The Arnos Arms, Arnos Grove, N11

Visited 19/05/25 There were three functioning handpumps on my visit and offering L Pride, TT LL and Adnams Broadside. There was a wide keg offering of Jubel Peach lager, Aspall cider, Camden Pale and Hells, Madri, Peroni, Brooklyn Stonewall IPA, Sxollie cider, Guinness, Neck Oil, Lucky Saint, Asahi, Rebel IPA from Tiny Rebel, Ghost Faith hazy pale ale from Northern Monk, Two Tribes Dream Pale Ale and Humble session IPA from Mondo. Quite large pub with a beer garden with picnic benches to the side of the venue located conveniently close to Arnos Grove tube station. The bar counter in this boarded venue is against the rear wall and has some nice, backed leather stools along the length of the counter. To the right of the entrance is a couple of tall tables under a TV screen showing weekend recorded footy action. Further to that side is an area that feels like it is for diners with crimson fabric banquettes and regular tables and nice leather dining chairs with several TV screens and a fire grate housing a log burner. This area leads out to the extensive tarmacked beer garden, well planted with sleeper walls providing the demarcation between individual tables and benches. To the left of the entrance is another seating area with tall tables and tall backed leather chairs before it goes full restaurant over to the extreme left-hand side with ceramic tiled flooring and an open kitchen. Whilst this venue had a (vaguely) more interesting beer range than some other venues around here it felt a bit formulaic.

Adjacent to Charles Holden’s striking tube station (though not as striking as nearby Southgate), this pub was built for Charrington’s in the 1930s, when the area was developed; exceptionally rare for London, there are two fine Bass lanterns to the fascia (see photos). Externally, this is a handsome brewers’ Tudor beast and it’s clear that the place has had a very recent makeover: a bit steam punk; a bit industrial. All that seemed to remain that was original was the herringbone parquet floor. Now it has a bar back with patterned tiles and scaffold shelving, grey paint where applicable, exposed modern wood, trendy prints and modern light fittings illuminating mixed local customers. At least there were three cask offerings: Pride, Landlord and something more interesting in the form of Vocation’s Heart & Soul, £2.90 a half and not bad, served by a smiley barman. This place is tolerable, but if in N11, I’d prefer the Ranelagh hands down.