The Pakenham Arms, Kings Cross, WC1

Looks pretty from the outside, but the inside is just one large room, sparsely decorated. Four ales on tap on Saturday (all fairly mainstream Pride/Bombardier etc) which were nice, but hardly a taste sensation. The atmosphere was dead, despite it being half-full. Mainly a load of sad-looking old and middle-aged men staring silently at the big screen sports TV. I think a number were posties from the sorting office. It ain't a bad place (far from it), but it's not a great one either (far from it). I might pop in again if I was passing.

Randomness Guide to London - Pakenham Arms entry

Randomness Guide to London - Pakenham Arms entry

This pub looks good from the outside, but the interior doesn't match up to the exterior, with pretty nondescript décor and furnishings. It was very quiet during the weekday lunchtime I was in there, with only a handful of postal workers from Mount Pleasant enjoying a no doubt well-earned pint for lunch. It offered a fairly simple lunch menu, but the cheese and pickle roll I had was not good and poor value at £4. But they had four ales on: Adnam's Broadside; London Pride; and Sharp's Doom Bar and Cornish Coaster. I only tried the Doom Bar, which was just fine. The service was friendly enough and although I would not rave about this pub I would certainly drop in again for a pint if I were in the area.

There were five ales available during my recent visit along with a standard draught selection from which I enjoyed a decent pint of Guinness. Cheap food also served, but I didn’t try or see any so I cannot comment on the quality. Sky Sports is shown in this large one roomed pub on three plasma screens which were muted on my visit to make way for some background music. I found the woman behind the bar to be very polite and I would return if passing and a football match was on.

Now Called The Old Cock Inn. Nice open pub which you enter from either end. The main bar area is laid out more like a restaurant section with candlelit tables. Then off to the side is a couple of more relaxed seating sections with lounge type furniture. Decent food menu with good selection of snacks, starters and mains. The mains are around £8.00 and the one I had was value for this. Three real ales on during my visit, Black Sheep Best, Deuchars IPA and St Austell’s Tribute. Only tried the Tribute and it was excellent. And the lady behind the bar (who I presume was the Landlady) could not have been more helpful. So if you are after decent beer and decent bar food then I can’t fault this pub My only problem was sitting on my own at a table for two with a tall candle burning away, I must have looked like NobbyNoMates whose date had stood him up…

A large single room, wrapped around the bar. All hard surfaces, wood floors etc plus music and a busy environment make for a noisy space, but its ok. Three plasmas showing cricket on my visit competed with the music and chatter for attention. This pub is directly opposite Mount Pleasant sorting office so plenty of posties in, welcoming to all though, and a pleasant lady behind the bar who expertly served three seperate orders at once! There are two banks of four pumps,serving at the time, Sharp's Doombar(x2), Cornish Coaster, Adnams Broadside, GK IPA, Hogs Back TEA, and Jennings World Biggest Liar(x2). Certainly a good range and my Coaster was an acceptable £2.75. Long opening hours to accommodate the postal workers shifts. Dispensers sell sweets........I've never quite got that in a pub. Beware the confusing steps on the way out of the gents!