Westbury (ex-Red Lion), Maida Vale  

The Westbury is a brave attempt to civilise this once notoriously rough pub at the bottom end of Kilburn High Road and, so far, it seems to be working. The pub has been extensively refurbished, creating a much more upmarket atmosphere with impressive chandeliers, expensive wallpaper, old portraits, squashy settees, painted woodwork and it's unique selling point of four American pool tables. There's also an extensive wine and cocktail list, a lot of food, a late licence and DJ's and other music events - there's a lot on offer for the good people of Kilburn. However, we have to say that pint drinkers will be disappointed with the beer on offer as there's only San Miguel, Kronenbourg and a couple of other ubiquitous items on unlabelled taps (and there's also the god-awful Kronenbourg Blanc). So this pub's charms are a little diminished as a result and the pub's pool-oriented layout doesn't help either - the best seats are around the tables. So if you're not with one of your hustler friends, you'll most likely be at the less comfortable wooden tables at the centre of the pub interrupting the flow 'twixt bar, bogs and the pool tables. Maybe the taps are unlabelled because the beer will change. We hope so, because with a better beer selection and more comfy seats away from the pool tables, this could be a cracking place.

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