please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
My 3rd Nicholson's pub in one day and yet another new pub for me.
On arrival around 8pm it was already packed inside with loads of people outside aswell, I didn’t see the top tip before I visited but I did go to the back bar for my beer, a bit quieter, more staff and much easier to get served.
8 ales on the pumps (pretty standard for Nicholson's pubs), my pint of Woodforde's Tundra was decent.
Music played above the chatter. Most of the clientele appeared to be local workers.
Decent pub, a bit too packed to notice the décor but the ales were good.
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Visited on Wednesday.They have a new Boss,and service ok.Agree with previous blogs,service was poor in the past,and the split-bar arrangement does not help.Will visit more often;understand they plan to open 1200-2000 on Saturdays.Always found an interesting pint or two in here,in good condition.
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Sadly i met up with some friends in this pub after work on Wednesday....beer was good, plenty of space but the service was terrible....waitied ages while they chatted, surly, rude and just generally poor. I stayed for a few drinks and everytime anyone went to the bar it was the same level of service. They would look at you, see you were waiting and then go and chat. never again
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Wish I read the top tip!
Like the fact that you need a treasure map to find this place. Walked in at 9:30pm on a Monday night to find a smattering of punters and noone behind the bar. I waited. Pulled out a tenner and waited. 10 mins later and no sign of any service.
Seriously considered helping myself - and you can bet they would have come running then. In the end, gave up and walked out.
Unbelievable.
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Top tip ...always go to the back bar. More staff and less punters !! Saves a 5 minute wait to get served.
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Spent an hour in Williamsons on Friday, had a few really good pints of DoomBar at a price you don't expect to find in the city. Overall a real gem, it's just a shame it's stuck up an alley as it was a glorious day to be outside.
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Went last night with 10 other lads for beer and sausages - very good range of ales (and cheap, �2.65 for Doom Bar and guest ales around �3 a pint) and the food was more than adequate. Service good, nice atmosphere, nice location. Recommended.
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We just went to Willamsons for lunch. They didn't have the full range of sausages available - one of the main things they serve!?
Also we were waiting 40mins for our food when the table next to us who arrived after us got served before us!
Disappointing! The only good thing about it is that we got our money back!
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I was in here with a friend recently when we saw a mouse run across the floor. When we told the bar staff they seemed totally unconcerned. I'm sure my cat would have loved the rodent in question but we didn't. Moral of the story - DON'T EAT ANY FOOD IN THIS PLACE! But the beer was OK though. The place is very dark and dingy
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Good range of beers down one of Londons most haunted backwaters. The pub is said to be haunted too but it didn't seem to put the punters off.
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Williamson's is located in a small courtyard off the pedestrianised Bow Lane. It consists of two rooms with the front bar being to the left of the couryard and the back room being at the far end. Years ago the back area was called the Library Bar and suitably furished with bookcases but this has been dispensed with in favour of cramming in more tables for eating.
Until my visit last week I'm guessing I haven't been here for more than 10 years and to be frank I don't think the place has improved in that time. The front bar is still the better place to drink being lighter and not so obviously given over to food. The old Library Bar now seems totally devoted to eating and is mainly distinguished by its patchy lighting - quite bright round the bar but too gloomy to read a book in the distant corners.
It's nice to see this place hasn't been sold to a shitty pine and chrome chain but I left feeling that somehow it isn't quite the place it was 15 or 20 years ago.
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Good place, and the beer was excellent. Avoid the 'special offer' meal deal though - You get about 6 chips, a deep fried guppy, and a thimble full of mushy peas.
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Went here as part of a pub crawl, and the history/ apearance inside was rather nice and traditional, fairly good service and an OK pint, staff as general with a lot of london pubs these days seemed rather uninterested!
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A few of the male staff have an attitude problem. Other than that a nice pub.
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Came in here from the Olde Watling and as stated below don't follow the Nicholsons map or you will never find it! Landlord, Pride, Spitfire and two from the autumn ales range - Batemans Falling Leaves and Oakham Inferno. Two separate bars downstairs, more room in the back one.
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Having recently found the pub I have to say it is fast becoming my City Local. I can't agree with the last posting as beer quality and choice has always been excellent. Usual Nicholsons fare served in 15 minutes - very good for a Thursday lunchtime.
Only downside will be in the summer when Al Fresco drinking will become impossible due to the number of smokers in the small entrance alley
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Stopped in for a couple while waiting for SWMBO. First pint of Landlord was in good shape. Shame the same couldn't be said about the Tribute. 3 of the other ales had signs stating they were being cleaned. Is it just me or has Cask Marquee started to become meaningless. Far too many pubs displaying the sign as of late have not been living up to the standard.
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Much to my surprise, this Nicholson's pub managed to produce a very drinkable pint of Timothy Taylor Landlord. Definitly one of this chain's better offerings (but don't believe their Dick Whittington 'Ale Trail' leaflet whichs shows it in the wrong place east of Ye Old Watling whereas it is actually located to the north in a small alley off Bow Lane).
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Went here last Thursday night whilst attempting the Cask marque pub crawl (see previous entry for Ye Old Watling).
I like this pub. The two bars separated by the narrow corridor gives you the chance to move from one to the other and they both have a slightly different atmosphere.
We were not eating but I can understand the previous comment that the larger back room is probably more focussed on food at lunchtime.
But in the evening it is more beer drinking and we contributed by trying the Landlord, Speckled Hen and Pride, all of which were good. And unlike the previous entry 75% was Pride. But this may have been due to there being none in Ye Old Watling.
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Excellent Nicholsons pub, well worth seeking out. Marvellous pint of Timothy Taylor's Landlord yesterday - it was noticeable that of the other three beers on, no one was drinking either the Abbot or the Tribute and very few people were drinking the London Pride. 75% approx of the trade was the Timmy's landlord during the hour or so that I was there.
Very impressed all round
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Found this pub by accident and was pleasantly surprised. Good selection of real ales and they have made a great effort outside the pub for outcast smokers so we were able to sit at at table and drink and have a cigarette in comfort, even had a candle. The only downside is it's city location which unfortunately attracts the usual guffawing suit types. Other than that very nice and will keep it in mind next time I'm in the city.
cluck - 15 Jan 2008 10:48 |
Fairly average
TheGP - 21 Dec 2007 19:07 |
This pub is my boss Tim's favourite. I don't understand why because it's a complete sausage factory with no atmosphere. I wish it would shut so we were go somewhere decent as a team. Friday night is for knockers
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Found this little pub by accident. Friendly and helpful staff, not bad food, good beer.
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Just back from a lunchtime excursion. Based on this and other recent visits it seems that the quality of the beer has declined quite drastically. Had a pint each of their summer guest (whose name escapes me), Deuchars IPA and Marston's Pedigree (this last to see if it's as lousy a beer as I always assume..) The first was vile, the second slightly sour and the last only stiffened my resolve to continue avoiding this beer in future.
I used to use this place quite a lot but won't be rushing back in a hurry.. shame.
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The food in this pub is excellent. Not a very wide range of bottled beers though. The staff are very friendly and helpful. The decor is ok, but rather dingey. But, on the whole it's not a bad pub and me and my colleagues have spent many a happy lunch time in there.
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Haven't been here for many years pleasantly surprised stiil has some of its features left 5 ales Landlord particularly good great service food better than average pub fare
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Wow hard to find but well worth a visit good food quality ale 5 ales constantly rotating today Landlord London Pride Cambridge Adnams Deuchars Black Sheep Nicholsons brand lots of wood panels fast and furious lunch typical city changed over the years not so many old city gents more 25+ and more females
anonymous - 20 Feb 2007 22:40 |
A reasonable city pub which has slight character due to its history (house of lord mayor in years gone by). Reasonably friendly and efficient staff (The manger is a bit of a jobs worth though). Mainly frequented by older city types. There is one member of the staff - a tall black guy who is particularly good and efficient - although don't try to get served by him at busy times because the ladies are all over him.
anonymous - 8 Dec 2006 23:02 |
It's Ok. Worth a pop if you're in the area and it's a nice area too. I preferred the watling though for some reason.
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Typical Nicholsons decor - shiny mahogany, wood pannelling, burgundy wallpaper yesterday, but in contrast to certain other pubs in this chain, the Deuchars IPA was positively brilliant last night. This pub is much bigger than it looks at you approach it down the alleyway. Recommended - worth calling in.
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Apologies, idiot momemnt, date visited was 17 Aug.
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Visited 19 Aug 06. A spur of the moment decision to pop into this pub, and I wasn't disappointed. As it was in the middle of the afternoon, it was reasonably quiet. I had Timothy Taylor's Landlord, which was in good condition, and was served by a very friendly barmaid.
It does have a "square mile" feel to it, but don't let that deter you.
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Dilly Dally down the Alley.
This is a quite remarkable boozer, I could barely see by the time I left, a sign of a truly awesome establishment.
I lady played footsie at the bar with me, another good sign.
Adious.
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Great old fashioned city pub. Staff were really friendly, Superb pint of Timothy Taylor's today, other options were London Pride and Adnam's Best so there's something for everyone, and they have the guest ales on rotation. The food looked slightly suspect - chain-pub-itis of those nasty laminated menus - but for a couple of ales this place is hard to beat in this neck of the woods.
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A classic. Simply an awesome pub... great location, friendly staff, happy customers, great beer, surroundings that are equally good whether you're drinking with the boys or out with the missus. EXACTLY how a pub should be.
anonymous - 9 Jun 2006 18:16 |
Unassumingly civilised proper City boozer just off Bow Lane. Very decent ales - London Pride, Bombardier and Timothy Taylor on my last visit yesterday lunchtime. I've not tried the food but it looks good. Definitely worth a visit if you work in the area or are just passing through.
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Visited this pub in April and was extremely impressed with decor, food, ambience, range of ales and staff. Unfortunately the pub had run out of gents Ale Trail t-shirts although three members of staff tried in vain to find one. My wife was delighted with hers and the landlady actually gave me two other t-shirts from Adnams and Youngs. Brilliant customer service!!
Overall the staff could not have been more friendly and attentive and I will definitely be back next time I'm in London. A true gem of a pub.
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Very Nice Big Pub With 2 different bars, well worth a visit.
My Rating 8/10
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Great old-fashioned boozer in the heart of the City. The back bar is the best choice if in trhe company of of laydees, its got nice soft furnishings (they like that kind of thing!?) ..... the front bar is far blokier affair. Good for sport watching.
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Don't get SMDC's comment on the beer choice. This pub has London Pride, Adnams, Dechaurs IPA and Old Speckled Hen with occasionally Landlord, Bass or another.
Beer is always of top quality with great service from friendly staff. Amongst the banality of the likes of Pitcher and Piano and Corney and Barrow swamping The City, this is a good old fashioned British pub.
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The SMDC have visited this pub on a number of occassions recently. It's rather busy until about 7:30 or so, when things begin to quieten down as the office workers head home.
The food is rather fantastic for a pub, and extremely well priced. The Selection of beers sufficiently broad, so long as you like London Pride - which we do.
Generally a nice comfortable place to be, good nosh and booze - which is why we've been several times.
Thank you.
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Work your way to this one and enjoy yourself. Agree with much from prior reviews. It is a nice pub tucked down a quiet alley. Like the food well enough (but I tend to like the Nicholson menu). Much roomier than one would imagine on the inside. The front bar is the most interesting. Had a 1930s feel to it to me (although weakened by the 80s music playing). Staff was not terribly friendly.
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good atmospheric place this,..only ever just the one ruskie bird serving in the front bar though,...best to walk straight through,..get served out the back and then bring it back to the front/better bar.
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The pub is tucked away in an alley way off Bow Lane It has a public bar and alarge bar that at lunch time is predominately food. The food is around �4-6 and is of good standard may have a little wait at lunch it is full to the brim. Evening time very much a drinking house with dimmed lights and candles. Function room downstairs overall very nice good selection of ales 5 on offer and good pub food with high standards enjoyable
Dawn Roberts - 5 Dec 2004 17:01 |
Does this pub have a "Library Bar", do a good pint of 6X and fine steak sandwiches? I knew a pub in the area about ten years ago, and am now working back in London but want to make the journey worthwhile!
Paul - 27 Jul 2004 20:43 |
This place is nice enough and offers half decent typical pub grub. An infuriating lack of staff means you can wait a while to get served though
Dan - 14 Jun 2004 15:09 |
