Popped in here for lunch this weekend and was horrified! The pub didn't look like anything special but we were just hoping for a bite to eat and maybe a cocktail! The menu was strange and the three cocktails they offered didn't have prices, some drinks were priced but not all! The menu isn't overwhelmingly exciting, and being two vegetarians we really didn't have much to choose from! The meals are quite expensive. But alas, we ordered our food and a drink. After 20 minutes I went to order another drink and was told they'd be brought over because the Vodka was locked in a cupboard and the barmaid didn't have the key! :s Strange but no problem. After 35 minutes wait we went to enquire about our food and the barman walked into the kitchen and brought it straight out. How long had it been there? My bowl of chips was great but my friend's pasta did not look as expected. Does goat's cheese normally look exactly like cheddar? We don't think so! Finally,as I had finished and my friend had a piece of lettuce on her fork hovering in the air the barman walked over and tried to pick up our plates! He looked at her with his hand on the plate and said are you finished?! With her food on the fork in her hand! Shocking! All in all, a bit of a weird experience! We wont be back, other places are better value and have more choice!

I went to the Old Explorer with some friends recently on a Saturday night - they are just behind Oxford Street and a great place to stop after shopping and have some food and a drink.The Big Girls Blues Band were playing - we hadn't been going to stay but they were fantastic - sang a mixture of soul, and funky songs - as the evening went on people pushed the tables back and got up and danced. The band were friendly - they even bought me a glass of wine! I took their details I will definitely be going back to see them next time they play.

The Old Explorer Ale Cafe is a good pub that's good to head to to watch some sport. They do a decent enough meal for a reasonable price. The bar staff are friendly enough and you don't have to wait too long for a drink. The Old Explorer Ale Cafe is not the kind of place you go to party but it's a reliable old friend.