please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Yes, not cheap but wow, the view! I absolutely love this place for all the wrong reasons:
Crowds: Yes, loads of tourists but - and here's the rub - they DO! NOT! START! FIGHTS! Great atmosphere of, just, fun outside!
Poky downstairs: Cute, even for a Londoner like me!
Movement: I don't get sea-sick so it's great fun to go up to someone who does and move slowly from side to side...
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I went here the other night with a group of us meeting up before going elsewhere later in the evening. Things started bright with a fine pint of London Pride served up - I'm a northerner and like a full body and decent head and this was both. I've been to the Tattershal Castle on a few occassions before but mostly on company doo's and corporate nights and so wasn't used to the price/menu. I know it's the Thames - I'm sure mooring costs and managing costs are high and I can well believe that the upkeep and operating add-ons are expensive too but a few brown coins out of a tenner for one pint/London Pride and a single Bloody Mary (1 suingle vodka) is way too expensive for the place itself and the service standard they are acheiving. I'm not in Mayfair, Berkeley Square, The Strand, the top square mile establishments, pouncy Portobello or niff-naff Chelsea Harbour/St Katherine Dock so you need to watch the servings. I quiestioned the price with the young student barboy and he looked at me in disgruntled fashion. I looked back with a face that suggested swimming lessons might have been a great idea for him in his early teens. I'LL be back but not often.
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Fantastic view over the Thames, that is the only positive thing I can say about it.
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Spent Saturday here - great weather, great view. Food was decent and staff were friendly. Would def. recommend.
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Just spent an evening on here with friends... Not a warm evening in London, so it wasn't too crowded. But we started off on deck, ordering from the outside bar, which was fine - if a little expensive. (�8.20 for a Kronenburg and a bottle of Kopperburg cider, but I suppose you're paying for the view!) Our friends ended up getting a table inside on the deck below, so we joined them and the first comment was "Is your beer cold? Try mine..."
It was very warm, but I said maybe it was just a warm glass to start with, etc, etc. All night we made the trek upstairs to order and get the cold beers until that bar closed. Our first round from inside came up warm on both beers we ordered, but the bottled stuff was icy cold. When we asked the barmaid to compare the two she just shrugged and said "So? Bottles come from a fridge and are colder...."
Note to manager: Check you cellar cooling!
And this is one of those places that only ring one bell signifying "Bar closed" not "Last orders" - just a heads up. The 6 people already at the bar were instantly turned away....
On a positive, we all ate and the food was very good. But beware of the burgers - �7.75 for a 6 ounce burger and chips on a small plate was not good value!!!
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In fairness my last visit here was last year, but since I omitted a review then and I have time on my hands now, I shall pass judgement. Essentially, there is a sound novelty factor about a pub like this, and for a while that works a treat, especially as previous visitors have pointed out, on a balmy summer evening. The place is in reasonable nick inside too, and has various seating areas and comfy accoutrements.
The inevitable downside is that when one thinks it would be pleasant to pop along to the TC, the world and his wife will have had the same idea at the same time, and the net result is an often tortuous negotiation through the throngs to get to the bar, and then a 10-minute wait for attention. This isn't the pub's fault as such, but the term "victim of its own success" could have been invented for this establishment when it gets into its stride.
At weekends the music can be insufferably loud too, which I daresay suits the younger element but for those who like to talk rather than shout and to hear people's replies, it doesn't really do.
Ideal for a group stop-off - safety in numbers - possibly an office do or even a stag do.
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19�C on a Saturday afternoon, blue skies, London town, what more could you ask for. Probably not somewhere I would go to in the evening but this is a must for sunny day time drinks. The food is good and reasonably priced, the bar staff are nondescript but get the job done.
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Can't beat standing on that top deck on a freezing cold London day. Cracking!
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Great for one or two, expensive food! Visit with a London visitor by all means far better places locally. 7 for the location !
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only in summer
Kyer1 - 24 Aug 2009 13:17 |
On a quest to go somewhere we hadn�t been on our regular drink ups in the city, a group of us visited the Tattershall Castle for the first time last night and I have to say was quite impressed. Don�t understand the comment below about being in need of a refurb as the bar area was well done up and modern in appearance. The big flat screens at the ends of the bar area displaying a marine aquarium set up was a nice touch. And the large glass windows provide a great view of the South bank and the river whether you�re sitting or standing. As the property programs say location is everything and that�s what this place has. As the smokers in our group commented, where else can you have an large outside smoking area which gives fantastic views of the London Eye, Westminster Palace and the Thames.
The downside is that the beer choice is limited, but at least they have real ale on. Although as said below there is only Pride and it is �3.05 a pint. But what you�re paying for is location. And for the blokes, you even get a view of Big Ben from the port hole in the gent�s. And that�s got to be work 3 quid a pint of anyone�s money..
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Expensive and definitely in need of a refurb. The club is a bit naff too, but if you want to sit on a boat in the Thames and enjoy a beer its the only place you can go..
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Have started going in for my lunchtime pint, Pride is not bad but not cheap however at �3.05
Cracking view of The Thames and Big Ben though and now the colder weather has arrived the top deck is nice and quiet.
mrse1 - 11 Nov 2008 10:50 |
Even less choice than previous, Budvar appears to have disappeared.
Could be a whole heap better.
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Great Place. Excellent snack bar on deck and comfortable seating below. I can't recommend this place highly enough and drink here regularly in the summer months.
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I really don't recommend anyone to go there anymore.
The bouncer was so rude and wants to have a fight with customers who was about finish off their drinks any time.
Initially I had a lovely time there when I went there about a year ago. That's the reason why I took my mates to that pub recently. As a female, I didn't expect to be phisically pushed over when we were finish off our drinks in upstairs
(where we were told to be able to finish our drinks).
We paid our drinks, and didn't expect to be physically assaltad by the bouncer and a guy so-called a bar manager.
I wouldn't go back there ever.
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a fantastic place to go for a drink or a meal specially in the summer months
halo2 - 17 Apr 2008 22:32 |
what a fantastic venue this is, it has everything & the service and standards were outstanding when I visited last night, what more could you want, this ship is in view of the London Eye, Big Ben etc, it has a night club, comedy club, and I think 4 bars, my partner & I sat on deck, had a wonderful meal & wine and just watched the boats going up & down the Thames, we had a truly great night and I thought I would share our visit with you, going back on Friday....
sue25 - 17 Apr 2008 18:41 |
The upper deck is nice on a summers day, even if you can�t get a seat. Below feels a bit more sanitised, with a large bar and seating area without great views of the river from the window.
No real beer, but a large range of bog standard largers. It�s not cheap however, Amstel was �3.30 and Peroni �4.10 per pint. Food looked good, although didn�t sample.
Overall not bad, more of a lunchtime pint place, than a place to go of the evening I feel, and my rating has been lowered by the high prices.
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Fairly average beer boat, only really worthwhile on a summer's day for the scenery.
Not much on offer of interest. Think Budvar was the most interesting option.
Better examples of beer boats for my money would be the Charters in Peterborough, or Grain Barge in Bristol.
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Great pub, really nice atmosphere and view, however bouncers can be unnessesarily aggressive. My friends and I were having a great time in the disco below deck and unfortunately used the 'wrong' door to go upstairs to have a cigarette on the deck (we used a door normally used before 11pm to get to the deck and there were no signs telling us it was now closed). Because of this my friend was physically thrown out for no reason whatsoever, which was frightening and horrible. Other than that we had a really good time. Shame.
anonymous - 21 Oct 2007 04:24 |
Great for a few beers when the sun is shining, but I wouldn�t bother if it isn�t a nice day as the downstairs bar feels like a holiday Inn lounge.
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Loads of reasons to love this place. The 1st being you can still smoke upstairs! Good atmosphere. Great place to take people who don't live in London as all the familiar sites are around. Prices are good considering the location. You wont have remortgage to buy a round. During the week gets busy during rush hour then it dies down around 8pm. Weekends are non stop busy but have never had any trouble getting to the bar.
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"The Boat" eh?
Well my friends and I know this place as the "Tatty Ars3h0le". It is one of those true oxymorons of a drinking establishment.
Undoubtedly in need of a bit of a tidy up and some TLC, but one that has a certain charm and great views.
Beer is at best OK, but it always tastes better on a ship for some reason.
anonymous - 8 Jun 2007 16:32 |
Me and my chums call this 'the boat'. Having read a few of the reviews, I have to agree that it is a good place to go for a night out. The discotheque below decks opens at nine o'clock, but doesn't get busy til tenish. A tip for you all is to pay your entry fee and get your hand stamped then go back upstairs to enjoy the view, and return later. Trust me you will be glad that you did!
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Went here for the first time on Saturday night and had a fantastic night. Started the evening with a few drinks on the top deck before heading down to the nightclub. Great music (tho sometimes a little cheesy, but fun), good atmosphere and I though it was very reasonably priced for central London. Goes on right through untill 3am. The only downfall I could find was that I did sometimes feel a little queesy, but that is only to be acpected on a boat. I had a fantastic night and will definatley be back soon.
anonymous - 21 May 2007 10:46 |
The last reviewer, oh dear, can't keep real ale on a boat, it wouldn't settle.
Great place in the summer.
anonymous - 9 May 2007 13:53 |
Popped in here last night for a cheeky one, my first visit for several years. I felt it was smarter than it used to be, and the floating location offers a certain novelty, but I was unimpressed. No real ales at all and a rather lifeless atmosphere combine with expensive prices and a slight feeling of queasiness to mean that I wouldn't head back.
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I always like coming to Tatty castle when up in London not going to win any awards for the beer Guinness and Smooth were fine though and it"s always varied mix of punters coming on board!
We sat under the real fire!!(well beneath the tv playing the video of a log fire burning)
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Lets not go over the top ladies & gents - it's pleasant enough for chewing on an ale on deck if the weather is good but dont really care for the inside as it is a tad grubby and clustrophobic as the last post mentions. Would not touch this place with a barge pole on Fri/Sat as it fills up with surburban folk who get the overland into Waterloo - you know who you are! However, am surprised no one has mentioned it but the comedy nights held here on Mondays (during winter months) can be a fun alternative night out.
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I actually quite like the Tattershall Castle... You can't beat sitting on deck on a fine summer evening with a few pints watching the Thames go by. In the depths of winter when everyone is crammed inside it can feel a bit claustrophobic but getting served is usually quite easy. I took my parents in here last week for a drink (mid afternoon) and despite them not being particularly big pub fans, they liked it too! The food can be hit or miss but as somewhere to drink around the Embankment, there are few better places.
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The Tatty was once one of the three ferries that plied between Hull and new holland (across the River Humber). They were the last coal burning side -paddlers in the UK, b ut they became redundant when the Humber Bridge opened.
the other 2 boats were the Wingield Castle, and the Lincoln Castle, which spent some time in Hull but is now in Grimsby Docks and open as a pub. Very m uch down at heel and run as a grubby bar - no food, hostile atmosphere, etc.
What a waste - these were magnificent boats.
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Worth going for the view and because it's a good central location, a stones throw away from Waterloo Station.
It's expensive, crowded in summer and not enough bar staff, but it does have atmosphere.
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Being on a boat you do feel a little drunk before you even start drinking. Though ironically after a few drinks you stop noticing. I thought the place was pretty good looking since the refurb, everything fresh and clean still. As a pub this is fine - food is good, drinks are drinks. The club is quite small and cheesy, which is fine if that's all your after, though it does get very hot when busy. Worth a visit for one of the best views in London to have a drink to.
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It's pretty awful inside (didn't used to be 10 years ago) but outside it still boasts the best views of Big Ben and the Wheel in London. Worth going just for that.
anonymous - 27 Jun 2005 17:51 |
The refurb has helped a lot - there's no longer the smell of stale sweat. I can't think of many reasons to visit unless it's summer and you want to sit outside with the bbq. Although having said that, if you're a bit of a cynic, it'll make you laugh.
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actually, this is one of the worst places I've ever been. If you like suburban groups of lads and lasses on a night out in the 'west end', dreadful dubious commercial house music mixed with the dregs of the chart toppers, and grubby loos, then this is the place for you. If not, there are about 50 bars nearby that you'll probably prefer � for starters, El Barco Latino is just down the road. It's also a boat just like this one with the same great view but without the rowdy clientele and rubbish music.
Leah - 3 Sep 2004 11:16 |
Refurb is good and the new bottle bar has sped up the service - a great location for drinks on a sunny London evening - if you can handle the rocking motion !
Chase - 3 Sep 2004 10:10 |
The refurb included a new air con unit in the night club but it seems to have made very little difference. The atmosphere is usually generally good but the door staff are rude, unprofessional and seem to get away with anything. The assistant manager isnt much better. Approach with caution.
Gordy Welles - 20 Aug 2004 20:28 |
Visited for the very first time yesterday - I've always used the Queen Mary. Must admit next time I'm in the area, I'll be coming here again. Food is fairly standard stuff, with a couple of quid added on for location! I had the pasta, and I must admit it was pretty good. Had a very nice pint of 1664 Blanc - which I've never previously seen. Look forward to coming back on a sunnier day, and sitting on the deck, watching the Eye go round very slowly!
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Nice position, good refurb but the worst service I have ever had. A friend and I were totally ignored for 25 minutes by bar staff who made it quite plain that they were deliberately ignoring us. Hope it sinks!!
Phil - 20 Jun 2004 14:22 |
went there saturday afternoon, very impressive, has had a total make over, the food is reasonably priced, and the re decoration is mdern and comftorable, go try it!
grahah mcintosh - 6 Jun 2004 14:06 |
Is it going to be open by Saturday night?
Jo - 3 Jun 2004 10:24 |
She reopens next week. I have an invite to the opening party.
Gerry Abrahams - 1 Jun 2004 18:21 |
Last week noticed a barge containing beer barrels outside the Hungerford bridge make an appearance.... last night I saw.......... THE TATTERSHALL CASTLE IS BACK !!!!!!!!!!! Not been there yet but will be there very soon!! looks like the deck has undergone some extensive refurb.... Can't wait gonna see you in there, just after I get paid!
Mark - 21 May 2004 15:34 |
Display on embankment berth now sez dear old Tattershall not back til June 04 - just right for those hot summer nites and a good guzzzzzz - we hope!!!
Marion Boreham - 26 Apr 2004 21:16 |
The Greatest!!!!!!!!! Think its back in May now. Can't wait
Rich - 6 Apr 2004 15:19 |
Anyone know a date in April when we can at last return to the best floating window on London and get drunk in the process?
marion boreham - 26 Mar 2004 10:31 |
if think this pub is the best in london and the prices are the same as most of london apart from weatherspoons i know it will be back in april looking like the best thing since sliced bread i heard it cost 4.5mil to fix and i know i will be first in the cue to get on
simon - 14 Jan 2004 15:27 |
Should be towed out to see and sunk, possibly the only way the toilets wil evet be flushed properly!
christian - 20 Dec 2003 00:52 |
yeah we used the place as a reunion spot on a beautiful summers evening, something about downing pints near water. (if the thames can be classed as water).
I agree a bit dear but different in a nice way. It should be back soon from its renovation.
Alan C.O'Brien - 3 Nov 2003 15:06 |
I think it's gone into dry dock for repairs, the first in 40 years so i'm told. It should be back soon. I've had some very fun evenings there, but it is a bit expensive.
morph - 28 Oct 2003 13:19 |
Errr, it's not there @ the moment!
Rob - 14 Oct 2003 16:33 |
Okay.. tried to go.. and it's no longer there.
Fantastic place, a firm favorite for all nights in central London.. where's it gone?
Peter Bancroft - 13 Oct 2003 22:51 |
Was there last Friday & great atmosphere - highly recommended
Higgsy - 4 Sep 2003 17:09 |
Nice atmosphere, but drinks too expensive, even for London. Good place for a snog.
Joanna-Sophia - 28 Apr 2003 22:46 |
right on charlie..its cheesy, but cool, excellent summer location, relax, drink, watch the world and a few boats go by, nice...
downside, when food is served..bloody pesky pigeons everywhere.
chris - 25 Mar 2003 12:33 |
Lovely old Paddle Steamer very nice place for a drink and a meal.
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Class place for a beer in the sun after work - sneak off from the office early to make sure you get a seat on deck on those hot summer evenings that must be just round the corner!
Joe - 7 Mar 2003 16:55 |
Location is fantastic but the beer is absolutely rank. The glasses must be washed in the Thames and the Guinness is straight out of it. Do yourself a favour and take your own drink onboard at least you know where it's been.
Ed - 5 Dec 2002 11:19 |
Wicked place, for a fun cheesy night out, do what you like and wear whatever, fun, fun ,fun!
Charlie Brown - 2 Dec 2002 13:22 |
Rented the venue for a party and had a good enough time. No trouble with any bouncers which is surreal for me as they usually seem to find trouble with me.
David bethell - 17 Nov 2002 18:08 |
Always a pleasant atomos here, providing you avoid the nightclub - it's dire! My only reservation is that it is SO popular in the summer it can take an age to get served. Normally buy two rounds at a time here.
Adrian Yorke - 8 Oct 2002 00:00 |
Nice pub/boat - Good for a few lunchtime pints when the weather's nice. Watch out for the 2-pint glasses, though!
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