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Image posted by Tris C
Submitted on Friday, 11th October 2024
With picture contributions to 2342 other pubs
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Detail Pages
The Blue Stoops, Kensington, W8
W8
W8 7LP
Served areas
Reviews of The Blue Stoops (Average Rating: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Tris C left this review about The Blue Stoops
This is a mid-19th century pub, originally the McCauley Arms until 2009 when it became a wine bar called the Kensington Wine Rooms. The place is the brainchild of American Charlie McVeigh, the man behind the Draft House chain (probably explains the American spelling of ‘draught’) and Jamie Allsopp, a scion of the family and cousin of TV’s Kirsty.
The pub opened two days ago; I’ll leave the history of Allsopp’s Burton brewery to their website and CAMRA, but it claims to have invented IPA, which I’ve tried before and found to be very good.
The interior is largely a modern take on a Victorian pub, with a modern boarded floor (chequerboard tiled to the bar area), mirrored Victorian-style bar back, with lapis lazuli mezzo-relievo tiling to the front with repeated trademark Allsopp’s ‘hand’ device. Walls are either natural wood field panelled, then two tone royal blue and cream with an ochre ceiling. Furniture is conventional, with fluted fawn banquettes to the periphery, lighting from hanging spun copper shades; no TVs were spotted. Décor – unsurprisingly – is a veritable cornucopia of Allsopp’s brewery memorabilia from yesteryear, including an extravagant retro mirror to the rear dining area. Customers were mixed: some locals, quite a few looking like tourists (unsurprising given the proximity to Portobello Road and Kensington Palace), some with a baby and young child in tow, one schoolgirl using a scooter; another customer attired in powder blue looked suspiciously like Jamie himself; still, at least le patron mange ici.
Aside from Allsopp’s revived Double Diamond, there were four ales on the go, with a guest ale – Kirkstall Three Swords – then three from Allsopp’s: Best, IPA and Pale at a charitable – especially considering the area – £2.75 a half and on excellent form, served by a very friendly and engaging barman.
This place is certainly a bonus for the area, making for an interesting addition to the W8 crawl scene, but I do hope young children won’t be in evidence once the sun is over the yardarm.
On 11th October 2024
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2172 recommendations about 2131 pubs]
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- Official site of The Blue Stoops - www.thebluestoops.com
- CAMRA WhatPub :: The Blue Stoops - whatpub.com
Shepherds Bush, 1.33 miles, 25 min walk (show)
London Paddington, 1.54 miles, 29 min walk (show)
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Accommodation : No last updated 11 October 2024 by Tris C
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 11 October 2024 by Tris C
- Beer Festivals : No last updated 11 October 2024 by Tris C
- Beer Garden : No last updated 11 October 2024 by Tris C
- CAMRA Discount : No last updated 11 October 2024 by Tris C
- Car Park : No last updated 11 October 2024 by Tris C
- Child Friendly : Yes last updated 11 October 2024 by Tris C
- Darts : No last updated 11 October 2024 by Tris C
- Function Room : No last updated 11 October 2024 by Tris C
- Hot Food : Yes last updated 11 October 2024 by Tris C
- Jukebox : No last updated 11 October 2024 by Tris C
- Karaoke : No last updated 11 October 2024 by Tris C
- Live Music : No last updated 11 October 2024 by Tris C
- Live TV Sports : No last updated 11 October 2024 by Tris C
- Micropub : No last updated 11 October 2024 by Tris C
- Pinball : No last updated 11 October 2024 by Tris C
- Pool Table : No last updated 11 October 2024 by Tris C
- Quiz Night : No last updated 11 October 2024 by Tris C
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 11 October 2024 by Tris C
- Real Cider : No last updated 11 October 2024 by Tris C
- WiFi : Yes last updated 11 October 2024 by Tris C