Queens Larder, Bloomsbury

In response to the previous comment � people are entitled to miss David, but to imply that the pub is poorer in his absence is simply untrue. Florence666 does not speak for the majority. Rather, she is clearly one of David�s friends. How do I know that? Because they are the only ones who didn�t have to wait to be served by him; who found his strange behaviour �entertaining�; and the only ones to whom he extended something vaguely resembling a welcome.

David is a one of a kind personality, enjoyed from afar by many - like a comedy sketch character you wouldn�t wish to have a one-on-one with (Basil Fawlty springs to mind). The comments on this site are evidence of his reputation for being rude, unhelpful, xenophobic and downright aggressive � qualities withheld from his friends like Florence666, but reserved for the pub�s majority clientele of tourists, business travellers, young professionals and mature students. May they now drink in peace.

The Queens Larder has enough character in itself, in its staff and regulars, and the thousands of people from around the world who pass through its doors each year. In my opinion, it will continue to be the best pub in the area, with no fear of losing that title. God Save the Queen�(�s Larder).

20 Jun 2012 14:17

Queens Larder, Bloomsbury

This is an wonderful pub, with a fine selection of beers, a great food menu, and one of the best atmospheres you could hope for in central London, with its unique blend of locals, professionals and tourists - very busy on weekdays, but a joy to visit when it is quieter and relaxed on the weekends. The staff are a wonderful host of characters who really make this place special - they are well known to regulars and run the pub effortlessly - these chaps are first class.

I find it hard to fault this pub except I have to mark it down for not serving tea and coffee, and for the dreadful selection of music. If I wanted to find the kind of music this pub plays, I wouldn't know where on earth to look. Either they are trying to be strangely retro or the CDs are just cast offs, thrown on without any thought, rhyme or reason. On my visit I managed to hear a strange compilation of cheesy 70s pop music, a Martine McCutcheon EP, and then a never ending greatest hits of Billie Holiday. The young man who was working said he couldn't change the music but I wish he could have! I feel some classic pop/rock albums that people know and love would be appreciated; jazz indeed, but more of a selection, and perhaps more modern; and to complement the theatrical posters adorning the walls, surely some of the more popular musical soundtracks are in order. A more carefully selected playlist on the jukebox here could really polish this pub off and help it hit perfection.

Without a doubt - visit this pub!

28 Sep 2011 15:48