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The Gunnersbury, Gunnersbury, W4
W4
W4 5RP
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6 of 10) see review guidelines
Tris C left this review about The Gunnersbury
This is a mid-19th century building which was trading under its original name of the John Bull – the name still visible to the east gable – until the current renaming in 2009, possibly because it’s situated bang opposite Gunnersbury tube station, loomed over by the British Standards Institute’s headquarters.
Looking more appealing on the pub’s website gallery than in the flesh, this is a big, opened-out place with a more twee dining room to the right, sparsely populated, with sauce bottles and menus to tables. The left-hand room is bare boarded, a plum or pale grey paint job, multi-coloured lighting scheme, chunky pine furniture, a TV with the sound off, décor by way of pictures of pop stars, e.g., Debbie Harry and Mick Jagger, then potted palms; there was a decent soundtrack in the form of the Human League (and Kajagoogoo). Aside from one old bloke who eyed me up throughout my stay, customers were on the younger side and quite raucous; there was an all-pervasive smell of fish ‘n’ chips, though I only saw one couple eating.
A slightly more interesting ale range amounted to Vocation’s Bread & Butter, then Portobello Star at £2.70 a half and bland, but credit for not going with the Doom/Pride flow.
This place is about average and probably rammed on match days; it may find favour with the bold, less so if you’re too shy.
On 20th May 2023
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1985 recommendations about 1951 pubs]
Delboy 20 left this review about The Gunnersbury
Decent pub which is an easy stroll to the Brentford ground. Busy on match day as you would expect. It had been a long morning by the time I got here so I don't recall the beer I had but I think it was a Twickenham beer. Right by the tube station.
On 28th April 2023
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 1656 recommendations about 1556 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Graham Coombs left this review about The Gunnersbury
Handily located opposite the station, this is a fair-sized two bar pub given a colourful twist by brightly-hued window panes which, given a bit of sun, light up the whole place. Coloured lights and arty artwork complete the look. Furnishings are eating house style one side, with a mix of tables and stools the other, but for a change are in matching sets rather than random cast-offs. There is an outdoor area including a covered yard at the back. Beerwise it has two handpumps (offering Oakham Citra and Twickenham Autumn Red on this visit) plus a dozen or so craft and cider keg taps with a good proportion of London micros included. Despite the vivid colours I found myself quite liking this pub.
On 17th November 2021
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3339 recommendations about 3276 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Gunnersbury
Remodelled since my last visit some eight years ago, with the corner entrance now leading to a café rather than a bar (although the counter, with two disused handpumps, is still there). The bar is now in the much bigger rear room with a higher ceiling that must once have been used for functions. However, this space benefits from extensive window areas on two sides, and features fairly regimented semi-modern furniture and mostly light decor. Just Pride (£4.40) on the two further handpumps on the second counter, and the other drinks choices seem relatively restricted too. NB - Still has the old name of 'The John Bull' on the eastern side of the building.
On 16th April 2017
- 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 Gunnersbury
As you enter its now a café and at the rear a nice modern square bar.Good outside space to the rear.Burning Sky -plateau on handpump and Burning Sky-Aurora on keg.Nice stop while waiting for a train
On 16th January 2015
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1023 recommendations about 1009 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Gunnersbury
There has been a minor refurb in here,the smaller lounge to the right is now carpeted and has a flatscreen showing BBC News 24,while the cavernous area to the left is described as The Music Bar by a sign over the entrance.Only muzak was playing.This is where the main serving bar is with two handpumps both drawing London Pride.Usual keg suspects also available.
Opposite Gunnersbury Station ,the pub lacks atmosphere although a few brave souls were eating the food which now includes pizzas.A school report on this pub would probably conclude...could do better.
On 17th January 2013
- rating: 5
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about The Gunnersbury
Perhaps I didn’t catch this place at its best when I popped in for a final pint before catching the overground from the train station opposite.
Firstly let me say the layout is unchanged from previous reviewers with a large cavernous hall like space to the left of the central bar as you enter and then a second area like a worn out social club lounge to the right.
Secondly let me say I didn’t completely comprehend the signs outside the pub saying ‘Bazaar here today !” and was totally unprepared to find the large hall section full of junk stalls selling tat.
It obviously hadn’t worked as there was virtually no one in on this early wet evening and it was really quite surreal sitting up the bar with an average pint of Pride (what was coming out of the solitary hand pump on this occasion), and watching all the sad stall owners talking to themselves whilst waiting for anyone to enter..So, still obviously having an identity crisis in more ways than one...
On 19th June 2011
- rating: 4
[User has posted 2111 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about The Gunnersbury
Passing this pub earlier in the week I noticed that the name has now changed to The Gunnersbury so I decided that I would revisit, which I did late yesterday afternoon.
Before entering my attention was drawn to a sign on the window that was very informative about the owner's intentions and what was going to be done to the place. Apparently the main aim is to restore the building ‘back to its Victorian glory' which I think is fantastic. Back in the 1860s there used to be a large ironwork balcony on the front which is going to be re-introduced and the picture looked impressive.
The inside has been decorated and, although a tad bland, some new table and chairs have been brought in making the place seem much cleaner and lighter. The general layout of the pub hasn't changed as there is still a pub-like section around one side and a big hall around the other that I think will still be used for live music when required. The big half of the pub has signs up everywhere for J B Diner and I'd imagine if the food is any good the office workers from Chiswick Park will start using the pub making the owners a pretty penny. There is also a beer garden out the back with some tables and chairs.
The TV set on the table at the back is still there and I would hope that the projector screen is still in use for the sports.
I enjoyed having a couple of drinks in the smaller pub-like half and was foot tapping to some Motown, which the governor saw so turned the music up a bit. He was very polite and I'm fairly sure that he is the governor that ran this pub when it was called the John Bull.
The Guinness was good and San Miguel, John Smiths Smooth and some standard lagers were also available. There is an ale pump but unfortunately it is unused.
This place still needs some work which I think is ongoing and they could try and put a toilet seat on the bog if they are trying for a different clientele. If you've been in here before and didn't like it I'd give it another try as you have nothing to lose.
On 6th March 2009
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5251 recommendations about 5219 pubs]