Kilburn Bridge, Kilburn, NW6

This place dates from the mid-19th century as the Volunteer Hotel, later the Rifle Volunteer before going through a myriad style bar incarnations, later a Turkish restaurant. In March 2024, it was taken over by Craft Union and given one of their identikit makeovers. It goes back a fair way with a part boarded, part carpeted floor, a little bare brick, grey wainscoting and off-white paint with trendy hanging light fittings. There appears to be an original bar back with added white tiles, games machines, multiple TVs showing the footie with commentary, sunken area to the rear with pool table then stairs up to a gallery-cum-mezzanine. Décor takes the form of a few random prints, then framed flyers advertising up-and-coming events; there are new swanky lavs, which aren’t to be sniffed at. Customers were more mixed than at Craft Union’s nearby Frankfort Arms. There’s no cask here, just a basic fizz lineup, my half of Peroni costing £2.95 (.45p more than at the Frankfort 30 minutes earlier), served by a nondescript barman. This place is a bit like a mini-‘spoons but with pool and sport, more upmarket – a somewhat anachronistic term for a Craft Union pub – than the Frankfort, but the Black Lion is a short walk up the road.

Facebook page of Kilburn Bridge - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of Kilburn Bridge - www.facebook.com

Official site of Kilburn Bridge - www.craftunionpubs.com

Official site of Kilburn Bridge - www.craftunionpubs.com

Going to do a ditto to last review of almost 7 years ago in that this place is now called the Kilburn Bridge - apparently the name change was in March according to the barman, but not 100% convinced of the chronological accuracy of that statement. Don’t know if it is me but previous name struck me as a plausible Turkish restaurant name! There is a pool table at the back on the slightly sunken level and some stairs to a mezzanine level with some further tables. Clearly gearing up to show the Champions League games in a little while. Generally the atmosphere in the pub is agreeable. This is a Craft Union pub so incredibly bland set of tap options. In spite of the name and offering changes over the near 10 years since Alan reviewed this pub I couldn’t escape the basic accuracy of his description and so had a pint of John Smiths in honour of the great man.

The Betsy Smith is a corner pub that is on the very busy kilburn high road. Once inside there was a single oblong shaped room,the bar was on the left side,there were two large half circular high backed settees in the middle of the room,which looked pretty crap in my opinion,the other seating was a mix on normal tables and chairs and tall ones,the rear area narrowed,there was a small area up some steps to the rear left and another small area down a few steps the rear right. There were no real ales or keg bitters on the bar,so it was a Guinness which went down well. This pub is nothing special. Pub visited 1/5/2014