The Kings Arms, Epsom

MM's review still holds true,the refurb is modern but is better than some of the Youngs makeovers.The service was certainly friendly ,I was in for a quick meal from the lunchtime menu and my sausage bap and chips at £6 did the job.Fortunately the flatscreens were off and no muzak was playing which created a pleasingly calm atmosphere for the few customers in.Saturday night live music from 8pm and a Sunday night quiz give the impression of some community feel to the pub,despite the large dining room.The five handpumps were drawing CW Youngs Bitter and Special (both doubled up) and a guest in the shape of Twickenham Naked Ladies,in decent nick and far superior to the CW offerings. Given the guest ale policy and warm welcome,it's worth popping into if on a crawl around Epsom.

The Kings Arms page at the Youngs site - www.youngs.co.uk

The Kings Arms page at the Youngs site - www.youngs.co.uk

The pub has a fairly upmarket feel with a modern interior, the front area houses the bar, this is a long narrow space which then opens out slightly at the end where there is a raised area with sofas and pouffes. Seating opposite the bar is at a series of small round tables, there is also a rather hideous looking high bench with small log end tables in front, seemingly held up by galvanised key-klamp handrail; I've seen similar in The Wheatsheaf in Borough, you can bet the same designer is to blame. The bar back has exposed brick with occasional narrow tiled inserts, the bar front is painted muddy brown whereas the walls are light coloured with the lower portion wainscoted. A much larger area can be found to the rear right, this appeared to be geared up for dining on Sunday with all tables laid. Sunday roasts were on the menu between £12-£18. Beyond this dining room I could see a garden with some decking but I didn't linger in here as I had no intention of eating. The handpulled beers were mostly from Youngs, Ordinary and Special, Winter Warmer making an early appearance plus London Gold. I plumped for the guest, Redemption Pale Ale (£3.89) which was in good shape. There were keg offerings from Meantime as well as the usual suspects and a tureen of mulled Aspall's cider was on the bar top. Décor is the usual collection of framed prints of this and that, there were candles on the tables alongside scrolls of paper menus. The Sunday papers were spread out along one end of the bar. This is another heavily made over pub with foody aspirations however there were five ales on and the quality and service were fine.