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Brewmaster, WC2

37 Cranbourn Street
WC2
WC2H 7AD
Phone: 02078361038

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Pub Type

Greene King

Reviews (Current Rating Average: of 10) Add Review see review guidelines


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Tris C left this review about Brewmaster

This was licenced in the mid-19th century as the Swiss Stores, before being rebuilt as part of Leicester Square tube in the 1930s, by esteemed architect Charles Holden, responsible for some of London’s fine Art Deco tube stations, 55 Broadway and Senate House. Until Greene King’s acquisition around 2015, there was the famous ‘dancing pirate’ kitsch illumination to the first and second floors, which was something of a landmark, especially when lit at night; what ever happened to it? This may have something to do with GK’s makeover. I last came here in the late ‘80s but the place has now been completely hipsterfied, with a white tiled fascia and glass office doors, hinting at what lies in store.
The floor is modern boarded with tiles to the bar, the walls being either smoky blue, white tiled or planked. The planking theme continues to the bar front, with the pub’s name applied to it in large white distressed letters. There are more building site motifs in the form of the gantry, which is made from small gauge scaffolding with more planking. The large structural columns are, from the floor up, clad with grey painted matchboard, then large swathes of slightly beaten copper sheeting. Furniture is tall, comprising slightly industrial metal topped tables with very uncomfortable pressed metal stools; lighting takes the form of filament bulbs in caged holders. Music was barely audible, for once and an ugly games machine flashed in the corner. Décor is at least original, in that it’s beer mats housed in glass fronted wooden box frames, affixed to the walls; no indication of course of what’s available at the bar. Customers seemed transient, probably a mix of tourists and theatregoers, mainly young.
Ales: GK IPA, Abbot with my Neck Oil running in at £3.30 a half.
This place once had a soupçon of originality about it, but it’s a below average place, with an interior I’d expect to find in Shoreditch; I can’t think of any real reason to return.

Rated 3.5.

On 19th October 2021 - rating: 3
[User has posted 1956 recommendations about 1923 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Graham Coombs left this review about Brewmaster

Located on a busy junction next to Leicester Square station, this has a somewhat empty feel with polished wood and tile floors and high stools/tables round the edge, perhaps geared up for busy standing times. There is also an upstairs bar and dining room, while there are a few tables outside in a passageway. Beers from Greene King with guests, at time of visit including Abbot, IPA, London Glory and a house-badged beer.

On 17th March 2019 - rating: 6
[User has posted 3322 recommendations about 3259 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Brewmaster

Run-of-the-mill central London pub, with limited seating in the main bar but rather more tables available on the first-floor which is mostly a dining room. Also has a few patio tables out on the pavements to front and rear. As a Greene King house, you will usually find the 'house' Brewmstr and IPA available, supplemented by London Glory and the Radio X Amplified collaboration (£4.70) on this visit, from a total of four handpumps at ground-floor level and two more upstairs.

On 30th July 2017 - rating: 6
[User has posted 8066 recommendations about 8066 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


custodian 42 left this review about Brewmaster

This place was very hot for some reason and as I couldn't get a seat I was well pleased to get out. I also can't remember what I had to drink as my dictaphone had packed up without me realising, but I won't be returning.

On 9th February 2017 - rating: 4
[User has posted 1693 recommendations about 1691 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


BobOs . left this review about Brewmaster

Below average city pub, beer below average, food below average, staff way below average. OK for a quick pint if everywhere else is full, but you wouldn't want to have a session there.

On 16th July 2011 - rating: 4
[User has posted 370 recommendations about 355 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Steve C left this review about Brewmaster

Greene King IPA and Old Speckled Hen were available during my visit along with a selection of standard lagers. The staff were ok, but the background music left a lot to be desired. There is seating in the alley out the back and there is an upstairs bar that was closed at 10 which was wafting a pungent smell of polish around the rest of the pub. Maybe more effort should have been used to clean the toilets.

I'll not be returning here in a hurry.

On 29th April 2009 - rating: 5
[User has posted 5179 recommendations about 5148 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Rex Rattus left this review about Brewmaster

This is a typical West End pub, appearing soulless and uninspiring. The real ales on were GKIPA (at £3 per pint) and Old Speckled Hen. The furniture has seen better days; the surface of the table at which I sat looked to be caked in assorted detritus. But it serves a purpose I suppose, as I have heard that others reckon that the food is OK. There are better pubs within a short stroll, but I have been to worse. So, hardly worth going out your way to visit, but if you do happen to find yourself in here you will at least get a pint of a GK ale at the sort of price that is now the going rate for London.

On 11th April 2009 - rating: 3
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]