Terrible service and extremely poorly managed every time I have been there - takes absolutely ages to get served at the bar, the staff are completely inept, they have regularly ran out of beer or overcharged us for drink the the manager stands there doing absolutely nothing to help when people are literally queuing five people deep for drinks and them complain about it - avoid this pub at all costs, much nicer places to drink nearby

I went to the Lion last night with the intention of ordering some food. After choosing we waited at the bar area to be served. Our mistake was to wait at the smaller area of the bar. After nearly 10 minutes it was clear that the staff were ignoring us. They were refusing to make eye contact and serving people in the other area only. I checked and there was no indication that there was no service from this part of the bar. Walking round to the front we were then "noticed" by the bar staff. I politely explained that we had been waiting nearly 10 minutes to be told bluntly that "we don't serve from round there". When I pointed out to her that there was nothing to indicate that and that she could have told us I was informed that "I didn't know you were waiting to be served". Funnily we had both been standing with menus in our hands and wallets out!

Listening to this exchange and sat drinking on an adjacent table was the manager of the Lion. We decided to return to our companion and drink up and eat elsewhere. While we sat he called the barmaid over to ask her what had happened. He was, clearly, more than happy to let this situation stand and did not intervene or ask her to do anything else. A simple apology, an offer of a drink or the barmaid sent to our table to take our order would have been suitable gestures.

We finished our drinks and left.

After visiting this pub earlier in the year with my partner and having a lovely evening I recommend it when some friends and I were looking for somewhere to go for Sunday lunch.

It was midday so not too busy and we sat outside the front as we had a dog with us. We asked the staff to put on the heaters which they said they would do for us. A couple of the men went to the bar to order food and drink and were stood there for half an hour being ignored whilst people were coming to the bar around them and being served. When they spoke up to the manager they were spoken to very rudely and again ignored when it came to service. After half an hour with no food, and no heating we decided to leave. I have never had such bad service, especially midday on a Sunday. Such a shame because our previous visit had been so nice. Obviously very bad management, I will not return here again.
I would recommend the at and Parrot down the road- only Wetherspoons quality food, but you know what you are getting and the staff are great.

The Lion has a great location with ample seating out front and to the rear. A large bar and loads of space that suggest loads of potential.

Unfortunately Greene King have not delivered. It's brought the worst side of pubs chains to the area. According to the company website they are supposed to deliver a "premium lifestyle bar", they don't deliver. Whats required in the area is a cool venue with great customer service. What is delivered is tacky displays, v limited selection of spirits and v bog standard service. The problem is with the owners, putting a concept that does not suit the local market and employing a manager who does not inspire premium or a lifestyle bar. BTW, I did not think it was cool for him to walk through the bar several times and build a pile of rubbish bags. All this after a major revamp, directors take note you've wasted loads of money.

I used to be a regular at this pub but the service has gradually got worse and worse to the point where it is just rubbish. Rang at 7:00pm to find out what time th kitchen closes and was told 8:00pm. Arrive at 7:40 only to be told the kitchen has closed. I told the barmaid that we had rang at 7 and were told the kitchen closed at 8. Her response "I didn't tell you that and anyway the grill broke down 10 minutes ago".

Just rude and arrogant staff and no longer a pub I will go to.

For at least 2 years, I have been a big fan of the Lion and always liked its enjoyable, comfortable atmosphere.

While I wouldn't call myself a regular, I probably pop in on average once a month and have always enjoyed myself.

Tonight however, my view has completely changed. Upon request, a friend of mine accompanied a girl who he doesn't know particularly well to go and ask the manager to replace her drink as a waiter had accidentally knocked her and she had spilt it.

My friend said absolutely nothing but stood nearby while the girl made the manager aware of the mishap.

Neither my friend nor any of our group have any idea what this girl said but shortly afterwards the manager became very angry towards my friend who had done nothing but stand near this girl who was complaining.

My friend left the situation and came back to the table where our group of 6 were seated.

Shortly thereafter, the manager followed him, came up to him and started to shout him. My friend stood to speak to the manager and the manager became extremely aggressive and screamed at my friend saying that he would not be threatened and that he will kick all of us (our group) out of the bar.

He was a large, stocky intimidating character and stood close up to my friend- coming right up to his face when shouting and clenched his fists.

All the while my friend was innocently holding his hands up, saying "please relax" and trying to diffuse the manager's anger.

Eventually the manager stormed off and every person in our group was blown away by his abominable behaviour. I have never seen such outrageous behaviour from a person in a managerial position towards innocent, paying customers.

My friend is the type of person who would never so much as harm a fly. He was distraught and shaking from the unwarranted lashing which he was given.

I speak for myself and each person in our group when

I had the misfortune of spending New Years Eve at this pub. As one of the previous reviews has stated, the bar was severely understaffed meaning huge queues. At 23:45 I went to the bar to get a round of drinks to usher in the new year. After serving the gentleman next to me, the bar maid completely ignored me and proceeded to the end of the bar to pour herself a glass of champagne.

When midnight struck and everyone else was ushering in the new year, I was still stuck at the bar, away from my friends and loved ones who I had planed to be with to welcome in the new year. Only then was I told that the bar was now closing for 10 minutes while the staff had a new year drink.

WTF???? Its new years eve, the place is rammed, staff get paid double-time and they close the bar (after i've been waiting 15 minutes to get served) for the staff to have a drink. I have worked in pubs on New Years Eve before and didn't stop all night as it was my job to serve the customers.

Needless to say that at 00:05 we walked out and down the road to the Railway where we got served immediately by friendly staff and enjoyed the rest of the night. My theory being that if the Lion doesn't want my money, i'm not going to give it to them. One star is probably too generous!

The pub I visited bears no resemblance to some of these reviews. The food is grossly overpriced and I've seen more than one customer demand their money back. There is bare minimum staff on at busy times because the manager isn't remotely interested in doing any work himself. The beer is, to put it kindly, variable which is not good enough at over £3 a shot. The heaters in the garden are usually broken as are many of the chairs. The stepped garden minus handrail is a serious health and safety issue for the unwary. Alas there aren't many pubs left in West Hampstead so if you're arranging a night out go elsewhere is my advice.

The Lion is a really great venue for a drink after work, a first date or a relaxed evening with friends.. The staff are incredibly friendly and attentive, the drinks are reasonably priced and the atmosphere is layed back. Excellent for a leisurely sunday night drink.

A few of my friends recommended the Jazz night at The Lion so I took my wife along last weekend. It turned out to be a really good night, made so by the fantastic staff who bent over backwards to make sure we had a nice time. The Lion on a Sunday is going to be a regular fixture for us now!

I remember going past The Lion before its refurb and it didn't look the most enticing of places but they seem to have done an amazing job here.


A friend and I popped in just to see what it was like and we ended up drinking and eating all afternoon. Don't be put off by what The Lion used to be like, it's now a really good place indeed.