Named after a boat, this vast building in Knightsbridge actually begins to resemble an old vessel the more you look at its grandiose dimensions.

The Venue
Housed in a mammoth multi-story building and marked by an impressively large sign, the Tea Clipper is aesthetically pleasing on the outside and stands out on the small Montpellier Street parade. Once you're inside however, things don't match the bold facade for looks. The huge space you think you've entered is actually deceivingly small, a visual trick created by a large mirror that engulfs one wall.

Inside, there's a mixture of high and low tables, ledges and sofas providing a good choice for a range of evening scenarios, intimate or group-led. The look is wood heavy, and like the inside of an ocean farer, the walls are decked with oaky panels plus a large collection of Maritime murals. The bar is small but encourages the use of its stools, which are often all used. Close-by are fruit machines and quiz games to pass the time.

The Atmosphere
Despite the price of real estate in the area and Knightsbridge's uber rich locals, the Tea Clipper is grounded with the reality of your average pub. Its clientele seem not to be of the Harrods-slash-Harvey Nichols ilk but a more natural type of regular. The days are quiet but the bar stools are filled with what looks like a small local clique, who are used to having the bar seats reserved. The evenings see a flash of youth in the pub, which is helped by quiz nights and regular live bands. The lack of a stage means that performers cram into corners and while there’s barely enough room, it does put you into the heart of the action.

The Food
This is another notch on the board for pub grub in an area that likes to appeal to tourists. The menu is filled with burgers, sandwiches and classic mains, like homemade cottage pie (£9.75), British Ploughmans (£9.95), and the traditional Sunday roast (10.95).

The Drink
The Tea Clipper deviates from the old fashioned way of the pub just enough to offer a simple range of cocktails from its limited spirit selection. Sweet tipples like Woo Woo, Long Island Ice Tea and Tom Collins are all £7. You'll find a wine list on every table that offers six or seven of each colour, as well as Rose and Lanson Champagne (£40 a bottle). Most are available by the glass or the bottle but prices are high. The house bottles are Sauvignon Blanc (£15.45 a bottle, £4.25 a glass) and a fine Rioja (£15.75 a bottle, £4.65 a glass). The lagers on tap include Fosters, Kronenbourg and Sagres and there’s Best Bitter and Oxford Gold from the cask.

The Last Word
The Tea Clipper offers a good atmosphere along with lively entertainment to entice locals and tourists alike.

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