The Star Tavern, Belgravia, SW1

Apparently the Star Tavern used to be a popular haunt of celebrities who liked to mingle with the villains of the day back in the 50s/60s. This is also reportedly the location where the finer points of the Great Train Robbery concocted. There were no such shenanigans going on during my recent Friday afternoon visit when the pub was busy with dining tourists and local office workers. To the right of a central walkway that leads to toilets at the rear is a small U shaped bar that was busy with the aforementioned office crowd. Alongside a limited premium draught selection were five hand pumps that were drawing a Fuller’s range of London Pride, Seafarers, ESB and Oliver’s Island (x2). The left hand side of the pub houses standard tables and chairs which were being used by the diners. A lunch menu was in operation during my visit and to give an idea of price I noted that cod and chips were priced at £12. There was no background music playing and I didn’t spot any televisions, but the Rugby World Cup being shown on terrestrial television was advertised. By the front entrance is a small smoking area, but drinks are not permitted outside. I found the service to be friendly enough and being a big fan of Fuller’s pubs I would have no problem visiting here again.

A fine traditional pub on a pleasant cobbled mews just off Belgrave Square. Having opened the front door on a freezing cold Friday night, I was confronted by a set of heavy curtains which were doing a sterling job of keeping the cold out each time someone entered or exited the pub. The large D-shaped servery is to the right on entering and has a very limited amount of space either side for people to stand or perch on bar stools. The windows at the front are very pleasant, bearing the pub's name and a star symbol. A large, wide archway on the left takes you into a smarter area with lots of seating, two fireplaces and all manner of pictures on the walls. There is also a dining room upstairs which can be hired for private functions. There are five hand pumps serving beers from the Fullers range. On my recent visit, these were London Pride (doubled up), ESB, Discovery and the rarely seen London Porter, with Honeydew on keg and further options in bottles. A certificate near the doorway explains that the governor has Fuller's Master Cellarman Accreditation and the pub is one of the few to have made it into every edition of the Good Beer Guide. If my luscious pint of London Porter was anything to go by, these accolades are richly deserved. There were loads of staff working on a surprisingly quiet Friday night, so service was very prompt and fairly friendly. This has been near the top of my 'to do' list for some time, and I'm glad I finally got around to checking the place out as it's as good as this kind of upmarket pub gets. If I weren't such a scruffy so and so I’d feel very comfortable spending more time here.

This was one of my locals (along with the Talbot and the Horse and Groom) when I worked in Belgrave Square. In fact at one stage it was the only Fullers pub in Central London and thus the only place there where you could drink Fullers beers. Hard to believe that now. Anyway, this really is a top pub, even if the refurb a year or two ago has “gastrocised” it to some extent, with a more expensive menu. Gone is the reasonably priced meal of sausage, egg, chips and beans. However, the structure and intrinsic character of the pub has been retained. As you enter there is a smallish bar area in front of you, and another larger room reached through an archway to the left. This larger room is furnished with normal tables and chairs, there are a number of miscellaneous but attractive prints on the walls, and the floor is bare boarded but with a couple of large rugs. The windows in the front are especially attractive, with their stained glass featuring the Star motif – they look original to me. At the back end of the room there is a skylight, letting in some welcome light, and during a visit a winter or two ago there was a coal fire on the go. There was no piped music today; no games machines nor any one armed bandits. Tucked away down a cobbled mews behind Belgrave Square, it can be a bit tricky to find if you don’t know your way round the area well. But it is definitely worth the effort of seeking out. The Fullers ales are invariably superb. As well as the usual Fuller’s ales on, they also had Bengal Lancer and Mighty Atom (a 2.8% low ABV ale) on, both of which are decent ales. This really is a top pub.

A London-based friend told me recently 'there's no good pubs in Victoria' - how wrong can you be. With the Jugged Hare on the Pimlico side and this fantastic pub in Belgravia you've got two brilliant Fullers' houses to choose from. Situated next to the German embassy, this pub has a stunning, spotlessly kept interior that feels a bit like the foyer of a really classy boutique hotel. The barman efficiently served me a pint of Chiswick Bitter (at £2.60 very reasonably priced given its swanky location) and it was to my lasting regret I could only stay for one. Will definitely be back.

Randomness Guide to London - Star Tavern entry

Randomness Guide to London - Star Tavern entry

Long established Fullers house located in a small mews in the heart of Belgravia and embassy land. Comfortable clean and fairly opulent as befits the locality. The bar and all wooden fixtures gleam. Outside drinking is not permitted so possibly not one for the smokers. Pride, ESB, Discovery, Chiswick and Gale's HSB available, ESB priced at an irritating 3.05! Very good quality though. Impressive floral displays outside.