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Beer of the Week (w/e 5th May 2024) with aleandhearty
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Detail Pages
St Stephens Tavern, Westminster, SW1
SW1
SW1A 2JR
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about St Stephens Tavern
This is a popular bolt hole for me, when I am in town over the weekend, away from the madding crowds of Westminster Embankment.
As others have commented, a proper pub interior not fallen foul of ‘Ye Olde tweed’ for the tourists and the beer and food are usually quite reliable, as it was again last weekend.
Not the biggest pub and it doesn’t take a lot for it to be standing room only. But the room upstairs is a quieter spot if you can bag one of the comfortable green leather booth seats.
Three H&W Beers on and the Badger and Tanglefoot were well kept as usual.
On 26th September 2011
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2129 recommendations about 2004 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about St Stephens Tavern
A Hall & Woodhouse (aka Badger) owned house which was refurbished and reopened in 2003. Whilst looking massive on approach the interior (divided into two bars) is actually quite small and decked out in lovely High Victoriana furnishings. There is also apparently an upper level, though the place is usually so packed on my visits I am grateful simply to locate a small table with a seat. Pretty much literally a stones throw from the Houses of Parliament (Big Ben end), it has its own division bell and is often chock full of tourists and political wonks. The ale usually consists of three Badger brews in good condition. Staff seem above average for the area in terms of customer service.
A worthwhile visit though be prepared for the crowds at peak times.
On 23rd June 2011
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5125 recommendations about 5108 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Chris 87 left this review about St Stephens Tavern
Atmospheric Hall & Woodhouse pub which was the last stop on our saturday afternoon pub crawl. I have developed quite a liking for Badger beers and pints of Bitter and Pickled Patridge did not disappoint. It remains architecturally a fine example of its type and, in terms of pubs near Parliament, I would say rates higher than the Red Lion around the corner. Predictably, it is busy and none too cheap, but certainly ranks as one of, if not the best, in the area.
On 12th December 2010
- rating: 7
[User has posted 179 recommendations about 179 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Danny O'Revey left this review about St Stephens Tavern
I didn't know what to expect of this on, being right opposite Big Ben and Parliament Square, but was glad to find there was no 'ye olde' or garish tat about it. Certainly there were tourists inside, me being one, but they don't seem to play to that market at all, more its a lovely upmarket pub that you could almost miss walking down the street.
Its on 2 levels and very well looked after, not large downstairs & the bar seems to take up a lot of space due to the shape of the pub, there is a quieter upstairs with leather seats.
Slightly pricey as you may expect, the beer (Badger) is good and its in the Good Beer Guide.
Well worth a visit.
On 20th May 2010
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1456 recommendations about 1434 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about St Stephens Tavern
I was lucky enough to wander into here just as a large group of tourists were leaving so there was plenty of space in both of the small downstairs bars. The range of badger ales was ok and Peroni, HB and HB export, Guinness and Dry Blackthorn cider were also available from the cheerful barmaid. If memory serves me correctly there was a little background music, but there were no TVs or other distractions.
I don't think that this place really stands out from many of the boozers in the immediate environs, although I would take no issue with popping back in if passing.
On 24th March 2009
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5268 recommendations about 5236 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Philip Carter left this review about St Stephens Tavern
A pub right opposite the Houses of Parliament. Popular with tourists. Has a balcony seating area. Real ale on sale, Tanglefoot, Badger & Pickled Partridge.
On 10th January 2009
- rating: 6
[User has posted 757 recommendations about 720 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about St Stephens Tavern
This pub contains some of the most interesting original Victorian features around (notably the bar back), but it’s just too full of tourists for my liking. Not surprising considering its proximity to the St Stephen’s Tower end of the Houses of Parliament. I’ve nothing against tourists, but I prefer a slightly less crowded pub. Definitely worth seeking out for the excellent interior, but I do not think that I would make it one of my regular haunts. Hall and Woodhouse (essentially Badger) ales, which were fine on my recent visit.
On 16th July 2008
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]