The Corrib Rest, Queens Park, NW6

Change of use from public house to educational use granted planning permission.

This bar was established in 1997 according to a sign above the entrance. It looks as if a few houses have been knocked together to form this fairly large pub. Obviously it's an Irish themed pub (no doubt named after the river in Ireland) judging by the Gaelic script all over the place, as well as iluminated signs for Guiness and Kilkenny Irish beer. As you enter you are in a large hall of a room, with the bar counter at the back on the right. A slightly raised area is on the right, and this leads through a couple of doors to somewhere called the Oyster Bar, but I didn't bother investigating it. Down the centre of the main room is a row of tall tables/tall stools, but otherwise furnishings are a few settles, normal tables and chairs, and some small stools. There's all manner of decor around the place - jugs and bottles and the like, a model train, as well as the illuminated signs of course. At the end of the main room is a pool table, and in a small enclosed area behind it is a dartboard. There's some pavement seating outside at the front. Surprisingly they did have a real ale on - London Pride (£2 a half). When I asked for my half I spotted the barman twisting a sparkler on the tap - "yes, take that off please". He was in fact tightening it, and said that it was usual to use one. Hmmn - something to watch out for, although he did take it off when I asked him to. There was some food available, and although I didn't see menu, I did see a board outside offering lunchtime specials for £5. The pub atmosphere in is a bit contrived and artificial, which I guess is inevitable in somewhere that's only been a pub for a short while (by pub standards). Also, there didn't seem to be much natural light being allowed in which made it a bit gloomy, possibly it give it a more subterranean feel. Nevertheless I put it in the OK category, although I reckon £2 for a half of London Pride is quite expensive. It probably represents a good local for those who live nearby, but I wouldn't go out my way to visit again.

The Corribs Rest is surprisingly large pub once inside. The main room is quite large and oblong shaped,there was a long bar on the right side,there were tall tables and stools in the middle ofthe room,with small tables and stools near the bar,there was high bench seating running down the left side,there was a pool table to the far left and a small raised area past this which had a large drop down screen (unused on my visit),there was a smarter looking raised area to the front right which was T shaped,this area had normal tables and chairs,it was quite busy with people dining. There was some decent background music playing. There was one pump on the bar which had London Pride on,this was a decent enough drink. This is quite a pleasant and smart pub to have a drink in. Pub visited 1/5/2014