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Detail Pages
Kings Arms, SE1
SE1
SE1 1YT
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Pub SignMan left this review about Kings Arms
I’ve walked past this pub many a time over the years but was never tempted to venture inside for some reason, despite the find exterior and glimpses of a promising interior that can been seen from the street. With time to kill on a Saturday afternoon, I decided to remedy that after the pub’s appearance in a recent edition of the Good Beer Guide brought it back to the forefront of my mind. Through the doors, you find yourself in a carpeted, L-shaped room with the servery occupying the centre of the back wall with seating areas to either side, including in a deeper space that runs further back to the right. The bar has a nice dark wood panelled counter with gleaming brass handrails and streetlamp-style light features, plus a cool brass pot shelf and a dark wood, mirrored bar back. Pews, low stools and basic chairs occupy much of the perimeter wall space, providing ample seating for such a relatively small room. Low dark wood panelling contrasts with plain painted upper sections decorated with old paintings, black and white photos and a few plain mirrors, whilst a smart fireplace to the rear right boasts a decorative surround and has candles in the hearth and ornamental ceramic dogs along the mantlepiece. This all creates a pleasant, traditional pub feel which is topped off nicely by the large front windows, which have these amazing bras lamps in them that look so appealing when approaching the pub. The windows themselves are modern replacements, but a leaded, stained-glass pane in the entrance door hints at what this may have all once looked like in the past. I noticed a few Tv screens around the room, none of which were in use, with a 60’s and 70’s soundtrack favoured instead. A handful of tables and chairs can also be found out on the front pavement, but there didn’t appear to be a proper beer garden out the back.
There were no less than five cask ales on the bar – a bit of a rarity for Central London these days – with options comprising Taylors Landlord, Purity Mad Goose, Harvey’s Sussex Best, Anarchy Blonde Star and Sambrook’s Wandle. A very friendly and helpful barmaid pulled me a pint of the Blonde Star, which was in great nick and suggests that they’re not over-stretching themselves with the extended ale range.
I’m really glad I gave this place a long overdue try, as I thought it was a really well-presented traditional pub with enough concessions to the modern-day drinker to ensure a good, mixed weekend crowd. The friendly service, well-kept ale and attractive features would definitely tempt me to overlook some of the areas more established ale houses and add this place on rotation every now and then.
Date of visit – 20th May 2023
On 4th December 2023
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Danny O'Revey left this review about Kings Arms
Tyoical L shaped bar, high ceilingsand still unspoilt near Borough Market area but tucked away enough to be be down to earth. Nice approach signage on the outside of the building.
On 24th September 2022
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1456 recommendations about 1434 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about Kings Arms
Tucked away just off Borough High Street and very close to Guy's,this is a solid white working class boozer and quite traditional in an area known for it's diversity.Regulars are drawn from the local social housing ,pretty leery when oiled and almost certainly Millwall supporters,I've seen their like in action over the years.There are benches outside if the interior is too lively for you.
The pub itself is small and charming,L shaped interior with some fixed bench seating,a sofa , some high backed chairs and a small real fireplace .A flatscreen was off although the muzak was a little loud.There are 5 handpumps offering on my trip Sambrook's Wandle,Adnams Ghost Ship,Purity Mad Goose,Harvey's Sussex Best and a decent,southern style TT Landlord (NBSS 3).
The bar staff were keeping a weather eye on the 'Wall,without them it would have been a stress free visit and I would return to this GBG listed pub given the decent ale line up.
On 8th May 2022
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about Kings Arms
Recently walked past this - too early in the day - and thought, how handsome. Then I found it was in the GBG 2021 and came back on a mini crawl.
Its perfect.
Traditional Victorian boozer - one main room. Small but perfectly former. Bar staff super friendly.
I thought the TT Landlord was in exceptional condition but the Harvey's best may well have topped it.
Will be my destination pub when in the area from now on.
Apologies to all the other pubs.
On 8th November 2021
- rating: 10
[User has posted 1338 recommendations about 1324 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about Kings Arms
A nice looking side street pub,a single carpeted room with simple,functional seating, the bar is centrally positioned and semi ornate with some brasswork. Five handpumps on the bar with a choice of Timothy Taylor Landlord, Purity Mad Goose, Marstons Sweet Chariot, Harveys Best and a reasonable Trumans Swift. Not a bad pub.
On 3rd November 2019
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1872 recommendations about 1845 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Brainy Pool left this review about Kings Arms
quite a nice place off the bustling main road that felt pleasingly old fashioned inside - obviously a deliberate decor choice but nicely done all the same. reasonable if unexciting beer choice. mixed clientele. Decent laid back pub.
On 2nd February 2019
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1058 recommendations about 1023 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about Kings Arms
Well described below, this is a simple yet comfortably traditional pub with a central bar sporting some rather gaudy brasswork, looking rather out of place; friendly staff too. There were two TVs on high but as both were off, I know not when they come on. Quiet on our early evening arrival, it soon began to fill up with office workers but as we left shortly after, I don't know just how busy it gets.
Ales: something I can't recall, TT's Landlord, Harvey's Sussex Best, Purity's Mad Goose and Truman's Runner at £4.60 a pint - a little dear for this type of pub.
This is a welcome retreat from the bustle of Borough Market and for a quiet drink is miles better than the mayhem that is The George just up the road.
On 28th November 2018
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1985 recommendations about 1951 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about Kings Arms
Traditional side street pub with a lovely façade (the exterior plaque was originally sited on the old London Bridge) and a small L shaped interior. Pleasingly clean and comfortable inside, with dark third length wood panelling, mirrored fireplace inset and unusual twirly brass bar mounted glass holders / uplighters. Five pumps, all on; Timothy Taylor Landlord, Mad Goose Purity, Brains Rev James, Harveys Sussex Best and Truman's Swift at £2.10, a half. Adventurously priced bar snacks, with a sausage roll at £3.50 and a pork pie £4. Noticeably busier than the nearby competition and perhaps understandable given my experiences during the evning. A decent little place and worth popping in. 7.5
On 1st February 2018
- rating: 8
[User has posted 5081 recommendations about 5064 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Kings Arms
Decent pub, with a fine façade including an ornate coat of arms in relief. Attractive interior too, with traditional furniture, light decor, large windows and a high ceiling around the 'U'-shaped bar area. Five real ales on handpump: Truman's Swift (£4.20), Harvey's, Landlord, Wherry and Purity Pure UBU. Not been in here for nearly a decade, but it now has much more to offer in the way of real ale so I'm sure I'll be back a bit sooner next time.
On 16th January 2016
- rating: 8
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Kings Arms
I paid another one of my regular visits to this pub the other evening. It is in most respects just as comfortable, welcoming, and relatively relaxed pub as it's been for many years. There's the odd sofa here and there, but even though it's fairly plush, it does retain the feel of a real pub.
However, it has recently changed licencees, and the big difference that you can't fail to notice is the much improved ale selection. On Wednesday evening there five ales on - Timothy Taylor Landlord, Woodforde Wherry, Truman's Runner, Purity Mad Goose, and a fifth that I neglected to remember. This is a cracking little pub slightly removed from the hustle and bustle of Borough High St. Definitely worth a visit.
On 14th November 2015
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]