KP- the quintessence of Ladbroke Grove.
I can die happy now, I've experienced it all!
It's been there for over 25 years. It was called KP - it closed its doors in 2010 ( it was mourned and people sent flowers )...then Ta-Dah! it reopened under a new name : Kensington Park Public House.
Many consider it the last "blast from the past" of Ladbroke Grove. No candles, no flowers, no fancy-schmancy interior.
The main reason I went there (besides curiosity - I've been passing this place every day for nearly 2 years now) was *drum roll* the floor!!
I heard that back in the day, the floor was actually covered with carpet. But it's so old and worn out right now, that you can't exactly tell if it's carpet or dry mud. Haha.
Ticking that off my list - I got a larger top. We were served right away by a lovely lady and the beer was cold and good.
The prices reflect that the KP is one of the last "working class" pubs in the area (they accept only cash, by the way).
The clientele is mixed : black, white, asian, young and old and of course- your local Grove people who sat there since the 50s.
The sofas are real comfy and a bit funny smelling but they have a pool table (for £1), a very old jukebox (5 songs for £1), fruit machines, a dart board, newspapers, WIFI and a few screens for showing the footie.
The pub is quite friendly, nobody bothered us (even though when we went through the doors everybody stopped and looked at us - so wild, wild west).
Believe it or not, children are welcomed until 19.00 and they have baby changing facilities.
In an area where every classic pub was turned into a fancy-gastro place, the Kensington Park retains all the old Notting Hill spirit.
So don't be put off by the rough exterior or the geezers smoking right in the door - Give it a try- its an experience. :) read more