Pubs Galore - the UK pub guide

Dating from 1853, this was the Phene Arms. I came here once before, probably more than 30 years ago and recall being joined in the gents by George Best, who could frequently be seen here, propped up by the bar.
A return the other night, to a gastropub which I don’t think is any more posh or expensive than other similar London establishments; the Chelsea Pig up the road is far more dramatic and expensive, the interior here visible on the pub’s website. I didn’t actually see the interior, as I was prevented from entering through not having booked a table. I asked if I could have a beer at the bar, but was told by the rude – and scruffy – doorman, that I still had to book; there were two drinkers visible at the bar, with plenty of space for a third person; for all its aspirations, you don’t get this treatment at the Chelsea Pig, likewise the similarly gastrofied Cooper’s Arms down the road.
If a place insists on bookings, then it’s not a pub, it’s a restaurant. Either way, I’ve no intention of returning.

This is a very unusual place. It has a small frontage and when you enter you walk into a small bar with mainly dining tables and chairs. What you wouldn't expect is when you walk through the door opening to the right of the bar is a further room that looks like it's available for private hire and then a huge room with another bar and an open kitchen. It's so much bigger that you would ever expect. There are 3 autonomans in the place as well. Two over the small bar and another one between the rooms. Sadly there's no real ale, so I had a half of something on keg and had a chat to the friendly barmaid. Shame about the lack of ale, but I really quite liked it in here.

Improvements and regular trips here - it seems to be a place where Readingites have their birthday bashes now - beer range has improved and their own brews can occaisonally reach impressive heights. A good selection of guest craft as well. If you are the adventurous type, this is worth a visit.

December 2019
It's a cold lockup hosting a new brewery and tap (Phantom) with very limited opening hours (see WhatPub). However there is a specific bar area, decorated in black and white, offering-up a craft-tastic selection. Tried three of the Phantom brews which, to be honest, all tasted rather alike. Early days of course. It’s close enough to the station to be worth a nose if you like that sort of thing. Oh, and it's cashless - so card payments only.

Bottle shop situated in a parade of shops, just along from Chalfont & Latimer tube station.

There is room for a handful of people inside with 3 or 4 tables. The bar is situated on the rear wall, whilst there are fridges to the left-hand side.

Most customers were there to drink in and the bar does feature a couple of real ales, alongside a decent craft beer range. The 2 real ales were Kent Prohibition & Paradigm Greenlight. A real cider was Abrahall's Lily the Pink.

The craft beer selection was dominated by Double-Barrelled beers, as they'd had a tap takeover the previous evening. Their beers were Parka, The Gun Wall, Everything but the Bulbs & Infinite Reflections. Other draft options were Neckstamper Little Mizzie, Brew York Big Eagle, Tiny Rebel Stay Puft, Camden Town Hells & Pale Ale & Sandford Orchards Devon Red cider.

The barman was friendly and we happened to arrive when happy hour was about to start at 5pm. Quite a few others arrived shortly after us, also eager to benefit from a discount on pints.

A couple of TVs were showing live Italian football, whilst there is a toilet for customers' use in the far right-hand corner.

I purchased a few bottles after a quick drink and would certainly consider a return visit here, especially considering I hadn't appreciated how close to the tube station this place was.

A pleasant little place on the Square opposite The Bulls Head and The Duke William. 4 handpulls with a good variety of styles - pale, stout, bitter - on my visit. Friendly, comfortable and, I thought, just nice. Will visit again when in Burslem.