Kings Arms Hotel, Barrow Town Centre, Barrow-In-Furness

I had the King's Arms on my shortlist of pubs to visit in Barrow. As a 2023 Good Beer Guide entry, I was expecting something half decent. As I arrived, a bouncer on the door was having an argument with a young woman who he wouldn't let back in, as she was too drunk. Not the best first impression. Things got worse when I arrived at the bar and couldn't find any sign of a real ale. Service was quick, but the best the barman could offer me was keg John Smith's. Other options were Fosters, Strongbow & Strongbow Dark Fruit, Tetley's, Carling, Inch's, Guinness, Madri, Amstel, Moretti & Coors. The pub was busy and noisy, with people playing fruit machines and pool, music playing and TVs showing some kind of sport. As I sat down to contemplate what had happened to the King's Arms since it had been entered into the Good Beer Guide, I recalled my conversation earlier with the barman in the Queen's Arms who mentioned that I would like the King's Arms, but it was a bit of a trek out of town. Suddenly it dawned on me that I was in the wrong King's Arms! This one is not in the Good Beer Guide after all, nor is it ever likely to be. I used my remaining time to work out how on earth I might complete all of the 6 remaining pubs on my shortlist, given it was already after 9pm and the proper King's Arms was a good distance away on the edge of town. I hatched a plan and exited this dive, as a van load of police were haring around on the pavement outside dealing with some kind of disturbance related to the pub. The moral of the story, when in Barrow, make sure you visit the correct King's Arms!

Reverse L-shaped room with the bar in the angle. Pool table to left and dart board to right in the main area. Various TVs. No real ales - just keg.