Devonshire Arms, Kensington, W8

Another pub with no draft ale above 4.5%. Nicely done out mind you, but I will not be returning.

A large Kensington pub that has clearly had a makeover in recent years, so it all looks a bit formulaic: bare boarded, mixed lighting, mixed furniture with mainly high tables and chairs/stools, louvre blinds, bare brick in parts otherwise ubiquitous grey/blue paint. As mentioned, the ceiling is an ugly mess of aircon units, fans and electrical trunking. Music is muted and there's food, but it's more the 'posh' burger and fish 'n' chips school than real gastro. The barman was friendly and ales on offer included: Timothy Taylor's Landlord, Sharp's Doom Bar, Thwaites' Wainwright and Purity's Mad Goose which was good and just £3.35 a pint, though as this was a Tappy Monday, add another £1 for the rest of the week. This isn't a bad pub but as mentioned, it's a bit formulaic and lacking character. I'd return again if passing, but I wouldn't go out of my way to return.

Freshened up considerably since Nick’s last review, it’s now a vibrant, friendly pub with a popular paved terrace at the front which has marquee-like covers. The inside is divided into two main bar areas, one primarily for diners. Food is still a bit pretentious and expensive, although there are some deals on – a burger and a pint for £10, for example. Burgers were better than average, but served on a tin tray with a bit of paper in it, all rather naff. Only two ales on draft, Landlord and Ubu, plus Aspalls cider. The beers were in very good condition. Although the staff were pleasant, and helpful, service was very slow and I don’t think the food was worth the wait. Regular events include showcasing of ‘craft’ beers during the Summer months. I’d come back for the beer.

After trudging around looking for somewhere that was showing football on TV (this place wasn't) I observed that this place is fairly typical of the pubs around here. It's not my usual kind of haunt (pubs snacks to me are crisps and pork scratchings rather than olives and garlic bread but what would a Black Country bumpkin like me know about style) but I didn't feel like I stuck out. The bar staff and clientele (mainly young adults) seemed friendly enough and the ale was decent - on handpull there was Vale Brewing Co Special, Bateman's Original Victory Ale, Fuller's London Pride and Doom Bar. I was surprised given the affluence of the area the gents toilets, although they had contemporary fittings, looked like they were in dire need of cleaning and some repair. I'd go back for a pint next time I'm staying around there, simply because the hotel around the corner doesn't offer cask ale, but wouldn't be inclined to make an evening of it.

Official site of the Devonshire Arms, contains menu and event details - www.thedevonshirearmskensington.co.uk

Official site of the Devonshire Arms, contains menu and event details - www.thedevonshirearmskensington.co.uk