Latest reviews for Bars & Pubs in South Kensington, London, United Kingdom

The Admiral Codrington - good fish and chips by ben_e_h

ben_e_h — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 09:51:35 +0000

Review by ben_e_h

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7581 0005

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

This is a great place to go for a nice plate of fish and chips. The restaurant is very light and airy and a pleasant place to eat. The fish and chips is excellent. Also very good is the steak burger with parfait of foie gras. I have not had the fish cakes have also had good reports of these. The price is slightly above average pub food but not too bad for this area and this type of restaurant and is overall OK value. There is a nice patio area outside the front to eat which is very nice when the sun is out.This is a great place to go for a nice plate of fish and chips. The restaurant is very light and airy and a pleasant place to eat. The fish and chips is excellent. Also very good is the steak burger with parfait of foie gras. I have not had the fish cakes have also had good reports of these. The price is slightly above average pub food but not too bad for this area and this type of restaurant and is overall OK value. There is a nice patio area outside the front to eat which is very nice when the sun is out.

Cadogan Arms - standard by ben_e_h

ben_e_h — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 09:40:19 +0000

Review by ben_e_h

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 7352 1645

Tags: food, pub chain, standard pub food

This is a fairly standard pub on the kings road, nothing special really when there are loads of other places to chose from around here. OK if you are looking for a predictable pub chain feel, but it does not offer much else really. Serves all the normal type of beers, lagers and pub snacks. Quite light and spacious but not a massive amount of atmosphere unless it is very busy, although I have only seen it busy once or twice at the right times. Pretty obviously placed so not a bad place to meet someone who does not know where they are going, I often use it for this.This is a fairly standard pub on the kings road, nothing special really when there are loads of other places to chose from around here. OK if you are looking for a predictable pub chain feel, but it does not offer much else really. Serves all the normal type of beers, lagers and pub snacks. Quite light and spacious but not a massive amount of atmosphere unless it is very busy, although I have only seen it busy once or twice at the right times. Pretty obviously placed so not a bad place to meet someone who does not know where they are going, I often use it for this.

Henry J Beans - Not impressed by misstravelbug

misstravelbug — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 21:59:33 +0000

Review by misstravelbug

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7352 9255

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

Tags: american, cocktails, food

American food joint, ie. chicken wings, ribs, hamburgers. It's more a pub rather than restaurant, it's incredibly noisy and dim. Ordered the ribs and chicken wings, not terribly impressed, the sauce was too salty and the ribs stringy. Cocktails in a jug good value but won't be back again after a disappointing meal.American food joint, ie. chicken wings, ribs, hamburgers. It's more a pub rather than restaurant, it's incredibly noisy and dim. Ordered the ribs and chicken wings, not terribly impressed, the sauce was too salty and the ribs stringy. Cocktails in a jug good value but won't be back again after a disappointing meal.

Queens Arms - Decent Boozer in SK Shock! by rich42uk

rich42uk — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:23:44 +0000

Review by rich42uk

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7581 7741

Tags: food, posh, friendly

South Kensington is a bit of a dive for decent drinking holes for those not trying to burn a hole in their trust funds or get a quiet pint away from the throngs by the tube.

The Queens Arms though, is somewhat of novelty. Fairly quiet (out of term time that is from nearby Imperial College), decent selection of beers and excellent gastro-pub grub. The decor is nicely understated and smart without being exclusive. Quite good too if you're off to a concert at the Albert Hall and fancy a cheeky pint beforehand without the maddening crowds in the RAH bars. Also notable because it's one of the few places in Zone 1 that serve a good traditional Sunday roast dinner...South Kensington is a bit of a dive for decent drinking holes for those not trying to burn a hole in their trust funds or get a quiet pint away from the throngs by the tube.

The Queens Arms though, is somewhat of novelty. Fairly quiet (out of term time that is from nearby Imperial College), decent selection of beers and excellent gastro-pub grub. The decor is nicely understated and smart without being exclusive. Quite good too if you're off to a concert at the Albert Hall and fancy a cheeky pint beforehand without the maddening crowds in the RAH bars. Also notable because it's one of the few places in Zone 1 that serve a good traditional Sunday roast dinner...

Eclipse Bar - Very cool bar by LukeG

LukeG — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 16:37:31 +0000

Review by LukeG

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7581 0123

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

Tags: cool, relaxed, posh

I was amazed when I went to Eclipse not too long ago. I was expecting to be surrounded by posh, champagne drinking Chelsea girls and city type guys. Instead I found the people extremely chilled out, young and up for having a good time. The staff were really friendly and the bongo player was awesome. We had a great night and have already penned in a return......watch out!I was amazed when I went to Eclipse not too long ago. I was expecting to be surrounded by posh, champagne drinking Chelsea girls and city type guys. Instead I found the people extremely chilled out, young and up for having a good time. The staff were really friendly and the bongo player was awesome. We had a great night and have already penned in a return......watch out!

Swag & Tails - posh pub grub by petrus

petrus — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 23:20:03 +0000

Review by petrus

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7584 6926

Tags: relaxed, independent pub, food

The Swag and Tails is a small pub hidden on a South Kensington backstreet on the way to Knightsbridge. Bernie Ecclestone can be spotted here lunching from time to time and this may give you some idea of what to expect; it's not your standard London boozer.

I had lunch there today with that blissful feeling that comes with the knowledge that someone else is paying, in this case my work were shaking out the moths from the corporate wallet and picking up the tab. This is an occasion as rare as spotting a red squirrel in the churchyard nearby and so I cherished it accordingly.

The menu is a slightly odd mix of clearly French influenced cooking, with a nod here and there to modern british and right on ingredients, such as Pollack. There are about 6 starters, ranging from soup to the seared foie gras at Â£10.95 that I plumped for. To my mind if you are going to have foie gras with all the attendant guilt, then seared is the way to go. You can keep your terrines, your pates, cappuccinos or custards, just a very hot pan, coloured on both sides, finished in the oven and taste bud ecstasy is guaranteed.

In this case the chef had decided to add a few bells and whistles to the main event. In fact he or she may have got a little carried away with the squeezy sauce bottle as it came out on a plate that had been deluged in coloured squiggles . The liver, with an appealing brown crust, was on top of a granary crouton, which itself was on a spiced pear compote. The final flourish was a black pepper tuile, otherwise known as wafer with a bit of black pepper on it. As one of my companions commented, "It looks more like a dessert than a starter!" Although all the other components were tasty enough in their own right, and some, the pears, complemented the liver well, overall the dish was overdone in effort. A simpler presentation and fewer flavours on the plate would have allowed the excellently cooked piece of foie gras to shine more clearly.

For the main I had sautÃ©ed loin of rabbit, with smoked black pudding and a broad bean and pear salad from a longer list including more simple pub fare such as a burger and steak sandwich. This was a very good dish; the rabbit had been timed beautifully, with a good colour outside and succulent inside. I have never had smoked black pudding before, but I would certainly like to have it again. The smokiness went brilliantly with the rich, crumbly pudding. The salad gave a lighter, summery note to the dish, and I could have almost managed to describe it all as healthy, had it not been for that pesky order of shoestring friesâ¬¦

The Swag and Tails seems to have a good chef in the kitchen, this is not a pie and chips pub, I guess your average billionaire wants a tad more sophistication when they go out to lunch. The prices are pretty high, but that comes with the turf. The main for example was around Â£15, which is punchy pricing for a pub. I would definitely recommend it, as long as someone else is paying!

The Swag and Tails is a small pub hidden on a South Kensington backstreet on the way to Knightsbridge. Bernie Ecclestone can be spotted here lunching from time to time and this may give you some idea of what to expect; it's not your standard London boozer.

I had lunch there today with that blissful feeling that comes with the knowledge that someone else is paying, in this case my work were shaking out the moths from the corporate wallet and picking up the tab. This is an occasion as rare as spotting a red squirrel in the churchyard nearby and so I cherished it accordingly.

The menu is a slightly odd mix of clearly French influenced cooking, with a nod here and there to modern british and right on ingredients, such as Pollack. There are about 6 starters, ranging from soup to the seared foie gras at Â£10.95 that I plumped for. To my mind if you are going to have foie gras with all the attendant guilt, then seared is the way to go. You can keep your terrines, your pates, cappuccinos or custards, just a very hot pan, coloured on both sides, finished in the oven and taste bud ecstasy is guaranteed.

In this case the chef had decided to add a few bells and whistles to the main event. In fact he or she may have got a little carried away with the squeezy sauce bottle as it came out on a plate that had been deluged in coloured squiggles . The liver, with an appealing brown crust, was on top of a granary crouton, which itself was on a spiced pear compote. The final flourish was a black pepper tuile, otherwise known as wafer with a bit of black pepper on it. As one of my companions commented, "It looks more like a dessert than a starter!" Although all the other components were tasty enough in their own right, and some, the pears, complemented the liver well, overall the dish was overdone in effort. A simpler presentation and fewer flavours on the plate would have allowed the excellently cooked piece of foie gras to shine more clearly.

For the main I had sautÃ©ed loin of rabbit, with smoked black pudding and a broad bean and pear salad from a longer list including more simple pub fare such as a burger and steak sandwich. This was a very good dish; the rabbit had been timed beautifully, with a good colour outside and succulent inside. I have never had smoked black pudding before, but I would certainly like to have it again. The smokiness went brilliantly with the rich, crumbly pudding. The salad gave a lighter, summery note to the dish, and I could have almost managed to describe it all as healthy, had it not been for that pesky order of shoestring friesâ¬¦

The Swag and Tails seems to have a good chef in the kitchen, this is not a pie and chips pub, I guess your average billionaire wants a tad more sophistication when they go out to lunch. The prices are pretty high, but that comes with the turf. The main for example was around Â£15, which is punchy pricing for a pub. I would definitely recommend it, as long as someone else is paying!

Janet's Bar - the best night out! by kathy

kathy — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 11:42:03 +0000

Review by kathy

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7581 3160

Tags: cocktails, live music, cool

Cool music, lively atmosphere, the prices are upmarket but it's worth it since you get a good night out of it. i had my best friend's 21st birthday party there and now it has become a tradition for our group to have theirs there too!
Janet's cocktails have a personal touch and we were really pleased to get some complimentary bites and live music! Cool music, lively atmosphere, the prices are upmarket but it's worth it since you get a good night out of it. i had my best friend's 21st birthday party there and now it has become a tradition for our group to have theirs there too!
Janet's cocktails have a personal touch and we were really pleased to get some complimentary bites and live music!

Anglesea Arms - by hofmeyr

hofmeyr — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 08:55:43 +0000

Review by hofmeyr

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7373 7960

Website: http://www.capitalpubcompany.com

Tags: food, beer garden / outside seating, modern british

brilliant atmosphere in the summer.
excellent food.
close to my mum's house ;-)brilliant atmosphere in the summer.
excellent food.
close to my mum's house ;-)

The Trafalgar - Cool pub by Cosmogirl

Cosmogirl — Sun, 18 Mar 2007 17:00:25 +0000

Review by Cosmogirl

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7349 1831

Tags: live music, independent pub, food

But why oh why did they paint it that awful dark green? Paint it back to turqoise please!

Great on a sunny Saturday afternoon to chill out by the open windows with a cold beer.But why oh why did they paint it that awful dark green? Paint it back to turqoise please!

Great on a sunny Saturday afternoon to chill out by the open windows with a cold beer.

Apartment 195 - Best cocktails in West London by NatalieMarie

NatalieMarie — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 14:56:22 +0000

Review by NatalieMarie

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7351 5195

Website: http://www.apartment195.co.uk/

Tags: friendly, trendy, cosy

This was the perfect spot for me and some freinds to get together after some hectic Christmas shopping, we were really well looked after by the staff who reccommended drinks for us. I couldn't make up my mind as there were jsut so many lovley cocktails to try, many of which they seemed to have created themselves. The London cocktails were fun, though I wasn't brave enpugh to try the £350 one!

The atmosphere is just right, dark walls and huge pieces of comtemporary art but nicely lit. Very classyThis was the perfect spot for me and some freinds to get together after some hectic Christmas shopping, we were really well looked after by the staff who reccommended drinks for us. I couldn't make up my mind as there were jsut so many lovley cocktails to try, many of which they seemed to have created themselves. The London cocktails were fun, though I wasn't brave enpugh to try the £350 one!

The atmosphere is just right, dark walls and huge pieces of comtemporary art but nicely lit. Very classy

Art Bar - Move Along... by caffeinehit

caffeinehit — Wed, 08 Nov 2006 14:43:38 +0000

Review by caffeinehit

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 7589 8558

Tags: posh, food, bar

OK. Right, so as well as highlighting some of the better bars in London I should point out the slightly crap ones as well.

This is a slightly wanky bar with slightly wanky people. It's like going to a premiere aftershow party where everyone looks around trying to see if they can spot the richest, single person to go and speak to (eg. Stelios, Prince Harrys real dad etc).

The cocktails are average but v.v.expensive (mind you, we are on Walton Street so what do you expect), be suprised if you have much change from £10 for a cocktail. Bar staff are off and slightly lacklustre. All the same, when you're drunk it seems like a fantastic place.

If you're in the area worth checking it out and making your own mind up... My advice would be to check out Eclipse a few doors down...OK. Right, so as well as highlighting some of the better bars in London I should point out the slightly crap ones as well.

This is a slightly wanky bar with slightly wanky people. It's like going to a premiere aftershow party where everyone looks around trying to see if they can spot the richest, single person to go and speak to (eg. Stelios, Prince Harrys real dad etc).

The cocktails are average but v.v.expensive (mind you, we are on Walton Street so what do you expect), be suprised if you have much change from £10 for a cocktail. Bar staff are off and slightly lacklustre. All the same, when you're drunk it seems like a fantastic place.

If you're in the area worth checking it out and making your own mind up... My advice would be to check out Eclipse a few doors down...

Duke of Clarence - Nice Relaxing Pub by walid

walid — Sat, 22 Jul 2006 11:29:26 +0000

Review by walid

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7373 1285

Website: http://www.geronimo-inns.co.uk

Tags: relaxing, food, comfortable

Have to admit that I didn't stay in this pub very long as I was with a group of friends desperately looking for a pub to watch the France-Portugal Football World Cup game. Unfortunately the Duke of Clarence was full and I can understand why it has both a light, airy and comfortably looking atmosphere to it. I did return a few days after that day, when France won, and my initial view of this place was confirmed. It is a nice place to have a cool refreshing beer in your hand for a lazy afternoon.Have to admit that I didn't stay in this pub very long as I was with a group of friends desperately looking for a pub to watch the France-Portugal Football World Cup game. Unfortunately the Duke of Clarence was full and I can understand why it has both a light, airy and comfortably looking atmosphere to it. I did return a few days after that day, when France won, and my initial view of this place was confirmed. It is a nice place to have a cool refreshing beer in your hand for a lazy afternoon.

Drayton Arms - Spacious Victorian Pub by walid

walid — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 14:26:24 +0000

Review by walid

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7835 2301

Tags: live music, friendly atmosphere, cozy

What I like about the Drayton Arms is first its high ceilings and the clear comfortable and cosy Victorian pub feel it has to it. The pub attracts your locals from South Kensington and is a great place to simply chill out and enjoy the sun in their outdoor section. I'll remember this pub as this is also where I watched France beat Portugal during the World Cup!What I like about the Drayton Arms is first its high ceilings and the clear comfortable and cosy Victorian pub feel it has to it. The pub attracts your locals from South Kensington and is a great place to simply chill out and enjoy the sun in their outdoor section. I'll remember this pub as this is also where I watched France beat Portugal during the World Cup!