The Green Man, Kingsbury, NW9

This pub dates from at least the mid-19th century – though I suspect given the name and location – may be a far, far older coaching inn; it was rebuilt in 1937 to the designs of Truman’s inhouse architect, A. E. Sewell, complete with trademark ‘Eagle’ motifs. The first thing you notice is the former freestanding off-licence, with ‘Eagle’ motif; to the right is the pub, a rather grand affair, externally needing some TLC. Pushing aside the main door with cracked Barclays Premiership leaded window, to enter a pub which is a complete mess. Much of the interior remains, leaded lights, natural wood wainscoting with raised area to the left-hand side – complete with pool table and King Harold dartboard – and a room beyond which hints at much finery, but I didn’t dare venture in. Ultimately this is a really rather scruffy, rundown, downmarket pub, with tat, knickknacks down, with many a sports flyer. The floor is modern pine, walls and ceiling cream, mismatched furniture and what on approach I had taken for disco lighting in the form of the red interior lambency, was in fact the omnipresent glow from infrared portable heaters. Sports commentary competed with piped music and multiple games machines flashed away; a horrible XL Bully (or similar) roamed free. Customers looked like wannabees from the nearby Moon Under Water, one a small child playing on a games machine at gone 9.25pm at the time of my Friday visit. There’s no cask, just Eurofizz, a half of Moretti at a cheap £2.30, served by a young barman with EarPods in his lug’oles. It may only have been the last day of February, but I doubt I’ll visit a worse pub this year.

Old Truman's signage is much in evidence on the exterior, include the trademark eagle, now painted gold, which is also seen on a house next to the pub which was once an off sales. Unfortunately I didn't see any such signage inside. This pub was rebuilt in 1934, after the former pub of the same name burnt down. This pub is larger than its predecessor, with the main bar area comprising a couple of areas. The area at the front is raised and contains a pool table and one or two armchairs; the area on the left is also raised, and has the dartboard and a few normal tables and chairs. All quite symmetrical I guess, with the main drinking areas looking down on the servery. For such a large pub the seating is fairly limited. There is a delightful function room at the back, separated from the bar area by concertina doors, where the walls have good quality fielded wood panelling on them to two thirds height, as well as a magnificent fireplace. This room doesn't seem to be available for casual drinking (unless booked for a function presumably), but the friendly manager kindly showed me round. Apparently there is another room leading off from the function room, but I didn't get to see in there - it's possibly used as a storeroom. The main bar area has vertical wood panelling on the dado, as well as the original bar counter still in place. The bar back may be largely original, but looks to have been altered to some extent. The windows still retain the original green-banded glazing in the leaded panels. The was no real ale on during my lunchtime visit, although there was a handpump with a Doom Bar clip reversed. A half of Guinness was £1.80, and I didn't see any sign of food. I quite liked this pub despite the absence of real ale. It had a friendly and traditional feel about it. Plus there were plenty of knick-knacks on the walls and on shelves, which usually indicates that someone has gone to some effect to imbue the place with a bit of character. But I doubt whether I'll get out to here to visit it again.

The Green Man is a large pub that is flanked by two smoking shelters and has some picnic tables outside the front. The left hand side of the pub can be closed off and is used as a function room, but it was open on my recent Saturday night visit when some live Irish music was playing. The right hand side of the pub houses the bar and some seating, much of which is raised. Standard draught products were available and the Guinness was perfectly acceptable. There are a couple of plasma screens which were showing muted snooker and the jukebox was obviously switched off. For a Saturday night I thought that it lacked atmosphere in here and I don’t plan on returning.