The Phoenix, Chelsea, SW3

With a history dating back to the late 18th century, though undoubtedly rebuilt in the 19th, this claims to be Chelsea’s oldest pub. I came here once before in the late 1980s, so don’t remember it well. It’s comfortably appointed, with a carpeted dining snug to the rear, with a real fire. The front part features low ‘coffee table’-style furniture below the main window, then fairly conventional furniture and oxblood banquettes. The floor is bare boarded, but with a kilim. The bar array is modern and part mirrored, with shiny green glazed tiles. Walls are painted pleasant shades of duck egg blue or green. Décor comprises a large bookshelf with an extensive collection of books and also large glass bottles; to the walls are large, framed watercolour prints of exotic birds. Furniture is a little eclectic, some positioned so close to the door as to hinder entry; here can be found a pile of blankets to keep the chill away from outside drinkers. Lighting comes primarily from modern spotlights with fairy lights cascading down the windows. Customers are mainly thirtysomethings, with the occasional older drinker, but probably all local and reasonably normal. A Young’s pub, though sadly the Proper Job pump, which promised so much, was actually off, leaving just London Original at a reasonable £2.55 and actually very good, served by a friendly barmaid; too friendly, given that she initially ignored me to talk to an overly loquacious customer. This is a perfectly ok place for a comfortable, reasonable drink, without the pressure to eat; this is very much a pub though certainly now not a traditional one and far better than the Sydney Arms.

Official site of The Phoenix - www.thephoenixchelsea.co.uk

Official site of The Phoenix - www.thephoenixchelsea.co.uk

The Phoenix is a back street corner pub that is just off the kings road. Once inside there is a long oblong shaped room which runs to the rear,the bar is on the mid left side,the seating comfy bench type in the front area and a few normal tables and chairs and one settee,there is a tall table opposite the bar,the rear area has normal tables and chairs. There were three real ales on the bar,i had a drink of Youngs bitter which went down very well,the other bees were Trumans Zephyr and Doom Bar. Decent background music was playing,the pub was very busy on my early Wednesday evening visit. This is a decent enough pub to have a couple of drinks in. Pub visited 1/7/2015