The Carpenter's Arms, W6

Tris C left this review about The Carpenter's Arms

Dating from 1871, this does as mentioned look like a traditional corner café on approach. It was the watering hole for those looking for a drink close to adjacent St. Peter’s Square, where in 1973 the offices for Island Records opened; the pub’s website cites the potential for visitations from the likes of Bob Marley and the Wailers, Aswad, Cat Stevens, Robert Palmer, Steve Winwood, Grace Jones and U2.
It would seem to be all change here since the previous reviews, because this is now essentially a rather high-end restaurant and not even a gastropub; I was the only drinker at 8.45 on a Saturday evening, customers all being rather middleclass families or couples, who probably live in the lovely Georgian townhouses which dominate this rather genteel area.
Otherwise, the interior looks a bit like a rural French bistro, with the occasional modern touch and where pork scratchings and a pickled egg costs £3.50. Annoyingly, staff were wearing masks which depersonalises the occasion; face coverings don’t protect the wearer, only the person in front of them and as I’m fully vaccinated, I don’t need the protection. Another restaurant touch here is that it’s table service only, the assumption being that the customer would prefer a tab rather than paying after each round; nevertheless, the waiter was friendly. Of note, is that electronic gizmos’ use is forbidden; joy!
A large number of wall mounted beer mats hint at times’ past, otherwise one pump was unused, then it was Twickenham’s Naked Ladies at a reasonable £4.90 a pint and in very good nick.
I would love to eat here if I could afford it, but this isn’t a pub in the true sense anymore; the Cross Keys is within spitting distance and is a more traditional boozer.
Closed Monday and Tuesday.

On 6^th February 2022 - no rating submitted
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