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Disappointment of the week with Mobyduck
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Detail Pages
Friend at Hand, WC1
WC1
WC1N 1HX
Pub Type
Taylor Walker (Spirit Pubs)Reviews (Current Rating Average: 5½ of 10) see review guidelines
Steve of N21 left this review about Friend at Hand
After the joy of finding the nearby Queens Larder now free from the hand of GK and independently run, I had a small hope of finding something similar here. Sadly not, and the average Taylor Walker run pub of my previous visit some nine years ago has been replaced with an average Green King run pub of today, which seemed to be focussing more on the food trade than wet sales.
One room space wrapped around the serving area it is all dark wood and Axminister carpet with plenty of light chandeliers and brass fittings that appeal to tourists and get copied by faux mock English pub designs around the world (Rose and Crown chain to be found in Japan, I’m thinking of you), its pleasant and comfortable enough, just nothing special.
On the ale front four pumps on the bar that had GK IPA and London Glory alongside Portobello Brewing It’s the Hope that Kills you with TT Landlord on the fourth with a dreaded coming soon clip draped over it. I went for the Portobello Brewing Pale Ale which, like the pub itself, was largely inoffensive but nothing special and just left you wishing for a bit more out of it.
On 13th October 2023
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2110 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Graham Coombs left this review about Friend at Hand
Tucked away in a side street behind the Principal Hotel, this pub seems to be geared to providing tourists with a 'London pub experience' and certainly attracts a lot of them. The one traditionally-furnished room has a slightly dark feel, being overshadowed by surrounding buildings, but is cheered up by various brass light fittings. Three large sports TVs are a bit out of place however. Being a Greene King pub it offered the usual Abbot and IPA but also a couple of guests in the shape of Vale Boom Boom and Truman Captain Lockwood, and condition seemed fine.
On 4th June 2019
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3339 recommendations about 3276 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
custodian 42 left this review about Friend at Hand
Haven't been in here for maybe thirty years or so, so have little recollection of the place. Cannot recommend it at all though. No ale to speak of, a nothing pub in all fairness.
On 25th October 2016
- rating: 3
[User has posted 1693 recommendations about 1691 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about Friend at Hand
Once The Hansom Carriage with a history going back to 1797; I don't know if the current structure is original or a rebuild, this is indeed a Taylor Walker's 'typical London pub in a box' kit. There's dark wood panelling, carpets, conventional pub furniture and food advertised by way of colour photos in frames - bless! Music is muted and there's a flashing games machine. Clients seemed to mainly be tourists who can't be expected to know any better, sweary geezers in suits and some locals.
Ales up: GK London Glory, 1 clip reversed and St. Austell's Tribute at £4.40 which was fine but this price is about the highest in the area in what resembles a cheap hotel bar. I won't be returning.
On 5th April 2016
- rating: 3
[User has posted 1983 recommendations about 1949 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Friend at Hand
Unremarkable sort of place (apart from a rather striking pub sign), looking like it has been decorated using Taylor Walker's 'typical London pub in a box' kit. On this visit, I found London Glory and Abbot from Greene King, Tribute (£4.35, less 10% Camra discount) and Old Rosie cider available from the four handpumps. Close to Russell Square tube station.
On 25th January 2016
- rating: 6
[User has posted 8086 recommendations about 8086 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about The Friend At Hand
Yes will concur with others that the Friend at Hand is a fairly typical one L shaped room Taylor Walker house, but it is very convenient traditional pub offering when alighting from Russell Square.
Not a bad ambience on this early Friday evening before Christmas and the four hand pumps on the bar were dispensing GK IPA , London Pride, St Austell Tribute and Old Rosie Cider, and the Tribute was decent enough.
In summary nothing outstanding but nice enough. Although with much better pub offerings in the direction of Holborn I think I will be leaving this one to the tourists staying in the nearby hotels in future.
On 23rd December 2014
- rating: 5
[User has posted 2110 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Friend At Hand
A choice of two ales on this visit, London Pride and Tribute. I have to say that their ales were in great shape. The pub gets very busy of an evening with tourists looking for that English pub experience. The pub is well kept and is ok for a quick pint.
On 5th January 2014
- rating: 5
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Friend At Hand
A rather typical Taylor Walker house in an area full of tourist hotels.It's a modest sized single room with wooden floor and some quarry tiles near the bar.There is a dado rail and small fireplace but the coal affect gas fire and flock wall paper speak of an insensitive refurb while the muzak and prominent flat screen destroy any genuine ambiance.The wooden furniture is a mix of trad and high tables,there is little of note in terms of interesting decor.
The food shows all the tell tale signs of foodservice,my pie was mainly crust with little filling and the mash was suspicious in it's manufactured smoothness.The pricing of the food was at a slight premium given the tourist trap location.
There were three handpumps serving London Pride,CW Bombardier and "Solebay" Santa's Spirit,contract brewed for TW by Adnams in decent shape.The one saving grace for this pub was the very friendly welcome from the staff,but given the lacklustre ale choice normally available in TW houses ,I would have to be fairly desperate to consider a return visit.
On 28th December 2012
- rating: 5
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about The Friend At Hand
By the numbers taylor walker pub tucked away on a side street. 3 real ales and food served.
On 5th June 2012
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2883 recommendations about 2820 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Friend At Hand
This is now a Taylor Walker branded pub. It’s like most of the brand with the usual mix of tall tables/stools and normal tables and chairs all crammed into a single room pub; the usual pub grub pubco menu; fruit machines and flatscreen TVs (but muted and showing one of Sunday’s La Liga games.
The beer choice is average at best – Old Golden Hen, Young’s London Gold, and with London Pride “conditioning”. But the beer’s no doubt better than when I remember it as a Watney’s pub many years ago. This is a very average TW pub, which seems to cater for the tourist food trade by look of it when I visited on Monday lunchtime. I don’t think that this pub is worth seeking out, but, like so many London pubs, it provides a service and I’m glad it’s there for anyone in need of a pint who happens to be in the area.
On 10th November 2011
- rating: 4
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]