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Detail Pages
The Lamb, Bloomsbury, WC1
WC1
WC1N 3LZ
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Nick Davies left this review about The Lamb
Now on the up after a wobbly patch around twelve months ago, indeed it's now getting far busier than then, so they're doing it right. A fine and fast changing selection of beers as well as the Young's standards are offered. Examples from Porterhouse, Purity and Sambrook's amongst others the other day, all different from a visit a few days earlier. Architecturally it is a classic, and would be worth visiting even if it was keg only. Young's management cannon be trusted an inch with their tied estate and there are doubtless designs waiting in their CAD system to wreck it completely. Hopefully it is listed enough by the authorities, and cherished enough by pubgoers to put a stop to any such nonsense.
On 18th November 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 567 recommendations about 559 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Danny O'Revey left this review about The Lamb
Interesting old pub, with split level rear, around a central bar. Nice wood on the walls and lots of old fashioned portraits and pictures. Tartan carpet, window cill seating at the front and padded bences around. Altogether a really nice feel and has 6 well kept real ales, including Sambrooks.
On 31st January 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1456 recommendations about 1434 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
BobOs . left this review about The Lamb
The Lamb, a beautifully preserved and important Grade II listed Victorian pub still has the etched glass snob screens in place above the bar (see my photos above) and where the bar is curved, the snob screens actually have curved etched glass panels. These are set at around head height, and can be swivelled in order to allow drinkers to maintain a degree of anonymity. They are set above a narrow etched glass screen with a small clearance below. To the rear of the pub, where the original partitioning is still evident, are fine examples of etched glass and smart leather banquettes line walls on either side of the pub. Good welcome and efficient service (although this was early afternoon and there was only one other customer). Good range of ales, which were very well kept. Part of my "Victorian Splendour" crawl - see link below.
On 28th September 2011
- rating: 8
[User has posted 370 recommendations about 355 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Lamb
Well worth seeking out, popped in on a Sunday eve and was surprised how busy it was, seemed to be a lot of regulars, which is good. One barmaid serving and really handled the place. Youngs London Gold very good.
On 6th August 2011
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about The Lamb
This is a lovely, well preserved Victorian pub with a central servery which has two sections of etched glass snob screens along the bar counter. There’s a lot of etched glass at the rear of the pub, where the original partitioning is still evident as well. Some smart leather banquettes line walls on either side of the pub, with a few standard tables and chairs at the front and back.
The place was packed when I visited on a Friday evening and sadly, this was reflected in the time it took me to get served by the very casual staff. This is a Young's house, so Ordinary, London Gold and Winter Warmer (£3.30) were available, as well as Courage Directors. Two pumps had turned clips, one of which appeared to have been a guest ale. My pint of Winter Warmer was lovely, but the person next to me at the bar ordered a pint of London Gold and I was shocked to see the barman pick up the slops tray, fill an empty glass from it, and hand the resultant pint over to the unsuspecting punter. This is shocking to see in a pub with a reputation for good beer and the same barman did little to endear himself to me later in the evening, when he was incredibly rude when trying to get past me in the crowd.
I'd certainly recommend a visit to this pub, but perhaps when it is a little less crowded. Just make sure you keep an eye on where your beer is coming from.
On 18th December 2010
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Lamb
This is a traditional Young’s house that I have been using since the early 1970s. It was one of the few places that you could find real ale in those days. Perhaps more importantly, it has probably the best preserved set of original Victorian snob screens that I have seen in London. These are set at around head height, and can be swivelled in order to allow drinkers to maintain at least a degree of anonymity. This caused the Victorians some concern as they thought that those using the snugs – who could well be members of both sexes – would use the snob screens to hide their untoward activities. Whatever were they like, these Victorians? Anyway, The Lamb these days is of course the model of propriety, and thankfully has not been the victim of one of the Young’s makeovers we’ve seen elsewhere. The seating is mainly comfortable green upholstered banquettes, plus normal tables and chairs, and it is carpeted throughout. There are no one armed bandits or the like, and there was no piped music when I was in there in the early afternoon. This a real hidden gem (not that it is very well hidden), that is definitely worth seeking out.
On 25th February 2010
- rating: 9
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about The Lamb
Worth a visit especially for the rather splendid interior, especially the island bar with the etched glass reversible screens. The seating either side of the bar has seemingly hundreds of old actor/actress portraits. Otherwise there is wood panelling to the walls, red boarded ceiling, cushioned bench seating. The rear area is set at a slightly lower level. A door leads out to a tiny rear courtyard.
There was an impressive (for Youngs) guest range, with Titanic Iceberg, St Austell Tribute and Deuchers IPA supplementing the Ordinary, Special and Bombardier.
One minor grumble again noted by others was that only one person was serving leading to a bit of a queue building up.
One can only hope that The Lamb will remain untouched by The Wells/Youngs interior design team. A must visit and beautifully preserved London pub.
On 4th February 2010
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1708 recommendations about 1681 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about The Lamb
I found the staff here to be very friendly and the Deuchars and Ordinary were very good. Directors, Bombardier and Special were also available alongside Heineken, Fosters, Kronenburg and Guinness.
The walls are adorned with old sepia photos and there is a polyphone in the corner of the pub that can be heard with a small donation to charity. The actual bar is pretty big for the pub, but I liked the layout. There is no seating outside, but there is a shelf running along the outside of the pub that you can put your beer on.
I liked it in here and will go back again.
On 7th April 2009
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5249 recommendations about 5217 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
matt england left this review about The Lamb
Wonderful victorian pub with cut glass, swivelling'snob-screens' at the bar. A rarity these days. Very popular.
On 18th February 2008
- rating: 10
[User has posted 61 recommendations about 61 pubs]