BITE user comments - RealMcCoy
Comments by RealMcCoy
It's a big, multi-roomed/levelled place with v.loud music, packed to the gunwells with young people and tourists of a standard Saturday night. The beer range? Well, standard lagers, Caffrey's (uck), Guinness as you'd expect etc but it's not what I'd call a proper Irish boozer as it doesn't seem to have any character, the place is too busy and impersonal to be friendly and I can't imagine anyone having the craic here without being thrown out for being rowdy. A tourist's idea of what an Irish pub is.
17 Oct 2010 18:22
This is quite a place. Wandering along Wardour Street in search of a traditional boozer with friends, I chanced upon The Ship. Whilst loud Dead Kennedys ("Kill, kill, kill the poor!") and an interior with very few free seats available isn't my cup of tea, it has great character. The service was prompt and polite even though it was busy and, being a Fuller's pub, there's a fair range of ale on although quite a lot of the draught didn't seem to be on (clips turned round).
17 Oct 2010 18:08
The Swan has become somewhat of a live music venue of late with a variety of sounds on a frequent basis: classic rock covers, rock 'n' roll, jazz, some country rock, blues and even a smattering of pop. All this with Sky and gourmet grub too. It's rarely quiet now.
10 Oct 2010 11:11
It would seem to have re-opened recently after several days of closure. Being where it is and what it is, it has a fair amount of competition within walking distance (The Park, The Wych Elm etc) but it used to be a decent boozer.
10 Oct 2010 10:59
Eddieteddy: would you happen to either be a regular at or the landlord of The Dolphin by any chance?
1 Jul 2010 16:29
The transformation to a gastropub is now complete with a deep red decor, raised dining area, high tables, leather sofas, jazz in the background etc.
11 Jun 2010 10:56
The Railway Tavern, Hampton Wick
Closed for good in late March. The building has been sold and an application made to the council for it to be converted to private housing. Hampton Wick's only jukebox has fallen silent and the village has lost its only traditional boozer.
11 Jun 2010 10:52
The Railway Tavern, Hampton Wick
Tomorrow The Railway (Tavern) will close its doors forever. The building has been sold for residential use and so the legend that was Hampton Wick's last remaining traditional boozer draws to a close. A sign of the times? Yes and the end of an era.
Trad pubs that don't serve food and/or don't possess satellite tv (such as The Railway) are really up against it now. Pubs where you can sing and dance to the jukebox without worrying about disturbing the polite dining ambience are becoming a thing of the past. Losing a real pub like this is a tragedy. Tonight we, 'The Railway Children', will celebrate it and bid it a sad farewell.
"Go maith ma agut agus slan!"
24 Mar 2010 07:43
Built as an estate pub in a residential area just outside of Andover, The Chestnut Tree has had a chequered past in recent times but landlady Ruth who took the helm last summer has turned the pub's fortunes around. As managed pubs go - sport of numerous tellies, cheap food etc - it is ahead of the pack. Real ale (from the Greene King list in good condition) has recently made a return. Two pool tables, a dartboard and a jukebox help make the pub a good community boozer.
28 Feb 2010 15:54
The Railway Tavern, Hampton Wick
The last seven weeks have seen something of a transformation as the new landlord and his backer have gone a long way to restoring this pub's reputation as somewhere a great pint and a great night can be had. Ale lovers have a choice of London Pride and Courage Director's and there's an enterprising choice of bottle ales too (Fuller's Honeydew and ESB as well as Jenning's Cumberland Ale).
If you insist on drinking lager, Carlsberg is �2 a pint!
It's usually busier on Friday nights but Saturday nights have also picked up recently with frequent live music of differing styles becoming a feature. Add to this a lively, varied but usually friendly mixed clientele and you've a pub which is definitely going places. It's arguably the most 'fun' place in Hampton Wick.
28 Feb 2010 15:46
The The Old Monk Exchange, Westminster
A slightly hidden gem but one worth visiting. They've an excellent selection of draught ales as well as some interesting bottled beers too including most of Meantime Brewery (Greenwich)'s range. Their stout and raspberry beer are the real deal.
18 Dec 2009 10:53
It's a bit of a legend and is meant to be tatty! Indeed it was the pub that saw the formation of The Dubs back in the sixties and I dare say it hasn't seen a lick of pain since! Along with Doheny & Nesbitt's, you don't get a more real Dublin boozer than this.
12 Dec 2009 12:31
It's quite something, this place. Not far from Leinster House and the Liffey, it is a cask ale oasis in a keg desert. Visiting some years ago, I asked the landlord if he had many people asking for a certain Dublin-brewed stout. He said "they" - the large rival along the quays - had offered to supply them when they opened but that "we" had declined. It's a multi-level place with a decent bottled range as well as a draught selection. The food's excellent too and the place is kept spotless. A very impressive pub and well worth a visit.
12 Dec 2009 12:27
Sadly, this pub was gutted by a terrible fire that spread from a new flats development nearby in the early hours of this morning.
26 Nov 2009 13:34
The Railway Tavern, Hampton Wick
I'm pleased to say that the pub re-opened on Friday. It's early days as yet but Sky tv and cask beer will soon feature. A cosy traditional pub starting a new lease of life.
23 Aug 2009 14:14
The Railway Tavern, Hampton Wick
The building remains closed and is now on the market. Fingers crossed it re-opens as a pub.
1 Aug 2009 10:06
The Railway Tavern, Hampton Wick
Word around the manor is that people have been seen going in and out of the pub recently and there's a rumour that it'll be re-opening soon. I hope whoever takes it on has verve, wit, charm, personality and charisma. The Railway could be great again and I'd much rather see it busy and fun than become offices or a restaurant.
$64,000 question: is there enough drinking trade for Hampton Wick's three traditional pubs to remain viable? Answers on a postcard please!
29 Jun 2009 15:57
The Swan has now re-opened with minor cosmetic and decor changes. It appears 'tidier' than before and the dartboard has gone (hard luck, arrow chuckers!). The new people seem friendly enough although it's difficult to say how they'll react when the customary Friday night drunken and naked singing starts!
29 Jun 2009 15:53
Currently closed. The new tenant couple arrived today. Hampton Wick regulars hold their breath...
22 Jun 2009 22:55
The Kelly Arms, Kingston Upon Thames
Someone told me the other day that this pub is closing for good and the licence has been withdrawn. Another trad pub lost.
15 Jun 2009 09:58
The Railway Tavern, Hampton Wick
This pub has now closed. It could be awaiting new management or even a change of use to become something else. Time will tell.
31 May 2009 11:43
This bar recently closed. I am pretty sure its closure was not cried over!
20 Oct 2008 14:40
I wouldn't say it was dead inside or "awful", just a good deal quieter and more pleasant than before. Some of the pub's former clientele were of the rough and ready kind that looked for a fight after a couple of lemonades too many and, personally, I'm glad they're no longer around. It's got to be about quality custom as much as quantity, surely?
I think the music's quite refreshing! Where else could you have Pavarotti one minute and drum and bass the next?! The Old King's is more of a studenty pub; the Swan welcomes everyone as long as they're well-behaved.
15 Jul 2008 09:28
It's great to see The Swan come back from the abyss. It's turned back from the brink and is once again a pleasant place to visit. One thing takes the edge off things a bit for me though: I sometimes pop in of an afternoon for a quiet pint and the landlord is frequently three sheets to the wind! I realise this can be an occupational hazard but a) being p***ed in front of the public and b) p***ed during the day reflects badly on him and the pub. If he could ease up on the sauce, this issue would be resolved to the betterment of everyone.
10 Jun 2008 10:38
The Masons Arms, Teddington
Still a fine house. Building work is currently underway in the gents (sort of a one-in-one-out system), but the beers are fine and it's an oasis of calm as the jukie is rarely loud and it never really gets that busy. Still recommended.
17 Oct 2010 18:26