The Chesterfield Arms, W1

More rebuilding here from the early 18th century, but this time a later replacement, dating from 1938, when the name ‘Shepherds’ was applied. It was apparently the favoured drinking haunt of Bomber Command in World War II, as the RAF Club was around the corner. The current name has been very recently applied, the pub now being in the hands of the Metropolitan Pub Co. The bar array does look very new with much dark lacquered wood. There’s a nice dentilled cornice to the white Anaglypta ceiling and tiled bar apron; furniture is conventional and the floor is herringbone parquet. I settled into a solitary oxblood studded armchair by the door (which matched the banquettes), as the young and very noisy crowd had helpfully decided to dump their belongings on the furniture, then stand as a group near the bar, which they blocked very effectively. Ales: one unused pump, two reversed, then GK IPA; I opted for a half of Neck Oil, price forgotten. I found this to be the least appealing of the Shepherd Market quartet and as there was a patch of glitter on my chair, which may have come from a vajazzle, it was chocks away and I was off to pastures new.

Official site of The Chesterfield Arms - www.thechesterfieldarms.com

Official site of The Chesterfield Arms - www.thechesterfieldarms.com

Facebook page of The Chesterfield Arms - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of The Chesterfield Arms - www.facebook.com

Having a Christmas meet arranged in the nearby Ye Grapes I thought I would get to Shepherds Market a bit early and take a look at a couple of the other pubs in the market that I could not remember visiting before. Now the last week before Christmas never gives a true representation of what the normal pub visiting experience is like, but the Shepherds Tavern seemed to be suffering more than its nearby counterparts with the festive crowds in that when making it through the throng to reach the bar I was greeted with three reverse clipped pumps and a solitary GK IPA ale still on. Didn’t matter how thirsty I was by this point I wasn’t staying for that so turned and left therefore no rating submitted. And to confirm with the review below this formerly Taylor Walker outlet is now owned and run by Greene King as is also now the nearby Kings Arms.