Bayswater has swathes of hotels but it’s not an area that offers rich pickings for great pubs – so the Leinster Arms is one exception worth knowing.

The Venue
Almost all the big early Victorian stucco terraces that line the streets north of Kensington Gardens seem to have been converted to hotels, but scattered among them are a handful of more characterful community venues. The Leinster Arms occupies an appropriately handsome building, and looks rather grand from the outside, with a few tables and chairs under a big old-fashioned light fitting. Inside is spacious, smart but comfortable with a whiff of the gentlemen’s club: it’s a single long room with a lengthwise bar, relatively bright lighting, solid tables and an attractive loungier section with armchairs and old books around the back. Those familiar with London pub chains may think it looks rather like a Nicholson’s pub, and indeed it was until 2010 when it was sold to the Stonegate pubco.

The Atmosphere
You’d expect that in this location most customers would be transient, guests from nearby hotels popping in a couple of times then never seen again, but more established residents and workers have sought it out as their local, and there are plenty of regulars in attendance. Staff are friendly and there’s a pleasantly surprising warmth to the place, with conversation encouraged and board games to hand. Big screen sport is also regularly shown, although you can escape from it, and occasional live music and quizzes add extra attractions.

The Food
A relatively limited but filling menu, served from lunchtime to evening, offers sausage and mash (supplied by specialist butcher H G Walter in Hammersmith, including a veggie option), pies, ploughman’s lunches (all £8.95), salads and club sandwiches. Pork pies, Scotch eggs and the like are on sale at the bar.

The Drink
The beer range has expanded since the pub changed hands and the quality is reliable – five handpumps dispense Fuller’s London Pride, Sharp’s Doom Bar and interesting guests that might come from Adnams, Daleside, Kelham Island, Thornbridge and the like. A sixth pump has real cider, and there’s Tyskie and Blue Moon in bottles. There’s a few decent wines and some single malts too.

The Last Word
This pleasant little pub is one of the best choices for beer in the area and a good place to call in after a stroll in the Royal Parks.

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