Its quite nice inside, bit less crowded than many pubs in theatreland
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I had a Pint of Abbots and a meal here recently.
I had no problems with either, I shall return.
Personally I am not bothered by Tourists or the Pub being "anonymous", that could be said about a good few.
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Completely anonymous london pub. Probably been here before, probably would come again. Nothing at all to make it stand out.
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Similar to many of the pubs in the area. Greene King owned and lacking in character. Greene King and London Pride ales avaiable. Have never tried the food. Ok for starting the evening in but not one for staying in for long
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stay away!
this pub was so bad it inspired me to create an account. awful tourist trap. we were with my wife's parents who were visiting us from canada and they wouldn't serve us on st pats day because one of us was in green. they actually took our beers away and poured them out. insulting manager and worst service i've ever come across in a pub.
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While it seemed a decent pub it can get pretty packed and is suitably poncy for this area.
There is a small selection of ales and for a pop by visit isn't bad but for an extended stay need to weigh up your options for time and space
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Ended up in this awful tourist trap on a pub crawl this Saturday.
We dared to move a couple of tables about six inches. This freaked out the OCD manager who came and made a completely over the top fuss about it all. Instead of politely asking us to put them back, he kept running around us like a sheepdog at a trial, slowly pushing the tables without asking us to stand back. Beer everywhere.. What a "merchant banker".
Later on, I saw this manager flailing about, nearly causing a punter to glass himself by banging into his elbow mid sup.
Recommend going anywhere but here.
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Been in worse pubs but to wait an hour for a burger and a ploughmans when the pub isn't even that busy is a little hard to stomach.
Good wine/beer selections, but the food service needs to be looked at.
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Visited on Saturday night, and had a nice time. Usual lack of decent cider for pubs like this though (boring old Magners type stuff instead). The pub was very clean and very bustling. The barman/waiter *who looked like the manager to me* was excellent.
We decided to try the food, and we had some lovely food from the bar menu, definitely would recommend the food.
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I used to dislike this pub intensely, but am gradually coming round to the place. It has a reasonably large bar, but when it's crowded (i.e. at office closing/pre-theatre time) it is really crowded (and thus spilling out into to the street - not just smokers, but anybody who cannot find a space inside). However, if you go at a quieter time you find a fairly bright interior with lots of interesting features. OK, the beer is from Greene King, but as well as IPA, Abbot and Old Speckled Hen, you usually get one of the seasonal ales. Worth a try.
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If you want short pints and unhelpful bar staff, then this is the place to go. This pub gets busy on Friday nights which is probably what causes the terrible experience and makes this a place to avoid. It might be better on other days of the week but I'm not willing to find out.
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A nice little pub. More expensive than the Chandos or Wetherspoons' opposite, but nice service and a good pint.
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Used to go to this pub alot before clubbing on a friday night with mates. Always a good atmosphere, lager ok and not too pricey for london. Sorry, dont know about the ales as im under 50! Paulb014, did the barmaid in question have a big pair of bristols??
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I don't mind it in here - a pretty decent pint. A friend and I only popped in when the heavens opened and completely drenched us. This rain was a blessing in disguise as the barmaid decided to add to my already sodden shirt with someones lager shandy. A quick apology and it was forgotten, but low and behold, her greasy palm let her down again as my pint was released, ten-pin bowling-esque, towards me. Luckily, I caught my flailing drink and only received a wet sleeve from slippage. I'd visit again, but only to see this barmaid in action.
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Along with the standard and premium lagers that were available during my visit two out of the four ales were off leaving Old Speckled Hen and IPA in this Greene King pub. The barman was nice enough but the experience was comparable to standing at the bus stop outside with crap music buzzing in your ear from someone else�s IPod.
I�ll not be returning here again.
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Gave it another chance this weekend and must say it wasn't such a dire experience as other occasions. Had a pint of Abstinence Ale which was actually quite good. Also on offer was Old Speckled Hen, GK IPA and Abbot.
BobOs - 22 Feb 2009 22:00 |
What a great pub in the heart of the westend. I don't know what pub nickthefish was talking about but it can't have been the Garrick, Friendly staff, great food, relaxing atmosphere. Great night out with friends.
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When I went it was full of tourists who, unfortunately, must have the impression that all London pubs are as bad as this - how unfortunate for them! It really should be avoided.
BobOs - 23 Aug 2008 10:22 |
Bar staf chewing gum and screaming at customers that 'there are no stools at the bar'. There were about three BEHIND the bar...
What a revolting place.
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Big open fronted bar serving Green King. One of the better ones around Leicester Square, but still not up to much.
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Faux old style pub looking largely for the tourist trade. At least it's not an All Bar Slug and Parrot which is not saying much really
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Green King IPA, Indian Curry,Trafalger Square.
tourists, locals,office workers, actors,walking wounded.
Mixing, ignoring, forgetting.
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Nothing special...
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Stood next to Billie Piper here last week and enjoyed a pint or two on several occaisons over the Easter period.A pub I normally use on my London trips.Never found anything wrong with this boozer.
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A nice building inside and out. They serve good food and the table service is ideal for the lazy amongst us.A good pint and pleasurable experience.
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I refer you all to the first ever review of this pub on this site:
"the British pint was a treat after spending 30 years in South Africa."
I daresay a pint in a completely mediocre pub overrun with tourists would be a treat if you'd waited thirty years for it. Which is just as well, because this is a completely overrun with tourists.
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lovely pub,john bonser this isnt a pub where "strangers" get randomly thumped.Richard Bacon is a known tv personality and was obviously targeted,no smoke without fire and all that.
The venue itself is smart,good selection of ales and lagers,nice atmosphere.
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Im really suprised (and disapointed that this happened) I have really sung this pubs praise in the past it shows you that you cant judge a book a by its cover.
juzza - 10 Aug 2006 22:01 |
Any pub where strangers minding their own business get beaten up in the toilet deserves to be given a wide berth - I'll do just that and I would ask you to do the same
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Actually this is an awful pub and my first thought was what he was doing in this pub. Bet he won't be back.
anonymous - 10 Aug 2006 12:19 |
Nice pub....unless you're Richard Bacon.
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Friendly staff, quick service and went in there expecting it to be bad and was actually pretty happy. Good place to wait for the crowds to die down on the transport as all the plays finish.
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Decent pub and with a reasonable amount of character for its location. Better during the day when it's quiet.
anonymous - 25 Jul 2006 20:38 |
I agree with the last comment - although I've only been into it during the daytime it seems the kind of pub which is better at that kind of time, it wouldn't really appeal to me at night. However, during the day, it's a very pleasant place to go I think. A nice place to go if you've just seen a play!
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quite a nice pub but without trying to sound like a miserable git its one these pubs that is better mid afternoon when its quiet
juzza - 29 Mar 2006 12:35 |
Good food, good stuff, an all round nice place.
Sid_A - 23 Feb 2006 04:27 |
Friendly staff, but really lacks character.
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Really friendly staff, and the food is great considering it wasn't expensive for London.
lupus - 25 Jul 2005 14:13 |
An excellent time ! ALmost the best thing of our weekend in London !
Myriam - 8 Nov 2004 16:17 |
Yes, it's a chain pub and thus not particularly charcterful. Personally I don't think it tries especially hard to emulate a traditional style, more like generic pub style. Its redeeming feature is that it is big and airy making it pleasant enough for a swift pint/starting place for a night out.
Timothy - 15 Oct 2004 14:16 |
Never mind whether it's traditional or not. The redeeming feature of this boozer is that the management have the foresight to serve gravy with the Roast Beef sandwiches....Priceless..
Ollie (Beefeater) Reed - 30 Aug 2004 16:39 |
I Agree with Danny. Any pub that has to put "A Traditional Pub" in its sign should surely be avoided like the plauge. Beer is expensive and not really that well kept
Steve - 16 Aug 2004 14:13 |
Possibly the most cynical, tourist-seducing example of pub kitsch in central London. Attempts authenticity as a trad. pub but fails horribly, of course.
Danny - 6 May 2004 12:28 |
a great place and the British pint was a treat after spending 30 years in South Africa.
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