The Kings Arms
King William Walk, Greenwich, SE10
Like so many eat-and-drinkeries in Greenwich, the clientele at The Kings Arms is feast or famine. It's either heaving with tourists - or utterly empty. So it took me a while to time it right so that I could go in when it wasn't totally dead, but there were at least a few seats available.
In the today's climate, where pubs are 'regenerated' to the point of unrecognisability at the drop of a knife on laminate, it's rather refreshing to see that The Kings Arms has at least tried to keep that traditional boozer feel. The dark wood panelling with obscure glass panels, the busy red and gold carpet, maroon anaglypta ceiling and un-matched chairs keep the feel, but it's not grotty like one down the road I won't name but which closed recently. It's what I'd call 'cosy' - better, IMHO, in the winter, with its comforting fireplace and low lighting, which can be a bit gloomy in summer (though of course then you'd sit outside in the rather nice beer garden anyway...)
The decor has a local feel - old pictures of Greenwich, especially the Observatory - don't miss the painting above the fireplace which depicts the Observatory during the war, complete with aerial and planes. The rest of the decor tends towards pub knick-knackery - not unpleasant - I confess I quite like the comfort of a load of bits and bobs around me.
When we went in the other day, we were initially drawn by the sign advertising 'mulled wine,' particularly appealing given the weather. I have to admit we were totally put off when we realised it was an instant mulled-wine machine which somehow just seemed wrong, so it was beer after all. The staff were not at their best - I'm not convinced they had their minds on what they were doing. It took sometime to be served despite the quietness of the evening and even during the transaction I got the feeling that I was in the way of their quiet night.
But the beer is good and the atmosphere (among the locals) seemed friendly. It was an enjoyable visit, and definitely somewhere I'd return, especially since we didn't test the food on the last occasion. BTW, there's an interesting domed glass lantern in the Ladies. There isn't an equivalent in the Gents.
Like so many eat-and-drinkeries in Greenwich, the clientele at The Kings Arms is feast or famine. It's either heaving with tourists - or utterly empty. So it took me a while to time it right so that I could go in when it wasn't totally dead, but there were at least a few seats available.
In the today's climate, where pubs are 'regenerated' to the point of unrecognisability at the drop of a knife on laminate, it's rather refreshing to see that The Kings Arms has at least tried to keep that traditional boozer feel. The dark wood panelling with obscure glass panels, the busy red and gold carpet, maroon anaglypta ceiling and un-matched chairs keep the feel, but it's not grotty like one down the road I won't name but which closed recently. It's what I'd call 'cosy' - better, IMHO, in the winter, with its comforting fireplace and low lighting, which can be a bit gloomy in summer (though of course then you'd sit outside in the rather nice beer garden anyway...)
The decor has a local feel - old pictures of Greenwich, especially the Observatory - don't miss the painting above the fireplace which depicts the Observatory during the war, complete with aerial and planes. The rest of the decor tends towards pub knick-knackery - not unpleasant - I confess I quite like the comfort of a load of bits and bobs around me.
When we went in the other day, we were initially drawn by the sign advertising 'mulled wine,' particularly appealing given the weather. I have to admit we were totally put off when we realised it was an instant mulled-wine machine which somehow just seemed wrong, so it was beer after all. The staff were not at their best - I'm not convinced they had their minds on what they were doing. It took sometime to be served despite the quietness of the evening and even during the transaction I got the feeling that I was in the way of their quiet night.
But the beer is good and the atmosphere (among the locals) seemed friendly. It was an enjoyable visit, and definitely somewhere I'd return, especially since we didn't test the food on the last occasion. BTW, there's an interesting domed glass lantern in the Ladies. There isn't an equivalent in the Gents.
Labels: Drinking
posted by The Greenwich Phantom at
08:36
2 Comments:
Not a pub I like much. Have always found the service poor, especially for food, and try to give a wide berth.
My personal recommendation is the Royal Albert, up the road in New Cross, which is possibly my favourite pub in London. The Grolsch Weizen is simply divine!
Disgusted!!!
I went into the Kings Arms tonight around 7pm (22nd May 08) and unusually for me ordered a pint of Carling. I looked at the options and reviewed a number of suspicious looking half filled pints of lager sitting on the drip trays. Following my order the new bar supervisor started to top up a pint which had lager which had been there for a bit. I asked for a fresh one and this was served. The most DISCUSTING point of my rant is that a new member of bar staff had started tonight and was told to refill these "over pours" and that "only if they notice" should this be changed.
I recall working in a pub where we were regularly forced to top beer up from the drop trays and to be honest. The trays are relatively clean. So what’s the difference? The pub is trying to save on costs, I understand this. But PLEASE if you see a half filled pint of lager or beer on a drip stand watch that you get a fresh pint.....I’m sure trading standards would be interested if this is a habit for this pub. I’m a local rate this pub. The whole thing was driven by the new pub supervisor (the lanky Yorkshire guy seems to have moved on). Take care.
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