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The Old City Arms, Hammersmith, W6
W6
W6 9DA
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 4½ of 10) see review guidelines
Delboy 20 left this review about The Old City Arms
Well described below. Still only Pride and Doom on the beer front. I tried the Pride but it was awful so I exchanged it for Doom Bar. Not much better but at least drinkable. Much better options nearby.
On 28th April 2023
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 1656 recommendations about 1556 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about The Old City Arms
Originally and unsurprisingly just the City Arms, the pub dates from 1827, but was rebuilt in 1896 and was once a Watney Combe Reid house, as evinced by one of their trademark ‘stag’ roundels straddling the sign bracket.
The previous reviews still apply: The interior is low ceilinged with an interior that resembles a sauna with a tiled floor. The right-hand side is more of a comfortable lounge area, a veritable oasis of calm and tranquillity compared to the left-hand arena, which is very much a ladz and ladettes lair, men mainly in T-shirts, sporting more muscles than a Belgian restaurant, all looking like they could handle themselves; scantily clad women twerked flirtatiously to a loud soundtrack. Otherwise, the interior can be seen on the website’s gallery, though it doesn’t show the ugly games machine or the multiple TVs showing the footie.
The ale front was nothing to get the pulse racing, with just Doom and Pride, so I opted for a half of Guinness at £2.50 which was fine.
This is a very poor place, where I really didn’t feel that relaxed, me necking my Guinness at the bar before beating a hasty retreat. There’s no chance I’d come back here again, not least because the Blue Anchor is next door.
Rated 2.5.
On 9th February 2022
- rating: 3
[User has posted 1985 recommendations about 1951 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Old City Arms
This is a prominent pub right by the southern end of Hammersmith Bridge, which I've seen many times over the years while walking along the river path, and thought that it was long overdue for a visit. But I don't think that I missed much. This place seems to be largely unchanged since the previous reviewer's visit last year. I got the feeling that it's trying to be something that it isn't. What struck me was the modern fakeness of it all. There are modern pine panelled walls reminiscent of a sauna; fake black rustic batons on the ceiling, which is also rough plastered; and the fake flagstone flooring finishes the "brewer's rustic" appearance. The other thing that strikes you as you enter is the pervading smell of Thai food, which seems to be the food of choice here. Now I like Thai food and have nothing against it, but it can be a bit overpowering if you're not the one lucky enough to be eating it!
They do real ale, but the choice is as uninspiring as it gets - Doom Bar and London Pride (£2 a half). But despite the apparent falseness of the decor, and the smell of Thai food, it was a reasonably comfortable enough place with fairly tradirional seating. But I can't think of any compelling reason to make a return visit.
On 30th April 2016
- rating: 5
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Old City Arms
Distinctive bright red façade, with a fine cantilever pub sign featuring a Watney Combe Reid emblem above. The interior seems to have been refurbished since my last visit some seven years ago, with various seating areas (one located up three steps) on either side of the bar. Sports TVs, Thai menu and just Doom Bar (£3.50) available from the solitary handpump. Mind you, the barman was friendly enough, and the place seemed slightly more inviting than previously (although that's not saying much...).
On 31st January 2015
- rating: 6
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john gray left this review about The Old City Arms
Characterless pub with Sky sports dominating. Doombar which was decent the only real ale.Loads of mass market keg stuff.
On 2nd February 2014
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1023 recommendations about 1009 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Roger Button left this review about The Old City Arms
I gave this place a few tries some time ago and really struggled to find anything positive to say. The refurbished interior has more in common with a tile showroom and the general décor depressingly dull and devoid of any character. Everything comes over as fake and plastic and the atmosphere was always dull, hollow and lifeless. The bar staff always appeared to be disinterested and there was never anything available other than keg bitter or draught lager so at least the previous reviewer had more luck than me. Various Plasma screens dotted about for sport and there is a separate pool room at the rear. If there is a plus, the Thai menu was quite extensive and reasonably priced but there really isn't much here to get excited about. At best, it is OK for a meeting place prior to an Apollo show but even then I can think of far better options.
On 22nd August 2008
- rating: 3
[User has posted 1239 recommendations about 1233 pubs]