The Castlebar

Ahh Abel, the Castlebar how wonderful you all are. Fantastic service, super drinks and a great deck… Just one little niggle… little one. those fancy cocktails that you guys create take so long that us beer guzzlers are left high and dry… need some more staff during peak times…

Amazing staff. Very friendly proprietor and fabulous table service. The food is great, as are the cocktails. It also never gets too rowdy, so it’s a nice civilised venue to go chat with friends.

A really pleasant, rustic, French inspired bar and restaurant just between Ealing broadway and West Ealing.
Slightly out of the way, it wasnt overly busy on a Saturday afternoon. It boasts an expansive outdoor seating area which would be perfect for the summer months. While there are outdoor heaters they get hogged by the smokers so its indoors we go…
Inside is simple. Nothing to flash, but simple wooden tables and chairs and rustic décor. The bar has no optics but shelves of eclectic spirits. I spied in the fridges some interesting fruits not normally part of the standard bar fare.
This place takes everything very seriously. A wonderful cocktail, non alcoholic cocktail lists, wine and food menu. A board prominently displayed in the bar gives the range of desert wines and the food seems seasonal and very French.
While we did not sample the food, and as always with French restaurants there was not much to tempt the vegetarians among us. I’d be interested in seeing how the meat lovers among you feel the food is.
That afternoon there was an interesting mix of clientele, from the family in the corner to two old guys propping up the bar and enjoying a bottle of rioja. There was also a lot going on in the place with weird and wonderful events taking place.
Overall a smashing place for groups and a nice drink.

I spent a very pleasant evening here with friends, sat outside in early October. The very friendly patrôn advised us on our menu choices and discussed French cheese with us. The stylish waitress served cracking cocktails and a great value Prosecco. We’ll be back!