The Champion, W2

This pub was better than I expected it to be. There were five handpumps on the bar, and all were gainfully employed dispensing Adnam’s Broadside, Windsor & Eton Knight of the Garter, Krystal Weiss wheat beer, Great Heck Brewery American Classic, and Liberation South Island Pale Ale (£2.10 a half). Being a gastropub food is available – main meals are generally in the £11 - £13 range, with a steak option at £17.50. There’s nothing much resembling pub grub. This is an old, almost certainly Victorian, pub. It still retains its attractive orange banded latticed glazing in the windows, and the ornate fireplace with tiled surrounds at the back is another most attractive feature. There’s a wide tiled splash area surrounding the bar counter, and this tiling extends to become the flooring of a small-ish room at the back. The retention of these features certainly enhances the appearance of the pub. But being a gastropub, the ceiling, pillars, bar counter and some of the walls have all been painted the very dark (almost black) charcoal colour that many of these sort of pubs seem to favour. It’s all very dark, but a splash of colour is provided by sprigs of flowers on all the tables. Furnishings are almost all good quality normal tables and chairs, but with a single butcher’s block tall table and tall stools next to a pillar. The stairs downstairs to the toilets also lead to some further seating, as well as to what is described as a “secret” garden. I suppose if any garden is entitled to be called a secret garden then this one is, as it is below street level and can’t be seen from the street. The prices here seemed to be fairly steep even by London standards, but the ale selection is good, and the South London Pale Ale I had was on good form. It’s a comfortable enough pub; drinkers are welcome, and I reckon it’s worth dropping in for a swift one if you happen to be wandering down towards Bayswater Road.

The Champion official site with menus - www.thechampionpub.co.uk

The Champion official site with menus - www.thechampionpub.co.uk

Whilst it certainly has gastro-pub elements, this square-ish bar is still quite traditional in many ways. Smaller seating area behind the bar (which which has old-fashioned tiling along the counter). Claims to have a 'secret garden' (not visited). Three of the five handpumps were working, with Broadside, Batemans Autumn Fall and Knights of the Garter from Windsor & Eton (£3.80) available. Overall, a bit better than I was expecting.