please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Paid a visit after an area pub/history walk put on by the London Metropolitan Archive. After seeing any number of substandard drinking establishments in the immediate vicinity which were rammed full of post-work drinkers, it was amazing to end up in a quiet pub with a neighbourhood feel just a few minutes away. Decor is a bit old-fashioned but this only adds to its charm, this could also be said of some of the locals (not in a negative way IMO).
Young's ales in good shape (+ Deuchar's at least for a few minutes), and they also have a good looking range of whisky/whiskey. I'll be back.
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I like The Sekforde Arms. A traditional pub in an area where many of the drinking establishments are ladened with Clerkenwell idiots. There is of course a time and a place for the trendy booze halls, but this is a great getaway! It's old fashioned and bog standard; which is sometimes just what you want. I tend to escape here when my locals get too busy with those that think they are trendy or young...
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It's quite possible that I am Bradwan's big fish in the shallow end. I was there when he visited and the price of the upstairs room increased every time he spoke. It can be hired and catered for very reasonable rates. (if you want food and a bar you can have them. But of course it costs)
As for downstairs I'll endorse all of the last of the breed of true local pubs reviews that precede.
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It is a small pub with fish who think themselves bigger than the pond, espeicially at the shallow end of the bar..
I asked about hire fee for the not special upstairs room for a possible show, and the landlord/manger quoted me a price that would have made me laugh if I was not a good actor; and would have made me cry 10 years ago.
The beer is as good as 'Youngs' brewed by Charlie Wells gets, and the barman from Gdansk is very good. IClerkenwell was always a bit radical and a bit seedy, I hope this boozer stays much the same; and with london property being this year's avocado bathroom suite, it just might.
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What a dump. It was full of old men boozing, who looked like they had been there for the last 40 years. I felt really conspicuous as I was wearing a dress. Bar staff were pretty rude. Wouldn't go back, I don't care if it is unpretentious!
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"Why was it empty on a Saturday night?" - BitterShurn.
IIRC, it always used to be closed on a Saturday night. Maybe people have yet to get used to the new hours?
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SUPPORT THIS PUB...Why was it empty on a Saturday night? A small traditional pub in an area where alot of pubs don't open at the weekend. Youngs range of beer, with an occasional guest. Average prices for the area. Good food menu, friendly staff. The open coal fire is normally lit. I thought there were some rules about this in the City? Still, there are also radiators for those who object. Steely Dan played unobtrusively in the background.
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Never tried the food here but the Youngs is always on top form - what more could you ask? Nice ordinary local pub and long may it remain so.
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A proper traditional secret little boozer. If they were ever going to make a remake of the Sweeney and needed an old school pub this is the place to film it. Quality wee pub. I will try and seek this pub out again.
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I can only agree: a nice unpretentious local boozer in an area where I thought such things had completely died out. All hail The Sekforde... and please don't let
Youngs fuck it up this time...
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quite friendly well run pub, nice to see bombardier added to the ale choice
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A friendly, traditional pub with great beer. In there Saturday afternoon and very pleased to see that it had not changed since my previous visit last Summer. Agree wholehartedly with previous reviewers who value the honest, unpretentious boozer. If only there were more of them. Wish I had a local like this.
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A very friendly back street local in Clerkenwell. The Youngs beer is of consistently high quality and the food is very good value.
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a tradiconal english pub great beer
paul - 28 Jan 2007 19:32 |
Pleased to see it's remained pretty much the same since th change of management, well kept beer and a great place.
Not sure their darts team is doing so well though, a giant cabinet hangs on the far end wall, empty but for 2 small trophies, and dust rings visible where several have been removed! Expectthe good beer is affecting their aim...
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A nice little pub, very unusual for the Clerkenwell area - in an area full of trendy bars and gastro pubs, here we have a place which feels like the last 50 years or so have passed it by. And I am thankful for that! This is one of an increasingly rare breed in London, if not Britain: honest un-pretentious boozers. Long may it thrive.
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Only been once, and not since it changed hands, but the Sekforde was a bit of a novelty for being an honest, no-nonsense local that served good ale (we can't knock Young's for being ubiquitous as unfortunately that is the current state of the London beer market - one should think oneself fortunate if real ale is provided at all!). I was in with my cousin whose palate has sadly remained bereft of discernment and so still drinks lager. He said his pint of was flat and it tasted rank (because without the excessive fizz, the chemically taste comes through!). To my mind, this could only have been a good thing, and whilst I'm sure it wasn't a typical offering, I had to congratulate the Sekforde for this exquisite piece of accidental discrimination! Well worth a quick visit for a few pints and a chin-wag in a feel-good community environment.
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Comfortable, friendly, old-fashioned Young's pub. I liked it. However, Young's beers are widely available, so I'm a bit bored with them.
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Stumbled upon this place by accident whilst out and about. Strange this part of London,despite all the new developments around it, it's very much a part of London that time's forgotten and none the worse for that. The feel of the area is neither The City nor London. It's hard to explain.
The Sekforde.A bit Dark and dingy, a bit musty perhaps? Well, yes. But it also reeks of history, community, use and atmosphere . It can't have changed much since the 50's and the romantic in me can still imagine the ghost's of long dead regulars still propping up the bar.
This is truly a real pub with a real feel to it. Hard to put it into words really but if you are a genuine pub enthusiast, come here for the reliable Youngs beers and the convivial community atmosphere. It's situated in a street of what looks like Georgian Town Houses which themselves seem to be untouched in a hundred years and are vey in keeping with the local watering hole. Seek it out and take in that atmosphere!
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John - yes, many times. It is exactly the same - new landlord Kevin is a great host and has changed little so far. He does plan to make some changes, as time goes by, to the pub but nothing dramatic I don't think. He knows how to serve a good pint of Youngs and all the locals seem to get on with him superbly. He as kept the same barstaff on too so the service is still first class.
anonymous - 11 Aug 2006 14:11 |
Stonch, have you been in here since Bill and Wendy left ?
What's it like now ?
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NOW UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT
anonymous - 5 Jul 2006 16:34 |
Bombardier reminds me of the old story of the soldier marching on the parade ground in his platoon who thought that he was the only one not out of step.
Yes, the Sekforde is a great pub.
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You see, Stonch, it's you (and all the other 45 users who obviously rate it so highly) that's wrong, only Bombardier is right. But where he gets that name from goodness knows, as he clearly doesn't know a decent pint (or pub) when he finds one!
But if he 'cannot understand why it's rated so highly' and also, in his only other comment, thinks the Crown Posada is a dump, then I fear something as complicated as logic is wasted on him ;-)
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Bombardier, my only disappointment when reading your review was that when I clicked on your name I discovered you haven't reviewed other pubs. I was hoping you'd given glowing reviews to Yates and Hogshead "venues" up and down the lads and therefore I could easily discount your views. As it is you give us little to work with.
The Sekforde is a brilliant pub of a kind not found in London, and certainly not in central London anymore.
The wonderful landlord and landlady are truly centre of this community, one of the last genuine communities of Londoners to be found within Zone 1. But what makes this pub exceptional is how welcoming it is - every customer gets a handshake from Bill, a smile from the regulars at the bar (who move out of your way to let you order and include you in conversation).
Although the pub is used primarily by those who live or work round the area, there are people in here who are greeted by name by Bill and Wendy who don't even live in London but who pop their heads round the door and are greeted whenever in town.
I have met interesting people and had amazing evenings in this pub. My girlfriend and everyone else I have ever brought here love it too. I have one mate I brought in here on my birthday last year who happened to pop in on his own a couple of months later - he was greeted by name and now regularly returns.
The comment about beer being "weak" is a strange one - they serve Young's Ordinary, Special and whatever seasonal is on. I admit there isn't anything exotic on the beer front in here, but its a real community pub and not a beerfest - although having said that it still attracts beer lovers. And as for overpriced - my friend, it is one of the cheapest pubs in the area.
You are right that the place hasn't been refubished in many years and the paint is peeling in places. And I say thank god for that. Don't let it ever change, though perhaps the brewery will decide it should to cater for the likes of Bombardier.
In fact I am going to go after work tonight and make the most of it while it is still there, and before it gets homogenised like 90% of the other pubs left in Britain.
anonymous - 8 Jun 2006 18:02 |
Bill and Wendy leave at the end of June and are moving to another Young's pub to take over there. God knows what'll happen to the Sekforde. It sure won't be the same.
anonymous - 27 May 2006 21:30 |
Sorry, I meant "pictures" of course
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Sadly, Stonch, papers of the Queen Mum are becoming an increasing rarity in Youngs pubs, but I'm pleased that The Sekforde is still flying the flag, so to speak.
Great pub, highly recommended
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Yes, the photo of Bill and Wendy with Michelle Collins is still up, next to the stock photo of the Queen Mum pulling a pint which appears in every Young's pub from Wandsworth to Oxford.
anonymous - 18 May 2006 12:25 |
Havent't been for some time but glad to read good things about the Sekforde. Anyone know whether the photographs of Michelle Collins still adorn the walls?
Good locals pub and friendly to boot.
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What's happening now with Bill and Wendy and the Sekforde?
anonymous - 15 May 2006 15:22 |
My mate little Russie has just informed me that the Sekforde has received a glowing review in the latest Time Out pubs guide, and Bill and Wendy are mentioned by name. There is some justice in the world (not for Russie though, he's only 5'5").
I took the photo above by the way. Big up me.
anonymous - 12 May 2006 16:16 |
I was in here last week with Miss Jones who commented that here was a pub "like they used to be". Friendly, mature staff wear ties and address customers with civility and courtesy. The beer is fine and there's a relaxed and friendly feel about the place. I was pleased to see a picture of the Queen Mother on the wall. Lovely.
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Has the 'feel' of a local boozer,which isn't too bad for most parts of London.When I was in,this week,the macho suits were all stood by the bar whilst the regulars were sat in the room to the right-good atmosphere and friendly service.
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The SMDC visited the Sekforde Arms one weekday evening in early March. What a fantastic pub! Friendly atmosphere, smart barmen, great beer and ale, and great honest pub food.
Our rabble was made to feel very welcome, among other groups of locals. The meals were tasty and as expected. Pleasantly - no cheap baked beans here!
We'll be going back!
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Unbelievabe interior, unchanged is decades, a dying breed of original pubs in this part of London. Good Youngs ales on tap, and the smell of pipe smoke wafting across the bar. Just a shame it's shut Saturdays.
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A friend who lives round here introduced me to this pub. I love it. It is real and friendly, with good beer, lots of cheer, cheap food and a range of cusomters. You will be made to feel welcome and smiled at by staff and regulars. No "Slaughtered Lamb" moments here! Try it if in London.
Also, its in the most beautiful street in the area.
anonymous - 1 Mar 2006 14:51 |
First class local, wish it was mine. Always make a point of having a pint or two of lager when in the area for work
anonymous - 27 Feb 2006 10:32 |
News about this pub - the landlord and landlady are being forced out by Young's who want to modernise the pub to make it more profitable. This pub is a vibrant buzzing local run with care and concern for all residents of the area. It should be saved.
anonymous - 31 Jan 2006 11:46 |
My local - I live in the street. Bill and Wendy the landlord and landlady are lovely people who run a tight ship. The Young's beers are very well kept, but I wish they had a little more of the Young's range in bottles behind the bar (at present they only carry the Double Chocolate Stout). A proper locals pub that is none the less welcoming to all comers.
anonymous - 14 Dec 2005 14:18 |
Finally visited the Sekforde on a wet Wednesday. Found the atmostsphere to be relaxed, the crowd eclectic and the Youngs Bitter of a very fine quality. I will be using this pub again. Also some convient railings opposite on which to lock ones bicycle.
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second pub in as many hours yesterday - great pint of shandy (!) and a warm welcome (and welcome respite fro the sun too). Made my day out and about in Clerkenwell doulby enjoyable. A must for all 'proper boozer' fanciers!
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Absolutely the best pint of Young's in London ( or anywhere else) Very friendly - a really excellent pub
mally - 25 Mar 2005 13:10 |
Splendid pub - everybody's idea of the ideal local. Wish it was mine !
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Good Youngs Pub
with reasonable food
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friendly landlord & great pint of youngs ordinary. a proper pub!
kevin - 17 Sep 2004 14:37 |
This pub is great the food is lovely trad pub fair no fancy rubbish and the landlord is always jolly and completly pissed by lunchtime. beer is well kept and locals are interesting
Rachel - 3 Jun 2004 14:01 |
