Forum Topic

Pubs in North Hanwell

Being relatively new to the area are there any hidden away that you would recommend?

Philip Coe ● 4914d18 Comments

Thank the Lord there also used to be public toilets on the route :-)

Nigel Brooks ● 4911d

"...drop down to halves!!"ROFL!

Tony Colliver ● 4911d

Nigel,That's pretty damn impressive and a huge shame it's gone.I think with 63 pubs, my gang would have to drop down to halves!!

Bud Richards ● 4911d

Such things were a lot more survivable in the thirties though what with the strength of beer being rather more moderate than today by and large.

Tony Colliver ● 4911d

It's a good job you didn't try the 'Brentford Crawl' in the 1930's.This went from the canal bridge at Brentford lock to Kew bridge and visited all pubs on, and within 50 yards, of the High Street.Only for the really dedicated as there were...............63 pubs!!!Sadly, so many of them are gone including both Red Lions, the latter being a great music venue and all but one of the four pubs at Kew bridge.

Nigel Brooks ● 4911d

"...they are not part of some post-graduate student exploitation project that pits the politically-correct and naive bar staff against the older customer who expects service and not PC uppityness."I had to laugh at this.Twice this year now I have had run-ins with just such types at the Drayton Court - once on what constituted a correctly filled pint, and once when a female member of bar staff jumped into a private conversation to make an insulting remark based on what she had incorrectly surmised was the position of one of the people based on eavesdropping a small portion of the conversation.  After a brief attempt to provide the necessary additional context she decided that she would not listen any longer so simply turned on her heel and left the area leaving our group temporarily stunned.  One only realises it after the event, but of course what she should have been told was to listen to the whole debate before jumping to conclusions rather than attempting to engage her on the matter.This is also far from the first time that I have had problems with short measures at a Fuller's pub.  The worst example came ten years or so ago.  A friend and I caught the then landlord teaching a new recruit how to encourage foam in the glass whilst the beer was being pulled so as to put less actual product into it in the end.  He was challenged there and then from our side of the bar and simply insisted that he was doing nothing worng.  We were so incensed that we wrote respectively to Ealing trading standards and the brewery management.  Nothing was ever heard back from either of them.

Tony Colliver ● 4911d

All these places have two things in common 1) they are not owned or run by Fullers (though some have Fullers beer sometimes), and 2) as a result of 1) they are not part of some post-graduate student exploitation project that pits the politically-correct and naive bar staff against the older customer who expects service and not PC uppityness.

Rudzik Nieszefc ● 4912d

Pubs:Roddy's Bar (comprising what used to be the clients of the Plough's Public Bar before it was turned into a sofa display showroom)T.J. Duffy'sWest 5 (W5) the club of that name.Then there is the New Inn which is owned and run by a small pubco that recently took over the Forester in Northfields and got rid of the really unpleasant management of that and re-vitalised it as an independent.Wine Bars:Crispins

Rudzik Nieszefc ● 4912d

Hi RudzikWhich smaller independent operations which are pubs are customers moving to?I've seen really small pubs in The Avenue and on Northfield Avenue but not around that area of South Ealing.

Phil Kay ● 4912d

Wouldn't recomment the Rozzer and Crown or the Plough is South Ealing. The Red Loon (Lion) is worth trying as is it is the only one of the three (Plough, Rozzer and Crown, and the Red Loon) which is still actually a pub. Multiple consecutive refurbishments of both the Rozzer and Crown and the Plough have turned these two pubs into somewhere between a sofa showroom and a airport waiting lounge for a budget airline. The food is pretty mundane and overpriced and the two pubs have lost many customers over the past few years to smaller indepemdent operations which are pubs. What is good is that Fullers makes some good beers, it is just such a shame that it cannot run its outlets properly and ignores customer feedback. For example, you cannot get a pint of Chiswick at the Rozzer and Crown, or a pint of Stella (which isn't Fullers by the way).

Rudzik Nieszefc ● 4912d

Excellent itinerary.

Rudzik Nieszefc ● 4912d

Hi Sam,Perhaps I'm over selling it by using the word 'itinerary'. but my pals and I do this at least once a year and it's great fun!!1. Viaduct (Off the Uxbridge road immediately, to…)2. The Inn on the Green (former Dolphin)3. Royal Victoria4. McCanns5. Ryans Bar (Back down to the Uxbridge Road, to…)6. Duke of York7. The Kings Arms8. Lavins Bar9. Hanwell Conservative Club (sometimes they won’t let you in – if not you get a nice break until..)10. The Lounge (Old Halfway House – keeps changing names)11. Hennessys12. Flynns (You now have a nice walk and a chance to get some food)13. Black George (if it is still open ?)14. Star & Anchor15. Flanagans (we often have more than the customary 1 pint as the Guinness is ace!)16. The Castlebar17. AshbysThis is the last stop until Ealing Broadway now – you’ve done 17 establishments and if you have the original group all together you’ve done well – curry time and for the real hardcore, more beers after!It’s great fun to do but you need to be at the starting pub, The Viaduct, for 11 a.m. sharp when they slip the lock. The sight of the bar persons’ face at that time when you’re mob handed is always a treat!!Hope you give it a try and if you do, good luck!!

Bud Richards ● 4912d

Hi Bud,I would be interested in seeing that itinerary if you wouldn't mind sending it please?Many thanksSam

Sam White ● 4912d

The Fox is undoubtedly the pick of the crop, closely followed by the Viaduct, IMHO. http://www.thefoxpub.co.uk/I never liked the Dolphin much, could never put my finger on why exactly, always seemed a bit soulless. Maybe its improved a bit now it's changed name (and hands?)

David Hunt ● 4912d

Thanks to you both for the suggestions.  I already know most of the Ealing ones but sounds like I need to explore nearer to the Uxbridge Road in Hanwell rather than further North.

Philip Coe ● 4913d

You're right Keith about The Dolphin - it was renamed wasn't it.White Hart under new management but still has the same unpleasant crowd and is a stay away for me.

Bud Richards ● 4913d

I think The Dolphin is now called The Inn on the Green but I may be mistaken.In North Hanwell I only know of 2 pubs,The Roundhouse on Brent Valley golf course which is not a bad boozer and the White Hart which used to have a bad rep.I haven't used either in years, apart from a swift 'un after a round on the golf course a couple of times,for years.

Keith Iddon ● 4913d

Hanwell is barely big enough to split north / south, but is short of really nice pubs. But if Hanwell drinking is a must for you, The Fox or The Dolphin are the best in the area. The Viaduct is quite tidy too and worth a try.South Ealing has some fantastic pubs that I'd highly recommend (Plough / Rouse & Crown / Red Lion).Haven Arms in Ealing on Haven Lane (in my opinion) is the best in the area by far - but many will obviously argue in favour of their local....Happy boozing!!P.S. - Uxbridge Road pub crawl from Viaduct to Ealing Broadway is a good way of getting a feel for the manor!! I can send you the itinary if you're interested. It's a brutal day but reward yourself with a nice curry at the finish line!!

Bud Richards ● 4913d