The Black Lion, Kilburn, NW6

The very impressive Grade II listed interior strikes you the moment that you step through the door. This well preserved Hotel is classified as a gastro pub but still feels like a normal pub, albeit one that bears all the trappings and opulence of its original splendour. The main bar once consisted of separate Saloon and Private bars (the signs are still visible outside) but have now been knocked through to make one sizeable room. The ornate burgundy and gold patterned plaster ceiling with its brass candelabras and ceiling fans is a real eye catcher. Despite the refurbishments over the years, they have retained many original features like the large etched arched windows, fireplaces, mirrors, what appears to be gas lamps and the original bar (with the remains of an old water tap), behind which there is a generous amount of space for the staff. The rather subdued lighting and candles in the windows make the place feel quite relaxed and intimate even though it was quite busy on my visit. A mix of furniture styles with Chesterton sofas, dining room tables, lamps and an unusual looking throne like high backed chair which does not look particularly comfortable. Not sure I have ever seen office chairs in a pub before either! The plasma screen is another modern concession and I have to say the lights around the windows are a bit tacky. There is a not a massive or particularly interesting selection of beers (Broadside and Hoegaarden were the only ones worth mentioning) but there is an extensive wine list and cocktails. To the left of the bar is the screened off hotel reception area and to the right is a dining room with a skylight and impressive fireplace. The pub was a runner up in the Evening Standard Gastro-pub of the year competition so the food comes with a good recommendation but you will obviously pay for the quality. There are some benches outside alongside the park entrance when weather permits but it is really the interior that is the main attraction and definitely worth a visit to view.

Until yesterday I hadn't been in to this pub since the days of John the landlord when this was a famous pub on the darting circuit. There were boards in the bar area and side room which has now become a restaurant and there were more boards upstairs which has now become a B&B guesthouse. There were also numerous plasma screens and a projector for the showing of Sky Sports, but now there is a solitary plasma screen above the front door which was off and I'd be surprised if it is ever switched on for anything. The ornate fixtures and fittings are all still in attendance, but they are a lot cleaner and the place seems brighter without the haze of smoke wafting around the bar – for shame! I don't remember any ale being on offer here before and I wouldn't have drunk it anyway, but now Landlord and Doom Bar are available along with Amstel, Hoegarden and a standard draught selection. I thought that the attitude of the barmaid fitted in well with the pub, efficient yet apathetic. To be fair this place is probably an improvement on its last incarnation to the vast majority of the population of this great land, but I liked it just how it was as it was a fun destination pub rather than a soulless stop off on the way home from work.

Very large multi-roomed pub with plenty of ornate glass & wood. 2 real ales on tap but make sure you have plenty of money with you as it is not cheap. Seperate dining area