The Kings Arms, SE1

A back street corner pub like hundreds that are now gone. Still with two bars sharing a servery there is modernisation but the atmosphere seems to remain. An update obviously occurred in the 1930s and another more recently giving it clear windows. Four pulls in each bar, different beers in each mostly from small local brewers, the keg choice is reasonable too. There’s a rear function room, a quiz was in progress when I called in. A bell sounded last orders and then time so that felt very old fashioned.

The Kings Arms is a traditional London backstreet boozer that was rammed during a visit on Thursday evening a couple of weeks ago. The front of this corner pub houses a rounded central bar that was two deep with customers for almost the whole evening. Around the exterior walls are small tables, it can get very cosy. The bar supports standard and premium keg alongside four hand pumps down the left of the bar counter and five down the right. It was too busy to make notes, but I did have a few nice pints of Adnams Southwold. Unfortunately, I was unaware of the additional five hand pumps along the right until we were leaving. At the rear some steps lead down to an open plan seating area and Kanchana’s Kitchen, which is a Thai restaurant. There are also two function rooms available for hire. Even though busy, the service was polite and I will make a point of revisiting when I’m next in the area at a quieter time.

Best ale range I found in London, with 9 pulls again on the go. Lovely unspoilt interior, in keeping with the unspoilt appearance of the street. Miserable service from one of the chaps behind the bar but the others were friendly enough. didn’t quite warm to it really, maybe next time.