please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
The Union Tavern has recently had a refurb. And most things are better. The green (original) tiling outside is much better than that dreadful grey paint. London Pride is the house ale; there are three or four guests, mostly from other London breweries. A wide selection of craft beer is available also, again mostly London brews. Live blues once a month with house band and guests, rare soul night bi-monthly, meet the brewer events once a month... Monday is £3 a pint for ale and Wednesday is quiz night. I've been using this pub since 1987 when in the area and a regular since 1995 when I moved here and continue to do so.
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Concur with blue scrumpy here. An excellent range of beers (5 real) from micro breweries as well as one from Fullers that you don't normally see. Friendly landlord, homely pub. And that's in the middle of winter; must be gorgeous in the summer by the canal By the way the name is Union Tavern.
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This is a canalside Fullers pub a short stroll from Westbourne Park tube. But it's unlike any Fullers pub I've been to previously with a good range of cask ales and also a large craft beer selection. Ales on handpull were Redemption Pale Ale & Rock The Kazbek, Mondo James Brown Ale, Fullers London Pride & Five Points Pale. The keg selection is served from taps at the back of the bar and included a couple of Fullers beers, plus others from Meantime, Camden, Trumans, Kernel, Uprising & Weird Beard. The interior is split over a couple of levels and is fairly modern. The clientele seem to be a fairly trendy bunch. One to recommend.
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Had a fine pint of Redemption Trinity here the other day (�3.50).
Also on handpump: Pride, Wild River and some other guests including Hopspur.
Can also vouch for the fish and chips with mushy peas (�10).
Since the refub the pub is more disabled friendly: main bar on one, rather than two, levels; spiral staircase replaced by one that is probably easier to negotiate.
Look forward to the open mic nights.
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I had my wedding party for 85 people at the Grand Union last weekend and hired the whole pub, and I honestly could not recommend it highly enough. It was a fantastic day - the layout of the pub is perfect - the guests arrived by boat to the outdoor terrace, where we had meze style food, pates, empanadas and sangria. It was drizzling at this point, but with the huge heated umbrellas that can be set up to cover the whole terrace area, it didn't matter at all. The large top room was set out with big tables and had the perfect relaxed atmosphere, and the snug downstairs is ideal for dancing - I don't like a huge dance floor where you feel exposed, but this was just right. We left pub games on the tables outside after dinner, where people could chat, play cards or checkers etc and have a whiskey. The food was amazing, the pub designed a menu with us and we choose to have food brought to each table for people to share - someone had to don an apron to carve the meat, which was fun and a real hit with the guests. I'm vegetarian but my husband is a great meat eater, and everyone ate really well and praised the food. The staff were courteous, attentive but also fun - they made up the chalkboards in the pub for us, and designed a soft play area for the kids with sofas and a floor mat. The pub is also beautifully decorated inside with atmospheric lighting, which really set off the flowers and table decorations. It was a great day and that was all about the location - we're already planning a Christmas party!
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Fuller's gastro house close to the canal (canalside drinking involves going down spiral steps). Okay for a pint but not your archetypal pub - the Seafarer's was nice enough.
anonymous - 9 Sep 2011 18:26 |
What a great place!
- Attentive and friendly staff
- Great relaxed atmosphere
- Accommodating chef
We will definitely be making this a regular choice!
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Shockingly pricey. Food approaching serious gastropub prices (the Bull and Last is cheaper) but with none of the quality. A ploughmans sandwich at over �6 came with bread toasted on the outside but soggy on the inside, tasteless cheddar, big slices of gherkin and some packet lettuce. Fish and chips looked quite nice but the chips were soggy and the fish undercooked. Maybe the usual chef was off? Beer is similarly expensive and disappointing. If you want a pub with some decent food, head to the nearby Metrolpolitan or Skiddaw (currrently being refurbished) - neither what I would call cheap but far better value for money. If cocktails and table service is your thing and you have deep pockets then you may enjoy it, if you're after a pub then go elsewhere. Nice garden by the canal in the summer though.
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Went to this pub to have a beer. It's a cold damp October evening. It's freezing outside.
The front door to this pub was open. Inside the pub was very draughty., cold and uninviting.
The bar maid was more interested in chatting to existing customers.
Bye bye. I left the pub in a huff
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Had great fish and chips in this pub last night!
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Excellent location, get there early on a Saturday to get a table outside on a sunny day though! Really good at table service, food is overpriced to my mind but each to their own I suppose - but �4 for a bowl of chips seems steep to me!
Not to detract from very well kept London Pride, and a very long and lazy afternoon, an excellent place.. Would definitely return..
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This pub is ammmmazing! had the most fun night in a pub in a very long time! Didn't plan on staying when we first got there (it was pouring down so thought we would stop off for a bit) but ended-up staying the whole night. Started off with Amateur Porn Star Martinis� (It is in desperate need of trademarking cause they are delectable AND according to me and my peers. . maybe even better than the soho original!)
After a few FANtastic cocktails (and wonderful service - we were served at our table!! who runs this place? have got to meet him!) we decided to stay for dinner. The food was on time and excellent... .surprising considering we were expecting pub grub (guess pub food is much better than our student days now!)
The decor could improve but this pub is truly amazing! Highly recommended for anyone after a great time. Well run, best drinks (outside of chelsea), good food, superb atmosphere and fabulous location (the garden is adjacent to a canal!)
Will definitely be visiting soon. Ammmmazing!
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Had a couple early evening on Friday. Way better than expectation. Table service is a very nice touch. Bit generic in terms of decor and the head barman has a truly terrible haircut , yes i'm afraid I really am that shallow, but a nice eclectic crowd and decent music at Friday night volume without making your ears bleed. Would liked to have tried the garden so will definately return in more clement weather.
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A pub that tries hard. The manager has changed in the last month or so and they do seem to be trying, although at times chaotic. A nice venue on an early summers evening with the sun shining down the canal and onto the outside seating area. it is worth trying to reserve a table there as it can get crowded.
The one Sunday roast i have had there recently was not awful but not something i would recomend people hunted down.
The crowd i have found to be an eclectic mix that you tend to find in any pub in this area that isn't a spit and sawdust vomitarium.
A little pricier than the average pub but clean and attractive and the beer seems well kept.
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Well what can I say, was there last Saturday. My friend had PAID for space down the back of the pub too btw. We were told to move because someone had a huge crowd of people that wanted to eat there. In walks Moby and two ladies (HUGE CROWD MY BACKSIDE) to take our space. Cant help but feel annoyed at this pub, as I have spent tons of money in this establishment in the past, and dont like being moved on for some celebrity who probably never spends time/MONEY in there!! We all poo and die and should be given the same respect as any other paying customer! not impressed with this pub at all.
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I love the attitude of this place. I have only been in this pub a couple of times once with my partner another with a small group of friends but both times I was warmly welcomed a certainly well taken care of. I can imagine that this place must be incredible in the summer sitting next to that canal, unfortunately both times I have been in the weather was quite cold and gloomy. However the food was fantastic, the burger was superb, the staff were very pleasant and helpful, ad though a pint of San Miguel was 3.65 the atmosphere and food more than made up for it.
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I have to say this has become a bit of a local for me and i love going to the grand union. I feel its getting a bit of a tough old time here. I would say the food is always good to very good, I have started to crave the pies far more often than i should(the camel is still the best). I always recommed to meet friends here, it one of the few remaining pubs that doesn't have football scores and screens everywhere, and you can here yourself talk. Personally I think the staff are also good too. Prices are a bit higher than most but it keeps the dregs out.
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I went here with a group of friends yesterday to be greeted with an absolute farce! At first our table was inside, then we were outside and then we were back inside because our table that they had already given away once was now available again and they needed the one we were on!
We let this slide and decided to have a drink which I thought was of limited choice. The real trouble started when we ordered food. Three Eggs Benedict (surely it cant be hard to get that right) and a portion of chips were ordered before the rest of our group had decided. An hour later and with people who had arrived within the last 20 minutes receiving food we started to get a bit annoyed. When it eventually did arrive it was all stone cold and we were told it had been ready for ages but hadn't been brought out! (Not what we wanted to hear!) Needless to say the food was sent back and we got new portions.
As the sun was out we thought Pimms might be in order and so ordered a couple of jugs. �19 a jug we think is somewhat steep? Let me know your thoughts on that. When we went to pay the bill (we sent the two teachers) we were told that they weren't willing to give us any discount and talked to as if we were somewhat stupid! Instead some bloke came over and offered us three bars of cheap dark chocolate for our inconvenience. Cheers pal!!
When the posh lot came in talking about fox hunting and wearing jumpers around their shoulders it was time to leave. Permanently!! We won't be bothering again!
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I was hoping for a lot out of this place as I approached it, but as soon as I had opened the door I realised that this place wasn�t going to be for me. My fears were compounded by the surly barmaid and cost of the Pride. Draught Honeydew and a selection of premium lagers were also available.
The pub is on a great location by the canal and maybe that has been its downfall in attracting people that don�t do pubs. You know the type that phone two days in advance so that they can reserve the large table with the sofas and then spend the evening sanctimoniously looking down their noses at the ilk as they are in the top dog seats so they must be special.
I managed to get a goodbye from the staff, but only after a lot of effort on my part. Maybe my face just didn�t fit in this pretentious cesspit.
I will be returning, but only to walk past as I visit Angies II again.
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�7.20 for 2 pints of Amstel. I won't be returning. It was empty.
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Seemed ok. From here you get a lovely view of the canal and the bus garage. I sit here by the canal mainlining black coffee to keep my eyelids from falling down with the thunk of a corner shop's shutter closing an hour before a Millwall match. At least they do proper coffee. Despite the name they do not seem to do Grand Union beer, instead it's Fuller's London Pride.
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overall not bad, good food and ales when i visited.
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Ah yes, used to be the Carlton Bridge, when it was a pub. Yet another pub fallen to the braying hoardes of home counties troglodytes. Same as x number of former pubs in the vicinity and across London, except it's by the Grand Union Canal, so you can sit next to it in summer.
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Been back t this pub a few times in teh last 6 months.
In the summer the seating outside by the canal is always rammed, the BBQ's ok.
The pub has two bars and an area for eating. The upstairs has the main bar and also the food eating area. A few comfortable sofas mixed in with tables and chairs. Downstairs is the bar for those sitting outside. Two bogs for blokes, one upstairs and one downstairs, atlhough girls who cna't hold their bladder and make it upstairs have been seen using the toilet downstairs as well.
Food, bit of a mixed bag, when the kitchen is open then the pie and a pint option is not bad. Went there recently on a Sunday evening and at 9:05pm got told the kitchen was shut and that i couldn't even have a bowl of chips. Pub was very quiet and they may have sent the chef home early, but that night the bar staff weren't over friendly, not overly unfriendly just mildly distinerested.
Beer, lots of imported lagers and two bitters on draft, Pride and Bombardier, both well kept.
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Erk. I take it all back. It's poncey now.
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My girlfriend met the guy who runs this place at her work. He told her they don't consider themselves a pub but rather a wine bar / restaurant, and he doesn't care about beer and doesn't even drink it.
To be avoided, then.
I do remember going there four years ago when I lived nearby and I seem to remember it was pleasant if a little smug.
anonymous - 6 Sep 2006 17:23 |
Me and my fiancee took a couple of our friends here and we only lasted for 1 round. Full of braying posh people. Not our scene at all. Prince of Wales or The Metropolitan much more down to earth.
anonymous - 6 Sep 2006 16:22 |
Note to scousemouse, re comment below. I counted two ales (Pride and ESB) and two gents, one cubicle on the ground floor and urinals and a cubicle in the basement.
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This pubwas chosen by a friend for the start of a birthday night pub crawl, and a fairly inauspicious start it was as well. One of the type of places that has loads of premium lagers and one bitter (and that was London pride). On the plus side the food was ok, though it was quite expensive and the chips were awful (french fries style with far too much salt - probably to get you to dink the overpriced beer). On the minus side the drinks are expensive and there is only one toilet for the blokes (no urinals) and that doesn't have a lock on it (hmm...wonder why that is). Mind you this pub is not really any worse than most of the others in this area. All the pubs in Westbourne Park/Notting Hill seem to be like this - too many gastropubs in too small an area. I won't be returning here, but then I hope I won't have to come back to Westbourne Park any time soon either...
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Really good in the summer as you can sit outside. Don't think it has been sold. Much better than the Metropolitan which is down the road. For the guy who wants to watch football, there are plenty of others with screens in the area and the pub hasn't really changed much since it was the Carlton Bridge. The food was really good here until early 2004 when it changed hands and they changed the menu. It takes ages for your food to arrive tho so don't come here if you are in a rush. If they still do pumpkin risotto that was great, but the chunky chips are a bit greasy now!
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Awesome pub with great atmosphere and funky canalside terrace (good if you can get a seat, anyway). Food's pretty spectacular - the pies are some of the best I've had in London, and some of their specials are pretty wild.
Would be good if they'd mix the guest ales up a bit, but apart from that, love it!
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Have heard Fullers have bought it.
anonymous - 26 Aug 2005 14:13 |
Tried this again at the weekend and the same as my last visit. Very busy and 3 deep at the bar. I'd forgotten this used to be called the Carlton Bridge. I used to come and watch footie there. Fat chance of that now. Lamentable.
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...........oh,..and if you are a vegetarian,..you really must try the chicken and mushroom pie in here,..best pies in london,..cluck off!
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I'd rather join the bus drivers/tyre fitters on the opposite side of the canal, (playing cards/drinking their white lightning) than suffer some of the tools you get in here now,....prefered it when it was the Carlton Bridge - when it was run by a Chelsea fan called John,.........used to be worth a visit just to marvel at his dental work.
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Took a few friends here for a saturday lunch for my Birthday last year - by narrowboat - It was the perfect way to arrive. I'd booked a large table in the downstairs room, and it was ready and waiting for us. The service from the barmaid (forgot her name, sorry was exemplary, and the food was very good without suffering from gastro pricing.
The beer was also good - Adnams if I remember.
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Walked in and walked out again. Too smokey and full of braying people. There seemed to be a queue about 3 deep at the bar so I guess it's dead popular but if I have to fight for a drink and fight to be heard I simply cant be arsed.
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Had a great time here a week or so ago. Thoroughly reccommend this pub for people looking for funky tunes, great food and a place to sit either inside or out. It's great to watch the boats go down the canal while sipping on the cool ales. My favourite London pub.
anonymous - 13 May 2004 22:32 |
Got a bit of character. Young crowd but not too poncey. Not the nicest area to drink in but it will do. A bit loud but that's what you get when you ditch the carpets. The terrace was rammed when I went there and this pub is definitely a summer affair.
Good for: Sunny Summer Saturday afternoons.
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Neat little beer terrace by the side of the canal - and great pies! Lacks a little bit of atmosphere - a nice place to visit, but I couldn't picture it becoming my local.
Peter - 10 Dec 2003 16:24 |
First time in here for about 5 years. Done up (haven't they all?). Not a bad job on it. Amstel on tap. Lager not very cold.
anonymous - 7 Sep 2003 18:53 |
Come here to see lots of tired London Buses parked up, there is very vibey music played always, it's a wonderful wind-down (sunset), ya gotta love the terrace, movies project across the canal... Tempted?
Miles - 4 Aug 2003 00:20 |
