George Inn

AlexWoods

UPDATE: 8th August 2007

7 found this helpful

UPDATE:

It's happened. Really I always knew that it would do, but it still hurts.

Some one in a "marketing department" (I don't mean to sound scornful, but I am so that's how it comes across) have "done" The George. Proper computer screen tills, the beer has taken a plummet, the staff have lost their manners and the menu.... dear Lord the menu!

A pub that used to be a bastion of good, old-school pub food has sold out to poncey ciabatta's, Mediterranean wraps, the same old boll*cks you can find in any third rate pub.

And maybe I'm being unfair. Maybe I am the only person who likes a ham sandwich with a handful of crisps at lunch rather than a cherry-tomato-and-mozzarella-style-cheese sandwiched-between-gently-toasted-ciabatta-rolls, or a bit of home made pie, or for the bar man to gladly ask "chef" if he can knock up a bacon sandwich rather than flatly intone "It's not on the till. Can't do it."

Seriously. What is the difference between a beef-burger and an Angus Rump Patty? (About £3, and 6oz apparently.) And I want it in a burger bun not a friggin ciabatta!

Look, it's still an alright boozer, great place to go for a drink and a chat. The building still has bags of character, and I would rate it at 3 stars were it not for the fact that it used to be SO much better and more pleasant. I'm thoroughly depressed. I'd go for a pint and a sandwich but I'm scared the Porter will have gone tits up by the time I get there.

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PREVIOUS REVIEW
Rapidly elevated to top 5 in my "favourite pubs in London" mental list. Spacious, friendly, good food, reasonably priced, good "provenance" (if it's good enough for Mr. Dickens...), admittedly very busy later on in the week but surely that's testament to it's merits. Nice house beer as well, if you like that kind of thing. One of the few pubs in town where you can get what I describe and good, honest, straight forward pub food.

sizemore

1677 and all that 19th May 2007

3 found this helpful

They don't build them like this anymore.

Although there are maybe 15 or so other pubs between my front door and The George I still consider this my 'local'. Sure it gets crowded on Thursday and Friday nights, but there's a reason this place is a crowd pleaser.

The atmosphere is great and is only added to by the occasional group of tourists that lead through to snap photos and gape at the age of the building. And I'd much rather be stuck at the bar with someone from Wisconsin than the City crowd.

If I have a meeting I'll have it at The George, if I have friends come into London for the first time then I take them to The George. In summer I write there and in winter I stand on the balcony and watch people huddle in from the rain.

The staff are always friendly and I've had as many fun conversations there with complete strangers as I have with people I know.

Plus The George has a Parliamentary clock and Dickens used to sit where you just spilled your pint. That's pretty hard to beat.

emmalouise99

27th March 2007

1 found this helpful

Lovely when not crowded. Fantastic on a summer's day.

robcarter

Historical Beer Anyone? 5th September 2006

1 found this helpful

If you like your beer outside this place is a winner. And one truly historic boozer. Its flippin ancient; Charles Dickens was a regular - seriously. Always busy if the sun is shining. Not cheap but geography yada yada.

The national trust are looking after this bad boy these days - its that important. It take an aeon to get served so once you come back with the first round send someone off for the second.

I love it not least of all because the loos are outside.

Buraco at 12/12/06

aha! this place was a favourite summertime haunt for me (very close to my old office). definitely agree with the service point rob made. it takes AGES! on the plus side though, i once saw Jeremy Beadle there enjoying a pint with his withered hand. doesn't get any more showbiz than that.

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