The Gloucester, SW1

BF pretty much nails this one, particularly the comment about local residents not being seen dead in here, or probably any pub for that matter, the risk of FSB assassination being too great. This dates from 1835 but was rebuilt around 1900, in the base of this mansion block. There’s fairly loud music in here and customers seemed to be having a jolly time, especially the overly friendly German who kept leaning over me at the bar, giggling in my ear; I think some customers may be staying at the hotel opposite. Ales: two pumps dishing out Abbot, one for GK IPA and Landlord at £2.90 a very stiff half and good. This is actually more enjoyable than most GK pubs, surprising in this location. However, there are some very enjoyable pubs in the immediate vicinity, such as the Nag’s Head, which is where I’d head if in this area.

Yet another Greene King tied house,smaller than a lot of their outlets and with some charm.The exterior looks traditional and there are some high tables near the entrance.The bar runs along the left wall,has a decent mirrored back and is in two sections.There are some narrow high tables opposite the bar and two charming small alcoves behind,while the rear of the pub opens out a little and has dining type tables. Posters on the walls celebrate the fashion brands available close by,although I doubt their upmarket customer base would be seen dead in a GK pub ! There was a bland R&B soudtrack playing and although the menus were not the plastic,photographed variety,the food offering is just the same GK stuff but with a £1.49 per dish hike given the area.Food service still reins.There is a first floor restaurant which looks like a club,with an unused fireplace and a flatscreen.There is a small serving bar with just keg options up here but this maybe used when it's being hired out. At the bar both the GK IPA and Abbott were coming shortly leaving just TT Landlord (NBSS 2.5,£2.80 half).This pub is marginally better than some other GK outlets in the area,but there is the usual lack of care which even a friendly barman cannot compensate for.There are better options elsewhere.

Official site of The Gloucester - www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk

Official site of The Gloucester - www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk

This is now a Greene King, which they acquired along with the rest of the Punch estate. Thus they had on GK IPA and London Glory, plus Sambrook's Wandle. They still do a CAMRA discount, again left over from its Taylor Walker days, bringing the pint of Wandle I had down to £4.23. That makes the full price £4.70 by my reckoning - I suppose that's what one expects to pay in Sloane St. The normal GK pub grub menu is available, but as you would expect prices are at the top end of the GK scale - the burger & chips is £12.79 for example. As you enter there is a fairly open bare-boarded area with several tall tables/tall benches, leading back to a carpeted area with just normal tables and chairs, plus a couple of booths with leather button back benches. A black and white tiled splash area surrounds the bar counter. There's some unusual wallpaper here, featuring thousands of Penny Black stamps. I thought it looks quite odd, but it's harmless enough I guess. There are TVs, fruit and games machines about the place. Customers seemed to be transient shoppers as far as I could tell. As pub go I reckon this one is firmly in the "OK" category. It's good that there still is one pub in Sloane St, but it's by no means a destination pub although OK for a swift one as long as you can stomach the sky high prices.

Routine Taylor Walker affair, a bit of a tardis this one. Once you get past the compulsory high tables put at the front to scare you off there are a couple of more traditional seating areas further on. No real reason to visit unless it's raining or you need the loo, there are better choices nearby.

The Gloucester is located on Sloane Street just around the corner from Knightsbridge Underground Station. In this fairly prominent position I was surprised to this pub was quieter than its peers in the backstreets and mews of Belgravia. Maybe the residents and visitors to this part of London are less drawn in by the corporate vision of a London pub and prefer a proper pub, many of which are in this area. The bar is located along the left hand wall with seating opposite and at the rear. The toilets are found upstairs, but I didn’t venture up to see if there was anything else of interest on the first floor. There was some background music playing and World Cup Rugby on terrestrial television was advertised. This was to be shown on the flat screen televisions in the front and rear of the pub that were both airing muted rolling BBC News. The bar was stocked with premium and standard draught products and the three hand pumps were drawing Greene King IPA and London Glory alongside Windsor and Eton’s Canberra. Pub grub is available all day from the standard Taylor Walker menu. I found the service to be friendly enough, but there are lots of pubs in the area that are better than this one with a less transient crowd. I do not see a return on the cards in the near future.

Taylor Walker pub with quite a long narrow interior and a small area upstairs. 5 real ale taps. Food served.