For a pub, they did not have a large selection of beers. Finding a table, without assistance is problematic, especially if you are not allowed to sit at a table meant for 4 if you're only 2 people. I ordered the fish and chips and it was okay. If they aren't going to season the food, they should put salt and pepper shakers at the table. The fish needed to be salted. The food was okay, the chips needed to be cooked a little more because they were still rawish inside. For my first meal in London, it can only get better! read more

Nice little pub on a side street, with great food and beer, especially the house bitter. A must try when in Russell Sq. read more

One of Green Kings 1600 pubs in the UK. We stopped for drinks and the one bartender didn't know how to make the Berry Spritzer on the menu but we started chatting with some locals and stayed for two rounds. As the pub was behind our hotel I went back for a nightcap later. At this time there was an older lady tending bar. This woman, blonde/grey around 40-50 provided service with a level of rudeness that I cannot abide by. To that point, I had ordered and paid for my drink when the rudeness came out-at which point I left. The beer was on the counter, I had paid and as I was leaving she got even worse. I will avoid Green Kjng pubs in the future. read more

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Food is spotty most of all doesn't seem like they like Americans! Wouldn't let us sit at table for four having dinner but let another couple sit there, put us on a tiny smoky table ..smoke coming from outside everytime door opened. Chicken sandwich was really good last time today was ok our burger was cooked well, fries tasteless . The good thing is bogo beer during the week. Very crowded with very very loud locals . U serve yourself and try to get someone at the bar to help you. Unfortunately my hubby is patient and waited while everyone jumps in front of you .. came twice cause our hotel is around the corner.. read more

Another fine establishment in London. Meat pie was spot on and the mushy peas were deliciously mushy. Happened upon here on a Sunday and stopped I. For a quick bite and ended up staying for near 2 hours watching the football match with the patrons. Great vibe and the staff were very attentive. read more

This is a pub, serving pub food, serving pub drinks. It has been a pub for hundreds of years -- Pitt the younger drank here, T.S. Elliot drank here and threw the pub's name into his book of practical cats. In recent years it was bought by a chain, so now (for you stateside folk) it is a bit like a Friday's. But, to be fair, it is a Friday's where T.S. Elliot used to drink. Fridays might be too broad a comparison, and certainly not meant derisively. One of my favorite bars ever was a fridays. In future, I suspect we will venerate chain places just the same as ancient standalones (Eg. Justin Bieber used to drink coffee at that very same Starbucks before his third Nobel prize!) Chain or no, what makes a bar (or Pub) is the people -- and the folks here seemed just fine. They rubbed along with locals and tourists alike, worked there way thru French accents, Italian accents and even we Americans with patience and even kindness -- that can be a difficult thing to manage and they did it well. It was Sunday so I had the roast -- they were out of beef and veggie options, down to three chicken left, so I had chicken. It was pretty good, maybe a tad uneven. Chicken ok, potatoes tasty, carrots quite delish. Wife had a sandwich, and wished she'd had the roast. All in all, between three and four stars. Wished I could be here for a match, seems a good place to meet friends. read more

This was the first pub I ever went to in England visiting from the US. Stayed close by and walked over two different nights. Adorable pub tucked away in an alley. An older gentlemen helped me the first time there, he was incredibly kind and helpful. Drinks and food were great. read more

The hamburger is inedible. They call it medium but it is overdone. They will not serve it rare which may be a comment on their meat. The crust on the Streak and Ale pint needed a chisel. read more

Great food, lovely crowd, fantastic selection of beers (landlord!). Had a great time watching the match with my family, will come again!

Been checking out the pubs in and around the hotel for the best grub and brewskies. I'd recommend Friend at Hand tucked away in an alleyway...you have to go find it. More friendly and attentive service compared with all other pubs I've tried in area. As an American, it reminds me of a Sports Bar with communal dining and drinking, and friendly folks. Recommend the Fish and Chips. Busy, with a few outdoor table and chairs, so don't count on a private table in case that matters. All age groups. I would return. If you think this review with photo is useful, funny or cool, I'd appreciate your feedback below. read more

Friend At Hand - Fish and Chips, with a Fine Brewski - Pubs Near Me - Bloomsbury, XGL

Worst experience in London! Don't know how this place has any positive reviews. We waited over an hour for our food (we did not order anything special, literally fish and chips and toasted cheese). My husband had to go up to the bar three times to find out what was going on. When the food came, it was tasteless (no salt on the chips, etc.) and COLD. Really disappointing. read more

Service was great, food was great. We went 2x on our trip to London. Had the Sunday roast which was quite good and had the Grilled cheese on another visit which was amazing. I highly recommend this pub! read more

I always stop here when I am attending a hospital appointment round the corner as I get off at Russell Square and its right between the 2. The food has never disappointed. In terms of atmosphere, it is what it is, its quite small but as I only ever go in there during the day, I always get a table, the service is always excellent. I dont usually post reviews but I just wanted to ask if I'm the only person who wonders if this is the pub that is mentioned in the musical Cats "She haunted many a low resort Near the grimy road of Tottenham Court; She flitted about the No Man's Land From The Rising Sun to The Friend at Hand." One reviewer pointed out that it was built 500 years ago and that Oscar Wilde used to drink here and its close enough to Tottenham Court Road, The Rising Sun is an old pub in the area too so if you stop by maybe keep your eyes peeled for Grisabella the Glamour Cat read more

Tasty food and hospitable staff! Enjoyed this pub thoroughly and would recommend over others in the area.

Our first day in London and we were seeking the iconic fish and chips for dinner. Having traveled from Paris to London in the Eurostar train we were famished after arriving. Using Yelp, we found the Friend at Hand Pub that was conveniently located next to our hotel. Upon entering, we were seated in a cozy corner of the pub. Three of us ordered the fish and chips and my son ordered the Bacon Cheeseburger without the cheese...go figure. Note: you have to order your food and drinks at the bar...which when busy is not the most convenient or quickest. Anyways, our food arrived after about 10 minutes. The fried cod smelled amazing! Unfortunately, the chips/fries were lukewarm. We ordered the garden peas in lieu of mushy peas and our meal also came with a slice of bread and a cold brown sauce (forget to note what this was). The fish was hot and crispy and paired nicely with the tarter sauce. The fish was flakey and generous. The atmosphere was fun and lively being a Friday afternoon. Overall the food was ok...the ambiance was nice and a good first experience in an English pub. A higher score would have been given if the fries were fresh and hot. read more

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We visited twice during our stay. Make on-line reservations if you want to eat or have a table. The food is very good. The service is very good. Order at the bar, remember your table number, pay, and the food is delivered to your table. read more

This is one of four pubs that I visited while in London. It's apparently a chain pub, but I won't hold that against the place. It was right behind my hotel, sort of off the beaten path but don't let that deter you. I ordered a pint of Greene King IPA, fish & chips from the friendly barkeep. I didn't particularly care for the IPA -- not hoppy enough, too fruity -- unfortunately it was the only one on tap. The food arrived quickly and looked tasty! The portion was huge -- I finished neither the plate nor the pint. This place had a good vibe and I like that it was slightly off the busy streets. The prices were pretty average. Of all the pubs I visited on this trip, Friend At Hand had the best fish & chips! I'd gladly drop in again if I'm in the area. read more

Friend At Hand - Generous fish & chips portion with IPA. Yummy! - Pubs Near Me - Bloomsbury, XGL

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I have had the pleasure of dining at this Pub during a couple of different visit to London. The Pub is great for general dining or just catching a football game and having a few pints. If you are coming for a big game arrive early because tables fill quickly. I cannot wait to visit A Friend At Hand on my next trip to London. read more

Ya ya, its a typical pub but go on Friday afternoons and its packed with the hip kids from the design school across the street getting drunk! Great fashion tips! This is right around the corner from Russel square tube and Smart Russel Square hostel which I also recommend. read more

Friend At Hand - beer number one in london! - Pubs Near Me - Bloomsbury, XGL

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Pretty bland Taylor Walker pub tucked round the back of Russell Square station. It's near my work so I stop in occasionally if staying in the area but I normally turn straight round and leave. It can be busy enough (especially when a big football game is on) but the soul seems to have been sucked out of it. If you want a joyless drink surrounded by tourists come here - if not try the Queen's Larder or one of the pubs on Lamb's Conduit Street nearby. read more

We visited twice while staying down the street. Great place to stop by for a drink and for dinner. I had a salad that was really good. Great selection of beer as well! Very nice staff! read more

All of the previous reviews touch on bits about this pub. We stopped in on a busy Thursday just past the lunch hour. Honestly we had really good food. MK had the Lamb Burger and I the Chicken Curry (sort of a tikka) and were quite pleased. Sure there were folks there older than us but there were some younger folks as well. It was a mix likely due to its location but isn't that what a good neighborhood pub is supposed to be? Hey it fit our needs and to be honest, since we were staying at a hotel in the area, if we had stayed a bit longer we would have gone back. read more

A cosy pub tucked around the corner from Russell square tube station just behind GOSH. Not the longest bar around but filled with a great range of beers, ales and Pilsners One tv viewable for half the customers and plenty of tables and chairs squeezed in to all available space but doesn't feel too squashed I had a nosy look at the menu even though I was just passing for an arvo brew but I liked how the daily special menu was found tucked inside the main menu. A very nice range of burgers plus usual English pub classics even a choice of jacket potatoes too Especially like the drink menu with food suggestions to pair with the ales, beers and ciders read more

Lively english atmosphere - crazy for football - a cold beer and a hot dish of fish and chips - recommendable ! read more

Friend At Hand - Pubs Near Me - Bloomsbury, XGL

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This pub has an interesting name, a nice sign featuring a St. Bernard dog, a funny location being across from a 'horse hospital', standard pub atmosphere, and mediocre food. Come for a pint when you're seeking a traditional ale with a quiet, older crowd near Bloomsbury. Otherwise eat and socialize elsewhere. read more

A typical old man's pub, this is the sort of place you could bring your Dad or even your Granddad. The clientele are of an appropriately elderly breed, with not a hint of trying to be cool. In some ways this is quite refreshing. It is unlikely you will be disturbed if you wander in for a quiet pint and settle down to read the paper. There are gaudy slot machines against the walls, confirm that this is a traditional pub, of the sort that you might want to use as an example when showing foreign visitors around the city. read more

Friend At Hand - Pubs Near Me - Bloomsbury, XGL

Didn't really like this pub. It felt a bit soulless, almost like a pub you might find in a train station or a hotel, which is quite surprising when you find out it was built almost 500 years ago and Oscar Wilde used to drink here. There were TVs with the sport, but it didn't even feel like the kind of place I would come to watch a match. There were a few good drink options on tap though (but also the vile Stella) and it does looks very nice from outside. read more

We have a name for this pub where I used to work, one which I won't repeat here, but don't let that put you off. This place is 'a dive'. It's a tiny boozer behind Russell Square station that caters to a mixed crowd of regulars, sports fans and those in search of a quick after work drink. Prices are reasonable, the staff are friendly and it's not the worst place in the world to while away the hours. Don't expect great deco or quirky extras, this place is as old fashioned as you can get! It has an air of stickiness about it, like everything you touched would be sticky but again don't let it put you off. The place has a certain charm, perhaps it's that it isn't pretentious or pop up or 'quirky' but simply it's an old London boozer that's fallen behind the times! read more

Pretty run-of-the-mill pub this - decent service & a typical range of beers & spirits on offer in a cosy traditional-looking interior. Sky TV was in evidence so not a bad central location to catch a match I expect & for all you smokers the windowsills outside are the ideal depth for safe pint resting whilst you drag on a snout. read more

Great Pub, you're damn sure to meet some friendly English folk. Big Arsenal crowd, couldn't keep out the Man City bandwagoners though. Good beer selection, but let's be real you're undoubtedly going to order a Guinness. My suggestion: Try the London Pride and Old Speckled Hen. For those of you who have had them, you know what I mean. It's a pub so you're going to get the typical pub menu but you come here more for the ambiance and authentic pub feel over the food. You won't lose with this one. Cheers. read more

Great little pub. We went here twice during our stay. Fish and chips and burgers were a favorite. Crabbies ginger beer is wonderful. Not something we can find in our area. Special thanks to the staff member who chased us down to give us the camera we accidentally left behind. Much appreciated. read more

Cosy pub with decent drink prices, friendly staff, and pretty tasty food actually(!) -- though food prices are slightly higher than average. It's right next to the Russell Square tube station. The only problem is it's near impossible to find a table on the weekends and/or on game nights. read more

Fond memories of Paul and the crew...Oh, London and Friend at Hand, I miss you!

The epitome of a soulless British "chain pub". Another sad example of a once fine and very historical english pub destroyed by a corporate chain. The menu, complete with glossy pictures of hamburgers resembled a Denny's menu. The pastry of my pie was undercooked, almost raw in parts and the steak and ale filling devoid of any true taste. The mashed potato was the highlight of the whole meal. The beer selection was equally as generic and uninteresting. This place is like a hybrid american sports bar/seedy tavern/gaming parlour; grossly lacking any character or soul. Such disappointment. Do yourself a favour - head to the Skinner's Arms or The Lamb for a true English pub experience, both are within 10 minutes walk. read more

I frequented this pub in January 2008 while there for a study aboard. The food, beers, and staff were all amazingly kind and courteous. In fact, I often recommend friends visiting London to stop by for a bite. I will always have fond memories! read more

Nice, tucked away little semi-dive behind the Horse Hospital and the Celtic Hotel in Bloomsbury. Good local pints, but surprisingly decent food as well. This place gets *busy* due to its proximity to the Russell Square tube station, the Russell hotel,the University, etc and has a mostly local crowd I noticed. read more

I truly love the "Friend" ....if for nothing else than it is one of the first pubs I ever visted in London upon arriving at the Russell Square tube station oh so many years and beers ago! It's kinda tucked away out of sight down a a classic Dickensonian London alley.....blue collar meets white collar clientele .....all bickering over the latest football match....but all are welcome whomever you support...could sit here for hours (and indeed have, believe me). Stagger out at 11 (closing time) ....get a curry on way back to room in Cartwright Square......yes....it's been a good day ...cheers! read more

Average London pub. Usual beers, sports on the TV, video gaming in the corner, average food. A pleasant place to stop if you are out for a walk in Bloomsbury, but nothing special. read more

A fun spot with very generous portions and a nice selection of brews. Tried the fish and chips and classic roast beef and enjoyed both. Lots of TVs with soccer on but chose the fresh air and conversation just outside. Good place to relax and unwind. read more

I went to the Friend at Hand, which I have visited a few times being located close to my office, on a Saturday afternoon with some friends for a few drinks. There was international rugby and football on the TV screens. As we got up to leave the rugby game got exciting and we stood to watch for a couple of minutes. An employee of the pub approached us asking us to buy a drink or leave, in the unfriendly manner. That really puts me off this pub. read more