The Gate (Bar/Restaurant)
18-20 St. John Street, Smithfield, City of London, London, EC1M 4AY (Map)
Cuisine: Bar
Tel: 0871-207-4225 ?
Email to The Gate
Transport: Barbican
The Gate London Review
The pub that wants to please everyone…
The Gate is an all-pleasing gastropub that will bend over backwards to give their punters what they desire (well, almost everything). On the night that I went with a friend, England were playing a football match against Spain (as per usual England managed to lose 1-0) and because the majority of the customers happen to be football enthusiastic men, the manager decided to project the game onto a couple of screens. Under other circumstances this wouldn't have happened, because this place is not really a sports bar.
However, its main priority is to cater to the wishes of its clientele, so on this particular night it meant that most people wanted to fix their gaze on Peter Crouch & co.
But putting all football related issues aside, this venue is a soulful and sleek looking bar. The layout of the place is narrow, but running very deep with a cozy, slightly elevated drinking area at the end. With its dimly lit 1920’s style bar lamps and candle-adorned tables, the Gate is a great place to go to on a first date. Not that it is filled with smooching couples, far from it, but it just has a relaxing atmosphere. Big leather sofas, comfortable booths and high wooden chairs, all in a dark brown shade, make up the variety of seating options open to you.
The food is surprisingly good for a pub, but I guess just what you expect from a gastropub. Many people were enjoying a large sharing platter filled with chips and meat, however, the specials are definitely worth a try. Marinated chicken fillet, served in olive and pepper foccacia with baby spinach, fresh tomato mayonnaise, fat chips and salad was a scrumptious hit-the-spot dish. While the marinated tuna steak, also served on a foccacia with fat chips and salad was cooked to top quality standard.
The Gate is definitely worth a try if you want to go somewhere that has friendly services, tasty bites, and a joyful aura about it.
Shanna Schreuder (20 02 2007)
The Gate London Description
The Gate is a contemporary wine bar situated in the heart of Smith Fields market it is only five minutes walk from Farringdon tube station. With out side seating and concertina doors this bar is great for socializing all year round.
The bar has a wide range of wines and beers from around the world. With everything from bar snacks to traditional main meals served for 11am till 10pm.
The bar is free for private hire on the weekends catering for everything for wedding receptions to birthday parties. For bookings please go to hire info.
Customer Reviews for The Gate
The following customer reviews are not endorsed by Fluid London and are simply those of users who wish to publish their independent experiences of The Gate.
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