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The Chequers Tavern, St James's, SW1

16 Duke Street St James's
SW1
SW1Y 6DB

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Reviews (Current Rating Average: of 10) Add Review see review guidelines


Will Larter left this review about The Chequers Tavern

A small bar with three hand pumps. I saw a cloudy pint of St Austell Tribute being served to another customer so I went for the Fullers London Pride, but this was a little too fresh and fizzy; perhaps if it had been the Goldilocks Tavern rather than the Chequers there'd have been a third beer that was "just right", but sadly this was not to be. To be fair, the cloudy beer was swiftly replaced and my Pride was OK, just not as good as it can be.

Date of visit: 15th September 2022

On 25th April 2023 - rating: 6
[User has posted 3699 recommendations about 3440 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Tris C left this review about The Chequers Tavern

This pub dates back to 1717 as the Mason’s Arms, the current name arriving in 1751 and is now part of the small Shannon Pubs chain, though it’s not an Irish bar, but somewhat surprisingly, a locals’ boozer.
It’s suitably atmospheric inside, with some timbers that certainly look impressively old, including exposed rafters. Sadly, the timber has been painted gloss wet look black when it should be natural, with to the ceiling, the area between rafters having been painted glossy salmon pink. The interior is carpeted and furniture is simple, with some fawn studded banquettes below the main window, which in common with the other windows, is partially etched frosted, with orange swag curtains. Black – or at least very dark wood – wainscoting to the walls which are plain. There’s an attractive, leaded stained glass pot shelf above a traditional bar, with lots of illuminated chrome founts. There’s little décor aside from a few prints. The most intriguing item on display is a metal standpipe to the left of the front door; I’ve no idea what it’s for. Lighting comes from stained glass Victorian-style ceiling lamps and sconces. Customers seemed to be a few foreign tourists and locals, and despite the fact that the pub was doing good business mid-Saturday evening and another couple of locals were walking through the door as I departed, the friendly old-school barman called time at just 8.45 pm. Although this came as no surprise as this is the time given on the website, I don’t see the point; if you can get customers, why not take their money? On the food front, this is definitely no gastropub, with just toasties for sustenance.
Ales comprised the predictably dull Pride and Doom (clip reversed) but also Deuchars, which tasted too good to be true, price £2.50 a half.
This is a nice, cosy little pub, which reminds me of drinking in pubs in the 1970s; all that was missing was a cluster of Toby jugs, but perhaps that’s the problem; it’s dated rather than aged. Still, it’s worth popping in if in the area, just so long as you’re not a night owl.

On 21st November 2021 - rating: 5
[User has posted 1955 recommendations about 1922 pubs]


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Graham Coombs left this review about The Chequers Tavern

Typical St James's pub with one nicely-furnished long room, and standing-up drinking in the alleyway outside and yard behind. It doesn't seem to have an upstairs room though, which is unusual. On handpump were London Pride, Doom Bar and Deuchar's IPA.

On 16th September 2021 - rating: 7
[User has posted 3322 recommendations about 3259 pubs]


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Bucking Fastard left this review about The Chequers Tavern

A classic small London boozer ,the interior is petite but full of character with limited seating but a long drinking shelf opposite the bar.There is a narrow alley to one side which opens out to a wide pavement where the pub has been allowed to place tables and chairs in these Covid times.
There is a T&T app ,but the barmaid couldn't be bothered so I chose from Doom Bar and London Pride (decent but eye watering at £5.60).There is a pub grub style food offering not as pricey as the ale.One feature is the dumb waiter operated by a proper rope but the dull ale selection would inhibit another visit despite the traditional vibe.

On 2nd September 2020 - rating: 6
[User has posted 2709 recommendations about 2709 pubs]


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Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Chequers Tavern

Distinctly compact, staple-shaped bar with traditional decor but limited space for furniture. Side passage and large shared yard to rear (no seating). No room for any tables at the front either, just a bench. Basic menu, but looked to be good value. Three handpumps, offering the regular Deuchars IPA and Pride (£4.25) plus the seasonal Over the Bar from Caledonian as a guest on my latest visit. Overall, not a bad place to stop for a pint (but probably to be avoided at the busiest times).

On 21st February 2016 - rating: 7
[User has posted 8061 recommendations about 8061 pubs]


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hondo . left this review about The Chequers Tavern

"Normal pub" in a rather swish area. 3 real ales and hot food. Precarious steps down to the toilet.

On 16th October 2015 - no rating submitted
[User has posted 2883 recommendations about 2820 pubs]


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Pub SignMan left this review about The Chequers Tavern

In this fairly upmarket part of St James’, the last thing I expected to find was a down to earth local’s boozer, but the Chequers Tavern appears to be exactly that. Like many pubs in the area, it’s a fairly compact single room affair, although a break in the servery halfway into the room suggests a previous two bar layout. The front section has some decent seating to the right of the door including a nice padded button backed banquette which stands beneath a TV screen, showing Champions League football on my mid-week visit. The front windows are nicely decorated with frosted panes, as is the entrance door. The servery runs down the right hand wall, with a tongue and groove counter and bar back in dark wood and a pleasant stained glass canopy. A regimented pump clip collection has been neatly arranged on the bar back and some numbered bulldog clips are positioned to take food orders. The rear of the room has a drinking ledge and a short padded banquette underneath pictures of various black and white era movie stars. An old TV screen back here was also showing the football. The whole pub has been carpeted and there are dark beams crisscrossing the ceiling and a nice floral display in the front window, lending the place a traditional and comparatively cosy feel. A boisterous bunch of regulars propped up the far end of the bar in an area signposted as ‘Bullshit Corner’, close to the staircase leading down to the toilets which, in typical London style, was at a perilously steep angle.
There were three ales on the bar – Fullers London Pride and Caledonian Deuchars IPA and Autumn Red. The latter was a pretty well kept seasonal brew and I found it nice and relaxing supping my pint from a comfy banquette whilst reading my paper.
This pub feels a bit out of place, especially if you’ve previously visited some of the well heeled pubs in the immediate vicinity, but I liked it for its down to earth feel and well kept beer. If you like good, honest pubs, this isn’t a bad bet for this part of town.

On 6th November 2014 - rating: 7
[User has posted 3102 recommendations about 3102 pubs]


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Malden man left this review about The Chequers Tavern

A long, narrow single space with the bar to one side. A few tables front and rear and a drinking shelf to the side, facing the alleyway. Carpeted, with wainscotted walls and a dark red beamed ceiling. As the pub faces a square behind, it benefits from windows both front and back.There are a fair number of beer mats stuck to the side of a stair wall behind the bar, I assume indicative of previous guest beers. The selection on my visit was fairly mainstream, Pride, Doom Bar and Deuchers IPA. Not a bad pint of Doom Bar though.
A large TV in the front corner was switched off Friday PM. Food on offer included fairly priced toasted sandwiches and hot baguettes, generally between £4-£5.

On 28th February 2010 - rating: 6
[User has posted 1707 recommendations about 1681 pubs]


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Steve C left this review about The Chequers Tavern

This tiny little pub was heaving on my recent Friday afternoon visit leading me to believe that I had walked into some sort of work party. It didn’t matter though as once I had fought my way to the bar I was promptly served a decent pint of Guinness by a very friendly barmaid. I was thankful for the covered alleyway running down the side of the pub so that I could escape the madness. Wandering around to the rear of the pub I came across a yard that is where I imagine punters spilling into on hot summer evenings.

Doom Bar and Ordinary where both available during my visit and there was another hand pump with its clip turned. The draught selection wasn’t the most exciting, but I didn’t see much lager being drunk. Very basic pub grub was available (sarnies etc), but I didn't spot anyone eating.

The large plasma screen was turned off and there was no background music that I can remember.

I’d have no problem popping back in here for a pint when next in the area.

On 3rd February 2010 - rating: 7
[User has posted 5179 recommendations about 5148 pubs]


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Steve of N21 left this review about The Chequers Tavern

Really nice little pub just off Piccadilly. The poster below has described the Chequers very well so not much to add.
The three ales on at the time of my visit were Sharps Doombar, Deuchars IPA and Fullers Pride and the Doombar I tried was perfectly fine.
I imagine not a place to spend the evening with a crowd, but if you want a place for a decent pint just of Piccadilly, then the Chequers hits the spot.

On 17th December 2009 - rating: 7
[User has posted 2094 recommendations about 1985 pubs]

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