The Slaughtered Lamb?
― James Mitchell, Thursday, 5 January 2012 13:06 (twelve years ago) link
good mixer?
― Alan Shearer (ken c), Thursday, 5 January 2012 13:58 (twelve years ago) link
wait what? i meant the water poet
Slaughtered Lamb is Clerkenwell really, and that has loads of good pubs. The last few times I've been to the Water Poet it's been horrible, victim of its own success I think.
― Matt DC, Thursday, 5 January 2012 14:06 (twelve years ago) link
if options run out or you can't be bothered to walk too far electricity showroom is not so bad - you can get a seat usually at least, and has scampi fries. drinks were a little expensive though as i remember.
― Alan Shearer (ken c), Thursday, 5 January 2012 14:24 (twelve years ago) link
Thanks very much everyone.
― Super Receptor (Barnaby, Hardly), Thursday, 5 January 2012 14:58 (twelve years ago) link
The last few times I've been to the Water Poet it's been horrible, victim of its own success I think.
otm
― tpp, Thursday, 5 January 2012 15:00 (twelve years ago) link
that's sad to know actually - it has been a while... had some good times at the water poet.
― Alan Shearer (ken c), Thursday, 5 January 2012 15:01 (twelve years ago) link
although there was that time when ronan and louis and i (and nick?) were going to play pool there, and it was absolutely rammed
― Alan Shearer (ken c), Thursday, 5 January 2012 15:02 (twelve years ago) link
the only pubs i really fuck with in the area are
- the pride of spitalfields (just off brick lane)- the gun (the corner of brushfield st and bell lane)
the gun can be a bit city in the week but at the weekends is nice for an unpretentious catch up.
i need to check out mason & taylor actually.
― tpp, Thursday, 5 January 2012 15:03 (twelve years ago) link
oh i also like the red lion on hoxton st but haven't been for a while.
― tpp, Thursday, 5 January 2012 15:04 (twelve years ago) link
the carpenters arms on cheshire st also a good pub but gets rammed.
― tpp, Thursday, 5 January 2012 15:07 (twelve years ago) link
ilx should do its own fancyapint
― Alan Shearer (ken c), Thursday, 5 January 2012 15:07 (twelve years ago) link
Princess of Shoreditch just east of Old Street was quiet on the thurs before xmas when everywhere else was rammed, very pleasant spacious high-ceilinged place, some good beers on tap but not a massive selection.http://www.theprincessofshoreditch.com/
― Quoth the raven "Nevermind" (ledge), Thursday, 5 January 2012 15:07 (twelve years ago) link
Usu. end up in the Barley Mow when out carousing in this neighbourhood, but only because a former workmate swears by it as the only proper pub in the area
― Tom D (Tom D.), Thursday, 5 January 2012 15:21 (twelve years ago) link
The food upstairs at the Princess is terrific and it's a really nice room - they've opened another pub in what used to be the King's Arms in Bloomsbury. Downstairs was okay, felt a bit All Bar One though.
― Matt DC, Thursday, 5 January 2012 15:22 (twelve years ago) link
i quite like the george & vulture on pitfield st. it's fuller's and feels a bit more like a local than lots of the places around hoxditch. when even that feels too lively i have been known to drink in the prince arthur just north of old st, which really is a throwback and must be the least trendy pub in the area, apart from that place on old st near the roundabout that i've never dared go into.
otherwise, tpp otm re: pride of spitalfields, that place is great.
― jabba hands, Thursday, 5 January 2012 17:54 (twelve years ago) link
Re; Pride of Spitalfields, a few years back somebody told me that the landlord/bar staff aren't very accommodating to Asians. This maybe now untrue or a load of rubbish. I've been avoiding it due to this, probably completely unjustly.. The Bell on Middlesex St. is sometimes good.
― mmmm, Thursday, 5 January 2012 18:15 (twelve years ago) link
this place should be shit but of all the big brand shoreditch pubs it's actually pretty good imo, especially if it's a quieter time. always has a good pale ale on tap and a few good bottles in the fridge and it's a pretty nice room.
just avoid if any "events" or whatever are on, and prob don't even look at it on a friday or saturday.
i agree about carpenters arms too, great little pub, but yeah, fills up easily.
― When a German communicates, you listen (LocalGarda), Thursday, 5 January 2012 21:02 (twelve years ago) link
w/r/t Bond Street. Cross over the street and take the short walk to The Golden Eagle on Marylebone Lane. It's five minutes. If you insist on drinking in Mayfair, the only place I'll sometimes go into the Guinea Grill just off Berkley Square. It's full of c***s but the beer (and food apparently) is good.
― Fizzles, Thursday, 5 January 2012 21:30 (twelve years ago) link
The Bell on Middlesex St. is sometimes good.
yeah i forgot this one! just around the corner from me.
― tpp, Friday, 6 January 2012 09:16 (twelve years ago) link
when even that feels too lively i have been known to drink in the prince arthur just north of old st, which really is a throwback and must be the least trendy pub in the area, apart from that place on old st near the roundabout that i've never dared go into.
Wow yeah, this place really doesn't feel like it's changed since the 1970s.
― Matt DC, Friday, 6 January 2012 09:42 (twelve years ago) link
Thanks for all the recommendations. Ended up in Mason & Taylor and it was spot on.
― Super Receptor (Barnaby, Hardly), Monday, 9 January 2012 08:45 (twelve years ago) link
I went to the Craft Beer Company, Leather Lane, at the weekend. Excellent selection- one of the best I've ever seen, including a number of American IPAs and German and Danish lagers- and a nice plain bar with high seating banks and plenty of standing room. Not cheap though- the beer is priced by strength- with the cheapest pint costing £3.30. Compares badly with e.g. Southampton Arms.
― good luck in your pyramid (Neil S), Monday, 9 January 2012 11:23 (twelve years ago) link
yeah, the selection is insane - I was a bit overwhelmed tbh, but for the enthusiasts I was with it was long night in heaven.
― you don't exist in the database (woof), Monday, 9 January 2012 11:39 (twelve years ago) link
Luckily I'm going again next weekend for a wedding reception, so I'll be able to plug the gaps...
― good luck in your pyramid (Neil S), Monday, 9 January 2012 11:45 (twelve years ago) link
the queen's head, kinda king's cross area, anyone been here?
http://www.timeout.com/london/bars/venue/2%3A29845/queens-head
best new discovery of the year for me i reckon. massive beer selection with mikkeller and stuff on tap, genuinely friendly in a normal neghbourhood pub way, and it's a nicely divey old room.
maybe this is old news to ilx, not sure if i've seen it mentioned.
― Heterocyclic ring ring (LocalGarda), Saturday, 8 December 2012 09:17 (eleven years ago) link
I have, a couple of times - agree! A great pub.
― sktsh, Saturday, 8 December 2012 11:17 (eleven years ago) link
Passed on it on the bus many's the time, never been in it, will check it out! Many thanks!
― Named locally as Tom D (Tom D.), Saturday, 8 December 2012 12:22 (eleven years ago) link
https://mobile.twitter.com/thegunmakers/status/288804634531856384/photo/1
hmmm....
― Tim, Wednesday, 9 January 2013 10:31 (eleven years ago) link
saw that, this morning. i seldom go to brewdog these days, in part cos i find it a bit over-branded, and in part cos the cock tavern is better. that area is brimming with amazing pubs, but i'd still be curious about checking it out.
― Heterocyclic ring ring (LocalGarda), Wednesday, 9 January 2013 11:12 (eleven years ago) link
I haven't been to either of the Brewdog pubs in London, believe it or not; I feel like they're for the young people, which is all well and good. Mikkeler's beer is more interesting, and their brand is aimed more at me, I think. I am interested to see how this thing turns out.
― Tim, Wednesday, 9 January 2013 11:17 (eleven years ago) link
Vaguely discussed this before, but I am very happy with Brewdog as a standard and supermarket friendly beer, if it was in place of like Carlsberg or whatever in places that show sport that'd be a godsend. But the pubs seem to attract a slightly diff crowd, not total wankers or whatever, just like, there's a noticeable shift since they took over M&T, and it's designed for standing, it seems to me.
I've had a few really good Mikkeler beers on tap recently after initially seeming to get fairly average bottles of it.
― Heterocyclic ring ring (LocalGarda), Wednesday, 9 January 2013 11:24 (eleven years ago) link
Yeah I know you like their beer, I'm less of a fan but agree that they're a cut above yer supermarket swill (though oddly I've always thought Carlsberg the best of that bunch); I think you're right, they like their bars loud and their drinking vertical. Which fair enough but not my preference these days. Never was. come to think of it.
Mikkeller's beers are a lottery - it'd be a miracle if they weren't - but usually interesting I think. Their bar in Copenhagen is very basic and stripped-down, no loud music, just a bunch of their beer, really. Would be interested in one of those in London, especially if they can find a way to make the cost a bit more reasonable than the £4 - £5 a half you tend to pay for their stuff.
― Tim, Wednesday, 9 January 2013 11:37 (eleven years ago) link
Oh yeah I'm fine with Carlsberg if pushed, just picked it as a random example. It is better than some.
Don't suppose you've tried the new Sainsbury's beers? I note they have some brewer in NY making them a Taste The Difference range. Saw it in there last week but given it was Jan 2nd wasn't exactly stocking up.
― Heterocyclic ring ring (LocalGarda), Wednesday, 9 January 2013 12:11 (eleven years ago) link
The various Draft Houses are a much better example of how to roll this sort of thing out while still making them feel like pleasant places to actually drink.
― Matt DC, Wednesday, 9 January 2013 12:14 (eleven years ago) link
The Tower Bridge Draft House has gone downhill fairly swiftly, in terms of food and general atmos, imo. It's pricey too. Starting to notice major price variations even among newer or imported beers, from place to place.
― Heterocyclic ring ring (LocalGarda), Wednesday, 9 January 2013 12:16 (eleven years ago) link
Oh hang on, the Gunmakers? That building is not really going to suit typical Brewdog vertical drinking however they do it so this could be interesting.
― Matt DC, Wednesday, 9 January 2013 12:17 (eleven years ago) link
Haven't seen any new new ones; was pleased to see St Peter's making something for them (though that seems to be sold out permanently in SE22 which may say something about the stocking policy or may say something sbout SE22). Think they were using Shephernd Neame for another, and I still haven't forgiven Shepherd Neame for (a) the Spitfire ad campaign or (b) the taste of their beers, which live down to the drubbing Eli was giving Boring Brown British Beer on here the other month.
xpost I've failed to warm to the Draft House in East Dulwich also...
― Tim, Wednesday, 9 January 2013 12:17 (eleven years ago) link
It's not taking over the Gunmakers, just that guy posted that he'd seen it. It's some disused restaurant nearby.
Gunmakers is nice, I have to say. If all pump ale was as good as theirs it'd be a lot more popular.
― Heterocyclic ring ring (LocalGarda), Wednesday, 9 January 2013 12:23 (eleven years ago) link
Ah right, I get it.
I basically never eat pub fish and chips but I make an exception for the Gunmakers, it's excellent there.
― Matt DC, Wednesday, 9 January 2013 12:33 (eleven years ago) link
Where's good in Soho or Covent Garden for a drink? Don't mind a pub if it's actually nice and not rote central London style place, and don't mind a bar if it actually had a bit of class, cocktail bar even would be a possibility.
Eating at Opera Tavern later but want to go somewhere after. Or maybe I should just stay there?
― Ballboy to Afghanistan (LocalGarda), Tuesday, 5 February 2013 11:50 (eleven years ago) link
If you like gin: http://www.thestaratnight.com/
― ledge, Tuesday, 5 February 2013 11:57 (eleven years ago) link
Cocktails - bar at the Hawksmoor Seven Dials. They're amazing. Or the bar at Hix Soho, which is probably better.
Pubs - The Cross Keys on Endell Street is fantastic and atmospheric but if you go there immediately after work it tends to be a bit on the full side.
― Matt DC, Tuesday, 5 February 2013 12:10 (eleven years ago) link
Oh actually if like both cocktails and fannydangle then the Experimental Cocktail Club on Gerrard Street is fantastic, although you might need to book for it. Depends what sort of evening you're looking for really.
― Matt DC, Tuesday, 5 February 2013 12:13 (eleven years ago) link
MDCOTM.
Other thoughts, depending on what you want: the bars underneath Polpo and 32 Great Quees Street. Or, on a totally different tip, take your date to Paramount: http://www.paramount.uk.net/level-32/ It has to be booked n advance; you can't wear trainers; it's probably £1-£2 overpriced for the (pretty good) covktails, but it's unique and surprisingly pleasant.
― Tim, Tuesday, 5 February 2013 12:20 (eleven years ago) link
I'm going to be in the Kings Cross / St Pancras area quite a few evenings over the next few months, what's better than painfully settling for O'Neills?
― hot young stalin (Merdeyeux), Tuesday, 5 February 2013 12:20 (eleven years ago) link
http://www.thegilbertscott.co.uk/bar/
― ledge, Tuesday, 5 February 2013 12:21 (eleven years ago) link
ooer, not sure what my JSA-receiving friends will think of those prices.
― hot young stalin (Merdeyeux), Tuesday, 5 February 2013 12:32 (eleven years ago) link
Queen's Head, then: http://queensheadlondon.com/
― Tim, Tuesday, 5 February 2013 12:34 (eleven years ago) link