The Speaker, Westminster, SW1

Tris C left this review about The Speaker

Dating from 1729 as the Castle, it was renamed the Elephant & Castle 61 years later and the Speaker in 1999, now hemmed in by modern blocks of flats in a rather dead Pimlico/Victoria backwater, which in the mid-19th century, was a notorious slum. Not now of course, with the pub getting an interior makeover and décor upgrade in 2019, meaning that some of the earlier reviews may no longer apply.
This is a small, one roomed pub, with three-quarter height oak panelling. Furniture is essentially tall, with drinking ledges rather than tables, with some studded banquettes to front and rear. There’s an interesting tiled bar back which doesn’t look like one of the tediously repetitive glazed tiled affairs, so beloved of the unimaginative. Décor comes in the form of some knickknacks above a ledge and framed prints; also on display is a Division Bell, this being one of at least three in the area, similarly appointed. Customers were probably associated with the Palace of Westminster and on looking down, I saw a little chocolate brown dachshund – Dr Frankenfürter – sniffing my foot. It was a good job I hadn’t hopped off my stool, otherwise fido would be a no-no; he slunk off back to his toy filled basket.
Ales on offer were Landlord, Doom, Mister Chubbs, Sambrook’s Powerhouse and Twickenham’s Winter Star at £2.75 a half and a bit limp when compared to the blurb on the pump clip, served by a friendly barman.
This isn’t a bad little place if you don’t mind heavily modernised ‘old’ themes; worth a visit if in the area.

Rated 6.5.

On 25^th November 2021 - rating: 6
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