The Sydney Arms, Chelsea

I see that the last review for this pub was last spring, so as I had two meetings in Chelsea that day I thought I'd give it a spin. Not an awful lot has changed since my last visit, other than the vastly improved WC area which have got to be some of the best I've seen in a pub (on par with The Coopers arms nearby !) - An important detail these days, especially with the girls they tell me ! I had some bar snacks, salt and pepper Calamari was top and the Duck egg scotch egg aswell. Other food coming out looked well presented and good value for these parts of town. 4 ales on tap, I had a decent pint Tim Taylor Landlord, but Doom Bar was available along with Harveys sussex best and Black sheep....a nice independent choice, better than the L Pride and Youngs that is almost unavoidable in Chelsea ! Staff all friendly and chatty, all in all a decent Pub and and has to be up there as one of Chelsea's best...!?

15 Mar 2011 21:12

The Sydney Arms, Chelsea

I just don't understand what some people are on when they "review" a site. This is a cracking little pub, with a new name (The Sydney arms) in a great location, with friendly staff, great beers and, from what I have sampled, damn decent grub.
It is not up to the owner/owners/landlord to take into account the social implications of the well being of every human being on the planet, if they wanted to do that they would have applied for the latest position at No.10 (who arent that good at doing that either btw..!).
Whoever runs this, has spotted an under performing pub, that clearly no-one ever used to use regularily enough........or otherwise it would have remained as as "the great little local working mans boozer" or aka The Wellesley / The Peer etc.... that it once, apparantly, was.
These people have but their money / necks / reputation on the line to provide a service to those who wish to frequent their Pub......and shock horror....they may actually make some money on the way.....(do I hear gasps from the previous "reviewer"). If these "reviewers and social do-gooders" were REALLY bothered about the social implications of life evolving etc.. etc.. blah, blah, then they would put THEIR hands in THEIR pockets, buy the ailing boozer and invite all their new best friends to ensure that the place closed again in 6 months.....and then what have you got to replace it with.........probably a Costa Coffee or something even worse, which is what I am reliably informed it nearly became when it closed last time.
So good luck to these guys and their freehouse little pub with 4 guest ales on tap, 7 draft beers/ciders, wines of the world, cocktails, breakfast, luch, dinner, and all day bar snacks.......do I need to go on...? Jesus, they gotta pay the rent somehow....! Leave them be....and let them serve you a pint, after all it is just a Pub you know..!!

21 Apr 2010 10:48

The Sydney Arms, Chelsea

Formally The Wellesley Arms, and now The Peer, this is a great located Pub with no identity, shame. Fear not as I hear through the Pub grapevine that new owners have recently been installed and when I recently visited this was confirmed.
Jan 2010 refurbs are planned (It needs it) and good ales, beers, wines and food are part of the plan, evidence of that is already present. Good looking staff behind the bar, and a warmer reception felt than on previous visits.
I hope they get it right as this really should be a cracking Pub in a cracking spot.......I just hope that they change the name to something more suitable !

17 Nov 2009 11:05