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Disappointment of the week with Mobyduck
on the Pub Forum
Image posted by Will Larter
Submitted on Thursday, 15th September 2022
With picture contributions to 11562 other pubs
View all this pub's pictures (22 more images)
Detail Pages
The Chequers Tavern, St James's, SW1
SW1
SW1Y 6DB
Served areas
Reviews of The Chequers Tavern (Average Rating: 6½ of 10) 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 3734 recommendations about 3471 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 1983 recommendations about 1949 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
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 3339 recommendations about 3276 pubs]
View more reviews of The Chequers Tavern (12)
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- Official site of The Chequers Tavern - www.shannon-pubs.com
- Randomness Guide to London - Chequers Tavern entry
- Facebook - The Chequers Tavern
- CAMRA WhatPub :: The Chequers Tavern - whatpub.com
London Victoria, 1.16 miles, 22 min walk (show)
London Victoria, 1.16 miles, 22 min walk (show)
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 06 November 2014 by Pub SignMan
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 06 November 2014 by Pub SignMan
- Beer Festivals : No last updated 21 November 2021 by Tris C
- Beer Garden : No - Back alley. - last updated 21 November 2021 by Tris C
- Car Park : No last updated 06 November 2014 by Pub SignMan
- Darts : No last updated 21 November 2021 by Tris C
- Function Room : No last updated 21 November 2021 by Tris C
- Hot Food : No - Hot bar snacks. - last updated 21 November 2021 by Tris C
- Jukebox : No last updated 21 November 2021 by Tris C
- Karaoke : No last updated 21 November 2021 by Tris C
- Live Music : No last updated 21 November 2021 by Tris C
- Live TV Sports : No last updated 21 November 2021 by Tris C
- Micropub : No last updated 21 November 2021 by Tris C
- Pinball : No last updated 06 November 2014 by Pub SignMan
- Pool Table : No last updated 06 November 2014 by Pub SignMan
- Quiz Night : No last updated 21 November 2021 by Tris C
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 03 February 2010 by Will Larter
- Real Cider : No last updated 06 November 2014 by Pub SignMan
- Wheelchair Access : No last updated 21 November 2021 by Tris C
- WiFi : No last updated 21 November 2021 by Tris C
