The Red Lion — Restaurant in London

Here on a Monday evening: 1950- the time, not the year 🙄. It reminds me of my grandmother’s wake (and I’m 70!!): a mercifully small selection of the local clientele: the lonely, the lost, the completely lost and those most likely (with any luck) to be ‘found’. The young bar staff do their best to be positive, but gradually sink into incipient insouciance. As the night ‘progresses’ (if that’s the right adjective), more stragglers turn up: the young couple with their alarmingly young child in tow: not a word uttered between them all evening, but mobiles at the ready; the solitary old men (where are the old women?): each pint lasts an hour and they wander home alone. Then the occasional local who haunts this (and other nearby pubs) and brings to mind Pascal’s seductive, troubling, but realistic view of humanity, encapsulating this sometimes bleak area: “Man chases a bouncing ball or rides to hounds after a fleeing animal; or the ball and fleeing game are pursued through the labyrinth of social intrigue and amusement; anything, so long as he manages to escape from himself. Or, solidly ensconced in habit the good citizen, surrounded by wife and family, secure in his job, need not cast his eye on the quality of his days as they pass, and see how each day entombs some hope or dream forgotten and how the next morning wakes him to a round that becomes ever narrower and more congealed. Both habit and diversion, so long as they work, conceal from man ‘his nothingness, his forlornness, his inadequacy, his impotence and his emptiness.” Apart from that, it was great. Recommended (for both the lightness and darkness of life; the light winning out-just).

Returned on 12/9/‘25, this time, on a Friday late afternoon/ early evening. A number of 3-6 year olds, taking their parents out for a drink. Loud hoots and screams could be heard (and the women were just as bad) at the other end of the pub. I can only assume that this was the ‘lower middles’ rejoicing at the recent opening of the now beloved and relatively well established Marks and Spencers supermarket nearby- a haven of reassuring purchasing power, or so they seem to think, far from the proverbial madding crowd. The young servers were, as usual, polite and efficient (with a slightly clinical edge). A good range of alcohol (beers, wines, spirits and cocktails) remains. Recommended-. TOP TIP: ask your 4-6 year old to take you there, particularly in the early evening when you are still too hyperactive on sugar...

Stayed here as it was in the area I needed to be in for a conference. Check in was quick and efficient and the man who checked me in kindly took my suitcase up the stairs for me. I was top floor so there were quite a few stairs but by the end of the week I was a bit fitter ! The entrance to the hotel Is separate to the bar so don't need to go to the bar after checked in. The staircase is lovely with chandeliers and books and pictures the rooms are named after Kings and Queens ||My room the Mary room was beautiful. The beds are so comfortable with gorgeous velvet pillows. As I was under the roof and it was painted dark green with only small window it was quite dark. Nice view over the city buildings especially lit up at night. The room got cleaned regularly and was kept in good order. ||There is a hairdryer and iron and lots of cupboard space ||There is a fridge which is handy. Teas black green earl grey herbal and coffee pods milk and biscuits are provided . There are instructions for the coffee machine and its very tasty proper coffee which I enjoyed. ||Everything is nice quality. There is nice smelling aromatherapy shower gel shampoo conditioner hand soap and cream. The shower is a rain shower nice and hot.||The wallpapers are beautiful . There is a little radio too ||I looked forward each night to sink into my beautiful Queens bed. I might have to buy velvet pillows now.||The pub was very quiet , I wasn't there for the weekend though. There was some arguing outside the first night I think from another place. Also it shakes ! Which I realised must be from the underground underneath which is about 3 mins walk. Got used to it after the 1st night. There are shops and restaurants and cafes about 1 minute away which is convenient. Would stay again...

Stayed here as it was in the area I needed to be in for a conference. Check in was quick and efficient and the man who checked me in kindly took my suitcase up the stairs for me. I was top floor so there were quite a few stairs but by the end of the week I was a bit fitter ! The entrance to the hotel Is separate to the bar so don't need to go to the bar after checked in. The staircase is lovely with chandeliers and books and pictures the rooms are named after Kings and Queens ||My room the Mary room was beautiful. The beds are so comfortable with gorgeous velvet pillows. As I was under the roof and it was painted dark green with only small window it was quite dark. Nice view over the city buildings especially lit up at night. The room got cleaned regularly and was kept in good order. ||There is a hairdryer and iron and lots of cupboard space ||There is a fridge which is handy. Teas black green earl grey herbal and coffee pods milk and biscuits are provided . There are instructions for the coffee machine and its very tasty proper coffee which I enjoyed. ||Everything is nice quality. There is nice smelling aromatherapy shower gel shampoo conditioner hand soap and cream. The shower is a rain shower nice and hot.||The wallpapers are beautiful . There is a little radio too ||I looked forward each night to sink into my beautiful Queens bed. I might have to buy velvet pillows now.||The pub was very quiet , I wasn't there for the weekend though. There was some arguing outside the first night I think from another place. Also it shakes ! Which I realised must be from the underground underneath which is about 3 mins walk. Got used to it after the 1st night. There are shops and restaurants and cafes about 1 minute away which is convenient. Would stay again...