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Disappointment of the week with Real Ale Ray
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Detail Pages
Fox & Anchor, Smithfield, EC1
EC1
EC1M 6AA
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Will Larter left this review about Fox & Anchor
A narrow pub in a lovely listed building with - as described on Camra's heritage listing - a gorgeous Art Nouveau ceramic frontage and entrance. The bar counter is pewter-topped, and the bar back is thought to be original; the wall opposite is well covered with pictures. There are six hand pumps (see photo) and I went for Twickenham Red Sky, which was in very good condition (NBSS 3.5) but a little pricey at £6.30/pint.
Date of visit: 1st March 2023
On 15th January 2024
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3733 recommendations about 3470 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blackthorn _ left this review about Fox & Anchor
A traditional looking pub located just around the corner from Smithfield Market, it was almost deserted on our recent bank holiday Monday visit, but I imagine can get very busy at other times when the market is open.
Internally, the main bar at the front of the pub is quite long and narrow with a long bar counter on the left and wooden boards on the floor. It had quite an elegant feel to it with black flock wallpaper on the upper part of the walls and dark wood panelling down below. There were plenty of pictures on the walls and some wooden partitions with mirrored glazing. Padded bench seating ran all along the right hand side. At the rear was a much cosier dining room with black tiling on the floor, and black wood panelling covering the walls. There were many more pictures here including old black and white photographs of the market and various livestock. A small tiled fireplace was off to one side, but this looked to be disused. Further private dining rooms were at the rear, with one having etched glass in the doors and being known as the Fox’s Lair.
The menu offered a decent enough selection of “pub grub” dishes and our gypsy eggs with a ham hock and chorizo stew as well as a cheese and tomato sandwich with chips both went down well.
Beers on tap were Sam Brook’s Wandle, Young’s Special, Young’s Bitter, Doom Bar, Proper Job and Redemption Big Chief. After that lot, cider choice was very disappointing with only Aspall’s on tap, and even that had run out. Overall, despite the lack of any cider, I thought this was a nice, traditional old pub and would happily return if in the area.
On 8th May 2019
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1947 recommendations about 1860 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about Fox & Anchor
Really nice exterior and interior as described below. Not that big inside and the toilet must be fun when it’s busy.
On 26th October 2018
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2883 recommendations about 2820 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about Fox & Anchor
Established by at least the late 18th century, this pub was rebuilt in its somewhat extravagant form in 1898. Grade II-listed with an Art Nouveau terra cotta and glazed tile façade, it's one of the most ornate pubs in the EC1 area.
Indeed, the fine tiles extend to the narrow interior with dark wood including bar back and pot shelf though the French zinc-topped bar is modern as is the questionable tiled ceiling.
There are some tables to the walls and dining area to the rear in what is in fact quite a small venue. It also has somewhat inadequate lavs with just one urinal behind an American-style saloon bar doors and then just one cubicle.
Ales: the standard Young's line-up, thereafter guests from the likes of Sambrook's and Truman's, served well but typically at around the £5.05 a pint mark.
Worth a look for the interior, but it's not easy to get comfortable here so it's a bit of a one-pint pony. Expensive too.
On 8th June 2018
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1983 recommendations about 1949 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about Fox & Anchor
A must visit for the City Boy Breakfast. Served till 11am - think of a combo between a mixed grill and a Full English Breakfast. With a pint of Youngs Stout.
An experience that should be had by all :-)
Some photos at my walking blog - http://bit.ly/1nVW6J7
On 7th February 2016
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1337 recommendations about 1323 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about Fox & Anchor
An attractive pub with an art nouveau façade dating from 1898. There’s also a very attractive long and narrow interior (glazed tiling, dark wood etched glass – pseudo gin palace) but unfortunately I didn’t get to see too much of it as most of the tables were reserved (and woe betide you should you just park yourself down anyway and say “I’ll move as soon as they arrive”). Three ales on; Youngs Ordinary, Sambrooks Wandle and Stod Fold from Halifax, the latter of which was in decent shape (and not a pewter tankard in sight); a poor range given the riches listed in other reviews from a few short years ago. The Wild West bogs were of passing interest. I might go back at a quiet time but I wouldn’t be shouting this place as a destination beyond a quick gawp at the interior, it’s basically a restaurant in a nice building with a bar at the front.
On 21st April 2015
- rating: 6
[User has posted 5072 recommendations about 5055 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about The Fox & Anchor
This place as gone downhill in my view since my last visit a few years ago, still a good looking place as described previously but beerwise disappointing, six pumps with four beers available, Sambrookes Junction and Scrumdown plus Brains SA and Youngs Special, as I said disappointing.
On 1st April 2015
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1871 recommendations about 1844 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Fox & Anchor
A very attractive Youngs pub, with a host of historic features stretching from the bow window in the tiny façade, through the distinctly narrow bar with its impressive gantried counter, and reaching the compact Fox's Den at the rear. Very traditional furniture and decor, retaining some etched glazing in places and areas of fine decorative tiling both inside and out. Also operates as a boutique hotel with six bedrooms. Four of six handpumps in operation on my latest visit, with Ordinary and the 'house' The Foxes Christmas Ale (£4.15) on tap plus Sambrooks Junction and Redemption Hopspur available as guests. Well worth seeking out.
On 4th December 2014
- rating: 8
[User has posted 8086 recommendations about 8086 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Fox & Anchor
Some excellent reviews below of this narrow but oppulent Victorian pub,a fine example of it's type.The area immediately on entering does retain some pub atmosphere with glazed tiling and a flatscreen,Sky Sports News sensibly on mute during my quiet afternoon visit.Interesting muzak played at a sensible volume was another plus point.The use of mirrors in the wooden dividers does break up the interior .If you get a chance to investigate The Fox's Den at the rear between food services take the opportunity,it's charming with several small alcolves with just enough room for a single table.A classy place for a meal,if that's what you want.I thought for London the food pricing wasn't over the top,starters around £6.50,mains generally £16.The silver baron of beef trolly might set you back more.However a scotch egg for £6.80 is taking liberties,pork pies at £4.50 look better value.
I came on the strength of the six handpumps which on my trip were dispensing Sambrooks Wandle,Ilkley Joshua Jane,St Peter's Golden Ale,Stringers Yellow Lorry,a house brew from Pin Up Brewery and Pixie Spring Tidy Bitter,well kept but an unexciting brew at the exciting price of £2.20 for a half.
I wasn't as lucky as previous reviewers on the ale selection but the interior is justification on it's own to pay a visit.It's a bit of Olde England.
On 29th January 2014
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Fox & Anchor
I didn't have this one picked out when on our crawl around the area. It was Mrs Ale who spotted this pub when walking past. Glad she did, as this is a splendid example of a late Victorian pub, formerly a gin palace. The exterior is very opulent and so too is the lavish interior. Prices here are top end, but nevertheless standards are high in quality. There were six ales on hand pump, we went for the Magic Red Simpleton. A top end pub that has HP sauce on the table, proper job!
On 10th January 2014
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]