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The Campaign for Real Ale branch for the boroughs of Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington & Chelsea and City of Westminster.

April 2025 news

Here's an update on the latest news and information from West London branch of CAMRA.

Branch events

Why not join us on one of our branch socials or meetings? We'd love to see you! Here is a list of our events:

  • April
    • Tue 1 (2pm) social - Coach and Horses, Greek St, W1D 5DH
    • Tue 22 (7pm) social with SW London - meet Eight Bells, SW6 3JS; (8pm) Kings Arms, SW6 4RN; (9pm) Bricklayers Arms, SW15 1DD.
    • Sat 26 (12pm) London CAMRA Cider Festival; Rocket Van Studio SE17 1AL.
    • Mon 28 (7pm) branch PotY presentation - Cask Pub and Kitchen, SW1V 2EE
  • May
    • Wed 7 (2pm) West End social - meet Tom Cribb, SW1Y 4EA.
    • Tue 13 (730/8pm) branch AGM - Star Tavern, SW1X 8HT. Formal notice to be given to branch members in due course).
    • Wed 21 (2pm) Paddington social - meet Monkey Puzzle, W2 1JQ

 

Branch and regional CAMRA news and events
  • West London Pub of the Year has been announced. A huge thankyou to all those who voted in our Pub of the Year competition. As happens very often, the difference in number of points between the winning pubs was very close, but the Top Three are: 1st place, the Cask Pub & Kitchen, Pimlico. Joint runners-up with equal points: the Star Tavern, Belgravia and the Harp, Covent Garden. Only one point behind was the Antelope, Belgravia, in fourth place: so congratulations to Fuller’s for three of their pubs getting into our top four!
  • London Pubs Group continues its tours of historic pubs - for information see https://londonpubsgroup.camra.org.uk/events.
  • Our neighbouring branches have regular socials and other events - for information see the websites of East London and City, North London, South East London, South West London, and West Middlesex. See the London CAMRA website for links to other Greater London branches.
  • London Drinker is available in pubs across London and online at https://londondrinker.camra.org.uk/wordpress/ with details of CAMRA and beer related events across London, pub and brewery news, and more.
Pub and brewery news
  • The new JD Wetherspoon at Fulham Broadway station (old ticket hall) is scheduled to open on 17 June. It will be named the Walham Green, in a nod to the pre-1952 name of the station.
  • The Fat Badger in the northern part of Portobello Road, has currently opened as a VIP WhatsApp number invite-only venue. It is assumed it will open up more, later on! It does not yet exist on Google Maps.
  • SW1, PRINCE ARTHUR, 11 Pimlico Road, SW1W 8NA. After various incarnations, this is now a gastropub with an Anglo-Spanish menu. The Pub Below is the name given to the ground-floor pub area. It is a luxury interpretation of a modern tavern, with own-brand caviar and a fresh seafood counter with produce from Spain and Cornwall. Customers can pick seafood to enjoy in the pub, or take it home! There is a small bar-snacks menu, and the main restaurant upstairs has of course more substantial dishes. Expect to pay Pimlico prices. The Guinness is installed via the tap system in Ireland, and Jeremy Clarkson's Hawkstone beer range is available. No cask ale.
  • SW1, WESTMINSTER ARMS (Shepherd Neame), 9-10 Storey's Gate, SW1P 3AT. Closed for refurb. reopening mid-March 2025.
  • SW1, WHITE HORSE & BOWER (Shepherd Neame), 86 Horseferry Road, SW1P 2EE. Reopening delayed - now says Summer 2025.
  • SW5, BOTTLERY, 231 Earls Court Road, SW5 9AH. The Bottlery is a small restaurant with some seating for drinkers-only and a few keg beers on offer on the extensive drinks menu. Steaks are a speciality. Now in conformance with CAMRAs definition of a pub.
  • SW5, TROUBADOUR, 265-267 Old Brompton Road, SW5 9JA. The Troubadour is very close to the Pembroke pub on Old Brompton Road and was founded in 1954; it has become one of London's oldest independent music venues. Over the years it has hosted such as Bob Dylan, Judy Collins, Paul Simon, Adele, Ed Sheehan and many many more! There is live music most days of the week and a wide range of music genres. The food menu includes a breakfast/brunch offering plus in the evenings pub favourites and sharing platters. The drinks list includes various keg beers and ciders plus some bottles, plus of course the usual cocktails, wines, and spirits. A service charge is added to bills. It is perfectly possible to drink without needing to eat, but for most of the music events an entry fee will be charged, see venue website.
  • SW5, TWICE SHY, 14 Hogarth Place, SW5 0QT. This is a cocktail bar, opened in 2023 by a former head mixologist at the Savoy. Now in conformance with CAMRAs definition of a pub. The venue has a ground floor featuring a five-meter black granite counter, and a basement with a Lounge Bar and cocktail laboratory. Over 18s only, no fancy dress or football colours. Walk-ins accepted. Light food available. Card only. Sister venue to Amaro Bar.
  • SW6, TEMPERANCE (Wellington/Stonegate), 90 Fulham High Street, SW6 3LF. Reopened following refurb. New additions include 98-inch and 85-inch TVs placed throughout the venue. Five new seating booths have also been installed, all equipped with HD TVs, while new pool tables and dart boards are available throughout the pub. The venue also support sport within the local community through its sponsorship of Hammersmith and Fulham Rugby Club. No cask ale.
  • SW6, VAGABOND, 18-22 Vanston Place, SW6 1AX. This is the first and flagship store of the small London-based Vagabond wine bar chain, open since 2010. 100+ wines are available by the glass, bottle or takeaway, plus a few draught keg beers. Tapas-style sharing plates, flatbreads, and cheese/meat boards are available food-wise. Note restricted opening hours.
  • SW7, CHECKMATE BAR (Global - Link Investments Ltd/FHT London 3 Ltd/P I Hotel Management Ltd/Frasers Hospitality), 117-129 Cromwell Road, SW7 4DS. Smart cocktail bar in this upmarket hotel, now in conformance with CAMRAs definition of a pub. Some keg beers but no cask ale. Happy hour 5pm-7.30pm. Last orders 10.30pm. Note restricted opening hours.
  • SW10, FINBOROUGH ARMS (Finborough Arms Ltd/The Steam Industry/independent), 118 Finborough Road, SW10 9ED. After more than four years closed and following a complete refurbishment, the former Finborough Arms has reopened as YOGI'S, a bar/restaurant reported to be offering draught beer, an extensive cocktail list and high-quality Indian and pan-Asian food. The award-winning 50-seat Finborough Theatre remains on the first floor.
  • W1, 28-50, 15-17 Marylebone Lane, W1U 2NE. A wine bar, wine workshop and kitchen, now in conformance with CAMRAs definition of a pub. There is a small bar bites menu including sharing platters, and a set lunch menu, as well as the a la carte. Drinks include cocktails, spirits, and bottled beers, as well as wine.
  • W1, ANGELIQUE'S WINE HOUSE, 18-19 St Christopher's Place, W1U 1NN. Wine bar and shop, also serving a small food selection including cheese and charcuterie sharing platters. Drinks available also include spirits and a bottled beer. Now in conformance with CAMRAs definition of a pub. Sister site to Shepherd Market wine bar in southern Mayfair.
  • W1, ANTIDOTE, 12A Newburgh Street, W1F 7RR. Wine bar & shop off Carnaby Street offering organic and biodynamic wines plus small plates, cheese and charcuterie. Tasting sessions of wine are offered. Now in conformance with CAMRAs definition of a pub.
  • W1, BAR LINA, 18 Brewer Street, W1F 0SG. This is a cellar Italian aperitivo/cocktail bar with a very small food offering also, beneath Lina Stores delicatessen which has been trading for 80+ years. Entry is by way of the deli's original entrance. Now in conformance with CAMRAs definition of a pub. Walk-ins welcome. There is a sister site in Shoreditch. Card only. Restricted opening hours.
  • W1, BAR TERMINI, 7 Old Compton Street, W1D 5JE. This is a small Italian coffee, cocktail and aperitivo bar "inspired by the traditional bar culture of 1950s Italy"; also with a tiny food offering and a shop for takeaway purchases. Now in conformance with the CAMRA definition of a pub. Described as lively and always busy, but quiet because of its size. It takes bookings but welcomes walk-ins.
  • W1, BLACK BOOK, 23 Frith Street, W1D 4RR. Initially launched as a members club, this subterranean space is now open to the public as well. The name is a reference to the 'black book' which sommeliers are said to keep for tasting notes about wines. The wine list here changes daily and the food offering is largely pizzas plus cheese & charcuterie sharing boards. Now in conformance with CAMRAs definition of a pub. Note restricted opening hours. Also note that the Blue Plaque shown celebrates the first demonstration of television in this country in the house next door, in 1926.
  • W1, BROOKS MEWS WINE HOUSE, 24 Brook's Mews, W1K 4EA. This is a shop and wine bar converted from an old carriage workshop in a mews behind Claridge's Hotel. The ground floor has a wine wall and the mezzanine is a lounge area with banquettes. The venue is now in conformance with CAMRAs definition of a pub. The drinks list also includes cocktails, spirits, and a beer. A small food menu is on offer including cheese & charcuterie sharing platters.
  • W1, COMPTOIR CAFE & WINE, 21-22 Weighhouse Street, W1K 5LU. "A cafe by day and a wine bar by night". Now in conformance with CAMRAs definition of a pub. The drinks include spirits and beers as well as wine. Food is available from a shortish menu, starting with pastries from 8.30am.
  • W1, DUKE OF YORK (McMullen), 47 Rathbone Street, W1T 1NW. Reported closed after cessation of tenancy. Ownership has now passed to McMullen's.
  • W1, FARM SHOP WINE BAR, 64 South Audley Street, W1K 2QT. This is a wine bar underneath the farm shop in South Audley Street and accessed from inside the shop. Now in conformance with CAMRAs definition of a pub. A food menu is available using produce from the shop upstairs and includes cheese and charcuterie sharing boards. The drinks list includes some bottled beers and a cider. The venue is under the same management as the Audley public house nearby.
  • W1, GARLIC & SHOTS, 14 Frith Street, W1D 4RD. This is a gothic-style bar with a claimed 101 flavoured vodkas and other shots, plus cantina-style food all of which contains garlic. Various other drinks are available apart from shots, including garlic-flavoured beer! No reservations taken. Now in conformance with CAMRAs definition of a pub. Note restricted opening hours.W1, G-A-Y (Soho Estates/G-A-Y Group Ltd/Mean Fiddler), 30 Old Compton Street, W1D 4TQ. Reopened.
  • W1, ITALIANS, 27b Devonshire Street, W1G 6PW. Wine bar and deli sourcing mainly from small Italian producers, very close to the corner of Devonshire St. and Marylebone High St. Now in conformance with CAMRAs definition of a pub
  • W1, SHEPHERD MARKET WINE HOUSE, 21-23 Shepherd Market, W1J 7PN. Wine bar and shop, also serving a small food selection including cheese and charcuterie sharing platters. The drinks on offer also include spirits and sake. Now in conformance with CAMRAs definition of a pub. Sister site to Angelique's wine bar in southern Marylebone.
  • W1, SHIP, 134 New Cavendish Street, W1W 6YB. Real Ale reinstated, a changing beer such as from Hawkstone.
  • W1, SWIFT, 12 Old Compton Street, W1D 4TQ. Cocktail bar with an upstairs bar for walk-ins and a downstairs bar for reservations-only. Some wines, whiskies and bottled beers etc. plus one draught Pilsner, are also available on the menu plus a few nibble-type snacks. The venue operates an over-21s policy. Now in conformance with CAMRAs definition of a pub. Note that alcohol may not be sold after 10.30pm on Sundays.
  • W1, TINY WINE, 21 Foley Street, W1W 6DR. On the corner of Foley Street and Hanson Street, this is billed as "London's tiniest wine shop". Access is via Crudo Cevicheria, part of a small London chain. Now in conformance with CAMRAs definition of a pub. Beers and cocktails are available as well as wine.
  • W1, VAGABOND, 25 Charlotte Street, W1T 1RW. Part of the small Vagabond wine bar chain with a dozen or so outlets, mainly in London. Multiple wines to drink by the bottle or glass, and two or three draught keg beers are available. The food offering is tapas/small plates and sharing plates of cheese, meats, etc.
  • W2, CAFFE RITAZZA, Unit R08, Lower level, The Lawn, Paddington Station, W2 1HB. Ritazza is a standalone takeaway coffee and snack outlet on the ground floor of the covered Lawn area at Paddington Station. A tiny range of alcohol is also on offer including from a couple of keg beer fonts, with bar seating, see our photo. Note that alcohol may not be sold until 10am Monday to Saturday or noon on Sunday.
  • W2, CLEVELAND ARMS (Market Taverns Ltd), 28 Chilworth Street, W2 6DT. Now Cask Marque accredited.
  • W2, MARKET HALL, 1 Paddington Square, W2 1DL. This is the latest outlet from Market Halls, in the new Paddington Square development just east of the main Paddington Station entrance from Praed Street. It has an outdoor terrace, eight street-food traders, and two bars. Kitchens close an hour before the venue closing time but Farm Girl opens 8am Monday-Saturday for coffee and breakfast, 10am on Sunday. All other kitchens open from 11.30am. At date of this entry the licence conditions are not known, but may not allow alcohol from 8am.
  • W6, HAMMERSMITH BREWERY TAPROOM, Lower Ground Floor, 106 Fulham Palace Road, W6 9PL. Closed as works in adjacent buildings have caused problems to the environment in the brewery and taproom. Expected to reopen Spring 2025.
  • W6, RAVEN (Trust Inns/MC Bars Ltd), 375 Goldhawk Road, W6 0SA. Now Cask Marque accredited.
  • W8, AMARO BAR, 15 Kensington High Street, W8 5NP. Very close to the south-west edge of Kensington Gardens, this is a cocktail bar now in conformance with CAMRAs definition of a pub. Walk-ins welcome. Card only and over-18s only, no fancy dress or football colours. A small selection of bar snacks including cheese & charcuterie boards is available, along with an extensive drinks list.W8, BLUE STOOPS (Allsopp's Taverns), 127-129 Kensington Church Street, W8 7LP. Now Cask Marque accredited.
  • W8, DROP KENSINGTON, 37 Earls Court Road, W8 6ED. A wine bar & bottle shop, serving wine by the glass, carafe or bottle to drink in; the food offering is cheese and charcuterie platters and small plates. Now in conformance with CAMRAs definition of a pub. Very handy for the Design Museum.
  • W8, HIGH SPIRIT, 62 Kensington High Street, W8 4PE. Cocktail bar also selling wine and some draught beers. "Designed to appeal to twenty- and thirty-somethings, with an upbeat atmosphere, buzzy music". Now in conformance with CAMRAs definition of a pub. There is a food court for various street-food options.
  • W8, STABLES BAR, Milestone Hotel, 1-3 Kensington Court, W8 5DL. Cocktail bar in this 5-star hotel opposite Kensington Palace. Now in conformance with CAMRAs definition of a pub. The menu includes a few beers, and a bar-food offering. Expect to pay 5-star Kensington prices.
  • W8, WINDSOR CASTLE (M&B/Castle), 114 Campden Hill Road, W8 7AR. CAMRA discount is 10%.
  • W9, HERO (The Public House Group), 55 Shirland Road, W9 2JD. No longer sells real ale.
  • W10, CHILLED ESKIMO, 48 Southern Row, W10 5AN. Has been operating as an event venue for a number of years.
  • W10, FAT BADGER, 310 Portobello Road, W10 5TA. This site towards the north end of Portobello Road was a former Truman pub converted c.2010 into a pizza restaurant and thought by CAMRA to be "permanently closed". Phoenix-like, a new pub has now emerged above Canteen restaurant and its access is in fact via a "speakeasy door" around the corner in Bevington Road. There is a small "Fat Badger" swing-sign to guide you. Public House Group, the umbrella company operating the Pelican nearby and the Hero in Maida Vale, has taken over the building. The Standard reports the pub is currently invite only!
  • W11, QUIET NIGHT INN (Max Barney Pub Company/Forest Road Brewery), 60 Great Western Road, W11 1AB. No longer sells real ale.
  • W14, COBALTO, 226 North End Road, W14 9NU. Part wine bar, part bottle shop. The drinks list includes cocktails and beers and the wines are mostly from Italy, sourced directly from organic and biodynamic vineyards. The venue is now in conformance with CAMRAs definition of a pub. There is a small food offering including cheese and charcuterie platters. At date of this entry there is an Instagram feed but no website. Serving conditions may vary on days with Chelsea FC home matches.
  • WC2, BEDFORD STREET WINES, 33 Bedford Street, WC2E 9ED. Wine bar and bottle shop "focussed on small producers, family-run vineyards and craft beers". Now in conformance with CAMRAs definition of a pub. There is a large kitchen-style table bar in the middle of the shop and some tables by the windows.
  • WC2, CELLARDOOR, Zero Aldwych, WC2R 0HS. Directly opposite the Wellington pub and looking like the entrance to one of the underground street WCs once so common in London, this is because it was indeed once a Victorian gents' loo; and is hence compact! "Covent Garden's smallest bar". A neon sign points the way down. No door charge and accepts walk-ins but space is very limited and various VIP options to get tables are available, see venue website. Now in conformance with CAMRAs definition of a pub. Wine and beers are available within the drinks options.
  • WC2, GEORGE (Greene King//Metropolitan), 213 Strand, WC2R 1AP. Sells Sandford Orchards real cider.
  • WC2, JOE ALLEN, 2 Burleigh Street, WC2E 7PX. A famous watering-hole on the ground floor of the huge 788-room Strand Palace Hotel in the heart of Theatreland, "inspired by the discreet, neighbourhood drinking dens of downtown New York". Previously in Wellington Street, now relocated. Can be accessed either via the hotel lobby or direct from the street. Now in conformance with CAMRAs definition of a pub.
  • WC2, LADY OF THE GRAPES, 16 Maiden Lane, WC2E 7NJ. This is a wine bar, wine shop, and restaurant in the heart of Covent Garden, now in conformance with CAMRAs definition of a pub. The wines are "a result of organic, biodynamic, and minimal intervention viticulture" and the food offering is simple French bistro-style. Some cocktails, bottled beers etc. are also on offer in addition to the wine list.
  • WC2, TGI FRIDAYS BAR & RESTAURANT, Leicester Square,WC2H 7LA. Closed at the end of January 2025.

 

National CAMRA news

For the latest news check out our Facebook page (please note: we are not posting on our X/Twitter page at present). Also for news from CAMRA across London see London Drinker, and the London CAMRA Facebook page.



Upcoming events

20 May 2026;
02:00PM -
Shepherd Market social
26 May 2026;
07:30PM -
Branch AGM

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