The Carpenters Arms, W1

An easy five minute walk from Marble Arch tube station, the Carpenters Arms is a pleasant traditional boozer and sister pub to the Market Porter in Borough Market. The pub has a single room layout with bare floorboards and a central U-shaped servery with a dark wood bar back, pump clip collection and large pillar midway around the counter with a decorative capital. The right hand wall has plain tiles with a decorative border and there is a nice mosaic tile floor which bears the pub's name in front of the entrance. Low back padded banquettes run underneath the modern, frosted front windows whilst there is a drinking ledge with high stools and the day's papers along the left wall, with some decorative lamps and another entrance with a disused curtain rail. To the rear, a long button backed banquette and standard chairs run under some carpentry themed wallpaper which has been enhanced with a collection of carpentry tools. The room extends slightly to the rear in a space with tongue and groove panelled walls with lots more tools on display, a dartboard and a few additional comfy seating options. Several screens throughout the pub were showing the evening's Premier League fixture with the commentary just about audible. The pub doesn't offer hot food, but I did notice pork pies and scotch eggs advertised on small blackboards. There are six handpulls on the bar, but only three of them were in operation on this visit, offering Harvey's Best and Bonfire Boy and Wychwood Hobgoblin. I went for a pint of the Best, which was in pretty decent shape. There was a good mixed crowd in on a Saturday early evening and I found it a relaxing spot to read my paper and watch the football. This is a nice, welcoming pub of the sort where you can easily settle down for an hour or two. A stronger ale line up might make the place a more essential destination, but it remains a strong option should you find yourself in this part of town.

Quietish side road pub close to Marble Arch and not far from Oxford St either. Plenty of external flora, large windows and it looks inviting. Internally it’s a fairly tight layout, the main room wrapped around the curved bar with an extra area beyond (darts here). There’s a small amount of historic tiling to the right of entrance as well as some nice raised burgundy leatherette seating. I also spotted some mechanical prints of some old contraption. Six pumps, four beers from Truman's (fair), Ringwood, Harveys and Sunny Republic. Decent little place I’d be happy to re-do.

One of the better pubs in this area for beer choice. Nice friendly pub when quiet. Been here numerous times but like Moby cant say I have had a great beer. My Vale -Good King Senseless was okay.

A very nice looking pub of the traditional persuasion,one U shaped room with the bar in front of you as you walk in from either door,there were four beers available,Cottage Nimrod,Okham Inferno,the other two slip my mind for as soon as I saw the Inferno my choice was made,unfortunately this is where the positive's end,this was my second visit to the Carpenter's the first being two years ago and unlike the previous review I haven't had a good beer yet,in 2010 in a group of three we tried four different beers between us and not one was sensibly drinkable, I can understand one being off as long as it is changed when noticed but not four,and on this occasion to add insult to injury there was a lack of concern or comprehension from the Eastern European barmaid.However giving the pub another chance yesterday I was sorry to find that although drinkable the my beer was not in good condition with the slight smell of apples,a green pint,poor cellarmanship? Its a shame because this could be a very nice pub,maybe it is but not in my two experiences .Poor beer=poor pub.

Excellent pub with fine selection of ales - I've never had a bad one here. Well worth seeking out if you've had enough of being dragged around the Oxford Street shops - she can always call you on your mobile when she's had enough of shopping! (Well, that's what I do!). Only pub worth visiting at this end of Oxford Street now that The Mason's Arms has gone.

A popular and friendly pub that’s a little off the beaten track, even though it’s just a stone’s throw from Edgeware Road. It’s essentially a single room affair with a U-shape bar counter, although there is also a protrusion to the rear that can be curtained off for semi-private events. There are large, dual aspect windows, with leather bench seating arranged in rows perpendicular to the windows at the front. The flooring is dark reclaimed boards and there are a number of old photographs of the pub on the wall along with a large selection of beer mats. There were three plasmas dotted around showing the cricket, although the sound was off. There was also a board detailing some upcoming premiership matches. All the barmaids seemed friendly. Beers on this occasion were Jimmy Riddle, Cottage Evening Star and Slater’s Craic. There was also a fourth pump on the bar, although this was not in use on our visit. The solitary cider was Strongbow, unfortunately.

A rare real ale oasis in this part of London with a wide selection available. Six handpumps had RCH Pitchfork, Sambrooks Wandle, Harveys Sussex Best, Oxfordshire Ale's Back in Time and Slaters Premium Bitter and Haka on. I tried a Haka and didn't move off it which probably says much about its quality and keeping. Pleasantly buzzing on a Saturday evening I'd imagine it gets very busy during the week post work. Well worth seeking out.

Good to see an ale house prospering in this very upmarket corner of London,clearly there is a band of regulars who enjoy their beer.The pub retains some original features ,a mosaic of the pub name by one door,some glazed tiling on one wall.There is a horseshoe bar ,raised seating booths along one side while at the rear there is a section with a dart board and more seating which can be reserved.There is also a function room for hire on the first floor.A genuine free house with Harvey's Sussex Best and Adnams Broadside always on ,it is worth walking around the bar to check on the guest selection,on out trip RCH Pitchfork,Slater's Haka and Premium,together with Oxfordshire Pride.Ale on good form.The three plasma screens can dominate but the sound is turned down and the music is a pleasing selection of classic CD's,so some early Bowie and Dylan played at background volume.No sign of evening food but you can consume takeaway pizzas from the Italian over the road at your table . Benches outside for a tab,a worthy GBG listing and I plan to return whenever in the area,although from past experience it can get rammed on Friday after work.

Corner pub, a little different internally as the seats to the windows are up raised areas and positioned booth-like. Some nice tiling on the walls, the bar follows the pub round and there is a small seating area at the rear end, as well as a room for hire upstairs. Large windows to the street. Nice choice of beers, sports on the tellys on low volume as blues music playing in the background. Nice place for a visit.

Randomness Guide to London - Carpenters Arms entry

Randomness Guide to London - Carpenters Arms entry