The Kings Arms, Fitzrovia

Reviewed date December 2010.

I have been a pub user for 40 years now, and so I know a thing about what makes a good pub.

This pub looks like an old fashioned place, and in many ways it is. For example, there is NO FOOD available here at all, just like in the 70's it's peanuts and crisps only!

The toilets used to be disgusting, however they have been retiled, smartened up and repainted. There is no hand dryer, the toilet seat is hanging off, and with only two urinals in the gents it is, shall we say, a little 'intimate' in there.

The bar itself is quite pleasing, however it really does need cleaning. The brass ware and copper tills are crying out for a polish as is the woodwork and mirrors.

The wine glasses come to you smudged with lipstick or finger prints, and the bar staff clearly resent it when you ask them to wash and polish the glasses. Ice is given grudgingly, and there are no wine cooling buckets.

All this, and very expensive too. A �3 bottle of super market wine will set you back �17 in here. A pint of Guinness �3.80, Strongbow �3.40. This to be fair is pretty much the norm in this area (Fitzrovia). The pubs I believe have got together to fix their prices, and customer service and loyalty to customers, is pretty much non-existent. The majority of the pubs round here are only open Monday to Friday for out of town office workers, and close during holiday periods e.g. Christmas, Boxing Day, New Year's Eve, New Year's Day and Easter. They provide no service to the local community whatsoever.

Back to this pub, there is no provision outside for smokers (no canopy, no chairs or tables), and to conclude, the landlord has a take it or leave it attitude. I'm not suprised at the rate pubs are closing in this country, their greed is their downfall.

30 Dec 2010 14:37