BITE user comments - adamwalsh
Comments by adamwalsh
I obviously got there WAY too early - Sunday about 3pm - no one in there except barman cleaning the place - I walk and check he is open, he affirms, I order a pint and sit in the outside section so as to not be staring at him cleaning (seeing as its now just me and him in the whole place) - crazy outdoors section - burnt out car, lots of debris, wheelchairs and things............very odd!! But barman was cool - very friendly.
13 Feb 2011 19:56
The Strutton Arms, Westminster
Not too bad - very football-ish pub - lots of "geezers" shouting at the tv - but cheapest place Ive found a pint of Leffe on tap! �4! Not bad.
13 Feb 2011 19:52
The George, Great Portland Street
Nice place, interesting ales on - good food, nice attentive barstaff.
6 Feb 2011 19:42
3 other people in there on Sunday afternoon, so pretty empty and silent - barmaid barely looked up from her phone/magazine the whole time. Much prefer other SamSmiths "The Champion" further along the way.
24 Jan 2011 14:18
Nice enough place - quite small. There were a bunch of Irish-gangster types in suits pretending to the Krays in one corner, and some bemused tourists in another corner. Not too bad - but other pubs preferable nearby.
24 Jan 2011 14:16
Just another pub - downstairs area was handy as no seats in main bar - but certainly cellar bar lacks atmosphere - next time Ill stand in the main bar instead. Nice enough.
24 Jan 2011 14:15
St Stephens Tavern, Westminster
Nice enough place - busy, nowhere to sit but what do you expect from a pub opposite Big Ben. Sexy Russian barmaid - but couldve had a smile on her!
24 Jan 2011 14:13
The Princess of Wales, Charing Cross
Beer was a little funny tasting, barman was moody - nothing special.
17 Jan 2011 08:20
The Iron Duke, Victoria station
Obviously crap, a place you rush a drink down surrounded by drunks and teenagers stealing tables to eat McDonalds............junk.
9 Jan 2011 20:40
Aware of the bad reviews ventured in here on a Sunday lunchtime to find it pleasingly quiet - a friendly helpful barman serving and all was fine.........
9 Jan 2011 20:28
Not great/Not bad - just a pub - nothing special and when the Lamb and Flag is across the street no contest- just thought Id try it. 5 out of 10.
9 Jan 2011 20:23
Quite possibly the worst pub Ive ever been in, first off the barman (the only barman) was busy chatting to a guy who already had a drink, going on about how he had to fire staff because of money etc, 3 or 4 minutes of me standing in his line of vision he decided to serve me (there were 5 or 6 people in the whole place) - beer was fine, took a seat, very loud bad chav house music comes on the stereo, the place is a dive, the clientelle are old drunks and a couple disabled chaps who I get the impression are here everyday ---- to top it all off I go to the toilet and find a massive turd unflushed in the bog, I start to think Im in one of those "You've Been Framed" shows, but no, its just a bad pub.
27 Dec 2010 18:39
Busy, tv in the corner, no seating space unfortunately when I was there, stood by a leaning drinks bit by the door....lots of workers in suits, two barmaids looked like school headteachers, very serious.
Not really my sort of place.
23 Dec 2010 22:20
The Bricklayers Arms, Beckenham
I know this place has bad reviews - but I gotta say I thought it was alright just going in there tonight with my brother - 2 pints of Stella (he had two Guiness) - both were fine. It was rather quiet in there - couple old guys, one bloke at the bar looked a little lost, but friendly enough, barmaid was pleasant, couple sat round to the left of bar were maybe the owners people have posted about, they said thanks when we left - no problem. Prices bit high for Beckenham maybe? �6.30 each round (1 pint Stella, 1 pint Guiness).
20 Dec 2010 19:42
The Porcupine, Leicester Square
Nice enough place - lots of framed actors/directors photos around. Bit touristy given its location.
12 Dec 2010 20:46
Deceptively small from The Strand, stretches right back. Interesting place for a view out to see people walking by.
27 Nov 2010 21:26
Nice place just off ChinaTown - great selection of beers as you would expect for a Belgian place - Leffe on tap, Fruli is nice, interesting paintings up, nice decor - friendly staff - not a lot of seating places when busy, but a nice place overall.
27 Nov 2010 21:14
The Artillery Arms, Old Street
Very nice, went in after a look at William Blakes grave over in Bunhill Cemetery across the street - Peroni and a few lagers on tap, its a Fullers pub but sadly yet another Fullers place that doesnt sell their Porter!!
21 Nov 2010 20:56
Williams Wine and Ale House, Hoxton
Pretty bland "chain" style place - strange mix between a diner and a bar for office people....
18 Nov 2010 19:06
Like most people have said - its actually better than you might imagine and surprisinly quiet for a Sunday lunchtime. The "Astoria" bar sign brought a tear to my eye remembering all the great shows Id seen at the venue across the road now demolished. To be honest if you're in the area Id rather walk down to The Champion (turn right off Oxford St just before HMV) to a far superior pub.
15 Nov 2010 09:47
The Sherlock Holmes, Charing Cross
Barman looked right at me and ignored me first time, when he came round the bar again finally served me. Place was PACKED but this was Remembrance Sunday we were there and Ship and Shovell just along the way was closed so maybe thats why it was so busy. They had the recent Sherlock Holmes movie playing silently on a telly above the door, but not bad place. Really need to go back when its quieter to appreciate the interior etc.
15 Nov 2010 09:44
The Lord John Russell, Russell Square
Much smaller place than the images would have you believe - but nice, more like a Cafe/Diner place than a pub with flowers on all the tables and menu's everywhere. Quite nice if you're in the area.
15 Nov 2010 09:42
The Glasshouse Stores, Piccadilly Circus
Nice place - very quiet and to be honest a little bland as many of the Sam Smith pubs are - but I would go back if Im on my own shopping or whatever in the area and fancy a quiet drink.
31 Oct 2010 19:41
The Coach and Horses, Covent Garden
Nice little cosy place - seemingly most of the customers looked like they were on the way to the theatre - the older crowd drinking wine and a few suits etc - not a place to get drunk "with the lads" for example!! not bad though.
31 Oct 2010 19:39
Boadicea, Charing Cross Station
Need I say it? This place is junk - but of course should you wish for one more snifter before hometime you canne find a closer venue to gate 4!!!
30 Oct 2010 21:42
The Duke of Wellington, Aldgate
Very local-esque bar - friendly staff, but I am not a fan of the sports tvs in every corner............but nice enough for a quiet drink.
29 Oct 2010 19:08
Beautiful old building, great history to the place, just a shame its been so commercialised - pop music on the stereo, very O'Neills-esque lay out. But staff were helpful and friendly, food was nice and quickly served.
29 Oct 2010 19:05
Nothing special really - quite a small place - looks great from outside but rather basic inside - couple of moody barmaids, the crowd was 100% suits propping up the bar talking business.....bland music on radio. Much prefer the White Hart round the corner.
29 Oct 2010 19:04
As others have said - very basic "back street boozer" - full of locals f-ing and blinding, bad music on the radio. Odd place, but it'll do if you are in the area - but wouldnt go specifically for this one.
29 Oct 2010 19:00
Another "out of the box" pub - bad music on the stereo - Harvester-esque, no soul - wont return.
24 Oct 2010 21:39
Pretty bland identi-kit pub - pop music on stereo and Fosters on tap - more a holiday camp than a pub.
24 Oct 2010 21:36
The Churchill Arms, Kensington
Quite a glorious place - literally packed with interesting items from floor to ceiling spanning the whole bar - very nice also to see a proper landlord chatting and joking with the people - really nice place - will def be back!
24 Oct 2010 21:35
Very nice - but more so for the fabulous view outside than inside - which for example compared to the Prospect Of Whitby isnt half as interesting. Like others have said the fact these pubs have no landlord but just a bunch of foreign girls working the bar slightly makes a place lose its identity also........
24 Oct 2010 21:33
Very "footbally" for my taste but still quite relaxing and cosy - nice to gaze out the window to see the passers by - Leffe on tap - not bad!
17 Oct 2010 19:40
Obviously Im missing something - aside from the pink decor, allowance of screaming babies and complete lack of atmosphere I dont quite get what is so great about this place - Id been meaning to go there for ages - but dont think I need to go again. Only good thing was pints of Leffe were only �4 as opposed to �5.60 in Spitalfields...
17 Oct 2010 19:36
The Charles Dickens, Southwark
Pretty average place - Indian barman - a few people there when I went in and it gradually filled up - but no great atmosphere really - another place checked off the list but no need to go back.
15 Oct 2010 19:01
The Warwick Castle, Maida Vale
Nice place - more homely than the Warrington Hotel up the road - nice walk further along to the canals too. Again as you would expect for the area - quite posh and expensive looking menu to go with the posh expensive clientele..........
10 Oct 2010 20:36
The Warrington Hotel, Maida Vale
Very fancy rich area - so the pub is understandably full of pretty young rich people - nice interior - luckily didnt see the foul-mouthed yob Ramsey who supposedly owns the place - nice enough - but I wouldnt go out of my way for it - the poncy rich crowd put me off.
10 Oct 2010 20:34
Went here a few months back - seemed to be run by junkies and ex-cons from Holloway Prison across the road - odd place - friendly enough but you got the impression all the shaky tattoed people were in there every day.
10 Oct 2010 20:28
The Barrowboy and Banker, London Bridge
Not bad - nice decor. Finally found somewhere that sells Fullers London Porter - worth the wait - lovely stuff! Sit upstairs and you have a nice view of the chandeliers etc. Not too crowded on a Saturday night.
3 Oct 2010 20:53
Looked nice but Saturday night the shitty loud club music was pumping outside so loud me and pals preferred standing out in the rain with our pints rather than inside. Other than that - nice.
3 Oct 2010 20:51
Strange place - nice enough but full of "characters" - an old guy in the corner slumped forward that looked like he was dead - a heavyset black lady staring aimlessly at the slot machine for 20 minutes, lots of strange print outs and signs posted up all over the place - bit of a strange mish-mash of a pub.
3 Oct 2010 20:46
Empty Sunday about 3pm - nice enough place - lovely back room, nice decor etc.
3 Oct 2010 20:44
Nice pub, helped along by the gorgeous cuddly young barmaid! Very friendly, nice layout - great decor - interesting place!
3 Oct 2010 20:40
The Windsor Castle, Kensington
Really nice interesting place, friendly bar staff - went on a Sunday afternoon and it was VERY busy, so really to appreciate the place properly Id like to go back earlier in the day maybe on a week day - but certainly worth seeking out. Good range of beers and food looked good too.
26 Sep 2010 21:13
Nice enough place - had some lunch here and a pint - not too expensive but certainly the place was nothing special - its alright but nothing Id go out of my way for again.
26 Sep 2010 21:11
Rather bland pub - more like a bar/cafe sort of place - no sightings of Kevin Spacey or anything! Glad finally been but no need to return.
26 Sep 2010 21:10
Lovely old pub down a very quiet residential road that looks like a setting for a movie - very much a quiet locals place - certainly so on a Sunday lunch time - only the "Saloon" bar section open and 3 or so other people in - very nice. Will be going back.
26 Sep 2010 21:08
Typical Sam Smiths, lots of wood - everywhere. Great prices, nice cosy looking place - but VERY busy on a Friday afternoon - seems popular with loads of trendy looking young bicyle couriers.
17 Sep 2010 20:25
Very nice cosy old-style pub, lots of wood, old photos and fish etc framed up.......really nice place. Fun friendly barmaid enjoying banter with several presumable regulars. Will go back!
17 Sep 2010 20:22
The Pride of Spitalfields, Shoreditch
Nice little homely cosy pub - as other reviewers have said - its a mixture of old guys who are obviously there every day and the odd bunch of young hipsters/tourists coming in and out. Sat next to the resident cat by the window and watched happily - will be back. Can get busy buts its a nice place.
15 Sep 2010 21:04
Typical "painting by numbers" pub - nothing special but ok for a quick pint - nice music playing. Full of suits of course for this area.
15 Sep 2010 21:02
The Plume of Feathers, Greenwich
Nice and friendly pub - cosy, some might say a downside is its a family friendly pub - so there were 3 or 4 kids running around.......but food was nice and beer was good - very cosy place - pricey maybe but thats Greenwich for you I guess (two pints and two Sunday Roasts came to just over �31).
13 Sep 2010 08:25
The Opera Tavern, Covent Garden
As of yesterday (12th September 2010) its still boarded up and gone.
13 Sep 2010 08:22
Great view - lovely old building - slightly upmarket maybe for your regular drinker - a restaurant area through the main room looked very much "Are you on the list sir?" type of affair. But beer was nice, and as I said - that view!
13 Sep 2010 08:07
Nice little pub, dont let a crowd outside put you off - I ventured round the back of the bar and there are seats there..........nice mirrors and dark red interiour - interesting place. Shame shut on weekends.
10 Sep 2010 18:58
Interesting interior - didnt feel like pestering staff to see the cells - but maybe sometime I might. Nice enough for a stop off - right opposite the Old Bailey.
10 Sep 2010 18:56
Not quite as interesting as I hoped it might be having walked past once and reviewed their website - I certainly could do without the elevator music and sports/news tvs........maybe some quiet folk music playing to be in mood with the name and history would be nice. Id go back, but please - turn that crappy music off!
30 Aug 2010 19:21
The Punch Tavern, Fleet Street
Unfortunately not half as interesting as the exterior and history might suggest - more like a cosy (in the wrong sort of way) back room, quite bland I might say really.......its ok, and food was nice enough - but nothing worth going out of your way for.
30 Aug 2010 19:18
Nice fish and chips, smallish pub - but very much a "Pub" - nothing amazing.
19 Aug 2010 18:16
The Old Doctor Butler's Head, Moorgate
Nothing remarkable - full of suits as expected of course - sports on tv which I dont like........wouldnt go out of my way to return.
19 Aug 2010 18:12
Went back again for second time this year - wanted to sit upstairs and view the ceiling but was told I couldnt unless I was eating - fair enough but a shame seeing as there were plenty of empty tables.
19 Aug 2010 18:11
Interesting and dark interiour but me being alone I was slightly put off by the high number of young cool and trendy staff hanging around watching you drink......a little too nice trying to be a little more interesting than it actually is.....although was nice to see Oranjeboom on tap - used to drink that years ago.
19 Aug 2010 18:10
Small but pleasant - surprisingly busy for 12pm lunchtime on a Thursday......pint of Peroni �4.30 - but London prices are what you expect in this area.
19 Aug 2010 18:08
Funny place, had never been there before and from the outside it looks closed which may explain why there were only 3 other people in there lunchtime on Sunday 100 metres from Oxford St. Other than that very nice though, as everyone has mentioned - the stained glass windows of heroic characters from life are very impressive, but there was certainly a slightly depressing feel to the place - just quite dull and sad....dont know what - but the windows are nice. Not a big beer range - but cheap! Two pints of Alpine Lager was �4.70!
16 Aug 2010 07:27
The Porterhouse, Covent Garden
Very nice - went yesterday for first time. Reminds me of a brighter version of Waxy O Connors in Chinatown - different levels - MASSIVE beer list - nice and clean - interesting decor. Will be going back.
16 Aug 2010 07:24
I see the image used here is actually The Market Porter near London Bridge - but anyway - the Old Shades - yeah nice enough. Nothing special really - typical Nicholsons pub.
14 Aug 2010 22:24
Pretty dismal. Got served the wrong drink - and only 1 when I asked for 2.........great.
14 Aug 2010 22:12
Not too bad - dont like the garden and could do without the tvs and music - but nice enough. Gets quite busy.
9 Aug 2010 21:25
I went there having read it was historical and interesting - unfortunately I didnt really like it, too cramped and too full of "cool" people. At least they served Leffe - note all beers are ONLY served as half-pints.
9 Aug 2010 21:17
Interesting place - beautiful expensive area of course that its situated in - I went to be honest as Id heard its where The Great Train Robbery had been planned out - went on a Sunday lunchtime and there were 3 other people there (including the barmaid) - so it was as quiet as a library, but sure it gets livelier in the evenings. Very nice.
9 Aug 2010 21:14
Very nice - went on Sunday for the first time - very small place - we sat next to the bar but I got the impression you could up the stairs to the right of the bar - also a couple come out from the left of the bar so not sure - but lovely place - its more a place to go if your a chatty person - not really somewhere you would go to have a few pints - its very much a be nice and have one and on to the next.......but I liked it - barmaid mentioned in other reviews was friendly and the landlord was nice too, said hello and goodbye when we left. Not too much of a lager selection that I could see other than Bitburger - but the surroundings made up for it!
9 Aug 2010 21:11
I noticed a guy staring at me from the end of the bar - if I was in a bad mood Id have asked what he was looking at - but later on I saw him collecting glasses, so either he works there/owns it - or just likes helping people put glasses on the bar. Anyway - not too bad, Im not a sports type person but THIS place IS - but thats ok - the decor etc was alright, I might even go as far as saying its the best pub in Beckenham - much better atmosphere than O'Neills next door - but I went in the afternoon on a week day - my brother tells me later on it gets VERY busy - so go midday/afternoon if you want a quiter drink.
6 Aug 2010 21:55
when I say "uniterested foreign girls" - i mean WORKING there - not me chatting them up!!
6 Aug 2010 21:51
Once again - uninterested foreign girls - they appear in all the pubs I go to!
Anyway - nothing special, wouldve been better without the shitty "background" drone that passed for music. �3.90 for a bottle of Leffe. Just had the one.
6 Aug 2010 21:50
Interesting pop memorabilia up - Heineken was quite flat, and only men everywhere which made me wonder if this was a certain type of bar..........but nice enough I guess - quite dark, red lighting etc. Wouldnt bother staying for more than one.
1 Aug 2010 20:46
The Two Brewers, Covent Garden
Clean and friendly, but a little too "busy" - as in tables are all very closely packed in and its a bit bright with tvs and such - more like a hotel lobby than a pub. More one for the tourists I think.
1 Aug 2010 20:40
The Freemasons Arms, Covent Garden
Nice enough place - good fish and chips! Shame all foreign bar staff in a pub that should be full of men in black suits whispering...........but nice enough.
1 Aug 2010 20:35
The Lamb and Flag, Covent Garden
Great place - very nice - I try to go to different pubs in London each time Im there and unfortunately there are more bad ones than good - but Im glad to say this is one of the good ones. Nice history to the place - friendly staff, and lots of interesting items on the walls about the history of the place etc.
1 Aug 2010 20:33
Dont open till 3pm weekdays, not til 5pm on Sunday! But once we found that out we headed along after visiting Forbidden Planet round the corner. Not too bad - pretty shitty inside - I mean rock n roll is meant to be chaotic but dirty is something else - could be a lot better without "selling out"...............not bad music - in my time there Marilyn Manson, Stone Sour, Slash etc...........
25 Jul 2010 19:45
Not bad - used to go here before shows at the Underworld, nice open daylight lit main section bar - not bad. Rock music on - but not too loud.
25 Jul 2010 19:40
The Crescent, Mornington Crescent
Now called "The Lyttelton Arms" - very nice - great range of beers, very clean and nicely done up..........
25 Jul 2010 19:39
Carpenters Arms, Bethnal Green
Nice to see the Krays painting but unfortunately it was full of cool kids and art students. Not worth returning.
18 Jul 2010 21:20
Went in purely to have a look at the section downstairs where they supposedly have something to do with original site of Bethlem Hospital. It was closed, the bar itself seemed like a soulless chain pub.
18 Jul 2010 21:18
Its been done up a bit since my last visit - white interior - not too bad - empty inside but nice garden area packed. typical foreign bar staff that you might expect these days unfortunately.
18 Jul 2010 21:14
Not too bad - corner pub, just been in once - they serve Leffe which is always a good sign. Nothing remarkable though.
7 Jul 2010 07:55
The Coach and Horses, Beckenham
please disregard my review under this - wrong pub! i was talking about The Jolly Woodman.
THIS pub - we went to afterwards, very bland really, clean enough but miserable barmaid and rave music playing - at 1pm! wtf.
7 Jul 2010 07:48
Dont know why the high rating, dead - small, and rather soul-less............sure barman was friendly and nice - but 7.2? no.
1 Jul 2010 20:20
The St Brides Tavern, Blackfriars
Clean, empty and soulless....................will never return.
1 Jul 2010 20:19
Pretty bland place - lots of men - really not sure if gay pub or not! A bit odd............
1 Jul 2010 20:18
Went only as chosen pub was packed for England V Germany - packed of course but everyone was friendly - nice place, very heavily leaning on the sports theme with many interesting framed memorabilia and pictures. Would need to go back on a regular day for a normal experience (as opposed to packed football crowd) but seemed nice enough.
28 Jun 2010 19:39
Strange place - packed and only one lady behind the bar who actually said to me "I hate this bloody place!" haha - I guess she was stressed though as she was on her own - but got my drinks and they were ok - might be better on a quieter day!!
7 Jun 2010 07:51
Great place! Really liked the atmosphere and history of this place - old wooden caskets and paintings etc everywhere - kind of dark......nice! Leffe was good too :>
7 Jun 2010 07:49
slightly poncy - obviously cant avoid it being full of pricks in suits........but the view of the water is nice.
5 Jun 2010 22:25
went on new years eve 2009 - interesting and very long bar!! quiet at lunch time - even still the barman managed to give me a Guiness when I asked for a Hoegarden...couldnt be bothered to complain. Bit of history too with a Jack The Ripper suspect used to work in the basement as a hairdresser I believe..
5 Jun 2010 22:19
went along after being told stories by my dad that the Masons used to meet here - apparently you could hear them stamping their feet in the room above the bar now and then in ceremony - interesting! there were certainly a few gents in all black suits and ties.......nice place - busy but quite homely.
5 Jun 2010 22:00
The Princess Alice, Whitechapel
Went there a few months ago during a "Jack The Ripper" inspired walk around Whitechapel and Spitalfields - an interesing place - looked shut from the outside but was nicely laid out and interesting decor inside - dead though - 3 or 4 people in there - the main section being quite a large room - nice enough but prob better fri/sat night when full up!
5 Jun 2010 21:56
family run - dog behind the bar jumping up and down every time the barman went off to serve sandwhiches......nice enough - very quiet on a Friday lunchtime - certainly one of the more interesting pubs in Beckenham - its not full of chavs which its greatest point!
28 May 2010 16:46
The Coach and Horses, Beckenham
family run - dog behind the bar jumping up and down every time the barman went off to serve sandwhiches......nice enough - very quiet on a Friday lunchtime - certainly one of the more interesting pubs in Beckenham - its not full of chavs which its greatest point!
28 May 2010 16:45
The Nell Gwynne, Covent Garden
nice little pub - packed with regulars...........quite small. but not bad.
21 May 2010 19:35
Nice enough - clean - friendly staff - rather out of the way as it were - one of those sort of "only go if you know it" places...........small though - more for a quiet drink alone than with friends.
21 May 2010 19:34
Not bad - but nothing amazing. Quiet-ish - can imagine it being crammed with LSE students.......quite small.
21 May 2010 19:32
another one of those pubs where you feel you've walked into someones front room - full of regulars......nothing special.
16 May 2010 18:58
The Marquis of Granby, Cambridge Circus
rocker bar? tattoed lady served us - bikers in there - nice enough but no big deal.
16 May 2010 18:57
Waxy's Little Sister, Piccadilly Circus
Well - bad reviews here - but Im a regular of the main Waxys across the street - tried this place once and it was ok but certainly nothing special - barman was alright but yeah - very little atmosphere - in no rush to go back!
15 May 2010 19:41
Gordon's Wine Bar, Charing Cross
First time Ive ever been, been walking past for as long as I can remember - WOW! What an amazing venue! The main section is this dark candle-lit underground kind of wine cellar, just amazing atmosphere - was on my own and lucky enough to get a table - not really a wine drinker but liked the sound of the place - the barman was friendly and I asked him what he recommended (luckily after I saw the sign "No Beers")- took a glass of German white wine and sat in the packed little room - bend down to walk through!! Beautiful - cant wait to take friends back!
9 May 2010 19:14
Went in Sunday afternoon to find it rather quiet - sat at the end of the bar with my �3.95 pint of Heineken - the barmaid dropped some glasses, made a phone call and burst into tears. Everyone felt awkward - then I left.
9 May 2010 19:10
Slightly odd place, nice enough and great that they sell Leffe by the pint but clienetele was weird - part drunkard/ and not sure who worked/got drunk there - for the odd looking ones often got up from a table and went behind the bar or collected glasses. chatted to a lonely man in the corner as a fancy dress jazz band set up in the corner - but didnt stay till they began. might be back - but odd!
9 May 2010 19:04
interesting place - went today especially - bit of a hassle to get to - tube to Canary Wharf, then DLR to Limehouse I think it was - then 10 minute walk - but very nice - didnt go outside - bit chilly, but it was very quiet there - no music and only 3 or 4 people in the whole place - felt a bit like you had to whisper.....maybe be better in the evening or the summer when its a bit fuller and warmer!! but beer was good and one lonely barman was friendly enough.
7 May 2010 22:04
The Argyll Arms, Oxford Circus
Nice place, much larger than I thought it would be - similar to Princess Louise in Holborn with all the different partitions............lovely old interiour with original etched windows/mirrors. Staff not so interested but worth a visit.
4 May 2010 07:56
Quite interesting interior - staff were a bit off but nice place, busy as you might expect for The Strand. Will go again. Interesting art-deco features (original?) around the interiour walls...........nice.
4 May 2010 07:55
As others have said - walked past here many many times..........after reading good reviews here decided to try it - lovely atmosphere - I liked all the old paintings covering the walls, staff were friendly - sure its a tight squeeze - and dont be fooled by going out the back door to find the toilet! I couldnt get back in and had to walk round and back in the front haha! (Toilet is up the stairs just so you know!). Very nice - will be back.
4 May 2010 07:53
Went there purely because of its Jack The Ripper connection - just across the street from one of the murder sites in Mitre Square - a lot of history here - but unfortunately rather bland.........upstairs is like someones front room - no soul.
Oh well.
30 Apr 2010 20:43
Really nice - went there today for the first time - just after reading about it in the morning whilst searching for historic london pubs - bit of a trek to get there but worth it - very pleasant bar staff - lovely oldy-woldy interiour..........pricey but really nice - outdoors section too - nice to view the river - was very busy there - Friday lunch time but certainly will go back.
30 Apr 2010 20:37
The Ship and Shovell, Charing Cross
Cant say I was that impressed - interesting venue but barmaid seemed uninterested and the place was full of Guy Richie movie extras f'ing and blinding like there was no tomorrow..........a bit of an odd crowd.............
23 Apr 2010 18:54
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, Fleet Street
Wow! This place reminds me of McSorleys Old Ale House in New York....its very dark, very small with lots of little dark rooms, really cool place - sawdust on the floor........got served immediately - loved the history of the place - went on a lunchtime Friday so upstairs and "restaurant" section were seemingly shut - but very interesting - will def go again.
23 Apr 2010 18:47
The Lamb Tavern, Leadenhall Market
So packed with arrogant young men in expensive suits its hard to describe the pub, one older gent said to me in the que at the bar that he hated the place haha - I sort of agreed in as much as the arrogant youngsters in suits sort of ruled the place, pushed in - got served first etc etc...........but obviously great location with the market - need to go back on a quiet day to appreciate it more.
23 Apr 2010 18:44
Went today for first time - very nice friendly pub split in two sections - was served quickly and the landlord (I recognised him from someone elses photo on another site) also came over to check I was being served with a smile, very nice. Very cosy, like a front room of a house!
23 Apr 2010 18:42
Went there as was interested to see where the Kray shooting happened, nice enough place, fairly quiet, you get the feeling its very much for locals, I almost felt like Id walked into someones front room....but in terms of a great pub - its nothing special I have to say - no need to go back.
23 Apr 2010 08:14
Fabulous interiour...........packed with suits as you would expect for the City, expensive too but yes lovely place, nice history - would go back!
23 Apr 2010 08:09
The location makes it for me - interested in architecture and film locations etc - Leadenhall Market is where a scene with Heath Ledger was filmed in his final film "Imaginarium of Dr.Parnassus" - so it was interesting to stand their drinking outside the pub and thinking of that great scene only yards away.......served quickly - as others have said most people stand outside so quick enough to get to the bar - on a weekday anyway. Nice.
23 Apr 2010 08:01
Nice place, very large - interesting interior - great history to the place. Busy as you might expect but very nice - would go back.
23 Apr 2010 07:52
The Mad Hatter Hotel, Southwark
I found it to be over-priced and dull (the food anyway).
23 Apr 2010 07:48
PACKED - but nice enough - slightly annoying having a member of staff tell everyone off outside every 3 minutes for stepping over the yellow line on the pavement but nice enough, like most places you really need to go at a quiter time ot get a proper feel for the place.
2 Apr 2010 11:32
Slightly bland looking wine bar style place - shame given the history of the area - unfortunately went about 6pm on a Thursday and it was so packed you could hardly see your drink let alone the decor etc - but got served quickly and had a good range of beers etc.
2 Apr 2010 11:27
The Jerusalem Tavern, Clerkenwell
interesting place, really feels historic, shame though when we went it was so busy and loud, nowhere to sit but of course you cant blame the place for being popular. Would be nice to go back again on a quieter day to get a proper idea of the place, but seemed nice for a quick pint. Typical cool young bar staff though, not sure that suits the rest of the place but anyway.
2 Apr 2010 11:21
The Seven Stars, Chancery Lane
Nice little place, little being the operative word, but friendly and interesting decor, sat at a table in a little room to the right of the bar. feels more like your in a Parisian cafe almost with the table cloths etc.......gave the steep winding stairs a whirl to the gents and encountered the little black cat everyone has mentioned, at the top is the kitchen area etc and had a pleasant lady with pink hair say hello (the owner?) - all in all very pleasant - but certainly an acquired taste....not the sort of place you would want to go relax and drink a few - its a bit more of a one-pint-and-off-to-the-main-pub type of place.
2 Apr 2010 11:18
The Knights Templar, Chancery Lane
The name and location looked interesting so we went in on the off chance (as we were initially heading to The Seven Stars) - very grand main room - the name making me think we might be surrounded by Masonic members in black suits, but mostly people from Courts Of Justice across the street - not quite as intriguing when I realised it was Wetherspoons - slightly loses some mystique because of that - but anyway - nice enough if slightly poncy. My brother excitedly tells me the toilets are lovely though!
2 Apr 2010 11:14
Visited this place only once and to be honest it was more because of my interest in its "infamous" nature - to see where the terrible bombing happened, inside drinks were ok and people were friendly but I personally found it pretty soulless and wouldnt go again - obviously its a predominantly gay bar and not being gay myself I wasnt that interested after being a "crime tourist" for 10 minutes.
31 Mar 2010 22:39
Can be great and not so great, Im picky I guess, but music makes a place and sometimes when they play traditional Irish folk music here it all comes together and I really enjoy it - but at busier times when they blast out junk pop music and turn the lights down so low you can hardly see your drink its a little annoying. But overall pretty cool place, dont know any other pub you can visit that has so many floors, no windows and a tree inside!! Staff always friendly though - just wish they would stick to the Irish music to go with the theme.
31 Mar 2010 22:34
Loved the history of this place and the fact it was hard to find - shame they are closed on Sundays (especially after dragging pal down there for first time on a Sunday to find it closed haha) - but yeah, interesting place, nice and quiet, like the little rooms you can sit, private etc - but more like a library than a pub in some respects.
31 Mar 2010 22:29
Not bad - like the entrance, little passage way in with dim lighting - like walking into a secret little place - inside quite spacious and great historical details everywhere, when we went it was damn loud though - packed with pissed up "suits".......not much on show for the lager fan..........but nice enough. Good prices, wouldnt go back in a rush to be honest but nice enough. Just too busy for my liking.
31 Mar 2010 22:28
The Prospect of Whitby, Wapping
Loved it - went there the first time a week or so ago after reading about the place on a "Great pubs of London" list........lovely interior, fascinating history and of course the location is brilliant, sat by the window looking over to Docklands, literally looking down out of the window next to me I could see the Thames swaying in and out.....brilliant, loved it ! Only downside is its a bit of a hassle to get to - tube to Tower Hill, then DLR to Shadwell then 10 minute walk......but other than that - fabuluous place and respectful and friendly staff - all "Hello Sir" and "Thankyou Sir"....very nice!
31 Mar 2010 22:23
Like others have said slightly silly having the barman say "You do know that'll be �5.10 right?" when asking for a pint of Leffe....but anyway sure the place is pretty rundown, but I still like it for some reason, mainly because of my passing interest in the Jack The Ripper crimes, but certainly the "cool studenty" staff and clientele ruin it slightly. and the prices too!
31 Mar 2010 22:16
The Salisbury, Leicester Square
Ive been going to this place for over a year now, most Sundays I pop in for a pint or 3 of Leffe with my brother. Always good, always grat friendly staff, usually same guy gets us (short shaved dark hair, tattoos) and he always remembers what we want with a smile. Great place.
31 Mar 2010 22:13
The Feathers, St James's
Typical Nicholsons - nice enough - big dining area at back of pub, nice enough for a drink after work - pretty busy with suits and probably half of Scotland Yard!
18 Feb 2011 21:08