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Detail Pages
Lower Red Lion, St Albans Central, St. Albans
St. Albans
AL3 4RX
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about Lower Red Lion
A very pleasing interior in this old building which is part of a residential terrace.The two sided bar serves two distinct rooms and it is worth inspecting handpumps in both rooms to see the full range which on my trip was Dark Star Hophead,Tring Pale+Four,Kotuku,XT 15 and Haresfoot Sundial Golden Ale.I enjoyed my brief crawl visit and wouldn't hesitate from returning for a long visit next time in the city.
On 19th July 2015
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2736 recommendations about 2736 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john gray left this review about Lower Red Lion
Nice traditional low ceiling pub.Two bars with original features.Large rear garden but a bit sparten.Six beers on inc Tring,Animal and a good pint of Darkstar -Redhead for me
On 13th July 2015
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1023 recommendations about 1009 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Paris Hilton left this review about Lower Red Lion
Traditonal and historic town centre pub in the old part of town. Visited on a Friday lunchtime in August and it was very quiet (although it was chucking it down with rain!!).
The central bar had 5 real ales available - two from Oakham (Endless Summer and JHB), Rev James, the usual Doom Bar and one other (possibly London Pride). The Endless summer was fine.
Above average.
I too would include in a st Albans crawl; however don't order a hot chocolate if you are a driver.
On 30th August 2011
- rating: 6
[User has posted 78 recommendations about 62 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
John Bonser left this review about Lower Red Lion
Visited in May 2010
Another fine St Albans pub this, situated in the conservation area of the city close to the school and the cathedral. It's a 17th century coaching inn which still provides accommodation.
There's two comfortable bars either side of a central entrance featuring blackened beams, horse brasses, exposed brickwork and some old pictures of the pub in days long gone.
There's no music or TV's and a quiet traditional atmosphere.
On my Saturday afternoon visit, the pub was noticeably quiet compared with previous pubs visited earlier on in the day.
Beers on included Oakham JHB and 2 beers from Sharps. The JHB - £ 2.80p - was in good form. This pub has not been in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide for several years now.
On the basis of my visit, I'd want to include this one in any St Albans crawl.
On 21st October 2010
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 560 recommendations about 560 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
I L left this review about Lower Red Lion
A long time favourite multiple roomed low ceiling pub of ours with a good range of ales despite the previous landlord moving on to another pub in the town. Very friendly staff here. No mention as to. Whether they still hold a couple of beer festivals here . rest of our views is as reviews by Malden Man below.
On 6th October 2010
- rating: 9
[User has posted 287 recommendations about 284 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about Lower Red Lion
Two rooms either side of the central bar. Of the two, the Alban Bar is the larger, and is to the right of the entrance. The Ver Bar to the left was empty on my visit and felt rather lacking in something. The Alban Bar has a few old exposed timbers, and a slight one step change in levels. The presence of two fireplaces in here suggests to me that this area was once further divided. The larger inglenook fireplace now has a smaller central grate and is decorated with a few brasses, copper kettles etc. The windows are leaded and have the rampant red lion inset. Red patterned carpet and red seats throughout. There are various pictures of the pub through the years displayed on the walls.
A friendly and genuine welcome was received from the landlady who offered tasters of the beer selection. Red Squirrel Conservation Bitter, and West Coast Stout, Oakham JHB, Sharp's Doom Bar, and Westgate(GK) Sun Dance were on, Oxfordshire Ales Summer Lovin' had just gone. The beer pumps are all on the Ver Bar side but helpfully are double clipped so as to also face into the Alban Bar. Clips are therefore turned sideways to denote a beer is off. An additional two pumps on the other side of the bar were dispensing Weston's Raspberry Cider Twist and Old Rosie. There is a large grassy garden to the rear. Accommodation available.
On 15th August 2010
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1708 recommendations about 1681 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
train man left this review about Lower Red Lion
Lovely pub with friendly helpful bar staff and great selection of real ales, maybe 7/8(?) when I visited on Sat, but are they stocking too many without adequate through-pull? The two we sampled were not crystal clear and, while not quite rejectable, did not taste as clean as one might expect in what is obviously a beer haven. Sadly, I was a little disappointed this time.
On 9th April 2007
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 412 recommendations about 411 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john mcgraw left this review about Lower Red Lion
This is a really nice two bar pub in a very ancient part of the city not far from the abbey. Very pleasant staff and locals. Up to 8 real ales on tap plus one real cider. This pub is a must for the real ale fan.
On 14th March 2007
- rating: 10
[User has posted 2044 recommendations about 2025 pubs]