The City Barge

Haha service at this place is a joke. Of my 700+ reviews, I rarely write negative ones and only when warranted.
I walked in alone and tried to get service for 30 minutes. I sat inside and kept trying to make eye contact with a server. Didn’t work.
Went to the bar and tried to order. Was told to have a seat and a server would be with me. I asked bartender for a menu to review in the meantime. He told me my server would bring it to me. 15 minutes later, despite my hand in the air, no one acknowledged me.
I then sat in the most highly trafficked area, at the front terrace near the front door where the staff were walking back and forth constantly. Raised my hand and kept trying to make eye contact. Nothing. No smiles, no acknowledgment, nothing.
I walked out after 30 minutes. It was NOT that busy. More than half the tables were empty.
How multiple members of staff can walk past me and refuse to make eye contact is beyond me. Basic rule of service — be AWARE. If you are busy, acknowledge new guests and tell them you’ll be with them shortly. Especially if you have time to chat with your other tables. Horrible.
Then I went next door to Bullhead and they acknowledged me right away and were lovely. I’ve also been to Annie’s across the road and they’re amazing. I’m surprised this place is still in business.
City Barge, get your heads out of your asses. Bye.

The old stalwart has had a revamp. It’s turned what used to be a shabby place into something very smart.
For the location alone it was always a great place to drop in on, being right on the river in a pretty spot. But now they’ve really gone to town and food takes centre stage. As with so many ‘pubs’, it’s more like a restaurant that also serves pints. Bit of a shame but it does mean there are a million more places to eat good food in relaxed surroundings now.
The menu covers off the old classics, hamburgers, fish and chips etc, but also stretches to more ambitious offerings. My pig cheek and crackling starter was excellent. The cheek was tender without being too stringy and the crackling did its name proud. The chicken liver parfait was smooth and tasted luxurious. The saganaki cheese had a lovely crisp coating and the dressing set it off beautifully. Real winners the starters.
The mains were a bit of a disappointment in comparison. The burger was ‘really yum’ according to the boy, but he also loves Nutella and Coco Pops so make of that what you will. My soft shell crab burger with avacado was decent but a little soggy as were the chips that came with it. And the stargazey pie also tasted and felt watery. The chicken kiev was too dry. None of it was bad, but all of it missed the mark and after such great starters that was a shame.
The dining room is light and airy and smart. It lacks the charm of a place that’s been lived in but there are some nice touches, especially some of the photographs of the local area in years gone by. The view onto the river is as beautiful as ever.
The place was packed out on Saturday lunchtime but the service was organised and friendly enough.
They’ve obviously spent a lot doing this pub up. It’s definitely money well spent but just now the experience falls a bit short of excellent. I wonder if cutting down the menu might help, it is extensive. But if you booked a table by the window and just ordered starters, it’s a lovely place to while away an hour or two guiltily watching the rowers burning off the calories while you cram them in.

Yet again this is a pub for Beatles Fans. Used by The Beatles as a movie location for their second movie called Help! Its the famous scene where the famous Ringo gets cornered by the Bengal Tiger in the basement. Also where the Beatles (stunt men) crashed through the pub windows to escape from the gang chasing them. In reality, Ringo was in a film studio filming the tiger scene. The City barge pub has NO cellar, its too near the river Thames. Flooding. We have eaten here at least 5 times. The last time here we organised a party to celebrate the launch the Double DVD of the Help! Movie, with previously deleted scenes restored. We invited one of the stars from the Movie. VICTOR SPINETTI, to our party. He duely arrived and gave us a very entertaining evening with his stories about his time acting with The Beatles. For musical entertainment we had MARTIN DIMERY from Beatles Tribute Band, SGT PEPPERS ONLY DARTBOARD BAND. The food was your normal ”Pub Grub. I love pub grub! One day we WILL go back again! In the mean time, if you would like to see the history of The City Barge and the connection with the Beatles, then click on my Youtube Link on my Youtube (Beatles) Channel and see the brief movie I shot there. Since my review of this pub several years ago, the owners have taken up even more of The Beatles connection with The City Barge. They have pictures of The Beatles taken at the pub at the time of filming there, on the walls. And have other connections with The Beatles there too.