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Detail Pages
The Horse & Guardsman, SW1
SW1
SW1A 2DY
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about The Lord Moon Of The Mall (JD Wetherspoon)
This Wetherspoons pub has an excellent location at the Trafalgar Square end of Whitehall, ensuring that it is always full of civil servants during the week and tourists at the weekends. One of several Central London ‘Spoons bank conversions, you enter into a large square shaped space filled with rows of standard tables and chairs and decorated with a number of large portraits, including one of Wetherspoons chief Tim Martin (who also makes an appearance on the pub’s sign suggesting that this is a flagship pub for the chain). The room narrows a little at the point where the bar appears on the left hand side. A number of pillars with some interesting decorations run down the room opposite the bar, breaking up the space a little. Some large bookcases dominate this part of the room which also has a small alcove with a statue as a centrepiece. The large windows at the rear give this part of the pub some much needed natural light, preventing it from feeling too gloomy. The usual Wetherspoons local information boards are present and correct, but they cover some well known subjects such as Big Ben and Trafalgar Square.
I counted six ales on the hand pumps, three of which were regulars, with the other three more interesting guests. The remaining hand pumps were given over to ciders due to the ongoing cider festival. I tried a pint of Celt Native Storm, which was in pretty good shape and at the usual reasonable prices.
It’s not one of the chain’s more spectacular bank conversions and I have to say that the large portrait of Mr Martin was pretty tacky, but aside from that, I thought this was a pretty good, well run pub that is worth taking a look at when you’re passing by.
On 7th August 2012
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Lord Moon Of The Mall (JD Wetherspoon)
As others have said, this ‘spoons is housed in a bank conversion – in fact the bank in question was the famous Holt’s Branch of Barclays Bank. To be honest it’s very typical of the ‘spoons brand, with the usual bogstandard furnishings, and being essentially a characterless drinking barn, largely patronised by Civil Servants. I even heard one girl refer to the dreaded “MOD Main building”. There are, however, some nice large paintings/prints and mirrors, that go a long way to making the high walls a bit less intimidating. The guest ales here now cost £2.95, which is at the top end of the ‘spoons price range. As ‘spoons go this one is OK; you know what to expect in here.
On 4th March 2012
- rating: 5
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Lord Moon Of The Mall (JD Wetherspoon)
A Wetherspoons housed in a former Bank premises, Roger’s description below can’t be bettered by me, suffice to say it’s an appealing reason to pop in beyond the usual Spoons-by-numbers. Gets stupidly busy due to its location but on my visit the staff were handling the crush well and though the beers were taking a hammering there were still all bar one on the go – a very nice pint of O Hanlons Yellowhammer. Prices are a little above the Spoons norm but still far below what most nearby outlets will try and fleece you for. Worthwhile putting your head round the door if nearby but don't expect perfection - place it in context.
On 13th September 2010
- rating: 6
[User has posted 5089 recommendations about 5072 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about The Lord Moon Of The Mall (JD Wetherspoon)
Average as pubs go, but one of the better JDWs. However, given its location and premises it could do better. Ten ales on, I tried the Rev James and it was good. It suffers from the usual JDW issues though - indifferent staff, no atmosphere and cheap fittings. I didn't try the food but it looked OK. I'd be happy to drop in for a pint while passing, and its proximity to Trafalgar Square makes it a good place to meet people who don't know London taht well, but there are better pubs not too far away.
On 18th August 2010
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3285 recommendations about 3250 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Danny O'Revey left this review about The Lord Moon Of The Mall (JD Wetherspoon)
Former bank, looks like a Fullers House from the outside! I would agree its nicer than the average Wetherspoons, though busy being close to tourist areas & the staff seem to have trouble coping. But its comfortable, nicely set out and a good place to have a real ale.
On 15th June 2010
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1456 recommendations about 1434 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about The Lord Moon Of The Mall (JD Wetherspoon)
I found The Lord Moon to be one of the better Wetherspoons establishments. 12 handpumps dispensing something different to the usual ‘spoons stable beers, including several of the guest Xmas ales.
The couple I tried were perfectly fine and also couldn't fault the service on this rainy December evening.
It's a former bank and retains some of the original features to give the place a bit of character and the inside decor is well described in the reviews below.
But it's still a ‘spoons and therefore comes equipped with the ubiquitous soaks these establishments attract and this one was in residence in the door way sheltering from the rain and seemed to think that it was his duty to inform everyone entering and leaving that it was summer in Australia. A piece of information that I do not think I would have survived the rest of the evening without.
On 21st December 2009
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2110 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Michael Boyes left this review about The Lord Moon Of The Mall (JD Wetherspoon)
Large one roomed Pub both in area and height, former bank, well converted. Good selection of eight or nine real ales. Not the full Wetherspoons food menu as fried food can not be prepared. On Whitehall just off Trafalgar Square, so the Pub can get very busy.
On 20th September 2009
- rating: 6
[User has posted 55 recommendations about 55 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Roger Button left this review about The Lord Moon Of The Mall (JD Wetherspoon)
Housed in a former Bank premises, the Lord Moon is one of the more visually appealing Wetherspoons. The large front area is quite elegant, if a little somber, with large arched windows, a high decorative ceiling with shallow arcs, big mirrors and imposing pictures set against nicotine coloured walls. Note the large portrait dominating the far wall – not some classic pose of a dim and distant Government servant but actually a modern portrait of ‘Spoons boss Tim Martin suitably dressed up in old clobber. The general ‘Spoons furnishings and characteristics are present; silent banks of fruit / quiz machines, old local pictures, history snippets and a hollow atmosphere when not busy (which, to be honest, isn't often). There is a sofa area by the front door but grabbing any seat or table can be a hit and miss affair at peak times. Two large arches lead through to the main bar area, less grand but with a few elegant features like the statue in the niche above the stairs. There is always a decent selection of ales and although the prices are top end, they are not quite the most expensive'Spoons in London. The recent “no chips” rule (something to do with fire regulations and fried food) that often threw diners into howls of derision has now been repealed but personally I quite liked the quirky originality of it and anything that makes a ‘Spoons different from the others was OK by me. On the whole, this would be one of my favourite London ‘Spoons but it is often let down by an undermanned bar and general poor service. Short measures have been a frequent issue with me and I once took back a beer that was off only to find that an “available soon” clip had been hastily added to the pump after they had sold me the beer. Despite the shortcomings, it can, on its day, be one of the better ‘Spoon experiences even if someone will steal your chair the moment you get up.
On 1st May 2009
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1239 recommendations about 1233 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about The Lord Moon Of The Mall (JD Wetherspoon)
Like most of the pubs around here this place is geared towards the tourist trade. It's a ‘Traditional English Pub', well that's what the sign outside says. I'd of said a traditional Wetherspoons pub, complete with disinterested barmaid and drunken bore propping up the bar.
On 25th June 2008
- rating: 5
[User has posted 5249 recommendations about 5217 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john mcgraw left this review about The Lord Moon Of The Mall
A fair Wetherspoon's with the usual Wetherfood and beer.Gets packed with tourists for most of the day.Good value for this part of London.Can be hit and miss with real ale but whatever is on it is usually in good order.5 mins from Charing Cross station. as you can see by the pub sign it looks like Tim Martin has been made a Lord!
On 28th September 2007
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2044 recommendations about 2025 pubs]