The Bolton, Earls Court, SW5

I remember coming to this venue many years ago, when it was an O'Neill's. Now this landmark Victorian pub is some kind of continental craft beer bar. Indeed, a job vacancy posted in the window offered the opportunity to work at West London's best craft beer bar! I wouldn't quite go that far. Inside is very dark, with plenty of dark wood and items such as pot plants scattered around. The bar is long and has a bank of 5 handpulls (if I recall correctly), with none of them clipped. Craft beers on included Camden Pale, Beavertown Neck Oil, Pohjala Peel & Bean, De Ranke 21 Hop Harvest, Tiny Rebel Stay Puft, Lervig Jule Bock, Ultije Bird of Prey IPA, Fu*k the Caravan Is On Fire, Pineapple Weizen & Citrus Blonde Ale. Brouwerid Emelisse Smoked Rye IPA, La Trappe Trappist, Trappist Dubbel & Puur & St Bernardus Christmas Ale. I chose the Peel & Bean, which at £5+ for a half was enjoyable, but not quite worth the price tag. Toilets are upstairs. I quite liked the display of Dutch beer cans on the walls in the gents' WC. There was also another bar upstairs, which I didn't explore. I'm sure this bar will appeal to some craft beer afficionados, but it wasn't really for me.

Dating from 1892, this must have been something of a gin palace, judging by some of the remaining etched glass and richly detailed ceiling, along with some of the most impressive structural columns I’ve ever seen; however, I didn’t see any sign of the ‘impressive restoration’ experienced by the previous reviewer. The interior is spacious certainly, with mixed furniture; a snug of sorts with a log burning stove is to the rear. The bar back is partially impressive, but has been punctuated with the addition of glazed tiles. The bar front is also fine, with what seems to be a bar apron of Minton-style encaustic tiles. Although the ground floor was sparsely occupied, there’s an upstairs Dutch bar, which seemed to be doing a roaring trade. Three unused pumps looked rather forlorn, then just Ghost Ship and Sussex Best at £2.65 a half and rather good. This isn’t a bad pub, one of the best in this slightly dreary area; worth a visit if in the vicinity, but not worth any further effort.

The Bolton is a large looking pub that is on the corner of a busy road junction. Once inside there is a large square shaped room with the bar on the left side,the room is bare boarded,the seating is a few pew seats to the front plus two long tables in the middle area,there is a small raised area to the front right which is carpeted,normal tables and chairs here,there are a few tall tables and chairs and normal ones elsewhere. There were four real ales on the bar,i had a drink of Doom Bar which went down well on a very warm day,the other beers were London Pride,Hop Back Summer Lightening and Harbour American. I was happy enough having a drink here,but i am easily pleased. Pub visited 1/7/2015