Prince Alfred, Maida Vale

A spectacular Victorian pub built in 1856 and refitted around 1896 with an extraordinary set of fittings, now very rare survivors from the days when so many London pubs had small drinkers' compartments surrounding the servery (those at the Princess Louise, Holborn, marvellous as they are, are a twenty-first century reinstatement).

The central peninsular servery, complete with snob screens at one end, is surrounded by its five original compartments, each with its own entrance from the street, divided by wood and glass partitions, these punctured by low service doors for "pot boys" to slip through to collect drinking pots and glasses. The ornate back bar draws the eye up to the highly decorated ceiling and these, together with the intricate carving on the partitions, impart a rococo feel to the place. Light is provided by the magnificent full-height engraved bow windows.

The passageway and bar area to the side sport some delightful wall tiling and floor mosaics as well as a fireplace in which, in colder weather, a real fire burns. Beyond is the open kitchen and separate restaurant, the Formosa Dining Room. The full menu offered here is served in all areas of the pub itself, where sandwiches are also available between noon and 4pm on weekdays only. The food offering includes Sunday roasts but the pub is often packed with locals at Sunday lunchtime so be warned!

Unobtrusive screens offer sports TV which, this being Maida Vale, is often rugby or tennis.

The very special nature of this venue was recognised in 2022 when its listing was raised to Grade II*.

Artist and illustrator Edward Ardizzone drew "The Saloon Bar at the Prince Alfred" and his illustration is in Maurice Gorham's famous book "Back to the Local".