The Clarence, West Kensington, W14

This is still a fairly large pub that still retains its original and classic two-room format. The main entrance now takes you into what was once a snug, but which has now been incorporated into what used to be the Public Bar. The Public Bar’s original doors on the corner are now unused. This room is carpeted, has a pool table in the middle of the room and is furnished with normal tables and chairs. There’s a fair bit of interesting decor in here, the most unusual being numerous stuffed fish mounted in glass cases on a shelf at the top of the walls. The other room used to be the Saloon Bar and can only be accessed by doors in the side street - or via the doorway leading to the gents. Apparently this room only gets used when the pub gets busy (typically in the evenings), but as I was the only customer in on Wednesday afternoon the friendly landlady gave me the guided tour. This room is bare-boarded and seemed to me a bit more Spartan than the old Public Bar, which is a role reversal of sorts. All the windows have some rather nice leaded lights glazing. As much as I like this pub, having no real ale is a great shame (just keg John Smith's being available). There is presumably no call for it, as there is presumably no call for food on weekday lunchtimes. This looks like a pub that has seen much better days and I guess is kept going by loyal regulars, although none were in when I visited. It struck me as the sort of friendly pub that would have loyal regulars. If it had a real ale on I would up its rating a couple of notches.