The Sir Alexander Fleming (JD Wetherspoon), Paddington, W2

Opened yesterday, this pub takes its name from a former eponymous hostelry on Praed Street which closed in 2017, named after Fleming who invented penicillin at St. Mary’s Hospital over the basin. Another ‘spoons, the interior is very modern with mustard coloured exposed brick and screed walls, then titmouse blue or mushroom paint; the floor has a typical baffling patterned carpet then terrazzo flooring around the bar; there is much in the way of exposed ductwork, décor in the form of photos and prints of the area from yesteryear then a myriad furniture styles including some booth-style banquettes and solitary pouffe doubling as my drinking companion (see photos). Lighting is bright, coming from various lamp styles and customers were young studenty types, probably from St. Mary’s, or surgeons getting tanked up before going into the operating theatre; less welcome was the squawking baby in a pram, its parents watching noisy YouTube videos on a phone. Overall, the place isn’t that big and surprisingly, the lavs are very cramped. The cask choice is poor by ‘spoons standards, with two unused pumps, then Gloom (with a new pump clip to trip up the unwary), Abbot, Ruddles Best and Portobello Market Porter, £1.88 the half, served by an attentive barman. Paddington is a pretty ropey drinking destination, the Bear still being the preferred choice, but if you must visit a branch, keep on going on the tube to the Metropolitan; a little further takes you to the Barrel Vault. Rates 4.5.

Official site of The Sir Alexander Fleming - www.jdwetherspoon.com

Official site of The Sir Alexander Fleming - www.jdwetherspoon.com

Due to be called The Sir Alexander Fleming.