The Devonshire Arms is a good natured local in the heart of the West End.

The Venue
The Devonshire Arms is literally squashed into a pocket of Denham Street, around the corner from the bright lights of Piccadilly Circus and opposite Grease the musical. Whilst the pub may not be as slick as the stage show over the road, it is a nook of cosiness that makes it the one people want.

The small bar is lit with the soft warm glow of lamps that run around the suspended ceiling that cases it in and separates it from the rest of the pub. The walls are covered with dark, textured paper that would all but melt into the floor if it wasn’t for the dark rich red painted wall between them and the tables are arranged sociably, pushed close together to maximise space, yet perhaps minimise intimacy. Each will only accommodate five people so it’s really more of a place for small gatherings rather than the large group get-togethers.

The Atmosphere
There’s something about the West Country drawl of a barman that immediately puts you at ease and this pub hasn’t dared call itself the Devonshire Arms without adding its dose of integrity to back itself up behind the bar. Here, the staff are an extension of the honest, no frills tradition of the place and they just so happen to add smiles and friendly conversation to the bricks and mortar. During the day, the pub is mostly filled with tourists that flock to the upstairs dining room for the offer of real English food. The rest of the people seem to be fresh from the workforce of the surrounding retail outlets.

The evening is much of the same, with an after work crowd outnumbering those that have actually pinned the pub down on a map and visited. However, the atmosphere is fresh and talkative and it would make a good stop for a pre-somewhere-better, drink.

The Food
The menu is just the next in the long line of London pubs serving the traditional pub food. It has, however, tried to counteract the economic pressures that are eating into leisure budgets with the offer of meals for £5. If you can afford to go beyond that then there is an extra large fish and chip dinner for an extra large £9.45. The rest of the main meals, featuring chicken kievs and pie and chips specials all verge on the cusp of £7 each.

The Drink
For such a small pub the selection of beers is impressive. Becks Vier, Hoegaarden, Leffe and Kronenbourg are among the six or seven draughts and there are also Spitfire and Old Peculiar ales. The wine list is typical of a brewery owned pub, the bottles start at around £12 but there’s nothing that stands out as a specialty. How long it lasts is anybody’s guess, but Greene King IPA ale is at the noble price of just £2.10 a pint.

The Last Word
The Devonshire Arms is a simple, friendly pub that provides good, friendly service to tourists and locals alike.

venue information venue map view london review user reviews (2) image gallery (1)