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Queens Arms, Walthamstow

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user reviews of the Queens Arms, Walthamstow

please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.

Corner pub in the village conservation area of Walthamstow. The ale selection was better than I had expected - Roosters Highway Fifty One, Timothy Taylor Cook Lane IPA & Dark Star Sunburst. My only criticism was that they were all similar sorts of beer. A dark beer or a cider would have been nice. Clientele appeared to be young to middle-aged locals. The barmaid got our order wrong, but did not offer to change it.
blue_scrumpy - 14 May 2018 19:30
The Queens is our footie pub, but they have great evening entertainment at weekends. Maureen & Archie have really worked hard in making this pub as nice as it is. They always seem to be decorating & the ladies toilets are spotless. The outside is full of bloom all year. Bar staff are really friendly. I hope that they do better & better, as they really do deserve it
absdabs - 15 Nov 2011 14:18
all i will say is full of drugs and violence
scaleo - 14 Dec 2010 01:13
This place is great. The landlady,Maureen, is welcoming and helpful and up for a laugh. There seems to be all sorts of stuff going on but if you're just about the beer and the football then that goes down a treat too-it is a Tottenham pub mind....
Masculine - 17 Dec 2009 21:34
I'm new to Walthamstow and I went to the Queen's Arms last night for the first time.

There was a good atmosphere and a friendly group of locals who were happy to chat. It's a comfortable and laidback pub that's a little bare but quite convivial. The staff were pleasant and the beer was cold.

What more can you ask for? Looking forward to making this pub my local.
riddzy - 17 Dec 2009 11:21
Went in to watch the footie on saturday and the place was packed, loads of atmosphere, every one having a good time and enjoying themselves. Unusually, once the football was over, every one stayed and we ended up having a good night too although I can't seem to remember too much about it :D

Thoroughly recommended.
vilalgenumpty - 4 May 2009 14:13
Free pie n mash this thursday for St Georges Day, music too
Flakey - 21 Apr 2009 19:15
Apparently the only pub in the Village that shows football, so it has its place. Was pretty empty when we went in there (Maundy Thursday night - they were all at the Castle quiz night) but had a poker game going on in the corner. Inexplicably for a warm April night the heating was on, which made it uncomfortable. Limited selection of beers. I had a nice pint of Pride before we moved on to the excellent Priya curry house in Hoe Street.
HornchurchJohn - 10 Apr 2009 10:02
Was in there yesterday for the footy, we we're provided with free bar snacks during the game, roasties, sausages, cheese and biscuits on the bar.

I thought this was a great touch, a lot of pubs used to do this years ago.

They also have posters up for the return of the DJ on Fridays.
Flakey - 12 Jan 2009 16:01
it's reopened now, went along a week ago but it doesn't feel like a pub anymore. my eyes hurt from the bright spotlights shining everywhere. all the bric a brac has been taken down from the shelves. and the pool table and darts have gone. where they used to be, there's a big tv screen and two sofas both facing the screen, makes it feel like you're in a cinema...
had a nice crowd of people, it's just gotta get some more comfortable lighting, and drop the time-of-the-month style colour scheme if you ask me...
Qiyamah - 10 Jan 2009 20:28
The Queens has now re-opened and under new management.

Whats New:

Flat screen TV's, 2 in the main bar and 1 in the back bar
Pool table has gone, we now have sofas.
The DJ has been replaced :(
New carpet
A fresh lick of paint.
Benches out the front gone for now.
Less clutter inside.

There are plans for a re-fit in the early new year, they are going to move the bar, put it along the wall where the stage is now, the stage will go out the back where the pool table used to be.

My mate went there last night I think, and said they had 2 singers on who were brilliant, but the pub was very empty.
Probably the time of year.
Flakey - 22 Dec 2008 14:34
According to the posters up, the Queens will re-open this Friday (12th December). Good luck to the new owners !
vilalgenumpty - 10 Dec 2008 23:48
There's a note on the door that says the pub has just been taken over and will re-open in two weeks time. Looking forward to it as it should be a cracking little boozer. Hope they keep that mad dj they used to have on a Friday night. I'll reserve reviewing it until it re-opens.
vilalgenumpty - 9 Nov 2008 09:40
Just found out this pub has gone into recievership and will be closed down tomorrow. last day of trading today and they havent even reduced the prices !!!!!!!!!


pimptasticabling - 19 Oct 2008 21:54
Something has changed about this pub and not for the good. What used to be a good pub has now turned into a dive. It seems the bigger the dog you have the quicker you get served. Who is the short guy with half an ear missing? He seems to spend is time either drunk, asleep in the bar or rowing with people.

It now seems to getting customers who have been barred from other pubs in the area. I do hope it improves.
stupid - 4 Aug 2008 12:24
I think this is the only non-scary late-license pub in Walthamstow. Fantastic place for a beer on a Friday night - lively friendly diverse crowd and similarly diverse music.

Why do more decent pubs in E17 not open late?

During the week it is quieter and mainly occupied by footie-watchers, so if that's not your cuppa, try the Village or the Nags instead - both serve and excellently kept pint.
walthamlab - 30 Jun 2008 10:22
Went in here the other night and my god how things have changed. The woman in charge now seems to be very confused. Running a pub in her eyes seems to involve getting as pissed as possible, swearing extremely loudly at both the staff and customers and then fighting with one of the customers ! I don't know which idiot put her in charge of what could and should be a great little boozer but they need to sack her quick !
jedibond - 29 Jun 2008 13:35
Regarding the post by bbeva I would like to comment thus:

1. The author bbeva is actually "Sam"
2. Sam is NO jewel in the crown.
3. Sam is rude, nasty and as opposed to defusing arguments, is often the cause of them.
4. Sam oftens turns up for work intoxicated or at best will finish her shift intoxicated.
5. Sam does not present herself in a fashion that you would expect from a member of barstaff. (It has been suggested she looks similar to a near drowned Cocker Spaniel.
6. I wouldn't employ Sam if SHE paid me wages. She is a rowdy ladette with a penchant for piercings and bolts through her head and stuff. The reason that Sam has had to leave the Queens Arms is partly due to her nasty attitude and her ability to patronise everyone she meets.
7. I personally hate Sam and am glad she has gone. We don't miss you!
RegularQueensCustomer - 21 Jun 2008 21:07
Well what can I say, the jewel in the crown has left the Queens. I am talking about Sam. Apart from being a brilliant barmaid, in fact the best in the village, she was funny without being cruel, sarcastic without hurting anyone, was the first to laugh at herself and always had a smile on her face. She had time for everyone � old, young, gay, straight, male or female. Pubs are about atmosphere and Sam was the atmosphere � I witnessed a few altercations in the Queens and every single time that Sam stepped in she always managed to defuse the situation. If any rival landlords are reading this, give her a call and if you manage to tempt her to work for you, we will all follow. Sam, you are a shining star, a legend � we miss you!
bbeva - 28 May 2008 09:54
spent many a good evening at this eventful/fun/interesting pub!!Intoduced to me by a much missed ex A.stephen
nessa16 - 21 Jan 2008 17:35
From the outside, I'd always assumed this was an old blokes/sports type pub but a few months ago, I stumbled in after the Village closed with a few friends.

Since then, it has become my regular Friday/Saturday night haunt due it being open til after 1 and having a great and diverse crowd of people.

On a Friday/Saturday night there are a mix of gay/straight people, 'stow regulars and people from far and wide.

There is always a DJ on - my favourite being a guy called Ian, who plays anything from the Cult to the Weathergirls in one evening and will play requests if he has the tune.

If you're fed up with the pretentions of the Nags and Castle, this is definitely the place to come. The only problem is it doesn't take cards so stock up on cash before you go!
Londonwelsh - 31 Dec 2007 12:23
This is a good honest pub unlike the prentious Nags. Well on par with the Village. Only thing that lets this place down is the constant shouting and stupid behaviour by a few idiots with moronic, inbred looks who enhance their gallons of Stella with a smoke chaser.


offthewagon07 - 11 Dec 2007 16:28
Would I be able to watch a Celtic v Rangers game in here?
bhoywunda - 11 Sep 2007 17:23
Read the other user's review so popped in here the other night to see what's what. As already stated, not much has changed apart from the beer garden's nice new brollies (assume as per smoking ban), locals seemed fine and friendly, dunno how Vicbic classes them as scary ???

Saw a couple of guys behind the bar (assume they're the new owners/management). One of them looked like he hadn't been to bed for a while and would've have been better off in Michael Jackson's Thriller video, he was shuffling around like an undead zombie. Other one looked fine, chatting away with the customers and staff and seemed friendly enough.

All in all, not a bad boozer, what I'd call a Ronseal pub, does exactly what is says :)


anonymous - 25 Jul 2007 13:53
Went in here last night as I hadn't been round for a while and it seems its undergone new ownership. The mad, swearing, drunken Irish bloke wasn't there but three other guys seemed to running the place. Made some enquiries and it appears that it only changed hands this week. First impressions were that not much had changed inside the pub (not really expecting any after a couple of days) but one notable exception was that the tables and ashtrays seemed to be cleared a lot quicker rather than leaving everything to pile up on the table and clear it once a night, well done the new management !

Even though pub was busy the new management were helping the girls behind the bar so no one was left waiting (unlike the Irish guy who just used to sit on his arse all the time). DJ the same as last time, good mix of music (from The Damned to Tiffany !) lots of people up dancing, note to new management, keep him !

All in all things seemed to have picked up since my last visit, if the new guys carry on as they�ve started then fair play to them, I hope they make it a success.
jedibond - 6 May 2007 12:33
One of my favourite places in the Stow. Beers decent and pretty cheap and the locals have never given anyone hassle that Ive ever seen.

As for the other reviewer; what do you expect if you order orange juice and lemonade? Its a pub not a Soda Stream.
WalthamstowBlade - 27 Feb 2007 16:26
Good for watching the football, cheap beer - fair few of the locals look downright scary... no reason at all to go in ther eother than to watch the football...
Vicbic - 19 Jan 2007 19:42
Was my local from 2001 - 2003. Great place to relax with a pint and the paper. Used to show old Bnw films in the garden in summertime. Will deffinately go back next time I'm in the stowe.
lucasmaybe - 7 Dec 2006 14:51
Quite the worst pub i have ever stepped foot in in my life. I made the mistake of pointing out to the old crow behind the bar that the glass she was about to pour my pint in was dirty (it was filthy) then mistakely tried to pay on my card, when she pointed out they didn't take cards i promptly paid cash.

Sat myself back down then was subjected to a tirade from the irish landlord dwarf who pointed out where the door was in no uncertain terms, needless to say i will not be needing those directions again.

Clientelle wouldn't be out of place in Michael Jackson's thriller video, for god sake don't ask for anything as complicated as an orange juice and lemonade but full marks to the landlord for being the biggest arsehole i have come across in some years!!

Possibly worth a visit if you are collecting material for a comedy sketch........


anonymous - 23 Oct 2006 12:42
The beer in this pub is rarely in anywhere near good condition, and the last time I was there the Speckled Hen could have been Sarson's. The clientele are what you would expect in a pub showing TV sport. In other words a pub worth avoiding in an area with plenty of better places.
Ginger_Beard - 13 Oct 2006 11:42
There is something or should i say someone missing from this once brilliant pub - where is Billy the Barmaid??????
bbeva - 29 Aug 2006 10:07
This used to be a cracking little boozer but i went in there a couple of months ago and my, how it has changed. It is dirty with overflowing ashtrays and leaking toilets. The old irish manager did nothing but feel up the customers and insult his staff. The real ale went off and he refused to change it because it was too late at night! At the end of the night we were told to F off home as he wanted his bed!! A great pub ruined.
anonymous - 27 Aug 2006 10:55
I dont know what the appeal is of this boozer, Ive been to many in my time and to rate it above the half way mark is well over generous, there may be the odd attractive barmaid, but the rest of the pub, dull, drab, run down. On its plus points its good if you like rubbing shoulders with chavs and the beer isnt a bad pint, the tables outside are a plus for summer drinking.
trickydisco - 26 Jul 2006 17:58
Patrickjsm. have you ever thought that bar staff are as nice to you as you are to them!
Misery stricken faces probably caused by meeting you!
true bout the mad irishman tho.
would get a 10 if they could sort the carling !
salad_dodger - 6 Jul 2006 10:18
Went back to this place after a good night out a while ago on a Friday. Tried a Saturday this time and I wasn't disappointed !

Two great barmaids on, a mad Irish bloke helping them (kept doing his own little dance ???) and a top man spinning the wheels.

Beer was good, company was good, music was great and it's now open well late !

What more could you possibly want from a boozer ??????
anonymous - 15 May 2006 22:32
What's all this toot about the bar staff being miserable? Very friendly pub and the Stella is awesome. Great football pub, friendly locals and the DJ on a Saturday evening is a total legend.

Forget Walthamstow, you won't find a better pub in London.

Rummers - 5 May 2006 15:23
Great Pub. The late license is fantastic on the weekend. Beer is always quality. The DJ is always spinning the tunes on the weekend.

Best pub in Walthastow by far.
bungle_bodyjar - 10 Apr 2006 10:04
The beer is usually a bit grotty, the bar staff are grumpy, and the locals tend to stare, but despite all that, quite cosy.
rayray67 - 16 Feb 2006 14:43
Worst pint of Guinness I've ever had. Tasted of mud and was poured in one go. Bar staff half-dead and miserable. Full of alcoholics with misery-stricken faces. Christmas decorations tacky at best. Locals protective of pool table. Not good, not good at all.
patrickjsm - 29 Dec 2005 18:46
Without a doubt, this is finest pub in the Village. Wonderful characters in front of and behind the bar. A splendid selection of intoxicating liquor. And, definitely the best DJ in Waltham Forest. This is a proper pub and really refreshing for anyone that's ever had the misfortune to suffer the sterile enviroment that The Nags Head or The Castle have to offer.
Lord_bangstick - 12 Dec 2005 13:46
Good British pub to have a beer in. Got everything you want, cold beer, football, pool table, darts and cool cheesy DJ on the weekends. Landlord's are nice and friendly. Much better than the brick throwing locals in the Village.
anonymous - 27 Nov 2005 16:12
I nice pub spoilt by the over emphasis on pool tables and TV football - always seems a bit rowdy but otherwise has the potential to be nice...
wooffer - 12 Sep 2005 23:35
heard they had the best dj in waltham forest.

the rumours are true!

anonymous - 9 Jun 2005 13:11
Great pub, had a fantastic night on Friday, bar staff are gorgeous and know their stuff, pub was very busy but they served averyone with a smile on their face. Thoroughly recommended !
jedibond - 8 May 2005 13:19
friendly staff & a great atmosphere. All sports are shown on the big screen & there is a dj at the weekend. There is a great menu on offer at very reasonable prices. Definitely worth a visit.
anonymous - 9 Sep 2004 20:58

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