Clarence, Whitehall

Our rating: FAP Rating 2 - Click for an explanation of our ratings User rating: Not rated yet! - Click for an explanation of our ratings (2 reviews)
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FancyaPint?'s review...
FAP Rating 2 - Click for an explanation of our ratings
The Clarence has always walked the line between 'cosy' and 'dingy', so when it became the latest pub to be refurbished by Geronimo Inns, we wondered how it would fare. A lot of the faux Victorian detailing has gone, to be replaced by the more sober and simple lines preferred by the chain. Walls have been washed in a pastel green, as have the old wooden beams which help divide the main bar. It looks almost nautical in its choice of colours and works well in a place without a lot of natural light. Butchers block tables fill the middle, while the edges are filled with the usual selection of chairs and tables. Food prices have been hiked up with pub favourites like Fish and Chips coming in at an uncompetitive £9.50. The home made scotch egg - a staple of every upmarket pub nowadays - also makes an appearance. You'll find two or three ales on offer and not necessarily the usual suspects. All these changes haven't changed the clientele however, so expect a mix of tourists and civil servants. Sadly the two pint rating comes from the fact that after waiting to be served at the bar for 10 minutes, we gave up and went to the pub next door, where we were served immediately, paying less for the privilege. The two staff were working flat out, but it was clear this wasn't sufficient to cope with what was only an averagely busy central London pub. A reassessment by the manager is needed here.
Reviewed by 30 Oct 2009    Helpful? yes/no
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30 Nov 2009
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First visited the Clarence in the 70's when they had a court jester. Had a annual reunion there since the late 80's. Never been a fantastic pub but it was big enough for our crowd and relatively centrally located for all to to get to. This year's bash was on Friday 27.11.09 and we were really disappointed. The latest renovation has turned it into your average trendy pub, which in itself might have been okay if it wasn't for the volume of the music. Since the point of our reunion is to catch up on the past twelve months it looks like we have to move on after 20+ years if we want to hear ourselves think.
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Contact details

53 Whitehall, Whitehall, London, SW1A 2HP

0207 930 4808
theclarence@geronimo-inns.co.uk
http://www.geronimo-inns.co.uk...

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How to find the Clarence pub

From Embankment: Take the Villiers Street exit and immediately turn left under the railway trestle. Cross Northumberland Avenue and take Whitehall Place up to Whitehall. Turn left and it's right there on the left. From Charing Cross: You'll have to find Whitehall from wherever you come out. Proceed down Whitehall and it's about two minutes walk on the left.

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History
20 Jun 11 Updated by FAPadmin