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Disappointment of the week with Tris39 on the Pub Forum

Picture of The Portman
Image posted by paulof horsham
Submitted on Sunday, 15th March 2020
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The Portman, W1

51 Upper Berkeley Street
W1
W1H 7QW
Phone: 02077238996
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Reviews of The Portman (Average Rating: 6 of 10) Add Review see review guidelines

Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Tris C left this review about The Portman

Yet again, a place dating from the late 18th century, rebuilt around 100 years later, this was the Mason’s Arms until the current name arrived in 2010.
This place is hugely different from the neighbouring Carpenter’s and Beehive, in that as it’s very food orientated, most people were munching the mainstay that is the burger, at rather modern tables. The floor is narrow boarded with an island bar, with roundel panels being quite ornate; the pot shelf is a modern metal wire gantry affair. Walls are mushroom coloured, much covered with large framed modern art prints; lighting comes from Victorian-style sconces, music played at a moderate level.
The staff weren’t that accommodating – on entry, a barmaid emerged from behind the bar to direct me to a table, but agreed that I could just have a drink; in fact, some other customers were just drinking, on the other side of the bar. Two pumps were off, the other two being recently revived Allsopp’s Pale or IPA at £2.60 a half and rather nice it was too; I wonder if Kirsty gets a royalty?
This won’t appeal to the hardened traditionalist, but compared to the social hell at the Carpenter’s and Beehive, this was an oasis of calm, serving up a decent ale; I know where I’d prefer to drink if in the immediate vicinity.

On 22nd October 2021 - rating: 5
[User has posted 1983 recommendations about 1949 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


custodian 42 left this review about The Portman

Corner pub with the bar in the middle. Four real ales but nothing above 4.5% ABV.

On 28th February 2018 - rating: 4
[User has posted 1693 recommendations about 1691 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Malden man left this review about The Portman

I admit to being a bit confused at first as I expected to find The Mason's Arms here, I was unaware of the name change. It felt vaguely familiar on entering then the penny dropped. Most of the ground floor bar area is taken up by the central island, there are a few regular tables plus a pair of drinking shelves. Boarded flooring, large metal framed windows with semi-circular tilt opening top lights, white Lincrusta type ceiling with fans, papers in a rack, arty prints, a framed map of the area. TVs were showing muted BBC news with subtitles.
Rather foody now with a fancy menu, terrine of foie gras, chicken mousse, black pudding and toasted sourdough.....what the hell is that about? Braised rabbit ragout pappardelle, tomato and parmesan, £15.95. Plenty were eating it, I wouldn't know where to start.
The beer selection has possibly improved from H&W, two handpumps either side of the bar, St Austell Proper Job, Landlord, Marlow Rebellion Blonde and Charles Wells/Dogfish DNA. My Proper Job came in a fluted glass.
Certainly not the pub it was, but the beer choice has for me improved. I never have ventured upstairs btw so I don't know what else there is.

On 25th May 2015 - rating: 6
[User has posted 1707 recommendations about 1681 pubs]


View more reviews of The Portman (9)
This pub features in the following crawls:
London W1 Crawl, 26/03/16 by Komakino .
External web links for The Portman

No known official website for this pub.

Pub location see interactive map of local area
Map location corrected by Steve C
London Marylebone, 0.58 miles, 11 min walk (show)
London Paddington, 1.04 miles, 19 min walk (show)
London Euston, 1.89 miles, 36 min walk (show)
Latest updates View all updates for The Portman, W1
3rd Jul 2022, 15:01
Review submitted by Steve C deleted by Steve C
 
22nd Oct 2021, 19:41
Review submitted by Tris C

Pub Details

Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.

  • Accommodation : No last updated 22 October 2021 by Tris C
  • Bar Billiards : No last updated 22 October 2021 by Tris C
  • Beer Festivals : No last updated 22 October 2021 by Tris C
  • Beer Garden : No last updated 22 October 2021 by Tris C
  • Car Park : No last updated 15 March 2020 by paulof horsham
  • Darts : No last updated 22 October 2021 by Tris C
  • Hot Food : Yes last updated 29 July 2013 by Dave McNally
  • Jukebox : No last updated 22 October 2021 by Tris C
  • Karaoke : No last updated 22 October 2021 by Tris C
  • Live Music : No last updated 22 October 2021 by Tris C
  • Micropub : No last updated 15 March 2020 by paulof horsham
  • Pinball : No last updated 22 October 2021 by Tris C
  • Pool Table : No last updated 22 October 2021 by Tris C
  • Quiz Night : No last updated 22 October 2021 by Tris C
  • Real Ale : Yes last updated 05 June 2007 by hondo .
  • Real Cider : No last updated 22 October 2021 by Tris C
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