BITE user comments - stuartw
Comments by stuartw
Lovely spot, nice staff, good vibe. Even though it is an O'Neills, it doesn't really feel like a chain pub. Near enough to Covent Garden but a bit away from all the rush.
17 Jul 2008 10:09
The Porterhouse, Covent Garden
Absolutely love this place - great selection of beers (but not wines if you are into that), friendly staff, heaps of seating indoors, great ambience, and a nice big outdoors area. In the thick of the action but tucked away enough to not be too hectic - a great place to watch the world go by. Food is also good quality and reasonably priced. Only criticism is the small number of tables in the outdoors area, which could be much better utilised.
17 Jul 2008 10:02
Great location, nice suited clientele. Drinks are overpriced and average quality; food is horrendous and when you complain none of the staff give a toss. Do NOT eat here under any circumstances. Service slow and indifferent. The only bonus is the location on the water and the generous outdoors area with plenty of covered seating. Overall, avoid like the plague - this place is diabolical, and there are better pubs in the area.
17 Jul 2008 09:58
Corney and Barrow, City of London
Bloody awful place. Disinterested bar staff (bar one nice guy) who were more interested in chatting amongst themselves behind the bar than serving over-priced beverages to the clientele. The 'manager' is a miserable looking chap who took it upon himself to move the outdoor furniture - whilst people were sitting on it...
Lots of suits if you like that type of thing; if you can't deal with inane self-interested chatter then stay well clear.
Great location on the plus side - Paternoster Square is a brilliant location next to St Paul's.
10 May 2008 21:56
This pub is fantastic. Friendly staff and an amazing cocktail type lounge downstairs. The barman made us the most amazing Cosmopolitan that I have ever tasted - made with passion and care. Fantastic experience.
6 Apr 2008 14:54
The Charlotte Despard, Archway
If atmosphere could be measured in money, this place would be insolvent. Lovely staff, reasonably priced, dreadful 'selection' of wine. Totally dead though, and I felt like everyone was looking at us. Avoid like the plague.
6 Apr 2008 14:50
Great, noisy, family type place. Amazingly cheap, friendly bar staff, great place to watch the football. Nice vibe.
6 Apr 2008 14:44
Smiths Of Smithfield, Smithfield
There seem to be a lot of negative reviews about Smiths, but I love it. Yes, it's pretentious, overpriced, and the lounges sticky, but it was one of the first places I came for a drink when I arrived in London, so it just epitomises London for me. Great location opposite the markets, cool decor, open spaces, and although the noise can be deafening on a busy night, there is just so much atmosphere that it is worth it. Hygiene freaks may want to avoid though - the place recently only got one star out of five for cleanliness!! Pass the vodka!!!
24 Mar 2008 17:26
Brilliant little pub in Bethnal Green just off the detritus of Roman Road. Tiny place so get here early if you want a seat or are in a group. It was smoke-free long before that was the law. Always heaps of atmosphere, good music, friendly staff, not too pricey. A great place to while away the hours, and within staggering distance of Bethnal Green tube.
24 Mar 2008 17:16
The Approach Tavern, Bethnal Green
Great place - it used to be my local. Lovely traditional decor, beautiful old bar, lots of historical memorabilia, and a great big heated outdoors area with lots of tables. A little pricey for the area; the staff tend to change regularly so it can be hit and miss on the service; but a fantastic pub that always has lots of atmosphere any night of the week.
24 Mar 2008 17:11
The Sekforde Arms, Clerkenwell
What a dump. It was full of old men boozing, who looked like they had been there for the last 40 years. I felt really conspicuous as I was wearing a dress. Bar staff were pretty rude. Wouldn't go back, I don't care if it is unpretentious!
24 Mar 2008 17:04
Great little place. Good selection of food and drinks, and is always busy. Nice outdoors area - covered with tables and heating, great for smokers.
24 Mar 2008 17:01
Great place, heaps of room, reliable Wetherspoons service, cheap drinks and value-for-money food. The downstairs location is excellent, with great views of the sidewalk above. Staff were amazingly friendly, place was very clean, efficient service. Was lacking a bit of atmosphere on the night I went as it was fairly empty, but I can imagine it is great on busier nights. Traditional location with a long history in the area.
24 Mar 2008 16:54
Okay for a quick drink or night out with mates, but watch out for the local 'geezers' who seem to think it is alright to call a woman that they don't know 'darling'. Lacks atmosphere inside, and is very open plan so there is nowhere to hide, so the paranoid could think that everyone is looking at them. Reasonably priced, lots of beers (although I am a wine drinker), and nice traditional decor (although the furniture is ancient so watch out for collapsing chairs). Good place to have a couple of quiet ones.
24 Mar 2008 16:50
Not a bad place. Nice clientele, they did have a great outdoors area (which now appears to be closed), the bar food is okay, although the wine selection is narrow and a little pricey. Great decor, quiet, and a relaxed vibe. On a busy road though so not great if you do want to go out for a smoke.
24 Mar 2008 16:45
The Darbucka World Music Bar, Clerkenwell
The perfect place to go if you want to see obese middle-aged women trying to belly-dance, and the sad middle-aged men that descend on the place to take advantage of them. A great, relaxed vibe otherwise, although there should be a compulsory spray of deodorant at the front door. Wouldn't go back, but it was a hilarious experience.
24 Mar 2008 16:43
Great place to go for a drink - friendly barstaff, nice clientele, not too pricey. Lots of little nooks and crannies to sit in and people watch. Steer clear of the food though - I had bangers and mash and the mash had about a teaspoon of salt in it. Also has a lot of tables and chairs outside in the Square - great for smokers as you are not standing in the road looking like a git.
24 Mar 2008 16:37
Shocking place. My friend waited 10 mins to be served (on a Tuesday afternoon), then paid for a beer and a cider. He brought the beer over, went back for the cider, to be told that they don't actually sell it! Bar staff have no idea.
24 Mar 2008 16:26
The Queen Boadicea, Clerkenwell
This pub is a disgrace. The bar staff and the security staff are ignorant and rude. We were smoking outside and were told that we had to go inside in 5 minutes, which we did, but not before the staff had taken my friend's drink away (from which he had only taken a sip). They then refused to replace the drink and were very argumentative, saying that we had just 'made it up'. The drinks are overpriced and underpoured, and the staff are quite happy to bump you out of an area where you have been drinking for hours in favour of 'a prior booking', even in cases where the 'booking' doesn't turn up!
My friends and I have spent too long (and too much money) frequenting this pub. I won't be back.
24 Mar 2008 16:13
The Alma, Newington Green
Love it - it's my local and is always atmospheric even if not very busy. Great little courtyard out the back for summer evenings or for smokers, an in-house canine that occasionally bundles through, and a great wine list and comfy seating. I wouldn't bother with the food though - it is overpriced for what you get and the chefs won't adapt any of the dishes to preferences. Apparently the portions of wedges are 'matched' with the number of burgers procured and never the twain shall be separated.
6 Dec 2009 18:39