11 Warwick Way,
Victoria,
London,
SW1V 1QT
(020) 7834 3313
The ViewLondon Review
All dolled up and ready to hit the town.
The Venue
The Queens Arms can be found just off of the main strip of Pimlico Village and is easily recognisable from its crisp maroon frontage with gold sign, nice large windows, shrubbery, and the de-rigeur smoking patio off to the side.
Once you step inside it feels light and airy on account of the white paint splashed generously on the walls and columns. This is all grounded by pick and mix ‘vintage’ furniture, where the tables might have mysterious locked drawers with a story inside and the chair probably came from a local school before it was converted into trendy lofts. The place is thoughtfully done in the neo-Victorian style that is oh so hot for pubs right now – although some may find it a little too chi-chi for their liking.
The Atmosphere
A simple chandelier and fresh lilies add to the ambience of The Queens Arms, which is decidedly feminine – a refreshing change from some of the testosterone boozers round the corner. Soft music flows throughout the day and as night falls the tabletop candles give the place an intimate wine bar esque feel – this is your cue to get cosy with your date. Cynics would say something about it being full of hairdressers and fashion PR types drinking white wine spritzers, which it is, but not in that North of Oxford Street sense. This is Pimlico after all, how ‘mwah mwah’ can it really get?
The Food
Upstairs at The Queens Arms you’ll find a real gastropub. The menu is slightly over the top with dishes that contain rosemary jus, French beans and organic sour dough bread – no real reason to grumble though as it’s a lot better than lasagne. The prices go up to a few quid above a tenner for a main, which is high but the dining room is not too shabby and the service is decent. Downstairs, the chunky chips are recommended and they even somehow manage to make them delicate like the rest of the pub.
The Drink
A slightly limited beer selection can be found at The Queens Arms with three lagers and two bitters on tap (standard prices). There’s also a nice selection of bottled beers. The wine list seems comprehensive (albeit slightly pricey) and is split into three sections: ‘easy going’, ‘fruit and body’, ‘rich and gusty’ – whatever that means. They also chalk up champers on a blackboard above the bar.
The Last Word
This pub is a very welcome breath of fresh, lily-dewed air. Noticeably different, comfortable without being homely, elegant without the snobbery; The Queens Arms is a pretty decent pub.
The Queens Arms has been reviewed by 2 users