The Prince Alfred (Maida Vale), darts in Maida Vale

Photo: The Prince Alfred

The Prince Alfred (Maida Vale): Darts in London

Free entryYoung's pubGrade II* listedSunday roastsPrivate diningGroups

5a Formosa Street, Maida Vale, London · W9 1EE · Mo-Th 11:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-00:00; Su 12:00-22:30

The Prince Alfred is a Grade II* listed Victorian pub on Formosa Street in Maida Vale, a couple of minutes from Warwick Avenue tube. Built in 1856, it is one of London's most intact Victorian pub interiors, known for its original snob screens (the little low swinging doors that once kept drinkers in different classes apart), etched glass and a horseshoe bar split into snug compartments. Today it runs as a Young's pub and dining room, with cask ales, a proper wine list and a kitchen doing Sunday roasts, steak and ale pie and fresh fish. It suits anyone who wants a sit-down meal, a quiet pint in a piece of pub history, or a private room for a group. One thing to know up front: the pub is famous for "Darts at the Alfred", a 1949 illustration of its old darts crowd, but there is no current dartboard listed for the pub, so come for the room and the food rather than a game.

The darts question

Worth being straight about this one. The Prince Alfred has a real darts heritage: Maurice Gorham's 1949 book carried an Edward Ardizzone illustration titled "Darts at the Alfred", and the pub still gets cited for it. That is history, though, not a fixture you can turn up and play. There is no dartboard listed for the pub on its own site, on CAMRA's WhatPub, or in the Capital Arrows directory of central London darts pubs, and it does not appear in any London darts league we could find. If a game of darts is the whole point of your night out, this is not the pub for it. Come instead for the room, the beer and the kitchen.

What the place actually is

This is one of the most complete Victorian pub interiors left in London, which is why it is Grade II* listed. The 1856 build kept its snob screens, the little low etched-glass doors that swing on the bar top and once separated drinkers by class, plus mosaic floors and a horseshoe bar broken into snug compartments. It runs as a Young's pub and dining room now, so expect cask ales, a wine list and a kitchen turning out Sunday roasts, steak and ale pie, fresh fish and bar snacks. There is a private space, the Formosa Dining Room, seating around 56, and The Cellars downstairs for groups of up to about 30.

Getting there and timing

The pub sits on Formosa Street in Maida Vale, W9 1EE, a two to three minute walk from Warwick Avenue on the Bakerloo line; Paddington is the bigger interchange about a kilometre away if you are coming across town. It opens 11:00 to 23:00 Monday to Thursday, 11:00 to midnight on Friday and Saturday, and 12:00 to 22:30 on Sunday. The kitchen runs roughly 11:00 to 22:00 most days and 12:00 to 21:00 on Sunday, so there is no awkward gap between lunch and dinner. For a roast or a group booking it is worth reserving ahead; a casual pint at the bar you can just walk in for.

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Common questions

Does the Prince Alfred in Maida Vale have a dartboard?
Not that we could verify. The pub is famous for a 1949 illustration called "Darts at the Alfred", but no current dartboard is listed on its own website, on CAMRA's WhatPub, or in the Capital Arrows directory of central London darts pubs. Treat the darts as history, not a game you can play today.
What is the Prince Alfred, Maida Vale?
It is a Grade II* listed Victorian pub at 5a Formosa Street, W9, built in 1856 and known for one of London's best-preserved pub interiors, including original snob screens and etched glass. It runs today as a Young's pub and dining room serving cask ales and a full food menu.
Is the Prince Alfred free to get into?
Yes. It is a normal free-to-enter pub, so you only pay for your drinks and food. There is no entry charge and no bookable darts session.
Do you need to book the Prince Alfred?
For a casual drink you can walk straight in. For a Sunday roast, a table at busy times, or one of the private spaces (the Formosa Dining Room seats about 56, The Cellars takes groups up to around 30), it is best to book ahead.
What are the opening hours of the Prince Alfred, Maida Vale?
It is open Monday to Thursday 11:00 to 23:00, Friday and Saturday 11:00 to midnight, and Sunday 12:00 to 22:30. The kitchen runs roughly 11:00 to 22:00 most days and 12:00 to 21:00 on Sunday.
What is the nearest station to the Prince Alfred?
Warwick Avenue on the Bakerloo line is the closest, about a two to three minute walk. Paddington is the nearest mainline interchange, around a kilometre away.

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