This 1853 backstreet local is situated in the centre of the (estate agents') "Brackenbury Village", adding to its rural feel. Acquired by Fuller's from Watney's in 1991, the pub has undergone limited changes since, including combining the bars into one room, opening up the kitchen and extending into the former yard at the rear.
Entering through the middle door, the attractive wood-panelled bar counter, furnished with bar stools and a gantry, complete with snob screens, and an elaborate back bar are directly in front of you, whilst the main seating, with an eclectic assortment of dining tables and chairs, extends on the left to the rear, with piano and fireplace (with a real fire in cold weather) as well as to the right past the open-plan kitchen.
A frequent entry in the Good Beer Guide, this is a popular local with a devoted regular clientele supplemented by visitors drawn to the pub by its reputation for well-kept real ale and good food. Note that the pub is closed on Mondays and until 5pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Built 1853 and sold by Watney's to Fuller's in 1991. There are three entrance doors – the left one has a ‘Lounge Bar’ etched window, the middle one a ‘Saloon Bar’, and a Public Bar’ one on the right. These etched windows are all replacements, probably introduced when Fullers bought the pub. The centre door (with the Saloon Bar window) leads to what was the off sales, or Jug & Bottle bar; alterations to the bar counter here (where the modern snob screens are sited) show the location of the erstwhile J&B bar. But the pub now has an open plan L-shaped interior.
The panelled bar counter looks very inter-war in style with pilasters but the pot shelf with barley twist pillars is a later addition, as are the snob screens. The bar back fitting has columns and capitals painted in gold as are the brackets above. The narrow mirrored panels on the bar back look Victorian (the one barley twist looks modern) but the mirror panels along the top less so and there are modern additions; most lower shelving lost to fridges. The bar back extends beyond the bar counter on the left hand return so the counter has been shortened in recent years. Most dado panelling looks modern and painted a gastro-mushroom colour but that on the rear right and the baffles by the ladies’ and gents’ are old. There is a small rear left room through a widish gap that is a modern addition. Open kitchen.
The building has clearly been extended to the right, demonstrated by the different brickwork and lack of external embellishments to that found on the original part of the building. This possibly dates from the 1960s when the building was extended to form toilet accommodation.
Built 1853 and sold by Watney's to Fuller's in 1991. There are three entrance doors – the left one has a ‘Lounge Bar’ etched window, the middle one a ‘Saloon Bar’, and a Public Bar’ one on the right. These etched windows are all replacements, probably introduced when Fullers bought the pub. The centre door (with the Saloon Bar window) leads to what was the off sales, or Jug & Bottle bar; alterations to the bar counter here (where the modern snob screens are sited) show the location of the erstwhile J&B bar. But the pub now has an open plan L-shaped interior.
The panelled bar counter looks very inter-war in style with pilasters but the pot shelf with barley twist pillars is a later addition, as are the snob screens. The bar back fitting has columns and capitals painted in gold as are the brackets above. The narrow mirrored panels on the bar back look Victorian (the one barley twist looks modern) but the mirror panels along the top less so and there are modern additions; most lower shelving lost to fridges. The bar back extends beyond the bar counter on the left hand return so the counter has been shortened in recent years. Most dado panelling looks modern and painted a gastro-mushroom colour but that on the rear right and the baffles by the ladies’ and gents’ are old. There is a small rear left room through a widish gap that is a modern addition. Open kitchen.
The building has clearly been extended to the right, demonstrated by the different brickwork and lack of external embellishments to that found on the original part of the building. This possibly dates from the 1960s when the building was extended to form toilet accommodation.
This Pub serves 2 changing beers and 1 regular beer.
Andover Arms, Hammersmith
Changing beers typically include: Dark Star - Hophead , Fuller's (seasonal) , Gales (seasonal)