The Live & Let Live, West Kensington, W14

This pub is, rather appropriately, at the north end of North End Rd, just off the busy Hammersmith Rd. It's a locals' pub by the look of it, with a dozen or so blokes in there drinking, some resorting to industrial language. There's little or no pub character - there is modern replacement floorboarding, cheap looking tables and chairs stretching around the central island bar, and the arty type decor (prints of Marilyn Monroe, photo of Che Guevara, communist China poster including Mao Zedong) looks a bit out of place here. It looks as if someone has tried to move this place upmarket, but the clientele hasn't allowed it to happen. There was some pop music playing at a volume slightly higher than background level. Being a Greene King pub there were no surprises as far as ales are concerned, with Abbot, Fireside, and Rockin' Rudolph (£1.85 a half) on. Unfortunately the Rockin' Rudolph turned out to be in poor condition. I didn't see an sign of food on Wednesday afternoon. I doubt whether I'll be back, but good luck to the locals if they do like it the way it is.

Official site of The Live And Let Live - theliveandletlive.webeden.co.uk

Official site of The Live And Let Live - theliveandletlive.webeden.co.uk

Live and Let Live is a fairly large no frills boozer with minimal décor which makes it feel a little bland. To the right of the entrance is a raised seating area that houses a dartboard. The bar is found on the right hand wall in the centre of the pub and seating goes up the left hand wall. To the right rear of the pub is a pool table. There are a couple of plasma screens and one of these was playing Heart FM. I spotted an advertisement for Sky Sports so football and alike are shown when a match is on. To the left of the entrance there are a few board games and some books that can be borrowed. Karaoke is held here on Saturdays from 20:00. The bar is stocked with standard draught and the lone hand pump was drawing Abbot Ale. Pub grub was advertised, but I didn’t note any prices or kitchen opening times. Outside the front of the pub there are some picnic tables in a small paved area. This isn’t a place I would go out of the way to visit again, but what could have been a very depressing visit was brightened up by the very friendly service received from the barmaid. It is amazing how lively and enthusiastic bar staff can make a dull or mediocre pub that much better.