The Fire Station

rich42uk

Noisy and a bit brash 27th August 2008

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The best way to describe this place is functional; even the name is fairly utilitarian. It is, quelle surprise, a converted Fire station slap bang in the middle of Waterloo Road about fifty metres from Waterloo station.

On my visits here the main trade I've noticed appears to be the afterwork crowd out for beers before heading out to the 'burbs. It's a bit suit heavy and it can get really crowded in the hours immediately after work but out of that it's fine.

There's a fair selection of beers and a good winelist but it does feel a bit like a warehouse what with all the ceramic tiling everywhere which, whilst giving the place character, feels a bit clinical. Bar prices are also a bit on the pricey side too...

Oriana

Noisy and crowded, but good food 22nd August 2008

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The Firestation is very convenient if you find yourself needing a drink near Waterloo, but as a result it's often very crowded and noisy. There's some outdoor seating, which can seem like a nice idea in the summer, but we found ourselves next to a loading bay for Waterloo Station - not very relaxing. That said, I recently ate there with a friend in the restaurant area and the food was really nice - lovely monkfish wrapped in parma ham. However, if you want really great food around Waterloo, head to the Anchor and Hope on the Cut!

Oriana

22nd August 2008

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The Firestation is really conveniently located, and consequently it's usually completely rammed. I'm not a big fan of it for a drink - it tends to be really crowded and noisy. There's outdoor seeting, but you're right on a main road and next to a loading way for Waterloo Station. On the other hand, I ate there recently and the food was excellent. Had a lovely piece of monkfish wrapped in parma ham and a great bottle of wine.

sue

Converted Fire Station at Waterloo 1st January 2008

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The Fire Station is located right next to Waterloo Station. There is a large bar area at the front of this converted fire station, which has a really high beamed ceiling and memorabilia from the old fire station days on the wall.

You can order bar snacks and eat them in the main bar, or move to the rear to the restaurant area, where you can sit and relax over a tasty meal.

The Fire Station specialises in modern British cuisine. We ate the most delicious duck breast with roast sweet potato and bok choy - it was very yum. Our friends ate the spinach canneloni and a type of vegetable pie. The servings were very generous.

There was a large number of wines available by the glass, and service was friendly, though a little vague.

maleghast

The Waterloo Firestation 11th June 2007

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If you find yourself in the neighbourhood of Waterloo Station with time to kill or people to meet, I cannot recommend this establishment highly enough as a much more satisfying alternative to the insipid station bars actually in the station.

Laid out in a modern, 'post-All-Bar-One' manner with chunky stylish wood furniture and metal-top bar, the Firestation's bar area is an airy and relaxed atmosphere that feels like the kind of space that is perfect for a quiet drink with the paper, or a rowdy conversation between friends as the afternoon becomes the evening. A wide range of foreign and domestic beers and a good selection of wine make this a great starting point venue.

The building was (as the name suggests) a Fire Station, and the original character has not been lost - the tiled walls and high ceilings leave a sense of it not being hard to imagine a fire engine or two, but that added to the bar's charm for me. I am fond of re-used spaces and am pleased that there is a sense of the place's original purpose.

The restaurant looked fabulous, but I have to go back to eat and so will limit this review to the bar.

All in all a strong recommendation.

walid

31st July 2006

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The Firestation, as its name indicates, used to be a fire station before it was converted into a pub. Compared to most pubs within or next to a train station this one isn't too bad. It has some atmosphere from people in the area who come to attend, it is usually quite busy but thanks to its large bar you usually don't have to wait too long to get a drink. The staff is friendly and fast. From what I remmeber they also have small Jazz gigs. If you're at Waterloo and have a few minutes to spare try the Firestation as it is only a minute away from your platform to catch your train!