BITE user comments - Watcher
Comments by Watcher
The Uxbridge Arms, Notting Hill
Inspired by the comment of Ullage on the �Effing landlady� I nervously crept into the pub. The decor breaks every interior design principle in the book but it has a feeling of harmony that only a decent old age brings. It feels warm and welcoming and there are plenty of odd characters that you used to find in the proper old boozers.
It has an eccentric feel and if you like your pub cosy and intimate this is the place. The landlady looked in total charge and as I left I placed my pint glass nervously on the counter and slid out the door.
21 Feb 2005 11:56
The Plough and Harrow, Hammersmith
I liked it from the word go. It was early evening so it was mainly old blokes working up a sleep before the night�s telly. Come late evening the birds were flying in with working crews of very thirsty fellas. Its not an architectural diamond but its pleasant. The toilets are a fascination of tiny tiling with ornate glass and fabulous hand basins.
The beer is cheap, the atmosphere unchallenging. If you want to retreat into the warm welcoming womb of Hammersmith this is the place to slide in.
16 Feb 2005 18:42
The Goose and Granite, Kilburn
It was only the other week that I was up in the Goose and Granite and there was this chap well in his cups going round the bar shaking hands with all and sundry. Not having been told off for his little journey round the tables his confidence grew and he gave quite a reasonable rendition of an old Irish ballad and even had some of the patrons joining in.
He declared that he was an Irish traveller and proud of his stock and flashed his gold rings as he waved time to his own singing. A Kilburn clientele would never complain - he was one of their own just blowing off a bit of steam and having a rush of sentiment for the old days.
Its that sort of pub.
13 Feb 2005 14:11
Metropolitan Bar, Baker Street
Well when I arrived there I wanted to flee. It was like a doctor�s waiting room and I did not feel ready for examination. But after you enter the main bar the interesting roof lighting and classy bar mellowed the mood. The Stella Artois was not great but I persevered.
Mostly a young crowd and the odd lone bloke with a medley of strange fish wandering in. This place will not set your soul on fire but the beer will smooth the edges and encourage you to leave fast for a hostelry with more life living in its veins.
12 Feb 2005 21:43
This is not a pub for the faint hearted. The patrons are mainly those who have seen the rawer side of life, have a liking for strong drink and lots of it, and are able to complete a dizzy waltz when the singer strikes into an emotive Irish ballad. To see people here take the floor is a frightening spectacle of whirling bodies and nifty foot work.
Service is pleasant and the beer is reasonable but some of the customers sent a chill down my spine that even the beer did not completely calm.
12 Feb 2005 11:56
The Central Bar, Shepherds Bush
Enthused by the glorious Welsh victory over England in the rugby I descended on Shepherds Bush. The glorious Welsh hymns were still ringing in my ears.
I decided on the Central Bar in the shopping centre called West 12 and can you imagine a more scintillating name. This bar was designed with all the magic and style of the railway line from London to Northampton. But talk about cheap beer - I wanted to inquire were they paying into pension funds and providing for ageing grannies. This was a give away.
They all enjoyed themselves here and even though there were quite a few in God�s waiting room, this is a lively hostelry with the motto that the beer is the main drag. And a great view of the grotty green under the crane lights of the new developing White City.
5 Feb 2005 21:55
The Hammersmith Ram, Hammersmith
This used to be one of the great Hammersmith pubs. Not any more, its really hit the sawdust. It has all the atmosphere of a tram shed without the trams. When it was called the Builders is was full of locals and characters with a separate saloon and public bar. There was terrific homely food and a lovely Labrador dog that hoovered up any food that got to the floor.
There is so little trade that the bar staff are bored witless and have to be broken from their huddles to get served. If you leave your drink its whisked away in seconds. The Morris down the road has taken all the customers away. Its time for some special offers and a decent pub dog and anything to keep the staff from going senile. Youngs brewery can surely do better than this. Any compensation - the beer is still good.
2 Feb 2005 16:29
This was always a great pub. Used to work at Honda in Chiswick in the eighties and we used to gallop down to the Packhorse for a Saturday lunchtime drink before they closed at 3.00pm. Those the were the sad early closing days.
Tommy Cooper, the comedian, was there sometimes and he was always game for a laugh and a chat. He drank half a Pride but never offered a round. He was quite happy to accept a drink. We were delighted to be entertained by the great man and he was just as funny in real life.
There was a tough Irish barmaid there called Nuala with flaming red cheeks who told me �Don�t you know when you have enough� when I asked for a pint of ESB after last orders. Happy days but watch that ESB.
2 Feb 2005 12:41
The Warrington Hotel, Maida Vale
Gorgeous Gussie of a pub. Stunning d�cor of bugle blowing seraphs and dark wood with soft sensitive lighting. Beer is always in great order and the service by the younger staff light and cheerful. Some of the older ones could learn here - they seem to see it as a personal favour to give you their attention. Had a full pint there once and came back from the gents. No pint and complained. Little sympathy.
Saw Frankie Frasier one night with a blonde on each shoulder - our eyes met and then I feared for my health. Not a very mixed clientele - feel slightly uncomfortable among the apparently upmarket whizzy type people. Its always a good sign to see the odd old codger gazing into his tumbler. Very few here. More Thai food. Whoever created this eating craze will have to meet their Higher Being one day. Be warned.
30 Jan 2005 17:56
I dont know what happened to this pub. It was never great but it has descended to the diabolical phase. When there is a decent football game on the telly nunbers grow to double figures and then the death wish decends. On occasions, I have seen sparkling performances by individual barmaids but usually to an empty auditorium. I would not hold my breadth for any recovery.
30 Jan 2005 16:27
The Mad Bishop and Bear, Paddington
This pub was recommended to me by a friend in the private security business. I suppose its an ideal place for covert photos of illicit affairs. I like the busyness of the place with all sorts coming and going. The Fullers beer is top notch and the staff reasonably pleasant and on the ball. You can look purposeful here even if your not going to Penzeance or posssibly Reading. Its up near the roof of Paddington Station and you can wonder what the Mad Bishop really did say to the Bear.
30 Jan 2005 12:39
The William Morris, Hammersmith
Hard to imagine that this pub came from a motley collection of old shops. Great blend of all ages and appealing to both sexes. Good prices and pretty decent beers and lagers. Its THE pub in Hammersmith. Gets a bit raucous when the football supporters pour in on late Saturday afternoons. Do we really need the black suited security goons on the doors in the evenings? Music can be a bit loud but then who cares!!
30 Jan 2005 08:44
The Churchill Arms, Kensington
Gleaming brasses, hanging buckets
Gerry is making his usual ruckus
The beer is pouring, the crowd is roaring
The place is sure humming tonight
Has been one of the great London pubs for many years. Great atmosphere, beer in top condition and helpful charming (usually)staff. But this pub has now fallen on the sword of its own success. The introduction of the Thai food has changed it into a diner for over nighting airline personnel and bands of walkabout Aussies. The regulars are drifting away and the soul of a good boozer is been crowded out by a food clique.
30 Jan 2005 07:57
This used to be a lively thriving pub some years back but it has lost a lot of its ambience. If you want cheering up in the Kilburn area I would give this one a miss. Yet the elderly local Irish seem to find it attractive. Strange. You can get a substantial meal there to slightly compensate for the overall dreariness.
29 Jan 2005 20:40
The Beaten Docket, Cricklewood
I had the Sunday Roast lunch there. Large portions and the roast beef was very nice. It has a very Irish atmosphere and its great to see the old boys sipping their pints and catching up on the papers.
Its the pub for the quiet craic and mellow thoughfulness.
8 May 2005 15:14