The Salutation, Hammersmith, W6

Visited in June 2010 Situated along Hammersmith's main drag - King Street - The Salutation is immediately noticeable for its impressive and distinctive Edwardian blue tiled frontage. A notice on the outside tells us that "an old coaching inn has stood on the site since 1750. It was proud then, as it is now, of its traditional beers, travellers fayre and warm welcome". The current building dates back to 1910. Inside, we find a long spacious single bar that has been opened out from its original incarnation, but retains some original features - mahogany bar back and fittings - and is not unpleasant. A recent refurbishment has not been dramatic, but seems to be indicative of a desire to be more of a bar than a traditional pub. We have a mixture of sofas, high tables and perches and, most unusually, a church pew style arrangement of 6 seats directly facing the TV screen over the bar. Disappointingly, the tiled entrance no longer displays the pictures of the Queen Mother when she visited the fine garden at the back of the pub in 1989. The bar leads past a small conservatory style area into a largish paved beer garden with seating booths and a BBQ facility. A recent addition here is a table football machine and tournaments are planned. I'm doubtful whether outside is the best place for this table - who wants to hear the inevitable clattering sound whilst relaxing here away from the hustle and bustle of the nearby shops ?. The Salutation seems to be trying to cover all angles and a postcard sized advertising flyer promotes the pub as offering "Food, Drink, Entertainment, Sports". It's also claiming to be Hammersmith's No 1 sports venue, a claim that I suspect could be legitimately challenged. On the beer front, the London Pride - £ 3.05p - was in good form and the pub is listed in the 2010 CAMRA Good Beer Guide. Sadly, the long standing landlord, Southampton - supporting Rob, left at the time of the recent refurbishment and it is to be hoped that the excellent beer quality will be maintained by the new management team. I suppose only time will tell whether this new venture will be a success or not. From my perspective, it's lost something of that pubbiness that it had when Rob was around, but it's still a reasonable place for a pint if passing through.

Met up with a mate in here to watch the football, as very few pubs in the area seemed to have sky. The refurbishment on this place, which appears to be recent, must have cost a fortune, such is the look of the wallpaper, furnishings and lighting. Adequate pint of Chiswick served alongside the usual range plus a guest ale which rather took me by surprise. If I was in the area again I'd probably give it a go but couldn't see myself staying there all that long. The Swan, a nearby Nicholson's pub, looks a better bet for a session on the ale.

Randomness Guide to London - Salutation entry

Randomness Guide to London - Salutation entry