The Salutation, Hammersmith, W6

Visited in June 2010 Situated along Hammersmith's main drag - King Street - The Salutation is immediately noticeable for its impressive and distinctive Edwardian blue tiled frontage. A notice on the outside tells us that "an old coaching inn has stood on the site since 1750. It was proud then, as it is now, of its traditional beers, travellers fayre and warm welcome". The current building dates back to 1910. Inside, we find a long spacious single bar that has been opened out from its original incarnation, but retains some original features - mahogany bar back and fittings - and is not unpleasant. A recent refurbishment has not been dramatic, but seems to be indicative of a desire to be more of a bar than a traditional pub. We have a mixture of sofas, high tables and perches and, most unusually, a church pew style arrangement of 6 seats directly facing the TV screen over the bar. Disappointingly, the tiled entrance no longer displays the pictures of the Queen Mother when she visited the fine garden at the back of the pub in 1989. The bar leads past a small conservatory style area into a largish paved beer garden with seating booths and a BBQ facility. A recent addition here is a table football machine and tournaments are planned. I'm doubtful whether outside is the best place for this table - who wants to hear the inevitable clattering sound whilst relaxing here away from the hustle and bustle of the nearby shops ?. The Salutation seems to be trying to cover all angles and a postcard sized advertising flyer promotes the pub as offering "Food, Drink, Entertainment, Sports". It's also claiming to be Hammersmith's No 1 sports venue, a claim that I suspect could be legitimately challenged. On the beer front, the London Pride - £ 3.05p - was in good form and the pub is listed in the 2010 CAMRA Good Beer Guide. Sadly, the long standing landlord, Southampton - supporting Rob, left at the time of the recent refurbishment and it is to be hoped that the excellent beer quality will be maintained by the new management team. I suppose only time will tell whether this new venture will be a success or not. From my perspective, it's lost something of that pubbiness that it had when Rob was around, but it's still a reasonable place for a pint if passing through.

Met up with a mate in here to watch the football, as very few pubs in the area seemed to have sky. The refurbishment on this place, which appears to be recent, must have cost a fortune, such is the look of the wallpaper, furnishings and lighting. Adequate pint of Chiswick served alongside the usual range plus a guest ale which rather took me by surprise. If I was in the area again I'd probably give it a go but couldn't see myself staying there all that long. The Swan, a nearby Nicholson's pub, looks a better bet for a session on the ale.

Randomness Guide to London - Salutation entry

Randomness Guide to London - Salutation entry

Despite having undergone a certain amount of refurbishments, the Salutation had always stopped short of being considered trendy or clubbified and still carries the air of the traditional style boozer that it has no doubt been since the current building was built in 1910. Reports of a recent more severe overhaul had me scampering to make sure things ahdn’t been ruined so I was pleased to see that the alluring blue tiled façade with its upper bay windows and ornate sills remained untouched. The changes inside are subtle but noticeable and unfortunately don’t really make any worthwhile enhancements. The tiled entrance provides the first signs of change. Gone are the historical snippets and pictures of the Queen Mum gracing the rear garden. In their place is a series of posters advertising the upcoming live music and quiz nights. The knocked through interior still has the same spacious and roomy layout but the raised area at the front has now been removed creating a larger area of flat floorspace that makes it all seem a bit bare. The décor and furnishings are similar with the addition of a stuffed deers head and some fancy jumble sale light fittings. Opposite the bar is an interesting but quite impractical raised sectioned pew seat. Large potted plants mingle with the sofas, quiz machines and there are a couple of TVs mainly for sport. The background music that was once barely noticeable is now far more intrusive than I recall from previous visits. There is a good amount of natural light courtesy of a skylight at the rear and a brick lined conservatory area that leads to the paved beer garden with trellises, ivy clad alcoves and built in BBQ. The beer is always of good standard but given the 9 hand pumps, there never seems to be more than 3 ales available (Pride, ESB and Bengal Lancer on my recent visit). Prices are quite good for the area. The Sally does have a reasonably wide appeal but I can’t help feel that it has taken one step further to moving away from its roots and falling more in line with its trendier neighbours. Where the next refurb will take it is anyone’s guess.

It was fairly empty when I dropped in there on a Friday lunchtime the other day. A pretty decent pub by any standards, and definitely the best in the immediate vicinity. Looks like it has retained a lot of its original character in the furnishings and fittings. The service was quick and friendly enough - but it was fairly empty. Food was good, although it was expensive. The only (minor) fault for me was that the Pride was servied at about the right temperature for Discovery, but too cold for Pride. I don't think I would got far out of my way to visit again, but worth a visit if you are in the area.