The Alexandra Arms, Cambridge

Official site of The Alexandra Arms - www.thealexcambridge.com

A Greene King pub and another GBG2022 entry in this area, however only Old Speckled Hen of theirs on the four ale pumps, Tring, Wensum and Oakham on the others. Four more pulls serve cider and there’s keg cocktails and beer. Supposedly modernised it has clear windows, pallet wood counter front and a grey plague paint job, unfortunately not just on the inside. There’s a lower seating area at one end which is odd as the pub isn’t on a hill, this is Cambridge remember, but it’s the result of starting out as two buildings. I didn’t check the garden to see if that was flat. A lintel has a sign saying “the city pub with the village feel”, nope it doesn’t feel like that. The beer was average and £4.40 for a 3.7% mild is pushing the envelope. Less than scintillating would be my verdict on the place.

The bar of the Alexandra is to the left with seating front and rear. Steps from the bar lead down to some seating in the right and there is a long thin wood floor extension with seating at the rear that runs along the left hand side of the thin beer garden. The paved beer garden is lined with picnic tables, some of which are covered at the rear. Food is available, the burgers were £11, or £6 off the kids menu. I found the service to be polite and I’d have no problem returning.

Another classic street corner local,the Greene King signage gave me pause for thought.Due to Covid regulations,the tap room served by the apex door is unused and entrance is via the side door.NHS T&T ,could choose a table of my choice,so wound around the interior past a long refectory table to the back room which has been sectioned off using perspex screens.There is a wood burner in here but the interior is quite modern with lots of glazed white tiling,some high tables and a minimalist feel.It has lost a lot of character as a result. There is an open kitchen serving burgers and other pub grub generally around £11,although there was a 2 for 1 burger promotion on my Wednesday lunchtime visit.My sausages and mash was very good. The barmaid said that the real ale selection was Oakham Inferno,Black Sheep Bitter and TT Landlord but as I was still standing I ordered an Inferno from behind my mask which must not have been clear to her for a pint of Landlord appeared (NBSS 3).The handpumps are visible through the window but were all unclipped ,while the screen based beer,cider and bottle menu wasn't up to date.This is poor practice in my book,I got the impression that it might be pot luck what you get served. I was surprised to find this pub in the 2021 GBG,it may have been Buggins turn but there are more authentic street corner pubs close by.Probably more popular with the young,there is a decent garden and a Thursday pub quiz.

A good backstreet local that clearly had a state-of-the-art makeover some years back which now feels like a rather dated Scandinavian café. The front bar area is not too bad but to the side and behind are heavily wooden eating areas and a kitchen servery that do not do much for me. Out the back improves, with a nice patio garden and a separate garden room, also set out for dining. A fair selection of beers though, at time of visit being Oakham Citra and Inferno, Tring Moongazing, Truman Swift, and Greene King London Glory plus a couple of ciders.