The Nags Head, Kinnerton Street, London SW1
The Nags Head, Kinnerton Street, London SW1: A lot of the pubs we write about here have unpromising exteriors but great atmospheres. This is a pub which looks great and has a really promising, trad-boozer interior but feels lifeless. Its position in the heart of Belgravia is probably something to do with this: the walls of the Nags Head are covered in fading cartoons and sketches, reminders of bygone jollies, but the clientele now are huddles of plotting businessmen, not bon viveurs. There was nobody there who I could remotely imagine as a regular. (And no coincidence that I was in there for an appraisal, rather than a social drink.)
Perhaps it livens up on Fridays or at the weekend: I hope so. It’s a charming place - several little rooms, old wood panelling, rickety stairs, and plenty of character (I liked the rusting 1930s fruit machines left outside the loos). Once, you imagine, it was a really pleasant, bustling London local. It’s just a shame the punters don’t live up to their pub.
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JMaciol on October 25th, 2007
Not much has changed in three years - visited this establishment yesterday (Oct 2007)….I found it to be dingy, lifeless and someone’s idea of how a ‘typical’ English pub should be….for me, and I would suspect many ordinary working folk, it failed on all counts.
The drink choices were poor and very expensive, and it lacked any true atmosphere - would imagine ‘Tim nice but Dim’ loving the place….do yourself a favour…if you’re in the area and in need of a drink drop into The Wilton Arms just a few yards down the road - clean, tidy and friendly and the same round I bought at The Nags Head was £1.55p cheaper.
Tim on October 25th, 2007
Now funnily enough I was in there last night also, for the first time in ages (and only the second time ever) and I rather liked it, though I was in excellent comapny.
Should I take the previous response a bit personally?
JMaciol on October 25th, 2007
“Should I take the previous response a bit personally?”
No Tim not unless you’re Harry Enfield..lols…
I think ANY pub no matter how bad will be good if you’re with the right company….I was totally underwhelmed by the place.
Tom on October 25th, 2007
I had forgotten writing this review!
The NH is the kind of boozer that good company would really improve (more so than most) - it has the potential to be something like the Quin.
The Wilton Arms is a good pub though I agree. They all seem quite good now I don’t work in that area any more.