The Alfred Arms, Borehamwood

Not a lot stands out in Borehamwood when it comes to pubs and Woods hardly enhances the area’s pub population. Since I briefly worked in the area some 7 years ago, the bar seems to have doubled in size, spilling through 2 buildings but is still as characterless and hollow as it always was. The shoe box interior has few attributes and would probably be of more use as a TV showroom given the multiple screens that come at you from all angles. There appears to be littlle thought regarding the décor or making the place attractive and welcoming and the beers are nothing to entice anyone looking for anything more than standard kegs and lagers. In my book, this is probably the least interesting place to drink in Borehamwood and things don’t get much worse than that.

This is an over 21s late night bar that has karaoke on Thursdays and DJs/live bands on Saturdays and Sundays. It has extended opening hours until midnight Monday thru Friday and 1am Saturday and Sunday. Unsurprisingly there is no real ale, but there is a selection of standard draught and my Guinness was well poured by a friendly barmaid. Food is served in the form of snacks, burgers, sharing platters and breakfast, but as I was the only patron on Wednesday afternoon I didn’t see anyone eating. This is a converted shop that has been stripped out and painted purple and white whilst some high tables and limited normal seating had been added. It’s not the biggest place, but there are still four plasma screens and a projector for showing music videos as I saw no Sky Sports advertised. I can imagine this bar filling up with a young crowd in the evenings and is probably one to avoid if over 25 and looking for a decent pint and conversation.