The County Arms, Wandsworth Common

We came in here last Monday. The more observant of you may have noticed that I've reviewed this hostelry before. No-one is pretending that the pub, pre-conversion, was a palace, but it felt more like a pub and less like the wine bar it tries to be now.

The Young's bottled beer that used to be �2.50 for a 500ml bottle about two or three years ago is now �3.50. We bought one of these and a Pimm's and lemonade - �7.20 in all. The young men serving seemed pleasant and eager to please, but they took ages to serve the drinks. I wonder if the hiked-up prices are because the staff's time is metered?!

We sat down to drink. My partner noticed that, unlike other times, we could see what we were doing. Oh dear. No sooner had ths been observed than the lights were turned down so low that (and this is no exaggeration) three folk about three yards away had to use a mobile 'phone as a torch!

As we were watching the jazz band set up, a smell emanated from the kitchens. We thought that they had taken to barbequeing tyres. It stank! It rolled through the pub, despite the air-conditioning.

Finally, the jazz! Blimey, I don't know about anyone else, but if I were to appear in public singing for free, never mind taking folding money, I'd make sure I was capable of the range required to hit the high notes!

All in all, another memorable night out in the "refurbished" County Arms.

Lastly, I've noticed other reviewers being critical about the fact that the prison officers used to drink there. What was wrong with prison officers drinking in a pub smack-bang in front of a prison? It's true that a group of them could be loud, but then again so was the irritating student on the next table to us (and yes, I was a student at one time). The only reason I can think of to mention it is snobbery.

You'd honestly think that, with the record number of pubs being shut in the worst depression in decades that they'd get their act a bit more together than this.

Terrible.

10 Apr 2009 19:54

The Sutton Arms, Southend on Sea

Popped in for one. Stayed for three. Director's is rather palatable and pleasant community feel missing from most pubs. When I'm next in Southend, I'm going again.

14 Dec 2008 11:52