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Detail Pages
The Barley Mow, Mayfair, W1
W1
W1K 6JF
Pub Type
Taylor Walker (Spirit Pubs)Reviews (Current Rating Average: 5½ of 10) see review guidelines
Tris C left this review about The Barley Mow
This is an early 19th century pub, rebuilt in 1896 with an intriguing history given on What?ub, the place now liberated from Greene King and operated by Cubitt House.
There are some very attractive residual etched glass picture windows, giving way to an interior with a herringbone floor, fine coffered ceiling with ornate cornice, convincing bar back – with a few obligatory ceramic white tile punctuations – then a lovely black marble bar top above a fine bar front. The walls are black/slate grey and furniture is conventional. There’s a moderately impressive staircase leading up to a restaurant/first floor bar, the whole patronised by local office workers, with quite a few in for a Tuesday and perhaps a more lively atmosphere come Wednesdays and Thursdays when there’s live music.
The two cask options were London’s London Lush then Allsopp’s IPA at £3.45 a half and very nice too, served by a friendly barman.
There isn’t much to write home about in Mayfair, but this is one of the better offerings and I would have been happy to stay for at least a couple of pints; I wish I'd come here after visiting awful Bonds.
On 13th April 2024
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1985 recommendations about 1951 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Barley Mow
Quite a nice-looking pub from the outside, with attractively-shaped windows. Inside, the main bar is a fairly unremarkable Spirit / Taylor Walker era offering, but the upstairs function room with another small bar is mostly used as a general seating / dining area which provides a very comfortable and civilised place for a drink. Now a Greene King pub since my last visit some eight years ago, with four handpumps on the main side of the two-part counter offering IPA, Abbot, the seasonal Rocking Rudolph (£4.95) and Portobello Westway Pale Ale as a guest. Overall, one of the better places in the area.
On 27th December 2018
- rating: 7
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Graham Coombs left this review about The Barley Mow
Busy traditional Central London pub between Oxford Street and Grosvenor Square. The main bar downstairs has probably the smallest area for darts anywhere tucked away at the back, while there is a fair-sized upstairs room with its own bar available for functions but more usually used for dining or watching sports. Ales usually include some local guests alongside the usual Doom Bar and IPA; I sampled Portobello Westway Pale Ale which was very fine (Cask Marque listing). Typical sort of pub for the area, and no real complaints.
On 28th January 2018
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3339 recommendations about 3276 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
custodian 42 left this review about The Barley Mow
One roomed Greene King pub. Four hand pumps with one not on - the rest were weak in strength - below 4.5% ABV. Not the best of pubs.
On 7th June 2017
- rating: 3
[User has posted 1693 recommendations about 1691 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about The Barley Mow
Taylor Walker pub just down from Oxford street. 4 real ales and food served.
On 1st October 2015
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2883 recommendations about 2820 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Barley Mow
An average sort of pub, with a more appealing exterior than interior. Nevertheless, it is a haven just off Oxford Street. It did have four ales on handpump, mainly nationals, Robinson's Trouper, Doombar etc.
On 8th February 2015
- rating: 5
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Barley Mow
This is a Taylor Walker branded pub so you can be sure that there is some real ale on. This one had on Adnam's Christmas Cheer, Robinson's Trooper, and Sambrook's Wandle (£2.03 a half), while a fourth pump had Doom Bar coming soon (I can't wait!). Obviously the usual Taylor Walker pub grub menu is available.
The pub is typically Taylor Walker. The main downstairs bar is mainly furnished with tall tables/tall stools, with one or two normal tables and chairs, banquettes and little round stools. There is some etched/cut glass in some of the windows and interior panels, and although I'm not certain it's the real deal, it's an attractive feature nonetheless. There are fruit machines and TVs here of course. An upstairs room is furnished with more standard tables and chairs, and is apparently used as a dining room, although said tables were not laid for diners and there was no indication that it was exclusively for diners. The toilets are also upstairs near the dining room.
Being a stone's throw from Oxford Street it seems to be mainly used by shoppers and tourists escaping the insanity of Oxford Street - and who can blame them? It's not a destination pub by any means, but it did a few decent ales and provides a valuable service/respite for shoppers.
On 18th December 2013
- rating: 5
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john mcgraw left this review about The Barley Mow
Single bar pub just off Oxford Street.Up to three real ales on.5 mins from Marble Arch tube.
On 19th December 2008
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2044 recommendations about 2025 pubs]