Friday night

Why haven’t I been here before?

The Castle is right in the heart of Portobello Road on the corner of Westbourne Park Road. I’ve walked past this pub literally hundreds of times and never ‘seen’ it.

I guess, on reflection, it’s facing the wrong way with entry facing away from the pedestrian traffic flowing up Portobello Road.

It could have stayed that way had it not been for my father, in town last weekend, whose eye was caught by the Grand Prix on the TV. He ducked inside to check who was winning and we followed him in and stayed for a pint or two. 

I loved it instantly. Homely, local and friendly. We didn’t eat but the food portions looked substantial and appealing. The open kitchen seemed remarkable calm and added to the buzz.

So on our next night out we headed there and this time it was a completely different feel. As if we’d just walked into a bar in Madrid. The Spanish three piece was seated between two tables and kicked out an eclectic mix from salsa and tango to reggae and hip hop with a smattering of Prodigy mashed up.

It was awesome. So intimate. So Spanish. So Notting Hill!

Rumbaba Deluxe plays every Friday night from 8pm at The Castle Hotel.