please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
£4.50 For both Pride & the weak Olivers Island. No wonder it was empty. Comfortable pub though, outrageously priced pub food by the looks of it
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Crikey, this is a hugely expensive pub. £4 for a pint of London Pride [and the brewery is less than a mile and half away]. £1.15 for a packet of crisps.
No visible price list. Minus 2 points for the arrogance.
Loo ok, but not swish enough for a place which pretends to be an up-market bar. Category C.
Beware. Do not use the "free wifi" offered. You will regret it. This pub provides a service on the O2 platform. O2 do not protect your privacy. They will sell your particulars (email address name, age) whatever to loads of other commercial enterprises and you will be bombarded by loads of spam, and be bothered for the rest of your life. This is the commercial greed of modern times. Maybe the pub fits into this category too. Minus 2 points
Points: 4 less 2 and less another 2 = 0
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not sure what these other guys see
I had the burger the other day and it was brilliant
Went upstairs to listen to the free live music which was way better than any xfactor contestant i have ever heard!
great pub guys
please keep an eye on your ales and the owner could do with touching up a few areas though??
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You like go schniff schniff, you like this plaish.
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Crickey, how poor can food get in a 'premium' pub.
I had the burger - not imaginative, bit not rocket science either. Probably the poorest, coldest, least impressive food I have had in a pub for long long time
Rather go to the OSP nearbly.
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Is more like a bar than a pub but is still a good place for a few drinks and the standard is good and atmosphere pleasant.
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Feels more like a bar than a pub. Gets incredibly busy after office hours when the local businesses spill out into here (Frequently four deep at the bar). Despite having loads of staff they don't seem that clued up or motivated, although do have plenty of attitude, so you can be waiting ages.
The beer is ok, there's often Doom Bar and a local beer on (often Sambrooks), although I've had to take back off pints on several occasions.
It's still one of the better pubs on the Fulham Palace Road - but that's hardly saying much.
Red14 - 19 Mar 2011 15:57 |
Thoroughly dissapointing few hours here after searching for a nice place to go for a beer/bite prior to going to the Hammersmith Apollo. Certainly the place looks nice enough but the staff were surly, the beer vastly over-priced and my chicken sandwich was both slimey and burnt (yes...quite the achievement!).
Definitely won't bother going here again.
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Crowded as you would expect on a Saturday night, but excellent beer (Wandle Ale) and nice chips.
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Could the Regal Room be London's best kept secrect? Ive lived in West London for 15 years and went to the Regal Room at The Distillers for the first time last night and had a great time. The live music was fantastic in a really intimate and respectable way. If you book early you can reserve one of a dozen or so tables between the cosy bar and the small stage. The host Tony Moore was fantastic musically and also in terms of his care for the acts and the audience alike. The small upstairs bar was well stocked with various bottled bears from around the globe, apple and pear ciders a couple of beers on tap, a decent wine list and all the usual spirits. Some friends ordered food and I have to say the Fish and Chips looked pretty good.As for the main pub it was really busy when we walked in with a large friday night work crowd and there wasnt a free seat to be seen so i cant really comment, but it looked like everyone in there was having a good time! If you like live music in a great intimate venue that can offer good food and beer at decent prices head to the regal room on one of the nights it has live music. Im sure am going to again very soon!
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Getting there - UBU was off but the Tribute was bang on. Nice to see a Cornish beer up in the smoke. Please bring back the Grimbergen (or Duvel or any decent Belgian)
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I'm surprised that this place doesn't have a higher rating than the surrent figure of 5.2. Plenty of space, reasonable modern decor, and a nice pint of Pure UBU from the Purity Brewing Co. Close to the Apollo, and much better than most of the other central Hammersmith pubs.
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well i was there again recently and they have UBU a small brewery ale on tap now along with deuchars
and i went ustairs for the music which was brilliant, hard to believe the rubbish that gets in to the charts when all this great stuff is out there, and they do it 4 nights a week at the pub (live music that is)
food was good, the fish and chips where HUGE!!! and the prawn and sweet potato things where to die for
all in all good but they need to sort out the website as there web stuff is useless and i want to tell my mates more about the place
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I work across the road so was delighted to see that they sold Purity and bottled Grimbergen - they seemed to have stopped both. I would love to run this place - although Fulham Palace Road is a rat-hole at the best of times (great for the sound of police sirens and heroin-boys skulking with carrier bags full of Ace) and is pretty much like most of Hammersmith - BUT - this is a place that could still deter idiots without charging silly pennies for a standard pint of "off-license" cider and bottles of real Belgian beer as well as REAL ale.
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They seem to be caught between a old world feel and modern decor, it is pretty non descript and the beer is quite expensive.
They do have live music, which counts for a lot.
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Come back Pat and Rose !
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Well whoever said that the owner was up themselves was right! I was kicked out tonight for apparently not being 18 (even though I showed the guy ID which is real (i am 19)), basically I was talking to some guy and I disagreeed with him about the state of the war in Iraq and he was apparently the owner and told the bodyguard to chuck me out. Very stupid owner and I would not suggest this pub to anyone.
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What an unbelievable turnaround. This used to be the awfulest, dingiest pub in the area, and that's saying something. Now it's smart, inviting and well run with consistantly excellent real beer. Burgers very good too.
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Agree with everyone much better than the hovel that it once was. Manager/owner is a bit up himself however
anonymous - 10 Oct 2007 14:16 |
just gets better by the day, no complaints from me and not heard any either!
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Revisited the Distillers last Sunday lunch to try its food - it was excellent.
Five meals ordered, all really well cooked and well priced. The Sunday Lunch looked superb and is very reasonably priced for the area. Staff were great, including a very friendly manager who chatted to us about the plans for the pub.
On a personal note, I think you can judge a lot about a pub by their approach to their burger. That is, thin and obviously not freshly made from real mince = dodgy chain pub, with food either deep fat fried or microwaved. Open burger made of something other than beef, served on a slice of ciabatta and covered in some weird sauce = pretentious gastro pub with ideas above its station. A nice thick beef burger, made fresh, served in a proper bread bun with real chips = decent pub. The Distillers falls into this category.
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I recently popped in for the first time since its refurbishment. The old run down cheap booze and food place has gone and been replaced by a decidedly smarter and up market venue with a more contemporary feel to it. The layout is essentially the same although the pool room is now just an extended drinking area. The furnishings are now more comfy with padded seating and sofas but they have least managed to keep some of the original trimmings, notably the large Distillers mirror that takes pride of place on the wall. Most importantly, they have introduced a few of Real ales: Courage Best, Youngs and London Pride - hardly exciting choices and quite expensive albeit the Pride was of good quality. The piped music was a bit of jazz / hip hop mix which isn�t to my taste but the place was rammed to the rafters so it obviously has proved to be popular. The seating outside is now a lot neater with a new perimeter fence although nothing can disguise the noise or fumes from the Fulham Palace Road. I am not sure I would frequent it as much as the old days as it gets far too packed and loud but if you like this sort of thing, you will probably be fairly impressed.
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Doesnt really feel like a pub any more - and feels oddly out of place in a seemingly rather poor area that is dominated by fast food burger joints, kebab places etc.
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a vast improvement, and all the cheap booze drinking, drug-addled pikeys who used to drink here are left to swig cans of Ace in the street. Smart place.
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man you really need to update your site this pub is now seriously cool with live music most nights in the upstairs bit called "the regal room"and aparently the comedy nights start next month chandeliers and chmpagne would be the best way to describe the place and the staff are great!!!! you need to see it, oh and you picture is very out of date also
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The Distillers has now been open since before Christmas and couldnt be anymore different than it was before, the description above and photo above need updating to reflect the new decor, there are no fruit machines or pool table instead it is comfortably furnished with chandeliers candles and relaxing music, a menu both lunch and evening and the roast on sunday is great, I have been drinking in this pub for over 20 years and was very upset when it closed down thinking it would be ruined but it's not at all, the staff are very friendly, nothing too much trouble, also in the upstairs Regal room is live music and a comedy evening, have a look for yourself
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Pub has now reopened.
When a run down pub closes down there is always the chance that it will reopen even worse - another no character theme pub etc. However, in the case of the Distillers the make-over has been a huge improvement. The pub has been completely restored to what I imagined it looked like a very long time ago and its a vast improvement. You can barely imagine its the same dive as it was previously. The beer was well kept, the staff friendly, the place clean. Indeed everything about drink in this place was a real pleasure. Didn't eat, but the menu looked good and was well priced - indeed I'm looking forward to trying it. My only concern was that it wasn't very busy - perhaps people don't realise its reopened and changed to such an extent - and there's always the chance that as its turnover doesn't match expectations and the managementowners let standards slip. Anyway lets hope not!
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The Distillers is now closed. There is a notice saying that it will reopen as a venue for live music and comedy. Make of that what you will.
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This pub is rather odd, its a bit rough but at the same time non-threatening. The beer I've always found to be a bit dodgy and the food....well its two for �6 or something, so lets just say you get what you pay for. I'm also not sure i'd describe it as clean as it could really do with a refurb. Am sure its a fine place for a pre-drink before going to the Apollo but I'm not sure I could find another reason to use it.
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this pub is somewhere between an estate pub + attracts some unlucky local workers. A hideous establishment. Furntiture- in need of throwing out. Food is cheap , but looks like micro waved crap - better off going hungry. aviod - unless you like the slightly chav feel
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The Distillers is in a handy location for me and is of a traditional style. It just lets itself down by having no real ale of note. Even the Guinness is only Extra Cold(tm). If push came to shove I'd nip down to the Chancellors Arms on Crisp Road which does it so much better.
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I go to the distillers 2 or 3 times a week for a couple of hours. I find all the staff polite and helpful including the Manager who is friendly and seems to be a well-respected boss.
I read here that someone went to the pub and sat there for 90 minutes waiting for nachos, what kind of person waits that long without asking a member of staff for his order, more to the point who sits in a pub for 11/2 hours without a drink? Some sad git did
I have been living around here for years and over the past few months the Diss has picked up no end, with both locals and others who come for the quiz or karaoke. I would recommend this pub to anyone looking for a traditional pub where they can sit and chat.
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For me, there are three main ingredients to a great pub experience - friendly staff; cleanliness and a relaxed atmosphere. the distillers arms has all three and more. the food is as tasty as it is cheap (2 meals for 6 quid!), there's a great selection of beer on tap, and a diverse crowd that creates a welcoming vibe. two thumbs up from this ozy backpacker!!!
anonymous - 8 May 2006 06:49 |
As a regular visitor to the Apollo, I have always been for a pre-show beer in The Distillers. I've always found a warm atmosphere, the staff welcoming and friendly, cheapish beer and excellent value food. Splendid outside area too! All in all a proper pub.
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I dont happen to live in the area of Hammersmith, but whenever I visit the area it is my first choice to go for a beer. There is a good choice of beer and the food is well priced and filling. The staff have always been cool, sociable, and chatty which i like when I go into a pub, espeically if i dont know the locals! It has a really nice seating area ourside which is a perfect sun trap!
All in all its a nice little pub in the centre of Hammersmith- if you fancy a few before or after going to the Appollo - i would def recommend it!
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For the most part, the staff at this well situated boozer were friendly, attentive and helpful, but on the night I attended, I was horrified to discover that the one rude member of staff, who spoiled my whole experience was actually the landlord. I don't like to pull a place to pieces, and generally, I found the DIstiller's to be a welcoming pub, with cheap deals on food and drink, and a pleasant enough atmosphere, with a pool table, fruit machine and low level music, but for the sake of the manager, I would have visited again, but his arrogance, demeanour and all round attitude has ensured that I won't be visiting again, which is unfortunate, as everything else was fine...
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Sajini's note is the same as he/she's put for a couple of pubs in the area! Think you need to get out more rather than pulling down pubs on websites!
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Not a bad local. Food not bad considering �6 odd for 2 meals, what d'ya want for that? Garry Rhodes in the kitchen? Beer cheap always clean, staff friendly enough. Karaoke on Friday an absolute howl! You wouldn't recognise the place from last year when different manager took over and decided to stay longer than any other has for years. No more chavs drink there by the looks of it. Not a bad all round local really. Make ya own mind up.
anonymous - 10 Apr 2006 19:06 |
Given a rather prime location,this pub really is a bit naff. Beer not good,staff only reasonable,food crap. Shame - it could so much better with the right people in charge.
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The Distillers Arms is situated on the busy Fulham Palace Road just around the corner from the Hammersmith Apollo (it will always be the Odeon to me!) and close to Charing Cross Hospital. Formerly a traditional 2 bar pub, it has been knocked into a large spacious single room. The d�cor is a mixed bag with art deco style lighting, original fireplace, modern beamed ceiling (held up by numerous pillars with decorative tops - history buffs can debate whether they are Ionic or Doric!) and large picture windows giving the Distillers a bright and airy feel. There is a separate pool table area tucked away the other side of the bar. There are several tables and seats and a comfy sofa area in the middle. Beer and food are fairly basic with no Real ales (the only hand-pump appears to be redundant). The prices are reasonable for the area although they do special offers (see the blackboards for details). Unobtrusive mixed music, games machines, cash machine and a tiny TV (don�t expect to watch sport here). Customers are largely locals, hospital visitors (even the odd patient) and people meeting prior to the Apollo shows so it can become full and then empty out rather quickly. There is a small patio area outside if you can handle the noise of the traffic. A decent enough meeting place but not one for a full evening session.
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Nie enough pub. Spent a couple of hours having an al fresco drink on the pavement outside. Prices weren't expensive, beer was decent and bar staff were friendly and easy on the eye. Worth a couple of pints on a nice mild evening, not too crowded and convenient for a pre-gig drink if you are headed to the Apollo round the corner.
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Food is shit (processed, heated ready meals which taken an aeon to arrive - 90 minutes for nachos, which don't even need cooking was taking the piss) and the staff are rude...
Didn't bother buying drinks since the chavs got sleazy.
AVOID.
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Only average. Seemed very quiet for a Sunday afternoon, given its location. Friendly and welcoming enough though, but nothing special.
John - 2 Nov 2004 12:59 |
Reasonable large-ish pub, a bit on the chav side (witness the Microwaved Fish and Chips for �2.99 menu) but is passable for a stopoff before going somewhere else.
Needs a jukebox as well.
TheGP - 21 Sep 2004 13:47 |
Under new management I believe. Has undergone a minor refurbishment, re-upholsetered the manky chairs and replaced the carpet. Have removed the big screen so no more sport, but the drinks are cheap (�2.10/pint fosters) and the music is good. A good local for a drink and a chat, but nothing to write home about.
Cameron - 29 Jul 2004 14:21 |
Sticky floored pool enabled den for football hooligans and employees of Netdecisions
Ron_Malibu - 13 Dec 2003 18:20 |
Oft frequented by football fans, it is known for its comedy club, and friendly staff. Pool and quizzer available.
Ron Malibu - 13 Dec 2003 18:16 |
not bad,needs a re-dec to stay slightly credable,a drop in pub.1 pint and leave
hammersmith drinker - 17 Nov 2003 21:47 |
