The Woodstock may be on the refined edge of New Bond Street but it has more in common with the bargain hunters of Oxford Street.

The Venue
There’s a lot going on in this area of the West End and no doubt the publicans were rubbing their hands together when they plumped for this location because without doing anything of any note the pub has a roaring trade. Located near Bond Street tube, The Woodstock has little to do with the glamour of the shopping to be had in the area and even less to do with the festival that just happens to be its namesake. It is, in fact, rather dowdy.

The racing green facade is hampered by the sludgy brown details on top of it but once inside there is reason to smile. The first is the putty grey colour of the walls, which is definitely not what you’ll be expecting. Then comes the turn of the strange scientific looking lanterns that hang above the bar, spaced neatly above stools. The rest of the pub is far too rigidly ordered and ends up resembling a mess hall with an exaggeration on the dining experience leaving drinkers feeling a little alienated.

The Atmosphere
Woodstock Street itself is a hub of activity and tourists pack the pedestrianised walkway, filing in and out of the patio furniture that each venue squeezes into its own delegated zone.

Many of these tourists fall for the charms of the traditional English menu that’s on offer and probably feel a proper overload of Blighty banter after walking past the fruit and veg stall that acts as The Woodstock’s partner in crime. To anyone a little more discerning it would be hard to justify a visit here because its lack of vibrancy isn’t easily brushed aside.

The Food
There is a very English menu on offer here and as sure as the fact that the apples and pears outside will remain part of the most accessible Cockney rhyming slang, the old classics here will always find themselves chalked up on the board in these traditional pubs.

There is scampi and chips, fish and chips and steak, peas, onion and chips to tempt - all generously portioned. The rest of the menu follows the same route.

The Drink
There is a good range of wine that is available by the glass or the bottle and they keep up the traditional angle with a strong choice of guest ales. The selection of beer on draught is enough to satisfy most but Fosters, Carlsberg and Stella probably won’t warrant a mention when it comes to writing postcards home.

The Last Word
The Woodstock is a dull old pub. It’s not bad for an alfresco pint but it could give serious thought to becoming a theme pub - it has the name, after all.

venue information venue map view london review user reviews (3)