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Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat
on the Pub Forum
Image posted by Graham Coombs
Submitted on Tuesday, 28th September 2021
With picture contributions to 5503 other pubs
View all this pub's pictures (14 more images)
Requested be closed with reason - Other: Closed by M&B in September 2022, future uncertain.
Detail Pages
The Bolton, Earls Court, SW5
SW5
SW5 9BQ
Reviews of The Bolton (Average Rating: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blue Scrumpy left this review about The Bolton
I remember coming to this venue many years ago, when it was an O'Neill's. Now this landmark Victorian pub is some kind of continental craft beer bar. Indeed, a job vacancy posted in the window offered the opportunity to work at West London's best craft beer bar! I wouldn't quite go that far.
Inside is very dark, with plenty of dark wood and items such as pot plants scattered around. The bar is long and has a bank of 5 handpulls (if I recall correctly), with none of them clipped.
Craft beers on included Camden Pale, Beavertown Neck Oil, Pohjala Peel & Bean, De Ranke 21 Hop Harvest, Tiny Rebel Stay Puft, Lervig Jule Bock, Ultije Bird of Prey IPA, Fu*k the Caravan Is On Fire, Pineapple Weizen & Citrus Blonde Ale. Brouwerid Emelisse Smoked Rye IPA, La Trappe Trappist, Trappist Dubbel & Puur & St Bernardus Christmas Ale.
I chose the Peel & Bean, which at £5+ for a half was enjoyable, but not quite worth the price tag.
Toilets are upstairs. I quite liked the display of Dutch beer cans on the walls in the gents' WC. There was also another bar upstairs, which I didn't explore.
I'm sure this bar will appeal to some craft beer afficionados, but it wasn't really for me.
On 17th December 2021
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3040 recommendations about 3038 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about The Bolton
Dating from 1892, this must have been something of a gin palace, judging by some of the remaining etched glass and richly detailed ceiling, along with some of the most impressive structural columns I’ve ever seen; however, I didn’t see any sign of the ‘impressive restoration’ experienced by the previous reviewer.
The interior is spacious certainly, with mixed furniture; a snug of sorts with a log burning stove is to the rear. The bar back is partially impressive, but has been punctuated with the addition of glazed tiles. The bar front is also fine, with what seems to be a bar apron of Minton-style encaustic tiles. Although the ground floor was sparsely occupied, there’s an upstairs Dutch bar, which seemed to be doing a roaring trade.
Three unused pumps looked rather forlorn, then just Ghost Ship and Sussex Best at £2.65 a half and rather good.
This isn’t a bad pub, one of the best in this slightly dreary area; worth a visit if in the vicinity, but not worth any further effort.
On 2nd December 2021
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2209 recommendations about 2166 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Graham Coombs left this review about The Bolton
Splendid restoration of a large Victorian pub, quite heavy on the dark woodwork and making good use of old features such as the iron columns supporting the high ceiling. An interesting side area at the back can be curtained off from the main room. The impressive bar has a few handpumps, on this visit serving Harveys Best and Adnams Bitter, but also a selection of craft on keg/keykeg including a number from the Uiltje Brewery in the Netherlands. The Dutch theme is continued in the equally splendid upstairs bar, open at weekends and for regular special events, with a large and superb selection of Dutch and other European beers (Thursday is beer tasting night). Other events include a weekly quiz (Monday) and comedy night (Wednesday). Much improved over its relatively recent past and now well worth a visit for the serious beer drinker despite its limited real ales.
On 27th September 2021
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3641 recommendations about 3576 pubs]
View more reviews of The Bolton (9)
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- Official site of The Bolton - www.theboltonearlscourt.co.uk
- CAMRA WhatPub :: The Bolton - whatpub.com
Kensington (Olympia), 1.21 miles, 23 min walk (show)
Imperial Wharf, 1.31 miles, 25 min walk (show)
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 27 September 2021 by Graham Coombs
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 27 September 2021 by Graham Coombs
- Beer Festivals : No last updated 02 December 2021 by Tris C
- Beer Garden : No last updated 02 December 2021 by Tris C
- Car Park : No last updated 27 September 2021 by Graham Coombs
- Darts : No last updated 27 September 2021 by Graham Coombs
- Dog Friendly : Yes last updated 27 September 2021 by Graham Coombs
- Function Room : Yes last updated 27 September 2021 by Graham Coombs
- Hot Food : Yes - Dutch. - last updated 02 December 2021 by Tris C
- Jukebox : No last updated 27 September 2021 by Graham Coombs
- Karaoke : No last updated 27 September 2021 by Graham Coombs
- Live Music : No last updated 02 December 2021 by Tris C
- Live TV Sports : No last updated 02 December 2021 by Tris C
- Micropub : No last updated 27 September 2021 by Graham Coombs
- Pinball : No last updated 27 September 2021 by Graham Coombs
- Pool Table : No last updated 27 September 2021 by Graham Coombs
- Quiz Night : No last updated 02 December 2021 by Tris C
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 02 December 2021 by Tris C
- Real Cider : No last updated 27 September 2021 by Graham Coombs
- Wheelchair Access : Yes - Disabled WC. - last updated 02 December 2021 by Tris C
- WiFi : Yes last updated 27 September 2021 by Graham Coombs
