Following a period of closure, this site was taken over by The Public House Group and reopened in May 2024, now named The Hero. The four-storey space comprises a pub on the ground floor also serving food, a more formal grill room on the first floor, a cocktail bar and a top-floor private events area with its own bar.
The ground-floor pub has a zinc-topped bar with bronze-effect pumps and taps but with all beers advertised via chalkboards; a fireplace, and a de-silvered mirror with the daily food specials. It has been described as "evoking a steampunk tavern style of old London town in the 1830s that never truly existed until now"! The food offering includes pub favourites but also oysters and quail for those on more relaxed budgets. Three ales are normally on offer with at least one from the Allsopp's range. It has been reported, however, that ale availability can be patchy and sometimes even unavailable; further updates welcome. The venue is card-only.
The operator Public House Group also runs the highly-successful Pelican pub in Notting Hill. It is understood that the Public House Group is backed, in part, by investment management firm BNP Capital.
Historic Interest
The pub was originally built in 1878 as the Shirland Hotel. Sir John Stuart, made Count of Maida, was a lieutenant-general in the Napoleonic Wars and won a victory over a slightly larger French force outside the town of Maida in Calabria, Italy. Maida Hill and Maida Vale are also named after the battle, as well as this pub.
This Pub serves 1 changing beer and 2 regular beers.
Hero, Maida Vale
Changing beers typically include: DEYA - Creek Life