Skinners Arms, WC1

A fairly traditionally laid out London pub,It did seem a little Nicholsons like to me but this is a Greene King pub that thankfully has a reasonable guest policy.The pub has been well visited recently so no need to repeat the discription here apart from the beers on, across the six hand pumps were two from GK, IPA and Abbot, St Austell Liquid Sunshine and Oakham JHB,two pumps were vacant on my visit,an Ok selection and indeed an Ok pub and I would look in again if passing but it didn't set my pulse racing.

Spent a very enjoyable evening in this traditional back street Kings Cross pub. The ornate decor with leaded stained glass and dark wood panelling has been well described already and it seemed to be catering well to the after work eating and drinking crowd. As previously reported there is quite a lot of Green King branding but fortunately none of the evil brews were on for our visit. There is in fact six hand pumps in two banks of three and what initially confused us was that the three available beers are spread over both. So on initially walking up to one set and thinking there was only one beer on we fortunately glanced two more available at the other end. This seemed to be a cunning plan as during the several hours we were there new beers appeared on the spare pumps as the others went off. We started with Kings Heritage Brighton Best, Oakham Scarlet Macaw and Sambrooks Junction and as these ended, Oakham Citra and Inferno and Redemption Pale Ale replaced them. Will certainly search this one out again when in the KK area.

Largely as described below, quite an ornate pub with leaded stained glass, dark wood panelling, carpeted with traditional furniture and Pugin-esque wallpaper. There's also a real log fire which sadly wasn't in use, despite the inclement weather. There's a mixed crowd here with families, locals and some tourists. Music was muted and a TV, off, was spotted. Food is more along the lines of chicken and ham pie and sausages, so certainly not a gastropub then. I too spotted an old bloke on crutches being helped by the staff and the landlord took a great deal of time and care when taking a food order from a group whose English wasn't great. On the down side, the ale choice is limited. I spotted only three pumps, one not in use and the other two dispensing St. Austell's Tribute and Greene King IPA at a reasonable (for the area) £2.00 a half and OK. This is a good pub and is certainly worth a visit if in the area, but it's let down by the limited ale choice.

Official site of Skinners Arms - www.skinnersarmslondon.com

Official site of Skinners Arms - www.skinnersarmslondon.com

A Greene King branded place but no sign of their wares inside, Young's Bitter, Adnam's Southwold, St Austell Tribute and Moor So Hop were on, one unclipped, on reversed which actually may have been GK IPA. This is a nice proper pub, carpeted, slightly raised area in front of the bar, the bar back is attractive and has the pub name inscribed above. A fireplace with nice looking tiling had a proper blaze on the go, stained glass over the entrance doors with "Bar" and "Saloon" still showing, stacks of framed stuff of interest to read and look at, all the stuff that tends to appeal to me. The main room extends back and tapers towards the rear. Nice friendly service and pleasing to see when a bloke struggling on crutches entered that the barman gestured him to sit down and served him at the table.

A well run traditional Victorian pub, which always has a couple of interesting guests ales on handpump. We went for the Siren Love of Work, which was top notch. The pub has William Morris wallpaper and Lincrusta putty paper under dado height. The original bar and back servery in mahogany also adds interest to the pub.