The Queens Arms, SW1

This place had a very gastropub look about it, being bare-boarded, with solid tables and plain chairs, minimalist decor, and candlelit tables, but I didn’t get to see a menu to confirm the food on offer. But it gets good marks for the ale choice, with Adnam’s Gold, Sharp’s Cornish Coaster, Rebellion Old Nuts, and Red Squirrell Porter on. My fellow drinker and I opted for the RS Porter, which turned out to be an excellent full flavoured 5% dark beer, at £3.60 a pint, which I guess is the going rate for this sort of place. It was very busy, and thus very noisy, with several groups of mainly youngish drinkers. The available bar counter is a small affair at the back on the left, and being obstructed by a couple of pillars access is not easy when it’s busy. I say “available” bar counter, because about half of the counter can’t be used for service because it is cluttered with the usual gastropub accoutrements, as well as having tables inhibiting access to it. But I guess with a relatively small room to work with it makes sense to cram in as many tables as possible. This is not really the sort of place that I like, but I reckon that there’s room in London for a pub to suit every taste, and this one certainly gets extra marks for the ale choice and quality.

Randomness Guide to London - Queens Arms entry

Randomness Guide to London - Queens Arms entry

This place is more gastro than one would like, but the staff were friendly and the groups of thirty somethings packing out the pub sharing bottles of wine were harmless enough. Bombardier and Adnams were available along with a selection of draught products that were hard to pick out as the metal etched clips were hard to decipher in the dim light. My Guinness was well poured though, if maybe on the expensive side rocking in at £3.55 a pint. I wouldn't return to this pub on my own again, but it is a good place to take a partner and I would probably pop in if passing with the wife.