The Kings Arms, Bermondsey, SE1

Official site of the Kings Arms with menu and event details - www.thekingsarmsse1.com

This is clearly a tradional old Victorian pub, as evidenced by the polished granite pillars adorning the frontage, and the trademark high ceilings of that time. The green banded window glass suggests that it may originally have been a Charrington pub. But inside it’s been completely opened up and made over. Tables at the front are all laid out for diners, but to the left and rear of the bar counter are tables more welcoming to those just after a drink. The walls and ceiling are all painted a deep crimson, and the walls are all covered with assorted prints and portraits. The canopies at the front (quite useful with the amount of rain recently) coupled with the dark colour scheme inside, make it gloomy enough that it is hard to see to read, but on the other hand that could be considered as atmospheric and cosy. Take your pick. The furnishings are a complete mish mash of dark covered sofas, re-cycled school chairs, steel framed black plastic covered chairs and solid tables. Personally I’m OK with mish mash, and at least they didn’t have any of those uncomfortable tall tables and tall stools. This is one of those pubs where tables all have a little sprig of flowers on them; and where there are (thankfully) no fruit or games machines. Union Flag dominated bunting was stretched acroos the ceiling – something to do with the Olympics perhaps? There was some music playing – nothing I recognised – which I could have done without, but maybe other punters liked it. There was a big projected TV screen at the back showing some cycling – tour de France presumably – which looked a bit odd as I couldn’t see anyone watching it. I suppose that this must be a Greene King pub as the only ales they had on were GKIPA and Old Speckled Hen. I guess I must have been in too late to see any food, but clearly they do food at appropriate times as I could see into the kitchen at the back. There’s nothing wrong with this place, and I found some of the decor quite interesting, but I’m not a great fan of GK ales so probably won’t be making a return visit.