The Chequers, St James's

A long, narrow single space with the bar to one side. A few tables front and rear and a drinking shelf to the side, facing the alleyway. Carpeted, with wainscotted walls and a dark red beamed ceiling. As the pub faces a square behind, it benefits from windows both front and back.There are a fair number of beer mats stuck to the side of a stair wall behind the bar, I assume indicative of previous guest beers. The selection on my visit was fairly mainstream, Pride, Doom Bar and Deuchers IPA. Not a bad pint of Doom Bar though.
A large TV in the front corner was switched off Friday PM. Food on offer included fairly priced toasted sandwiches and hot baguettes, generally between �4-�5.

28 Feb 2010 12:20

The Red Lion, Pall Mall

Hidden away down a side passage between Pall Mall and King St, this is a single carpeted room with wood panelling and a number of plates displayed all around on a high shelf. There are a few horse brasses, small pictures and cartoons, and some copper jugs and steins hang over the bar area. The bar is in the corner giving a kind of L shape to the room. Seating comprises pew type benches with cushions and small stools.
St Austell Tribute and Adnams Bitter on the two pumps.

28 Feb 2010 12:09

The Golden Lion, St James's

Very narrow inside with limited seating consisting of a few high tables with stools and a drinking shelf opposite the bar on a side wall. I liked the leaded windows with the stained glass inserts including the golden lion motif in the curved front bay. Further windows above the shelf face onto the side passage. The bar is attractive with carved detail and a green tiled gantry with flower/leaf designs. There is what appears to be a Royal coat of arms on the side wall next to the bar almost hidded from view. I'm not aware what the significance of this is unless someone nips in now and again for a sharpener or two!
Two banks of handpumps, in three's. The choice of two was repeated, being Twickenham Grandstand and Gales Seafarers, with the third reversed.
I didn't visit the upstairs theatre bar.

28 Feb 2010 12:01