The Nags Head, Belgravia, SW1

Initially, this seems like a wonderful place to sink a couple of pints. There’s an interior timewarp factor of about 1936 and the place has a great ambience about it - you'd be hard-pressed to remember that you're in central London after 15 minutes on a Saturday afternoon. Even the till is ancient, and there are a couple of old (but working) one arm bandits on the way to the bogs. The interior is split-level and snug due to its narrowness. The drawback begins with the beer. Its limited ale range (Adnams Broadside and Bitter) is ok but it’s expensive and sometimes quite badly kept. I'd like to give them the benefit of the doubt and assume the rent for the place is sky-high given where it's sited but if that’s so, they should be keeping the beer top-notch in order to get the punters in, surely? I'd love to get my hands on this pub, rip out the Stella and Guinness and stick a few extra ale lines in. The problems extend to the staff, where the service is often grumpy, verging on the downright rude. An enigma - a place that really should be indispensable but tries its damnedest not to be.

The Guv’ner and long established owner of this delightfully quirky hostelry is one of the most legendary landlords, in old London Town, Kevin Moran, a publican very much of the old school. Indeed, whilst some call it the Nags Head; others know it as Kevin Moran’s. What can one say about Kevin? He’s one of a kind. What awaits visitors to this unique tavern is a wonderful collection of unusual theatrical memorabilia, bric-a-brac and object trouvé from a bygone era. It is like stepping into a surreal time capsule. The Nags Head’s bijou dimensions only add to its charm and one can sit cheek by jowl with theatrical and media celebrities who frequent this watering hole. You may be lucky and catch a glimpse of the famed actor who played Pingu Patterson, idol of the TV series Grange Hill. There are some truly magnificent eccentric characters that use this pub and it is a great place in which to people watch and be entertained. I wouldn’t be in the least bit surprised to find Mike Leigh busily scribbling notes to get material for a new play, a pub version of “Nuts in May” or “Abigail’s Party”. The TV comedy character Victor Meldrew was surely conceived in a place just like the Nags Head. It’s that kind of inspiring pub. In naval parlance, Kevin runs a tight ship; it is run in a way that his kindred spirit, Sid Perks the famous landlord of the Archer’s pub, the Bull in Ambridge, would approve. Yes, there are rules, for example: no mobile phones and no unseemly behaviour; the landlord likes coats to be hung up and bags out of the way. These rules are in place for a reason, just ask Kevin why. The real ale is kept well, “pubby” home cooked food is to hand and the piped music reflects the landlord’s unconventional tastes. I just love that folksy Irish music. Why not seek out this little gem, the Nags Head theatre of life? Entry is free and performances are continuous. You won’t be disappointed.

The Nags is an aquired taste, and afavourite of many of the eccentric and wealthy celebs who occasionally live in the area. Landlord Kevin Moran (who famously ran Tom Baker's favourite haunt on Chelsea's King's Road, 'The Man in the Moon' pub in the late 70's) runs a pub how he wants a pub run. It's good to get to know him, and good to see he maintains principles that many wish they had the nerve to apply at work or home. The Guinness is always good, and the ales can be a bit hit and miss, as can the food, which is miraculously concocted in the tiny kitchens upstairs. The pub has character, as does the landlord and his tight knit staff. A shame it's so tiny, as Kevin's principles could be very comfortably up-scaled!

Well worth visiting for the eccentric interior. Did find the ales not at their best on our last visit in July 2010. The 'no mobiles' signs are very prominent but use of laptops in here is also forbidden!

Randomness Guide to London - Nag's Head entry

Randomness Guide to London - Nag's Head entry

An odd little place with split levels, enter to the main room, wooden floors, two fireplaces containing unusually small coal burning ranges, a very low bar such that normal size stools are sufficient to sit at it. Decor is generally military, shields, pics of guardsmen, model planes fly above the bar, but also cartoons, caricatures, photos of previous celebrity drinkers, horsebrasses etc. Additionally old gaming machines feature, such as the still picture box (3d) and a penny machine to win Spangles...who remembers them? The upper lobby next to the toilets has a further two old fruit machines. Down a flight to another rear area, more nic nacs including unusually a set of ice skates with wooden blades. Beer wise pretty average, Adnams Broadside and Bitter, the bitter was tired and past its best at the time. In summary, well worth a look for its curiosity value, maybe my beer on the day was an unlucky one.