The Kings Head, Marylebone, W1

L-shaped room with the bar on the inside of the "L". Passable Old Speckled Hen - three hand pumps - one reversed. Some very noisy Irishmen outside didn't help.

This pub was indeed built in 1939 by Charrington’s to replace something that dated back to 1765. As mentioned, this is a backstreet Marylebone locals’ pub where the heart sinks upon seeing the Greene King insignia. The spirits don’t lift on entering as this is hardly a local gem. The interior does at least look to be original, especially the bar and pot shelf. There’s a tiled bar apron thereafter carpet. There are floral swag curtains with pelmets and traditional furniture with velour banquettes and stools. Décor comprises period prints to the walls and a TV was spotted – off – and muted music played. Food is served but it’s fish ‘n’ chips not gastro. There’s a tiny gent’s lavatory but it seemingly has no cubicle, which is a first for me! The pub’s website describes its customers thus: ‘Clientele is quite varied being opposite the London Heart Hospital…’ – perhaps a last one for the road then? The landlady was friendly, but the ale selection wasn’t, comprising just an unused pump, Greene King IPA and Morland’s Old Speckled Hen at £4.40 a pint which is a lot for this sort of establishment. An ordinary pub, not improved by the presence of some potty-mouthed locals, meaning that I won’t be returning.

There were two real ales on in here - GK IPA and St Austell Tribute (£4.50 a pint). I'm sure that a pub like this in Marylebone would do food, but I didn't get to see a menu. This pub was built by Charrington's in 1939, and still retains some of its original features. The bar back is original, as is the wall panelling to dado level, but possibly the most unusual feature is the "piano key" design step and spitoon trough in front of the bar counter. At the rear of the servery is a staff entrance surmounted by a wooden carving featuring a couple of indeterminant animals (well, I couldn't identify them). There's an upstairs theatre bar, but it wasn't open when I was in during Thursday afternoon. This is a lovely little backstreet pub, if any street in Marylebone can be described as backstreet. It's carpeted, furnished with normal tables and chairs, and struck me as a welcoming little place. This is one of the nicer pubs in the area, but a better (and perhaps less pricy) beer selection would be welcome.

Traditional Greene King corner pub with a compact 'J'-shaped bar and limited seating. Also has a few patio benches outside. Upstairs Theatre Bar / dining room closed when I called in early on a Friday evening. Two of three handpumps in operation, with IPA (£4.00) and Old Speckled Hen on offer. Nothing special really, but it did seem to have a particularly convivial atmosphere for the area.

Official site of The Kings Head - www.kingshead-marylebone.co.uk