The Andover Arms, Hammersmith, W6

Randomness Guide to London - Andover Arms entry

Randomness Guide to London - Andover Arms entry

This was my first visit since the much-maligned refurbishment, and although I preferred it as it was, with its more basic backstreet boozer appeal, I have to be honest and admit that I still quite like it as it is now. It’s now bare-boarded in keeping with its new trendy identity, but with some rugs to break up the floor space, and soak up some of the noise. The furnishings are OK, comprising all manner of round, square, and rectangular solid wood tables, with normal chairs. The bar counter is still right in front of you as you enter, with a seating area to the right, with more seating wrapped around the bar on the left, leading to a small room at the back that is well lit by skylights. This room contains a large rough hewn solid wooden table which could seat eight or nine people round it. I wouldn’t have wanted to be one of the poor sods who had to move that thing in here. There’s also a portrait of someone I didn’t recognise in here. Being a Fuller’s house the ales are no surprise, except that I was a bit surprised that the only ales they had on were Festival, Chiswick, and the ubiquitous London Pride. That was a bit of a shame, as I fancied a pint of ESB and was sure that I would get one here. An example of its attempt to move upmarket is the stuff they put on the bar counter – jars containing pickled eggs, olives, various nuts, and a wicker basket containing packets of crisps. A big plus – for me anyway – is the absence of one-armed bandits and games machines, and I quite liked the laid back music they were playing, including some Nina Simone, jazz, and big band classics. I have the feeling that this will remain a real pub despite the upmarket makeover because I believe that is what its customers want it to be. I’d need to visit at some different times to be sure of this, but I sincerely hope that I’m right. Anyway, I still found this to be a decent place to relax and enjoy a pint, and would be happy to visit again.