The Aeronaut

The Aeronaut is a cool pub. I’ve been on a couple of occasions and dancing to old tunes and tons of beers and shots make for a fun evening. However, my girlfriend and I left our coats on the benches while ordering drinks near closing time. When we came back, they were gone. The bartenders said that a staff-​member probably put them in the back room and to call back the next morning. I called, and they said they had both of our coats together, citing the brand and style. When we went later in the day, they gave us my girlfriend’s coat, but mine somehow mysteriously disappeared. I hope one of the staff is enjoying my expensive Banana Republic bomber jacket, because it was a favourite of mine. Needless to say, I haven’t been back.

Only been here a couple times for some food and a quiet drink. Service is average. Food is ok, although the burger tonight wasn’t as we remembered? Was more like sausage meat rather than beef pattie? Maybe it’s different because tonight was 2-​for-​1 on burgers… The hand cut fries were good though. Unfortunately my wine came in a glass full of lipstick marks around the rim… Er… It wasn’t like it was too dark to notice when pouring, the barmaid did apologise and said lipstick is hard to come off in the dishwasher… Maybe they should give them little polish? So for that I’ve dropped a star

I dont know how I have not head of the Aeronaut before, seriously it was such a blast!
The pub itself is circus and carnival themed with an actual big top, hot air balloon basket and big dodgems sign. If you are going to have a theme, go all out, and that is exactly what they did, so awesome.
We went on Friday night for the circus show. To be honest I was not expecting much as it was only £8, which you cant get anything for in London and it was amazing! The host was hilarious and the acts were so so great, we will absolutely be back for the circus as well as the other shows they have on.
The food terrific too! I had the chicken burger with chorizo and red pepper and chips, huge portion and really tender meat. I think the circus menu is slightly smaller than the full menu but I was very satisfied with the selection.
They brew their own beer and also have a pretty good selection of cocktails. If you want another draught beer they also have that.
After the show ended the dance floor opened and the DJ was playing really great retro music, as nerdy as it sounds I started a playlist on my phone because each song after the other was a «I LOVE THIS SONG».
There is also a massive beer garden fitting in with the cirucs theme and each little individual hut had a theme «bearded lady», «strong man» etc, they each had a self controlled heater too so that you can enjoy the outside area without a fur parka.
I have read in a few other reviews about the cute bartenders… this is not a myth…

I am so shocked that I am just learning about the Aeronaut! How did I not know about this before??? The Aeronaut is such a cool, quirky place with a very nice atmosphere and amazing décor. They have really taken the circus theme all the way and it is truly spectacular. I came here on Friday night with a few friends to see the «circus show» and was surprised at how good it was. Not that I was expecting it to be bad, but for 8 $ I was really impressed with the quality and length of the show.
We made a reservation for a dinner table the day of in order to have good seats to see the show. I had the sweet potato quesadilla which was pretty tasty and cheap. The show started right on time and was a set of ⁵⁄₆ acts that were all pretty amazing.
Once the show was over the stage area turns into a big dance floor and the bar crowd piles in. They also have a great outdoor beer garden area which I can imagine is amazing in the summer. The décor out there is also very cool with loads of circus themed booths.
I will definitely come back soon to check out some of the other amazing deals they have. 12 $ bottomless bloody marys, mimosas, coffee and an entrée… seems to good to be true…
(note I do not have a pound sign on my keyboard so I will use a USD$ sign for now))

Great circus, awesome garden plus the place has its own brewery. And there’s some good looking guys making great cocktails on the circus bar. It can get really busy so make sure you get there early to get a good seat.

Possibly my favourite pub garden ever just for the sheer bonkers aspect of it! Enjoy a quiet drink outside at the circus why don’t you?
They back up this hilarity with a spacious interior and some decent beers, mostly from Laines brewery who own the pub. I haven’t found any of their beers that I flat out love yet, but many of them, such as the Crazy 8 black Ipa which I sampled on this occasion, are perfectly good ales.

I had a really fun time at The Aeronaut. It was quite a good concept — a big top inside what used to be the famous Redback (now unrecognisable and the floors are no longer sticky from snakebite!). For the Friday evening Cabaret you have to book ahead which only cost £5 up to the last 2 weeks before which is when it goes up to £8 and you get to watch some weird and wonderful cabaret acts during the course of the evening.
As far as the acts were concerned it was a bit hit and miss and I was expecting a few more. We had a hula hooper and a contortionist which was insane to watch! An aerial hoop act which was impressive but quite short, a juggler who probably didn’t need to be there and the finale … Rayguns Look Real Enough who were a comedy music mashup duo who were fabulous! Highlight of the evening! As a while though I think the acts were a but hit and miss and unfortunately the compere wasn’t going down too well either! Oh well!
But the evening was incredibly fun and once they cleared away the stage it turned into a dance floor and the DJ played an array of hits from 50’s through to today with a lot of emphasis on 80’s and 90’s hits which were great to sing and dance along to.
Before the show started we did have a table so we could eat food and there was your usual selection of burgers and salads etc. I went for the veggie falafel burger and to be honest it was extremely bland and needed a hell of a lot more tzatiki and condiments to improve it’s flavour! It’s great that I was subjected to the usual fried vegetable burger and there was a mushroom risotto on the menu but the burger definitely needed more flavour. It was a bit more like mushed falafel and falafel needs to be a little more grainy I think! The chips were good though, hand cut, crispy edges and soft in the middle — mmm!
As for drinks they do have a selection of ales on tap, some local, a porter and a stout that were exciting some and all the other usual things a pub can offer. Price wise I think it was pretty reasonable.
All in all we did have a great evening and I probably would go again. The place is new so it is probably still getting it’s sea legs a little but do pop down for an alternative evening of circus acts and then fun music to dance the night away to — we stayed so late it was a night bus home! Always a good sign!
Xyz