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The Mad Bishop & Bear, Paddington, W2
Paddington Station
W2
W2 1HB
Pub Type
Fuller'sReviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about The Mad Bishop & Bear
Located on the upper level of the shopping centre attached to Paddington station, this is a smart, spacious Fuller’s pub, doing its best to improve the reputation of station bars across the capital. A couple of escalators lead you from the Paddington Bear statue to the pub entrance, which is surrounded by several tables and chairs overlooking the shops and station below. Once past these, you enter into a large split level room with the space broken up by a row of mirrored pillars running through the middle of the room, and the servery on the rear wall. The flooring is predominantly bare floorboards but there is a pleasant tiled mid section which breaks things up nicely. Most of the seating in this main bar area is high stools around high tables and drinking ledges on the pillars. The decor comprises wooden panels and fixtures, white painted walls with some fancy wallpapered sections and a massive chandelier in the centre of the room which acts as a bit of a focal point. There are loads of TV screens showing news channels whilst music plays over the sound system, and train departure boards are suspended above the front doors. To the left of the room is a raised carpeted dining room style area with standard tables and chairs and muted lighting, which was the quietest part of the pub on a busy Friday afternoon visit. Suitcases are dotted around all corners of the pub, mostly on high shelves and there was a Fuller’s gift shop behind the bar where you can buy all kinds of tat stamped with the Fuller’s logo, including a dartboard, of all things.
You can also buy Fuller’s beers, which seems a better investment, with London Pride, EBS, HSB and Chiswick all available (Discovery was just off), whilst the range was broadened by Osset Yorkshire Blonde and St Austell Tribute. The Honeydew was flying out of the keg taps whilst I was at the bar and the staff were doing their best to promote a new Fuller’s lager, the name of which I forget. I was gasping for a drink when I arrived here and was disappointed to find that my HSB tasted a bit odd – maybe the end of the barrel.
This was my first time in this place and once again Fuller’s have demonstrated that it is possible to operate a pleasant bar from a major London station. Not quite up there with the Parcel Yard at Kings Cross or the Doric Arch in Euston in my opinion, but not too far behind and certainly worth a look when passing through Paddington.
On 18th June 2013
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
an_ ecumenical_matter left this review about The Mad Bishop & Bear
Has had a hosing and is quite tidy now. But at £3.60 for Pride they can afford to tidy it up !!!
On 17th January 2012
- rating: 6
[User has posted 39 recommendations about 38 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about The Mad Bishop & Bear
Located up the escalators from the platforms & shops. Extensive range of fullers beers & 2 guests(arkells & st austell on my visit) make this one of the better train station pubs. Before 10am alcohol can only be served with meals. Train departure boards in the pub.
On 7th December 2011
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2883 recommendations about 2820 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Mad Bishop & Bear
Situated up two escalator rides from the concourse to the platforms and within a "retail" area of the station,this is a bit more upmarket than many station boozers,and this is reflected in the clientele,many of whom come here for the food.On the higher terrace to the left of the walkways into the pub is an area where there is table service,but the screen tuned to daytime TV seemed out of place in this location.
As noted there was a supply problem with their real ale and only three were offered.My second pint of ESB benefitted by being correctly poured by the more experienced barmaid.
The interior is all a little contrived but I would use it again if faced with a wait for a train to the West country.
On 1st December 2011
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2730 recommendations about 2730 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Thuck Phat left this review about The Mad Bishop & Bear
I agree with the previous reviews that as station boozers go, this is a good one. Were it not for the open doorways onto the concourse you could easily forget that you were in a station and I have used it simply as a boozer.
It's a large, open single roomed space with a small raised area to the left with carpets and booths where table service can be had if you wait to be seated. The main room is all wood floors and a mixture of standard height and tall tables and chairs.
The long and impressive bar runs across the back and had on Fullers Discovery, ESB and Adnams Broadside. The other two pumps with Pride and Chiswick clips on were covered by a notice saying that a busy weekend had led to them running out of beer with a delivery expected tomorrow - Wednesday.
There's a comprehensive menu which includes breakfast options as well as sandwiches and larger meals. Prawn and crab cake was edible but I won't be rushing back for the food.
The pub opens at 8 each morning, except Sunday when it's 10, and a beer can be had before 10 as long as it's accompanied by a full breakfast.
I'd return for a beer if in the area.
On 1st December 2011
- rating: 7
[User has posted 679 recommendations about 678 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about The Mad Bishop & Bear
Situated above the main station opposite the platforms and up a couple of levels. As station bars go, this is pretty good. Fullers beers, a good range on plus St Austell Tribute and Brain's Reverend James. Lots of polished wood, railway themed photos and travel advertisements from the golden age of railways. Several TVs on muted with low key background music playing.
Mostly wooden floored, a small raised area with seating booths being carpeted.
The unusual pub name is derived from two local stories, "the Mad Bishop" was the churchman in control of the land who sold it all off very cheaply to the railway companies leaving the smallholders in the area high and dry, and the "Bear" is a small children's figure from Peru with a liking for marmalade sandwiches.
Open for breakfast from 8am, alcohol served with plated meals, otherwise from 10am. Otherwise food specials on table menus and chalkboards.
There is a train departures board in the pub, useful for keeping you updated and hopefully avoiding missed trains.
On 23rd November 2010
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1708 recommendations about 1681 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Michael Boyes left this review about The Mad Bishop & Bear
A great Fullers pub hidden away at the top of the Upper level of Paddington station. Good selection of Fullers ales. The pub also has a number of Tv's plus a train departure board. Well worth a visit. Food is served all day.
On 1st September 2010
- rating: 6
[User has posted 55 recommendations about 55 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
an_ ecumenical_matter left this review about The Mad Bishop & Bear
Great Fullers beers but rancid run down bogs.
On 10th January 2010
- rating: 5
[User has posted 39 recommendations about 38 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Danny O'Revey left this review about The Mad Bishop & Bear
In the upper reaches of Paddington station, the reviews below cover it well, it has the feel of a typical station pub, lots of wood panaelling, wood seating, but there are some sofas around and booth areas.
Its comfortable and has the full range of well kept Fullers/Gales beers, including bottles
On 13th November 2009
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1456 recommendations about 1434 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john mcgraw left this review about The Mad Bishop & Bear
Fairly large and comfortable station pub selling the full range of excellent Fullers beers, a great place to miss a train in. Opens early for a very good and reasonably priced breakfast
On 14th March 2007
- rating: 10
[User has posted 2044 recommendations about 2025 pubs]