please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Arrived about 2.15 and it was still quite busy, got a seat in the little section behind the bar. Worth a visit just to see the Victorian glass panels/mirrors. Quite a few bar staff on but they were not in a hurry to serve or collect glasses as they were too busy chatting. 4 Fullers beers on, we had ESB & Discovery which were both fine. Got the impression that the manager was struggling with staff as he was having a go about all the dirty glasses piled up on bar, and when I told a barmaid that the ladies was flooded and had water coming through the light fitting she just shrugged, but manager came straight over and thanked me for letting them know. Change of staff and it would be a very pleasant place to spend a few hours.
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Spent a long time mooching around the area trying to find a watering hole and in our desperation ended up in here. Ale was good and the decor is authentic, but the whole place smells of stale beer, which might be fine if you like that kind of thing but difficult to persuade the other half to linger in such circumstances.
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Along with all the other comments on how good this pub was, I can only agree. It was a warm and welcoming haven in central London.
The refurbishment has gone ahead and the property is now up for sale marketed as a 5 bedroomed house at a bargain price of £30 million. Yes, that's correct 30 million pounds, (and yes they have kept the facade).
With redevlopment potential like that it can't take too long for other brewers to cash in and the only place left to get a drink will be hotel bars. How depressing.
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I can't beleive I have just heard this absolute gem has closed. It was, by far, the best little local in the heart of London! Very, very, very sad indeed!
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This pub used to be a great Mayfair secret. Spent many a happy afternoon quietly downing pints in this little gem.
Alas, after a few hundred years of feeding and watering the locals its closed its doors for good.
Westminster council should be ashamed of itself. The planning decision will go down in history as one of the worst in Mayfair.
RIP my old friend.
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Planning application made for a residential development, retaining only the facade of the pub ...
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Pat - Heard the same too. Too sad. It was never my local, but used to stop in here and there in the mid 80s. My Mom and Dad were quite the regulars back then. In fact one the bartenders, Paul, a South African chap came to work and stay at our beach home in the U.S.
It saddens me reading about all the pub closures. I am just glad I lived in the UK when I did.
R/Joe
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THIS PUB IS NOW CLOSED!
Took a walk down at lunchtime to double check what the other reviews had said.
Sadly, it was all boarded up.
What a tragidy ... it was a lovely little pub.
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Disappointing - a decent stop-off on the Mayfair rounds where one could nearly always find a seat.
I note that it's still featured as being open in some of the 2009 pub guides, which suggests they haven't done their homework.
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Sadly The Red Lion is now closed, there were a number of reasons contributing to this, primarily it is in need of extensive building work. It may or may not reopen as a pub some time, but lets hope it does, as a damn fine pub it was.
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Still worth a look, but whereas I'd once have ranked this the best pub in Mayfair, if not Central London, the quality of the beer has been average last couple of times I've been here. Perfectly drinkable, perfectly OK, but in comparison to the quality in the past, when everything was very well kept, not quite the same.
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I'm a great fan of Mayfair pubs and this is closest to the best.
Sneaky location means that the tourist trade are largely absent and in the evening the snug bar makes it seem like somewhere outside London rather than right in the heart of it.
Quite a few Scotsmen in their skirts and furry purses last time I was in so can only assume there was a ball or similar at one of the big hotels on Park Lane
If you are looking for somewhere nice for an evening in Mayfair this is well worth the effort
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A great find this. A regular at the Curzon Mayfair cinema, the usual post-film drinks venue has tended to be the good, but overcrowded Ye Grapes pub in Shepherd Market. This alternative, tucked away at the end of an alleyway, is a lovely option.
The facade is promising and the interior does not disappoint, with well kept ales and a decent range of wines. The food looks hearty and warming. A super place to wile away a winter evening.
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Tucked away at the bottom of Waverton Street, you are not likely to pass the Red Lion by accident. But it is a decent pub, even if the ales on offer are the usual suspects you expect to find in a Spirit Group pub. The staff have always been very friendly whenever I have been in there and the food in the restaurant is good. Expensive - but good. It is most certainly a real pub (rather than just a bar) and in my view is a hidden gem. Highly recommended.
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Nice Mayfair pub, good atmosphere, nice staff and clientele.
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Still a great pub, but a real shame that the locals have complained about noise in the street and as a result, you can no longer stand outside during the summer.
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Tucked away in a quiet back street. Leaded windows and low ceiling. Was very packed (Friday night) and smoky but not bad. Usually does good business as it benefits from not having another pub too nearby.
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Very nice 'country' pub. Good range of some of the best kept beers I've had in London. Little bit busy with suits and tourists, but friendly enough atmosphere.
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Excellent pit-stop on the way back to SW18. Never been to the back room so can't comment. Often a few cabbies parked just down the street eating their cheese and pickle sandwich suppers... makes it a very handy pub for just before the black bus home. Good array of beers too, I'm told. Did take me at least 15 mins last time to get my hands on a Guiness which was a little upsetting. Quite fancy nipping off there now, as it happens...
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Good to see the Lion keeping up with it's image. My parents used to practically lived there while we lived in London. Haven't been back to it since '85 or so. I bypassed it all the times while I was back in town only because it used to have very odd hours.
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A great place to drink well kept beer in civilised surroundings. The staff can be a bit off sometimes, but overall, far better than anywhere else in the West End. Food OK - sharing platters are good. I would avoid the back bar (often booked for office parties) as it's a bit grubby and has a faint odour of Domestos due to being so close to the loos. Overall, a fantastic place to spend a 'school' night...
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can't really disagree with Mr Lash. Excellent boozer. My favourite in W1.
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Lovely old pub secreted away in a quiet corner a few minutes walk from Berkeley Square. Slightly unusual in that it sells both Fullers London Pride (well kept) and Young's ordinary (below average). Can get quite busy inside but the staff are pretty efficient. Great sausage platters from a wide selection on the blackboard, and a truly historic Steak and Stilton pie. Terrific for standing outside on long summer evenings.
Mr Lash - 15 Nov 2004 11:12 |
A very warm / cosy atmosphere. When we there a guy was playing the piano, which was great. Really nice place to go for a quiet drink with friends.
jacqui - 6 Nov 2004 23:56 |
The members of the Swiss student fraternity "Zofingia" have made this great pub their occasional home (Stamm) in London - we cherish the warm personal hospitality!
Formfit - 24 Aug 2004 09:44 |
A fantastic pub offering a warm & welcoming atmosphere to enjoy the fine food & wine on offer.
I would recommend this pub to everyone.
One of Londons finest.... (10/10)
Dave Hannan (20.12.03)
david hannan - 20 Dec 2003 17:52 |
Small, delightful country inn. Especially comfortable in winter when its two fireplaces are providing a dry warmth and a golden glow. In warm weather, the quiet and unbusy street provides an excellent drinking venue. Restaurant is in the rear.
Bob F. - 16 Jun 2003 15:56 |
I think a famous Welsh entertainer drinks here, but maybe it's another Red Lion
Andrew - 11 Jun 2003 14:30 |
