The Kilburn Arms, Brondesbury Park, NW6

Official site of The Kilburn Arms - thekilburnarms.co.uk

Official site of The Kilburn Arms - thekilburnarms.co.uk

There’s no real ale here, and there was no sign of any food when I visited on Friday lunchtime. This is another magnificent old Victorian pub that would once have been the cultural and entertainment focus of the surrounding area – perhaps it still is. Judging by the fleur de lys engraved in stone on the parapet, the Prince of Wales must be its original name. The main entrance now is into the centre of the pub, through doors that still contain the original Saloon Bar cut glass glazing, and flanked by a couple of rare curved cut/etched glass windows. As you enter, on the right is some original cut/etched glazed screenwork, past which is a large room containing a pool table and dartboard. To the left of the main entrance is another large room with another pool table as its centrepiece, and another dartboard. At the back of this room is a stage, above which on the wall is displayed a trio of guitars, indicating that live music might be enjoyed here (although I saw no adverts for performances). The musical feel of this room is enhanced by the old LP covers all over the walls - mainly Elvis but also Sinatra. Doors at the end of the room lead to a function suite. I was the only customer in there, and the publican had the TV on tuned to the racing. Furnishings are all normal tables and chairs, and there were a few seats outside at the front on a decked patio area. This is a magnificent suburban survivor from a bygone age. The original features are something special, and I hope it gets enough custom to keep going. It's probably not worth visiting for the beer though.

The Prince of Wales is a large grand looking pub. Once inside there was one very large oblong shaped room which ran the width of the pub,the bar faced on entry. The right side of the room is bare boarded and there was a pool table here,plus a darts board the seating was bench type and normal tables and chairs,the left side was carpeted and had normal tables and chairs,there was also a pool table to the far left in this area. I could'nt see any TVs on,but there was a local radio station playing. No real ales on the bar,the keg bitter was John Smiths smooth crap,the pub was almost empty on my Thursday dinner visit,making it seem a bit on the sad side. Pub visited 1/5/2014