Hi Geoff,
Adjoining the Prince of Wales to the south in Portland Street used to be the Evergreen Bar which was part of the Central Hotel. The bar was fairly small, but extended back into a conservatory or garden room.
In 1901 what became the Central Hotel started off as Mrs. Grove’s Boarding House at no. 5 Portland Street then. (Annuaire) In 1939 it became the Central Hotel at 7 – 9, Mrs. Mell proprietor (Kelly’s Directory). She was still in charge in 1952 when the last Kelly’s directory I had access to was published.
I’m not sure how long the Evergreen Bar was part of the hotel, but it made a nice quiet alternative to the Prince of Wales or the Cotswold Inn if you fancied a peaceful drink in a pleasant environment.
The Evergreen Bar closed on 6 December 2006, and the Central Hotel itself has now been turned into residential apartments. The building is Grade II Listed.
Cheers,
Alan Jones