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The Gladstone Arms, Borough, SE1
SE1
SE1 1QN
Pub Type
Punch TavernsReviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Pub SignMan left this review about The Gladstone Arms
This is a compact, backstreet boozer that has been given a modest, gentrified makeover that nicely blends traditional and contemporary elements. In many ways, it’s still a basic pub, with bare floorboards and low wood panelled walls with plain upper sections. The servery is immediately to the left upon entering, with a garishly painted wood panel counter and a modern shelf and mirror bar back where most of the keg taps have been relocated. Some nice lamps above the bar help add to a muted lighting set-up which gives the room a relaxed and warm ambiance. The decor is pretty eclectic and includes a large, unusual mural of an Asian temple scene, a fabulous old bulldog pub sign along with a new neon sign, loads of potted plants, some decent modern artwork, Union Jack bunting and much more. Seating comes in the form of tables and chairs arranged around the perimeter and I noticed a few folk going out through a door to the rear, possibly to the roof terrace or upstairs overspill room, neither of which I managed to explore. Music played very quietly in the background but this very quickly got lost under the chatter from a modest sized crowd, and despite the presence of a couple of rugs on the floor to dampen the sound, I get the impression this pub can get very noisy when it’s full.
There are just two handpulls on the bar and one of these was out of action, leaving the sole option of Sambrooks Glorious, which I’d fortuitously never tried before. The staff seemed really friendly and the pint of Glorious they served up was perhaps a little short of living up to its name, but in decent nick nonetheless. Twelve craft keg lines ensure that craft beer fans are well catered for, with a couple of them reserved for cider options.
This is another pub I’ve walked past many times but never had recourse to venture into, and as with the nearby Kings Arms, it goes to show that you should always take a punt, as this is a great little pub with a cosy interior, interesting beer and good service. Definitely worth checking out if you’re crawling through the local area.
Date of visit - 20th May 2023
On 5th December 2023
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Moby Duck left this review about The Gladstone Arms
Tucked away from regular pedestrian routes, you would really have to know it was here to find it. It is what I've only recently discoverd is called a 'Desi Pub', owned by people of Indian origin giving the pub an oriental feel whilst maintaining a traditional pub feel, designed to appeal to and welcome people of all cultures. It is of course housed in a traditional London corner pub, there is a strong food aspect, unsuprisingly the menu is Anglo/Asian, at the same time it still keeps a good boozer quality in the fairly small L shaped room, there is an upstairs lounge and roof terrace that I didn't investigate. There are two handpumps but the cask ale was confined to the one on my visit, ELB Foundation, the beer policy seemed to be firmly in favour of craft keg with 14 taps on the wall with some decent brewers on display, I settled for a Gipsy Hill Bandit. Although it was quiet on my mid week mid afternoon visit I can see this being rather popular. Very nice 7.5/10
On 12th May 2023
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1872 recommendations about 1845 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about The Gladstone Arms
Dating from the 19th century but rebuilt in the ‘20s, I had assumed from a couple of the reviews, that this was some sort of ‘left-wing’-themed pub, with a ‘Greetings Comrade’ from the staff and perhaps some suitable décor: an autographed copy of Mao’s Little Red Book, Tony Benn’s teapot, Harold Wilson’s pipe, Michael Foot’s donkey jacket and stick, or perhaps a jar containing Tony Blair’s conscience, but no.
It is as mentioned, a bit Boho hip, seemingly Indian run, judging by some of the staff, Anglo-Indian food and a depiction of Ganesh printed on a sheet, a bit like a Hindu version of the Turin Shroud, the only thing missing being cosmic smells from ethnic candles; George Harrison would have felt right at home here. I did get a few strange looks (don’t I always), but had my phone out with The Guardian app on standby.
An unused pump sat next to a solitary active one, dispensing Innis & Gunn’s Gunpowder IPA, missed as it was obscured, me plumping for a half of Hammerton’s Pentonville oyster stout at £3.00 a half and interesting, not having had this type of beer before.
With Simon the Tanner, the Roebuck and Libertine for starters, this makes for a good crawl; the Gladstone’s definitely my bag!
On 27th November 2021
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1985 recommendations about 1951 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about The Gladstone Arms
The ‘Glad’ as it likes to be known, has gone through a bit of an up and down time since the last review, or to be precise down and now up. Late in 2015 it was in serious danger of being bulldozed and replaced by more faceless blocks of flats, but thankfully a vigorous campaign by the locals, both residents and CAMRA saved it and got it listed as an Asset of Community Value. It then shut for an internal refurb to open in April last year with a more contemporary décor and beer choice which if my experience from last night was anything to go by is certainly attracting the millennial audience.
It’s so long since I was last in this one that I cannot really remember what it was like, but the single room downstairs bar seems a lot lighter (perhaps due to a light blue and white paint job) and the bar is still a small affair tucked away on the left as you enter the main Lant Street entrance. And the upstairs lounge appears more posh and comfortable from what I remember also. There is still a focus on music with a small stage section opposite the bar in the downstairs room but now it’s more aligned to the Millennial craft and gin drinking audience instead of aging beer swilling rockers and there was a very good acoustic two piece going through several blues renditions last night. I believe there are regular live music sessions on Thursday Friday and Saturday.
On the beer front there are still three real ale pumps on the front of the bar but what is different is the back of the bar which now has a craft tap wall of 10 beer taps and shelves of spirits including several artisan gins. On the craft front the majority seemed to be from London brewers in the shape of Meantime, Hammerton Brewery, Brixton Brewery, Gipsy Hill Brewery and the London Beer Factory. The three ales were Hippo Pale Ale from Animal Brewing (the microbrewery of XT), West Berkshire Breweries Maharaja IPA and Oakham’s Once to Yourself and the Oakham golden ale was so good we stayed on it whilst we were here.
The pub was being well utilised on this Thursday evening with a decent crowd outside and inside in both the main bar and upstairs lounge. And a few had even made it up to the very small roof terrace.
With a lot of pubs on the way down and disappearing it was really good to find the Glad clearly on the way up.
On 20th July 2018
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2110 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alan Winfield left this review about The Gladstone Arms
The Gladstone Arms a decent looking side street pub that is close to Borough tube station.
Once inside there is a smallish single room with the bar on the left side,the room is bare boarded,the seating two pew seats and normal tables and chairs,there is also a piano to the rear right.
There were four real ales on the bar,i had a drink of Adnams bitter which was a nice drink,the other beers were Dark Star Pale Ale,St Austell Tribute and Doom Bar.
Background music was playing,food was also available with one customer having a nice looking meal.
I quite liked the laid back feel of this pub,one i could stay in for a few.
Pub visited 26/5/2015
On 26th May 2015
- rating: 7
[User has posted 6113 recommendations about 6113 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Gladstone Arms
Side street music pub, with a large mural proclaiming 'The Glad' on one wall visible from some distance. Small L-shaped bar with basic furniture and decor. Upstairs lounge (not visited). Mixed clientele, but a very relaxed atmosphere on both occasions that I have visited. Three real ales on handpump: Tribute, Castle Rock Black Gold and Enville Kasitra on my recent visit.
On 4th October 2013
- rating: 7
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Gladstone Arms
There was a bit of a Cornish theme on the ale front, with pumps clipped for Sharp’s Doom Bar, and St Austell Tribute and Trelawny, but the Trelawny was declared to be off unfortunately, leaving Tribute as the beer of choice for me. All the tables had a “Pieminister menu” on them, with various pies at £5.95 (the same ones I buy in Tesco I suppose), plus £1.50 for mash and £1.25 for mushy peas. Personally I reckon that £8.70 is a bit over the top for a bought in pie with mash and peas, but if you’re hungry enough I suppose it’s worth it, and as shop bought pies go the Pieminister range is better than most.
The outside of the pub looks OK in the main, but judging by the large name at the back on the left it is apparently called “ The Glad”, coupled with a large caricature of a sinister looking fellow appearing more like Jack The Ripper than the distinguished politician after whom this pub is named. I know that Gladstone did engage in some nocturnal activities, but portraying him as JTR is a bit over the top. But not to worry, the interior of the pub has a certain charm. It’s a small one-room pub, which wouldn’t take many customers for it to be crowded. There were a couple of sofas with a low table, but otherwise there were just normal tables and chairs. There were no TVs, fruit machines or others of that ilk. The music being played was some classic soul – Solomon Burke, Wilson Pickett et al.
Other than a few coloured lights on the ceiling, the only lighting is provided by candles on the tables. At 4.0 PM it’s now getting too dark to see what I’m writing in my notebook, and my pen’s now run out. This must be a sign. I actually quite liked this pub, which I didn’t think I would when I went in as it seemed overly gloomy, and in fact I wasn’t even sure that it was open. It has a nice friendly laid back feel to it (might be different if it was crowded though) and I’d be happy to pay a return visit.
On 21st November 2011
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Nick Johnstone left this review about The Gladstone Arms
Slightly left wing and a whiff of something illegal in the air. Sat and did the Telegraph crossword in here one lunchtime unmolested.
On 29th April 2011
- rating: 5
[User has posted 98 recommendations about 98 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Gladstone Arms
'Boho' is just the right word for this place. The outside of the pub is pretty interesting what with the two big paintings of Gladstone glaring down at you, so it certainly stands out a bit amongst the hundreds of other pubs nearby.
The interior is surprisingly small with the aforementioned boho touches. Mrs Quinno's cup of tea was served in a trendy 'right-on' mug with some sort of left-leaning sentiment (I forget what) so don't take any Sun/Daily Hate Mail readers in here. So I was quite looking forward to my beer - there were two on (Black Sheep and Adnams, I think) but both were of questionable quality. Shame.
I want to like this place so I will try it again but have to admit I left disappointed by the beer experience. It isn't THAT hard to keep a decent beer if you actually understand what it is you're selling, especially given the high standards set elsewhere in the area.
On 18th February 2009
- rating: 5
[User has posted 5089 recommendations about 5072 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about The Gladstone Arms
Tribute and Doom Bar were available from the aging rocker barman during my visit and there was also a limited standard and premium draught selection. It is not the biggest place, but there was a good crowd in attendance with more old rocker types propping up the bar. This is a music pub that hosts live music nights and several music magazines can be found lying on the tables and the gents toilet is wallpapered with old song sheets.
Food is served and the chalk menu board is hung over a plasma screen that I'd imagine sees little action. There was some background music playing which I thought was good, but it is more in line with the tastes of fifty year olds.
I would recommend this place to others as it is very relaxed and there was no rush to evict anybody after last orders.
On 10th January 2009
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5249 recommendations about 5217 pubs]