The Cock & Bottle

As family unfriendly as the name would suggest, this pub very clearly states that children are unwelcome. Bad news if you want to take the sprogs out for Sunday lunch, not so bad news if you’re looking for an escape from all the happy families that are warmly welcomed elsewhere in the Notting Hill area. A real bare-bones, old man’s pub, a comfortable walking distance from Notting Hill Gate tube yet just far enough away that even on a Saturday it’s peacefully quiet. Plenty of space, good for groups, and an outside seating area for those days that it’s tolerable to be outside for extended periods. Drinks are slightly above average in price, but nothing crazy. Also, rumoured to be a regular haunt of Banksy’s (his rats are painted on the pub) and Sienna Miller was causing a stir the night I was in.

More than just a non-gastro pub (though that is a blessing) this is a class operation run by Ulsterman Richard and his family. I once bumped into Richard at Belfast City Airport after what looked an exhausting golfing weekend and I can confirm that in or out of the Cock he is a true friend and a gent. For reasons best left unexplained I once had to spend several weeks in the bar there and I have rarely been happier. A great pint of Guinness too.

I can’t believe The Cock & Bottle hasn’t been reviewed yet. It is a sole survivor in an area dominated by gastro pubs. It also sports one of the last survivors of original Banksy stencils which has neither been painted over by the council nor stolen.
A good old boozer serving proper ale. Traditioanl pub quiz night on Tuesdays - make sure you come early if you want to take part.