please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Busy pub on Christmas Eve, in an area where good pubs are not abundant. Several cask ales on, the pint I had of Hardys and Hansons Rocking Rudolph was in good condition. The separate dining room on the 1st floor was closed when I was there.
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Went for a pint and a bite to eat on Saturday last in this beautiful looking pub.
Sadly the usual security staff had gone missing and my girl had her handbag nicked from under the table, cctv not working, we should have been more careful but having spoke to the police this is rampant in this part of town so be careful! Pub needs proper cctv and security on both doors,didnt get to finish our drinks or eat our food and complaints did not even get a response.
Be Careful.
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A lively pub deep in the posh heart of Mayfair with a decent atmosphere. I wouldn't mind if they turned the volume of the "music" down however; this seems to be a feature of other pubs in this group (e.g. the Blue Posts in St. James's and the Clachan in Soho). If they must play it loud, why don't they do some Jimi Hendrix and not this navel-gazing Britpop.
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In a very posh bit of London. Full of people you'd like to meet and lots of people hoping to meet them. Mind you don't spill anyone's drink, might be some Indian steel magnate 1946 Chateau Petrus.
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Was walking past with a friend early afternoon, and decided to pop in for a pint. It was pretty busy, mainly with people having Sunday lunch.
The pub itself has nice decor and although busy inside there was outside seating free. Unfortunately the service at the bar was a little lacking - three people chatting away and we were completely ignored, despite being the only people standing at the bar. I can understand staff being busy, but we should at least have been greeted. Finally after the staff had wondered off and come back a few times (all the time ignoring us) we managed to get served.
Beer was OK - pretty much what you'd expect, ie. nothing special. I don't live or work near there so probably won't go back, although I'd give it a second chance if I did as otherwise it looks a nice place.
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Beautiful pub. Love it, a managed house, but a very very good one.
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I have been going here for years, I love it, Sunday morning stroll thru Mayfair which ends up with Lunch at The Audley, my Kids and wife love the Sunday trips to it. The staff are as always excellent. and we are always welcomed as old friends. My father used to take me there in the mid late 70's and I think thats where i got the love for the building. Sitting outside on mid sunday summer is just awsome
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Rather larger than your average Mayfair pub but the service is not compromised. I have frequented this place for 5 years or more and I must say I have never encountered bad or slow service, even in busy periods.
Worth a trip if you fancy a couple o pints and a hearty meal. The food here is your typical pub fayre with man sized portions. - the fish, chips and mushy peas are a winner !
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This is a rather nice pub. As others have said, it did not appear to be a "tourist trap" upon my visit at the weekend - despite its proximity to a number of tourist haunts.
There did not appear to be a great deal of seating; though it was a Saturday evening, so the pub was reasonably crowded. Outside the pub are a couple of tables, which would be most pleasant during summer afternoons, I imagine. Upstairs you will find an area for diners complete with a small bar - although this did not appear to be staffed on Saturday evening. This room closes at 10pm, I believe.
As JohnBonser said, there is a television, and I think unfortunately also a quiz machine - although it was tucked out of the way in the corner near the television.
I found this to be a rather nice pub; far superior to some of the pubs I have visited nearby. Service was quite efficient without being overly friendly, although one chap in our party was at one stage a tad irked at having been served the wrong whisky - but this was swiftly rectified.
I didn't sample the food, but the prices looked quite reasonable, especially for the area - I've been to a fair number of pubs where the equivalent meal is more expensive than in The Audley. I was actually pleasantly surprised at the price of the drinks, having expected to part with significantly more of my money than I actually did in the end. It's certainly not cheap, but again, I've been to more expensive pubs. I would recommend a visit to The Audley if you find yourself anywhere nearby.
Amy_J - 15 Mar 2010 12:39 |
Imposing, late Victorian pub situated on a street corner of a busy road running down southwards from Grosvenor Square.
The splendid red brick and terracota tiled exterior is reminiscent of a number of pubs in the Birmingham area and the interior does not disappoint either, featuring much wood panelling, an ornate plaster ceiling and some crystal chandeliers. The fine traditional atmosphere is further enhanced by large arch windows, with attendant drape curtains and a curved mahogany bar. Note also the double sided clock above the bar.
There is a small TV above one of the entrance doors, but I'm not surprised Rex missed it - even though it was showing the Wales v Scotland Rugby International, the volume was low and hardly any one was paying it any attention.
There's a rather upmarket and civilised ambience, probably what you'd expect for this exclusive and classy area. The pub is very much on the tourist trail - but I agree it's not a"tourist trap" - and is popular with shoppers and visitors / staff of the nearby American Embassy. Michelle Obama plus offspring dropped inn unexpectedly in June 2009.
Beers on were Pride, Directors, Bombardier and Deuchars IPA, the latter being in excellent form at � 3.25p - still pricey but 65p cheaper than at The Punchbowl, but where I'd just walked.
The Audley is well worth seeking out
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They had a number of real ales on during my visit � Young�s Bitter; London Pride; Deuchars IPA; Bombardier; GKIPA; and Wold Top Brewery�s Falling Stone. I had the latter, which was not good, but drinkable. It may be a nice beer when it�s in top condition, but mine wasn�t. Maybe it�s because I had the first one of the day.
I still think that this is an attractive pub retaining a number of original features. The bar counter, and tiled splash area surrounding the bar look original, as does a lot of the dark wood panelling. There is also an attractive old clock set under a beam in the middle of the pub. And I really like the idea of a wooden archway separating, at least to some extent, two areas of the pub. But this one looks as if it is made of plaster. Shame. Furniture consists of normal tables and chairs, plus some banquette seating. It�s carpeted throughout, which I think always gives a pub a warm feel. I didn�t spot any TV screens (although I might have missed one), nor one armed bandits, which is definitely a plus. There was some music being played, perhaps a bit too loudly in my opinion, but that�s par for the course now it seems.
Some posters have claimed that this is a tourist trap. I�m not sure I would agree entirely with this. It�s not cheap (but it is in Mayfair, so why should it be?) � e.g a 6oz burger plus chips and rocket salad costs �7.95, and I suppose a good number of tourists might stumble on this place, but I think it just falls short of being a tourist trap. There aren�t many decent pubs in Mayfair, but this is one of the better ones.
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Soul less tourist trap which does however serve a decent selection of ales which are sometimes in good condition, but not always.
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Interesting place, inside and out, and not unexpectedly very popular with the tourists. However, somewhat to my surprise given some of the other reviews, I was served a full pint of Courage Directors (one of six real ales on offer) which was in good condition. Not a bad spot for a bit of people watching too (if you can find somewhere to sit down).
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Reported in the national press that Michelle Obama and daughters dined here yesterday. Not that that is a recommendation!
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Tourist trap, which is a shame (anywhere with those menus tells you all you need to know).
Usual language problems at the bar.
You wouldn't make a trip for the beer, but it's not a bad stop-off.
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Impressive exterior with an inside to match. Popular at lunch times but if you can get a seat a great place to while away a couple of hours. Back half is basically a restaurant but this is mainly a pub and a bloody good one at that
Also 5 minutes away from the amazing Mount St Gardens - an undiscovered oasis of calm in the middle of London.
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Nice pub, good staff, clinical....
business model may need revisit. Still a great pub!
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This place is popular with the 'Yokels' - some with a strange foreign accent. Attractive, well maintained premises with two large lounges, space for meals, and seating outside on the pavement. Nice enough place to visit with very good staff and crowd.
That said, the draught beers are poorly maintained - the bar staff could not pull a pint with a proper head - most looking like dish water slops.
This pub also claims to serve the best fish and chips in London - the usual tosh - the fillet looked second rate and was tough in places. The best bit was the mushy peas. However, the knee-length black socks more than made up for this.
OK if you are there for the company, but not if you are there for the beer. Time to clean the pipes out.
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I went into this pub recently - I have to say I was blown away. It was coincidentally the day of the Q Magazine Awards. The pub must have been the closest to Q's offices because the place was filled with pop stars. Kate Nash was sitting in a lurid dress glugging a cider, the Arctic Monkeys were perusing the juke box and assorted members of the 90's Madchester scene were debating over a cigarette outside. It was fantastic to watch as there was a great combination of youthful popstars and the florid-faced 'Suits' who own Q watching on.
The toilets were filthy.
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Allright if your a tourist, drank in worse places.
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I have got to go with anonymous in May 2006. It looks OK but does not feel like a proper pub. Prasieworthy number of ales on tap but they are ordinary at best in terms of their taste and temperature. They also have a nasty habit of not filling the glasses up. Interior looks good and the much discussed tourists probably think that they have visited a genuine British pub but there are so many out there that are a whole lot better than this. Also the prices are disgusting even by Central london standards. Better avoided....
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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
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This is undoubtedly one of the best pubs in London and in one of the best locations. Those comments posted that this is 'the only drinking hole in a 1/2 mile radius' and 'one of the few boozers in Mayfair' are totally unfounded. In the immediate vicinity there is the Punch Bowl on Farm Street and the Red Lion on Waverton Street, a few doors up from the Audley on Mount Street is Fino�s Wine cellar. Still close (approx 3 minute walk) are the Kings Arms in Shepherd's Market and the Guinea on Bruton Place. All are good but none as good as the Audley.
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Not a good pub. As someone below says, it benefits from being one of the few boozers in Mayfair. Tends to attract a few tourists and therefore has a transient feel. Why do visitors to Britain always looks so unhappy and bewildered in pubs?
The place obviously makes an effort to provide rotating real ales which is praiseworthy, and the interior is traditional if not outstanding. It just lacks any sense of pubbiness or atmosphere at all.
anonymous - 5 May 2006 14:04 |
We were in the area playing a gig at the Grosvenor House and, from past experience, we weren't expecting much from a pub in this area - but we really enjoyed this pub.
Good beer (Harviestoun Navigator), hugely over the top ornate Victorian decor (well maintained), we actually got a seat on a lovely late Spring Thursday evening and it wasn't nearly as Hooray Henry as expected.
Full of Americans though, presumably from the embassy nearby; although to be fair to them, they did seem to understand the standing at the bar and getting served thing. To the extent of venting frustration at the inefficient barsteward(esse)s.... Not the worst service, but could do better.
Overall, next Park Lane gig, the band will be back in here. Filed for future use.
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Biggish pub whose main attraction is that it is the only drinking hole in about a 1/2 mile radius - quite a feat for central London! Resonable looking place, a tad hurray-Henryesque - but then again 'tis Mayfair !
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I have mixed feelings about this pub. It is always busy when I have been there (after work), sometimes uncomfortably so, so its popularity is not in doubt. It feels chain pub-ish and tries to be all things to all people, hence lacking in individuality. The bar staff are mostly fine, although some of the younger ones have difficulty pouring a decent pint. Having said that, the beer (my priority) is usually of reasonable quality, and a decent range is served. 6/10.
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Nice decor in a nice part of town. Bit high priced, but not out of line for Mayfair. Good place for a pint or two before moving on.
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This place has the worst bar staff in any that I have visited, waited an age to get served and simply told them to stick it when they finally offered to serve me. Go to the Grosvenor where the barman was polite, efficient and plesent and not so far up his own backside to notice that I was in need of a drink.
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a very grand old pub from what i remember but haven`t visited in years. does anyone remember one of the former managers there, an irish lady called mary (i think!)???? she was there arround 1988/89?
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Another one of my faves (see my postings of other pubs in M'fair). I think when management departed in '02/03 the food went down hill. Still a nice atmosphere. Anyone remember it circa '84/85/86 when the olde manager used to stand there, head up in the air, dressed like a king eyeing up any forbidden looking louts who try to get in. It was a very hardcore hoorah henry pub in those days.
Joseph - 15 Oct 2004 17:59 |
This is a very nice pub, but after three visits I can only conclude that despite the fine selection of ales, they are poorly kept - they tend to be not very fresh, kind of flat and dead. They seem to have Ordinary, Bombardier and Pride always on, + two guest beers. Could do with some tlc.
Owen - 27 May 2004 11:00 |
Its food is under par and over priced. The Salad Has Grit in it, and when you try to complain they simply say it was "because they didnt wash it". Not recommended, personally.
anonymous - 21 May 2004 14:04 |
Nice smart Mayfair pub. Wife and I were impressed. Will visit again
Boothers - 11 Apr 2003 10:39 |
Old Victorian pub circa 1890. Located two blocks ssouth of Grosvenor Square and the U.S. Embassy. Comfortable and attractive interior with high molded ceiling.
Bob F. - 18 Mar 2003 19:05 |
