The Pavilion, White City, W12

This is a mid-Victorian pub, originally called the Rifle Pavilion Hotel, on account of the local rifle ranges. A first in here and this is a strange place, with most of the frontage along North Pole Road (named after the former North Pole pub, RIP 2012), the front entrance sharing the same address as the former BBC Television Centre; with its grey colour scheme, it looks like some sort of aircraft carrier – cum – pub. The interior is large and sprawling, with some raised seating to the rear, a white and grey colour scheme, pale boarded floor and High Victorian-style monochromatic wallpaper illuminated by much Victorian-style brassware; tedious shiny white tiles aside, the bar back may be original, but otherwise I couldn’t spot anything remaining from the time of construction; furniture is conventional but mostly tall and chunky. The overall ambience is dominated by a phalanx of TVs showing the footie – with a banal competing soundtrack on the gramophone – and games machines aplenty. Customers were young, mostly watching the TVs and although fairly numerous, the size of the place appeared empty. With a ‘No Standing At The Bar’ sign displayed, the ale front amounted to three unused pumps, then Abbot (‘coming soon’) and GK IPA, a half of Neck Oil costing £2.85, served by a barmaid who was still assiduously observing social distancing measures, for some reason. This is a bit of a boring venue; with the electronic entertainment off and some decent beer on, it could be tolerable, but as it stands, it’s essentially a loo stop in an area now devoid of other pubs, the nearest being in Shepherds Bush to the south.

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

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

Large Greene King pub with several of their ales on draught; sampled Old Trip which was in good order. Main part of pub consists of several interconnecting rooms in an historic-looking building with some ornate plaster ceilings. There is also a sports bar at the rear (deserted at time of visit), as well as a function room and outdoor area. Food quite acceptable. Particularly useful for the area in having a car park, but do leave your registration number behind the bar to avoid charges.