3 /5 AZNJonathon: Okay, so I’m usually pretty generous when it comes to pub reviews, but this one left me a bit conflicted. It wasn’t bad… but it also wasn’t exactly comfortable.
I often walk along the River Thames to chill out and clear my head, and this time I thought, “Why not?” The pub looked tucked away and a bit different from the usual spots, so I decided to give it a go.
I wasn’t expecting that staircase on the way up, but once I made it upstairs, I was pleasantly surprised by how cosy it felt. The first thing I noticed was the shuffleboard table (definitely didn’t expect that) and how warm and inviting the space was.
I ordered a simple pink gin and lemonade and sat down for a moment, then decided to have a wander, mainly to locate the toilets. However, the bartender started shouting across the bar that all the tables were booked. It was loud, so fair enough, I didn’t hear him at first. But when I got closer, the tone shifted from helpful to unnecessarily stern. Mate… relax. If someone’s wandering, maybe just ask if they need help or politely mention the tables are reserved.
I explained I was just having a look and trying to find the loo, but I got a very curt, “It’s there, on the left.” Look, I get it, bad days happen, and none of us are thrilled to be at work all the time (who is?). But a little friendliness goes a long way.
After using the loo, I came back, went on to finish my drink, and tried to enjoy the atmosphere.
I didn’t see anyone order food, so I can’t comment on that. Drink prices, though, were great for the location. The service, unfortunately, was the letdown.
That said, I’d probably come back and give it another chance to see if the vibes have changed, it wasn’t bad enough to put me off completely. Still a great little hidden gem, and I genuinely liked the style of the place.
