The Masons Arms, Willesden, London

Went here again last week after a couple of years. The last time I was here was for the Notting Hill carnival and that was going to take some beating but I still enjoyed it here on a quieter evening. The beer garden and the roof terrace are excellent, and its a nice touch that the food is cooked on a permanent covered barbecue/kitchen in the garden

Great beer garden and really nice staff.

Old pub updated but not over refurbbed. Lots of tables and seats and the beer garden is huge and nice for those few days of sun we may get in the summer.

The food here has gotten better over the past year and the Sunday roast is huge and worth it.

Victorian style pub that’s stated aim is to blend the old and the new. And it doesn’t do too badly at that.

I prefer the old aspects myself. The Victorian décor and the real ale in a dimpled mug were both appreciated. I guess the ‘new’ is partly the increased emphasis on food. They have an unusual outdoor kitchen. I’m not too bothered about foodie pubs and what they were making didn’t smell particularly appetizing.

Has a large interior and a nice, partially sheltered beer garden. I heard there is a roof terrace somewhere but didn’t see it myself.

The “Mason’s”, as it’s affectionately and plausibly dubbed, is a cracking little pub. Spiral staircases, friendly bar staff, quality (pricey) food … Keep an eye out for themed nights as well. The place, like most others, was throbbing during the Notting Hill Carnival. And for anyone who likes their beer with a sprinkle of football, walk yourself upstairs and visit the world of large screens, small screens, smaller screens, larger screens, medium screens…screens screens screens. You will think Andy Gray and his 8 variably-sized twin brothers are sat there right next to you.

The Masons Arms was at one time an old geezers pub, the sort of place that your granddad would go for a pint that lasted all day, slightly run down but I have to say probably had a lot of soul. The old sort of place that is fast disappearing, in this age of chain bars and gastro pubs. And indeed the old Masons Arms did too. But possibly for the better as many were concerned, as the area was in desperate need of a decent boozer, and that is what it got.
Renovated, the Masons Arms has become a place to be seen for the young, hip crowd that is the new Kensal Green resident. As Notting Hill prices have skyrocketed the young and the glamorous media / business types have spread their wings to Kensal Green, and it's places like this that is making the area somewhat up and coming.
The best thing they have done during the renovation is make the once rough looking concrete car park into a gated pub garden, which has transformed this old boozer completely.
In summer check out the barbeques, and throughout the year the Masons lays on DJ's at the weekends. Parties to note were the recent Notting Hill Carnival parties that boasted top name dance DJ's, and their New Years party is always a sell out.
The addition of a member's bar upstairs allows for private functions and events such as monthly comedy nights, which attracts big name comedians.
The rest of the year its just a good old boozer, with a bit of a gastro feel as the menu changes daily and is top quality grub (although slightly pricey - £10 for sausage and mash…). The pub attracts people from all over the area including a few celebrities now and then, and it certainly has changed the pub scene for the better in Kensal Green.