Pubs & Bars
Click on any of the above points to show the name of the pub/bar.
All Bar One
126-128 Notting Hill Gate, W11
Underground: Notting Hill Gate
A chain bar, this one provides a good selection of drinks with tasty and reasonably priced food. The wooden decor does not give it a particularly cosy feel, but this bar is very popular with the young, hip crowd. We wouldn't have ordinarily put this at the top of the list - remember this is in alphabetical order...sadly...
The Castle
225 Portobello Road, W11
Underground: Ladbroke Grove or Notting Hill Gate
There are a number of pubs on Portobello Road that are ideal for having a drink or two after a hard day's shopping/walking/
sightseeing...or just ideal for a having a drink or two...and this is one of my favourites!
Cherry Jam
58 Porchester Road, W2
Website: www.cherryjam.net
Underground: Bayswater or Royal Oak
Again, not entirely in Notting Hill...but close enough, so it gets a mention! A late night lounge bar serving a good selection of drinks (beer, wine, cocktails) and snack food; there are some sumptious booth seats if you can nab them to make your night a bit more relaxing. Music provided by a DJ (there's a small dance floor), check the website for what's on on each night. You need to pay to get in after 10pm, free before then.
The Champion
1 Wellington Terrace, W2
Website: www.thechampionpub.co.uk
Underground: Notting Hill Gate
A very cosy place, and really easy to get to. (It's actually on the corner of Notting Hill Gate.) Good selection of drinks, although service is a little...how shall we say...relaxed. Nevertheless, a good place to meet a bunch of your friends at.
The Cow
89 Westbourne Park Road, W2
Underground: Royal Oak or Westbourne Park
Perennially popular pub (ooh, catchy phrase!), only a few minutes' walk from Portobello Road. High praise from all guides, the pub was founded by Tom Conran of Conran family fame. Irish pub with good, reasonably priced food, especially fish and oysters. Afternoons in this place are reasonably quiet; if you go on a summer evening, except to have to fight your way to the bar.
Crazy Homies
125 Westbourne Park Road, W2
Website: www.crazyhomieslondon.co.uk
If tequila's your tipple of choice, make sure you pay this place a visit for the fairly extensive Mexican-themed drinks. Food service too.
Earl of Lonsdale
277 - 281 Westbourne Grove, W11
A great traditional pub for both winter and summer! There's a large, walled garden to the side of the pub, perfect for evening drinks. Indoors, private little alcoves give the place a lovely cozy feel.
Eclipse
186 Kensington Park Road, W11
Website: www.eclipse-ventures.com
Underground: Notting Hill Gate
Late-night bar (one of four in West London) with an impressive range of cocktails, which can be quite pricey! Nevertheless, we urge you to try the fruit martinis.
The Elbow Room
103 Westbourne Grove, W2
Website: www.theelbowroom.co.uk
Underground: Notting Hill Gate or Bayswater
Part of a chain of pool bars around London, I'd say this one is the best of the lot. There's a big space towards the back where the pool tables are, and a smaller bar space at the front - so the emphasis is on playing pool (however badly, your truly can attest) rather than boozing. Only negative is that it closes at 11pm - even on the weekend!
The Fat Badger
310 Portobello Road, W10
Website: www.thefatbadger.com
Underground: Ladbroke Grove or Westbourne Park
How can you resist a pub with a name like this?! Situated in a great corner junction, the big windows with the sun streaming through (although admittedly, you never know with England) give this place a real cosy feel. Intriguing menu, too!
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The Gate prides itself on its extensive cocktail selection, from house specials to reliable classics. Relax in one of the hidden corners of the cosy candle lit lounge bar and work your way through the menu, or ask the experienced bar tenders to make something special for you. |
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Harlem
78 Westbourne Grove, W2
Website: www.harlemsoulfood.com
Underground: Bayswater or Royal Oak
As a restaurant/bar/club, it's a great place to come if you're a bit undecided about what you want from your night...full meal? Drinks only? A bit of dancing? You can do it all here. Also one of the few places in the near vicinity to stay open until 2am.
Lonsdale
48 Lonsdale Rd, W11
Underground: Notting Hill Gate
Both a bar and a restaurant, the bar section has a very funky, retro decor. Another place with great cocktails, you might want to try quite a few! This place can get very packed on weekend nights, so a reservation is advisable, althought not necessary. Upstairs is a private members bar.
The Mall Tavern
71-73 Palace Gardens Terrace, W8
Underground: Notting Hill Gate
The Mall Tavern provides the perfect mix of good drinks and food, friendly service in a chilled setting. Great for drinks with friends or a meal with the family.
The Metropolitan
60 Great Western Road, W11
Website: www.themetropolitanw11.co.uk
Underground: Westbourne Park
Great pub with a cosy interior (think leather sofas and an open fire) for cold winter days and a spacious beer garden for summer - as well as a roof terrace! Good selection of drinks, and nice food menu too. Private areas are available for hire upstairs. Very popular on weekends! There's also a number of great events taking place at the Metropolitan - for example, the Portobello Accoustic Sessions each Thursday showcases the latest singer and songwriting talent.
The Notting Hill Arts Club
21 Notting Hill Gate, W11
Website: www.nottinghillartsclub.com
Underground: Notting Hill Gate
One of the hippest places in trendy Notting Hill. Free entry before 8pm and £5 after, so quite reasonably priced for London! DJs are there on many evenings, and there is also live music sometimes. There are various events happening on different nights of the week (and the opening hours vary as well) so it's best to check to the website to see what's on.
The Oak
137 Westbourne Park Road, W11
Website: www.theoaklondon.com
Underground: Royal Oak or Westbourne Park
Stylish place with a restaurant on the ground floor and funky bar on the first. Restaurant serves delicious pizzas, upstairs serves great cocktails and tapas. The Portobello Star
171 Portobello Road, W11
Underground: Ladbroke Grove or Notting Hill Gate
This place has undergone a makeover not too long ago, so what was once a half-decent boozer has now become trendy bar - but not in an annoying way - that serves up some excellent cocktails! The DJs on some of the nights help crank up the atmosphere too.
Prince Albert
11 Pembridge Road, W11
Underground: Notting Hill Gate
You know those times when you get out the tube station, think to yourself "I really can't be bothered to walk miles just for a drink in a swanky bar" and stumble into the nearest pub? Well this is the pub you should stumble into. And not just because it's near, but because it's a very nice pub to boot! Wide selection of draught beers and other drinks, good food and a beer garden at the back. Quite trendy, too.
The Prince Bonaparte
80 Chepstow Road, W2
Underground: Royal Oak, Queensway, Bayswater or Notting Hill Gate
Good selection of beers/wines and an excellent Mediterranean themed menu ordered from the bar at reasonable prices. There is always a good atmosphere in The Prince, whether chilling out during the day or partying in the evening. The music really thumps out on a Friday and Saturday. Also the bar staff are normal people and not pretentious at all (most unusual for Notting Hill).
[ Review by Russell Black ]
Trailer Happiness
177 Portobello Road, W11
Website: www.trailerh.com
Underground: Ladbroke Grove or Notting Hill Gate
Eclectic bar, eclectic decor, eclectic cocktails...all in all, quite an experience! This basement bar serves great concoctions - the Tiki cocktails are definitely recommended - as well as snack food. Can get really, really packed on weekend nights, so it is advisable to get here a bit early if want a seat...or even some breathing space. Shuts at 11pm, unfortunately.
The Westbourne Tavern
101 Westbourne Park Villas, W2
Underground: Royal Oak or Westbourne Park
Just across the road from The Cow. Lovely outside seating area at the front, which catches the sun directly. Funky decor inside. Good selection of beer and food. The haunt of many a celeb. |
