Gorgeous traditional pub with a slightly updated menu close to Portobello Road but out of the madness of the market. We loved the fish and chips (especially the warmed curry sauce and the tartar sauce that has to be made here) and the salmon with garlic mash and big buttery capers. Lucked out to score a table by the fire. The Elgin is sending my family back to the us warm and well-fed. read more

Yummers! Very yummy! Quite delightful if I do say so myself! Vibes were on point! 10/10! Food was melting in my mouth Bathrooms were spiffy! The LeBron James of restaurants. Would recommend if you are a Real food eater like me! #BIGBACKLIVESMATTER read more

Service was not terrible but it also wasn't great. It took a little while to get seated and there seemed to be some confusion getting the menus. Maybe our waiter was new? The interior is dark and has the typical pub feel. The burger and fries were pretty good but I would be more inclined to come back if the service was better. Too bad since we live so close by.Elgin burger with smoky bacon and cheddar, skinny or hand cut chips read more

The Elgin - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - London, XGL

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It was a rainy day (in London, unheard of) and we stopped in here on our way to Portebello Market. We hadn't had lunch and this pub seemed to be a great place to wait out the storm in what seemed to be a beautiful, traditional style British pub. Not sure if the locals think of it as a traditional pub, but it felt that way to me. The interior has a large bar, sofas, antique chairs, and large stained glass windows that allowed plenty of light in. It wasn't too busy inside. There was an elderly couple drinking a couple of pints, both sitting facing the bar in a booth. They just sat there, barely said a word to each other. Anyways, the server was patient and attentive. I think she was french, and she tried her best to answer our questions. Straight to the food. I ordered the Ploughmans (Mature cheddar, egg, pickled onion salad and crusty bread). I asked the server why it's called the ploughman? Basically a ploughman is a farmer/labourer, and the meal represents a very common meal that ploughman eat in pubs 60 years ago. I basically picked it for the name, and while it's not the most exciting or flavorful food, I enjoyed all the components. The fiancee ordered a beer battered cod and chips with a pea mint puree. She definitely liked the cod and chips, but the bread is a little thicker the she's accustomed too. Same is true for the bread on my dish. read more

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Not your average pub, it seems. Spent a memorable evening here with the analytics crew from work. Turns out they feature various musical artists all year long. The Elgin was a honky-tonk on the 5th of December. Would've never expected to play audience to a southern country music (British) band - involving a banjo, no less. Good, clean fun. Much love to Jazz Morley, the female vocalist that night. That voice made my week, honey: http://www.musicglue.com/jazzmorley/bio/ read more

The Elgin - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - London, XGL

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Sorry, that's just not good enough ... deducting a couple of stars here, for what it's worth. OK, so we moved on to the Elgin for a drink on a Friday night, bands were playing in the back room, busy local crowd at the bar and smoking outside. I really do want to love this place and make it my new local now that The KPH is no longer (more about that in a separate review). I have had decent wine here before, probably making a more considered choice when ordering my own. On this occasion I accepted a friend's offer of a drink and just asked for a glass of rosé and got the house wine. It's always a bit awkward when someone buys you a drink and you don't like it, I usually shut up and swallow. On this occasion I couldn't, the wine was utterly undrinkable. My friends and the bar tender agreed that it must be off just by giving it a little sniff. I was happy to accept a replacement of the same house rosé - just for it to be just as bad as the first ... Cue a more senior member of bar staff who admitted that he wasn't happy with the new house wine. Apparently they don't make their own selection but have to go with whatever head office decides - shame on you Geronimo Inns! I was happy enough to be offered the chance to get a different wine, provided I paid £1.50 extra for the difference in price. At least the alternative tasted like wine - nothing special mind. Call me old-fashioned but house wines are a bar's calling card - at The Elgin you get an inferior selection for maximum profit margin. I am left with a very bitter after taste. read more

The Elgin - Not a pretty sight - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - London, XGL

I'd say this is mostly a sports pub. It's fairly traditional, there's a big wooden bar and a really nice original looking railway style clock that counts down your night as you drink. It does it in a slightly decedent and entirely passive way though so it's ok. Doesn't make you feel like it's watching you waste your life or anything - some clocks can. The interior is really big; this is a great pub for groups, especially during the day on the weekend. And as I say, if you're into the Premiership and other big sporting occasions it's perfect. Haven't had the food but I know they're always pushing their pie or sausage of the day and the prices are around 6 to 8 quid so you can have a reasonable enough meal here if you don't choose the rib eye steak or the lobster. Actually I don't think they do lobster but you get what I mean. It's an example of an expensive dish. Just in case you didn't get what I meant. read more

The Elgin - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - London, XGL

The fish cakes were delicious and so was the mackerel dish. Lovely ambience. Decent service. read more

The Elgin - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - London, XGL

Popped in here for a quick drink while I was waiting to meet someone at the nearby tube station. It was a Thursday and the place still had plenty of vacant seats, which was good as I just needed to burn 20 or so minutes. Service was quick and easy and finding a seat was as quick and easy. The pub itself still holds onto a look of pubs which have fallen by the way. It is preserving a bit of history and doing it well. There was some background music but it wasn't over empowering, if I had been in her with someone it would be one of those places were you can talk and don't have to shout!! (Always a good thing) As i did not try the food I cannot comment but from what I saw the portion size looked good. read more

This place served me the most wretched and appalling Gin and Tonics I've ever had in my life, and I've had a lot of bad ones. The watered down Gin wasn't even the worst part--they served it with oranges, strawberries, and put it in a goddamn sangria glass! How can you cockup the most simple, traditional, and dignified drinks in the history of England?! This place really has potential. The bartender was nice and the interior decor was something out of Gatsby (in a good way). But I came here because this was my last night in London and I wanted a proper Gin and Tonic, and I figured that a place that said "Gin Palace" above it would not let me down. I was wrong. read more

5/5 - Second visit: I am loving the Elgin. I've been there twice now so this will be a kind of combined review of both times. Undoubtedly I will be spending a lot of time there in the future. The decor is gorgeous, more like a wine bar than a pub. It is modern yet comfortable; a place where I can just chill with my friends but still feel pretty cool and classy while doing so. They seem to attract a mix of clientele, but when I went there at about half 10 on a Friday night there were particularly numerous attractive young men in their twenties, which pleased me greatly. There was plenty of space to sit down inside, ranging from sofas to tables to barstools. They have a specialty "gin palace" but so far all I've drunk there is beer. They have a great selection of beer on tap including Budvar and Staropramen, but also some great local/seasonal/unusual choices. There is definitely a drink for everyone, and the prices are standard. Bathrooms are nicely outfitted and clean. No problems with service so far. There is a little patio area outside for smokers. On my first visit there was a live act in the back section of the pub which was excellent, so it's worth keeping an eye out for when they have live music on. My only gripe is that I looked at the menu and didn't see much choice for vegetarians - just a mushroom risotto, and an expensive one at that. I suppose they are trying for gastro-pub type quality, and I might consider paying if they come up with something more exciting for us herbivores. read more

This is one of my favourite pubs in the area. It is really nicely decorated with sofas, the food is great, service friendly and they have two types of Czech beer on tap! You can never go wrong with the Czech Budvar or if you prefer, you can have Staropramen. I also noticed today that they have live music on some days. I will be definitely coming back to see how it is. Also, if you are going to the nearby Portobello Road market, this is the perfect place to go for a drink and leave the crowds behind. read more

I moved into the neighborhood over the summer while the Elgin was closed for renovations. I had never been before, but now that it has re-opened its one of the nicest pubs around! The food is absolutely delicious! The goat cheese salad - yum! Also, the drink selection is very nice as well I really enjoy the atmosphere. Its kind of calm, laid back yet somewhat sophisticated. I've only been a few times, but it hasn't been rowdy or over-crowded which is nice When I went last Wednesday with my parents, there was an open mic night with 4 different solo acts performing. The great room in back was perfect for it - intimate but you dont feel rude for eating while someone was performing. While we were there the owner, Rupert, came over to see how our evening was going. He was extremely nice, as are all the other staff I definitely recommend if you're in the neighborhood- and if not, its worth taking a trip to! read more

Typical pub fare, atypical ambiance. Sunday roast is amazing here, not necessarily for the food or drink, but because there are couches where families bring their children and dogs and just hang out for a few hours. I felt like I was in a ski lodge, or with Jude Law in The Holiday. Pub quiz is tons of fun as well, for a nighttime activity. Questions range from "no way in hell I'm getting this" to "so easy I'm embarrassed." A good time. My favorite part was the pianist playing songs by Katy Perry, Tinie Tempah, etc. The perfect way to get some culture without really actually at all. I loved it. read more

This is a beautiful pub divided into three rooms so although it is big, each room has a unique personality and it makes it not so overwhelming. Great old-world field that just makes you want to settle in, without feeling old or stuffy. The Sunday roast was very good--although not blow-my-brains out delicious. The half chickens were good, although every-so-slightly dry. They have live music starting at 3pm on Sundays--a great bluegrass band was playing. Definitely worth going to for food, drinks and games, or both. read more

A decent old pub near Ladbroke Grove tube station. The interior still has its original style and layout (at least as far as I could tell) and there are plenty of sofas and comfy seating to perch on. The prices are reasonable too. Thumbs up! I ordered a scotch egg which was okay and some sweet potato fries which were great! read more

Music a little loud, but cool atmosphere and full of locals. If eating at the back, be careful of the band on a saturday night. read more

Just a short walk from Portobello Road, The Elgin is the perfect place for a post-market boozy lunch. It's not the cheapest, but you do get what you pay for - decent range of drinks, an ever changing delicious menu and great service. Pick the day right and you'll also get to listen to live music for your money too. And not just a shoddy man and his guitar kind of live music, next big thing kind of live music. If you go for after work drinks or on a Saturday night, be prepared to stand or get squeezed between fellow drinkers. But definitely the best and closest bar to Ladbroke Grove read more

I held my son's Christening party at the Elgin and I was very impressed with the service and the food (quantity and quality). I asked for some changes to the menu and the chef was more than accomodating and on the day the guests kept complimenting the food. The mexican bean wraps were delicious and the pasta dishes were perfect party food. There are a few seats outside which are ideal in the summer or for smokers. The jar of huge cookies at the bar is very dangerous because it often takes a lot of willpower to resist one. I have indulged a few times and I have to admit they are a worth the few extra calories! I have not yet eaten at the Elgin but plan to do so very soon as I've often admired the plates of food while waiting at the bar. read more

Great atmosphere and service but the food was very average. The fish was mushy and the sausage and mash lacked flavor. The desserts were dry. read more

Four people head into a pub. One, your good reviewer, heads to the bar. It's moderately busy, but not excessively so. He waits. And waits. And waits. The bar staff acknowledge his presence then choose to meander off or serve somebody at the opposite end of the bar. In desperation, ten minutes later, another member of the party heads to a different part of the bar. He gets served very quickly. "Can you serve my friend a little way down the bar?" he asks. We've been waiting ages. "Sorry," the barman replies, "this is my area of the bar and I cannot leave it." There is nobody else waiting now at this part of the bar. So that's the story of The Elgin. An average, overpriced, somewhat pretentious pub that largely depends on whether the bar staff can be bothered to move from their corner of the bar or not. Which they couldn't. I won't be back. read more

Great music, great atmosphere! BUT £11 for a Becks and a G&T?! No ice. Painfully bad service... They take your card and do the contactless payment thing behind the bar so you have no idea how much you just paid unless you ask for a receipt. SKETCHY AS HECK. You're expecting to put your pin number in and they just waltz off... and that's if you're lucky enough to get served. I waited at an almost-empty bar watching some woman spend eight minutes on a round of three drinks. I can't even. So, so poorly staffed which seems like a terrible waste as everything else was spot on. The music, the people, the decor etc... read more

The Elgin is as lovely a pub as the ladies behind the bar, who also happen to be really friendly. The food is a notch above the competition (go for fish and chips w/ perfect mushy peas or the roast of the day). But most importantly, the Elgin gives you three different atmospheric options: the boisterous open front bar, the cozy couch laden back room, and the group oriented banquet room. For me, nothing beats a cozy corner in the back room to while away the day with a pint of cask ale and a game of Connect Four. My only complaint is that the lighting was bright and harsh, but perhaps that was a result of spending the last 8 hours on a dimly lit red-eye flight from the States. read more

I liked it here, its a nice space to hang out in, either inside or outside. They had a steel band on last night as a pre-carnival warm up, which was excellent. The restaurant area looked good too but we didn't order any food as the bar staff warned us the kitchen was too busy so the food would be really slow read more

Wow, what a major disappointment!!!! Went to the pub on Saturday night with friends to have a few drinks and eats. And we must have waited about an hour for food to arrive. It was ok, we weren't starving but still the wait!!! Waiters were non-attentive, didn't care if we needed drinks or what not. I ordered some sweet potato fries and they arrived after everyone had eaten including myself. They were black! Burnt to death. I waited for waiter to come by to ask if all was good but of course-no one in sight for ages. Finally he came by to take payment, I opted to sweet potatoes and said they were burnt. He looked at them and just nodded: "yes". That was it!!!!! Not-can we change them gif you, is there anything you'd like instead, nothing!!! I'm actually shocked-don't go there for food. Minus starts read more

The Elgin, located on the corner of Westbourne Park Road and Ladbroke Grove, is a last resort pub, used only if QPR are playing away and no where else is showing the game. Inside the surroundings are dark, dank and the booze isn't even cheap. Ocassionally you might an interesting local market trader in here but ninety-nine times out of a hundred you won't. Not so bad in the summer when you can sit outside but why not just go to any of the better pubs in area (there are many)? read more

I've not eaten here or been here at peak time but my first impressions are of a really nice pub that creates a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. If I'm in this part of town again I'll definitely come back. read more

Good atmosphere, good vibe. Drinks and beer were good, but food was hit and miss. Staff are nice but they're bar staff so food service is terrible. Worth a try but don't have high expectations. read more

Really good food, nice place to spend a lazy saturday afternoon

The food was great and the atmosphere was wonderful. The service, however, was slow, and our waitress was not very good.