Latest reviews for Bars & Pubs in Swiss Cottage, London, United Kingdom

The Horseshoe - by wreeve

wreeve — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 23:48:21 +0000

Review by wreeve

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7431 7206

Great Irish restaurant/modern bar. Seats at the back are the best to enjoy what some say is Hampstead's best food.Great Irish restaurant/modern bar. Seats at the back are the best to enjoy what some say is Hampstead's best food.

The Arches - Legend of the Wine Trade by up_shiraz

up_shiraz — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 11:26:13 +0000

Review by up_shiraz

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7624 1867

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

Tags: relaxed, friendly, european

Yesterday I was initiated into wine trade folklore as I took my first tentative steps into a 5 hour wine geeks lunch at Harry Gill's Swiss Cottage institution. This is where deals are done, gossip is swapped and phenomenal wine is drunk. If you're not a bit of a wine geek then probably read no further...there is no foam or fanciness, this is about posh grapejuice.

It was a get together of wine writers which I had managed to infiltrate and included Jamie Goode of www.wineanorak.com and Neal Martin, Robert Parker's right hand man on www.erobertparker.com. The conversation was lively as the corks on the first few BYO bottles got popped. I won't go into obscene detail - but these included Clos de la Roche Ponsot 1981, Griottes-Chambertin Ponsot 1991, Ruchottes-Chambertin Dominique Laurent 2001, Taittinger Comtes de Champagne 1998, Bollinger 1999, Vosne-Romanee 1er Cru les Beaumonts Emmanual Rouget, Ygrec de Yquem 2005 and finally a gift from Harry himself...a wonderful and rare 2002 Nuits St George Village from George Jayer. Okay enough of the wine porn...my palate just didn't know what hit it!

For food I satisfied myself with a very tasty duck liver parfait and toast follwed by a big grilled sirloin steak with mushroom sauce. The perfect sort of food to fill you up but not crowd the wines.

The wine list is legendary and Harry Gill has been buying top wines for many years. He likes nothing more than exchanging some wines, tastes, gossip and general chat as the afternoon draws in. The decor is a hotch-potch of memorabilia, posters, pots, pans and all sorts of stuff attached to every surface...like an crazy antiques shop. It's small, cosy and confortable and if you want to drink good wine and relax I suggest you get down there sharpish.Yesterday I was initiated into wine trade folklore as I took my first tentative steps into a 5 hour wine geeks lunch at Harry Gill's Swiss Cottage institution. This is where deals are done, gossip is swapped and phenomenal wine is drunk. If you're not a bit of a wine geek then probably read no further...there is no foam or fanciness, this is about posh grapejuice.

It was a get together of wine writers which I had managed to infiltrate and included Jamie Goode of www.wineanorak.com and Neal Martin, Robert Parker's right hand man on www.erobertparker.com. The conversation was lively as the corks on the first few BYO bottles got popped. I won't go into obscene detail - but these included Clos de la Roche Ponsot 1981, Griottes-Chambertin Ponsot 1991, Ruchottes-Chambertin Dominique Laurent 2001, Taittinger Comtes de Champagne 1998, Bollinger 1999, Vosne-Romanee 1er Cru les Beaumonts Emmanual Rouget, Ygrec de Yquem 2005 and finally a gift from Harry himself...a wonderful and rare 2002 Nuits St George Village from George Jayer. Okay enough of the wine porn...my palate just didn't know what hit it!

For food I satisfied myself with a very tasty duck liver parfait and toast follwed by a big grilled sirloin steak with mushroom sauce. The perfect sort of food to fill you up but not crowd the wines.

The wine list is legendary and Harry Gill has been buying top wines for many years. He likes nothing more than exchanging some wines, tastes, gossip and general chat as the afternoon draws in. The decor is a hotch-potch of memorabilia, posters, pots, pans and all sorts of stuff attached to every surface...like an crazy antiques shop. It's small, cosy and confortable and if you want to drink good wine and relax I suggest you get down there sharpish.

The Adelaide - Nice Pub on the North Side by nip_and_nosh

nip_and_nosh — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 17:35:33 +0000

Review by nip_and_nosh

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7722 3777

Tags: relaxed, friendly, food

I've been here to this pub only twice but both times, it was for events - my birthday and also a leaving party. The staff were all very friendly and nice - okay, maybe a little slow on the food orders. The food is about average - nothing too stand-out but nothing bad either.

However, the pub has a nice feel to it. And it becomes quite lively in the evenings as they typically have a DJ on weekend nights and the music is good. There is a room off to the right side that is terrific if you would like to have a small party.I've been here to this pub only twice but both times, it was for events - my birthday and also a leaving party. The staff were all very friendly and nice - okay, maybe a little slow on the food orders. The food is about average - nothing too stand-out but nothing bad either.

However, the pub has a nice feel to it. And it becomes quite lively in the evenings as they typically have a DJ on weekend nights and the music is good. There is a room off to the right side that is terrific if you would like to have a small party.

White Horse - by joslyoung

joslyoung — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:27:02 +0000

Review by joslyoung

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7485 2112

Tags: food, thai

Terrible, terrible pub, with rude surly staff and zero atmosphere. It's a shame really, because a friend of mine who took me there said it was once quite fun, friendly and lively, and because its location near the heath would make it otherwise perfect for a Sunday afternoon pint. Luckily there are lots of other pubs within a few feet of here that do fantastic food, serve good beer and are friendly (three of which have fabulous beer gardens - I'm not going to name then for fear of mistakenly coming across as shamefully partisan - I'm not). A real loss.Terrible, terrible pub, with rude surly staff and zero atmosphere. It's a shame really, because a friend of mine who took me there said it was once quite fun, friendly and lively, and because its location near the heath would make it otherwise perfect for a Sunday afternoon pint. Luckily there are lots of other pubs within a few feet of here that do fantastic food, serve good beer and are friendly (three of which have fabulous beer gardens - I'm not going to name then for fear of mistakenly coming across as shamefully partisan - I'm not). A real loss.

The Washington Arms - great by Barney752

Barney752 — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 15:15:45 +0000

Review by Barney752

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7722 8842

Tags: food, vegetarian dishes, traditional

This is my favourite pub in the world (well out of the small number of pubs that i have been to in the entire world). The bar staff are really friendly which is a pretty standard description of staff but here they really seem to take an interest in you and chat with you whilst pouring you your pint. Secondly the pub has a very nice interior with tables and couches witch gives it a really very nice feel which is not always easily maintained in other pubs. The drinks are reasonably priced, neither expensive or cheap and they have a huge variety. All in all i really cannot reccomend this pub enough. If your every in the belsize park area then you shoudl reaally check it out, the nearest stations are belsize park and chalk farm which are both on the northern line.This is my favourite pub in the world (well out of the small number of pubs that i have been to in the entire world). The bar staff are really friendly which is a pretty standard description of staff but here they really seem to take an interest in you and chat with you whilst pouring you your pint. Secondly the pub has a very nice interior with tables and couches witch gives it a really very nice feel which is not always easily maintained in other pubs. The drinks are reasonably priced, neither expensive or cheap and they have a huge variety. All in all i really cannot reccomend this pub enough. If your every in the belsize park area then you shoudl reaally check it out, the nearest stations are belsize park and chalk farm which are both on the northern line.

Sir Richard Steele - Olde Worlde by freestanding

freestanding — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 07:23:29 +0000

Review by freestanding

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7483 1261

Tags: food, real ale

In my opinion its the 2nd best boozer in NW3 after the hill across the road. First up its a huge old victorian boozer that retains its olde world charm.The locals are friendly enough around here. Good selection of beers on offer and the Thai food is excellent at Â£5 a plate. I love the upstairs with its battered leather sofas. A good spot for a party. Downstairs the beer garden is a must in the summer. big and plenty of seats.
Lovely olde pub thats not been changed inside for a long long time. I only hope it stays that wayIn my opinion its the 2nd best boozer in NW3 after the hill across the road. First up its a huge old victorian boozer that retains its olde world charm.The locals are friendly enough around here. Good selection of beers on offer and the Thai food is excellent at Â£5 a plate. I love the upstairs with its battered leather sofas. A good spot for a party. Downstairs the beer garden is a must in the summer. big and plenty of seats.
Lovely olde pub thats not been changed inside for a long long time. I only hope it stays that way

The Freemasons Arms - Great Post-Heath option by sokratis

sokratis — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 03:16:40 +0000

Review by sokratis

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7433 6811

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

Tags: relaxed, traditional, food

The Freemasons Arms is a great ending to a nice day in Hampsted Heath if youâ¬"re finishing on the south-west (if youâ¬"re heading north-east then Cafe Mozart on Swains Lane is a excellent option too). Very spacious and with a modern, slick finish it serves a variety of beers and ciders. One of the best outdoor spaces in the area and a great kitchen that serves what youâ¬"d expect by the â¬ÜWinner of the Sunday Independent/ LBC Gastro Pub of the Year!â¬". Be prepared to wait for a table on a sunny Sunday afternoon as the place gets very busy. Of course be also prepared to be surrounded by yummy mummies, Â£500+ baby carts, noisy small children and generally the rest of the Sunday family squad that descends on Hampsteadâ¬"s surrounding areas on a weekend.
Donâ¬"t let that put you off though. The Freemasons is still one of the best places to enjoy a drink and a bite after a hard days navigating the heights of the Heath.
The Freemasons Arms is a great ending to a nice day in Hampsted Heath if youâ¬"re finishing on the south-west (if youâ¬"re heading north-east then Cafe Mozart on Swains Lane is a excellent option too). Very spacious and with a modern, slick finish it serves a variety of beers and ciders. One of the best outdoor spaces in the area and a great kitchen that serves what youâ¬"d expect by the â¬ÜWinner of the Sunday Independent/ LBC Gastro Pub of the Year!â¬". Be prepared to wait for a table on a sunny Sunday afternoon as the place gets very busy. Of course be also prepared to be surrounded by yummy mummies, Â£500+ baby carts, noisy small children and generally the rest of the Sunday family squad that descends on Hampsteadâ¬"s surrounding areas on a weekend.
Donâ¬"t let that put you off though. The Freemasons is still one of the best places to enjoy a drink and a bite after a hard days navigating the heights of the Heath.

King William IV - Cozy gay-friendly pub by Sami

Sami — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 22:08:13 +0000

Review by Sami

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7435 5747

Website: http://www.kw4.co.uk/

Tags: food, hampstead, pub

Let me preface this by saying that I am not a native Londoner and do not know much of the insider's knowledge regarding this city. So when my native Londoner friend took me to this pub this past week-end, I was curious as to why there was a gay pub smack in the middle of Northwest London's bastion of uptight, WASP-y, middle-class existence - until she informed me that Hampstead Heath has long been a gay cruising ground - and the KW4 is at the foot of the Heath.

Recently renovated, KW4 is cozy, with a large patio at the back of the bar and hosts a variety of gay nights, from gay pub quiz to drag queen nights. I was absolutely taken by it and have since enlisted my friend to take me here on a regular basis. The service was good, the crepes are supposed to be good, and it was friendly. I'm a fan. But as with the majority of gay bars, the pints were on the expensive side :(

Let me preface this by saying that I am not a native Londoner and do not know much of the insider's knowledge regarding this city. So when my native Londoner friend took me to this pub this past week-end, I was curious as to why there was a gay pub smack in the middle of Northwest London's bastion of uptight, WASP-y, middle-class existence - until she informed me that Hampstead Heath has long been a gay cruising ground - and the KW4 is at the foot of the Heath.

Recently renovated, KW4 is cozy, with a large patio at the back of the bar and hosts a variety of gay nights, from gay pub quiz to drag queen nights. I was absolutely taken by it and have since enlisted my friend to take me here on a regular basis. The service was good, the crepes are supposed to be good, and it was friendly. I'm a fan. But as with the majority of gay bars, the pints were on the expensive side :(

The Roebuck - Two thumbs up by mif

mif — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 20:51:10 +0000

Review by mif

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7433 6871

Tags: independent pub, standard pub food, beer garden

Been here at least a handful of times (when in the neighbourhood) and it has never disappointed. Terrific grub - the cottage pie is my favourite and I've heard their Sunday roast is to drool for. Service is pretty good. The place is eclectically decorated, managing to look very cool and comfortable at the same time. At the back, there is an outdoors area where it's lovely to sit when the sun is shining and also a conservatory for when the sun isn't shining. Basically it's a lovely laid-back pub that will please everyone.Been here at least a handful of times (when in the neighbourhood) and it has never disappointed. Terrific grub - the cottage pie is my favourite and I've heard their Sunday roast is to drool for. Service is pretty good. The place is eclectically decorated, managing to look very cool and comfortable at the same time. At the back, there is an outdoors area where it's lovely to sit when the sun is shining and also a conservatory for when the sun isn't shining. Basically it's a lovely laid-back pub that will please everyone.

Bar Room - by TrustedBot

TrustedBot — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 18:20:15 +0000

Review by TrustedBot

Rating: 0.00

Phone: 0207 431 8802

Website: www.barroombar.com

Tags: smoking, party, cocktails

When brb began in 1998 with the original ´bar room bar´ in Hampstead, North London the idea was simple: great stone baked pizza, inspiring cocktails and an interesting range of beers, wines and spirits.

The immense glass frontage that looks in on this, the original Bar Room Bar in Hampstead, gives a classy first impression. Once inside, the bar does not disappoint. A large, rectangular green bar serves a pub selection of beers, whilst contemporary artwork hangs on the clean, cream walls. A unique glass chandelier is a focus feature if you´re not watching the world go by through the window.

Taste London diners can choose from the fabulous choice on offer on brb Hampstead´s Pizza menu from Sunday to Thursday. When brb began in 1998 with the original ´bar room bar´ in Hampstead, North London the idea was simple: great stone baked pizza, inspiring cocktails and an interesting range of beers, wines and spirits.

Taste London diners can choose from the fabulous choice on offer on brb Hampstead´s Pizza menu from Sunday to Thursday.