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Goat Tavern, Kensington, W8
W8
W8 5NP
Pub Type
Taylor Walker (Spirit Pubs)Reviews (Current Rating Average: 5½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Graham Coombs left this review about Goat Tavern
Claims to be the oldest pub in Kensington, but not much sign of anything different to any other ex-Taylor Walker house. Nice traditional furnishings though, with a cosy area by the front window. Draught beers IPA, Abbot and Tribute in fair order. Note that the disabled toilet was obstructed by a table at time of visit.
On 12th June 2019
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3339 recommendations about 3276 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about Goat Tavern
A typical Taylor Walker pub: had we known, we may have passed on the place, but on balance it's better than the usual TW outlets with a slightly more 'gastro' interior, but with the trademark part carpeted and part boarded floor, pictorial menus, condiments on tables, sport (loud) and the usual array of TW/GK ales; Taylor Walker's 1730, Greene King's IPA and London Glory at £2.28 a half and a bit lifeless, a bit like the barmaid.
The usual crowd is served here, with tourists lapping up the traditional Ye Olde Merry Englande pub experience and feasting on Ye Fishe & Chippes.
This is one for crawl tickers only and is otherwise not worth the effort.
On 16th June 2016
- rating: 4
[User has posted 1985 recommendations about 1951 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about Goat Tavern
Long narrow pub serving beers from black sheep, fuller's, wychwood and young's. Food served.
On 5th October 2011
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2883 recommendations about 2820 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Goat Tavern
Standard issue Taylor Walker pub for the tourists. Narrow frontage leading to an elongated bar, but not quite as dark as one might expect because there are a few windows along the side. Sport on one TV. Four handpumps, offering Youngs London Gold, Pride, Broadside and Bombardier (very curiously priced at £3.47).
On 20th July 2011
- rating: 6
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Nick Davies left this review about Goat Tavern
Currently subjected to Punch Tavern's Taylor-Walker branding this tardis of a pub is barely distinguishable from this company's many others in the district. So inside the usual pointless selection of high tables and sofas alongside more usable pub furniture. This is the only pub along the main drag of Ken High St so it does get a fair few tourists hoping to sample the traditional London pub experience complete with a traditional Big Ben Burger, a snip at £9.50 (tip: a Big Mac from along the road is about a quarter the price and probably fresher). It's all pretty average stuff and fine if you've got half an hour to kill, but look further afield if you fancy a session.
On 19th June 2011
- rating: 5
[User has posted 567 recommendations about 559 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Clive Thompson left this review about Goat Tavern
Clearly aimed at the tourist market but there seemed to be a few regulars in, which surprised me. Nice looking building and the pub clearly has some history to, although apart from a couple of wall plaques and photos they keep it well hidden. Four pump clips showing although on enquiry two of them were off, including the Youngs London Gold which I’ve found a bit elusive in recent weeks. Realising it was unlikely that their ale’d win tons of awards I went for a pint of Staropramen, and almost gave it back when they asked me for £3.95. That’s just a tourist rip off and with all this furore about loss leader beer prices this would have the supermarkets weeping with joy knowing they had little to beat. Service was efficient and, unusually for pubs like this, came with a smile and actual eye contact.
On 28th August 2010
- rating: 6
[User has posted 777 recommendations about 697 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Roger Button left this review about The Goat
For a while I was a frequent visitor here when I worked in the area but it has certainly taken a turn for the worse in the 10 years since I left if my 2 recent visits are anything to go by. The pub has a history going back 300 years but the current building, one of the first Watney houses, dates from 1879 according to the detailed history on the wall near the front door. The long and narrow interior has sadly swallowed up the old wine and spirit section that used to be to the left of the main entrance. The pub does become more spacious the further you go in but it does feel very closed in. From the smell of vinegar you just know that this is going to full of tourists eating fish & chips and from the wealth of uncleared tables you have little option than observing the leftovers. 4 hand pumps (Pride, Bombardier, Wadworths 6X + 1 redundant) but on my recent visits it has been hit and miss as to what is available. There is also a strange pricing policy with the 6X priced at a bizarre £3.03! The plasma screen is not particularly accessible and the whole place seems badly run and fake. A disappointing return to what was once a regular haunt.
On 29th October 2008
- rating: 4
[User has posted 1239 recommendations about 1233 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tim Upton-O'Good left this review about The Goat
I found the staff friendly and the bar had bags of character
On 22nd May 2008
- rating: 8
[User has posted 7 recommendations about 7 pubs]