Filipe Passos-Coelho
+3.5
Your run to the mill pub place, immensly busy on friday nights. The decoration reflects the theme and name of the locale. Food is good, had the cheeseburger and house chips. Decently priced, meat was well cooked, pretty swift service. A good pitstop before the silent disco at Sealife.
My overall experience was fairly positive.
Firstly I was seated straight away at a table for two and made drink orders fairly quick. The drinks came at a reasonable time then made food order. I went for the garlic dough balls and the nachos to share. The food wait was about 10 minutes.
The Garlic Dough Balls tasted just like garlic bread, it was very tasty. However I didn’t like the way the grease had soaked into the bottom of the ball, although it tasted brilliantly.
Secondly the nachos was also great. There was a very large portion maybe suitable for 3 and not just two. It came topped with salsa, sour cream and melted cheese. The tortilla chips was more like a kind of pastry it’s not so crunchy like the actual chips but that makes it easier to eat. I enjoyed it a lot
In terms of vegetarian options I would say there wasn’t very many but a good amount. Lastly I would certainly visit this restaurant again to try the rest of their menu including the breakfast
As the name goes fire station is a fire station redone into a pub. Went in late night on a Thursday for drinks and ordered their specialty cocktail with cherry and bourbon which was smoked. It was a wonder in itself! One of the most delicious cocktails I've tasted! They do limited food options as well consisting of pizzas and burgers. Nice place to go in Waterloo. Vaibhav Kabra
Working freelance it is perfectly possible to completely miss that ‘Christmas Party’ vibe. There are times when, Scrooge-like, I am quite happy NOT to take part in all the fun. But, sometimes I walk past a buzzing restaurant and just yearn to be there, with crackers, paper hats, turkey dinner and secret santa gifts. So, I was delighted this year to be invited along to The Fire Station to preview their Christmas Menu along with a group of other food bloggers. The restaurant and bar is one I’ve walked past many times (it is just on the corner of Waterloo Station. But generally I’m in that area because I’m going somewhere and I don’t have time to stop.
The Fire Station has long been a stalwart for commuters catching their trains from Waterloo Station. I should know, Waterloo is my main line for getting home. A while ago though it was in need of refurbishment so closed down and underwent a huge makeover. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes (pardon the pun) it has now reopened and looks better than ever. I went along to check it out shortly after it’s launch and having been a regular before I was curious to have a gander.
Located in the most convenient place if you are venturing onto the Southbank is The Fire Station. Next door to Waterloo station and newly refurbished, this lovely establishment has spaces for standing and sitting in the bar area along with a quieter restaurant section at the back. The decor is basic but stylish and you can see the work that has gone into the decor.
After a year long refurb, The Fire Station near Waterloo Station has reopened with a new look and menu. I tagged along to the relaunch last month and liked what I saw and what I tasted. I’d been to The Fire Station a couple of times over the years, never to eat though. So I can’t comment on how the new menu of burgers and pizzas from a wood-fired oven compares to the food of its gastropub past. But I really liked the couple of slices of pizza I tried at the launch (pizzas range in price from £7.95 to £12.50). I thought my buttermilk fried chicken burger with spicy coleslaw (£8.50) was pretty swell too.
Chaos and pandemonium may have struck London with the tube strike this week, but it certainly didn’t stop my best friend Megs and I, from making it to the opening night of the Fire Station bar and restaurant. The event marked a momentous occasion – Waterloo’s landmark local for post-work meet-ups rising again following a year under extensive refurbishment…
The evening kicked off with cocktails and chatter by the long bar and spacious drinking area, as we also drank in the vintage details subtly maintained in the urban redesign – the firehose lights hanging from the tall ceilings and the repro wall panel of the 1666 Great Fire of London particularly standing out.
Drinks generously flowing throughout the evening, we were treated to a delightful array of cocktails from light and floral options to concoctions inventively ‘smoked in The Fire Station.’ I may have found my summer favourite in the pear fizz, a refreshing blend of Absolut Pear Vodka and pear purée topped with Prosecco with herby undertones.
On offer also, were wines by the glass and classic beers on tap, although it was the craft beers, including the likes of Beavertown, Anchor Steam & Sierra Nevada, that definitely caught everyone’s attention.
Supper was a seated affair across individual and communal bar-style tables. First up was a selection of the restaurant’s signature crispy thin wood-fired pizzas, from classic margarita with marinated buffalo mozzarella (simple but oh-so-delicious) to more adventurous flavour combinations such as salami pepperoni, peppadew peppers, green chillies & jalapeño.
Followed by their mouthwatering burgers – trendily presented, wrapped in paper and served on metal trays. With only the one vegetarian option I luckily escaped the dilemma of my fellow diners trying to choose between the prime meat burgers, and did well with the mushroom & sticky red onion – a crisp portobello mushroom patty with lashings of blue cheese sauce and tarragon mayo on little gem.
The side of spicy coleslaw went down a treat, the fiery undertones a sharp foil to the creamy mayo, while the fries – especially the sweet potato thins – were highly addictive.
And to finish, heavenly bites of rich chocolate brownies laced with salted caramel sauce, that may have had us fighting over the last piece.
The limited edition fire trucks gifted to guests was a lovely touch, a memorable reminder of a fabulously fun evening had and new friendships forged!
Would we venture back soon? Certainly. Its convenient location right by the station and across from the Old Vic, not to mention informal and laid-back ambience, makes the Fire Station a relaxed all-day hangout. Word on the street is that the barista is from the caffeine mecca Caravan at King’s Cross, so we may see you there over breakfast and our morning coffee next time round.
The Fire Station, Waterloo (Invited Review)
The Fire Station, Waterloo – The Fire Station menu consists of burgers and pizzas. And your vegetarian friend will not be alienated with the mushroom burger as a possibility. Their pizzas had the thinnest crispiest base; not bulked with stodgy bread. A side of extra carbohydrates in the form of garlic or tomato bread are available, if you wish to fill up later. It was an easy choice to pick from the menu but if you decide to have the beef burgers they are served well-cooked; there is no option as to how you want the meat cooked. I was not impressed considering that the menu is similar to that of a fast food burger chain, The Fire Station, is more upmarket, serves booze and provided service – so I would have expected a little more attention to how my piece of meat is cooked. Like I said, it did not take us long to decide and the food too, was served quite immediately.
With Ivy, Sharmin and Jeremy we were already tucking in to the first burger – buttermilk fried chicken with spicy mayo, spicy coleslaw and little gem £8.50. Forgotten the very much needed picture!
glazed short rib 6 oz dry aged beef patty, balsamic glazed short rib, American mustard mayo, sliced beef tomato, little gem £10.95 – the short rib looked dry but was indeed quite moist and slighlty sweet. The bun however was not such a good choice for that price.
black and gold 6 oz dry aged beef patty, black pudding, double cheese, american mustard mayo, sliced beef tomato, little gem £9.95 – the burger was very tasty, but given the choice, I would have preferred it medium-rare. Unfortunately, the black pudding was a bit overwhelmed by the other flavours but all round a pretty decent burger.
smoked mackarel, king prawns, confit garlic butter base, marinated mozarella, mascarpone, rocket, soft boiled egg £12.50 – when I saw those lovely plump prawns, I am beginning to regret ordering a burger. It was possibly the thinnest pizza base I have ever seen. It was very crispy and was lovely with the different softer textures as the topping.
The wine menu was small but had interesting selection of wine. Our bottle of French from Bordeaux had the Saint Emilion Grand Cru appellation. The Bordeaux is a French wine region which has enough sub-divisions of appellation that make my head spin, especially after a few glasses of wine! This wine was quite full bodied with deep crimson colour and was very easy to drink. Definitely a good French wine and at £45.00 per bottle, I thought, was quite well priced. The cocktails (from £8.25), beers, ales and cider menu (from £ 4.50) had more variety. Prosecco from £5.00 per glass to a bottle at £125.00.
The building was so iconic, it did not need a front door number. Location was great and easy to find. You will definitely recognise it. Just in case you have not seen enough photos of it, here you go. Come out of Waterloo station turn right on to Waterloo Road and the building is on your right.
I like the interior very much. Parts of the building were retained and put to good use. It gives a trendy and classy edge to the interior.
Service was very friendly, and it was not just to us. The food was on the mediocre side but the front of house team made the evening so welcoming that I am marking The Fire Station as a possible place to meet friends in Central London for a quick catch up. If the music had been less upbeat and slightly quieter, I would have stayed longer for puddings and drinks.
On Thursday evening, The Fire Station was packed. It was only just opened and was very humble to say that they were still trying things out. But I am sure they must have done this before because they handled the evening quite brilliantly. It was quite a rarity to find four people greeting you as you came in through the doors. Ushers were definitely quite handy for the sizable fire station.
What I thought would be better was if the history of The Fire Station was more augmented. I don't really know the history of the building is but I'm sure that there is an interesting story to tell
Great location with friendly staff, this pub is gorgeous inside with a nice vibe. It’s usually very busy with after work drinkers and fizzles out the later it is. They have a great selection of drinks and it is perfect for quick bites close to Waterloo station. They have small seated area outside and a separate dining area further inside but also serve food to bar tables. They also have yummy frozen margaritas!
Even if this is not nowadays a firestation, they keep the building and have a bar on it.
Burgers, beer, and big screen sports... what more can a man ask for? (Here for the RWC quarter finals). There are plenty of tables and space.
They do more than burgers, of course. The food is what you'd expect for a pub or sports bar. I remember having a great breakfast here before catching a train, but that was a while ago now.
I have a soft spot for this pub as I have been coming here on and off since the 90s, so maybe a little bias in my review :-)
Tonight, the Hobgoblin wasn't up to scratch, but there are plenty of other lagers, stouts, spirits, and other drinks to choose from - so no worries.
Grade 2 listed old fire station converted into a gastro pub.
We didn't stop for food, just a drink. Great location alongside London Waterloo.
Huge selection of beer available on tap. I had Erdinger. Polite, friendly, efficient service. Cash accepted.
Great place to go, prices are good and the service is great. Full English did bit have black pudding, but for the most part was pretty on point.
Really good to visit if you're delayed or waiting on the trains.
It's a great place for a catch up with friends. We were not disturbed, it was not too busy so we didn't feel that we had to rush.
I love the naked burger, I've not experienced that before, just right for me.
I had a cup of tea, teapot, absolutely brilliant, an excellent cup of tea, which is unusual in many eating places
Lovely welcoming staff, with a great memory for our order. Great for kids with a good menu, even for a 1yo! Food was really well made. They even had Beavertown on tap which you can’t go wrong with. Super
This is your go-to boozer at Waterloo. Looks great, a few seats outside the front if you get there early enough. Good selection of booze on tap. If you sit outside you’re going to have an endless amount of requests for your change or cigs, but you’re at Waterloo so best to manage your expectations and expect it.
The food was great. Staff were excellent if a bit quick taking away my empty plate while my wife was still eating.
Had to move from a crazily wobbly table.
Extremely noisy.
The staff are really friendly and efficient, with great customer service. Excellent selection of beers and drinks. We love the menu, the choices seemed slightly different to our last visit. The food is delicious and good value for money with an interesting variety for everyone. In general the restaurant is clean and tidy, with a great choice of settings to sit, from the bar to the quieter restaurant area. We will be back! Highly recommended!
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