You’re on to a winner at the Drayton Arms, so be sure to keep it on the down low.

The Venue
A stone’s throw away from South Kensington you will find, on an unassuming corner, the Drayton Arms - a traditional yet quirky pub. The outside is encased with large glass windows, through which you can see almost the entire bar and its patrons. To the left of the door are a few tables on a wooden decked patio alongside some picnic benches waiting for smokers in the winter and rose drinkers in the summer.

As you step inside the bright pub you’ll see that the furniture is mix and match, combining Sixties retro couches and orange lights with traditional pub furniture, school chairs and tables, a church pew and more leather armchairs to fall into. Sometimes they have local artwork on the wall, which is average in quality but a nice decoration. There is also a TV screen placed up high so as not to intrude on the atmosphere unless the rugby is on.

The Atmosphere
Drayton Arms is almost always lively and consistently packed from Thursday until Sunday. Its location is close enough to Earls Court that you don’t get well-heeled patrons only, although there are inevitably some upturned collars (mostly without upturned noses). Somehow the pub manages to maintain its comfortably scruffy feel, perhaps thanks to the frayed furniture or relaxed bar staff. In all, it adds up to a pleasantly cosy atmosphere.

The Food
Expect fantastic modern British cuisine as opposed to overblown gastro fair at the Drayton Arms: hearty, tasty and good value. The pub has lots of sharing dishes during the week although the mains are equally good. However, the real secret to their success is the Sunday Roast, allowing you to make the most of those lazy afternoons where a big meal is the cure and casual is the only way you want to dress.

The Drink
A big draw of the Drayton Arms is their wide selection of drinks. On tap they have Staropramen alongside Czech Budweiser and Budvar. They also have the usual lagers like Stella and Kronenbourg. As far as bitters go, the selection is equally good. Meanwhile they have a nice choice of specialty bottled beers, which are manager-selected and change throughout the year – try the strawberry beer for a light summer refreshment. The wine list is decent, recommended is their Rioja. Best of all, the prices aren’t extortionate considering their widening selection.

The Last Word
The Drayton Arms is one of the best pubs in London – be sure to tuck into a Sunday Roast with an ice cold pint one lazy afternoon.

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