The Norfolk Arms, Bloomsbury, WC1

Randomness Guide to London - Norfolk Arms entry

Randomness Guide to London - Norfolk Arms entry

Official site of the Norfolk Arms, contains tapas menu - www.norfolkarms.co.uk

This place is more restaurant than pub and the atmosphere inside was non existent as the only sounds were the chinking of forks on plates and teaspoons in Darjeeling. Theakston XB was available alongside Greene King IPA which was on the turn and Fosters, Kronenburg, San Miguel, John Smiths Smooth and Guinness. I found the barmaid to be nice enough, but I felt uncomfortable sitting inside so I sat on one of the benches that line the path outside. I don't think that I'll be going back here to eat or drink in the future.

This isn’t a pub, I know it isn’t a pub because if it was I wouldn’t have spent so long at the bar without being served before walking out. As it was I was transfixed by how many people could mill about behind the bar, seemingly busy, but managing not to make any eye contact with those of us waiting to be served. I did get a couple of apologetic glances from the only bloke actually serving and I decided to hang on as they do have two hand pumps. He eventually served me with a pint of Theakstons XB which I sunk before he’d finished his next round of White Zinfandel and lime & coriander crab cakes with rocket salad and Peruvian vinaigrette.