Horse & Groom, Belgravia, SW1

Like a lot of pubs in this area tucked away down a side street. Quite a plain dark interior (didn't visit upstairs. 3 real ales and food served.

Being tucked away down a small cobbled backstreet it is unlikely that many visitors to the area chance upon this small Shepherd Neame pub. The interior consists of three very thin high tables with stools that run along the right wall directly in front of the entrance. To the left of the entrance under the front window are a couple of standard tables with chairs. On the left hand wall is the bar that supports the usual SN draught (Oranjeboom etc.) and three hand pumps that were drawing Spitfire, Whitstable Bay and Master Brew. I didn’t note the presence of any menus, but there were condiments on some of the tables. There was no background music and the television was off with no signs of live sport advertised. Out the front are a few café tables which I imagine come in very handy if more than twenty-five people attempt to use this pub at the same time. I arrived, just after midday on a recent Friday, behind a group of local office workers. We were the only customers and the barman was busy doing some housework so I assumed that the pub had not long opened. I wouldn’t stay here all day, but I could enjoy a few beers sitting outside on a nice summer’s afternoon.

A very small single room, albeit with additional room upstairs(not visited). Situated on the corner of a street and a mews, a few traditional tables with stools and upholstered banquettes, plus the odd earlier stated high tables and stools, not to my taste either Rex. Dark wood panelling, laminated cheap wood effect floor, beamed ceiling; the pub name is picked out on the etched windows. Plasma screen in the front corner. I reckon 20 people in here and it would be full. Shepherd Neame, Kent Best, Spitfire and Whitstable on, the Whitstable was clear but tired and lifeless. An unusual touch is the umberella stand by the door, seems like a touch from another age. 7 September 2008 Closed at 5pm yesterday.......no rating left.

A decent little local down a nice mews (you can smell the money as you walk), selling Shepherd Neame beer in fair condition. Turned up on a Friday evening when there was a toffs 70's-80's disco on; all very weird, especially when they played Eton Rifles and London Calling - hard to tell whether it was with brainless gusto or wonderful irony that Petronella, Henry their chums sang along at the top of their voices. Worth a quick half for the location.

Randomness Guide to London - Horse And Groom entry

Randomness Guide to London - Horse And Groom entry

This is a small Shepherd Neame pub tucked away down a mews behind Belgrave Square. This was one of my regular haunts when I used to work around the corner in Seaford House. But it seems to have had a fairly recent makeover, the main change being – apart from a general smartening up – the introduction of some of those really chunky high stools and high tables. I don't like them at all, but I do understand the business need for them in a pub as small as this one. But I still really like this little pub, and usually manage to drop in whenever I am in the area. My best wishes to Aiden, the new guv'nor – if anyone can make a go of this pub, he can.