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Disappointment of the week with Real Ale Ray
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Detail Pages
The Porchester, W2
W2
W2 5AA
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 Porchester
This pub was established in 1826 and rebuilt in its current incarnation in 1862. At this time it was known as the Royal Oak, a name which lives on in the tube station nearby. Indeed, it's one of five London pubs which give their names to tube stations. Now with an attractive blue painted and part tiled frontage, I first came here 24 years ago so don't really recall it. It's a relatively made over pub with a slightly raised area to the rear behind which is the bar. Lots of pale wood furniture sits alongside old school tables and banquette booths; the floor is bare boarded. There's also some bare brick to one wall with a large mural of the pub's name. Illumination comes from hanging metal shades.
Ales: the standard Young's line-up along with the occasional guest, such as an ale from the Wimbledon Brewery, typically served well at prices which are high, but in keeping with the area.
This pub is a perfectly acceptable watering hole, probably the best in the immediate vicinity, but greater rewards are to be had by undertaking the five-minute walk north to Little Venice.
On 18th May 2018
- rating: 4
[User has posted 1983 recommendations about 1949 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john gray left this review about The Porchester
Surprised and disappointed to find this is a Youngs pub.Nice looking high ceilinged interior with lots of plank tables and high stools.3 Young,s beers and Brains -SA Gold none of which I would want to drink but the coffee is fine.
On 7th March 2015
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1023 recommendations about 1009 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Porchester
This is still a Young's pub, although all the external Young's signage has now gone. The ales on were Young's Bitter, Special, and Winter Warmer (£2.15 a half). I've always liked their Winter Warmer, and the half I had was in great nick. Single sheet lunch menus were on the tables, nestled up against the single dahlia stem. Sandwiches are from £5.50 for cheese up to £7.50 for the "pulled pork and Kentish apple sauce". "Skinny fries" are an extra £1.50. The main meals aren't particularly cheap, with both the beefburger, and the haddock and chips, at £11.50.
This place has been given a most savage makeover, even by Young's standards. Anything of any heritage interest has long gone. Around the edges of the room are some royal blue upholstered banquettes; some bright orange upholstered seating in the booths by the window; a couple of solid tall tables/tall stools; a mass of large solid wooden tables with backless benches in the middle of the room; and a few normal tables and chairs. The pillars and one of the walls are painted yellow. It's all a bit too bright and lego coloured for my taste. There were some prints on the walls that didn't seem to feature anything recognisable as far as I could see (although admittedly I didn't bother to walk over to get a closer look). Near where I was sitting there were five framed letters on the wall: E, S, T, E, and R. I couldn't see why they were there until I saw five more on the opposing wall: P, O, R, C, and H. I'm still not convinced of this as a decorative feature, but there it is.
I really enjoyed my Winter Warmer, but this is the sort of place that I might give a miss in the future.
On 4th December 2014
- rating: 4
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Porchester
Strange looking pub, partially located as the ground floor of a substantial corner building but also continuing as a single-storey extension to one side. It has a 'U'-shaped bar in an opened-out layout that has refurbished in Youngs usual semi-gastro pub makeover style (with furniture to match). Large selection of board games available. Pokey little patio beer garden out back. Four handpumps offering Special, Bombardier , the festive Jubilee Ale and Tribute as a guest on my last visit. Overall, not a bad spot for a quick pint.
On 9th June 2012
- rating: 7
[User has posted 8086 recommendations about 8086 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about The Porchester
Building as described below. Beers from st austell, young's and wells. Advertising quiz, live music nights and food served.
On 7th December 2011
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2883 recommendations about 2820 pubs]