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The Masons Arms, Kensal Green, NW10

Pub added by elizabeth mcgraw
665 Harrow Road
NW10
NW10 5NU

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Pub Type

Metropolitan Pub Co (Greene King)

Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6 of 10) Add Review see review guidelines


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Tris C left this review about The Masons Arms

This is a large pub on Harrow Road, probably dating from the mid/late-19th century, still exhibiting its Taylor Walker sign frame, appearing on CAMRA’s inventory of pubs with historic interiors, this being of Some Regional Importance.
There are high, large arched windows with some residual etching to allow in lots of light. The pub is quite opened out, bare boarded with conventional furniture, along with the extensive use of fawn-coloured studded banquettes, then conventional furniture. The colour scheme comes in the shape of either dark grey or white wainscoting, then white of the same to a white ceiling; to the rear is an expanse of patterned wallpaper. There are a few structural columns with Corinthian capitals painted gold, naturally. To the left, is a grand staircase leading up to a function room. There are some knickknacks to a mirrored shelving array and framed prints. Lighting is of the metal shaded and similar filament filled sconces, then some crystal chandeliers by way of contrast. The main star here is the very ornate bar back with etched gilded mirrors and central clock, then the ornate wood and etched glass manager’s office to the rear, best appreciated on CAMRA’s heritage website. Customers were very few in number Thursday mid-evening, but what few were in attendance were youngish or solo glum old geezers, to a soft dance music soundtrack.
The ale front was a disappointment, with just one unused clip, flanked by a pump dispensing GK IPA, then a rather mysterious Mason’s Arms House Bitter at £2.30 a half and fine.
This place is ok for those traipsing the historic pubs’ trail, but it’s not worth a special trip, not least because I wouldn’t want to be drinking their meagre offerings for an extended period, but it makes for a heritage triple header with the William IV and Paradise whatever.

On 28th January 2022 - rating: 4
[User has posted 1956 recommendations about 1923 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Masons Arms

Unbranded Metropolitan (i.e. Greene King) pub with a large 'L'-shaped bar (with some feature columns in the side part) and an upstairs function room. Reasonably furnished but feels a bit of barn due to the high ceiling and relatively sparse decor. On the plus side, with real ale being scarce in these parts, three of four handpumps were in use, offering IPA, Fireside and Truman's Roll Out the Barrel (£4.15).

On 28th January 2018 - rating: 6
[User has posted 8066 recommendations about 8066 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Rex Rattus left this review about The Masons Arms

This is another large old Victorian pub on a prominent site. It's now completely opened up into one very large room, with a few sofas and banquettes but with plenty of normal tables and chairs. There's plenty of space in here, allowing them to have a decent amount of room between the tables. In the way of gastropubs it's bare-boarded, and with the pillars, bar counter, and some walls painted that charcoal grey/indigo colour we see so often in these types of pub. Of course there are various prints on the walls, and one wall has some unusual fish themed wallpaper. I saw free wi-fi advertised.

However, several original Victorian features remain in here, including some etched and cut glass, but perhaps most notably a superb pillared bar back that still retains its glazing, and what looks like a mahogany and cut glass office at the back. The lattar piece had a wood carved square and compass surmounting it, a clear masonic link to the pub's name.

This pub still has quite a lot of character despite its modernisation. The ale selection is OK, without being terribly inspiring. I reckon the food might be fine if you wanted a big lunch, or dinner, but a few more of the more usually seen light bites might be welcome. This pub is certainly worth dropping into for a swift one if you're in the area.

On 6th December 2014 - rating: 6
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


john gray left this review about The Masons Arms

Nice big pub with good beer.Loved the lampshades above the bar.2 beers Sharps -own and Windsor and Eton -Canberra were on

On 29th November 2013 - rating: 7
[User has posted 1023 recommendations about 1009 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Thuck Phat left this review about The Masons Arms

Mr Fastard's detailed review below says it all.
This is one of the few boozers in the area open at lunchtimes during the week and selling real ale: Doom Bar and GK IPA when we visited, the former of which was in good nick.
An interesting menu and warm welcome, along with the ale, ensure that I'd visit again if in the area.

On 1st February 2012 - rating: 6
[User has posted 679 recommendations about 678 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Bucking Fastard left this review about The Masons Arms

A very substantial Victorian building close to Kensal Green station,the interior is worth investigating.The ground floor is open plan with a substantial bar in the centre and an impressive carved wood bar back,while there is a lounge bar upstairs which can be hired.By the wooden staircase to the lounge bar is an interesting wooden booth with frosted glass and a door marked as the "Office".I was not sure what this was for,but speculated that at one time there may have been a theatre upstairs and this acted as a ticket booth.It's an unusual original feature.
The ground floor is lit by several chandeliers and a whole host of boudoir style lampshades covered other lights while traditional and substantial cast iron radiators kept the pub warm on a chilly lunchtime.The large picture windows at the front of the building are also original and ornate.The pine flooring gave a more contemporary feel,which blended well with the wooden furniture.To one side of the building is a cobbled courtyard for external drinking which contained a brick built BBQ range.
The pub is part of the Taylor Walker chain ,offering GK IPA and Doom Bar on handpump while a third remained unused.Food is popular here and there are tapas dishes at £4.50 each or more substantial meals from around £7.We didn't eat but what I saw looked good and there was a chef rather than a microwave at work.
A jocular welcome from the guv'nor and pleasant bar staff were an added bonus,as was the fact that it was open at lunchtime (a lot of close by pubs were not)and had real ale .Even higher rating would have been appropriate if there had been a more interesting ale selection but my Doom Bar was as well kept as is possible with this ubiquitous brew.
The Masons doesnt suffer the common curse associated with being the nearest pub to the station,and I would make the long walk from the canal to pop in again in future.

On 17th December 2011 - rating: 7
[User has posted 2709 recommendations about 2709 pubs]