Know any quiet pubs to hold meetings in London/Manchester?

[yorkie]

As the title says, looking for somewhere like a pub that is relatively quiet (during the daytime, say 1100-1630ish) to hold a meeting in London or Manchester, if anyone can help?

We have some meetings to hold there (fares workshops) but we can't hire a room as no money is available for this, so ideally we'd like a quiet pub where a group of us can sit in a corner (a place without loud music!) with laptops (so a couple of power sockets would be nice most places seem to have them - officially or unofficially - these days!). Wifi would be nice but not essential.

 

[martinsh]

I know of a few quiet pubs in Stafford !

 

[First class]

Got a few for Liverpool, (one is where the RMT has their meetings). Very nice people too. Near Lime St.

 

[wintonian]

I know pub in which you might be able to (we thought there might be some kind of historical obligation when we had a meeting there) get privet room in Newbury - obviously really you would need to buy a couple of drinks each at least.

Spoons at Surbiton has usually been reasonably quiet whenever I have popped in and opposite the station.

I found one by Tower Bridge but can't remember the name of it.

 

[yorksrob]

The Tom Cribb near Leicester Square is generally decent in the daytime (might be a bit cosy on a weekend though).

Not sure about sockets and whatnot though.

 

[tony_mac]

I guess a cheap ticket and first-class lounges wouldn't work

You could try the Prince Arthur near Euston.
http://www.golden-p.co.uk/
They are generally happy about hiring it out so would probably be happy to set aside a bit of space. (assuming they aren't too busy at that time)

 

[table38]

There's the back room in the Stalybridge Buffet Bar. It is used for meetings and talks anyway - there's a railway related talk once a month held in there.

Also the Hare and Hounds on Shudehill in Manchester (near Victoria) has an upstairs room - you'd probably get it for free if you bought a few beers!

Or maybe the rear carriage of the "Denton Flyer" on a Saturday morning

 

[exile]

The Waterhouse in Manchester, near the Town Hall, has a few quiet corners and is used by the Mastermind club, but I don't know how busy it is in the afternoons. Wetherspoons with the usual choice of food, clientele mainly business types.

 

[yorkie]

James Palmer has recommended The Bulls Head near Manchester Piccadilly. Anyone know if it has power sockets? If not does the private room at the Hare and Hounds have power sockets, or The Waterhouse?

The London one isn't until next month so don't have to decide that one just yet

Thanks for the suggestions

 

[table38]

If not does the private room at the Hare and Hounds have power sockets

It is a "function room" so almost certainly has sockets for DJ etc. At least you'd have exclusive use of it, for most of the other pubs I can think of that do have back rooms, you'd be competing with musak, other drinkers, diners or pool players. H&H is on 0161 832 4737.

Stalybridge Buffet Bar (shameless plug) is only 15 mins from Manchester and has direct services to Liverpool, Leeds and York. (And does pie and black peas, and all-day breakfasts) and of course is well used to gangs of "enthusiasts". Again, you would have exclusive use of the room as it's not normally opened up. Definitely has power as they have film and slide shows in there. 0161 303 0007

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I know pub in which you might be able to (we thought there might be some kind of historical obligation when we had a meeting there) get private room in Newbury.

I know Newbury quite well.... which pub is this? Is it one of those in the town itself of the Fox and Hounds a short distance north? ( Which just happens to be almost directly outside one of the gates to my old school! )

 

[wintonian]

I know Newbury quite well.... which pub is this? Is it one of those in the town itself of the Fox and Hounds a short distance north? ( Which just happens to be almost directly outside one of the gates to my old school! )

I was thinking of the Hogshead, as a committee we had meeting there a few weeks ago and the room was free, I understand it was also free last year when the committee met there. I'm not sure but there was some discussion that it may be a historical thing that they can't charge?

this one next to the Waggon & Horses

 

[scotsman]

Where is the Edinburgh one going to be?

 

[wintonian]

Where is the Edinburgh one going to be?

On the lowlands sleeper?

 

[bb21]

Where is the Edinburgh one going to be?

Won't be decided till nearer the time.

On the lowlands sleeper?

They'll be lucky as I'll be flying in from East Midlands.

 

[DiscoStu]

The Sun in Clapham Common is a good one (albeit not in central London).

A fairly quiet pub and has a room upstairs you can use if you want privacy.

We used it for a pre overland expedition meeting (35 of us) and it was perfect.

 

[Mojo]

Lots of people meet up in the foyer of one of the buildings on the South Bank (I think the Royal Festival Hall).

Cafes are better than pubs as they all tend to have wi-fi and power sockets being designed for a different market.

 

[es373]

Pommelers rest is brilliant.

 

[tony_mac]

Lots of people meet up in the foyer of one of the buildings on the South Bank (I think the Royal Festival Hall).

I had forgotten about the South Bank centre, I have sometimes used it to meet people.

It's quite open-plan so I doubt there are many usable sockets, and it can be noisy as it's often used as a sort of indoor children's playground.
There are also sometimes events on in the foyer.
But, it may be better during the week.

It is a good place to meet, you can buy drinks there but you don't have to. (Beer is expensive but coffee is ok). The terrace is also good although busy if the weather is nice.

The problem with cafes is that they need the space during the day, pubs are more likely to have unused rooms.