Stone Horse Paper Cow, Liverpool Street

the shpc has been open for a few weeks now. to be honest it's all felt a bit amateurish as they've had a fair few teething problems (all the draught pumps were off the other day for example, a couple of food orders have been wrong, and in the first week they weren't serving full pints of cider as they thought they were using oversized glasses). hopefully most of those are behind them because in general it's one of the best pubs in the city. mad decor includes a birdcage, a trophy cabinet and mis-matched sofas interspersed with nice quiet booths and plenty of room (it's a big pub). also has a pool table and table football (no sport on TV though).

wouldn't really recommend it to an ale lover, food ranges from disappointing (sandwiches scantily filled) to superb (chicken and chorizo pasta was perfect). main selling point is the atmosphere and excellent staff and management. has a feel of a place that you and your mates would try to open without really knowing how to, and for that reason alone i love it. and not just because i got very drunk at their excellent opening party!

now shpc...what about a pub quiz one weekday...?

21 Dec 2008 15:14

The Old Tea Warehouse, Aldgate

Surprised this pub went through the whole of 2006 without a review because it's always busy at lunchtimes and after work, although its not the biggest of pubs. Courtyard outside (in the photo) is very pleasant in the summer and at the moment it has a marquee-type thing round it with heaters so it's fine to sit in now. American pool tables downstairs and a good value menu make it worth a visit. Entrance is through a passageway from Creechurch Lane.

City boy count (ie over-dressed, over-loud, under-interesting losers, not just people that work in the City): fairly low by comparison to other pubs around.

25 Jan 2007 15:37

The Kings Arms, Liverpool Street

I drink in the Kings Arms fairly regularly and find that at lunchtimes its busy, noisy and lively (good - I don't want to sit in a library) and its cheap enough to keep the most idiotic and stuck-up of City boys away; there's still a few, but hey. In the evenings its a place to enjoy a few beers after work with a couple of mates rather than a big night out. It's unpretentious, pleasant enough, friendly and generally open as long as you need. food is good and very cheap, and the pub now has plasma screens for sports.

In the summer, the beer garden is sheltered almost entirely from the sun which may or may not appeal. And don't expect a seat out there when it's hot. But who cares? And yes, you can see the netball courts, and while we're on the subject of ladies, there's a very attractive italian/spanish looking recent addition to the bar staff.

fysh

25 Jan 2007 15:30

The Defector's Weld, Shepherds Bush

CORRECTION to previous review, I meant to say a Wednesday night (24th Jan 2007).

25 Jan 2007 15:07

The Defector's Weld, Shepherds Bush

My flatmate and I happened upon this place after trying to see a show at the nearby Television Centre. We arrived about 7pm on a Thursday night.

Pub was pretty busy, but we were served by a friendly and very cute blonde, and with not much wait. No table, but the pub is huge and we joined another group at a table. Didn't see the upstairs.

Didn't try the real ales but the Amstel was nice and we also shared a large platter of cooked meats, chorizo, sauces, bread etc and a bowl of chips for �18 (really good but their other food looked great too and in the �7-�8 range).

Service very good, always got served at the bar almost immediately. Atmosphere very friendly, ended up staying three or four hours and would definitely go again. Can't comment on the door staff - didn't see any! Worth going if just for a pretty blonde with a nice smile...

fysh

25 Jan 2007 15:05