please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
I returned here after a 5 year gap back in mid-October. It's a large Wetherspoons on Kingsway. My visit was on a Sunday morning. I arrived before alcohol could be served. But a 10 minute wait soon solved that problem. There were a few other people in having breakfast and other tourists arrived. But by and large, it was fairly quiet apart from one guy who was particularly friendly. But I think he had some kind of mental problem. The staff seemed to know him. Ales were Well's Banana Bread Beer, East London Jamboree, Adnams Young Henry's Newtowner & Tally Ho, Hogs Back Farnham White, Theakston Pink Grapefruit Ale, Greene King IPA, Banks's Arcadia, Truman's Dark Side of the Moon, Fuller's London Pride & Castle Rock Autumn Haze. The cider was Black Dragon. A slightly improved experience than my previous visit and certainly a decent ale selection.
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Very large 'spoons. Full of touristseating and groups from offices. Not very welcoming to a lone drinker seeking a quiet pint. However, the Moorhouse's Pendle Witches Brew was in excellent condition which made up a bit for having to stand by the wall next to the entrance to the toilets!
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On the 21st of February was the birthday of a friend of mine. At the end of a very nice evening we decided to pop in this pub because it was still open . At the bar, staff told friend that as he was drunk, they were not going to serve him. They then acted quite rudely towards our all group of friends, although most of us were completely sober. The only thing we did was asking for a beer . It seemed to me that we were discriminated for other reasons than alcohol... Without making a complaint we left because in any case, it was not a big deal to leave a pub as boring as that one and spoil the night.
The bartender had been not only very rude to us but also to other people in the pub.
WHAT A BUNCH OF CLOSE MINDED PEOPLE!
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Yesterday it was the birthday of a friend of mine. At the end of a very nice evening we decided to pop in this pub because it was still open . At the bar, staff told friend that as he was drunk, they were not going to serve him. They then acted quite rudely towards our all group of friends, although most of us were completely sober. The only thing we did was asking for a beer . It seemed to me that we were discriminated for other reasons than alcohol... Without making a complaint we left because in any case, it was not a big deal to leave a pub as boring as that one and spoil the night.
The bartender had been not only very rude to us but also to other people in the pub.
WHAT A BUNCH OF CLOSE MINDED PEOPLE!
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In this pub I was served two pints of bitter today in this pub that were probably 80% full. They took my money up front and then reluctantly filled the pints to 90% full and walked off. What more can I say?
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My 2nd visit to this large 'spoons & a revisit due to it now appearing in the 2015 edition of the GBG.
12 hand pumps offering 10 different ales. With the addition of 4 casks behind the bar that had a mix of American craft lagers and ales. With a fair choice in front of me I went for a pint of Oakleaf Brewery Blake's Gosport Bitter @ 5.2%.
Even though it was just gone 3pm on a Thursday afternoon it was pretty busy, most punters drinking but there was a heavy stench of food in the air
Another lovely ‘Spoons conversion into a pub very tastefully done.
A point to make that even at 3pm these was a lot of bar staff
Decent ‘Spoons and worth a pit stop while in the area ticking The Ship…a cracking pub just around the corner from here.
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Good beer although a touch cold. I got in here late so it wasn't too busy but the service was exemplary - three staff eager to serve me. Every pub in the area could learn from that - congratulations to the manager. Nice atmosphere as well; not like the usual JDW. Definitely one of their better establishments.
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Excessively busy 'Spoons on the doorstep of Holborn Station. Made my third visit a week ago today. As usual extremely busy, we found a table at the back. Given the crowds we were served in moments and the food was extremely quick (and good). If you dont like crowds I would avoid.
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Extremely busy 'spoons. Efficient service and well-kept cask ale. Streets ahead of the nearby JDW Penderel's Oak. Enjoyed an excellent Elgood Cambridge. 7/10.
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Food arrived very quickly, despite pub being reasonably busy. Good choice of beer. The missus said the ladies were a work of art!
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Late Saturday afternoon and very, very busy.
Lots of Irish in for St Patrick's and the rugby.
Managed to occupy the last vacant table.
Ordered food and it was served within 15 minutes.
Beer in good condition especially the Portabello VPA.
Staff pleasant and very efficient.
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Huge spoons full of after work drinkers and tourists. Staff efficient.
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I’ve been meaning to visit this ‘spoons for a few years now but have just never got round to it.
This place is huge. It was a bright sunny Friday evening when I came here with a group and thanks to the weather the inside was relatively empty.
Usual ‘spoons fair with a good array of real ales. The 2 pints of Butcombe’s Great Grey Owl were very good.
This pub had a nice feel to it, maybe the weather had something to do with that but i didn't experience the low life though being Central London i know it's not that far away!
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Relatively touristy and notorious for pickpockets, bag thieves and other low lifes, this is still an reasonable option if in the locality and you can get a pint for £3.05 (with CAMRA voucher) from their large selection of ales. Pretty typical Wetherspoons in that respect. But I have to say the service was friendly and it's very handy being next to Holborn tube station. Watch your bag, but good place to meet somebody if passing through.
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Surprisingly, given this Wetherspoons central location, I'd never been in until last Friday. It's hard to spot from the outside with scaffolding currently covering the facade. But it's ideal for Holborn tube station. Inside, it's large and fairly characterless. TVs were showing live Olympics track cycling. Beers were Oakham JHB, Ringwood Forty Niner, Caledonian Merman, Fullers London Pride & ESB, Greene King Abbot, IPA & IPA Gold & Grainstore Triple B. Cider was Westons Marcle Hill. Good selection of beers. But not a particularly relaxing place to try them.
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Credit where its due, went in for a beer and meal with a six friends yesterday (Thursday 6pm) and it was literally bursting at the seams, once we found a table (eventually) we were served quickly and the food was out in ten minutes. The only downside to the place is the crowds, those of a claustrophobic nature should avoid, and the supervisor/manageress who served me looked particularly miserable.
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Beer range excellent.
Managed poorly for a busy place.
Also, do be prepared to wait for staff to emerge from the cubby hole on the right of the bar.
Atmosphere: sepurchal *
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Although I disagree with you about the pub, that is very interesting to read, because I had wondered myself what the building was previously used for.
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This building is/was Africa House, and in the 1960s when I first came here it housed (amongst others) the RAF Cinema Corporation, and was the location for the training of RAF projectionists. From what I've seen of it since, on several visits, I believe it may have been better if it had been left as it was. Not my idea of a pub of any kind.
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This is a very busy pub that attracts huge numbers of people coming out of work in the early evening, so it is true the service can be slow, but in my experience the staff do their best and I have always found the service very pleasant and helpful. If it's slow it's because they can't have thirty people behind the bar, but having said that I've encountered much slower service in pubs a quarter as busy.
I must admit I do like this pub. There's a certain cheeriness about it and they always have a good selection of ales on. But the bag thieves are definitely an issue so you should be cautious, and hold onto bags or use the hooks conveniently fitted to the undersides of the tables.
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Slow service, dark smelly pub. Looks like they cater for tourists, as I wouldn't think anyone would go back after their first visit!
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First time back in 2 years to this pub after my sports bag was stolen. Its still a big bland barn of a place but at least its cheap-ish. Pub down the road charged we �3.80 for a bitburger pint. So we went back to the spoons. What has changed is the cliental has either improved or they have kicked out the Holborn homeless and odd balls who used frequent the pub and poach dregs from left over pints! Security also seems better with only one way into venue. Good to see and will be back.
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Close to hotel we stayed in. Better run than most spoons. Beer good and cheap. Good smoking area on Kingsway - ideal to watch the London crowds walk by.
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Big noisy pub - busy - beer range and prices good - typical JD
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A busy pub but the service is ok, better than it used to be when the manager told off while I was on a mobile outside and holding my beer.'Go inside with that, we don't have an off licence!' I wonder if they have one now?
I don't see anyone complaining now they're depserate to keep smokers happy, with areas at the front. Not sure all the pubs that have these are entitled to carve up the pavement.
Accoustics are bad, very noisey even though there's no music, but it's a big pub and you can find a seat if you wait a little while.
Cheap beer's always welcome, though Wetherspoon's food...hmm, can't have it too often.
All in all for a big pub it's ok, for the first couple of beers of the night.
Normy - 12 Feb 2010 14:00 |
Slow service, big place, cheap beer..the Nethergate Azzaskunk was good. Alright for a Spoons.
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Not nice. Cavernous 'spoons beer canteen catering to the winos and low budget tourists. Leave it to the amateurs and the tightwads and go for a few pints in the Ship Tavern round the back.
Jay28 - 18 Sep 2009 17:06 |
Normal Wetherspoon's minus half of the tables. Don't go there if you want something to eat in the evening. Gets just as busy as the 'spoons round the corner. But still, you can't beat Wetherspoon's prices, wherever you are or however busy.
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I'm sure i used to queue up in here for my bosses visas 30 years ago...now i'm queueing for a pint. Unremarkable spoons.
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Usualn wethespoon rubbish
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Usualn wethespoon rubbish
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Visited during my annual business trip to London.I can never understand the negatie comments.True.it'a bit shabby, but so are many London pubs.On Friday teatime there were 7 staff falling over themselves to serve and any queues were quickly dealt with.The real ale festival was on with a choice of 8 beers. The Cairngorm Howler was excellent. I heartily recommend this place.The staff were all smiles and service was slick.
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Went to this pub for food yesterday evening. Ordered a Curry and Gammon, Egg and Chips. After a few minutes someone came over to tell me they had no Gammon so I said I'd have the Sausage and Mash and pointed to it on the menu. They came over and gave me change which I shouldn't have had so I was a bit confused. We then spotted a man walking around for about 10 minutes with a plate of Sausage, chips and beans so we assumed they must have got the order wrong. Don't know why he was wandering around, I clearly gave the table number! We asked where the curry was and he said it was coming, well it came when I'd finished my dinner, dont know how it takes so long to cook a curry.
If you're looking to get some food, I wouldn't recommend going here, you won't be able to eat together and you won't get an apology, just some miserable staff wandering around not knowing what they're doing. I will not be going here again.
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For a large W'spoons there was surprisingly little beer choice on handpump. The prices for food and drink were higher than the standard. Gloomy atmosphere - maybe the many signs warning of impending theft of your possessions made me feel jumpy. Shifty men with darting eyes came in the main door, cast their eyes around and left thru the side door. Opportunistic bag snatchers? City traders on their uppers?
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Average sort of 'spoons, no welcome as such but at least I got served fairly competently. Had a couple of pints of Itchen Valley's Fagins which was well kept and went down a treat. Food is normal microwave pre-packs of the chain.
BobOs - 22 Dec 2008 17:19 |
I dropped in whilst passing last night hoping for the large Winter selection I've been told Wetherspoons have on. I got there to find nothing!! The pint I had was nice, but can't you get some of the Winter Warmers in there please?? Again busy busy busy.
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A fairly typical Wetherspoons in my view � a drinking barn doing the usual sort of food. But they did have Titanic Iron Curtain on which was a plus, even if they were charging �2.10 a pint rather than the 99p a North London �Spoons was charging last night. Whatever faults others may lay at Wetherspoons� doors, they do sell good quality real ale at decent prices.
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OK as Wetherspoons go, very large pub with a medium selection of real ales. Visited on an afternoon and had a relaxed atmosphere.
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I'm not really a fan of these large Wetherspoon pubs. But I was pleased to see them holding an 'ale' festival this month. Drinks were cheap and I was served a nice pint of CAMRale brewed by Wadworths especially for Wetherspoons, so worth it for that. It was a Saturday night when I went in there with the girl friend and it was packed. Not a very personal or intimate type pub but the booze was good.
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I wasn�t impressed with this place.
I�m not a Wetherspoons fan, but I would suggest to anyone that is and is in the area to give this place a miss and head for The Penderel�s Oak up the road.
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Always seems to be packed even in the afternoons,but I have been VERY impressed with the swift and efficient service on every visit.Good selection of real ale,usually well kept.
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Location, location, location. Useful (but smelly) toilets if you're desperate. That's about it.
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Too busy to care. Real ales, poor availability and varying quality
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I can only echo the last five postings. I check this place out every so often just to see if it's improved and I always regret it. No redeeming features whatsoever and not even the smoking ban has made the smell any better. Staff change but somehow always live down to the standards of their predecessors. The only useful function of the place is to syphon off the less appealing customers from the far superior Wetherspoons around the corner in High Holborn.
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Wetherspoons pub in need of a makeover. Bar area stank on vomit. Kronnenburg good though, as is the case generally with Wetherspoons beer. As a member of the Hand Dryers Appreciations Society, (toungue in cheek, find us on Facebook), I found the ususal Wetherspoons World Dryer as effient as ever, although the toilet is decorated in huge early 90's tiling. Oh, and my 27 year old girlfriend was asked for ID by the man on the door which I found amusing, (my girlfirend didn't).
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Greeted by an utterly filthy mess - more akin to a pig sty than a hostelry; those tables that were vacant were cluttered with used glasses, and dirty dishes. It would also seem that the tables had not been cleaned for sometime - more like they had been briefly wiped with greasy cloth with streaky marks and dried food stuck
to the surface.
The staff are generally courteous, and the Duty Manager was apologetic about the state of the place, but there is obviously something wrong here, since there were more than enough staff around.
Would not recommend until Wetherspoons has sorted out its act.
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Disorganised. Lacking every variety of burger and any Fosters on our visit meaning no beer and burger offer, which was very surprising considering we were in a Wetherspoons. We were then informed we had received the last batch of chips in the pub when the food was delivered. Luckily they did have change.
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Its a big crap pub with staff who have never worked in a hospitality environment before and speak english as a third language.
Like all Wetherspoons it has the same ambience as a bar on a railway station.
A good place to meet up or get tanked before going out on the town. If a touristits a pub experience. Watch out for bag snatchers.
I use it to pee in and wait out of the rain for the bus.
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In a word terrible.
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Large, with an interesting layout seeemd pretty atypical for a Wetherspoons. Seemed unusually modern and clean for JDW, maybe they have had a refurb since the previous reviews. Anyroad we thought it was very good indeed, the mild was excellent.
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AWEFUL! We went for a lunchtime pint and meal. We all ordered food at the same time, it all arrived at different times, one person had to wait 40mins and I had to wait so long I cancelled my order in the end -a apparently my order had got stuck in the lift! And this was during a relatively quiet period! Also, the bar staff are rude and ignorant. The manager did manage say sorry when he gave me my refund and then got really offended when I didn't reply. What are you supposed to say when you've been waiting 45mins for a burger and chips! Also, the gents stank of pish. I will definitely not be visiting this pub again.
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One of the more dingy Wetherspoons, but otherwise much as one might expect...
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I'm an infrequent 'spooner, but this one seems to be one of their worst. One or two of their staff are OK, others are ill-mannered. When It's my turn to be served, I don't want a silent, surly frown and a finger pointed at me, OK? If I wasn't with polite company I'd have told you where you could stick your finger. And use some deodorant, why doncha?
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The only pub I've ever been into and actually gagged by the odour in the air - horrible stale fatty smell from the slop they turn out mixed with stale beer and fags.
If you want a cheapy - princess louise, cittie of yorke or penderals oak - not here!!
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Smells of sick all the time
boots - 12 Feb 2007 17:48 |
ok place, far from exciting as wetherspoons usually are. We first walked in after they had had their fruit machines vandalised, it was a right state. We have been back and its an enjoyable pint.
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Seems to be OK as far as Wetherspoons go. Went here on Friday quite late as this was the ninth and final pub of the night. Beer was OK but I can only really remember the first couple I had in here.
Been here a few times and i always find the place lively. Nothing special but a much better Whetherspoons then the Penderel Oak.
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For a Wetherspoon's it's quite nice. Lively buzzing atmosphere after work, and right by the tube station, which is always a bonus.
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Watch out for thieves in this pub!
Nice beers - nice guest ales from time to time. Usual Wetherspoon's thing.
Some of the people working in there need to lighten up though.
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Utter filth. Rude and agressive bar staff and very bad beer.
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Okay place , food was average . Decent pint of Kronenbourg but service very slow .Seemed loads of staff hanging about not doing much serving . Passable , just .
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Service certainly is "hit and miss", in particular further drinks are sold to people who are quite obviously pissed already. Visited this place on Saturday to see if any improvement had taken place in the last year: I need not have bothered. Spacious, and with good disabled access by the side door or the back door, but the clientele remain the main problem - what the Americans call a bridge and tunnel crowd.
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The service is typically hit and miss, the range of bottled foreign beers is excellent, the clientele a mixture of students, office workers and the somewhat downtrodden. It's a Wetherspoons - you should all know what to expect....By all means stop for a Duvel, but expect to endure 10 minutes of haphazard service to get it.
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Nice pub. Full of suit-wearing big city folk, that look more like dodgy car salesman. Staff on the ball and pleasant.
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Decent enough W'spoons boozer. Never had to return a pint here so that's worth a few extra points!
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As has been stated - one of the better Wetherspoons pubs around central London (along with the one next to Baker Street tube station). The beer is cheap and doesn't taste like urine mostly and biggest bonus of all is the toilets do flush.
Witnessed a chap puking up once next to our group, it made for a memorable night.
GO THE HEAD!
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Dingy and non-descript Wetherspoons pub. Having said that it does what it says on the tin.
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I have been going to this pub now and then for the past 4 yrs and have witnessed puking on the carpet, a police under cover sting operation and many poor people self medicating. The new staff have reduced waiting times though. If you are drinking 20-30 pints a week, saving 75p per pint adds up.
anonymous - 9 Mar 2006 16:18 |
Visited on Saturday 4th February when it was packed out. I quite liked it. Beer ok (London Pride - although that became unavailable late on so switched to Marstons Pedigree which was also ok). Bar staff very pleasant, which makes an enormous difference in my book. The pub does have atmosphere in my opinion - the same atmosphere present to varying degrees in most if not all Wetherspoons I've been to - which is one of repressed sadness. Wetherspoons pubs attract significant numbers of lonely, impoverished people looking to drown their sorrows cheaply.
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One of the better 'spoons. I never go in them by choice but this is a good stop-gap for a cheap lunch 'n' beer if you're with family or friends (or both) on the way to King's Cross. One point in 'spoon's favour is the range of bottled continental lagers. Not a place for a night out, but it has its purpose.
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The Shakespeare�s Head is a rather faceless, featureless and soulless example of a Wetherspoons. The spacious pub is very dim inside and lacks any intimacy. The large seating area is quite dull and apart from a few wooden screen divisions with etched glass, there is little that catches the eye. I am not sure what the Shakespeare connection is but a few pictures of scenes from his plays is all there is to pay homage to the man after whom the pub is named. There is a non smoking family area at the back. The prices are the slightly higher central London JD prices which are very still good value and there is a good selection of well kept ales. Good service - even when busy you rarely have to wait and the customer base is mainly office workers as opposed to the usual down and outs. Worth going to for the beer choice but don�t expect anything too exciting or grand with regard to the interior.
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Not a bad place for a cheap beer and a tolerable meal. Rather large interior with little soul.
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A comfortable and relaxed lounge bar. Can feel like a refurbished underground car park with the dim lighting and low ceiling, but is great for meeting up with friends. Most pubs in this part of London either lack genuine atmosphere or are packed so full it's hard to breathe that it's good to come somewhere where you can get a seat, a drink and a meal without too much fuss. Still does guest ales, though - like other central London Wetherspoons - this feature is in decline, being replaced by bottles of pasteurised and fizzy global lagers. The other Wetherspoon in the area - Penderels Oak - is similar, but with a different layout, a manager who puts out candles, and fewer single men in macs, that pub can appear to be a more sophisticated choice. Personally I like the more honest simplicity of this one, but really there is little to choose between them. My happiest experience in this pub was walking in at the moment it was announced that London had got the Olympics. As the news spread there was a wave of delayed cheering that rippled toward the back, getting quieter as it moved away from me. There was such an overwhelming feeling of optimism and joy that I walked back to work feeling ten foot tall.
Then the next day we had the suicide bombs.....
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We all know not to expect too much from a Wetherspoons, but even so ......
Chavs, trash and pikeys are bad enough under any circumstances: but chavs, trash and pikeys drinking themselves blind before falling onto the last bus to their South London hovels? Thanks but no thanks.
All the more avoidable when you consider that the Penderel's Oak, by far the best Wetherspoons in Central London, is in walking distance just around the corner.
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yep,..very long,..right by the tube,..good to kill time,..fruities
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Your usual cavernous Wetherspoons with little to recommend it except the prices. Better pubs close by.
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I agree with most of the previous postings that this is one of the better 'Spoons and considering they don't have music there there's still quite a lively atmosphere. Well done to Wetherspoons for bringing cheap beer to the masses!
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One of the few Wetherspoons in London that actually feels like a pub, rather than a restaurant that serves beer! Had 4 great guest ales, as well as the Wetherspon usuals when we went. Definately worth a visit!
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Good pub, for a Wetherspoons! Spacious, airy - ideal meeting place. Service sometimes difficult, but ultimately worthwhile. One of the best within Central London.
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This is the best wetherspoons in the area - and significantly better than the penderals oak which is very close. The beer is well kept and they tend to have a couple of decent guests on often. Fair range of international beers too. Food service is quick - but they often run out of things like burgers- which is a pain. Very big, gets incredibly packed on fridays nights, so i dont go there then. Not a bad place.
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Can I add one more thing. Very attentive staff spotted "would-be" tea-leaf just about to make off with a customer's handbag. Ten out of ten for that!
Pippa - 16 Nov 2004 09:12 |
Very handy location. There is a most welcome non-smoking area. Where else can you get a bottle of Chablis for a tenner? An altogether decent, reasonably priced boozer.
Pippa - 9 Sep 2004 14:18 |
We were recently visiting from the states and ate in The Shakespeare on several occasions. Breakfast was a fantastic deal! Dinner was also excellent, good price, good service.
Rita - 30 May 2004 13:32 |
I often use it for large groups of friends to meet. It is one the more alluring 'Spoons establishments and feels slightly warmer and more organic than some of their other pubs in the neighbourhood (The Moon Under Water in Charing Cross Rd for example).
John - 12 Jan 2004 19:47 |
Great Value, went in t use the loo but while there had a 1/2 of Old Tom at a mere 75 pence. Friendly staff as well.
P.s. The loos were very clean.
TC - 12 Jan 2004 13:52 |
I work right next door so very handy! Good cheap night out or a good place to go for pre-clubbing drinks!!!
anonymous - 29 Sep 2003 17:21 |
Typical Wetherspoons really - cheap but not very cheerful.
Sarah - 6 Aug 2003 12:49 |
Possibly the worst pint of beer I have ever had in my life (yep, it was Carling). A nearby plant was the unwitting recipient of the remainder of my so-called "pint". Went back a week later and the pint was dead.
Rob - 11 Jul 2003 16:17 |
Unusually for a Wetherspoons, a bit dark and smelly. When we went, the gents' floor was covered in pishy water, and the women's was (apparantly) covered in puke.
Dave Dave - 8 May 2003 11:29 |
great ambience for a big pub...nice location also....like it....
Sarah - 17 Apr 2003 16:08 |
a very nice place indeed:)
fluffy - 15 Mar 2003 21:46 |
Was good in there a while back, but Seems to have become a bit cold and boring lately !!
Tony - 2 Oct 2002 14:02 |
Very near to work and handy for sneaking shots back to the office!
Anon - 25 Jul 2002 15:47 |
