The Willoughby Arms, Kingston Upon Thames

Hey switch83 lighten up, cold in the Willoughby on 24th August!/ that Thursday it was hot, hot, hot;
the friends of Solidarnosc were cooking up some spicy Polish sausage on the barbie and the Gelatos & Sorbets were were going down a storm. I was the transvestite in the No 14 Gooners shirt, thong and fishnet stockings; if you want to feel the atmosphere in a local try one of the Gastro pubs, the icicles will fall of your cocked little finger as you sip your Chardonnay.

12 Sep 2006 00:40

The Canbury Arms, Kingston Upon Thames

The revamped Canbury Arms has now been open for about three months and I wish the licensee Michael & his staff every success for the future.
The new `theme� is not everyone�s favourite; if you would prefer a traditional back street N. Kingston pub, there�s the Willoughby Arms, Wych Elm and Park Tavern; all great watering holes with their own individual charm & styles.

I still am not certain if I would call, the Canbury Arms a pub; winebar? � too pass�; theme pub? � eyuch! Whatever the changes; are welcome and not before time. In the past 2 years I watched the old Canbury atmosphere gradually disappear down the hole in that grotty old gents urinal. I agree with the last anonymous post; `The old Canbury (until about 2004) was a genuinely charming curiosity of a pub that defied lazy characterisation�. In first 3 months of 2005, with the Black Widow behind the bar, the pub was unpleasant, devoid of real ale on many occasions, dirty and attracted the worst low life imaginable.

On the subject of cliental, the Canbury had to radically change its customers if it was to succeed and remain a pub; would you have really wanted another block of yuppie tenements there?

29 Aug 2005 17:42

The Canbury Arms, Kingston Upon Thames

The tenancy of the Canbury Arms is expected to change today [21 March 05, with the eviction of the sitting management.
It is understood that the Canbury Arms will be closed for up to one month, whilst the new tenant carry's out the much needed refurbishment.

I look forward to this pub becomming a desirable watering hole to visit once again.

21 Mar 2005 10:27