The Swag & Tails, Knightsbridge, SW7

Walked past today. It's still closed and no signs of life.

I felt that this was essentially a restaurant (or gastro-pub) rather than simply a pub. We didn't interact with the barman, other than to order drinks and pay, but had a longish chat at the bar with one of the regulars, who spoke very highly about the quality of the food. But I didn't eat there so can't comment; in addition it was very quiet mid-afternoon on a Wednesday (there were only three of us in there plus the barman) so as you would expect there was no issue in us getting served ahead of diners! They had a couple of real ales on – Bombardier and Adnam's Bitter. The Bombardier was an eye-watering £3.40 a pint; not the most expensive pint I have had in London, but it is certainly up there in the leading pack of expensive pints! The one thing that this pub does have going for it is an enviable location in a charming little back street away from the madness of Knightsbridge and Brompton Rd. So, don't go to this pub if you are looking for a traditional backstreet boozer, because it doesn't pretend to be one, but it is a reasonable refuge from the nearby shopping mayhem of Harrods.