London drinks / dinner. May 2013

[Flashback]

Indeed. Basically next to Holborn Tube Station (down a small street called Gate Street). Small ground floor pub, but plenty of nooks to sit in. Upstairs is their restaurant.
The Ship Tavern - Pub in Holborn, Pub WC2, Pub central London, Pub near Lincoln’s Inn, Private dining Holborn

There are thousands of pubs in London. Not all are suitable for a catch-up (and yes, I have now visited most within a decent radius of the Travelodge). This one, although not the cheapest I have found does meet my general criteria for a catch-up. If prices are an issue (they are "high end moderate", ie 3.80+ for a pint of lager), then there is a Wetherspoons just up the road which is slightly cheaper but atmosphere suffers...

Food doesn't have to be there either. Plenty of decent places nearby.

As long as they serve sparkling water and slices of lime, I'm happy :mrgreen:

 

[Mal]

As long as they serve sparkling water and slices of lime, I'm happy :mrgreen:

Not generally part of my road tests, but it should be available. If not, I will personally head to Sainsburys just down the road and find you fresh lime!

(The sad thing is, the best pubs in the area are Sam Adams pubs ... While they have good "copy" beers, I really don't like the places)

 

[deka2]

Looks good to me.

Hopefully we can find a reasonabley quiet corner. Nothing worse than trying to have a conversation in a noisy pub.

We arrive Thursday 16th at 06.20 and will be heading to the AA Arrivals lounge to freshen up.

Travelodge don't store bags and we're not able to get into our room until 12.00, so we got a tip off Tripadvisor to visit for the British Museum, and leave our bags at the cloak room.

Helps that we will be travelling with carry-on only.

 

[Mal]

I can't guarantee anything about noise, it is a relatively small pub (but tucked away in a side alley from the station). Hopefully wont be busy.

I'm thinking 7pm. Suitable? I can be there earlier, but Flashware has another engagement first.

 

[deka2]

7pm is good for us.

we'll see you there

 

[Mal]

Popped in tonight about 5.30 (I was in the area for something else). At 5.30 it was fairly quiet and seats available. By 6 it became more busier but turnover of people was high (ie drop in, grab a pint with colleague then head to tube). I didn't stick around till 7.... Hopefully all will work out. I will send a pm soon with contact information.

At last resort if the ship inn turns into a horrible pub, the white hart opposite the travelodge is still an OK option, and I stuck my head in to see how many people were around and it was pretty quiet.

 

[deka2]

Hi Mal

We're in your hands
Looking forward to meeting you

 

[Cynicor]

Pity I missed this earlier. I'm in London for 4 nights from 27th to 31st.

Have fun!

 

[Flashback]

Popped in tonight about 5.30 (I was in the area for something else). At 5.30 it was fairly quiet and seats available. By 6 it became more busier but turnover of people was high (ie drop in, grab a pint with colleague then head to tube). I didn't stick around till 7.... Hopefully all will work out. I will send a pm soon with contact information.

At last resort if the ship inn turns into a horrible pub, the white hart opposite the travelodge is still an OK option, and I stuck my head in to see how many people were around and it was pretty quiet.

I walked past the White Hart last night also and thought of that as maybe being an option, great minds think alike! "The oldest pub in London" or some such thing

 

[Mal]

I walked past the White Hart last night also and thought of that as maybe being an option, great minds think alike! "The oldest pub in London" or some such thing

Just like "The best fish and chips in London" and the "best beer in London", such titles seem to be very popular. Still, a place that reputedly was first licensed somewhere in the 12 Century is pretty impressive.

 

[Flashback]

Here's an interesting twist / dinner option...... Wowcher | Deal - Hilton London Docklands/£17 instead of up to £29.40 for an

Catch a ferry from Canary Wharf (ticket included).

Have been here once before and for a buffet though it was quite good.

 

[Flashback]

It may be a flying visit for me guys, under the pump at work but should be able to pop in for an hour or so between meetings.

 

[Flashback]

Mal and I are here, sitting on some red cushioned seats in the corner near the stairs that go up to the dining area.

 

[Mal]

A great evening. Thanks deka2 (and deka2+1) and flashware for attending.

Flashware, it's a pity you had to run off for work related reasons, there were a few topics where you would have been able to to provide some recent and relevant advice.

Deka2, hope the rest of the trip goes well. And perhaps the weather will improve... perhaps.

 

[deka2]

Thanks to you Mal, we had a great night with good food and conversation.

Agree it was a pity the Flashware couldn't stay longer