The Bear Tavern, Twickenham

The ales on here were London Pride, Doom Bar, and St Austell Tribute. Another pump was Twickenham Grandstand clipped, but it had apparently finished the previous evening - not sure why the clip was not reversed in that case. This is a Stonegate pub, and this is not a bad selection by their standards, as they do tend to rely on the usual suspects. There are various menus and meal deal paperwork in the wooden holders on the tables, but in essence the usual pubco pub grub menu is available. There are two meals for £11 or so; the Sunday roast is £9.95; burgers are either £8.15 (7oz) or £9.15 (9oz). The pub looks to be a high street pubco conversion. There are large tables with backless benches, tall tables/tall stools, some normal tables and chairs (one of which I found tucked away in a corner), with a few armchairs as well. Being in Twickenham during the Rugby World Cup there are obviously large flags of all the participating nations hanging from the ceiling. Around to the left I saw a bookcase of all things, with a stuffed bear's head on the wall above it. This looks like a very basic high street conversion pub. It was very quiet when I was in on Wednesday afternoon, but it looks the sort of place that would get busy in the evenings. On the plus side, the barmaid was friendly and welcoming. It's fine for what it is but it's not really worth going out of your way to visit.

Rather strange modern place, which has an atmosphere somewhere between a bar, a restaurant and a club. Not unpleasant however, with a range of different seating styles scattered round an impressive bar. Usual selection of trendy drinks, but thankfully including some decent ales (including Sambrooks Wandle at time of visit). Live music at weekends. Could do worse - I wouldn't object to going again.