Latest reviews for Bars & Pubs in Holland Park, London, United Kingdom

Lonsdale - For the cocktails by alexgjohnson

alexgjohnson — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 18:21:00 +0000

Review by alexgjohnson

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7228 1517

Website: http://www.genevieveuk.com

Tags: young professionals, cool, cool & smart

This is a great cocktail bar. The restaurant food is good - sort of tapas-style (but not tapas food) but the service is dire and it is loud so think of it as an add-on to a great bar rather than a restaurant per se. It is quite Eurotrashy but none the worse for having some nicely dressed-up Italians and they make the best cocktails of anywhere in the area except perhaps E&O, but with a much funkier vibe. It's open late (which must be miserable for the people who live on the lovely street) and as it's technically a pub there's no stupid door policy.This is a great cocktail bar. The restaurant food is good - sort of tapas-style (but not tapas food) but the service is dire and it is loud so think of it as an add-on to a great bar rather than a restaurant per se. It is quite Eurotrashy but none the worse for having some nicely dressed-up Italians and they make the best cocktails of anywhere in the area except perhaps E&O, but with a much funkier vibe. It's open late (which must be miserable for the people who live on the lovely street) and as it's technically a pub there's no stupid door policy.

Walmer Castle - Consistently Good Notting Hill Institution by alexgjohnson

alexgjohnson — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 16:52:02 +0000

Review by alexgjohnson

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7229 4620

Tags: pub, gastro pub, cosy

The Walmer Castle on Ledbury Road has been a Notting Hill institution for years. On the ground floor is a decent pub with limited outdoor seating but great leather sofas inside. It also features a small back room with its own access to the bar. It is popular with youngish professional types. However upstairs is a Thai restaurant which offers consistent food and which is great value for money. Sure you will have had better Thai but probably not for this price in such a good location with such a pleasant ambience. I particularly recommend the red chicken curry and the roti canai flatbread. The only negative is that its manager changes every once in a while, and mixes things up for no reason: lately by reintroducing sittings which are unnecessary for a restaurant of this type.The Walmer Castle on Ledbury Road has been a Notting Hill institution for years. On the ground floor is a decent pub with limited outdoor seating but great leather sofas inside. It also features a small back room with its own access to the bar. It is popular with youngish professional types. However upstairs is a Thai restaurant which offers consistent food and which is great value for money. Sure you will have had better Thai but probably not for this price in such a good location with such a pleasant ambience. I particularly recommend the red chicken curry and the roti canai flatbread. The only negative is that its manager changes every once in a while, and mixes things up for no reason: lately by reintroducing sittings which are unnecessary for a restaurant of this type.

All Bar One - What do you expect from a pub chain? by LukeG

LukeG — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:09:20 +0000

Review by LukeG

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 7313 9362

Website: http://www.mbplc.com

Tags: food, air conditioning, european

I had lunch here a while back and was told rather than order at the bar a waitress would come to our table and take our order. It took almost 15 minutes for the waitress to come. This may have been because the place was busy with very limited staff. The menu was very limited and mainly tapas and burgers.
However the lamb burger was absolutely fantastic and came with a huge heap of chips.
Sadly the beer was not cold enough.I had lunch here a while back and was told rather than order at the bar a waitress would come to our table and take our order. It took almost 15 minutes for the waitress to come. This may have been because the place was busy with very limited staff. The menu was very limited and mainly tapas and burgers.
However the lamb burger was absolutely fantastic and came with a huge heap of chips.
Sadly the beer was not cold enough.

The Devonshire Arms - Good atmosphere in this thriving pub by oogywawa

oogywawa — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 18:09:17 +0000

Review by oogywawa

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7937 0710

Tags: beer garden, standard pub food, good food

The Devonshire has become what I call a "Boutique pub". They've basically tarted it up in a semi-tasteful way and supplemented plum coloured walls & furnishings with lots of wooden furniture including butchers blocks as high tables !

A vast selection of draught ales and continental lagers signals that they've kept the pub ethics and a good wine list as well as premium spirits takes care of all tastes.

The formula certainly works as it's pretty much full whatever time of the day you visit. A micro beer garden at the front adds to the attraction and you'll enjoy a really convivial atmosphere with a fairly eclectic clientele. There's money around these parts and the de-rigeur striped shirts, "polo" logo's and sweaters draped around shoulders are not uncommon - but hey - they're friendly enough and that's all that matters.The Devonshire has become what I call a "Boutique pub". They've basically tarted it up in a semi-tasteful way and supplemented plum coloured walls & furnishings with lots of wooden furniture including butchers blocks as high tables !

A vast selection of draught ales and continental lagers signals that they've kept the pub ethics and a good wine list as well as premium spirits takes care of all tastes.

The formula certainly works as it's pretty much full whatever time of the day you visit. A micro beer garden at the front adds to the attraction and you'll enjoy a really convivial atmosphere with a fairly eclectic clientele. There's money around these parts and the de-rigeur striped shirts, "polo" logo's and sweaters draped around shoulders are not uncommon - but hey - they're friendly enough and that's all that matters.

Scarsdale - Superb atmosphere, don't choose the bar food by oogywawa

oogywawa — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 11:59:23 +0000

Review by oogywawa

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7937 1811

Tags: posh, lively, relaxed

This agreeable hostelry gets 4 stars purely for atmosphere and a decent drinks menu. To get the negatives out of the way, the food was a pig with lipstick. Nicely presented, hugely average taste deficient lazy cooking for the masses. How the 'clucking bell' can you still get away with charging Â£11 for fish n chips and serve tartar from a catering pack and have the affrontry to tell me that it's freshly made - from what glue, such was the consistency??? The restaurant might be a different matter but the only plus was that the nosh was generally cheap(ish) - given the area. But that said, given the area and disposable incomes why not serve superb food and charge a bit more...

What redeemed all of this was a genuinely convivial atmosphere, well served beers and mixers and splendidly comfortable surroundings. The crowd spilled out onto the street such was its popularity - a mixture of pretty & handsome local professionals, ruddy faced downbeat public school types and affable tourists, all rubbing along nicely.

An excellent local that is maybe complacent about the food given that it's guaranteed to be full each night with regulars who don't go to eat.This agreeable hostelry gets 4 stars purely for atmosphere and a decent drinks menu. To get the negatives out of the way, the food was a pig with lipstick. Nicely presented, hugely average taste deficient lazy cooking for the masses. How the 'clucking bell' can you still get away with charging Â£11 for fish n chips and serve tartar from a catering pack and have the affrontry to tell me that it's freshly made - from what glue, such was the consistency??? The restaurant might be a different matter but the only plus was that the nosh was generally cheap(ish) - given the area. But that said, given the area and disposable incomes why not serve superb food and charge a bit more...

What redeemed all of this was a genuinely convivial atmosphere, well served beers and mixers and splendidly comfortable surroundings. The crowd spilled out onto the street such was its popularity - a mixture of pretty & handsome local professionals, ruddy faced downbeat public school types and affable tourists, all rubbing along nicely.

An excellent local that is maybe complacent about the food given that it's guaranteed to be full each night with regulars who don't go to eat.

The Ladbroke Arms - Excellent French Cuisine and great atmosphere by NickR

NickR — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 19:25:51 +0000

Review by NickR

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7727 6648

Website: http://www.capitalpubcompany.com/ladbroke/

Tags: lively, french, food

The food here is better than most restaurants in london. The atmosphere is great, but its very popular so getting a table can be tricky. The front part is fairly standard pub with tables (you can get you draught largers and bitters), but the side and back are really the restaurant area. In the summer you can sit out the front. Food is french and fantastic. Always fresh and changing. The menu is always intersting and I have never been disappointed.The food here is better than most restaurants in london. The atmosphere is great, but its very popular so getting a table can be tricky. The front part is fairly standard pub with tables (you can get you draught largers and bitters), but the side and back are really the restaurant area. In the summer you can sit out the front. Food is french and fantastic. Always fresh and changing. The menu is always intersting and I have never been disappointed.

202 Cafe - Absolutelly amazing! by patelimran

patelimran — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 13:10:43 +0000

Review by patelimran

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7792 6888

Tags: expensive, friendly staff, brunch

Great great place. Ambience is just perfect, food is fantastic. Completely and utterly recommend it!Great great place. Ambience is just perfect, food is fantastic. Completely and utterly recommend it!

Kensington Arms - Great sports pub with good food! by ramanauskas

ramanauskas — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:22:24 +0000

Review by ramanauskas

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7938 3841

Tags: food, beer, pub

Currently serving a mean rabbit pie, the KA on Abingdon Road also has lots of easy-to-see plasma screens, squishy sofas and a good range of wines by the glass. Hubby says the Cornish beer is pretty good as well.
Alex the manager is a top bloke, rest of the staff are pretty good if a little slow on the re-fill sometimes. Or maybe that's just us drinking too quickly.Currently serving a mean rabbit pie, the KA on Abingdon Road also has lots of easy-to-see plasma screens, squishy sofas and a good range of wines by the glass. Hubby says the Cornish beer is pretty good as well.
Alex the manager is a top bloke, rest of the staff are pretty good if a little slow on the re-fill sometimes. Or maybe that's just us drinking too quickly.

Portobello Star - by gilka

gilka — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 13:22:49 +0000

Review by gilka

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 7229 8016

Website: http://www.whitbread.com

Tags: food, vegetarian dishes, traditional

been there for my own leaving drinks from work... The food was very average nothing special. The reviews about this place is glorifying it without a reason...been there for my own leaving drinks from work... The food was very average nothing special. The reviews about this place is glorifying it without a reason...

Builders Arms - by ChrisHarrison

ChrisHarrison — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 16:25:13 +0000

Review by ChrisHarrison

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7795 4811

Tags: quiet, comfy, food

Staff who couldn't give two hoots about the queue with no idea about how to manage a busy bar area - too busy talking to their friends and flirting with each other.

It's reasonably spacious inside - mainly thanks to the smoking ban - but too little space outside for all the smokers means argy-bargy to get in the door if you fancy a summer pint outside.

Could be a nice place - shame it isn't.Staff who couldn't give two hoots about the queue with no idea about how to manage a busy bar area - too busy talking to their friends and flirting with each other.

It's reasonably spacious inside - mainly thanks to the smoking ban - but too little space outside for all the smokers means argy-bargy to get in the door if you fancy a summer pint outside.

Could be a nice place - shame it isn't.

Mau Mau Bar - by Roya

Roya — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 12:35:09 +0000

Review by Roya

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7229 8528

Website: http://www.maumau.co.uk

Tags: jazz, cool, friendly

It is definitely all about Thursday. Have seen some awesome open-mic nights here. Really inspiring stuff. No matter what mood you arrive in, you always want to shake ya ass a little by the end of the evening.

The point of this review is not to say more of the same, however, it is to tell you: TAKE CASH, they do not accept cards. Very annoying if you aren't prepared. So fill your pockets (though it's not too expensive for the fashionable area) and wear your dancing shoes.It is definitely all about Thursday. Have seen some awesome open-mic nights here. Really inspiring stuff. No matter what mood you arrive in, you always want to shake ya ass a little by the end of the evening.

The point of this review is not to say more of the same, however, it is to tell you: TAKE CASH, they do not accept cards. Very annoying if you aren't prepared. So fill your pockets (though it's not too expensive for the fashionable area) and wear your dancing shoes.

Princess Victoria - Big day out Pt.2 by jameshaycock

jameshaycock — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 23:52:47 +0000

Review by jameshaycock

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7937 4534

Tags: food, small, expensive

Following a stint of getting sunburnt in Holland Park we had to find a pub to watch the Grand National, the outcome of which determined the fate of our evening.

Walking out of the Park, through the exit on High Street Kensington, we saw the pub on Earls Court Road and made haste to see if they were showing the race. They were, so we ordered (expensive) pints and got comfortable.

I had the names of the six horses I had placed bets on scribbled on a scrap of paper, and I felt confident. After a couple of false starts, the race was off but it wasn't long before most of my horses had refused to jump or had pulled up. My last horse came in fourth which apparently would have been great if i'd bet either way. I hadn't, but felt like a lesson had been learnt - must remember that next year!

The Princess Victoria is a small place with a mixed range of people, one of which I developed a quick dislike to. This was more through jealousy of his £330 win than anything else though - lucky git!

Following our loss, we decided to make a return visit to the park following a rapid stop at an off-license.

The pub was fine and did the job of serving a pint while we watched the race but I don't think i'd rush back over another of the pubs in the area.Following a stint of getting sunburnt in Holland Park we had to find a pub to watch the Grand National, the outcome of which determined the fate of our evening.

Walking out of the Park, through the exit on High Street Kensington, we saw the pub on Earls Court Road and made haste to see if they were showing the race. They were, so we ordered (expensive) pints and got comfortable.

I had the names of the six horses I had placed bets on scribbled on a scrap of paper, and I felt confident. After a couple of false starts, the race was off but it wasn't long before most of my horses had refused to jump or had pulled up. My last horse came in fourth which apparently would have been great if i'd bet either way. I hadn't, but felt like a lesson had been learnt - must remember that next year!

The Princess Victoria is a small place with a mixed range of people, one of which I developed a quick dislike to. This was more through jealousy of his £330 win than anything else though - lucky git!

Following our loss, we decided to make a return visit to the park following a rapid stop at an off-license.

The pub was fine and did the job of serving a pint while we watched the race but I don't think i'd rush back over another of the pubs in the area.

Prince Albert - Prince Albert in Notting Hill by sue

sue — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 17:20:53 +0000

Review by sue

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7727 7362

Tags: food, modern pub, different pub food

One icy Friday night I was meeting up with friends for dinner, but before the meal popped into the Prince Albert in Notting Hill for a drink. Located just a minute walk from Notting Hill Gate tube, this is a corner pub that seemed to be a popular place on a Friday night. Busy and noisy, though inviting, we managed to find a couple of spare stools in the non smoking section of the pub. I was thrilled with the smoke free environment, as this is one of the reasons that I rarely venture into a pub in London.

I have read some questionable reviews about the food at the Prince Albert, though it did look ok when we saw plates go by. Perhaps it is best to stick to just drinking here, as most people appeared to be doing. One icy Friday night I was meeting up with friends for dinner, but before the meal popped into the Prince Albert in Notting Hill for a drink. Located just a minute walk from Notting Hill Gate tube, this is a corner pub that seemed to be a popular place on a Friday night. Busy and noisy, though inviting, we managed to find a couple of spare stools in the non smoking section of the pub. I was thrilled with the smoke free environment, as this is one of the reasons that I rarely venture into a pub in London.

I have read some questionable reviews about the food at the Prince Albert, though it did look ok when we saw plates go by. Perhaps it is best to stick to just drinking here, as most people appeared to be doing.

Piano Bar and Restaurant - Loud, young, smokey & squashed ! by Miss_Piggy

Miss_Piggy — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 16:38:59 +0000

Review by Miss_Piggy

Rating: 2.00

Tags: posh, small, bar

If you would like a quiet night catching up with friends for a civilised drink do not go to this bar (not on a Saturday Night).
If you would like to talk to people and not yell at them do not sit near the piano! For a small space there are some very loud speakers and an equally loud brash aussie playing the piano and shouting into the mic "are you having fun?" interdispersed with numerous "happy birthdays".
The singer seemed to think that the evening should be focused on him and his singing. We were informed we were too quiet but I believe this maybe due to the speakers being near enough to blow his eardrums out... therefore resulting in him thinking we were all quiet.

Impressed with the staff who were very helpful and busy. Was pretty amazed that they could remember large orders of food, drinks and cocktails.

Don't think I will return.
If you would like a quiet night catching up with friends for a civilised drink do not go to this bar (not on a Saturday Night).
If you would like to talk to people and not yell at them do not sit near the piano! For a small space there are some very loud speakers and an equally loud brash aussie playing the piano and shouting into the mic "are you having fun?" interdispersed with numerous "happy birthdays".
The singer seemed to think that the evening should be focused on him and his singing. We were informed we were too quiet but I believe this maybe due to the speakers being near enough to blow his eardrums out... therefore resulting in him thinking we were all quiet.

Impressed with the staff who were very helpful and busy. Was pretty amazed that they could remember large orders of food, drinks and cocktails.

Don't think I will return.

Eclipse - Cosy Cocktail Bar by belinda

belinda — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 20:33:39 +0000

Review by belinda

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7792 2063

Website: http://www.eclipse-ventures.com

Tags: cocktails, cosy, cool

Eclipse is a groovy little bar that has a small but good food menu. They have an open fire which makes it all toasty and comfortable in winter.

The cocktail list is impressive and they do a good breakfast/brunch on the weekend. Service is always friendly.

The decor is funky - orange, browns, groovy wallpaper and dim lighting. Seating is comfortable and cosy.

We often pop into Eclipse for a quiet drink during the week. Weekends are pretty mobbed and too smokey for us non-smoking types (bring on the smoking ban!)

Eclipse is a groovy little bar that has a small but good food menu. They have an open fire which makes it all toasty and comfortable in winter.

The cocktail list is impressive and they do a good breakfast/brunch on the weekend. Service is always friendly.

The decor is funky - orange, browns, groovy wallpaper and dim lighting. Seating is comfortable and cosy.

We often pop into Eclipse for a quiet drink during the week. Weekends are pretty mobbed and too smokey for us non-smoking types (bring on the smoking ban!)

The Mother Black Cap - Shake it by sokratis

sokratis — Thu, 12 Oct 2006 08:40:34 +0000

Review by sokratis

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7727 9250

Tags: "notting hill", "beer garden", "friendly staff"

This is a pub. A pub with an extra-ordinary amount of booty shaking when I went there last Saturday. A Caipirinha for 3.50 is also a bargain, although the barman may have been drunk and made a mistake as I think my friend paid 5.50. Lots of groups of friends that seem to have the place as a regular hangout. The DJ was good, playing a mix of Motown, funk and a bit of cool modern classics (who do you, who do you, who do you think you are? Hahaha bless you soul&that kind of thing).
The staff are nice too. For some inexplicable reason these guys close the door at 11pm and stop serving half an hour after that. So when my friend's brother came along with his girlfriend at 11:15 the guy at the door would not let them in. Now my friend had come all the way from Greece and it would have been a bit of a bummer for us to party with his little bro waiting outside so I spoke to the manager about letting them in. Now, I know a lot of places where they'll give you the sorry, these are the rules. Nowt we can do about it', but this dude was very understanding and let them in straight away. So a bit well-deserved love back to them and four stars, instead of what would have otherwise been three.
This is a pub. A pub with an extra-ordinary amount of booty shaking when I went there last Saturday. A Caipirinha for 3.50 is also a bargain, although the barman may have been drunk and made a mistake as I think my friend paid 5.50. Lots of groups of friends that seem to have the place as a regular hangout. The DJ was good, playing a mix of Motown, funk and a bit of cool modern classics (who do you, who do you, who do you think you are? Hahaha bless you soul&that kind of thing).
The staff are nice too. For some inexplicable reason these guys close the door at 11pm and stop serving half an hour after that. So when my friend's brother came along with his girlfriend at 11:15 the guy at the door would not let them in. Now my friend had come all the way from Greece and it would have been a bit of a bummer for us to party with his little bro waiting outside so I spoke to the manager about letting them in. Now, I know a lot of places where they'll give you the sorry, these are the rules. Nowt we can do about it', but this dude was very understanding and let them in straight away. So a bit well-deserved love back to them and four stars, instead of what would have otherwise been three.