The Stage Door, SW1

This is a simple, single room pub roughly opposite the main entrance to Victoria train station. The pub, previously known as Victoria Stores, was renamed the Stage Door in 1963, as a reference to the nearby stage door of the Victoria Palace, although as Roger mentions below, there is virtually no reference to this anywhere in the pub, apart from a small plaque outside. The interior is fairly bog-standard, with wooden floors and half panelled walls creating an uninteresting backdrop against which to enjoy a pint. There is a good deal of seating to fill up the space, with some nice benches in the corners and a raised seating area at the front. There is evidence of previous partitioning, but it's all pretty much open-plan now. Various TV screens were showing rolling news and large six nations flags hanging near the bar suggest that they are deployed to show sport at more opportune moments. The bank of five hand pumps had just Greene King IPA and Black Sheep Bitter available, with turned pump clips for Fuller's London Pride, Wells Bombardier and Young's London Gold. I tried the Black Sheep which wasn't really up to much unfortunately. There was also a sign advertising cheap mulled wine, so presumably they're trying to flog the stuff they couldn't sell over Christmas. I've been past this place many times, but never stopped off for a drink before, despite the fact that it looks quite appealing from the outside. However, following this visit, I'm not sure I'll bother with a return as there are a few pubs that have more to offer in the vicinity.

Stage Door page at the Original Pub Co site - www.originalpubco.com

Stage Door page at the Original Pub Co site - www.originalpubco.com

I've been here a few times recently, main observations that the range of ales is still well looked after, service is friendly and efficient, and the atmosphere seems somehow more relaxed than I'd expect in a busy pub next door to a theatre and opposite a major station. A quick pint here after work turns agreeably into two or sometimes three, before I start hankering to return to one of my locals. So it's a 2-3 pint pub on my scale of how long I'd want to stay there.