please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
A bit grubby inside but the management are ok
Alright for a pint before and after the match but it’s still a fair walk to the ground
Worth a try but nothing more than a working class locals pub
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Trading again - following an inactive period.
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A shining star in gloomy Brentford. Great choice of real ales always top notch condition.
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We finished in the Magpie & Crown on Sunday evening. It was my first visit since New Year's Eve, 2015. I'd been in a bit of a state that night. I was slightly more sober on this visit. The place has not changed at all. The interior is basic. The gents toilets stink. But the ale and cider range is still as good as ever. There was Bad Seed Endgame (something topical to do with Brexit perhaps?), Five Points XPA, Reunion Incredible Pale Ale, Downton Mint Chocolypse Stout, White Horse Show Pony IPA & Bingham's Brickworks Bitter. The cider was Broadoak Crimson King. The perry was Purbeck Perfect Pear. In fact, other than the drinks selection, I could have just repeated my review in 2016. Good pub and one I really ought to get to more often.
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Great pub, friendly and helpful bar staff and great beer. Loses a point for being a bit pongy
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The Magpie & Crown was very quiet on my early evening visit yesterday with only one other customer in when I arrived. The pub hasn't changed much though, with a good range of ales and a perry, along with some craft beers and a good selection of bottles. Yesterday they had Thwaites Yule Love It, Belleville Tie Die Rye, Weltons Thou & I, Hardknott Azimuth & Infrared IPA, Marble Pint & Sandford Orchards Pear Shaped. I also tried the Red Willow Heartless Chocolate Stout. I still like this place. But I have to say that I do now prefer the Express Ale & Cider House further up the road near Kew Bridge station, which was where I headed next.
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I went to the toilet in this pub,and there was a lump of shit in the pan-nasty!
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Has been the pub of choice when going to football at Griffin Park. Friday night game this year and the pub was packed but still a great selection of ales and foreign beers. I've tried most of the pubs in Brentford and this one's the best...
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Decent pub but not as good as billed even amid Brentford FC's 2014 promotion celebrations. The chief problem is a pongy loo that looks beyond help although the ale selection was excellent and the clientele and atmosphere friendly. My partner in crime enjoyed a pint of the wonderfully named 'The Stooge'.
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Popped in after work and found a lively traditional style pub with a friendly atmosphere. There were 6 real ales on tap (e.g. Wandsworth Blunderbus, Portobello VPA etc) on a constant rotation plus a couple of real ciders. Also has plenty of bottled beers and continental ones too
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My first visit with a few friends on a Wednesday night. The pub was pretty much full at 6.15pm
8 pumps that were dispensing 6 beers & 2 ciders. There were also 3 cask ales on.
Varied range of ales with my beer choices being Viking Gold from Peerless Brewing Co; Wadworth’s Blunder Buss & Crafty Devil from Thwaites…all of them were very good with the Blunder Buss being slightly the better beer.
All in all a great pub and worthy of it’s inclusion in the Good Beer Guide
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Many congratulations.
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And I have been awarded the Sunday Times drinker of the year.
And beeewa is full of shite!!!!!!!!!!
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This pub has just been given The Sunday Times award for the best pub in the country! Congratulations.
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Always a great selection of real ales on from a range of microbreweries such as Oakham, Twickenham, Buxton, Thornbridge, Dark Star, Acorn, Castle Rock,
Pictish... The list goes on and on. From my experience there is always a beer on for every taste imaginable and every pint is top notch. Well worth a visit if you are passing through Brentford. It is definitely the best pub in town.
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Was in there on Saturday. Great selection of beers kept stocked by a very knowledgeable bar manager.
Best pub in Brentford by a country mile.
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Quick update. Bar billiards is not available at this pub. On the plus side, a pop up curry house has opened next door (where the Dew Drop Inn Cafe used to be) and is astoundingly good. Sami's is unlicensed, so take yourown beer / wine (no corkage fee either). Highly recommended.
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As someone who has popped in the Magpie once or twice in recent months for a quick half when passing thru I am pretty sure what B4E says didn't happen. It's just not that type of pub. It's a decent alehouse that keeps a good pint, I've not had short measures but I can't judge it on just two halves. For the record the bog was no dirtier than anywhere else.
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In the Gents,someone had smeared their shit all over the walls and pissed on the toilet roll -utter utter filth and disgust.
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Stinking toilet of a pub
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Thanks for clearing that up, Lee. There were a lot of very concerned individuals out there.
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Correction to last review: Date was 16th:) Had diary opened on wrong page lol.
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Visited with a fellow reviewer on 23rd January, both of us noted how empty the pub seemed for 8pm, which was a pity. There was no problem with our pints of Twickenham and Oakham beers both of which were on good form. For a fairly small pub they had an interesting range of bottles with a list on many tables for punters to browse through. We were left wondering if the emptiness was due to people leaving to avoid a drunk who was 'helped' off the premises at the start of our visit. The pub is comfortably furnished, intimate and has the benefit of a high street location, and ought to be fuller. I wish the pub's new owners well.
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Some of the reviews don't do justice to quite how small this pub is. And also seem to exaggerate the range of beers; if you come here looking for a robust porter or a Bavarian wheat beer then you're definitely in the wrong place. However, they are off-beat enough to have a few things like Kwak on tap, and the bar staff are polite even if the locals aren't that welcoming. There are allegedly a range of bottled beers, although they are kept out of sight and no beer list is displayed.
On the whole, slightly above average as pubs go.
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An unprepossessing pub from the outside and quite small on the inside. We were there on a Friday lunchtime and it wasn't very busy.
But the beer ! So much to choose from. We went for GK Fireside, Newmans Last Lion of Britain and the spectacular Downtons Chocolate Orange Delight. All were excellent. We had Cumberland Sausage for lunch and you get quite a bit of sausage for your money.
Most beers £3.50 a pint so not cheap, but who's quibbling when you have 6 real ales, a draft cider and a draft perry to choose from.
Lady serving was very pleasant but very quiet.
Get here if you can.
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Excellent old style pub, no flashy decor, but comfortable and weloming and a fantastic (and ever changing) range of well kept ales and bottled continental lagers.
I just wish it we closer to my house!
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Beer, cider and perry still great... but the place suffers from a LOT of flies. Within 30 seconds you will find a suicidal fly in your pint. And then another one, and anther one. Not good.
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Best pub for miles around. 2 busses or a 40 minute walk to get there but well worth it.
Almost no point in listing what's on because it changes so often (which is both good and bad). 6 ales + 1 cider + 1 perry plus some draft Belgian.
If I lived locally I'd be there every evening!
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Went in yesterday pre and post match for the Brentford v Dale game. Excellent pub, well maintained and a fine selection of beers.
Particularly enjoyed Twickenham Grandstand, Bath Ales 'Gem' and Chennai IPA.
Will definitely return very soon and highly recommend.
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Significantly improved under new management, a cleaner and more welcoming environment in which to drink, especially for the occasional visitor. The 'blackboard' system of old is still in place, and can frequently inspire curiosity and debate around the bar as the incoming ales are chalked up (a refreshingly male trait there!). Pints range from �3.20-�3.60, with Belgian beers understandably more. Excellent pub.
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Nice place, great choice of well kept ales & ciders, clean (though the gents pongs a bit) friendly customers, no fighting round the pool table and generally seems to be well run.
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I'm a fussy real ale head, and I love this pub for the care and attention they give their beers (and cider and perry). Make no mistake. This pub is all about the beer. They do food, and the food is pretty good, but if you don't like ale, cider or perry, this isn't a pub for you.
They chalk up on a board, the name of each beer on tap, a description of it and its ABV.
They also have a second board which tells you which beer is next going to be on which tap. They change the taps around so much, it's hard to know if this is for the benefit of staff or patrons.
The only downside of changing all the taps around is that you never know what's going to be on (there are a few usual suspects though), such as Twickenham Grandstand and Chocolate Marble (there are more, but those are the two that spring to mind). The Grandstand, incidentally, is a reasonably weak-tasting session ale. Personally, I think there are many better alternatives.
Nearly forgot to say, they also have a pool table and a little bit of outdoor space.
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Wikins medium cider currently on. Excellent!
My rating up from 9 to 10 as the dog ban is rescinded & the music volume has been reduced.
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Spent a fairly pleasant hour or two in here trying the cider, perry and a couple of beers last night. The selection always appears to be fairly decent for both ales and ciders. Yesterday's offering was Moor Old Freddy Walker, Twickenham Grandstand Bitter, Windsor & Eton Irish Conqueror, Marble Best & Lagonda No. 6 & Downton Baltic Red, plus Ross-on-Wye Farmhouse Perry & Gwatkin Silly Ewe. I'm upgrading my rating to a 9, which is extremely generous for me.
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Not been in since the old guvnor left. I had feared the worst.
However, I am happy to report it still has a fine selection of ales in good condition. Good service. Also a bit tidier than it used to be.
Definitely worth the effort to seek it out.
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Excellent pub, actually improved since it changed hands. Now doing really nice food too. The beer choice is fantastic. This is the best pub for miles.
ixion - 20 Nov 2011 17:25 |
If I'm in Brentford, admittedly not very often, but the good news is, when I am it's on my push-bike(!) this is my pub of preference. The real ale selection is like trying to pinnion a fence post into a sand-dune, i.e. ever shifting and long may it do so. Strictly a drinker's pub - I can't see the words 'how about I treat you to a night out at the M&C' impressing too many sophisticates.
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Called in for a couple last night, wonderful pint of Elderquad followed by a very well kept Chocolate Orange Stout. Sasly tyhough there was no Marble beers available, there usually is and its the only pub outside Manchester I know that stocks it. Great pub though.
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Sadly only had the chance for one quick pre-match pint here, as it seems the type of place I could've quite happily stayed for a session. Given that the match I saw wasn't great, maybe I should've spent the �20 ticket price on booze instead.
Seems to be the type of pub which does exactly what a pub should do: serving well-kept, decent booze to discerning drinkers. Think, from memory, it was somewhere around �3.20 for a pint.
No TVs, if you want a pre/post-match football fix, and the entertainment is the old-fashioned medium of conversation and a pool table if you've run out of things to say.
J
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This is atill a lovely pub to have a drink in before and after football. What marks it out from other pubs is its fantastic, regularly changing real ales and ciders. Fantastic! I'm never disappointed.
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Thursday was my first visit here for some time. I've been reading some of the reviews in here, but have been encouraged by the re-emergence of cider and perry. I once spent a very long session in here one afternoon. This visit was much more brief. But from my perspective, very little has changed. 6 real ales were on - Brentford Triangle Large, Morland Old Speckled Hen, Castle Rock Black Gold, Marble Manchester Bitter, Twickenham Strong & Dark and Otley O-Ho-Ho. The real cider was Wilkins Farmhouse. The perry was from Ross-on-Wye. The atmosphere was fairly subdued and the interior is still a little plain. But it's still the best pub I've visited in Brentford by a country mile.
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He can be found behind the bar in The Rake at London Bridge
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Currently stocking Wilkins cider & Cramps perry.
Dogs are now being admitted again, provided they are well-behaved.
Does anyone know what has become of Steve?
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I think the place has improved since Steve left.
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After a period with no real cider after Steve was pushed out, good to see the current management have resumed his policy of stocking varying small+producer ciders & perries. However I agree with BB that barring dogs is a bad move.
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As previously mentioned, this pub is under new management and no longer dog-friendly. Since we like to stop in after dog walks, it's no longer an option for us, which is a shame because we've enjoyed the M&C for years. We will now frequent one of Brentford's remaining dog-friendly pubs, like the Brewery Tap or the Griffin.
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Hecks' perry currently in stock.
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Recovering well from the more insane excesses of the Steve years. The Magpie and Crown is still going strong and is still a welcoming atmospheric local with some of the best beers and ciders in the whole of West London. If they could just bring their musical selections up to the high standards set when Lord Bungle reigned, well it might just be the essential Brentford boozer once again.
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Well I went in, met the new folks, both big fans of real beers, Had a good few pints of Oyster Stout, but its not going to be a wine bar :) Real Ciders and Perry is now back as well.
Only problem (if you see it as such, and I do) is thay have banned dogs, but that aside, good to see its staying with Real Ale.
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New Landlady just taken over...AWFUL !!!...A large T.V installed with no Sky. Cant see the point in that unless you wanna go in there to watch Eastenders or Miss Marple !!! And apparently if she had her way she said she wouldnt have a T.V in the pub. Which is fine,but dont go out and get a "Singing and Dancing" T.V unless your gonna have Sky.Beer still not bad, but I have a feeling a 28 year old just out of University dont understand the pub game.
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Not the most inviting pub although did hear while i was in there that it had just been taken over. maybe worth another visit once the new owners have had a chance to put their stamp on it.
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I have heard its under New New Owners, and got a nasty message its going to be turned into a wine bar bistro, I will be returning to Brentford tonight from the west country where I now live, so I will pop in and find out whats going on.
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I didn't realise how long it was since I last paid a visit, until I saw the last entry from "Matthew_of_Ham"
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Came across the pub when doing a crawl through Brentford and this was one the highlights of the evening. A traditional pub with plenty of real ales to choose from and a friendly atmosphere inn the bar. Even managed a decent chat with the landlord. Gives the impression of being a great locals' pub.
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An unchanged kind of interior (with boat hanging from the ceiling) which harks back to the 70's - a theme continued with the television programmes which were on (George & Mildred in this instance). The telly tends to dominate the front area which tends to occupy the punter's attention as opposed to them conversing with one another. Four ales on - T.E.A., a Bath brew, a Twickenham ale and Cottage Concorde. Tried the Cootage and Twickenham beers which were fairly good. The place seemed to have a lethargic feel to it - somewhere to sit and stare at your pint rather than have a jolly old knees up or chinwag. There is a pool table toward the rear for the more energetic.
anonymous - 21 Apr 2010 18:06 |
Yes, it is open, but the new landlord has stopped stocking real cider (although it always sold well). Next nearest pub for real cider is the Red Lion at Isleworth.
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The Magpie is open. The old manager has gone, and with him the running total of how many guest ales he's served over the years. I miss the photos of Old Brentford as well, although the boat is still hanging from the rafters.
The current manager (relief?) seemed pleasant enough. The one thing that really walloped me in the face when I went in was that the place is now clean. It was so tatty before, now it's spick and span. And while the old grungy style had a certain charm (reflected in the fact that it was always busy) the place now has the feel of an authentic old unrenovated pub but without the danger of catching fleas. If only it wasn't down the skanky end of the High Street (well, frankly, the more skanky end of the High Street) it could become a real place to go to, second in Brentford only to the Brewery Tap. It still might get there regardless. Anyway, best of luck to the manager, who is clearly trying hard. What happened to the last guy wasn't the new guy's fault...
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does anyone know for sure please if this pub is open ?
and if so does it still do Thai food ???
went here a few years ago - very nice beer and food and atmos , sad its changed hands (or worse), meant to go back
keen to find a good pub (or other eatery) in the Kew gardens area
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Went passed here on the bus on Saturday and there is a chalk board outside saying "under new management" there is also a great big "To Let" sign affixed
to the front of the building
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Was in on 26th and clearly still open. Two Twickenham beers, TEA and Winter Warmer. Ok but not as good as it was.
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The reason I like this pub so much is because of its excellent selection of real ales, the efficient and friendly service and the very chatty, friendly regulars. If what you say is true it is a tradegy. That will leave The Brewery Tap as the last bastion of good real ale in Brentford (unless someone can tell me different).
I love this pub.
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Today is Steve's last day running the Magpie & Crown. Tomorrow a manager from the property co. which owns the freehold will take over and run the place while they look for another tenent. So not strictly closing but will probably lose all it's character and become another plastic pub, so effectively the end of the Magpie.
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Curious mock-Tudor exterior and rather sparse decoration inside too. In fact, it could all have seemed a bit gloomy if it weren't for the mix of customers giving the place a lively atmosphere (with the chap behind the bar being friendly too). Four real ales on, including two from the local Twickenham Fine Ales, O'Hanlons Firefly Bitter plus a splendid stout called ZigZag from the Milk Street Brewey in Frome which was just the job on a snowy winter day (with the next beer on being the excellent Port Stout from the aforementionded O'Hanlons). The chalk board now records that the total number of real ales sold since since 1996 is 2310, which certainly sounds like an achievement. (Regarding the previous two posts, it certainly didn't look like it was going to close in a couple of days time - I certainly hope not, and this is just the sort of proper pub that beer lovers should value.)
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This excellent house is doomed to close on the 11th Jan due to the freeholder demanding an impossible rent rise!
Re Alex's comment, dunno 'bout ladies but the Magpie is one of my wife's favourites.
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Heard on the grapevine this great real ale mecca will be closing for good mid January???
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I rate this pub as ten out of ten for the Beer and Ale selection ONLY!
This is not a pub to enjoy with a lady and it is rough as a builders bum but if your having a beer with a work mate, drinking buddy etc it is PERFECT. Both the paulaner beer's (dark and light) are always in good taste.
Alex
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Certainly back. Great news. Visited on Friday night (27th November) and enjoyed one Twickenham and one Butcome ale both on great form. Pleased to see the Thai kitchen has also reopened. There was no music whilst I was there, just relaxed conversation.
The pub is essentially the same as it was when it closed; apart from a few of the model boats, etc which fell prey to the odd souvenir hunter on the closing night! They have continued counting the beers served since 2006 on the board, and the ale policy remains as before, alongside 5 or so beers from Europe on draught.
Although rather harshly lit inside, this is made up for by the welcoming attitude of staff and punters. Great pub, and long may it prosper.
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Yes, it is back and as good as ecer. Use it or lose it!
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This was a great local, and I have no clue where I will go for a drink now. I might have to start drinking wine and go to the Weir.
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A horrible shock! We went there for a meal the night before going away for a week. All seemed normal. Then we came back to see darkened windows and that ominous notice on the door. One of the best pubs in London in my opinion. Any chance of it re-opening?
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Very sad news indeed! Have visited this pub anually and have always been impressed with the beer range and quality, and always been treated well by the landlord. Has Steve announced he will run a pub elsewhere?
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I can't believe this 'real ale mecca' pub will not be allowed to re-open by its greedy landlords (rent hike 15% ?!) in these times of high street pub hard-ship? . I hear some negotiating is afoot. Let's hope. A truly inspiring pub.
Apparently on the 'closing' night, all ale was clearing for �1/pint.
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Sad news is it closed tonight due to rent increase.
One of the great pubs in London. Magnificent range of ales and beers.
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As it's not on my doorstep I've only been in this pub about six or seven times (some football-related visits, some not), but I've always felt welcome by the landlord.
Last time we were in there, there was no food on and he was happy for us to go next door and order a couple of takeway pizzas to eat at the table. Can't say fairer than that.
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Yes the beer is good, and there is much in here to inspire curiosity - but the landlord seems to regard any visit by groups that don't frequent the place at least 4 times a week as some sort of intrusion. Surely a questionable philosophy when there are a number of housing developments and a thriving football club on his manor that would bring a great deal more custom given even a modicom of a welcome? My overwhelming impression is always that this place could be so much more - I invariably find myself wishing I'd had a 'Fosters' just to inspire the reaction that suggests I've soiled myself in the public bar (I checked, I hadn't....)
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The governor here spends a lot of time caring for the great range of beers that he gets in and he begrudges anyone that stumbles in that is unknowledgeable � which I think is a little unprofessional, but it is his pub and he calls the shots.
Great time if you don't order the Fosters!
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Get over it 'twopintsoflarger'. I know he can have a bit of a humour by-pass at times, but the self same landlord runs a cracking pub with excellent real ales and lagers on offer (not forgetting the potent ciders too). I had a really decent chat to the friendly landlord the other day, so he's not miserable all the time. We're not all perfect are we? Still my favourite Brentford pub, especially on match days when we can all meet up with fellow Bees faithful. It's a haven for ale drinkers and should be proud of what it does. It's so refreshing not to be surrounded by pints of Fosters and Stella. I love the place. Keep them coming landlord!
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One of those tatty pubs you know you just have to visit. Four superb ales, a fine range of bar snacks and filled with beer loving characters. Can't say a bad word apart from the fact it gets used by Brentford fans on match days - oh well it is in Brentford I suppose.
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a comfortable saturday retreat after the rigours of an all day friday session at the great british beer festival.
a fine selection of real ales and very friendly bar staff.
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never mind the dingy interior (and exterior), the range of beer is superb - including excellent lagers - and the landlord very friendly. one of brentford's best pubs.
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Beer is good, the staff are friendly except for the owner (not willing to write landlord!) he was rude, arrogant and argumentative just because......we asked for lemon to go with our tequila! we are a reasonable bunch and up for a good time, not an argument so to that end we wont be back. Shame
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This looks to me to be very much a high street locals� pub � at least it was when I was in there at lunchtime last week. But they had three interesting real ales on � Twickenham Pale Beauty, (4.7%); Loddon Forbury Lion (5.5%); and Daleside Ripon Jewel (5.8%!). I wimped out and went for the Pale Beauty, which was really rather excellent. They also had a range of unusual lagers � e.g. Stiegl, Steenbrugge, and Kriekbier. There�s nothing special about this pub in terms of appearance � basic furnishings etc � but it�s definitely worth stopping off in for a pint or two of the excellent ales on offer. Perhaps its ordinariness is a big plus � there are too many pubs that have been sanitised to the extent that their character has been totally removed. I would be happy to drop in for another pint when I�m next in Brentford.
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A large single room with a central curved island bar, clearly once seperate areas. Wood panelled walls, banquette seating and bar stools. Amongst other maritime artifacts an upturned rowing boat hangs from the timber beamed ceiling. Two fireplaces, once likely to have been one in each bar, now contain rather ancient looking gas fires, opening these up again would make a significant improvement. There is a bar billiards table to the rear of the left side. The TV on the wall was off but I imagine sporting events may be shown.
Beers were, Twickenham Grandstand Ale, Hogs Back Utopia, Salopian Darwins Origin, Moorhouses Black Witch plus Orchard Wye cider (6.6%). Some unusual continental beers too, Salzburger Steigl is one I've not seen previously. The blackboard shows that 2183 real ales have been sold here since 04/01/96. Clearly a good rotation policy then.
The interior is a bit tired, and there is a musty smell but the beer is good and this is a decent pub to include in a crawl of the area.
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Good pub with a speciality in real ales, food, and it is now the official inspiration for the Flying Swan in Robert Rankin's novels.
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Enjoyable pint of Downtons Chimera IPA - 6.8% ABV - yesterday afternoon.
Its priced at � 3.30 per pint, which, when you consider that several of the Fullers tenanted pubs in Brentford sell London Pride at � 3.20, represents good value.
The refurbishment has taken away a bit of the character of the pub, but the Magpie and Crown is still THE pub in Brentford in my book.
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Was convinced I'd reviewed this place but obviously not. Superb pub, always four excellent ales. Didn't note them all down but I had Castle Rock Blackbird which was a tasty porter. Liefmanns Kriek also available along with a Weisse and Paulaner Munchen.
A must visit if you are here for a match.
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Went in here this evening after the match, for the first time. What a GEM of a pub! What a fool I've been - I wish I'd got off my backside and tried this pub before over the many years I've been watching football in this lovely old town. This will become a regular for us from now on. Friendly landlord and staff, friendly customers of all ages and fantastic real ale - what a selection! I recommend this place to anyone who likes real, unpretentious pubs in England. 10/10.
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Another great session last Friday night here. Locals Des and Graham provided for entertaining light hearted good old "pub" conversation, and the Stilton Porter was an exquisite contrast to the 2 other bitters. Quality Thai quisine and very friendly atmosphere, what more could you ask for?
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A real character unpretentious friendly pub with authentic Thai nosh ordered via a hatchway. Real ale is the theme here and it is always changing. In fact the landlord keeps a tally and has served over 2000 different ales here since 1996. Being picky I'd prefer an off-white "smokey pub" decor rather than the harsh bright white. Also the fruit machines use room for more tables. But a gem of a pub nonetheless.
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They have an machine in there that you can play retro classic arcade games on. Prices are cheap, some good beers on tap but pretty boring pub
HENDO - 15 Sep 2008 15:44 |
Excellent selection of beers and continental largers. Who gives a stuff about the decor or the lippy landlord. Fill yer boots - a drinker's pub where the beer comes first. Good condition, reasonable prices, food looked good. Go through the selection of draught beers - you won't notice the decorations.
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Best pub in Brentford. Great ales.
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Proper pub with ever changing ales.
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This pub is a bit of a paradox - for years I would travel past before I noticed it and even then it looked shut most of time. Whilst there's no denying that a refurb was needed, especially if it wanted to attract the new more affluent clientelle that was moving into the area, but I can't say its proved much of a success: removing the ornate surround above the bar was a mistake, painting the walls and ceiling pure white has made it too stark, and yet the one thing that really did need to go - the dodgy 70's gas fire - still remains!
Still, its a small price to pay for the decent selection of regularly changing real ales but the real attraction has to be the farmhouse scrumpy or cider that is often available.
The Thai restaurant is a nice touch, although the last dish I had was WAY too hot.
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I had a very quick half in here this afternoon before rushing back to work. Just looking at what was on offer at the bar (most of which I�d never heard of) I could see why so many on here think that this place is the nuts.
I noticed some bar billiards at the back of the pub, which I find great fun and haven�t seen anywhere for ages. I�m not sure about �King of the Hill� playing at full volume on the television though.
I think that I�ll reserve judgement on this place and try to arrange an evening visit with some of my ale connoisseur friends.
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I have to say, we have a madman in our midst: Jeweller John - Slags off The Beehive several times, and then he says..And I qoute: ' Great beer and food-well worth a visit!' Maybe a touch of memory loss there John, or is the old alkie-symers kicking in? The Beehive might not be up to much, but it most definitely does not deserve the rude, nasty comments that this person seems to be posting. Same goes for The Magpie, which has recently undergone extensive re-decoration, and is a very pleasant pub to be in, and the Thai home-cooked food is delicious. Steve the Landlord has his moments ( don't we all ) - But the beer and cellar are in 1st class condition, as is the public bar, & there are an excellent range of ever-changing real ales to satisfy the thirsty punter, not forgetting the wonderful selection of imported lagers and Fruli fruit beer. Need I say more..
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Excellent pub. Beer very good and a huge choice. Patrons are 'interesting.' I love it, my wife is less keen.
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Don't know why riddz thought it dirty, place has had a good tidy up and re-decoration. Maybe he/she should overcome fear of a real pub and try the "excellent range of beers". That's what it's famous for and not for being an hermetically sealed posuers palace..
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Brentford's swimming in good pubs, due to the proximity of fuller's base, but this one takes the crown for me (sorry for the pun!). If beer quality matters to you (lager and ale) this is your place; a huge range of stunning beers, well-kept by like-minded beerlovers. Their good taste extends to the taped music (old classics 1 mindless chartpap 0) and the thai kitchen. They've even commendably resisted the urge to refurb, redesign and restyle all the personality and individuality out of the pub (are you listening, landlords of most chiswick pubs).
In the 2 years I have been working in brentford, I have realised that the only good thing about this locale is the pubs, and this and the Globe are best-of-breed.
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A dirty pub where we were served by a barman who kept hitching his trousers up.
An excellent range of beers but I didn't stay around to try them as I was afraid of catching something.
riddz - 10 Mar 2008 17:32 |
do not enjoy being in this pub
seems for older gentlemen
run out of my drink and still didnt have it a week later
serve cans of coke and expect people to drink it out of the can.
i avoid this pub on a pub crawl
only thing its got going for it is its strawberry beer.
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Called in on Monday; a Grand Union beer still on and a couple more in the cellar. Get it now because the brewery has closed and the kit moved to Liverpool. Steve was very amiable and there were a lot of new faces since I was last in. Amazing what a lick of paint can do.
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Great pub, friendly landlord and clientele. The Thai food is good - especially for the price. Top range of beers. Football-fan friendly as well. If only I lived around the corner!
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Still the only pub in outer West London that can be relied on to have a real cider from a small producer.
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Paid a timely visit to the pub last night during a trip to Brentford. Noted the following changes to the interior:
* Bar canopy now removed, much more spacious feel to the building.
* Complete redecoration - brilliant white emulsion on the walls and the wood panelling has also been refreshed (even the upside down boat has had a lick of varnish).
* Toilets refurbished.
* Brighter interior lighting.
The tables in front of the pub have had to be removed on the instructions of the council.
Steve (Landlord) very friendly and well-informed re microbreweries, etc. Enjoyed Titanic "Steerage" (dry and refreshing) and Grand Union Bitter (beautifully hoppy).
Brightening up pubs doesn't always improve them but for the Magpie & Crown it certainly has, as the decoration has been tasteful and sympathetic to the original. I feel nothing has been lost by the removal of the central bar canopy, spaciousness has been gained.
Steve has advised me that he is planning to add more handpumps next year. Currently there are 4, but he hopes to add at least another two and move them to the centre of the bar. At the same time he plans to introduce a real cider. Last night they were experimenting with the new music system which could occasionally be on the loud side for such a small pub, but management were aware and quickly moderated the volume when a loud track came on (Thanks for that!)
The locals were very friendly last night, and conversation was enjoyable. Thank you Steve for the pint as well.
Will be back.
A good 9/10
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1907 different real ales served to date ( as at 4pm yesterday afternoon ) - great stuff, keep it up !
Yes, the place does feel a bit cleaner now and it's still one of the best pubs in Brentford, irrespective of whether you're a real ale anorak or not
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I had not been in for over a year following the sad passing of Gordon. It was a pleasant surprise to see a much improved decor and a good feel about the place. Beers kept very well and an interesting range as ever. I was with a group of Lincoln fans, who were made to feel very welcome.
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beer lovers heaven! excellent range of real ales and lagers, plus passable thai grub, friendly bar staff. an old fashioned good 'un. please DON'T 're-design' the pub, or tart it up in any way: if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
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Had an excellent afternoon's drinking here & got chatting to the lovely Morgana the barmaid & who should walk in & sit next to me at the bar & have a few drinks....a bloke called Merlin !! Honestly, you couldn't make it up, The pub is a bit basic though but the beer far from makes up for it with at least four real ales on draft most from local breweries, if only the Landlord wasn't so misarable, still might have cheered up now Harlepool(monkey hangers) have got promoted, see if you can spot H'angus behind the bar.
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A bit of an oasis in Brentford if you like real ale and continental beers - surprise was proper Budvar dark beer (can't remember the proper name) which disappeared at a rate of knots. 4 real ales on - good but needs to clean his tables - it was cup final day to I suppose he's got an excuse. Thai food available - didn't bother. All in all a good place but needs a shake and vac !!!!
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Im not a regular, nor do I live in Brentford but I do like this pub a lot. The bloke who runs it seems to know what he is talking about and is enthusiastic about what he sells. I like strong beer and have recently got to like Belgian trappist beers. This pub sells them, so I will come again.
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Now got the decorators in.
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Highly regarded Good Beer Guide regular and easy to see why. The attractive exterior is repaeated within. Good selection of real ales in excellent condition.
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Made a timely stop at this boozer last night after visiting Brentford Dock in the afternoon. Unchanged since last time (over one year ago). I had two positively exquisite pints of Twickenham Crane Sundancer, 3.7%. This beer had to be exceptionally flavoursome and well-kept as I was tasting it through a heavy cold - proof in itself!
The gentlemen's toilets are cleaner than they once were, and the cubicle is now fully locking and secure - welcome improvements.
The landlord remains friendly and businesslike, and the atmosphere last night was so pleasant it would have been quite easy to miss the train back and stay for another two pints.
The Magpie and Crown remains well worth visiting, indeed, worth a journey across London to reach the pub.
Excellent.
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Great pub whose guv'nor keeps a variety of real ales on the go. Brentford is an odd place - half council, half gentrified - but has maintained a lot of pubs, many of which unfortunately are rather crap. The Magpie and Crown however is a lovely place.
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Fantastic boozer. The paulaner lager is exceptional and the atmosphere is always quietly friendly without being in your face. Only problem is that i,m not a local.keep up the great work folks; real pubs ike this are a dying breed.
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A free house with 4 guest ales on virtually all of the time, all kept in perfect condition by Steve - he certainly knows how to keep a cellar.
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Haven't been for a cupla years but loved this pub when I went. Funny old place and I hope it survives the 'gentrification' across the road. Good bitter and good prices. A proper old West London pub. Lovely.
anonymous - 5 Oct 2006 23:31 |
I tried it. I didn't like it. I left. I won't be back.
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I visited for the first time last Thursday 17th August along with two friends and we had a superb time, we found the Magpie to be just what you want in a great pub, friendly staff and locals who all had a few words for us, good old fashioned fun music and superb beer/ale to suit everyones preference (the late licence is a bonus too). There are far too few real gems like this in London. Well worth a visit, we can't wait to go back !!!
mitsy - 21 Aug 2006 14:37 |
Just to add that the four or five times I have visited the Magpie & Crown have all been rewarded with good beer and friendliness from the staff. I would go more frequently if I lived in Brentford; last visited towards the end of 2005 and unless anything has dramatically changed, which I don't believe it has, stand by all my previous commentaries on this establishment.
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Pub review or chatline noticeboard ????? Its a good pub with good beer - enough said !
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As some of you will know, Gordon our dearest friend passed away yesterday morning and we are all shocked and surprised as it was so sudden.
Would like to just say that we are all going to meet up very soon at the Magpie & Crown and have a drink, a chat, maybe a cry or whatever everyone feels the need to do...
I'm no good at this so sorry if my way of words isn't up to scratch..
Steve Bolton is planning on getting a beer named after him quite soon and when this happens, I feel that we should pay our respects to him and have a pint in memory of Gordon... I think he would have really loved that..
Will hope to see you all down the Mag very soon and will update on this as soon as there is any news of the new beer.
Love Pan :) xx
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nose rather...
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Hello, thought I'd pop my mose in and say a few words.
Apologies again to Stonch for my defensive remarks although I did it in private too but thought it was worth saying in public..
joegreen, please do pop in for a pint, we'd love to see you in here, take no notice of my earlier post that you were referring to - was in a crappy mood at the time of writing it. (not an excuse I understand!)
Hope that cleared things up a bit...
Pan :) x
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JohnBonser generally seems to make sense on BITE, so that's good enough for me.
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marcus the part time barman here
ok people, enough is enough. i am that slightly odd and unfriendly barman and this has gone on far to long. firstly, stonch, sorry you don't like the way i act behind the bar. that's ok, there are others who think differently.
Pandora, stop trying to defend the place. he's got every right to have his opinion on the magpie and to express them here.
Anyone else, come and give the place a try, i might be odd, but when i'm not very very hungover i'm not that unfriendly.
right, is everyone happy now? good, i'm off for a pint of random beer.
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To be fair the strident response to me below was then followed with a private message from Pandora which was of a very different tone. So no harm done. In fact I wish I'd reserved judgement now. Places like the Magpie with a bit of depth need to be visited more than once before a view can be taken (in context to chain bars, where you can poke your head around the door and learn everything there is to know).
Although my review was a true account of my one visit, the landlord contacted me to explain what was up on the day I visited and I now think I got an unfair picture of the place.
anonymous - 18 Jul 2006 14:25 |
Joe, I think you should give it a try, I'm only an occasional visitor to the M & C, but I've never had any problems with any staff or noticed anything remotely resembling hostility.
Yes, there are some characters in the pub, but the beers have character too and the chances are you will find some interesting ones to try. If you're a Real Ale Anorak, you will like the place
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I was thinking of visiting the M & C, but I must say the strident and defensive tone of the post 14/07 @ 18:46 - apparently from a member of staff - has caused second thoughts. Can customers expect to be addressed in that way if they bring their money across the threshhold?
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Pandora. First of all, trying to pick me up on a spelling was a bit childish wasn't it?
Steve has already sent me a very polite and decent explanation of what was up on the day I visited - I must reply to it as I think it was a really nice gesture from someone who clearly cares about customer perceptions of his pub.
I didn't think the barman was very friendly, sorry about that. I only said he was incompetent because he couldn't change a cask beer.
I've worked in five different pubs and I can assure you I know what its like. I also happen to know how to deal with real ales, having worked in a regional CAMRA pub in the year.
Also I may have written a lot of negative reviews - for this I make no apology. However amongst them are some glowing ones for pubs I suspect regulars of the Magpie and Crown in particular would probably like.
My review of this place wasn't scathing by the standards of many you see on this site so I think your response is totally out of order.
You're just not very nice.
anonymous - 14 Jul 2006 20:43 |
I would like to apologise to "Stonch" for a mistake I made - you did not spell disappoints incorrectly, that was my misreading!
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In response to "Stonch" or should I say "Stench"...I would just like to say a few things as I don't think I can contain this any longer..
Firstly - we can't help it if some of us do not know how to change the real ales, I for one as a barmaid of 3 years now cannot change them as I as well as the other staff apart from our Landlord Steve are all part timers.
Secondly - we constantly do have choice of real ales to drink! There are always four ever-changing bitters, milds, porters and real ales on the go not to mention our farmhouse ciders and perrys.
Lastly - why on earth were you talking about our barman like this describing him as a "slightly odd unfriendly barman"?
Excuse my slight defensive attitude here but after reading most of your comments, you don't seem to have a great deal of nice things to say about some of the pubs you have visited in your whole 27 years of life!
To say that our barman is incompetent is taking the p*** don't you think?
You try and work in a pub someday.. just for one day and see what it's like.
To mention the location in Brentford seems trivial and pointless too I'd like to add - so we are in Brentford, on the High Street.. and according to you it needs knocking down?
Do us all a favour and NEVER come back to West London if it disappoints so much....
P.S... you're spelling of the word "disapoints" is atrocious, stick that in your bleeding pipe and smoke it.
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Was expecting a proper real ale pub - was disapointed.
Only one solitary ale on - Batemans Dark Mild. Lovely pint, but a bit of choice wouldn't go amiss.
The barman proudly announced "the landlord's away and I can't change the bitters!" This admission of incompetence coupled with a sweeping classification of all cask ales as bitters from someone who works in a CAMRA pub of the year set my teeth on edge. All a bit anal, you might think, but this sort of pub is meant to cater for oddballs like me and it presumably wouldn't survive in its current form without the support of them/us.
I did note a good range of contential keg and bottled beers, but you can get that stuff all over the place over in central London so its hardly a selling point nowadays. Slightly odd unfriendly barman. The atmosphere one finds in, for example, the Wenlock Arms (ostensibly a similar pub) wasn't there.
And I haven't even mentioned the location. My god, Brentford High Street is awful. They need to knock it down and start again (and clean up that river front while they're at it).
West London disappoints again. Although it does get points for having a bar billiards table.
6/10
anonymous - 10 Jul 2006 11:04 |
Inspired by all the comments about this place and seeing as I've lived in Brentford for getting on to two years and never managed to make it in to the Magpie and Crown I thought I'd give it a try.
The first thought that sprang to mind was that 'this is a local pub for local people'. The second thought was now I've finally gotten my pint maybe I'll finish this pint up (which was definitely drinkable but wasn't the best pint I've had all year) and move on elsewhere as it was just a bit dirty (the toilets were pretty disgusting for starters).
Still, maybe I just timed my trip badly - I could think of worse ways of spending a sunny afternoon than sitting out the front on one of the benches with a thai meal and a few pints. It's just that you'd probably be much more likely to find me in the Lord Nelson, that's all.
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marcus the part time bar man here again. hmm pub reviews or a chatroom? difficult, i'm not sure really. then again who really cares? oh what the hell lets be nice and say it's a bit of both. which is the way it should be i think. ('scuse me i just got back from drinking far to much IPA so things might be a bit blurred).that's all for now. nighty night people. sweet dreams and mat they all be damp and ........ etc etc
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My dear Pandora,
I certainly will visit again in the not too distant future. You will recognise me instantly because of the cunning disguise.
As for the sarcasm - I have the skin of a pachyderm! ;oD
All the best,
Wimbourne.
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Well Mr. 5th Earl of Wimbourne (chuckle-chuckle!!) i am glad you like the pub and hope you will visit us again soon.
Don't mind me about the elastoplast thing - I am the queen or sarcasm and thought it was quite amusing... oh the hilarity..
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First of all my thanks to Bob the Binman of Egham. Hadit not been for posting on Doris' pub, I would not have found the Magpie and Crown.
Having read through all the comments, however spurious some of them are, I decided that I would make the journey from Planet Thanet.
I ambled in around one o'clock yesterday, and was greeted by a charming smiling lady who turned out to be Angie, the landlord's partner. I apologise to Steve for distracting him away from compiling his quiz. Steve is a lovely fellow, and a "gricer" to boot. I spent a few pleasant hours chatting with them and a couple of the regulars.
The pub has a lovely lived-in feel to it and just didn't feel like a town centre pub, and I certainly can't understand the postings about the lighting or the alleged size of the place. Whomsoever was responsible for the latter remark has obviously never visited The Little Gem at Aylsford, or "The Smallest Pub In Kent" ( the name of which eludes me ) in Snargate Street, Dover.
I had a delicious Thai meal at a reasonable �3-19-00 ( �3.95 to anyone born post 14 Feb 1972 ).
As far as drinking, this pub has something for everybody - a good selection of well kept real ales, czech lager, cider, Hoegaarden and Belgian bottled beers. I tried five different pints - not a bad trick with four handpumps!
Burton Bridge XL Mild - 4.0%
Welton's Schneider Leicht - 4.1% - so nice, I had another.
Grand Union One Hop Pioneer - 4.5%
Grand Union Stout - 4.8% - again, so good that I had a second pint, and finally, by way of "one for the road" -
Twickenham Strong and Dark - 5.2%
Prices between �2-7-0 (�2.35) & �2-10-00 (�2.50).
All in all, a superb town pub, with bags of character, a cosy atmosphere, excellent, well cared for ale and a great landlord. Well worth the journey.
Avery highly deserved 9 out of 10!
Bravo.
Pandora - thank you for your concern. I am extremely meticulous and precise in the application of Elastoplast to my spectacles.
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Well Mr. 5th Earl of Wimbourne...(haha!) Didn't realise we would be under close observation....!
Mind you don't mistakenly get any elastoplast on your nose, it hurts a bit...
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Having read all the comments below, I will pay a visit tomorrow in a cunning disguise.
One false padded tie-on beer belly.
One voluminous jumper to conceal above.
One pair of Jack Duckwooth style spectacles with Elastoplast on the hinge.
One false long straggly beard.
One matching hairpiece.
One notebook.
One pewter tankard.
A selection of well-chewed biros.
One hat adorned with beer festival badges.
Yes, I think that's everything - a report will follow in the next few days.
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Pandora, glad you know about Dr Feelgood (RIP Lee Brilleau!).
Magpie & Crown is always a good boozer with good beers, good grub and good barmaids. What more can a man want?
Bob the Binman, Egham
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Always an excellent pub. Visted late 2005. Several friendly people at the bar, fantastic beer and THAI - not Chinese - food.
Recommended. Easy to miss trains from here and get stranded! (I haven't, but know trains from local stations stop early).
Check train timetables if using BR, last tubes from Gunnersbury underground station into central London run to about 2345.
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Unusual pub. Festooned with fluoro-bulbs. Eccentric to the max. Good range of changing real ales. Good chinese food. Worth a journey - not just a detour!
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as always monday nite is mogdencat nite. as to what pan just said, its worse pan when they try and look down my top. that's just plain wrong! captain swing come make yourself known to me, since you're a perve (according to Pan) we can talk about custard and sheep and how the two can interreact is a sloppy fleecy sheepy sort of way. 'scuse me i gotta go lie down now aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh pant pant
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Congratulations to Steve & Gordon!!! Hope the wedding went off ok! xxxx
anonymous - 9 Jan 2006 17:41 |
I'm neither here nor there with this pub. It's not a bad boozer for it's location. (I hate Brentford, being a QPR fan) But there's a great cafe next door so I sometimes visit The Magpie after a good lunch. Good range of beers, but the pub is so darn small you have to go outside to change your mind.
Good pub for Brentford, but doesn't belong in B.I.T.E'S Top 40.
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Excellent range of beers - very well kept. We went on a Saturday evening and were impressed by the friendly atmosphere there. Bar staff were great and v helpful in calling a taxi at chucking out time. I will definitely be back.
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Doc. Beat?? ok..I know who Dr. Feelgood is though... not sure what you're on about Marcy - we need to start a new conversation about something. Any suggestions people out there in the mighty talons of Brentford..?
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who cares who captain swing is. ever head of doctor beat? (doc doc doc doctor beat)
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who is captain swing by the way????!!?
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Scruffy old pub (wouldn't suit young trendy types) but a wonderful selection of real ales, continually changing as you sit there! And excellent homecooked Thai food that goes surprisingly well with the beer. Highly recommended if you're in Brentford.
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Arrrrghhhh Captain as you asked
The monkey-hanging legend is the most famous story connected with Hartlepool. During the Napoleonic Wars a ship was wrecked off the Hartlepool coast.
During the Napoleonic Wars there was a fear of a French invasion of Britain and much public concern about the possibility of French infiltrators and spies.
The fishermen of Hartlepool fearing an invasion kept a close watch on the French vessel as it struggled against the storm but when the vessel was severely battered and sunk they turned their attention to the wreckage washed ashore. Among the wreckage lay one wet and sorrowful looking survivor, the ship's pet monkey dressed to amuse in a military style uniform.
The fishermen apparently questioned the monkey and held a beach-based trial. Unfamiliar with what a Frenchman looked like they came to the conclusion that this monkey was a French spy and should be sentenced to death. The unfortunate creature was to die by hanging, with the mast of a fishing boat (a coble) providing a convenient gallows.
hense the Song/rhyme
Hammer his ribs, the thunnerin thief
Pummel his pyet wi yor neef!
He's landed here for nobbut grief
He's aud Napoleon's uncky O!
Thus to the Monkey all hands behaved
"Cut off his whiskers!" yen chap raved
Another bawled out "He's never been shaved",
So commenced to scrape the Monkey, O!
They put him on a gridiron hot,
The Monkey then quite lively got,
He rowl'd his eyes tiv a' the lot,
For the Monkey agyen turned funky O!.
Then a Fisherman up te Monkey goes,
Saying "Hang him at yence, an' end his woes,"
But the Monkey flew at him and bit off his nose,
An' that raised the poor man's Monkey O!
In former times, mid war an' strife,
The French invasion threatened life,
An' all was armed to the knife,
The Fishermen hung the Monkey O!
The Fishermen wi' courage high,
Seized on the Monkey for a spy,
"Hang him" says yen, says another,"He'll die!"
They did, and they hung the Monkey O!. They tortor'd the Monkey till loud he did squeak
Says yen, "That's French," says another "it's Greek"
For the Fishermen had got drunky, O!
"He's all ower hair!" sum chap did cry,
E'en up te summic cute an' sly
Wiv a cod's head then they closed an eye,
Afore they hung the Monkey O!.
Hope that explains abit
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Not sure who Anonymous is, but if you're a regular make yourself know to us.
I have ambivalent feelings about Hartlepool myself. They elected Peter Mandelson as their MP which speaks volumes. What is a Hanging Monkey btw? xxx 2 Pan ;-)
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Where on earth do you get Sunderland from Anonymous? Yer man's from Monkey Hanging country - Hartlepool - and proud of it, hence the stuffed toy dangling from the bar.
The reason for this posting is my disappointment at the number of people who feel they have to post anonymously. If you've got something to say, put your name to it, otherwise there's no point in having a forum like this.
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So ... are we saying that the two fat blokes are a couple???? interesting, never realised ... mind you, Sunderland eh?
anonymous - 13 Oct 2005 18:32 |
I usually visit this pub before I go to a Brentford game (which is only about once a season though).
The beer is always great and the atmosphere is friendly - what else matters?
The only downside is that the place could do with a spring clean but at least the pub has character, something that is becoming increasingly rare nowadays.
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I don't and have never lived in Brentford, but from 1998 - 2002, this was my local. House special double vodkas and Friday night karaoke were the main reason for me trekking to the Magpie on a weekly basis.
Nowadays I occasionally drop in for Thursday quiz night (and was delighted when my team won last December!!)
This is one of the VERY few pubs where I feel comfortable, as a "ladyeeee", walking in on my own.
Steve should be extremely proud of his pub; it has a great atmostphere, warmth & character.
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Actually that big bloke IS a bit 'false'. Still, nice beer though.
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Interesting place with a gothic air.
Very good beer quality and a variety too. Seems like a really decent local where effort is made to keep standards high - congratulations.
mally - 23 Jul 2005 12:21 |
Ive been coming in this pub now on and off for a few years, and I would just like to say I don't recognise it from some of the comments on here which don't seem very fair at all its always a good laugh and Steve and Gordon are a lovely couple.
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From my basic maths, 13 out of 60 is near enough 21% and not 25%, And as for complaining about staff posting, I feel its nice to see staff that take an interest in what is been said about their work place.
As for it been a locals pub, whats wrong with that? I find the "Local" pubs offer much more in the way of a good night out to people (even if it isn't your local) than many of the bland theme pubs that are dotted around, remember if it wasn't for the locals most pubs would be conveted to flats by now.
as a regular user of the pub I can state the only thing fake in the pub are a few of the locals false teeth.
good beer, good company, thats what a real pub is about and the magpie is 1 hell of a real pub.
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Hi there Simon from 3 men in a pub here. My friends and I have been drinking in the pub on Thursday evenings for around 2 years now. In this time both Steve and Gordon have become friends partly through having mutual interests with me and partly through the fact that they are friendly people who have time for anyone interested in what a pub is for ie. the consumption of alcohol not loud music and karaoke nights. The quality of the beer is without question and even though the place could do with sprucing up a bit it still has many many times the charachter of places like the Weir(d)(well thought of Pandora)or the Fire Station. Also if you do drink the bitters you don't need a second mortgage to pay for a round.
All in all this is a pub that does exqactly what it says on the tin, serves high quality reasonably priced beer in a friendly atmosphere with loads of charachter (and charachters). Anyone who is put off by the negative comments on this site I'd suggest you try the pub.If you come in on a Thursday I'd recommend taking part in the quiz it's brilliant!
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Well Steve, old son, I don't think my posting was 'negative' at all, it was trying to address the negativity, but clearly it's rattled your cage! But the slightly cross tone perhaps gives people a clue about what I'm getting at ...
And thirteen comments by staff out of sixty is pretty near 25% - that's certainly a lot.
"Goodnight John-boy!"
anonymous - 2 Jul 2005 21:32 |
This pub is great! The beer is always in fantastic condition and the constantly rotating range is impressive...usually at least one darker beer which is always appreciated :-)
I am by no means a local and can normally only visit maybe once a month, but I have always found the pub friendly and welcoming. I would certainly recommend this establishment to anyone who enjoys drinking proper beer in a proper pub.
Cheers!
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Hi, Steve the 'faux bonhomie' dispensing publican here. Just thought I'd add a few words. Yes, the staff(including me) have made a few postings here but this is usually to reply to some of the negative postings. While we're on that subject I'd like to mention that of the 60 postings, only 13 were made by staff(I've actually included a member of staff that wasn't employed by me at the time of these postings) which leaves 47 postings that could of only come from CUSTOMERS (your caps). Of those 47 only 9 are negative or have a negative aspect to the posting (including yours, Mr. Anonymous, what's the matter? afraid we might recognise you for one of the 'discharges' from the magistrates court?). When we see a negative entry on this site, we set about trying to address the problem (assuming it's a valid point), which includes posting a response.
Gordon's missive, I thought, was a well balanced item, he agreed that some points that people had made were valid, but he was also replying to some earlier comments about our toilets, the rest of his posting was to thank our CUSTOMERS for going above and beyond the call of duty. How many other pubs do you know where the CUSTOMERS give up their valuable drinking and working time to clear up a yard to create a beer garden? As for the Magpie & Crown being a LOCALS pub, I'm afraid you may have taken my "League Of Gentlemen" T-shirt a bit too literally, or you haven't been in to see us recently as we try to provide an atmosphere where you can either have a quiet drink, or have a conversation with 'friends you've never met before' as the Irish would say. Next time you're in, friend, come and talk to us.
Wassail
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marcus the part time barman here yet again. hopefully not the one wearing the satanist tee shirt (please tell me it wasn't me). hey geezer or whatever, debates are gooooood. not as good as beer but not too shabby either. just dont discuss debates and numbers in the same word if you know what i mean and i'm sure that you do. anyway, i'm still waiting for a kerplunk game on monday night, wassup you all scared or something. cheers for now
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Hmmmmm ... there seem to be a number of postings from the STAFF of this pub, following on from some rather negative ones from CUSTOMERS. Is this really what Beer in the Evening is about? Let's start a debate!
The post from 'Gordon the FULL-TIME barman' seems particularly self-congratulatory. Yes, we're sure, you all feel you're a great bunch. But what's the reality?
Yes, the Magpie is pretty cruddy inside (sticky seats, grimy walls etc), but this really is 'atmosphere' and entirely forgivable. You're here to drink beer - and they have some very good ones on offer, with an admirable changing list.
But there are ceertainly some negatives. This is a LOCAL pub for LOCAL people, and there's an odd atmosphere, and some odd people, whether it's the latest 'discharge' (oooo matron) from the Magistrate's Court opposite, and their larky 'are you looking at me' tatoo-stare, to the large publican with his faux bonhomie or his teenage/middle-age partner in the satanist tee-shirt. Altogether an experience! Make your own minds up ...
anonymous - 29 Jun 2005 22:25 |
evening people, marcus the part time bar-man here again. just a quicky (ooh missus) to say thanks for making monday night a bit busier. not many of you are playing games yet but i'm sure that will change (fancy a game of kerplunk anyone?). you've missed out on a few really good beers lately, lots of one hops and stouts, and no i can't remember their name. I just serve the stuff and know the price, of course when i'm not working i drink it but then of course i get drunk and can't remember my own name let alone what beer i've been drinking.
that's about it for today, so come along and monday night and say hello to the black wearing earinged person behind the bar (that's me folks) and try and beat me at kerplunk
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This is indeed a splendid pub. My friends and I began going there when London Broncos RLFC moved to Brentford. We go there after most home games during the rugby league season and if the Broncos ever move again to a different ground we'll definitely make a point of coming back whenever we can.
Four real ales on at all times, carefully chosen to provide real variety in strength and often including milds, porters and stouts, and consistently in excellent condition at reasonable prices. I don't usually get as far as sampling the real ciders or continental beers, and with the hourly Sunday train service back to London I've lost count of the number of times I've thought "oh sod it, I'll have a couple more beers and get the next train".
I used to think the place looked a little bit too tatty, and at times the gents toilets have reinforced my theory that quality of a pub's toilet is often in inverse proportion to the pub's overall quality. However, I did note the recent improvements yesterday with the outer door even closing properly at last!
As a relatively unbiased occasional customer I'd like to endorse all of Gordon's comments below, which I feel are fair and accurate. The place has a comfortable lived-in feel to it, and I appreciate the use of energy saving lightbulbs. Too many pubs are far too brightly lit; it isn't necessary and the lighting in the Magpie is perfectly adequate.Wasting energy is a particular pet hate of mine, whether it's heaters turned up full on crowded trains while all the windows are opened to prevent the passengers from fainting or fluorescent lights in shopfront signs. Anyway, I'm rambling now.
I'm already looking forward to my next visit, which unfortunately won't be until 24 July when the Broncos play their next home game.
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Hello. Gordon the full-time barman here. I thought it's time I made a contribution.
I believe a pub is not bricks and mortar, or even the beer (even if it's as great as ours). A pub is the people who use it - So it's no wonder that we reached the number one spot last week.
Yes, we use low-energy bulbs. There's a good reason they're called low-energy. They cost less to run, and don't put such a strain on the environment or our venerable wiring circuits! OK, the toilets might not be to your liking. Spotted any improvement lately? Well, you won't have seen that the toilet roof has been replaced, or that the plumbing has been upgraded. You might have noticed the new hot-air hand dryers or the new tiling in the Ladies. As for being the worst in West London, I can assure you that they are not. No way.
But what we have got going for us is the best customers a pub could hope for. I wish I could tell you about every one of them, but there's too many to list here. I would, however, like to single out a few for a special mention in no particular order. There's Bob, who it turns out is as handy with a fire extinguisher as he is with a spanner, and has literally saved the pub. He's also responsible for the much-admired bike rack. Kim and Dick are invaluable, and without them I'd have sunk in a sea of empty glasses and overflowing ashtrays on many an occasion. Then there's Ralph, Vicky, Zoe, the Reverend Steve, Pandora, Jason, Graham, collectively the 'Ground Force Team' who are turning our back yard into a beer garden. Well done guys. Andreas has been hard at work on the plumbing, roofing and lots besides, and is available for hire at very reasonable rates! Kathy, Marcus, Pandora and Joanne are customers and friends who've bravely made the transition to part-time barstaff. Thanks to you all.
I wish I could list everybody who makes the Magpie and Crown such a great pub. Please don't take offence if your name's not here. For me to give you all a mention would, I'm sure, overload the website.
Please keep enjoying what Marcus calls 'The Magpie and Crown Experience'. I wish you all health, wealth and happiness in great measure.
Cheers!
Gordon (although my name appears here as 'Macbeth' for reasons I won't trouble you with!)
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An excellent traditional pub with superb beer! Perhaps the worst toilets in West London, and the extensive use of low energy light bulbs doesn�t lend themselves to a �cosy� atmosphere, but what a cracking pint!
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The picture of the pub has changed, the tables are round the back and we are in the process of clearing it for use as a beer/BBQ garden. (all we need now is the sun)
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marcus the part time barstaff here - a big hello to all you magpie and crown fans. its good that some of you are finally getting the hang of the place. we do try. or maybe thats just me being trying? oh well, try to drop in again and drink beer. if for no other reason than we do need to keep the stock turning over. oops forgot to say that steve (the landlord) wants me to mention the new random Belgian beer on tap (it changes every week). thats all for now. happy drinking
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This pub was my local until I saw sense and moved back up north and I always found the beer in top condition - Steve wouldn't put a beer on unless he was satisfied it was ready. I still call in when I'm down that way, usually around GBBF time. All in all a cracking boozer and I can't understand some of the negative comments on this site. Ignore them and give the place a try. If you like your beer I'm sure you'll love it. Say hello to h'Angus for me!!!
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This pub was scheduled as the first pub on a "bus-pass" pub crawl run by a few mates in 2004. I could not make it until pub 3 on the crawl but everyone said it was the best pub on the crawl..so when a Real Ale mate from Southampton came up for the May bank holiday weekend I thought I'd give it the once over.
Unobtrusive music in the background was Genesis: Selling England By The Pound (a good start in my book). Chalkboard listed the currently available Real Ales, Ciders, etc and their ABV and advised over 1,000 Real Ales had been served at the pub since they were keeping records (exceptional). The Pint of Shefford Old Dark was in excellent condition, my mate went for the summer ale (Barnsley Umpire's Finger) and he stayed on it all night. I switched to a Titanic Ale after the first S.O.D. but this suffered from having subtler flavours than the first beer and it was not until I'd nearly drained my glass that it impressed at all...so back on the S.O.D. until closing time when I had a finger too - judging that if it was a quick drinking up time I could polish it off quickly - however, no problems there - we were all allowed to finish our business in our own time.
The pub itself has a local feel (my mate reckoned it was the best pub I'd ever taken him to in the Smoke). The comfortable surroundings certainly will attract people not wishing to suffer the gaudy and loud that is so prevalent in other pubs...of course it attracts CAMRA members too - there were a couple on the next table to me with their good beer guides and marking down their opinions in their notebooks. Did not see any "Pikey" women, but to be honest this pub is not likely to attract that many women - unless they are seriously into either beer or pub games! There were only two women in the pub that Sunday - a striking looking woman with black hair and a young lass with her boyfriend who was on the shorts! (in a Real Ale Pub!!). The policy about returning glasses is quite clearly displayed (although as it was not a busy night I guess there was no danger of being served in the dreaded plastic receptacles!). Overall a very good "local" pub experience and although it is a bit too far from Wembley to make a regular haunt (considering I'd hardly be driving with what's on offer behind the bar!), I would certainly visit the place again.
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I've just read all 49 comments about this pub. Notwithstanding the fact that some of them have been posted by people who work there, I find it hard to believe (from the general tenor of comments) that this pub does not have a higher overall rating! If I had known about this place while I was re-visiting the Big Smoke yesterday, I would certainly have strayed from my chosen path to pay it a visit. Perhaps next time <Bar Billiards, Strawberry Beer, 3 different REAL Ciders? I can't wait!>.
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Well after reading some comments recently - I thought it would be time to correct a few disgruntled visitors, I work full time in the pub at the moment and we've never been better! Ok so we don't serve food at the moment or have regular live bands and as to the fact that some of you have declared the Magpie as "needing a good spruce up" I definitely think it looks lived in and that is part of the charm about our local!
If you want wining and dining and toff talk - go elsewhere (The Weir(d)) for example.
And as to LondonWolf's comment about a "strange pikey woman collecting glasses" and being "intrusive", she is NOT a pikey but a good friend and local to the pub - maybe we were too busy ourselves to collect glasses and I think highly of our locals who want to lend a helping hand once in a while...
So put that in your pipe and blooming smoke it!
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Was in here on Saturday. A great pub, good atmosphere and good mix of characters drinking here. Only slight problem was strange 'pikey' woman who was collecting glasses (NOT a member of staff I hasten to add!). Rather rude and intrusive, and quite unnerving! Otherwise, comfortably the best pub in Brentford, well worth a try.
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By far the most traditional pub around. Real ales (four of them) and real ciders too (THREE on at the same time!) plus friendly staff and a welcoming atmosphere. When I was there, the barman (sorry I don't know his name) seemed less like a member of staff and more like everyones mate. He knew his beer, and offered me a sample of the strawberry beer to try. I will return to this gem of a pub whenever I'm in the area.
anonymous - 31 Mar 2005 02:44 |
hello people, marcus the part time barman here. it is true the pub is a bit grubby, or should that be lived in? The locals are a bit miserable (ever been to Brentford?) but all in all it's an old fashoined pub for old fashoined people (unless you're young and like very good beer). as for me smiling, think of it as me bareing my teeth and getting ready to bite. why not come and see me on monday nights. cheers folks
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I find it surprising to say you found the locals a bit depressed, it may have been a bad day, or you caught us in deep contemplation of a good pint. And now another shock for the locals, on certain nights I have been lead to believe Marcus is working behind the bar, And shock horror HE HAS BEEN KNOW TO SMILE.
Still one of the best pubs in Brentford. And with a high pressure bike pump and puncture repair kit behind the bar, Gordon asked me to remind people of that.
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Wide range of beer (inc guests), lager and cider. Staff nice enough, but a lot of the punters seem a bit depressed, and, as others have observed, a once-over with the steam cleaner wouldn't go amiss.
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Great pub and a real oasis for those that like something with a bit more character than chilled fizzy kids' pop to drink!
Hundreds of different ales have passed through here - nearly two thou since 1996! They're into cask cider too so if you're looking for a good traditional boozer with great ales, interesting sarnies, a quiz night etc, you really can't fault this place.
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Great beer, friendly staff and a good atmosphere, those of you who find it intimidating when you walk in try talking to someone they won't bite your head off!
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Beer great as ever, friendly staff. The pub could do with a spruce up though.
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Good beer, friendly staff, Cider too.
Shame about no live music but maybe its too small.
anonymous - 19 Jan 2005 19:39 |
Vast slection of beer, seemed popular enough with the locals but could do with a good clean
Gary - 7 Oct 2004 13:13 |
During the 2nd world war my fathers' parents where running the Magpie and Crown and it was in the pub that my dad met my mum. His name was Donald Hale although I do not know his parents names. My father died in 1998 but my mum is still alive and I am sure she will be very pleased to see the photo of your pub and hear that it is still there. Cheers, Paul Hale, in Lowestoft Suffolk.
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Delicious section of continental lagers - oh how I wish this pub wasnt miles from where I live (Teddington)
PJ - 26 Jul 2004 10:11 |
Hi - I'm Gordon, and I work at the Magpie so it's not fair for me to tell you how wonderful it is. Visit us and judge for yourself.
But I would like to tell you what we've done for the increasing number of cyclists who visit us. We've installed a cycle rack... And don't forget, we keep a high-pressure pump, puncture repair kit and a few tools behind the bar, in case your beloved steed needs some attention.
We're on the Thames Path and right by the canal towpath which are both popular routes for cyclists, so why not drop in when you're passing?
Cheers!
Gordon.
Gordon - 22 Jul 2004 10:27 |
Still serves great beer, well worth a visit.
anonymous - 12 Jul 2004 01:33 |
brilliant beer, good laugh, great landlord, very good food. cheese ploughmans with 1/2lb of cheese, local trout, what must be the bigest breakfast in london (I have still to hear of someone finishing it and still been hungry) and even better in these times Beer that doesn't need a morgage to buy more than 2 pints.
Bungle - 18 May 2004 16:50 |
Still a great pub, I must say that Alan's food is fabulous! His menu is constantly changing and there is great variety to please everyone.
His all day breakfasts are huge.. it's a great accomplishment finishing the whole bloody lot!
Keep up the good work guys!
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As no one has added any comments recently I thought I should. Last Friday the 3rd of April I wandered into the Magpie & Crown hoping for a drop or half gallon of cider. Oh woe upon woe, no cider was there to be had. It had sold out, so perhaps the good news is spreading that good real cider is wonderful stuff. I had to comiserate with myself over a not inconsiderable range of glorious ale, which through pure hapenstance, I was assured, seemed all to be animal related. This range included three from the same brewer but from different breweries. Now that is unusual! It just goes to show that after 8 years Steve (the landlord) can still surprise us all.As always as soon as one beer is finished another one is put on, so through the evening I think I had about 6 different beers including the Pauliner Weiss, which it cannot harm to mention was first available in the UK on draught at the Magpie & Crown. Even tha hardend lager drinkers have been known to sample the strawberry Frulli.
ps All Richmond and Hounslow CAMRA members remember to vote for the Magpie & Crown for this years Pub Of The Year, better still how about the Pub Of The Decade.
Cheers and Wassail.
simon - 6 Apr 2004 17:02 |
Best beer in Brentford and good local crowd
Neil Chippendale - 23 Mar 2004 21:55 |
Hey everybody! It's my 22nd birthday on Wed 25th..for those of you who know me...be there and be merry! Be seeing you..
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Smashing local boozer with lots of variety in beer choice and friendly natives(including me!).Bar billiards ,quiz night,genial and friendly hosts who are both have an encyclopedic knowledge of beer/cider and how they are brewed.Come along if you're friendly and like good ale
Keith Iddon - 14 Feb 2004 02:22 |
After reading all the comments both good and bad about this pub, I took the opportunity to pay another visit last night (04/02/04).
Was very impressed by the beer range. Four constantly changing cask ales are available on handpump in excellent condition, together with six draught continental lagers (such as Paulaner, etc).
I did not find the pub overbright as some have mentioned, but low-energy CFL bulbs are in use throughout.
Traditional pub games, such as cribbage and shut-the-box are available here; the pub features one tv and quiet background music at other times. However neither intrude on what is a good conversational atmosphere.
The landlord (Steve) is friendly and welcoming, and the locals are all friendly.
I have been assured that the non-locking door in the gents' loo is about to be repaired!
This pub is well worth a visit and I shall certainly be coming again.
It is useful to note that last train services from Gunnersbury are the 2303 eastbound, but a night bus N9 runs into central London every 30 minutes from about 0030.
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Well hurrah for bar billiards indeed!
Hopefully that will stop some of the morons coming into our pub wrecking the blooming thing as they did with the pool table...hence no pool!
The fact that you have to score points and have a brain to add may frustrate some of them..let's just hope it doesn't happen again!
Still great beer as ever and hmmm yes..I'll have a pint of that ever so tasty strawberry beer known as Fruhli...yum!
Keep drinking folks!
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Another excellent visit to one of the best free houses around. One of the very few true free houses at that. Seven different ales on throughout the evening, not a bad choice from only 4 hand-pumps. As the Battersea Brewery beers finished, still in great condition, they were replaced with ones from Wickwar Brewery. You don't get much from this Gloucestershire brewery in London so it was a very pleasant evening. The resultant Saturday morning still drunk did lead to some slight delay in imbolc celebrations, but all went well, blessed be.
Pandora was present, but as a customer only.
simon - 2 Feb 2004 14:10 |
pool table has now been replaced with a bar billiards table reasonably priced at only 50 pence a go. Beer excellent and cider better!
simon - 22 Jan 2004 16:44 |
By far the best drinking experience in the netherworld of Brentford. The beer choice is wide and varied, changing often and showing great imagination. There is also a choice of real cider on offer, a great rarity for any pub in London. With one quite bar and a pool table crammed into here as well I can recommend it to anyone who wants a genuine and friendly local with excellent beer. Although last time I went there someone attempted to throw a video recorder through the window, and we're talking the huge early eighties things here, the ones that are bigger than most tellies are today. Thanks heavens for leadened windows that's all I can say. Oh and I've yet to see the bar maid, though the jolly genial overweight landlord in his real ale t-shirt comes highly rated!
Agnes - 21 Jan 2004 14:30 |
thank you for the nice comment about the "fit" barmaid. and that would be me, you are not the first one to resemble me to the cartoon in the metro...do visit again and show yourself sir..glad you like the beer!
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Nice pub, sells Strawberry beer (German?).
Fit barmaid bit like cartune in Tyne Metro, sometimes she smiles.
Nice eyes as well.
Bar Snooker Table in rear bar.
Nice people, decent beer.
Dernnott OO Groves - 20 Jan 2004 10:49 |
This has got the potential to be a really top pub. The german and belgian beers are excellent (do try the Strawberry one!) and the guest ales are all worth a try. these seem to change quite often, which is a real bonus as well.
John - 22 Dec 2003 14:48 |
Looks so tempting from outside but when you get in things aren't so hot. What could pass as character comes across as a little cold here. Could be the Brentford crowd who can come across as a little 'hostile' shall we say. Still, better than most pubs in the area. If they could just make it cosier, get rid of the white paint and dim the lights. The building itself has certainly got good character.
Good for: Daytime drinking, most definately.
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A New Beer on the scene, Paulaner Octoberfest, a bright Munich Lager high alcohol. There is a possibility of Strawberry Fruhli later this year. Watch this spot.
Note No longer any Karaoke!
Tim - 26 Sep 2003 18:01 |
Gordon is the sexiest barman in the world!
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After reading some of the comments about my pub on this website I feel that I ought to clarify some 'issues' that seem to have been raised. Miranda, your comments about the benches falling apart were very out of date as the offending items had been replaced with brand new benches for at least 3 weeks by the date of 5th August(the date of your entry). The Gents door was hanging off it's hinges, true, but this is in hand, the door is being replaced. I would like to apologise to 'francisthemule' as it was probably me that served you, I don't have any excuse for it other than it was probably a quiet day/morning and I probably looked up and didn't register that someone was there, once again I apologise. Well I'll stop rambling and just thank everybody else for their kind words, and to ask Miranda and 'francisthemule' to give us another try, we're not all bad.
Stephen - 11 Aug 2003 09:58 |
I had to visit after reading all the good things about the place. The beer was fine, not OTT, but fine. My problem was with the service. When I went (a couple of weeks ago)there was a very fat man behind the counter who acted as though it was too much bother to serve me. He was reading a newspaper when I went in, looked casually in my direction and continued reading.
Not a very welcoming attitude.
Nice beer but...
francisthemule - 9 Aug 2003 05:26 |
The Magpie & Crown is the best pub ever. Yes it sells excellent beer and gorgeous Belgian beers too (mmm...Kriek!!) I also think that as most people who drink regularly in the Mag know each other as friends, you feel more relaxed while you are enjoying a good pint.
You can't rate the Magpie & Crown out of anything - it's just a fab pub with fab people.....by the way..Esther, bloomin' cheer up! And also how does "Miranda" know about the hinges on the male's toilet door? Maybe she has a secret and likes the smell of men's urinals? How can you slag a pub off like that and say it's decrepit especially on the net? Maybe she should complain to Gordon and Steve instead of on this site. Other than that - keep up the good work guys, and please keep selling twiglets!
Pandora - 8 Aug 2003 15:57 |
Now that they have two superb German beers on draught from Paulaner, the Magpie has a complete range of draught ales and lagers and caters for every taste- this really is a drinkers' paradise!
Gordon and Steve are always knowledgeable and the locals are friendly.
The loss of the Karaoke has increased my rating somewhat!!
Roger - 6 Aug 2003 21:14 |
Yes, the beer is great, but this is the kind of pub that has given real ale a bad name. The outside tables were falling apart, the door to the gents was on its hinges, the whole place felt decrepit. As a paid up CAMRA member I guess I would agree that it's more important to care for the beer than the fixtures and fittings but surely not to completely ignore them? Frankly I would rather drink in places where I don't have to eschew a second pint because I'm afraid of what might be in the Ladies, however good the beer is. See you at the GBBF this week then!
Miranda - 5 Aug 2003 09:12 |
4 Draught Foreign Beers
4 Draught English Beers
And Cider or Perry.
What more can you ask?
Ok and Pub Games, Quiz Night and no longer Karaoke.
THis should be "The ideal Pub" see August's London Drinker!
I'd give it 9.5 out of 10
Tim Cosgrove - 28 Jul 2003 12:53 |
Not just a great real ale pub- those of us who like a lager, a homely atmosphere and a game of pool are also easily satisfied by this local boozer. Cheap spirits and Sky Sports also play their part.
Nick - 23 Jul 2003 21:09 |
And there's more, Afflingem, (abbey) @6%, Paulaner, (Munchen and weiss)The Magpie and Crown is the only pub in the country to sell Paulaner on draught.
Robert - 23 Jul 2003 04:04 |
Top quality boozer. The Hoegaarden is the cheapest in the country and there's a good selection of bottled Belgian and German beer. One of the few pubs I know that actively promote stouts, porters and milds. The Grand Union Honey Porter that they had on the other week was superb, it sold out in midweek in less than 48 hours - and those idiots at CAMRA will tell you that there's no demand for dark beer in the Summer! I'd give it 8.5 out of 10.
Michael - 1 Jul 2003 08:34 |
Great pub, great choice of drinks and great company. The newly introduced food bar provides some interesting dishes. Mainly pub grub food but with interesting variations and a "Dish of the Week" which changes every 7 days.
An excellent pub to visit.
Tony - 25 Jun 2003 13:01 |
The 4 real ales are constantly changing. I have personally sampled over 1200 different ales over the years in this pub.
Bob - 19 Jun 2003 05:03 |
Four real ales from micro breweries. Draught Hoegaarden for only �2.70 a pint!!! The Quiz on Thursday nights is not to be missed.
Graham - 13 Jun 2003 03:32 |
Old fashioned 1930s pub plonked right in the middle of Brentford High Street. Its ok but not particularly friendly for strangers. Sells 4 real ales and some German lagers.
Simonf - 12 Jun 2003 11:04 |
A very good pub in what's otherwise a beer oasis. At least one interestig beer. The pub is lit almost entirely by compact fluorescent lamps which gives a slightly harsh lighting effect, but it's worth a visit for the friendly landlord and the good beer. I am awarding a "7/10" rating to this pub.
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One of the "Pubbiest" pubs I know. Consistantly good beer, good crowd, good fun.
David - 12 Jun 2003 10:02 |
Excellent beer, 1 room pub with round bar. 1930's style building right on the high street. Guest beers available. CAMRA recommended. Watch out for the hanging monkey!!!!!
Graham - 18 Apr 2003 10:31 |
