The Betjeman Arms, N1

Really very reasonable new station bar, with a nice back courtyard arrangement backing onto the St Pancras terminus. Not a great selection if I'm honest - Holt's Mild (average), Sharp's Betjeman Ale (reasonable) and Adnams Bitter (off) but if I was waiting for a train I would certainly come here for a cheeky couple.

Official site of the Betjeman Arms - www.thebetjemanarms.co.uk

Official site of the Betjeman Arms - www.thebetjemanarms.co.uk

Randomness Guide to London - Betjeman Arms entry

Randomness Guide to London - Betjeman Arms entry

Dreadful. They couldn't have made it worse if they tried. Getting it up like a trendy gastropub is a bad start. Sticking it in a remote corner of the station doesn't help. Neither does the fact that it stinks of chips. And that horrid loud music. And why are the loos half a mile down a gloomy corridor? What on earth must those who experience this place as their introduction to British pubs think? The rebuilt St Pancras is much overrated, as anyone who has to cart heavy cases from from the tube to the trains will tell you, all style over substance, so this pub fits in perfectly. Give it to Wetherspoons, at least they do shite station and airport bars well.

As station bars go this place is ok. The bar area on entry is rather dominated by the canteen style servery, and the service pipes and ducts in the ceiling would be better hidden. The dining rooms beyond however have a rather elegant feel befitting the building in which the pub is located. Good to see toilet facilities too not requiring a charge or code for access. Good real ale policy with the bar's own beer brewed by Sharps. Pleased to catch the Aleway Festival yesterday, a good venture, and a couple of decent halves were quaffed as we waited for the train.

PROS: Real ale, frosted glasses with handles, national cask ale week in April CONS: lous dance music and tv Sharp's Betjeman (off) Adnams Southwold Bitter Ruddle's County Wandle (off) Geronimo Inns