User name:

Password:

Login


Sign in with Facebook


Not already a member?
Join our community and - Rate & review pubs - Upload pictures - Add events JOIN for free NOW


Chat about:
Approving photos with rpadam on the Pub Forum

The Hand & Flower, Olympia, W14

1 Hammersmith Road
W14
W14 8XJ
Phone: 02073714105

Return to pub summary

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


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Moby Duck left this review about The Hand & Flower

Big corner pub opposite Olympia, Tris has described the interior more than adequately. Probably much more busy than normal before the noon opening time of The Great British Beer Festival over the road and I also imagine that was the reason for the good beer lineup, on the ten handpumps were four from Tiny Rebel, three from Siren with the remainder occupied by Pride. A good visit.

On 5th August 2022 - rating: 7
[User has posted 1868 recommendations about 1841 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Tris C left this review about The Hand & Flower

Bang opposite Olympia, the pub dates from 1788, but was rebuilt exactly one hundred years later and is now a Fuller’s house, which I visited once before in 1987.
Much has changed in the 35 years since my last visit. Then it was a dark and atmospheric boozer, but no longer. Most of the wall space comprises large picture windows, with narrow clerestories, but it’s now more opened out and very bright. The floor is modern boarded with a deep black and white chequered bar apron and paintwork is smoky blue to two thirds height then white, with a white Anaglypta ceiling, with recessed downlighters, along with Wellington lanterns. The bar is large and field panelled in pale wood, with a tubular steel and tiled back. Furniture is fairly conventional with a pus-coloured banquette to the front periphery. Décor amounted to little bottles to tables filled with flowers. There’s a booth snug to the rear, with some books on shelves, which seemed to be occupied by a few of the barmaid’s friends; otherwise, there were just two customers. TVs were on, showing the news with the sound off and mood music played. It was also quite chilly inside, the landlady wearing her parka.
A predictable ale line-up given the owner: Seafarer, Oliver’s Island, Pride and Jack Frost, as good as any Fuller’s ale is ever going to get and sensitively served in a San Miguel glass at £2.75 a half.
This is not a great pub; the Albion and Cumberland Arms are a stone’s throw away.

On 12th February 2022 - rating: 4
[User has posted 1956 recommendations about 1923 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


E TA left this review about The Hand & Flower

A very busy Fullers pub popular with the conference set due to its proximity to Olympia, which is reflected in its prices. It has been recently renovated, but the vinyl and laminate flooring and corporate décor have removed most of its original charm and left it feeling like a works canteen. The long bookshelf and stuffed deer’s head completely fail to confer any cosiness. Food was mostly burgers plus a few ‘popular’ choices – Cajun chicken and pulled pork, that sort of thing, and it took a long time to arrive once ordered. Staff were friendly at first, though I thought soliciting tips was a bit cheeky. Three ales on, I had redwood which I found a bit bland but was good enough for a pint or two. A decent enough place for a working lunch, if you can put up with the noise, and I’d probably drop in for a pint if passing.

On 25th June 2016 - rating: 6
[User has posted 3272 recommendations about 3237 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


john gray left this review about The Hand & Flower

Large impressive looking Fullers pub.Large windows let in lots of light.Good range of keg beers and Fullers cask beers.Busy on my visit.Nice one.

On 16th November 2013 - rating: 7
[User has posted 1023 recommendations about 1009 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


hondo . left this review about The Hand & Flower

Located across the road from Olympia and recently taken over by fuller's. 4 fuller's beers,food and accommodation available.

On 30th November 2011 - no rating submitted
[User has posted 2883 recommendations about 2820 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Hand & Flower

Busy and loud when there is an event on over the road at Olympia - full of people shouting at each other when they could have sat down and talked - otherwise fairly civilised. The 'L'-shaped bar has been smartened up in a contemporary style, and offers a reasonable amount of space with a range of seating including those annoying high tables and chairs, those equally annoying low leather sofas and (thankfully) a fair amount of normal furniture. Three screens showing sports TV (on mute). Four real ales from the Marstons range on handpump - Pedigree and EPA usually supplemented by something from Jennings, Brakspear or Ringwood. Overall, not too bad, and the staff attitude (which has often seemed disinterested) nowc appears to be improving. NB - This pub also offers hotel accommodation and an upstairs function room. PS - Will become a Fullers pub as of 01/11/2011!

On 30th October 2011 - rating: 6
[User has posted 8066 recommendations about 8066 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Clive Thompson left this review about The Hand & Flower

Handily located opposite Kensington Olympia Station, decent pub but not one that I’d rave over. A Marston’s pub and I’ve usually found the beer to be good. Had a nice pint of Banks’s Lion’s Roar on my last visit and they had a News from the Wood newsletter available.

On 5th September 2010 - rating: 7
[User has posted 777 recommendations about 697 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Steve C left this review about The Hand & Flower

My recent visit to this pub was the first for many many years when it was still called Harvey Floorbangers and to be honest it hasn't really changed that much, which isn't such a bad thing. I say this as I always enjoyed an early evening beer in here after work before jumping on the Silverlink to go home.

The staff also seem to be of the same ilk, friendly yet not really up to speed on service or attentiveness. This was highlighted when, being the only customer, I had to wait a while at the bar for some very polite service. Unfortunately the barmaid forgot that my pint of Guinness was pouring and as I was talking to my brother I also didn't notice it overflowing. She rushed over and thankfully, unlike many other pubs, I wasn't fobbed off with it and a new one was poured. I wouldn't normally mention this, but she did it again on the second pint, but I leant over and stopped it being another write-off. I was thanked and given the overflow for free, which was a nice gesture.

Along with the standard and premium lager selection was an ale selection of two Marstons, a Jennings and a Brakspear. There is also a basic food menu which is pretty good value for the area, unless you choose to go to the sandwich bar over the way!

Whilst having a cigarette outside I noticed a sign by the door stating that there are extended opening hours on a Thursday and Saturday until 12am and on Fridays until 1am, not that I would be that keen on drinking here until the early hours.

This style of pub isn't the sort that I usually go for, but I like it in here and would go back.

On 16th October 2009 - rating: 7
[User has posted 5179 recommendations about 5148 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Philip Carter left this review about The Hand & Flower

Large pub opposite Olympia exhibition halls. Has rooms, so if you stay too long at a show or either in the pub after, you wont have to worry about getting home. Has real ale, Jennings, Brakespeares and Pedigree were on tap. Has wheelchair access, but the toilet was blocked by a table and chairs, so at a busy time, it would be difficult to use.

On 4th October 2009 - rating: 8
[User has posted 757 recommendations about 720 pubs]