Exale Taproom — Restaurant in London

Visited 30 August 2020

My first, of what will likely be many, visits. Sitting outside I couldn't get a good look at the space inside, but on my way to the toilet I had a brief look and overall is very pleasing to the eye.

Obviously some thought and money has gone into creating a welcoming venue, given the competition springing up on their literal doorstep.

That's where the beers come in handy. They're good and very tasty, as you'd expect. Table service at time of visit with ordering via whatsapp, a bit clunky but works and saves having to register with an app just to pay. Staff were friendly and personable and able to laugh and joke as they work.

Overall an enjoyable first visit. I can't not mention the toilets however. I was not expecting Japanese style power loos when I opened the cubicle door. Someone in another cubicle could be heard pressing buttons before I then heard a surprised, "Oh! The seat's really hot!" I had to struggle not to laugh out loud.

Minor loo gripe. Whilst the combined wash hand basin and toilet looks nice and is a good use of space, it is not great if you have, as my Gran would say, shovels for hands. It would appear i wasn't alone, judging by the puddle on the floor. That'll be the sensible sloping toilet seat...

My 2 star rating is only for going to exhale and eating there as a non meat eater whilst they have Wholebeast doing food there.

Exhale as a taproom, is a 4.5 star rating from me. Great beers and vibes, as it has been since they opened.

Unfortunately, their recent partnership with new food vendor WholeBeast, just does not cut the mustard. It’s very unfortunate as all their previous vendors have been great for offering some substantial non meat options.

For example the previous vendor was a very meat heavy smoke house, but also had substantial veg / vegan offerings.

Unfortunately I would have to say that Wholebeast just don’t have any substantial options for non meat eaters and what they do offer is expensive for what it is.

I said I was hungry and got advised to have the tacos and chips, which came to £14.50. The veg tacos were great, but, the 2 of them were a very small starter at best and cost £9. The fries, were basic fries and cost £5.50.

To sum things up, if you eat meat it’s probably a 4.5 out of 5. If you don’t eat meat, at best it’s a generous 2 out of 5, it’s not the 1980’s anymore on what you should expect as a non meat eater.

The taproom experience in general without taking food into consideration is a...

The beer was good. Very strange experience with the security guard seeming to consider himself some kind of vice squad detective. Followed me and my friend round and upon seeing me pass her her house keys proceeded to follow her to the toilet and accuse her of doing drugs. Realising he wasn’t allowed to search her, he frogmarched me outside and thoroughly searched me (an odd tactic as he seemed to think I had passed her the narcotics). Upon finding nothing he apologised but then proceeded to follow me round for the rest of the night like a bad smell. Hiding in bushes and appearing as if by magic everywhere I went. I understand it’s his job, but it was very heavy handed and all felt quite unnecessary as we weren’t causing any trouble, just a few friends having a pint at the end...