On a corner of Stamford Street lies this old fashioned boozer offering a no frills pint and cholesterol-laden food. The Stamford Arms really is nothing out of the ordinary.

The Venue
The Stamford Arms is on a busy road that runs parallel to the Thames, running away from Waterloo. Inside, the place is pretty threadbare and exactly how you’d imagine an old fashioned boozer to be. There are two floors, with separate bars meaning that’s never a wait for a seat. Not that it’s the kind of place you’d be inclined to wait for a seat. There is also some space outside to sit, but you’re basically on a very busy pavement sitting on picnic benches, picturesque it is not.

The Atmosphere
The atmosphere at The Stamford Arms is somewhat depressing. The bar staff often have difficulty understanding you and don’t seem to really want to be there - it hardly inspires customers for a return visit. You can wait a long time for food orders during a busy lunch hour, without any real apology. Fellow clock-watching customers tend to be people out for a cheap eat and a pint in their lunch hour, spilling out from surrounding offices.

The Food
The menu isn’t exactly groundbreaking with burgers, chips and sausages featuring heavily. There are also a few sandwich and jacket potato fillings to choose from, which might include wildly imaginative cheese or mouth-watering tuna mayo. Effort isn’t one of The Stamford Arms’ strength and this certainly is evident in what’s on offer. Mercifully, prices are good for the area, which must be what keeps people coming back and the pub open. If you are lucky enough to receive your order, food often seems greasy, leaving one feeling pretty unsatisfied.

The Drink
Once again, like the food, there isn’t anything crazy on offer here. There are beers on draught and bottles as well as a standard selection of wines and spirits. Prices are fairly good for the area too.

The Last Word
The Stamford Arms is really nothing special. It seems to rely on people wanting cheap eats and no frills, which is fine. However, when there are so many better pubs in the area, it is a mystery why anyone would choose to go back.

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