The Lillie Langtry, West Brompton, SW6

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Pub SignMan left this review about The Lillie Langtry

Just down the road from West Brompton station, this is a nicely fitted out gastro pub which seems to still be happy enough to welcome drinkers, especially if it’s a match day at nearby Stamford Bridge. On arrival, you pass through a front patio garden with lots of comfy looking wicker chairs serving some sturdy looking tables in a spot next to a fairly busy main road. You then enter into the broad, main bar area, which has exposed floorboards and a cool chequered tile strip of flooring around the servery, which dominates the back wall. The bar has an attractive dark wood counter that curves 90 degrees at its left-hand end before running toward the rear of the room. It has a modern metal frame gantry and a spectacular high, dark wood bar back with some decorative top pieces, recessed mirrored arches and hefty pillars. High tables and stools fill the space opposite the bar, whilst a high, button backed banquette runs under the front window, with more of the same available at a regular height down the left-hand wall. Where the room runs to the rear down this side, you’ll find an excellent skylight with loads of plants hanging from around its perimeter, which looks pretty impressive. All of the front and left-hand parts of the pub are painted in dark shades or have dark wallpaper, but the right-hand side has been done out in much lighter shades and filled with more high tables and stools. An impressive decorative ceiling extends through all parts of the room and numerous TV screens were showing muted live football with easy listening tunes playing in the background.
On the bar, four handpulls suggested that Fullers London Pride, Sharps Doom Bar and Park Brewery Saw Pit were the cask options, but upon enquiring about the latter, I was told it was off, despite being double clipped, so I had to opt for the Pride from the less inspiring remaining two alternatives. This clocked in at £6.15 and was served by quite a brusque barmaid who was also very keen to point out to people that the tables they were sat at were reserved and they could only stay there until the customers who had booked them arrived. Whilst there were still a few spots for drinkers, these had already filled up early in the day and the vast majority of people were eating. Being a match day, the beer comes in plastic glasses, irrespective of the fact that there were still five or six hours until kick-off.
I thought this was quite an impressive pub with some grand, traditional features that are worth checking out. It’s a shame they could only offer a couple of ubiquitous ales and that it felt more like a restaurant, as they seemingly do have more interesting beer on at times and have made an effort to accommodate drinkers. I enjoyed this one for the interior but would be likely to look elsewhere the next time I’m in this part of town.

On 23^rd January 2024 - rating: 6
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