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The Boot, WC1
WC1
WC1H 8BS
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 5½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about The Boot
The pub sign depicts a boot painted in gold, long before the establishment of FIFA, the Golden Boot as it then was, existing here in some form since at least the end of the 17th century; an interesting history is documented on CAMRA’s site. Sadly, the tiling has been painted over, but the Charrington’s windows, ceramic plaque and rare lanterns with the brewer’s logo remain.
Aside from the friendly old landlady, there’s little of heritage value here as there’s a fairly basic interior, with bare floor and a colour scheme, described by what was playing on the video jukebox (Visage: Fade to Grey), with white Anaglypta ceiling and much in the way of GAA memorabilia and at least one Tricolour, though I don’t think this is an Irish pub by any stretch, or at least not any more, as virtually all the customers were young, studenty types probably from nearby UCL, some enjoying the pool table with enthusiasm. Furniture is conventional with further décor coming in the form of knickknacks and Toby jugs above the bar.
Ales amounted to just Doom or OSH (reversed), so it was a half of Stella (£2.80) served by the aforementioned friendly landlady.
Worth a visit, this pub is certainly characterful and could be interesting with some quality ale, but I think I’ll leave it to the students.
On 25th October 2022
- rating: 4
[User has posted 1985 recommendations about 1951 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Will Larter left this review about The Boot
It was quite lively when I called in here, though it was not yet 6pm. There were two hand pumps on the bar, one with Sharps Doom Bar and the other with something called Grubber, which I guessed, rightly as it turns out, was likely to be a golden ale from Greene King. So I had a half of Doom Bar, which was in reasonable nick and came in at £1.95, considerably cheaper than the Harrison around the corner. There was an unfortunate smell near the bar which reminded me of vomit - I hope this was a temporary manifestation and I wouldn't let it put me off another visit if I were to find myself in the vicinity with time for a drink.
On 6th March 2017
- rating: 5
[User has posted 3746 recommendations about 3483 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Boot
Unashamed locals pub with a bit of charm, in the backstreets by Kings Cross. Nice tiling on the exterior which also sports original leaded windows. Inside it’s a large open-plan square room with a pseudo-Irish theme. As mentioned below, it’s quite cluttered with various bits and bobs - items of note include framed sports (hurling?) shirts, a pair of skis mounted above the bar, darts and pool. A passing attempt at sophistication with candles atop the battered tables. The mark of a true local included a nondescript old boy snoozing away. Just GK Abbot at the bar though it was in fair shape and under 4 quid. The landlady was friendly and bade me a farewell. Despite having little to draw me back, I had a soft spot for this place and it was worth my 10 minutes.
On 16th March 2016
- rating: 6
[User has posted 5099 recommendations about 5082 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about The Boot
Backstreet Irish pub with a tiled exterior. Open plan interior with sports strips on one wall. 2 real ales.
On 29th October 2015
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2883 recommendations about 2820 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about The Boot
This place has no real ale, but it does have Carlsberg, Becks, Stella, Caffreys, John Smiths Smooth, Boddingtons, Strongbow and Guinness. There is a pool table and a plasma screen that shows Sky Sports and Setanta.
The décor is very busy with plates, old photos and skiing gear adorning the walls making it looked a bit cluttered, but it's better than having a sparse pub with no character.
I liked it in here and the Guinness was good so I would go back.
On 6th April 2009
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5254 recommendations about 5222 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Clive Thompson left this review about The Boot
I love pubs like this, it's full of crap, but in a good way. Everywhere you look there are knick-knacks, plates, posters, mirrors, witty signs, ornaments and those tacky ‘I've been to' or ‘Greetings from' souvenirs that everyone bought back from Spain or Greece in the 70's and 80's. There's even a full size pair of skis and ski boots mounted above the bar. It might seem a disorganised mess but what it says to me is that this is a pub that's been around a while, probably with the same owners. It has a nice locals feel to it without being unfriendly to visitors. No real ale unfortunately. £1.99 a pint offers on Carling and John Smiths Smooth. Good priced menu. Pool table. All too many pubs like this are closing down, this one deserves to survive.
On 31st January 2009
- rating: 6
[User has posted 777 recommendations about 697 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Boot
There's a big 'however' coming later in this brief review, but I really quite like this place. It has a friendly atmosphere and is tidy and unpretentious (and fortunately the outside no longer looks so garish as shown in the photograph above). However, no real ale! Even if it had just one well-kept, proper beer then I would give this place a high rating...
On 30th August 2008
- rating: 6
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Philip Carter left this review about The Boot
Take no notice of the strange colouring of the outside, the inside is nice. Lots of sporting memorabillia on the walls. No real ale though, worth dropping in.
On 28th March 2007
- rating: 6
[User has posted 757 recommendations about 720 pubs]