Builders Arms, Kensington, W8

Refurbished in gastro-pub style, and the only place I've ever been where a staff member solemnly went round at exactly six o'clock and placed a small cactus on each table! Lime green exterior, dark green inside. High ceilings in the main bar, with a small seating area behind and a very curiously-decorated and furnished room upstairs. Small terrace at the front under awnings. TVs for sport. Three of the four handpumps working, offering Doom Bar, TT Landlord and Hadley's Blonde (£3.60). Overall, not a bad spot if you happen to be in the area.

Official site of the Builders Arms, contains menus - www.thebuildersarmskensington.co.uk

Middling M&B unbranded outlet that remains much as Roger has described below though they've taken the hint on the sofas, now reduced in number and the beer range isn't bad, Harvey's Best, Tribute, Pride and something else the other day and in good condition too. If you're looking for a lunchtime or afternoon pint it's pleasant enough but not worth fighting for in the evenings.

Official site of the Builders Arms, contains menus - www.thebuildersarmskensington.co.uk

Another traditional old Victorian corner pub given a trendy makeover to attract the more upmarket clientele but won't appeal to traditionalists. Not my sort of place but it certainly does have a few merits. Aside from the 3 Ales available (Pride Broadside & Tribute) there was a surprisingly good selection of lagers and draught beers (Sierra Nevada, Kiri Ichibvar, Fruili, Peroni etc). Prices are not particularly cheap as one would expect. The main bar is a single, high ceiling room with a sofa area in the middle and rather stripped back furnishings, large plants and plain picture windows. Overall it is a bit featureless and certainly not particularly cosy or intimate. There is a small 2 table anti room to one side of the bar away from the masses and a further bar upstairs (closed for a private function). There is also seating outside with patio heaters. A glance at the menu revealed that the food was not as expensive as one would expect in such a place with main dishes in the £7-9 price range. The Sunday evening movie nights are an unusual idea. Not a place I would make a specific journey to but that is more a matter of personal taste than anything particularly untoward about the pub and the place was packed to the rafters during my visit so it certainly does have its admirers. Not exactly a place you would stumble across by accident either.