Kings Head, Mayfair

Like a lot of pubs, one that changes nature a lot depending on the time of your visit. I imagine this is packed with office workers on a Friday evening, but was very quiet on my visit at ten o'clock on a Saturday night.

Nice Nicholson's house, as mentioned by a reviewer below, it is larger than most pubs in this part of town. Very nice selection of ten or so ales; very pleasant, refreshing and well-kept summer ale. Found the staff to be particularly friendly and attentive.

Only real issue was a riduiculously loud, rowdy group in one corner; it isn't really that sort of pub, and this lot were annoying everyone else there. Appreciate that this one is tricky for pubs to handle but they were slowly leaking custom to the Goat Tavern across the lane; shame a quiet word couldn't have been had.

Overall, by no means a destination pub, but a reliable Nicholson's effort and one of the better stops in the area. 7/10

3 Aug 2011 18:14

The Blue Posts, St James's

Decent if unspectacular pub in amongst the tailors, cigar shops and hunting outfitters of St James'.

A Taylor Walker pub with three or four ales on pump, I had a nice pint of Spitfire.

Pub is just a little bit soulless, fairly transient custom; nice to pop in for one but not really the sort of place you would spend the whole night.

Popped in at eight on a Saturday evening; only one barman working, who was Eastern European. Sadly, his limited grasp of English meant a huge wait to be served while the chap before me struggled to place a food order. Curious staffing choice.

Basically OK to pop in, nice pint, 5/10

3 Aug 2011 17:57

The Hole In The Wall, Waterloo

Curious pub hidden in the railway arches behind Waterloo station. Comparatively difficult to find, which can give the place a pleasantly secretive, clubbable feel. Two rooms, the first a small, cosy public bar; the second a larger, spacious room of wooden tables, music and fruit machines. Beer garden not the most pleasant in aspect but the metal canopy, barbed wire and roar of trains overhead brings to mind an air raid shelter, though with real ale and two (silent) TVs.�
Clientele is mixed, and transient, given the proximity of the station.
Decent selection of half a dozen or so real ales; generally those commonly seen, though TEA is always welcome. I enjoyed a very pleasant pint of from the. brewery, sadly pulled by a spectacularly miserable barmaid.�
Overall a fabulous destination, especially late at night, sacrificing the 10pm train for the 11pm on order to have a couple of pints and enjoy the unique location.
Highly recommended 7.5/10

2 Aug 2011 17:06