainly Aussie girls.The refurbishment has perhaps created to many tables for its size.Live football shown on a regular basis.
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Was a decent pub when I lived here ten years ago. Now quite poor. Churchill, Windsor Castle and Uxbridge are all much better choices.
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This was once a smoky but interesting old boozer with a character all of its own and always a pleasure to visit. Now, Corporate Make-Over Man has reduced it to something more akin to a Weatherspoons at Terminal 1, though the Landlord was sadly delighted with the change. It�s still ok � the beer was good � but I preferred the old version. I won't be rushing back.
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Do go for the Christmas decorations which are sometimes (once) up all year.
White bread chip chutties as well.
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I visited this pub some time ago and posted my comments which were subsequently removed (I think I over stepped the mark on the hygiene factor) so decided to visit it again to see if I was previously wrong.
Sad to say I wasn't, this place is awful.
The refurbishment has cleaned the place up which it needed but any sense of character has been destroyed. You get more atmosphere at a funeral.
I spoke to a few of the die hard locals and they all recommended the nearby Churchill arms or the Uxbridge. It does same something about a pub if even the people who drink there recommend another pub. Managers take note!!!
anonymous - 22 Oct 2005 11:32 |
I went in here for a pint last night to see what it's like after the reopening. Grey, no character, no personality. Beer was OK, but I got a dodgy fiver in change. Not going back.
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A nice pub that is perhaps overshadowed by the fact it's in the same vicinity as the sublime Churchill Arms and Windsor Castle. As said very nice Bombardier on tap, as well as very friendly bar staff.
If this were my local I'd drink here all the time.
anonymous - 1 Jul 2005 13:51 |
I love it in here. Every pub should have some dogs and a sweary old man in it by law if you ask me. Haven't met the guvnor but his staff all seem nice enough.
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This the worst pub i have ever been to, the landord is rude and does NOT seem to take any pride in himself or his pub,(dogs in the bar where people are eating and a old man that sits in the corner and nothing but sware (he is a bit funny sometimes)
aecjs - 15 Apr 2005 13:01 |
Great beer, locals, and dogs very welcome. Food is good pub food
Fi - 13 Apr 2005 14:23 |
I usually have an unhappy time in this place. The beer is good but the landlord and the atmosphere charmless. I was in there recently where a huge Doberman was lying blocking the bar area and route to the bogs. Its owner made no attempt to move it and squads of punters had to negotiate round it. Football blares out. Uxbridge is a much better bet just down the road.
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Interesting, attractive and traditional pub. A little run down, but that's part of its charm. Friendly staff, well kept Bombardier, music at a level that encourages conversation, total lack of pretention.
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Another pub which manages to keep its Edwardian flavour against the current trendyfying craze that is plagueing London these days. The decor is interesting and spacious. The locals are affable. Choice of ales is good.
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Nice, normal pub not 2 minutes from the heart of Notting Hill Gate. Have worked in Notting Hill Gate for several years and seen nice local pubs get turned into trendy restaurants. But luckily The Hillgate has not gone the same way. Good beer (esp Bombardier) well kept, decent pub food (pub food that is- posh nosh it ain't) and friendly landlord and staff. No smoking room to the left rear during the daytime.
Tony Wilson - 30 Nov 2004 21:04 |
