please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Went in here for the first time yesterday. Very clean and nice decor food was very nice just good quality old fashioned pub lunch food.
Pretty much your bog standard high street draught lagers but quite a good selection of bottled craft beers.
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Really liked this place after popping in on NYE. Very warm and cosy and had a real community feel with a diverse mix of people. Didn't have any Ale but would definitely return. The kind of place where it's nice to sit on a really awful day and watch the rain hammer the windows whilst you're all warm and dry inside.
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An excellent community multi-bar local with good beer, interesting looking food (but this definitely a pub not a restaurant), and lots of locals. On Wednesdays it has a group of Irish folk musicians playing in one corner. Could without Magic FM though.
It is definitely worth seeking out if you are in the area.
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The pub is a good pub, that could easily be a great pub. The architecture is snug and interesting, loos are clean, and the furniture is worn (not fake distressed) by tidy.
The only thing stopping this pub from being great is the big TV blaring out Heart FM, and the poor quality control on the beers. A recent visit resulted in a beer and a wine being returned, both undrinkable.
There was one piss-head at the bar who thought it was acceptable to call a women a "lezzer" across the pub (he seemed to know her, but she did not seem terribly impressed either way).
Shame, but not a lost cause.
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Shame, this place seems to have plummeted and not as good as it once was. Beer is expensive and not as top quality like before and place seems a bit tired. Annoying music blaring out of a TV set not to my particular liking. Who place looks like it could do with a major overhaul inside and out. The staff all seem East Europe but nice enough and friendly but can have difficulty understanding what you are saying to them.
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What a funny little pub. The archittect must of had a few pints of their excellent ale when he/she designed this. Clearly a throw back from saloon/public bars days, but the whole mess has become a delightful clutter. Good fun pub, nice locals, great beer and clean facilities.
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�3.45 for a pint of ale last night, (O'Hanlon's Port Stout - not even in good condition although admittedly this is not par for the course). Value for money? You decide.
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In here pretty often. Furnishings need an upgrade but who cares when you get such a good choice of ales on offer. Good bunch of locals in here. Proper London boozer, so authentic it has Poles, Russians and Hungarians behind the bar. Prices expanding in line with everything else in life. Stagger home from here regularly - always smiling. Cheers Noel.
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In here yesterday (2 Jan '11) with a mate. Still as lovely as ever: good beers, nicely kept, including O'Hanlons Port Stout. Lovely barmaids too, especially the tall blonde; very attentive and friendly. It's so clean and comfy in here: a bit like having a drink in someone's well-kept front room, and the cleanliness of the urinal in the gents is exemplary.
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Popped in there a few Tuesdays back. Good selection of ales and nice friendly pub. Also there was a quiz on which I have to say was very good and lots of interesting questions which created a good atmosphere all round. Well worth a visit.
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Have not been here for ages but had a lovely curry in here last week, very tasty but did not know whether the curry made my eyes water or the price of the beer, over a staggering �3.35 a pint unless the East Euro barmaid got sterling mixed up with Euro I do not know.
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Second best pub of the day for me. The beer range was varied - Courage Best, Cotleigh Tawny Owl, Ha'penny Gog Magog, O'Hanlons Firefly Bitter and Fullers ESB. The pub was pleasantly decorated with green upholstered seating and various drinking area. Sketches appear on the walls. There was also a large Courage Best mirror in one area. Fish appears to be a speciality for food-lovers. Entertainment was restricted to a local radio station playing pop music. This pub is in a nice location in the back streets of Wanstead and as mentioned previously, the interior is just as nice. I could quite happily make this my local.
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Very nice back street local - I thoroughly recommend this place if you're in the area
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Still a great pub but a little worried that the beer does seem at times to be a little inconsistent in choice and quality. Still a superior little pub and the best for miles.
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This was always a great local with good food and excellent beer. They have now added a quirky quiz to the weekly mix on a Tuesday. Strolled in last night to find a pub full of laughter and good humoured chaos as the quiz master challenged the throng with some bizarre local questions.
With free entry and no big money prize, they have managed to avoid the anoraks and mobile phone cheats that stalk the Cuckfield, instead they have got locals sharing a pint and a joke, with 19 year olds joshing with 70 year olds.
This os how pubs (and pub quizzes) used to be. Go for the beer. Stay for the quiz!
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I was in the Nightingale with Mrs Tigs last night and I had a thoroughly nice time. The was an Irish trio playing out the did-lee-dees to a packed house. The atmosphere was warm and friendly, and the Fuller's ESB was tasty. I had just the three and I can't remember the journey home. Just the job.
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I am sorry to read ohmeohmy had a bad experience here. Like other contributors the beer has always been good whenever I've visited. Another local pub worth a try is the Cuckfield, good for Belgian ale, but also serves British real ale.
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Been using this place for a few weeks but found it very inconsistant for the beer the food and the service.
Had a terrible pint of Speckled Hen and to top that I had a sandwich with stale bread. The particular member of staff that day was miserable and unfriendly and snarled when I mentioned the bread. I felt better when I realised I had been undercharged for the sandwich so justice was done! The untuned radio blaring out rap music and advertising is annoying in the evening and the candles would be a nice touch if they were lit. If anybody can recommend a traditional ale pub round here please let me know as this seems to be the best of a rotton bunch.
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Love this pub, been going in there since i could legally drink in boozers and can honestly say its not changed much in those 15 years or so. Decent selection of Beers, well run by the Guvnor and most people who go in there have respect for both the place and the drinkers (though you get the occasional nutter - but where don't you?) Not going to be everyones cuppa tea but there's not many pubs like this around, enjoy while it lasts.
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Great local, better than all the rest in Wanstead. Never had a bad pint there ...
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It seems to me that some people cannot identify a good pub if they were dropped into it and that most of the adverse comments here are from idiotic cheap skates who go to a pub once in a blue moon and expect the World. This is a pub doing good quality, home cooked food. What is great about this place is that the owner runs a tight ship and does not suffer fools. If you want Gordon Ramsey book up one of his restaurants months in advance and get the shock of your life.
This is probably the best pub in the Borough and I say probably as I have not been to them all.
The beer here is usually superb and there is always a great range on offer.
The Staff are generally very friendly, polite and presentable. If you want to see badly run pubs, you do not have to venture that far from here. If you do not like it here, you can go and mix with the volatile environments of the establishments situated within a mile radius. I have not noticed bars on the windows and doors and it would appear that punters are free to leave if they do not like it.
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I could go along with rogerthedodger - I have been let down on a meal here but it is a good pub nonetheless; some of the other comments are baffling, as is the low(ish) overall score. Everyone else seems to be keen to deny they are Noel, so I suppose I better had as well - and I'm not - but there is room for a very solid 7+ here.
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I am with Chiefy, Off the Wagon and Roger the Dodger and others who enjoy having a good local pub (and we can't all be Noel in disguise!) Gigalo should thank his lucky starts he doesn't live in Stratford. What has happened to the Bacchus at Amryland Point is nothing short of Criminal. The only decen tpub that has survived is The King Eddie remains (top beer, top food!)
The Nightingale is a consistently great pub with pleasant staff and good food, in short an excellent local. As in all walks of life, if you are pleasant you get a pleasant reception.
I am sure Gigalo is usually a nice bloke. Perhaps the best way forward is for the many of us that like and enjoy the Nightingale and appreciate the hard work of Noel and Lucy to continue to go their and those that don't to simply find another local. The sniping is unwarranted an undignified.
I shall be there tonight for rumbustious St Georges Day, holding an excellent pint off Bombardier and the St Georges Day food.
Cry God, Harry and St George!
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Chiefy
I don't want as you call them some east london scrag screaching init at me at all. isnt that what some Italians say at the end of a sentence? not eastenders.
I just think it a good idea that the person asking you what you want should be able to understand you. Are you implying that only eastend scrags work in pubs? Because I can assure you that that is not true.
I do not have another agenda just expressing my opinion which is what this site is for isn't it.
I should not need to be insulted for that.
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i feel i have to wade in here too.
i'm not noel, but know who the guy is and i always found him friendly and approachable. he always would say hello to me and the wife. the bar staff's grasp of english was always fine, communication was never a problem. they work hard, they're efficient and they're friendly. what more do you want. some east london scrag screeching "yeah, wot do you want to drink, innit"?
it remains the best pub in the area by a long long way. sadly i think gigalo has another agenda here.
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Gigalo, you are not being fair by saying the pub has gone down hill because it has not and although i've had a meal once or twice that was not up to scratch, the place is still the best pub around for miles!
Why on earth would Noel want to ruin the place? It certainly shows your ignorance by making such wild allegations. You obviously have never run a pub or any type of business as what your conclusions are nonsense.
So you have had difficulty communicating with the staff, I think the latest lot are great and when I complained about food in the past they have changed it. It is a pub, what do you expect for a meal that costs around seven pounds? Having moved to the area about a year ago, I have not found any other pub around to beat it. If you have a problem you should speak to the owner and not whinge about it as how can he put things right?
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Offthewagon07 (YES NOEL THE OWNER) your personal insults to me will not change my opinion of your crap pub.
I am neither a poe faced dimwit nor a fool.
It is, and always will be my choice to slum it in a back street pup for lunch anytime I want to.
As is your choice to ruin your pub is yours. (who is the dimwitted fool again?)
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I am not Noel, and he knows nothing of my entry on this site. I know him and respect how much time and effort he has put into the pub to make it the success that it is. He has been there for over 20 years and has provided an excellent service for the Community. he has raised thousands for Charity and is a kind generous man. He regularly buys the regulars a drink. How many pubs have you been in where that happens? It is rare these days. It has not 'gone to the dogs' at all. It is getting busier and has maintained its popularity despite the smoking bans and rises in costs. I am glad that you have found another 'local' but I do not believe you have. What local have you found to beat the Nightingale? There is only the Duke which is rubbish. Then there is the Cuckfield, George, Bar Room Bar, Russells The Eagle and British Queen. Are you calling these 'locals?' We all know they are troublesome and are not a patch on the Nightingale! I believe that you are fibbing and that you have not got the bottle to identify yourself to Noel and express your grievances to him.
There are only three decent Pubs for miles around the Borough, The Nightingale, The Cricketers and The Travellers Friend. What other local have you found? Put up or shut up and take your Misses to the West End if you want top rate service and don't expect the Ritz when you order Bangers and Mash in a pub you fool!
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offthewagon07 is clearly the owner Noel, and is the only dimwit as far as I can see. I am sure your patrons are greatful for your opinion of them. It is no wonder the pub has gone to the dogs. I believe it has been on the market for several years now at a stupid price (some chance) you have got some bad people skills, why would anyone want to talk to you let alone complain. Do as I have done find a local where the owner knows how to treat the very people that feed and clothe his family with the respect they deserve.
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I do not know what Gigalo is talking about himself regarding 'English speaking staff'. If you are like some of the poe faced dim wits who drink in this pub I would imagine that the Staff cannot understand your garbled mumblings 'parnt ah lugah' and similar. The Staff speak good English and probably better than you. So you treated your wife out for a meal of Bangers and Mash and you was asked if you wanted rice? So what? You would be surprised at some of the combinations people eat. If you have a grievance, why do you not approach the owner Noel who I am sure will listen to any comment or complaint and most likely tell you were to go in future in no uncertain terms. The Pub is the best in the area and does not need whinging idiots like you. Why do you not go to the Duke round the corner where you will find people serving and customers who speak your own dimwit brained language?
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Why cant you understand that you need some English speaking staff.
My wife was asked if she wanted rice with her bangers an mash the other day,Come on get a grip man.
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The Nightingale is an okay pub, but there is a concerted effort to post rave reviews on here. All reviews below should be read in this light.
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The Nightingale was a wonderful surprise, an excellent local pub with a superb range of beers and whiskys tucked away in Wanstead's sidestreets. They also do a great range of freshly cooked food (Superb for fish lovers - The Pangasius was new and sensational, The Irish Oysters amongst the best we have had this year) with a renowned and popular Sunday Lunch.
If you are polite, the staff are friendly and efficient - probably the best around(take note earlier reviewer!)but that is true everywhere.
We went back, enjoyed a late night sing song and a different range of real ales. Women are safe and welcome, great for kids on a Sunday - visit The Nightingale if you like well run pubs, decent people and cracking food, with one of the best breakfasts around.
You will find me with a glass of Timothy Taylors Landlord and the Observer most Sundays. Feel free to buy me a pint!
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I gave the Nightingale another try recently and it is still the same, nearly all the staff are foreign and don't understand very much English. I realy feel for the one English speaking woman that had to inturpret our drinks order to the young lady and then rewrite our relativly straight forward food order whilst serving other people at the same time. I have nothing against these very pleasant girls exept I used to love to have a bit of banter with the barmaids when I used the pub alot, it is a shame but I won't be rushing back there in a hurry. I am not a paitent man, and i don't like having to repeat myself several times EVERY time I want a drink!
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Woodforde Wherry, Nelson Pieces of Eight, Pride, Hobgoblin, courage. Tried the first two and they were in very good condition, both �2.40. Good first impression before this with brass door panel gleaming at entrance & polished glasses shining from bar surround showing a sign of care & attention to detail. Bar is essentially a central island with all pumps to the narrow room at the front & two serving �hatches� to the rear, green upholstered banquette seating curves around the whole & two further rooms, almost snugs, at far end seemed to lean toward dining at lunchtime today. Well positioned plasma in front bar & huge tv in rear where walls are decorated with brewery & whisky mirrors and prints of foggy victorian London, also signed Hammers & QPR shirts in frames. Fish is prominent on food menus with 6 fishy dishes on blackboard & 6 more on �additional specials� board, incl fish of the week � battered hake + trimmings, �8. Other daily specials from �6 or sizzlers (eg cajun chicken or beef wi black bean sauce) �8. Slight smell of paint, so perhaps they�ve had a recent touch up? Solid local feel.
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cannot agree with stallywag's bizarre comments below. perhaps he's confusing it with the duke up the road? the nightingale is by far the best pub in the area. i've always found the bar staff very friendly, the beer is well kept (especially the Doom Bar), the food excellent and reasonably priced.
i regularly used this boozer when i lived in the area and loved every visit. the only gripe i ever had were the miserable buggers at the end of the bar who thought they owned the gaff. still, you can't have everything. long may the nightingale continue.
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This is at best a very average pub. Food mediocre and service brusque and impersonal. The 'rave' reviews below must be written by the staff and their friends because they bear little resemblance to the reality...
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me and my friends had a hearty lunch earlier on. the atmosphere is great! welcoming! truly, this pub is so clean. all the bar staff are friendly. and we ordered food, mixed cheese ploughmans, and a devon crab salad. very amazing! well presented, very nice salad. the home-made chips were so fresh and it has this sweet taste. the beer, were aces. i strongly recommend this pub. i will remember this day and surely come back. saturday of feb. 16. cheers for the nightingale!
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This is a nice pub most days unless you get the idiots drinking excessively and shouting (agree Roger) Food is cool most days but they got my order wrong and wanted to make a meal of it when I told them! Have a varied ale menu which normally is well kept. Expensive drinks compared with the Duke next door but is less noisy. Bit unfriendly at times and you get the odd strange look from locals even though i've been coming in for 6 years! Got a lovely dog on premises that smells the dog hair from mine and goes wild. Probably one of the better establishments in the area
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Been using this on and off over past couple months and noticed the staff have changed. The Chinese girls have gone and service not as good. Can be bit loud at lunchtimes if you want a pint and read of the paper and peace and quiet, as few rough types tend to shout at each other. We had an awful meal in there the other day. Bread was stale in my sandwich and chips cremated. My partners roast dinner was cold. The Polish girl said they had a new cook. Still the best beer around and much nicer than the place up the road. It is annoying when you have to go past the smokers right outside and breath that stuff in.
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Surprisingly good for Wanstead! A short walk from Snaresbrook tube, this place feels rather out of the way, which I like. It's very pleasant to sit at one of the tables outside on a warm summer's evening and though I've not frequented the place in the winter yet, I suspect it would be rather cosy. Worth a visit.
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This was recommended to me by a friend who lives nearby. I found it to be one of the nicest places I have been to in the whole of the Borough. The Local Councillor was in there when I first visited, so it must be good. Got excellent service by one of the two lovely barmaids. Had an excellent pint of Hoggoblin and a crab sandwich which was great value. Other pubs would be wise to visit this place as an example. It is the only place that my girlfriend wants to come back to!
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Lovely place this. Another little Gem. I have hunted high and low for a few decent pubs and this rates amongst the best and I travel a long way to get to it as there is nothing like this in my area. I found this by accident after visiting the house of horrors 50 yards away (Dukes Head). This place serves a lovely selection of real ales and are cask marque approved. CAMRA members like me would love it! Beer is priced dearer than other places but the pub well made up for that and would rather drink in here than for free in the hovel up the road. Beautiful Chinese barmaid with cockney accent served me quickly. I had a nice sandwich which was cheap. I have not tried the dinners here yet but may do on a weekend. All the staff are really friendly as are the regulars. As a smoker, I found that the little area to the front was easily accessable to nip out for a quick cigar. I Was told by one bloke who has used the place for years that the owner is Chinese and is selling up. A lot of the staff are Chinese as well as East European. They seem great with the customers. Hope it does not change much if he does as this is a traditional pub as pubs used to and should be run. Full of charm and character. Nice fire welcomes you on entering, which is handy in these cold times!
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Great Little Boozer. 5 Real Ales frequently changed . Camra / Cask Marque Accredited. Beautifull Beers accredited 2006/2007. Fancy A Pint.Com Londons Best Pub Winner 2006.In Camra good Beer and Good Food Guides .
Dont forget " Pigs Ear Festival" Hackney next week
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HSTEVENSON AUG 22 .2007.Are you Hannah Spikol the Yiddish Girl from Manhatten? I Believe you may well be.If so, make contact , would be great to speak to you once again.
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Wide range of beers on tap, many more in bottles and a huge selection of malts to choose from. Well maintained listed building with a large "regulars" clientelle base.
SRO most nights and often busy during the day as well. 4x main drinking areas, plus pavement picnic tables. Two main bars are standard perimeter bench seating with tables, there is a cosy "snug" with fireplace (not often used though I think) and a four table ante room (used to be the no smoking area pre smoking ban).
Picnic tables are off the main road and overlook an open space where kids could be let loose (a bit).
Lunchtime food is excellent with all the usual variety present, plus some very good far eastern dishes to choose from.
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A very nice pub which was used on a local pub crawl for one fairly swift drink but was the kind of place I would like to return to for a longer visit.
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We spent a very pleasant time on the small back room (the snug) with some reasonable ales. Friendly-ish local full of locals on a Friday night.
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I worked there for a while as well as drank there as well. Great people, great drink, great food... miss it very much...... Spikol
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Good little boozer tucked away. Serves some tasty ales, guests an' all. Like it.
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Terrific boozer
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a great selection of bitters and whiskies, the food is also good, just a shame that the kitchen closes at 4pm.
anonymous - 8 Apr 2007 18:05 |
When I last visited a few years ago it was a bit dark, scruffy and dingy. It has been cleaned up, is brighter and more welcoming. Excellent range of good beer, non-smoking room and very comfortable and relaxing. I will be going back soon.
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A great little "local", friendly, grown-up. It's a bit like the 'Queen Vic' in "Eastenders" - and there are not many pubs in East london that actually are like that...
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Great beer, great atmosphere. Unashamedly chintzy and all the better for it. Unspoiled by progress, yer might say. Well worth seeking out.
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A great pub - really nice food that's very good value for money, friendly staff and well-kept ales.
It is small and sometimes smokey as one of the other comments points out but it depends what you're after. It's certainly not the most modern pub in Wanstead, but in my opinion it's the best.
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Great beer, untouched by commercialism, and a very cosy "locals" pub. The best in the area.
drbee - 24 Aug 2006 10:54 |
I almost dont want to write this because I think the 'gale is an undiscovered gem of a pub, and I would hate for it to become too popular. This pub is like a proper boozer should be, an extention of your own lounge...or at least that of your aunty, the beer is great, atmosphere is warm and welcoming, the land lord has a good eye for a barmaid and an amazingly well stocked range of spirits. If Carlsberg made pubs....
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This is a classic local pub, so remember to act like a local and don't gawp at the regulars on the way in. Once settled you're in for good beer served by friendly bar staff. Overall, a 'Queen Mum - gawd bless 'er!' type of place.
anonymous - 7 Jun 2006 14:31 |
This is not a favourite of mine. Crowded, due to its narrow design, very smokey and 'no dogs'. However staff are friendly as are the customers. As most of Wansteads other pubs have turned into disco pubs I would drink here if the 'Duke' wasn't so close by.
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Great pub- good food, great range of whiskies
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A really friendly pub, with a great family atmosphere. A really fab place to hang out of a Friday night!
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excellent. good range of real ales and quality lagers. friendly, relaxed atmosphere.
anonymous - 30 Jan 2004 14:55 |
Friendly, good range of real ales, always clean
anonymous - 12 Nov 2003 15:01 |
