The Harpenden Arms, Harpenden

Fuller's pub in a prominent location at a busy road junction in Harpenden. The bar occupies much of the ground floor, such is its size. Nevertheless, despite plenty of room to position yourself to get served, it was still a couple deep all the way round the bar and took a fair while to get a drink. A few were bar blockers. But in fairness to them most of the tables were laid out for diners. So, there really was very little space to sit. I had to pinch myself before remembering that this was only a Thursday evening. If the pub and beer trade is in such a dire state, as we're led to believe, why were all the pubs in Harpenden so busy on a Thursday evening, despite them all being rubbish?! Apart from the limited seating for drinkers around the bar, there was a side room at the far end of the pub which was being used for dining. A few tables were taken. The rest were reserved. A further dining room upstairs had a fancy name which I don't recall. I was merely on that floor to spend a penny. London Pride & ESB are the regular beers here. A third beer on for my visit was Wild River. The craft beer selection was slightly more adventurous and included Verdant Light Bulb, Tiny Rebel Clwb Tropica, Siren Lumina & Beavertown Neck Oil.

I concur with previous reviewers,the Fuller's beers are very well kept yet pricey at £3.60 for a Black Cab stout.The other real ales were London Pride,ESB and Seafarers.The small open plan interior has the feel of a sports bar but the TV volume is switched off when sport is on ,there are only a few tables and chairs so vertical drinking is likely at busy times.Popular with Irish residents,this is a safe bet for a quick pint but the presence of the Thai restaurant detracts from it's attractiveness as a pub to base yourself for a nights drinking.

Prominently-located pub with a smart appearance both inside and out. The semi-modernised interior won't be to everybody's taste, and a surprising amount of space is given over to the Thai restaurant which means pretty limited seating in the bar area. Sky Sports on two TVs, showing different channels but with the sound off so not too distracting. Four Fullers/Gales ales distributed between the six handpumps, including a first-class pint of Discovery at £3.10.

Well presented Fullers house, as most of them are, but most of it is given over to a Thai restaurant. They also serve Thai food in the bar so you can't get away from it. Not really a drinkers pub but a decent pint of Pride at £2.90.