The Phoenix, SW1

As mentioned, this pub, which dates from 1928, is close to the Buckingham Estate and next door to the Other Palace Theatre. Inside and it’s quite a modern pub conversion, with predictable themes such as smoky blue paint, white glazed tiled bar back, stripped bare wood bar front and an apron of Minton-style encaustic tiles, with large oversized metal shades above. Furniture is mixed tall, with blue velour upholstered studded banquettes. Customers seemed to be mainly young, possibly squaddies from the nearby Wellington Barracks, along with some older more genteel customers, perhaps having taken in a show at the theatre over the road. Service here isn't a strong point, with many uncleared glasses on tables, including the one at which I was seated. They were gradually cleared, but oddly not the ones at my table. The typical Young’s line-up was available, with Proper Job, London Original, Special and Winter Warmer at £2.65 a half and nice. This place is fine for a drink after the theatre, perhaps with some fish ‘n’ chips, but it’s not a destination, though worth including on a crawl of the area.

Official site of The Phoenix - www.thephoenixinvictoria.co.uk

Official site of The Phoenix - www.thephoenixinvictoria.co.uk

As mentioned below the Phoenix is the closest pub to Buck House, but it was suited local office workers from around the Victoria area, rather than tourists, who were packing it out on the early after work Thursday evening last. Part of the Geronimo Inns chain it has the usual modern stripped back interiors you associate with this chain and the central support pillar is now a bit more restrained yellow and white Humphry straw design colouring. The main serving bar may be very modern in its design and I am sure the industrial metal racking in front of a white tiled wall may appeal to some, but I still prefer a more traditional pub experience. Also the bar serving area is fairly short in size, meaning that at busy times you have to queue quite a way back, almost into the tables in the central space. When you do get to the bar there are four ale pumps, and these had Redemption Pale Ale, Youngs Bitter, St Austell Proper Job and Dorking brewery Washington gold on for my visit. And then on the craft side Camden Hells and Pale and Beavertown Neck oil were on the taps. The pub was very busy, and it was even standing room only in the garden section as well. I would certainly consider it again, especially when considering a place to eat with the good lady when in this part of town, but as a pub experience there’s a lot of competition nearby and this one didn’t really do it for me personally.

Unfortunately no real ale of any great strength in this busy pub so I had to settle for cider. Will not be returning to this one.

The Phoenix is the closest pub to Buckingham Palace so I suppose it could be considered as the Queen’s local. The open plan bar has a mix of thick wooden standard and high tables with seating throughout. The bar counter that runs along the rear wall supports premium draught products and four hand pumps. During my recent Wednesday afternoon visit these were drawing Sharp’s Doom Bar and Windsor & Eton’s Park Life alongside Young’s ordinary and Wooden Spoon. A gastro menu is supplemented by bar snacks such as sausage rolls and pork pies. The pricing of food was not obvious so I cannot give any indication of cost. To the right of the bar is a butchers table that was lined with artisan bread and a large bread knife. Guys, this is Central London and it is full of crazies – Hide the fecking bread knife! There was some background music playing and World Cup Rugby was advertised for later in the evening. During my visit the TV was turned off and this isn’t the sort of pub I imagine would have Sky Sports. To the right of the butchers table with the bread and 10” knife are door and a flight of stairs that lead to the Yalumba Room, which I imagine is available for hire. To the left of the bar area is a separate seating area that aimed at diners. To the far left is a ‘secret garden’ which isn’t very secret because it is not enclosed and is currently overlooked by a huge building site. I found the service to be friendly, but I wasn’t enamoured by the surroundings which I found to be a bit ‘foody’. This is a pub and there is certainly no problem going here not to eat, but I prefer a more traditional pub vista whilst having a jar.