The Kings Head Hotel, Acton, W3

On approach, the bright alternating external rainbow illumination hints that this is going to be a gay pub, but this grand edifice is still a hotel, the bar catering for guests and public alike. There’s nothing original in here, with a herringbone parquet floor, all white colour scheme – which can be seen on the website – modern furniture, with custard coloured velour studded banquettes, some tall furniture and a modern bar array, with a mushroom-coloured front and modern frosted glass with tubular steel pot shelf. Lighting is bright, coming from downlighters or clear spherical glass hanging lanterns, but then from a TV showing a garish loop video of some hideous beach resort filmed from the air, location unknown. Décor comes in the form of trendy framed prints and somewhat incongruously, there’s a pool table. I’d like to describe the customers, but there wasn’t a single one on my mid-evening Saturday visit, when all other central Acton pubs were full. There’ no cask of course, with a half of Amstel (£2.50), served by an eccentric barman who was largely absent during my brief stay and when he did appear, had noisy conversations with himself. This isn’t a place to which I’d eagerly return, the George & Dragon being just up the road, but there’s worse locally.

Recently refurbished Fullers pub .Smart modern but sterile.Not sure if Fullers still have it but they had their beers on.Pride on keg doesn't work for me.

Official site of The Kings Head Hotel - www.thekingsheadhotellondon.co.uk