Old Red Lion, Kennington, SE11

At the weekend I paid my first visit since this has become an Antic pub. Obviously it's been tarted up a bit and quirkified somewhat. Odd things like dolls houses litter the place, and the right hand room has a large bookcase that also has games available. It now has an open to view kitchen at the back of the left hand room, and the back of the right room opens out into a light conservatory style are. Unfortunately the changes that Antic have made have led to it losing its place on the CAMRA London Inventory of historic pub interiors. Nonetheless much of its original structure remains, with the two rooms connected by small doorways to the front and rear of the central island servery. Noteworthy features include the glazed panels above the two small doorways, one featuring the Charrington Toby Jug symbol, and the other a red lion, and the fireplace in the left hand bar with the Charrington architect Sidney Clarke trademark spiral brick columns. Dark wood abounds inside, and the exterior facade is as distinctive an example of brewer's Tudor as you will see anywhere. There were four ales on when I visited on Saturday afternoon, as specified by John Gray below, and my pint of Twickenham Vangurd was in fine nick. Food is served during the evenings on weekdays, plus at lunchtimes at the weekends. The all day (well 12 - 4) breakfast was available on Saturday for £7.50, and although the main menu isn't heavy on pub grub (mains £8 - £12) snacks did include Scotch egg/pickle and pork pie/pickle for £2.50 and £3 respectively. This is still a decent little pub, and in my view far superior to the Mansion House next door.

old fashioned but cosy pub with little nooks and tiny doorways.This is now an Antic pub and has 4 handpumps .On my visit Roosters -true grit,Twickenham -vanguard, jaipur,and Saltaire -elderflower blond.Beer in good nick.Friendly staff and a laid-back atmosphere.Liked this a lot

Randomness Guide to London - Old Red Lion entry

Randomness Guide to London - Old Red Lion entry

Mock Tudor beams inside and outside, looking a little out of place in Kennington. It still has two separate bars, which is probably why it features in CAMRA's inventory of heritage pub interiors. The only real ale on was Bombardier, which actually tasted rather good, and at £2.80 a pint definitely not overpriced. There were a few tables and chairs around the sides, but my overall impression of the bar in which I was in (the Public Bar I suppose) was dinginess and desolation. I didn't venture into the other bar – hopefully it was better, but I doubt whether I shall bother to go in again.

This pub has two separate bars which are joined together with a doorway at each end of the bar which cannot be more than five feet tall. The right hand bar is mostly standing room and has a dartboard and plasma screen at the rear which was showing football on Sky Sports. The left hand bar has more seating and another plasma screen which had all seven other customers standing in front of it whilst watching the dog racing and waving their betting slips in the air. Bombardier and Bass were available from the barmaid who couldn't have looked less pleased to see me if she had spat in my pint. To be fair she did lighten up a bit, but the seeds were already sown for an uncomfortable stay and I was glad that I had only ordered half a Guinness, which wasn't the best. I'll not be returning.