The Leinster Arms, W2

An attractive pub, Grade II-listed and dating from 1856. Inside though and it's a rather more different story which seems at variance with the reviews below. There's a fairly attractive central-ish bar which looks as though it could be original, sporting a Bass mirror. Thereafter there's a modern boarded floor and Anaglypta to the walls with contemporary pastel colour scheme along with some floral wallpaper. Lighting comes from Victorian-style sconce lights and at least one cut glass chandelier. Much of the pub's illumination though, comes from two TVs pointlessly broadcasting Newsnight with the sound off, and a strange glowing rectangle to a wall in portrait format advertising the rugby; there was though a decent soundtrack on the gramophone, spoiled by a customer playing noisy YouTube videos on their phone. Furniture is quite pubby apart from the tall tables and stools to the right-hand side along with a narrow drinking ledge. The pub certainly isn't foodie as it serves the likes of macaroni cheese (or mac 'n' cheese as millennials insist on calling it) as well as Ye Fishe 'n' Chippes for the tourists who occupy the abundance of cheap local hotels; the net result is a rather greasy smell of cooking, not helped by all the ugly condiment bottles on the tables. There were three ales served up by uninterested barmaids: an exciting choice of Pride, Hobgoblin and Landlord which was disappointingly very dull. Overall this is a rather poor pub - not the worst in W2 by a long chalk, but of no competition for the Mitre up the road.

This is a nice, cosy pub with front and rear rooms, located on the Northern side of Hyde Park. The front part of the pub comprises a mid-sized space with high stools and tables down one side and standard tables and chairs filling the rest of the room. There are some impressive leaded windows around the entrance, whilst an etched pane to one side has the pub’s name picked out on it. The room has been decorated with a variety of old photographs, but there was so much St Patrick’s day tat littering the room, that it was tricky to get a handle on exactly what the place looks like. The servery is located to the rear of the room and forms a C-shape with a dark wood counter, traditional bar back and a pleasant gantry decorated with bottles, whiskey boxes and the like. A TV screen was showing a muted football fixture and pop music was playing at a tolerable level in the background. Passing the right-hand side of the bar, you move into a smaller rear lounge with nice dark wood flooring, some fancy patterned wallpaper and some comfy banquette and chair seating options. The décor here was a little easier to pick out, with a large plain mirror, some London themed paintings, grand chandeliers and a couple more TV screens all catching the eye. A stack of board games was available in one corner and each table had a vase of fresh flowers on it, which was quite a nice touch. The pub has made it into recent editions of the Good Beer Guide but has what might be described as an unimaginative ale range, with options on this visit comprising Fullers London Pride, Black Sheep Bitter, Sharps Doom Bar and Taylor Landlord. The latter was £4.80 a pint and in excellent shape, served to me a a friendly, chatty barman. Whilst the pub doesn’t have a particularly foodie feel to it, I was surprised to find I was one of a small minority of customers visiting just for a drink. I quite liked the feel of this pub, which seemed comfortable, with a nice traditional look and layout, friendly service and some excellently conditioned beer. Perhaps a couple of more interesting ales wouldn’t go amiss and the Paddy’s Day marketing guff could be toned down, but otherwise, this is a good solid pub and worth seeking out if you’re in the area.

All a bit average and overpriced. Its small and foody and despite being in the Good Beer Guide has average beer quality

Well described by others below, there is a good local feel to this above-average Stonehouse pub. The staff were chatty and helpful, the locals were tolerant. Ales on were Doombar, Tribute and Landlord, all in good condition. Food was less inspiring – a few pub standards, many of which were off, and a few novelty items, none of them freshly cooked. The ambience and the beer make it a good place to drop in or spend an evening if you happen to be in the area.

A fairly traditional one roomer in a sideways U shape. Five pulls with London Pride, Marstons New World and Robinsons Starship Trooper as well as Old Rosie. General fake Victorian decor and average beer sums it up, although in possibly the only thing of note I was served by the gayest barman this side of Brighton.

Now a Stonegate pub, I found the Leinster Arms to be very traditional and welcoming with a good mix of regulars and people passing by. Out the front are a few café type tables and a plaque on the wall mentions this pubs historic military links as a meeting place for the Leinster regiment. A U shaped bar found at the rear of the pub supports seven hand pumps that were drawing St Austell’s Proper Job, Fuller’s London Pride, Marston’s Pedigree, Well’s Bombardier and Weston’s Old Rosie cider. I also counted two unused hand pumps and noted the presence of some standard keg products. Pub grub is available daily with the mains all priced around the £9.50 mark. At the front of the pub is seating and a plasma screen that was showing muted Sky Sports News. No live sport of any importance was taking place during my recent Thursday evening visit so some background music was playing. I found the service to be very friendly and the atmosphere was very welcoming, especially for a boozer to the west of London. I would gladly return here for a pint of passing.

TT Landlord, Ryedale Winter's Tale, Pride (off). Cheery welcome, but the girls were still cleaning the bar area at 14:00 (16Jan) & I don't find that fresh polish goes too well with beer. The pub seems to specialise in pies; this day's offerings being Lamb&Apricot, Cottage, Fisherman's, Woodland Mushroom, Venison, Chicken Curry Pie, but there was pinging coming from the kitchen area to the side of, and open to, the bar.

Terrace pub located in an upmarket area half-way between Lancaster Gate and Bayswater tube stations. Partly opened out inside to leave a 'U'-shaped bar with traditional furniture and decor. A few small pavement tables out front, and a covered mews entranceway to one side. Six of seven handpumps on when I visited, offering the regular Pride plus a decent selection of guest beers including three from Cottage Brewing and London Fields Black Path Porter. Overall, I thought this had a proper local atmosphere - sadly missing from many other pubs in the area - and would thus recommend a visit.

Official site of the Leinster Arms - www.theleinsterarmsbayswater.co.uk