The Queens Arms, SW8

Originally the Queens Hotel, this is undoubtedly a mid-Victorian pub which has undergone some recent building work, which saw a Watney’s roundel removed from the rear and an extension added; it had been closed since around mid-2022 but reopened a few nights ago as an outlet for Tottenham’s Bohem brewery; see their strict brewing manifesto on their website. The slightly clinical interior has been substantially stripped out, with a boarded floor, white walls with large plate glass picture windows, fashionable vertical wall mounted grey radiators and trendy eclectic mixed prints; à la mode spun copper shades dangle above the modern bar array, where hot snacks are served. Furniture is conventional, with studded elephant grey banquettes and customers were professional local types, a couple of very young children running about at the time of our visit at gone 9.30pm. There was a solitary pump with a sign reading ‘Coming Soon’ – though apparently for a cask lager – then a beer wall up on high advertising 10 crafty offerings, but I couldn’t tell if all of them were their brews; a cider was offered. I plumped for a half of something called Nicholas Dark, £5.80 a pint though was charged a punitive £3.20 for ordering a half served by a very friendly barmaid; it was very cold and although there was an intriguing foretaste, it fizzled out to an unmemorable, short finish. Perhaps this place will bed in over time, filling up as more customers discover it rendering it as packed as the surrounding pubs, but the children in a late evening adult environment and punitive pricing policy knock the score, but if you’ve been tarring your roof and like ‘…drinking icy cold Bohemia-style beer…’, you might want to czech it out.

Official site of The Queens Arms - www.bohembrewery.com

Official site of The Queens Arms - www.bohembrewery.com

Reopened yesterday as the latest outpost of the North London Czech brewery Bohem. I hope the locals of Battersea take to it.