please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Food very good. Drinks very good. Service very attentive.
Toilets bloody awful. Stall toilet seat broken in the gents; urinal reeking of urine, with extra urinal cakes tossed in in a vain attempt to mask the smell instead of scrubbing with disinfectant.
My companion reported that the ladies' was similarly dreadful, with one stall completely out of order and the other only barely usable.
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Popped in for a quick one whilst researching watering holes for a forthcoming extended stay in London.
OK sort of pub, nice pint of Youngs but not quite as good as the Prince of Wales round the corner.
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Not a bad little pub, the Pride was fine. The window seats offer a great view of the passing world.
The visit was made more interesting thanks to the actions of a strange woman who arrived, sat down and lit up a cigarette. Her reasoning seemed to suggest that 'because she lived in a big house she should be allowed to smoke in a pub'. The situation was well handled by the landlady, despite being questioned about her sexual orientation.
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Popped in on a Tuesday, early evening. A few people in, quite a mix, suits, oldies, couple of youngsters. Beer was fine. Okayish pub, good if you get a wndow seat and watch the world go by but there are much better close by.
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When I was a much more frequent visitor to the area it always used to surprise me that in such busy shopping street in an expensive area there was only one pub on the High St itself and that was the rather shabby Goat Tavern.
Roll on 15 years and the Goat retains its unique position (its actually right at the Hyde Park end of the High St) but has been sympathetically refurbished and actually a pretty good place to visit. It is a long narrow pub with the bar along the left and a well lit rear area. Decor is very comfortable and the pub has a Cask Marque with the offerings when I was in consisting of Hobgoblin, Deuchars IPA, Youngs Gold and Pride.
It was pretty empty on my afternoon visit which is surprising given how busy the High St is but perhaps people don't realise it is there tucked around a bend in the road near Hyde Park. In any case I found the Goat a pleasant place and would recommend it to people if in the area.
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Went to the Cream reunion in 2005 and hit the Goat every evening for a week. I fear that many of the negative comments come from people expecting a "Bennigans" experience. It is everything I could have expected from a very busy pub. Service was superior. Guiness was fresh. We ate twice and is was acceptable pub fare. When I go back to London I will stop in.
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Okay, firstly you can disregard all of the negative comments about this pub. The Goat is now under new management and has just re-opened its doors after a much needed refurbishment. The place looks great, it's cosy and bright and has everything you could possibly want from a good english pub. The food was fantastic, and the portion sizes were very generous indeed, my girlfriend and I couldn't finish our meals but we certainly tried to. All of the staff seem to be new from what I can tell, and the service is amazing, they were all so bubbly and friendly and they bent over backwards for us during our time there.
I can't believe the transformation, I will definately be a regular at this little gem in the heart of Kensingon.
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Hmmm... granted, trying to find a pub in the general area with a tv is not sensible, but the Goat at least offered a television. That the picture was unclear and shadowing is beside the point. My objection lies with being told that food would be available after 25 minutes when in fact it arrived 50 minutes later. The garlic bread, at almost �5, was sadly inept. The chicken and mushroom hotpot did not even half fill the small bowl it arrived in. As for th side vegetables that it accompanied it, Mr. McCain must still be growing those as they appeared in the form of half a baguette. On the plus side, the fish and chips being delivered to other tables did look palatable. Unfortunately, the negatives won't see my return custom.
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This pub now has a new manager. She is brilliant. Rarely have I been made to feel more welcome anywhere in London. This place is definitely on the up. The beer is well looked after and the staff are under a new, happier regime. Well worth checking out if you are in the area.
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For a while I was a frequent visitor here when I worked in the area but it has certainly taken a turn for the worse in the 10 years since I left if my 2 recent visits are anything to go by. The pub has a history going back 300 years but the current building, one of the first Watney houses, dates from 1879 according to the detailed history on the wall near the front door. The long and narrow interior has sadly swallowed up the old wine and spirit section that used to be to the left of the main entrance. The pub does become more spacious the further you go in but it does feel very closed in. From the smell of vinegar you just know that this is going to full of tourists eating fish & chips and from the wealth of uncleared tables you have little option than observing the leftovers. 4 hand pumps (Pride, Bombardier, Wadworths 6X + 1 redundant) but on my recent visits it has been hit and miss as to what is available. There is also a strange pricing policy with the 6X priced at a bizarre �3.03! The plasma screen is not particularly accessible and the whole place seems badly run and fake. A disappointing return to what was a regular haunt.
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Unfortunately this was the first pub we found on our way to the Bunnymen gig at the Albert Hall. It was difficult to differentiate between the London Pride and the Bombardier. Neither beer is well kept. Another overpriced Kensington pub serving poor quality beer. If economic conditions force3d this pub to close it wouldn't be any loss.
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We went to this pub this afternoon and it was shocking. A dingy pub with rude staff. My girlfriend was given a terrible glass of wine (it clearly tasted like the bottle had been open for some time) but she was treated as if she didn't know how wine should taste when she asked for a new glass. This terrible treatment of customers should not be accepted which is why I am bringing attention to it. I would suggest people avoid this pub and if you are nearby in need of a drink, walk across the park and go to one of the numerous better pubs in Bayswater.
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At a recent visit.... as bad as it has ever been. And I have for some strange reason been popping in every now and then over the last 15 years, still SXXT.
Nidge - 16 Jul 2008 02:22 |
popped in for lunch while waiting to check into the Thistle Inn around the corner. Can see where some of these complaints are coming from but didn't have any dramas myself. Hard to cock-up up a pint of Guinness and Cumberland sausage & mash....some Yank tourists but mercifully not too loud. Couple of annoying blokes gasbagging on their mobiles in the front section, either wide-boy car-dealers or security forces pretending to be...
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How awful!!! Went in there yesterday to find grumpy staff, sub standard food, poor beer (think the dirty glass didnt help), and basic filth.
We stupidly ordered food (which you can ONLY do in the rear of the pub) which was awful, there is a sign saying food is available between 12-9pm, however the couple that came in just after we ordered were told they had to hurray to order as the kitchen closed at 4pm!! My "posh" bacon and eggs were burnt to a crisp!! I visited the toilet to find one out of order and the only other one without a lock on the door or any toilet roll. I then listened to the bar staff discussing a customer very loudly and describing him as an "F******G W****R". Apart from standing around and leaning on the till they did very little and seemed to begrudge having to serve anyone. Needless to say when we left no one thanked us or even noticed we left. Will not be going there again.
anonymous - 21 Aug 2007 17:18 |
I have used this pub a couple of times when going to the albert hall.It is horible I cant think of a good thing to say about it.It reminds me of an old wetherspoons.If you are going to the albert hall try coming from the other direction or have a few drinks in there(if you can afford it)
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This is undoubtedly the worst pub experience i have had in london. The bar staff (INCLUDING the manageress) are some of the rudest i have ever encountered and have absolutely no respect for anyone. The meal we ordered got sent to the wrong table, and when we told the manager about this, we were told to 'shutup' (no lies) and sit down until she had time to speak to us. truly despicable.
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Another of London�s historic pubs, the Goat Tavern claims to have stood on the site for over 300 years and be the oldest in Kensington. It�s an old Watney�s house but thankfully I didn�t spot a red barrel. Standard selection of real ales available. It is a long low ceilinged bar split into three. An eating area at the rear, the main bar and a bright circular front room that looks out on to Kensington High St. Bus stop right outside for buses towards Notting Hill or Olympia/Hammersmith. No under 18�s rule in place even during the day.
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Utterly disgusting, the rudest staff I have ever met, said I couldn't bring the dog in and quite right too, I wouldnt let my dog sit on the floor in there. Dont go there!
anonymous - 9 Aug 2006 14:09 |
I wouldn't recommend this pub to anyone. The staff are very rude - don't go there!
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Pretty appalling pub, the definition of a tourist trap, but then it's right outside the Big Bus Company station. Overpriced and oversaturated with annoyingly loud and obnoxiously thick yanks who tend to propagate the area. Only merit is a quiz machine (not a single telly) and the fact it's next to me mate's place so it's a good place to meet/wait while he finishes watching Big Brother. Food is the same ol' rubbish as the rest of the pubs in the area (how many times have I written that in a review?) and it's pathetically overpriced. Definetely on my "demolish it now" building list.
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Oh dear. Had lunch there last week. Friend and I both ill the next day. No soap in the toilets, which is never a good sign. Nice building but lacking in any atmosphere at all.
anonymous - 16 Apr 2006 20:29 |
I've eaten here a few times with friends. I thought it was an okay pub, and the bar staff was friendly.
The food is not worth a damn, but it seemed an okay place to have a quick bite.
The drinks where fine as well
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I am writing this quite early of sunday morning returning from a night in Kensington . We went to a few nice pubs early on but this was easily one of the worst. I remember this being of good heritage being one of the oldest around. Now nothing more of a hight dud. Will not return.
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nice frontage! oldest pub in kensington?? sorry dont be tempted by the writings on the wall this place has no character it is a modern pub with very little charm i feel sorry for the toursists who think this is a traditional english pub dont bother going if you want a bit of old charm this pub gives off all the wrong vibes awful service from very rude barman (dont do it if you dont enjoy it)
anonymous - 26 Jun 2005 14:53 |
I visited the other day. It took more than 15 minutes to get served having been overlooked a couple of times - teh service was positively 'Basil Fawlty' like - the barman was quite rude to two other sets of customers who wanted food by demanding they sat at a particular table. Once I actually got my pint, it tasted revolting. to add to the gloom, many tables had empty glasses and full ashtrays. If it were not for gullible tourists, this place would not exist - instead go to one of the pubs off Kensington Church street
anonymous - 2 Jan 2005 12:07 |
was once a regular lunchtime haunt for a good steak and ale pie. Since recent changes its gone to pot. Menu - lame. Food - appalling. They even ruined a cheese burger (which I couldn't order without lettuce as "that's how it comes"). I will never go there again. ever
mark - 19 Aug 2004 17:43 |
Nice bar to go with friends to have some beers... Friendly Staff... just took a picture from one of their waiters last Saturday!!! do you know any e-mail address to send them the picture? It's a nice one!
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Very good beer but absolutely appalling food - worst I've had in a very long time. And don't be tempted by the award-winning pies (cold and tasteless) and sausages (like reheated hosepipe). It wasn't worth me complaining as staff didn't care about anything. One for passing tourists (to reinforce their views on British cuisine).
Eric - 16 Aug 2004 17:36 |
the pub is the best ever just lived in kensington for two months and was there every chance i got !!!
the staff such as adam and matthew are as lovely as can be, will miss the place now that i`ve gone home.....
kimie - 10 Apr 2004 19:45 |
Great traditional pub with friendly staff.
May - 25 Nov 2003 09:46 |
crammed with papparazi trying to snap famous faces in the hotel casino opposite..and why the hell is it that i cant enjoy a drink without:
2 old gits pestering us about football...
4 members of papparzi talking to us thinking we might be "someone"...
again getting set upon by sodding photographers
being touched up-by a tranvestite type..scary!
??? nice range of drinks nice decor nice location but....souless..a pub which actys as the first and last pub actually on hi st ken...yes, the only pub, most are on church st...
nice place though..
belgrave square boy - 11 Jul 2003 18:38 |
My favorite London pub for years!
Their Chicken Tikka Masala is outstanding! Friendly staff.
Always one of my first stops after
arriving from California!
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Really nice place to meet your mates before a night out. Definately the last stop before the Albert Hall if you're heading that way. Get in early if you want a seat on a friday evening.
anonymous - 7 Apr 2003 18:39 |
Really nice looking boozer but has the feel of a station pub a bit.
friendly staff, just a bit souless, probably due to the place being full of knackered shoppers and theatre goers.
beer - 14 Feb 2003 15:34 |
