The Stanley Arms, SE16

This pub looks attractive and imposing as you approach it, being a large, stand-alone, and well maintained building. Some of the doors, most of which are unused, bear the names of their previous guises – public bar, snug bar, function room. Inside it’s comfortable and clean, being carpeted and furnished with a traditional fit of banquettes, normal tables and chairs, a few small stools and the traditional tall stools at the bar. The servery is unusually circular, or perhaps oval, and the woodwork here all looks to be modern replacement, although the refurbishment that introduced it certainly seems to have been handled sensitively. The walls and ceilings are all painted a light dull blue, which looks OK in here for some reason. Décor consists of a number of black and white prints, many featuring The Beatles, plus a nice Coca Cola mirror. One nice feature is the marble fireplace on the left, complete with tiled panels. On the downside, a radio was being played, but more importantly there was no real ale, with just keg versions of John Smith’s and Courage Best (£3.40 a pint) being available. I reckon that this is a decent locals’ pub and is good for a comfortable sojourn as long as you’re not fussed about the absence of real ale.

I found this pub to be a little stuffy on afternoon visit last week and the woman behind the bar was a little off with me. I’m not sure why as I’m always very polite, maybe I was a little young for her liking as I was born in the mid 70s. It’s not the cheapest pub in the area with the Guinness coming in at £3.60 a pint, but it was very good and hit the spot. I didn’t spot any hand pumps for the real ale so there was only a standard draught selection available. I didn’t notice any advertisements for Sky Sports, but there are two screens, one of which was showing BBC News and the other was tuned into Heart FM which was playing throughout the pub. I also spotted a dart case on the wall, but there as no oche and a couple of tables were placed in front of it so I’m not sure if a board is actually there. The outside of the pub is very easy on the eye and there are some patio tables and chairs outside where the road forks. This is a clean and well looked after pub that is good for a sedate beer if passing.

Randomness Guide to London - Stanley Arms entry

Randomness Guide to London - Stanley Arms entry