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Disappointment of the week with Tris39
on the Pub Forum
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Pub SignMan left this review about Wilton's
This is a theatre bar located in a beautifully restored Victorian building, which is generally regarded to be the finest remaining example of an early music hall. The hall was opened by the eponymous John Wilton in the 1850's, in an attempt to bring West End glamour and culture to the working class East End, and hosted all of the top music hall entertainers of its day. It closed on 1888 and spent the next seventy years as a Methodist mission, before becoming a rag sorting depot and eventually falling into dereliction. A long campaign to restore the building, saw incremental improvements made over the following decades, with more and more events taking place over time, including numerous movie and video shoots, such as the video for 'Relax' by Frankie Goes To Hollywood. Now fully reopened with a regular programme, casual visitors can also visit the restored bar on days when a show is on. You enter theough a heavy door with a detailed stonework frame, into the lobby, with the bar through an open doorway to the right. The room has dark floorboards and exposed stone and brick walls that have been left deliberately scruffy, in that shabby chic style that seems to be in vogue, despite the presence of some great decorative stonework along the ceiling beams and as wall features. The servery is along the back wall and has a cool counter modelled to look like the front of a theatre balcony box. The bar back is a little plain in comparison, with a large blackboard listing drinks options but not too much by way of decorative features. There's lots of standing room opposite the bar, with drinking ledges to the left and all the seating in the front half of room - mainly tables and chairs with some fixed benches at the front. A couple of pictures of the theatre line the walls plus the word 'Wiltons', which has been spelled out in lights, but otherwise the decor is minimal and the room has been left to speak for itself. There's an overspill room on the left side of the lobby, but it's standing room only and has a few boards detailing the building's history. Staff seem chilled about folk exploring prior to house opening, so be sure to get a quick peek inside the main hall.
Like many London theatre bars, Adnams seem to have a monopoly on the bar, and there were three reversed Adnams pump clips on the handpulls when I arrived, as well as a few of their craft keg brews amongst the usual mainstream dross. I tried the Adnams Ease Up IPA, which was served very cold, but was fine once it had warmed a little. Annoyingly, Adnams Broadside and Evening Gleams came on the handpulls about ten mins after I ordered, but I wasnt able to stay long enough to try either.
This is a pretty stunning building that is worth visiting just so you can snoop around and get a feel for this magnificent survivor. Theatre bars aren't exactly exciting places to have a drink, but with the prospect of some decent Adnams beer and a fine building to check out, it's worth calling in for a quick pint.
On 13th January 2024
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
custodian 42 left this review about Wilton's
Interesting place on a few levels. Bar to rear on the ground floor. Three hand pumps but nothing strong.
On 17th September 2018
- rating: 4
[User has posted 1693 recommendations about 1691 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about Wiltons
Due to reopen this September according to the Facebook page.
On 27th July 2015
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 1871 recommendations about 1844 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about Wiltons
This place is also known as the Mahogany Bar, as it was reputedly one of the first, possibly the first, to use mahogany bar fittings. It may date back to the 18th Century, although the music hall built behind the bar “only” dates from the early Victorian era. It is Grade II* listed. As Tris says, you don’t have to be a theatregoer to enjoy the Mahogany Bar, as it has direct access from the street and operates as a pub during the times mentioned by Tris.
There are various interconnected rooms, nooks, and crannies, all with ancient furnishings, original floorboards and flagstones, and as much exposed brickwork as you could possibly want. In fact the interior has such a naturally distressed look as would have an Antic interior designer drooling with envy. Being tucked away down a back alley you’re not going to wander past this place on the way to somewhere – you would have to seek it out, and I reckon it’s definitely worth the effort of doing so. Unfortunately when I was in it wasn’t possible to view the old music hall itself.
As well as the history, there were a couple of ales on – Adnam’s Fat Sprat and Truman’s Swift. At £4.20 a pint, the latter ale is quite expensive for a relatively low ABV ale. I didn’t spot a menu, but the pub’s website does mention bar snacks. This place is very different from your average pub, and definitely worth a visit if you’re anywhere near the area.
On 15th June 2014
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about Wiltons
Once the Prince of Denmark, this is now more a bar than a pub and redefines 'ramshackle' with a plethora of rambling rooms, nooks and crannies, unused fireplaces and creaking boards; the walls are bare brick, furniture is eclectic.
There's a downstairs bar with two real ales, premium lagers and a premium cider. Up the grand central staircase is another bar which also does cocktails; hot bar snacks are available. Service was enthusiastic and very friendly.
To the rear of the building is the stunning Wiltons Music Hall, the world's oldest. You don't have to be a theatregoer to drink here; opening times are 12.00 - 5.00 on weekdays, 5.00 - 11.00 on Saturdays but is closed on Sundays.
This place rates a '10' simply for the incredible experience.
On 12th April 2014
- rating: 10
[User has posted 1983 recommendations about 1949 pubs]