307-311 Kilburn High Road,
Kilburn,
London,
NW6 7JR

0872 261 0081

Note: Calls cost 10p per min plus network extras.

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The Kilburn comes from solid pub stock, but it has leapfrogged into bar territory with graceful dexterity. Its pub past gives it warmth and solidity, and an Irish pub tacked onto one of its walls, its bar/club future contributes classy wallpaper and stylish staff, and elegant little candles.

All this, and it even has one of those machines you get in opticians to test your eyes. Maybe it’s a visual drink/drive test, so you can monitor how your beer goggles are progressing through the evening.

The take on flock is strictly post-modern, baby: huge paisley swirls of acid yellow float atop a mellow marine wallpaper on the back wall. It wouldn’t work in my house, but it looks good here. By the long wood bar, modish tube lampshades hanging from the ceiling add a pleasing dash of racy colour to the stately wood panelling.

Cosy banquettes and long sofas provide a variety of good lounging options. Or you can perch by the window on higher stools and look over at the priceless photo of Peter O’Toole jogging round Hampstead Heath circa 1975, wearing a pained and slightly surprised expression.

There is a decent menu which arrives quickly : I had a good Prawn Salad. The segments of orange in it originally concerned me but they were actually delicious. My companion had a roasted vegetable risotto, which had a commendable variety of vegetables in it, but was a tad overdone and just slightly too stodgy.

There are reasonably priced snacks and sandwiches on the menu too, as well as more exotic variations on pub fare like crispy squid and some oriental bits and pieces. On weekends you can also get Eggs Benedict and Sunday Roasts.

All in all, the Kilburn has the charm of a local venue and the capacity to appeal in many different ways: it’s good for chilling and lounging by day, there are DJ’s and a hip management team is planning lots more live music, open mic and comedy type evenings, especially when the club upstairs is fully open.