About
The Crown is a handsome independent pub with dining rooms on Chiswick High Road. We serve beers from independent breweries, good wines, and a Mediterranean menu overseen by chef-restaurateur and local hero Henry Harris. We have a covered courtyard garden and subtle clues to the pub’s previous life as a police station.
History
On 4 September 1911, two men took off with a lobster each from the neighbourhood fishmongers. The pair, possibly drunk, were quickly apprehended and taken to Chiswick Police Station. There, one of the thieves challenged a constable to a fight, and floored him with a right hook, while the other took advantage of the confusion to try to escape.
Not every day was quite so eventful at the stucco-fronted police station on Chiswick High Road. In its first few decades, the bobbies brought in servants stealing linen from their employers, cyclists riding without headlights, coachmen “being drunk and furiously driving”, as well as the occasional mad dog which had to be put down in the courtyard, where the Black Marias used to park up. The old station finally shut shop in 1970 to move across the high road.
In 2019, The Crown opened its doors, providing a new lease of life to this Victorian building with its stables, courtyard and four jail cells, while giving a whole new meaning to being detained at Her Majesty’s pleasure.
The Pub
Our cellar is stocked with highly drinkable chilled keg beers such as Stiegl, Curious IPA and Freedom Brewery Pale Ale. Timothy Taylors is our house ale of choice, with guest ales from Thornbridge, Wadworth and Tiny Rebel. We also have a list of wines that Henry and the team enjoy drinking, balancing Old World with new and interesting producers, in addition to grower Champagnes and classic cocktails.
You can pull up a stool in our art deco bar, kick back in the leather sofas and low chairs in the Front Room, or set the world to rights in the Nook, a cosy space smuggled into one of the jail cells. The local area and some of its denizens are celebrated in contemporary artworks selected by Liana Braune (Zaffera London).
If you’re feeling peckish, there are bar snacks, charcuterie and freshly baked bread. You can also order from the all-day menu or enjoy Sunday lunch at the bar.
The Dining Rooms
In our two dining rooms and courtyard, we serve a Mediterranean menu created by chef- director, Henry Harris, and Sicilian head chef, Daniele Zaffora (The Arts Club, Dover Street). Reflecting our careful sourcing of seasonal ingredients, daily-changing dishes might include Soupe de poisson, Melanzane alla Parmigiana, Oxtail and Barolo ragoût, or Red mullet, savoy cabbage heart, pink fir potatoes and squid ink bourride sauce. On Sundays, we serve a traditional lunch, including beef, chicken, and a seven-hour, slow-roasted shoulder of lamb. A drinks list focuses on Old World wines, from Beaujolais to Rioja and Chianti, as well as classic cocktails and apéritifs.
In the warmer months, the French doors open out onto the courtyard garden, which is a rather nice spot for lunch or an early dinner. The Green Room and The Nick are available for private bookings.
To reserve, call 020 3330 7131 or use the booking link below. For groups of 10+ for Sunday lunch, please ring us directly.
Events and Private Dining
Whether it’s a launch party or a corporate event, a family gathering or a royal knees-up, our attentive staff make every effort to ensure your event is a success. We have two private dining rooms: the Green Room which seats up to 24 guests, and The Nick, an intimate dining room in a converted jail cell, for groups of up to 10.
Choose from our sample menus, or we can design something exactly to your liking — it could be a Champagne and canapé reception, a wine tasting, or any other idea you care to discuss with us.