Crown & Anchor, Chiswick, W4

A rather splendid-looking original Youngs pub, outside at least. The inside has been done up in someone's idea of 'modern' at some point in time. There's nothing that's actively unpleasant but it does nothing for me at all. Then, despite some interesting pumpclips behind the bar, the only ale on was Doom Bar, although the barmaid did assure me that Tribute would be back on soon "and it's quite popular". A bit of a shame, as they were trying with various entertainments (quiz, live music, karaoke etc). Considerable room for improvement.

This pub dates from the early 19th century, the current incarnation built in 1936. There’s some fantastic tiling here, with a Young’s ‘lamb’ motif to the corner splay, their ales advertised in tiled sections; ironically, it’s no longer one of their pubs. The interior would seem little changed from previous reviews, having been mauled a fair bit, no doubt the result of various makeovers. The front room is very grey with tall furniture and televised football with the sound pumped up, watched by an animated crowd. The mid-section and rear were more pub-like, but with hardly any customers on a Wednesday. Here, furniture is more conventional, with some bare brick and mixed lighting. The beer selection amounted to Laine’s Breaker, Doom, Proper Job and Mad Goose at a very steep £2.85 a half, not great and served by a barmaid who again, was not great. Unless you like borderline hysterical sports bars, you probably won’t want to come here; there’s no obvious Wi-Fi unless the code is ‘Grumpy’, which is how the pub made me feel.

Official site of Crown & Anchor - www.crownandanchorchiswick.co.uk

Official site of Crown & Anchor - www.crownandanchorchiswick.co.uk