Earl of Derby, Kilburn, NW6

The first thing you notice with the Golden Egg are the strategically placed boards outside advertisng its discounted product range and in an area where pubs attract the inebriated like iron filings to a magnet, you just know what to expect. Luckily, the interior is deceptively large and finding a spot away from the drunken renditions of Danny Boy is generally achievable. The front area has fairly plain décor and is quite spacious and airy with good natural light and high ceilings. Several old black & white photos of the area adorn the walls. Beyond the remnants of the dividing wall it opens up to the grander (but long since past its prime) remnants of what looks like an old ballroom or function hall, complete with ornate ceilings and an interesting but underused, wood paneled fireplace. The multiple TV's & Big Screen are very good for sport and if karaokes and cheap live music are your thing, you'll find them here. One big plus is the presence a Real Ale - only the 1 but it was at least a decently kept Brains Bitter, hardly normal for the area and £1.89 a pint (even though it still says £1.79 on the menus!). The food is cheap and fancy free and beer and cocktails are also available by the jug and pitcher making it a binge drinkers dream. Encouraged by such marketing, I did get the impression most of the punters here are surgically joined to the fixtures and fittings and probably wouldn't be aware that there is an exit. Whilst I wouldn't necessarily say that everyone was particularly approachable, I didn't feel too wary sitting there alone in a strange pub, which is not always the case in Kilburn. The retro music was actually quite listenable and made a refreshing change from the thumping clubby stuff or fiddly diddly offerings of some of the neigbours. The pub has certainly seen better days but despite its obvious lack of class, it is certainly functionable and not without its interesting aspects.

The Guinness is £2.25 a pint and I thought that it was of a reasonable quality (I have certainly paid £3.50 a pint for far worse). There was also a standard draught selection available during my visit alongside Double Dragon and Best from the Welsh brewers Felinfoel. The main feature of this pub is probably the Sky Sports shown on the many screens throughout along with a projector screen on the back wall. I found the staff to be pleasant enough and there was a decent crowd in attendance watching the football results roll in. The décor is a little tired and the toilets are a smelly mess, but this would be my sports pub of choice in the area.