please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
I used to like this branch of Wetherspoon's. It was the better of the two in Putney, until the Railway closed. Yesterday evening's visit was however disappointing. The place is about to close for a refurbishment. As such, they were running down the real ale stock. There were just 2 ales on - Nelson Shipwrecked & Nottingham Legend. We later discovered Thistly Cross Whisky Cask cider in the fridge. The pub was still fairly busy. The Shipwrecked was nice enough.
|
Real nice place to go on the river with family for a drink & a beer. Otherwise - limited beer selection, crap service & plastic glasses on match days. Seating restricted due to people booking tables.
|
The interior is a bit hotel-like but that is the price you pay for being in a modern block. However the service is good and the beer is an ever changing range as usual with Wetherspoons. What sells this pub for me however is the river view. Sit outside and look across the water or at the trains going by. You are not however allowed to go to the benches by the wall with your drink - a very polite fellow asked me to go back 'behind the ropes' so I did. Putney is so busy these days but at least that means it allows many pubs and bars to flourish.
|
I'm very disappointed that the Rocket seems to have lost its way and the sparkle and promise it seemed to have a couple of years back. The beer is still okay, and a good selection. It's the food. Two weeks ago on "Fish Friday" the battered cod I was presented with was in four parts and looked like it had been kicked around the kitchen a bit. The Sunday roast I received today was only luke warm, was served with dirty, sticky cutlery and no gravy. I like vegetables to be a little "al dente", but the broccoli and carrots were practically raw. Fed up with waiting for fresh cutlery, I went to fetch it myself, the waiter was busy talking to someone and he returned five minutes or so after I had got the cutlery myself. As we were finishing the meal a waitress came over and asked "Was it you who asked for gravy?" I told her not to bother as we had just about finished the meal by then. The table was dirty and the staff didn't wipe it or clear the glasses, napkins etc. left by the previous customers. I mentioned it to one of the sub-managers and he couldn't have cared less. I am feeling a bit queezy as I am writing this - after the meal and just one pint. I hope it isn't due to the food I ate there. I realise that a lot of the food is microwaved and they probably don't have budding Jamie Olivers chefing in the kitchen, but the food should be served hot with clean cutlery.
I guess you get what you pay for, but this is supposed to be a "flagship" Wetherspoons. It seems to be more of a sinking ship.
|
Really Pretty location. Rubbish beer (there's a much better and cheaper selection 500m up the road at the other w.spoons) . Well laid out, generally full of people who think that wetherspoons dining is top quality and drink shit lager. Really really pretty location though.
|
Fantastic spot on the river, but as others have noted very popular with a 'younger' crowd. Nice couple of doombars for six quid or something very reasonable but you pay for it in your fellow patrons. Questionable as to whether the cash saving is worth it....
|
Nice evening with friends could have been spoiled by large, rowdy group of young fellas...shouting singing, about 15 of them. The manager dealt with them calmly and decisively. Whilst not angry or agressive he simply told them to leave. He did not waste time asking them to be quiet or behave. Just go. It was impressive and yet discrete at the same time. This experienced manager is why this Wetherspoons is so good.
|
Nice evening with friends could have been spoiled by large, rowdy group of young fellas...shouting singing, about 15 of them. The manager dealt with them calmly and decisively. Whilst not angry or agressive he simply told them to leave. He did not waste time asking them to be quiet or behave. Just go. It was impressive and yet discrete at the same time. This experienced manager is why this Wetherspoons is so good.
|
Quite possibly the poshest Wetherspoons you'll ever go in. Nice location by the river & lots of nooks & crannies. More expensive than the Railway & a far smaller range of beer. Nicer place than your average Spoon's to eat.
|
Came across this pub by accident whilst doing a stage of the Thames Path, very impressed.
Nice building, excellent views across the Thames and none of the brain dead loud mouthed chavs that all too often ruin a Wetherspoons.
My only criticism would be that having just 3 ciders on when the festival trumpeted up to sixteen is poor, the Jack Fairman in Horley managed 9 or 10.
Having said that it is a very decent pub to while away a few hours and unlike so many other Thames waterfront pubs they don't stiff you £5 plus a pint for the privilege or serve up substandard beer. Will be back.
|
This new manager is really doing well. The atmosphere is warm, busy and friendly. Beer range superb and in top condition. The Rocket gets better and better.
|
Came here after being disappointed by the Bricklayers Arms nearby, where the cider from the festival had run out the previous night, the plastic glasses were annoying (especially the small shards of plastic floating in the beer) and the crowds were excessive. Whilst the Rocket was still crowded, I could at least get a seat. Beers on were Banks's Howling Wolf, Coach House Gunpowder Mild, Sharps Doom Bar, Hook Norton Cotswold Lion, Greene King Abbot Ale & Ruddles Best. Ciders were Thatchers Traditional, Sandford Orchards Strawberry Lane & Westons Old Rosie & Marcle Hill. This place is tucked away from the main road. So it doesn't get quite as crowded as other places and is a good choice prior to a football match at Craven Cottage. It also has a great view of the river, which I could appreciate far more than on my previous evening visit. Do watch out for some of the bar staff short changing you though.
|
What a difference a change at the top makes....new but very experienced young manager seems to have brought standards up. Staff attitude has considerably improved and a general air of vibrancy makes the pub feel very welcoming. Food waiting times have reduced, with beer....Doom Bar at �2 pint... well kept and knowledgably served by enthusiastic bar staff. This is a great pub in a unique location and would be just ideal for parties and other functions. Well done that team!
|
The Rocket is a Weatherspoons flagship and much better than the other 'spoons up the high street (The Railway) . The venue is lifted by it's riverside location with views of Putney Bridge and the iron Fulham Railway Bridge. There is a good selection of well-kept regular and guest ales (you can get a good pint for �1.99. Lagers cost more, but are still good value. The food is also very well priced (a steak and a pint for under �9 or a beer and a burger about �6). It's a nice place for summer evenings. The staff are courteous and friendly and the place is well run. There is no music or screens. It is fairly busy on Sunday afternoons, but it is a huge pub and there is nearly always a table free even at the busiest times. It goes head-to-head with it's nearby competitor "The Boathouse" But the beer is nearly half the price and The Rocket has the prime location, Recommended
|
So, London, land of a billion bars.
There are 3 Weatherspoons within walking distance of each other in and round Putney, with plenty of competition. The Rocket, however, has the best out side area, overlooking the Thames, between Putney road and rail bridges.
If it hadn't been for the weather being quite good, and my internet dying at the house I was staying in and the people I was staying with working near by, I would probably never had come here.
3 of the four times I have been here, I have had exceptionally useless service. Twice standing by the bar, staring at bar staff waiting for them to finish talking about the Olympics, that haven't started yet, only to see them wander out the back, not to return for 5 minutes. When they did they served the gaggle of 40-something ladies all guffawing loudly, knocking back their spritzers, baring their stained teeth.
On the second visit we ate here, beer and a burger from �4.99 with a soft beverage to �7.59 for a "gourmet burger" and a pint of lager. This Weatherspoon-wide offer is always disappointing as I can only rarely get an ale with my pattie, and usually only then as long as I'm willing to listen to the newest looking member of staff getting a drumming down from a fraught manager. I had the Mexican burger, served with cheddar cheese, guacamole and jalape�os, chips and onion rings on the side. Jalape�os were the generic tinned variety, not fresh, no crunch and only a damp bite, cheddar all right, but could have not been there as I could barely taste it, meat was all right, no grizzly bits, fairly flavourful, and not over done. The guacamole was a bit bland, and a bit scarce. chips were long and quite good, could have done with a double fry, but that is a kitchen hassle, so that's just fine. Onion rings were onion rings, greasy but quite large.
As I had arrived early, bought myself a pint of adnams, and sat down with a menu the manager came over to see if I needed anything, which was a nice change for a 'spoons, and service was pretty good when my friends arrived, they were both served at the table twice both before and as we ate.
My fries were served in a blue ceramic bowl that kept them surprisingly warm, but next to them in a greasy, badly washed plastic pot was a bout half-a-greasy-pots-worth of "salsa" a kind of sour, ambiguous flavoured red paste/liquid. "Lovely." I thought. "This will go excellently with my Guac."
I and one of my companions asked for Mayonnaise and we were elated when one tiny portion arrived in another whiteplasticgreasycondimentpot, complete with it's very own skin.
The fourth time I came here, by myself at about 1pm, primarily to use their WIFI, which was free and fast enough to download a 145mb file in 7 minutes, give or take, I asked for their cheapest coffee. 99p will get you an americano, espresso, latte or cappuccino, the ladygirl who took my order was attentive, looked me in the eyes, took my money, gave me my change, let me sit down and brought it over to me with a smile.
"Can I get you anything else?"
I sat down, did my compuglobalhypermeganetbrowsing and watched her serve about 30 people quickly and professionally, remembering their drinks when they returned to the bar, speaking especially loudly and clearly to and elderly gent, and on the whole being pretty good. Then the manager turned up and mangled a couple of customers, looked panicked the whole time and mumbled quite a lot, making some in-jokes with the girl, seeming to rub in a mistake she had made. A customer came to the bar and asked for a lid to a wine bottle so she could take it home, the girl dutifully went out the back, washed and dried it before handing it over the bar. The customer left, looking happy, waving goodbye and pressing a tip into the hand of another waitress, who had apparently served them, who muttered a "thanks" then turned her back on the group and started to try and engage girl no1 in conversation, while she waved a goodbye and made girl no2 look pretty bad.
All in all, it's 'spoons, it's never going to be amazing, but it is in a nice location, next to a Carluccios - reasonable italian chain food - and a bar restaurant called The Boathouse, which looked far more expensive. Probably worth going here first, knocking back as much discount booze as you can, and getting out, as a party I saw here had a prime location, with their buffet laid out on a table that ran right up to the door to the men's loos.
6 thumbs up
|
I do not understand the comments on here.
The Rocket is nicely furnished with a great view onto the river from the dining area.
It always has a good selection of ales. The food is fine if you are a bit peckish and they bring you beers to your table if you are eating in the dining area.
Clientele is OK too. The alkies do not use this Wetherspoon for whatever reason.
I have always found the staff pretty helpful too.
|
Wasn't impressed with the decour at all. Over done for a spoons unless it is trying to attract soley the suit and braces brigade? Decent pint though. Not my cup of tea to be honest.
|
mmm...the last time we went in for lunch...empty Tuesday...food order all wrong. When I went to tell the bar staff...."I don't need all this, I'm only paid �6 hour". Manager smilingly ineffectual. Food eventually arrived. What a way to treat polite customers who call in fairly regularly....not any more!
|
Went here last Saturday and it was pretty good for a Whetherspoons and the beer was fine. Better than most of the other pubs near Putney high street.
|
They don't play music in here or even turn on the TV's volume which makes it feel like it's closed. However the chips are brilliant here so it's great for meals out. No good for a night (or even an hour) out though during the winter, but if the weather permits you to sit outside there is a nice view and cheap drinks.
|
First visit here last night. It's just around the back of the church and not far from the hustle and bustle of the main road through Putney. But it feels a world away. The interior is rather modern and a touch eccentric. It is however fairly comfortable and possesses more character than the standard Wetherspoons interior. Beers were John Mallett Kalamazoo Black Silk Oatmeal Porter, Green King Abbot Ale, Stone San Diego Session IPA, Woodfordes Kett's Rebellion, Fat Heads Yakima Sun & Fullers ESB. Ciders & perries from the fridge were Westons Marcle Hill, Old Rosie & Twist with Zingy Ginger, Mr Whiteheads Cirrus Minor, Gwynt y Ddraig Black Dragon & Sandford Orchards Bumble Berry Cider. I would rate this as a better Spoons than the Railway.
|
Great location - especially as it means you can watch the posers in the Boathouse spending a quid more for there beverage.
Having said that, not cheap by Wetherspoons standards and it is more restaurant than pub but still a good range and price of beer and wines.
|
Agree with other reviewers. This is a posh Wetherspoons, aimed at the gliteratti and business/professional/ well healed market and does not want some of the chavier types that Wethies sometimes attracts - see the other Wetherspoons pub in Putney, the Railway Arms which can be seriously frightening at times. The Rocket has expensive food - but standard priced drinks -and if you look carefully on the menu you will see that a lot of it is standard Wethies fare with a posh label. But it has a nice location and lots of lovely comfy seats and the staff try to please. One even offered to fetch me a refill from the bar when he saw me sitting in a booth with an empty glass. i would have fallen over had i not been seated. This place must heave on summer evenings. i went at Friday lunch in January &it was literally deserted.
|
Interesting result when clicking on [gmap] or [map]!
|
Visited this place yesterday and found that its only the food that is more expensive than you would normaly find in a JDW pub
Guest ales are mostly �2.30 the same as you pay in the Railway
|
Posh Wetherspoons, very much aimed at the posh Putney market. Luckilly improves on Fulham matchdays. Quick service, clean, odd shaped pub.
|
Great location. Clean. Good service. Prices a bit more expensive than other Wetherspoons but it is less hassle getting served and not at all scruffy. Low lifes do not come here to drink.
If you do not like the draught ales there is a good selection of bottled beers.
|
No review as haven't been here yet but Google Map location is completely wrong.
Strretmap is right. Hope to find it soon.
|
A strange pub! A Wetherspoon's that tries to be upmarket - with inflated food prices to match. Various equally odd restrictions about where you can sit if only having a drink. Quick service and a good choice of beers, but judging by the lack of customers compared to The Railway down the road the locals agree that Wetherspoon's should stick with what they do best - a cheap and cheerful, unpretentious down to earth pub.
|
Visited here yesterday afternoon and stayed for nine hours (lunch & dinner). This place is a revelation to me especially having been generally prejudiced against Wetherspoon pubs as I had never (until yesterday) had a good pint of well kept real ale therein either due to uncleaned beer lines or dispensing very cloudy beginnings and ends of barrels. However the Brewsters Hophead dispensed here yesterday at �1.99 per pint could not be faulted - indeed, before sampling, the manager assured me that they cleaned the lines here after each barrel (just wish it were so in other Wetherspoon pubs!). Accordingly 17 pints of Hophead were thoroughly enjoyed by the three of us.
My suspicions that the Sunday roast at �6.49 might be like a school dinner were also laid to rest. The beef was nicely pink and of good quality with gravy served "on the side" - always my preference anyway. The roast potatoes were delicious (not leathery) with good Yorkshire pudding and firm garden peas. My only criticism was in relation to the combined carrots and broccoli vegetables which I did not finish as they were soggy and had an unpleasant smell.
Very good value for money though. Nice setting eating at one of the outside tables on the riverbank (restricted to diners). Hopefully standards will be maintained at this unique Wetherspoons pub/restaurant and we shall return.
|
Lovely location but no atmosphere. Dearest Wetherspoon's I've ever been in. No special offers and Ruddles, normally �1.55 a pint was �1.95. Still not a bad price but not much else on offer. Plenty of fizzy lagers though.
I'd say it's probably a nice place to go to eat but not for a drinking night out.
|
Splendid location. Still very reasonable prices for both food and drinks. First class effort by JDW. Probably my new best pub.
|
This establishment reopened on Friday, 30 April as the newest Wetherspoons' pub in London. It is now known as "The Rocket".
However it is totally different from any JDW's we have ever been in as it is basically their version of a gastro pub. Honestly! There are 2 bars with a very large dining area overlooking the river. Also there is full waitress service whether you are in the bar or dining. On approaching the pub we were slightly thrown as there were proper condiment sets on the tables and initially we did not think it was a Wetherspoons!
There is a dedicated menu containing most of the usual JDW items plus others that we had not seen before .
Prices were somewhat higher than their other places, the most notable being the rib-eye steak which was over a �1 dearer.
The beer selection wasn't that great and the atmosphere was a little unsettling, although the staff were very good.
It was interesting to have visited but we decided to go to "The Railway Hotel" as this is more of a typical Wetherspoons.
|
This is a large venue with a bar area, lounge type area and big restaurant looking out over the Thames. A little like a hotel complex really.
No draught of any description is available and every drink is served with a little napkin. I gave the correct money so I don't know if the change is given on a little silver tray, but it wouldn't surprise me if it is.
If you like pubs I�d suggest skipping this place.
|
I popped in to this place earlier this evening just to see what all the fuss is all about. What a souless aweful money cow of a place. Why do they only sell bottled beer? There are far too many of these artificial "IKEA" type bars in SW London.
|
Spent a Saturday night here a few weeks ago with a group of mates and had a fantastic time! This was mainly down to the music - how often can you go to a bar in London and hear Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Hives, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, The Pixies... there was not a dud song to be heard.
I was also rather taken with the Espresso Martinis - my new favourite drink - mixed to perfection. A good list of cocktails overall actually.
OK the place is crawling with Saffas - but later on in the evening they take off to the Thai Square anyway.
|
I went to Rocket for my friend's birthday and it was the best night out.
We went to the bar first to have some cocktails and the staff was very helpful to help me choose from their wide variety of cocktails.
We had dinner in the restaurant which was lively but with a cosy feel to it.
The portions of the food was big, but there was something for eveybody to choose.
The service was good and all the staff was friendly and we had a lovely table overlooking the river.
Went back to the bar afterwards for some more cocktails and great music.
Can definetly recommend this place for a great night out.
anonymous - 14 Nov 2006 19:41 |
Over priced, over rated, and, considering its amazing location, overdue new ownership to sort it out.
Don�t waste your time here.
|
really friendly bar & restaurant staff, cute manageress too! go there to watch the footie, nice place.
anonymous - 19 Jun 2006 20:07 |
If you are looking for a great restaurant, this is definitely not the place for you. A table for a birthday party of 11 was booked more than a week in advance, however upon arrival, we were told by the most unhelpful and rude hostess, that she had no booking at all. The restaurant was only 20% full at the time, and yet she couldn�t be bothered to try and make a plan � we were told �It is Sunday lunch you know�. We told her we realised this and that was why we had made a booking. She then asked us to leave the restaurant area and finish our drinks in the bar. We eat out on a regular basis, and never have I been treated and spoken to in such an aggressive manner. The worst restaurant experience ever!
anonymous - 10 Oct 2005 12:44 |
Well, the location is so sweet, but the bar waitresses are not. Not belonging to the Swede clique hurts your chances for good service, or any service at all. Wont head back there because of staff rudeness. Ruined an otherwise nice evening.
|
oh my god! nice surroundings and all, but the service is the worst I have ever experienced in London, surly and slow, and the food ain't much cop either! OK for a drink but don't be fooled by how nice the food looks on the menu. it isn't. not one bit!
Amanda - 14 Oct 2004 10:02 |
Full of kids when I was last there (I am 32). Felt 15 years older than everyone. I obviously dont speak Afrikaans or say "Yah" correctly as it took ages to get served.
Hip feel to the place though, and a late license on weekends. Feel sorry for those lulled into paying silly money for the flat upstairs!
Lawrence - 5 Oct 2004 16:37 |
Cool and Hip!
max - 27 Nov 2003 14:05 |
Funky pub/bar at the bottom of Putney Warf. Good beer & view of river
Ed - 27 Jul 2003 19:45 |
