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The Alfred Tennyson, Belgravia, SW1
SW1
SW1X 8LA
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 5 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about The Alfred Tennyson
The last time I was in here was the late summer/early autumn of 1987, when the pub was known by its original name of the Turk’s Head. Back then, it was a dark wood boozer with a frizzy haired no-nonsense Irish landlady. How things have changed and not for the better either.
It’s all very white here, walls and panelled ceiling, with a modern herringbone floor with glitterball hanging lamps above. The bar is modern and where I remember it, there’s also a slightly raised snug area to the left or rear, depending on orientation. This is also where I was last drinking but I’m sure it was higher and with balustrades, but I could be wrong. Infuriating mood music played, but it was drowned out by the cacophony of conversation from the crowd of wine-guzzling vertical drinkers, bottles in ice buckets; drinkers to the right (or front) were seated; diners were presumably upstairs. The staff were rushed off their feet and being asked by this party group to take photos of the ensemble which was utterly tiresome. I was seated at the bar and the manager leaned over to issue instructions to staff, but such was the noise of conversation that he essentially shouted right into my ear, which is not something which endears a place to me.
Fizz taps included Neck Oil and at £6.50, the most expensive pint I’ve ever bought. It was only then that I noticed a solitary pump dispensing Hammerton’s N1, hidden behind a clutch of arty bottles containing water.
I couldn’t wait to leave, making my way to the Star Tavern, which along with the Grenadier and Nag’s Head, deliver quality pub experiences without the poseurs who congregate here.
On 29th September 2021
- rating: 3
[User has posted 1985 recommendations about 1951 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Graham Coombs left this review about The Alfred Tennyson
After several major refurbishments and renamings over the years (see my review from 2011 below), this place is now an upmarket eatery, although it retains a rather nice heavy wooden bar and a clutch of high benches with stools for drinkers. The rest of the downstairs is tabled and geared up for eating, with also a large dining room upstairs. Out on the pavement are a handful of small tables. The solitary handpumped beer, Hammerton N1, was sadly off when I visited which left me with a pricey keg Beavertown. Very swish but not much of a pub.
On 25th May 2019
- rating: 5
[User has posted 3339 recommendations about 3276 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
custodian 42 left this review about The Alfred Tennyson
A place mainly for diners but no hassle in getting served. No real ale that I could see - just keg.
On 17th May 2017
- rating: 4
[User has posted 1693 recommendations about 1691 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about The Alfred Tennyson
Bar/restaurant heavy on the restaurant but no problem serving me just a drink. Interior and beer selection as described below. 1 real ale.
On 13th 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 Alfred Tennyson
The Alfred Tennyson is a ‘public house and dining room’ that was three quarters full with diners during a recent Friday lunchtime visit. The interior consist of a small bar on the rear wall that faces a long open plan area where all of the tables were set for dining. A high table with three stools at the bar allowed me to plot quite comfortably, but if this table was taken I would have had to stand awkwardly at the bar whilst dodging the waitresses who were carrying through gastro meals and ordering drinks for table service. The five keg options available from the bar were Meantime London Lager, Peroni, Kronenbourg 1664, Westons Mortimers Orchard Cider and Guinness. Florence Brewery’s Topee Ale was apparently also available, but I did not note its presence. I went for a pint of Meantime which set me back £4.80. The food look extremely good, but I did not have access to a menu and the dishes on the specials board were not priced. At a guess I would say that the prices are more restaurant than pub.
Above the ground floor bar is the first floor dining room, Boardroom and the loft bar which are all available for private hire. During my visit the loft bar was being advertised for private hire to watch World Cup rugby. Being situated on a corner gives the opportunity to line the adjacent paths with café tables and seating for some al fresco drinking.
I found the service to being very friendly and the attitude of all the staff to be professional. I’m sure that if they continue with their current work ethic this place will be very successful within its Belgravia setting.
On 12th October 2015
- rating: 6
[User has posted 5251 recommendations about 5219 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john gray left this review about The Pantechnicon
Still a beige looking bar and more seating for eating than your traditional style pub.Smart interior as you would expect in this part of London.They serve an exclusive beer in this and their other 3 pubs.Head in a Hat brewery-Topee.(cask)Very nice pint served by friendly staff.
On 14th December 2013
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1023 recommendations about 1009 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Pantechnicon
The most interesting thing about this 'public house and dining room' is its name which derives from a building of that ilk further along the street where furniture and belongings were kept in storage and then moved in and out by large lorries (which also became known by the same term). Apart from that, it is a dreary, expensive and beige (in more ways than one) gastro-pub with annoying table service. Further seating upstairs. No real ale, so a bottle of Adnams Bitter at an eye-watering £4.50. No plans to return.
On 14th March 2011
- rating: 4
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Graham Coombs left this review about The Pantechnicon
Once a fairly average pub called the Turk's Head, the building was thoroughly gutted and turned into an upmarket eatery. Dining room upstairs and a couple of tables on the street, otherwise all in one long room with straight rows of tables and bar at the far end. Admittedly fairly smart, but prices high and only eurofizz beers. One for posh totty and poseurs only.
On 9th March 2011
- rating: 5
[User has posted 3339 recommendations about 3276 pubs]