The Ashmore, Maida Hill, W9

Visited 02/02/26. Visited previously as the Frankfort Arms on 12/10/23. No cask. Keg offering of Guinness, original SB, John Smiths, Fosters, K1664, Cruz, Carlsberg, Moretti. Corner venue, carpeted apart from a boarded skirt around the bar counter which is sort of in the middle of the venue and providing service on both sides with a small amount of tall stool seating at the bar counter. There is a fabric banquette down the left-hand wall serving several regular tables and to the right of the entrance is a pool table and an illuminated dart board on the wall in the corner. A large screen was showing evening racing action absent sound; an 80's pop soundtrack just about heard above the customer chat. There were a few booth tables along the right-hand wall, each with its own small screen on the wall and some small tables with bucket chairs on the continuation of the bar counter boarded skirt. A couple of fruit machines on the rear wall with another large TV showing the evening racing. Nothing special on the beer front but the venue seems to have been spruced up since my last visit in its previous incarnation, and it feels like an important community hub as I was towards the lower end of the age range in a pretty busy venue.

This pub dates from the late 19th century and until 2019 was known as Kenrick’s Bar when the original name was reinstated; it’s situated along Harrow Road, not a place to be trodden lightly. This is now under the aegis of the reliably basic Craft Union stable, which means added nods to hipsterism following another makeover since Quick Pint’s visit, such as dangling filament lamps and white ceramic tiles to the bar back, but thereafter there’s a boarded or carpeted floor, overall grey and white colour scheme, mixed seating including low, tall and some booth-style, games machines, then décor in the form of flyers advertising up-and-coming events. Up front, there’s a pool table and dartboard, the overall emphasis being on sport, with eight TVs showing the match in silence with many watching – for once – to the accompaniment of a quite loud backing track, including the likes of Smash Mouth’s All Star midway through my stay. Customers are a very local bunch, two eyeing me with suspicion, though I don’t know why, given that I too am a local. Unsurprisingly there’s no cask here and just a cheap fizz lineup, my half of Peroni (£2.50) served by a friendly, smiley barmaid, the only thing of merit in the pub. This place is light years different from the Union Tavern up the road and there’s always Maida Vale if you want better.

Very basic Craft Union pub on a corner so the open bar initially widens as you walk towards the counter before narrowing again to leave a short branch in the right-hand corner. With a high ceiling, limited furniture and sparse decor (apart from a few sports TV screens), it all looks rather uninviting. No real ale either, so just a quick John Smith's before moving on.