The Academy, W11

A back street corner pub that is so geared towards diners that describing it as a pub would almost contravene the Trade Descriptions Act. The main body of the pub is quite spartan with bare floors, plain windows with sash blinds and walls that containg modern art. Most of the tables were sporting cutlery, wine glasses and plastic flowers on my vist and it felt quite awkward knowing whether or not to grab a table without the intention of dining. To make things worse, there is actually a separate room to one side that is also predominantly for diners although there wasn’t actually anyone visibly interested in eating during my visit with the only other punters gathered outside on the small strip of Astroturf leaving the inside pretty deserted and souless. Not much on the beer front either with the one Ale on handpump (a very expensive Bass ) and little else out of the ordinary on the keg / lager range. Admittedly it was early evening for my visit and with a few punters inside it might not come across so characterless but if you are just after a pint, there are far better local options.