Latest reviews for Bars & Pubs in Notting Hill, London, United Kingdom

202 Cafe - Fantastic food and coffee by pindulgence

pindulgence — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 16:28:40 +0000

Review by pindulgence

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7792 6888

Tags: expensive, friendly staff, brunch

I haven't been here for a while and i really must go back! The food here is amazing, as is the service. Their menu is predominantly for the lighter bite, but they do have other delicious main meals as well. Lots of choice and everyone will find something to eat. its quite a trendy place and you also occasionally catch a glimpse of someone famous! Not going to name them though! I had fish and chips (i see a previous reviewer had them too!) and i thought they were fantastic, probably the best i've had so far! I have tried other food here and have been equally impressed. As you would expect, its not that cheap but well worth it for a good night out!I haven't been here for a while and i really must go back! The food here is amazing, as is the service. Their menu is predominantly for the lighter bite, but they do have other delicious main meals as well. Lots of choice and everyone will find something to eat. its quite a trendy place and you also occasionally catch a glimpse of someone famous! Not going to name them though! I had fish and chips (i see a previous reviewer had them too!) and i thought they were fantastic, probably the best i've had so far! I have tried other food here and have been equally impressed. As you would expect, its not that cheap but well worth it for a good night out!

The Churchill Arms - by mbeaumont

mbeaumont — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 14:54:29 +0000

Review by mbeaumont

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7792 1246

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

Tags: traditional pub, thai, excellent pub food

Excellent Thai food, fantastic beers and the womens toilets, well, you must go and see for yourself... They are extraordinary!Excellent Thai food, fantastic beers and the womens toilets, well, you must go and see for yourself... They are extraordinary!

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.

The Chepstow - A gastropub worth going to! by WB1

WB1 — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 12:11:44 +0000

Review by WB1

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7229 0323

Website: http://www.massivepub.com/venue.asp?venueid=31

Tags: friendly, gastro pub, posh

The Chepstow is a real gem amongst the many bars and pubs of Notting Hill and Bayswater. The food, whilst not cheap, is always excellent and while the main menu is usually the same the specials change regularly and include "trendy" pub food as well as more traditional options. The wine list has recently been shortened but is none the worse for it and still offers reasonable value. There is also always a good choice of cocktails on the boards, including the delicious butterscotch martini and an inventive cocktail of the month, but beware - these are not cheap! The staff are always frindly and fun, the seating is comfortable and the atmosphere relaxed. This is a great place to come with friends for a night out (you can actually hear yourselves talk) or Sunday lunch with the family (kids welcome).The Chepstow is a real gem amongst the many bars and pubs of Notting Hill and Bayswater. The food, whilst not cheap, is always excellent and while the main menu is usually the same the specials change regularly and include "trendy" pub food as well as more traditional options. The wine list has recently been shortened but is none the worse for it and still offers reasonable value. There is also always a good choice of cocktails on the boards, including the delicious butterscotch martini and an inventive cocktail of the month, but beware - these are not cheap! The staff are always frindly and fun, the seating is comfortable and the atmosphere relaxed. This is a great place to come with friends for a night out (you can actually hear yourselves talk) or Sunday lunch with the family (kids welcome).

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.

Westbourne Studios - When stuck in Notting Hill... by sokratis

sokratis — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 18:39:32 +0000

Review by sokratis

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7575 3123

Website: http://www.westbournestudios.com/

Tags: cool, friendly, trendy

...or Bayswater or any other area nearby and it's approaching 12 and all the places are closing down and you don't really fancy the Arts Club or other dingy late licenses, then Westbourne Studios comes to the rescue. In fact the place is way better than most of the bars, clubs etc in the area anyway, so it deserves a dedicated trip.
The open space is surrounded by studios for artists and small businesses and apart from the bar there is another space, where performances usually take place. The atmosphere is relaxed and lively at the same time. Music depends on the night. Typical crowd to the area, but I think this is the most East London place out West. Yes, paradoxes occasionally make sense. â¬ÜThatâ¬"s paradox itselfâ¬" youâ¬"ll say, but Iâ¬"m digressing...
Be sure to arrive before 12 as they only let members in after that (there is blagging potential, but I wouldnâ¬"t recommend it). If you live nearby or go out in the area often, then membership is well worth considering as it was Â£65/year last time I checked. Overall, I canâ¬"t remember a single time that I didnâ¬"t thoroughly enjoy this place. Let me know how you found it.

...or Bayswater or any other area nearby and it's approaching 12 and all the places are closing down and you don't really fancy the Arts Club or other dingy late licenses, then Westbourne Studios comes to the rescue. In fact the place is way better than most of the bars, clubs etc in the area anyway, so it deserves a dedicated trip.
The open space is surrounded by studios for artists and small businesses and apart from the bar there is another space, where performances usually take place. The atmosphere is relaxed and lively at the same time. Music depends on the night. Typical crowd to the area, but I think this is the most East London place out West. Yes, paradoxes occasionally make sense. â¬ÜThatâ¬"s paradox itselfâ¬" youâ¬"ll say, but Iâ¬"m digressing...
Be sure to arrive before 12 as they only let members in after that (there is blagging potential, but I wouldnâ¬"t recommend it). If you live nearby or go out in the area often, then membership is well worth considering as it was Â£65/year last time I checked. Overall, I canâ¬"t remember a single time that I didnâ¬"t thoroughly enjoy this place. Let me know how you found it.

Visible - by cbetta

cbetta — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 21:44:01 +0000

Review by cbetta

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 8969 0333

Tags: cozy, friendly, live music

A bit boring but nice foodA bit boring but nice food

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.

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...

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.

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.

Eclipse - Cosy Cocktail Bar - CLOSED 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

UPDATE: NOW CLOSED :(

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!)

UPDATE: NOW CLOSED :(

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.