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Picture of The Kings Arms
Image posted by Just a quick pint, then I'm off
Submitted on Wednesday, 1st January 2020
With picture contributions to 9749 other pubs
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The Kings Arms, Soho, W1

23 Poland Street
W1
W1F 8QG
Correct details

Served areas

Reviews of The Kings Arms (Average Rating: of 10) Add Review see review guidelines

Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Tris C left this review about The Kings Arms

The pub’s licence dates back to 1706 and The Ancient Order of Druids was revived in here on 28 November 1781, though I suspect the place was rebuilt in the 19th century. This has also been an officially recognised gay pub since 1981, making it the oldest in Soho; it’s also a speciality hangout for so-called ‘gay bears’.
With the name in etched mirrors to a fairly traditional bar back, it’s as described below; the interior’s quite simple, with some grey and white paint, then more interesting dark wood field panelling to the right-hand wall, which possibly dates from the ‘30s; on high, there are dark exposed rafters, with white Anaglypta infill. What little furniture here is traditional, with décor amounting to eclectic prints and tedious Halloween crap, nearly three weeks early. Entertainment came from fairly loud music and a games machine flashed. Customers were seemingly mostly gay, with a couple of older ‘bears’ sitting alone, nursing a pint, looking into the distance through the leaded windows.
Ales amounted to Pride (obviously), clip reversed, then Doom, swerved in favour of a half of Kronenbourg at £2.65, predictable and served by a friendly barman.
This place is harmless enough, far from being the most in-your-face of the area’s gay haunts, possibly because it’s outside the ‘gay village’, but it’s bordering on the dull, offering up little more than the bear necessities.

On 18th October 2022 - rating: 4
[User has posted 1943 recommendations about 1910 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Rex Rattus left this review about The Kings Arms

I had a decidedly average half of Doom Bar for £2.30, and another pump had a reversed London Pride clip on it. There was no sign of food early doors on a Wednesday.

This is a very simple gay bar. There are a couple of tall tables and tall stools, some normal tables and chairs, including in a small area at the back past the counter. There's some fielded panelling on the walls, as well as on the bar counter front, but nothing of real heritage interest.

I doubt whether I'll return. There are better pubs in Soho.

On 27th November 2021 - rating: 4
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 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

One of the many gay bars in and around Soho, but during the day it probably gets a fair amount of general passing trade until it livens-up later on. Anyway, the bar area has the usual dark-wood interior to be found in most semi-traditional London pubs, with only a low stage by the front windows hinting at the entertainment. Just London Pride (£4.45) available from one of a pair of handpumps, with a reversed Doom Bar clip on the other.

On 2nd January 2020 - rating: 6
[User has posted 8039 recommendations about 8039 pubs]


View more reviews of The Kings Arms (7)
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Pub location see interactive map of local area
Map location corrected by hondo .
London Charing Cross, 0.93 miles, 17 min walk (show)
London Euston, 1.34 miles, 25 min walk (show)
London Marylebone, 1.57 miles, 30 min walk (show)
Latest updates View all updates for The Kings Arms, W1
18th Oct 2022, 19:55
Review submitted by Tris C
 
31st Jan 2022, 14:15
Picture submitted by Will Larter approved

Pub Details

Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.

  • Accommodation : No last updated 17 March 2019 by Graham Coombs
  • Bar Billiards : No last updated 17 March 2019 by Graham Coombs
  • Beer Festivals : No last updated 17 March 2019 by Graham Coombs
  • Beer Garden : No last updated 18 October 2022 by Tris C
  • CAMRA Discount : No - Discount expired Nov 2014 - last updated 09 February 2015 by ROB Camra
  • Car Park : No last updated 17 March 2019 by Graham Coombs
  • Child Friendly : No last updated 17 March 2019 by Graham Coombs
  • Darts : No last updated 17 March 2019 by Graham Coombs
  • Function Room : No last updated 17 March 2019 by Graham Coombs
  • Hot Food : No last updated 17 March 2019 by Graham Coombs
  • Jukebox : Yes last updated 17 March 2019 by Graham Coombs
  • Karaoke : Yes last updated 18 October 2022 by Tris C
  • Live Music : Yes last updated 09 February 2015 by ROB Camra
  • Live TV Sports : No last updated 18 October 2022 by Tris C
  • Micropub : No last updated 17 March 2019 by Graham Coombs
  • Pinball : No last updated 17 March 2019 by Graham Coombs
  • Pool Table : No last updated 18 October 2022 by Tris C
  • Quiz Night : No last updated 18 October 2022 by Tris C
  • Real Ale : Yes last updated 09 February 2015 by ROB Camra
  • Real Cider : No last updated 09 February 2015 by ROB Camra
  • Wheelchair Access : No last updated 17 March 2019 by Graham Coombs
  • WiFi : No last updated 17 March 2019 by Graham Coombs
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