please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
This nice traditional London pub is only a couple of hundred yards off busy Kensington High Street. The front bar is nicely laid out with cosy red banquettes inside the window and down the left side opposite the bar. This area suffers from unattractive music videos being played (rap music at 2 p.m.). At the back is a large room set out more as a dining area (but with hatch to the bar), with large-screen TV, but with no windows or natural light. There are a few tables outside on the pavement for fine summer days.
There were about three real ales on offer. I chose the St. Austell Tribute, which was fine.
There was a full food menu, as well as a simple lunch-time sandwich and baked-potato card.
It was very quiet for a late lunch on a bank-holiday monday: service was quick and friendly, both for food and drink.
|
No longer have a pool table in the back room. Good range of beers on tap, had a couple of enjoyable Adnams. Crowd mixed, mainly post-work and a few posh kids, décor bland. Overall certainly not a destination pub but would pop in if thirsty and walking past, however this is unlikely as it is quite far down a side road in an area of London I rarely visit.
|
This is a nice pub in the rather upmarket surroundings of Kensington Square. Popped in of an afternoon the other week and the place was bustling along nicely with a decent mix of customers - office workers, shoppers, folk simply having a pint, like me. Very comfortable area by the bar with comfy sofas and a larger, open plan type area to the rear. A range of beers if a little uninspiring, but the Doom Bar I had was in good nick.
|
One of the Taylor Walker pubs (but still 'Nicholsons-lite'). Lovely curved windows, benches. Dull beer, Pride, Doom, etc. Bigscreen at back. Usual TW crap muzak.
|
A nice pub located on the rity Kensington Square just behind Barkers the Greyhound is actually also surprising large. The narrower front area with the bar opens out in to a large rear room with a projector screen TV. Obviously footy watching is an important part of this pubs operation.
The decor is traditional and pretty impressive red upholstered benches in alcoves to the left of the entrance and a nice set of chairs and tables in the rear room.
Beers on offer were pretty standard - Pride, Doom Bar and Bombardier.
I liked this pub and wouldn't mind returning in an evening. I did have to mark it down slightly though because it had bloody Christmas decorations up in early November - just bizarre.
|
Having studied in the area for over 2 years i was pleasantly surprised after been forced into the Greyhound on a Thursday. A new night called Acoustic Thursday�s was a live music night showcasing an array of different musicians. I was shocked with the lively atmosphere and variety of music on show which completely changed my opinion of the place. Seriously guys its worth checking out if ya ever stuck on a Thursday. I think that guy who runs it is called Ash so guess if you need more information contact him.
Peace
Rob
|
A fairly by-numbers London pub - nice exterior and generally well-kept premises but nothing especially memorable otherwise. A perfectly acceptable pint of Young's Gold was sampled; not out of the ordinary. Service seemed reasonable. Probably didn't linger for long enough to justify commenting further, but on balance I'd chalk this up as one of those pubs that's fine if in the immediate area and in need of a quick drink, and equally useful as part of a Kensington-wide crawl. But for a planned and/or protracted visit, there are better places than the Greyhound to target.
|
Decent beer, friendly service. Nice that the football commentary was only on in the back so you could avoid it if you wanted a conversation.
kchef - 22 Nov 2009 15:56 |
big , buslty pub that great for youngsters and for football - glad its been taken in hand - might have gorn few years back. foro those who dont remember it used to have afull size snooker table in the back. Fine for lunch pint for everyone - better thean up on the high st., and Ken Sq is one of Londons oldest.
|
I was studying abroad in London for three weeks back in May - June. Having never been to the UK or to a UK pub for that matter, I was unbelievably surprised (happily) by the Greyhound. My friends and I would often go there as often as we could during our short stay there. The bartenders were all extremely friendly, courteous, and enjoyable. I think that most of them have left by now, but both them and the pub itself helped to make my trip memorable.
Also - I've gotten Strongbow here at Whole Foods, but it doesn't taste nearly as good as it did from the tap at the Greyhound.
All in all, an absolutely wonderful pub that I've been missing since returning to the States.
|
Everytime I think of this pub it's hard to think of or find any fault with it. The service is the best I've seen around W8/W12/W14/W10 for a very long time. The bartenders are very friendly, and on nights off it isn't rare to see one of two of them joining in with a few bevvies with some of the regulars (which, funnily enough are all under the age of 25). Great prices for the area; Fosters is �2.45, Strongbow �2.89, and so forth. Great for a quick pint with a few mates or for a few games of pool (although it is �1.40 a pop).
But by far the best feature of this place is the Chelsea contingent that make up the regulars. If anybody has been in this pub whilst a big Chelsea game has been showing you will know what I'm talking about. The atmosphere is unrivalled and the banter is fantastic, not to mention the chants and the singing. By far the best bar in Kensington.
|
One of Kensington's most atmospheric pubs, it sets the standard for enjoying sport without question. Huge of footy and it can get pretty heated at times...But isn't that all part of the fun? The first World Cup match culminated in dancing on tables a short-lived party in the street afterward, though the landlady was quick to dispense us rabble with threats of being barred and calling the constabulary (isn't that a great word?). Most of it's rating I award due to its prominence as the best footy party pub, though it's hardly boring any evening there. The pool tables are obviously a plus, as is the quiz machine, and the spirits have gone back to being great value doubles. Beer is fairly standard but totally acceptable (Smith's is very fairly priced, espeically in this part of London. The downsides? Too many Arsenal fans for W8 (including my best mate who lives round the corner!), the menu is the same crap as all the identikit pubs in the area (though semi-acceptable for basic pub snacks, but they've done away with the 2-for-1 main meals), Standard and Daily Mail hacks call it a second home (their offices are across Young St.), and the staff - while generally perfectly alright - can and do get grouchy occasionally. Nearly all is redeemed once you've taken in a big match there...
|
The recent revamp's done this place a world of good, and they've lept the pool tables (even if they are �1.40 a pop).
Food service has improved a great deal, although the menu is still basic, a la 90% of pubs around Kensington.
|
Something very odd seems to be happening with the ratings for this pub - all the reviews are good yet it's stuck under 5 out of 10. Anyway for what it's worth me and my friends have just discovered this pub set in a really nice square, and we're all agreed that it's great. The big screen is excellent and there's a good atmosphere for the football when it gets quite crowded.
|
I have spent many an evening with my friends here. I always leave before 10 or so to go to the next activity but the food is okay and the service is alright as well.
It is one of the better pubs in the evening
|
Best pub in kensington, good spirit price (double vodka and red bull �3.95) Two pool tables and pretty friendly staff up to 11 (when they kick you at 11 on the dot)
anonymous - 7 Sep 2005 13:04 |
Went to the Greyhound for the first time when i discovered it was the haunt of the late, great Freddie Mercury (singer of band Queen, in his not-so-famous days.
Anyways, I found this pub to be moderately pleasant in its service, and found the clientele quite on the 'fashionable' side at around 9-ish in the evening. Thought the beer was good, and food was pretty acceptable. The only drawback? They wouldnt acknowledge, in any form or manner, the fact that it was frequented by a famous rock star. Would be nice if they had a table with his name on it, or something like that.
|
Oi Oi! This is my fave pub in kensington for many reasons. BUT I have noticed sometimes the management a little to eager to eject clientele as soon as possible after 11pm. Saying this I have never been threatened.
Comfortable low leather sofas, although very big and easy to get lost in. Great live games on big screen. Good food. Two pool tables - great. Loadsa people. Bar staff could be a bit friendlier. but other than this, I have spent many a good night there!
Rupee - 19 Apr 2004 01:13 |
Great pub with friendly staff. I've been a regular at the Greyhound for the past few years and I've never encountered or witnessed anyone being treated rudely or aggressively.
Huw - 18 Dec 2003 16:14 |
I too have had a very similar experience at this pub. The staff vary but can be exceptionally rude at times.
Josh - 10 Dec 2003 19:45 |
REPLY FROM GREYHOUND MANAGEMENT
How disappointing it is to read a review as posted by MIke (03/05/03. As I understand that these sites are used by a minority of people who feel that they must post what can only be classed as slanderous comments.
I am the bar manager of The Greyhound in Kensington and have been running this pub for nine years along with my Mother, who is the Licensee.
One of our regular customers came across this "review" of our establishment and was so shocked to think that this sort of behavior had happened felt he must pass this on.
We have never been verbally or physically threatening to any customer at any time of the day, let alone at closing time. To read such nonsense makes me wonder where this information has come from.
We are a professional outfit that thrives on a family atmosphere and service that is second to none.
Surely if this situation was as horrifying as described, a major complaint should have been made to management where it would have been dealt in a professional manner, not by posting comments of this nature on a website.
I hope that reviews of this nature would not stop people from visiting this lovely pub and believe that people have more sense than to believe the rantings of a gentleman who clearly posted this review after having a few drinks.
We have passed this onto our complaints department and legal team.
Daniel Avello
Greyhound
Daniel Avello - 30 Jun 2003 15:23 |
DO NOT ENTER THIS ESTABLISHMENT
While the beer is acceptable, and the pool table is a bonus, the staff at The Greyhound in Kensington are rude and hostile. Tonight, I was enjoying a few drinks with some friends from work, and minutes after "time" was called we were asked to leave the premises. When we (peacefully) protested in order to get some time to finish our drinks, we were were verbally and physically threated and ejected from the premises, even though others were still drinking (alcohol), undisturbed. This is totally unacceptable behaviour and should not be tolerated. Please email me at [email protected] if you have any comment on this message (patrons of this establishment particularly welcome)
M.
Mike - 3 May 2003 01:14 |
