The Dickens Tavern, Paddington, W2

As mentioned, a long narrow interior with multiple handpumps divided between the two bar areas, unfortunately only the usual GK suspects were available, IPA, Abbott and London Glory. It's not a pub I'd normally entertain but it served the purpose on that evening in being close to the station and was showing a football match I wanted to catch, however I don't envisage a return.

The Dickens Tavern is a very long and thin Greene King run pub with steps up to the entrance. There are tables either side of the entrance and the bar runs up the left wall. This bar is split mid-way by a supporting column; each side of the bar supports six handpumps. These were badged with the full range of Greene King ales, but Progress was the only one available. At the end of the bar is some seating that faces a large television that was showing Wimbledon tennis. Cricket was also being shown on smaller televisions dotted throughout the pub. Beyond there are steps down to a rear seating area that also houses a pool table and a rear entrance onto London Mews which runs adjacent to the pub. The service was polite and this is certainly one of the longest and thinnest pubs I’ve been in, but I saw nothing that would have me rushing back.

Dating from at least the late 19th century, this was originally the Norfolk Square Hotel and judging by the mews to the left, this was probably built as a coaching inn. Quite what association if any Dickens had to do with either the area or pub I don’t know; perhaps this name was designed to draw in the tourists? I doubt a great deal has changed since the previous reviews, though apparently it’s no longer the longest pub in London, but I suspect that it probably is in relation to its width; it’s like drinking in an old railway carriage. The two bars are to the left, one with what is probably a modern, fake Victorian bar back with some etched glass. Otherwise, this is a pretty predictable GK pub, which I can’t be bothered to describe; TVs and games machines were in abundance, along with an ugly Clear Channel illuminated advertising board. The walk downstairs to the lavs is unappealing and it’s here that there’s a door, looking like a fire escape, which apparently leads to an independently run hotel; lucky customers. Speaking of which, they were pretty much all blokes, as per the other local pubs, most glued to the Liverpool v. Arsenal match, commentary competing with banal music emanating from some popstrel. The usual Greene King ales were on offer and as I’d just suffered a half of Abbot up the road, I plumped for a Neck Oil at £3.40 a half. This isn’t a great pub, but then nothing in the immediate vicinity of Paddington is.

Official site of The Dickens Tavern - www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk

Official site of The Dickens Tavern - www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk