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The Harrison, WC1

28 Harrison Street
WC1
WC1H 8JF
Phone: 02072783966

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Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6 of 10) Add Review see review guidelines


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Graham Coombs left this review about The Harrison

Only 5 minutes from Kings Cross but in a different world, a backstreet local independently-owned and it shows. The classic 1930s exterior features some original Watney's windows, while the interior has been tastefully modernised but retaining some nice original features like the fireplace. Pavement tables are provided outside. Ales on were TT Landlord, Five Points XPA and Small Beer Steam, with some craft keg and a range of bottles also. Food seemed to be good, no nonsense grub and there are even a few bedrooms. I can't say that the prices leapt out as too excessive but I suppose it depends where else you have been. Anyway, a good pub for me.

On 12th December 2022 - rating: 7
[User has posted 3322 recommendations about 3259 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Tris C left this review about The Harrison

On 6th May 2016 - rating: 5

A first in here, this pub was built in the 1860s but was rebuilt in 1934; there's some rather nice Watney's Ales signage to the windows.
The interior's a bit modern with quite conventional furniture and brown leatherette sofas to the rear. Walls are white with burgundy-painted infill and artworks to the walls. The bar appears to be modern and the floor is bare boarded and there are two log burning stoves. Given that it's situated down a quiet side street, surrounded by council blocks, we were surprised to see that the crowd was quite young and rather fashionable - the place was very full, especially when you consider that it was a mid-evening Monday.
The pub is also quite big on entertainment with live music in the basement, mainly Folk in nature. There are also comedy nights with some quite big names that have appeared on Live at the Apollo.
The barman was friendly enough and served me with a decent half of Timothy Taylor's Landlord at a rather steep £2.30. Also on were Fuller's London Pride and Sharp's Doom Bar.

This pub was hugely better than expected. I'd have given it a higher mark if it hadn't been so full and the ale choice had been both more interesting and extensive. Certainly worth a visit if in the area.

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Yup. Have to agree with Will on this one as a visit last night elicited a half of Landlord at a staggering £3.15 and this is Bloomsbury! A half of the delicious Unbarred Old Ale (6.3%) was just £2.40 at the Queens Head across the road; it's was no surprise that this pub was dead and that the Queens Head was heaving. With prices this high, there's no chance of a return visit; marked down accordingly.

On 30th November 2022 - rating: 3
[User has posted 1955 recommendations about 1922 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Will Larter left this review about The Harrison

I caught the Harrison at a quiet time and wasn't as impressed as previous reviewers. The beer offering of Sharps Doom Bar, Fullers London Pride and Timothy Taylor Landlord was uninspired, and my half of Pride was insipid and pricey. I paid £2.30 here compared with £1.55 at the nearby Queens Head (admittedly for a weaker beer and with Camra discount applied) - I dread to think what the usually expensive Landlord might have come to. I didn't stay long enough to find out.

On 6th March 2017 - rating: 4
[User has posted 3699 recommendations about 3440 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Real Ale Ray left this review about The Harrison

A decent well run pub this one with excellent service and friendly and chatty staff. The big plus here was the condition of their ales, ok the choice wasn't over exciting, but what a superb pint. I went for the London Pride whilst Mrs A went for the Timothy Taylor Landlord. Prices were steep, but no different in price to other pubs in the area.
Some original features in here was the 1930's cornice work and fireplace down the left hand side of the lounge. The barman also encouraged us to take a look at the downstairs stage in the basement, which was absolutely full. The main attraction here was a folk singer from Sheffield, who was very entertaining indeed. I would definitely pay a return visit, especially for their well kept beer.

On 9th November 2016 - rating: 7
[User has posted 3376 recommendations about 3376 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Steve C left this review about The Harrison

Advertised as a bar, kitchen and hotel the Harrison was empty when I visited mid-afternoon on a recent Monday. The interior consists of standard tables and chairs with some additional arm chairs at the rear. The bar was stocked with standard draught and the three hand pumps were drawing Fuller’s London Pride, Sharp’s Doom Bar and Timothy Taylor’s Landlord. I had a half of generic lager and was going to order some food from the lunch menu, but as the only customer I decided against it. However, I did note that the lunch dishes were priced between £5 and £6. I didn’t spot any televisions, but there was some extremely slow and depressing background music playing. Maybe the atmosphere is better when there is live music in the cellar bar. The preferred genre was indicated by the availability of the Folk London magazine that was available for £1.20.

I didn’t notice any signs for a beer garden, but there were some awning covered picnic tables by the front entrance. I found the service to be friendly, but I must admit that I wasn’t upset to leave the barmaid to her web browsing so that I could find somewhere with a bit more life.

On 12th October 2015 - rating: 6
[User has posted 5179 recommendations about 5148 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Harrison

Housed in a rather functional 1930s building, the Harrison describes itself as a 'Bar - Kitchen - Hotel' but is probably most notable for the live folk / blues music and comedy events held in the basement. The bar itself has light decor and basic furniture, and there is additional seating out on the front patio. Four ordinary beers on handpump: Doom Bar, Pride, TT Landlord and Bellhaven Brewery bitter (£3.90). With something for most people, you could see why it was busy, and if they were a bit more ambitious on the real ale front then this place could rate even higher.

On 13th November 2013 - rating: 7
[User has posted 8061 recommendations about 8061 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Clive Thompson left this review about The Harrison

One of thse bar conversions that that takes a run down building and puts modern fixtures in but leaves the bland decor untouched giving it a sort of warehouse feel. This one works quite well and they've got the balance between drinkers and diners about right. There's also a pretty good choice beer wise with one real ale, Fruili, Stowford Press, Staropramen, a weissbeer and some Belgian bottled beers. The menu looked typical of a gastrobar. There are a couple of sofas around for those that like to lounge and the rest of the seating is quite old school, literally. With the low tables and chairs scraping across the wooden floors you could be forgiven for thinking you were back in the old school hall. Service is a bit indifferent, on one visit I ordered a Duvel and was first asked if I wanted a glass, then given a half pint straight glass that had just come out of the washer. It's located within a jungle of tower blocks and no doubt hoping to attract some of the new money to the area.

On 31st January 2009 - rating: 6
[User has posted 777 recommendations about 697 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Philip Carter left this review about The Harrison

Had a refit a while ago, now a bright and friendly interior. Renamed just as The Harrison. Had French music playing when I last went in there.

On 14th March 2007 - rating: 6
[User has posted 757 recommendations about 720 pubs]