The College Arms, Bloomsbury

I booked the downstairs bar at the College Arms for my birthday recently, pretty much solely based on the claim that they had a pool table. We arrived to find that there was no pool table, which was vastly disappointing. We were also told by the bar manager at the time of booking that we could stay til 11:30pm, but the bar staff began shooing us out of the downstairs room shortly after 10pm, despite there not being sufficient seating for our party upstairs, and then wanted us out of the pub entirely by 11pm!

As for what was being served, prices were a little on the high side and choice was poor. The cocktails were somewhat lacking, despite the �6.50 price tag, and the food, while very tasty, was at the high end of what you'd expect from a basic gastro pub, at �10 for most mains, and ~�5 per starter/side.

The decor is attractive and pleasant, but the music is terrible many of the chairs are deeply uncomfortable, the ladies toilets are up a very steep flight of stairs, the outdoor seating is very limited, and the barstaff seemed bored and dismissive.

Needless to say, it was a disappointing outcome for my birthday, and I would not recommend this place over any of the multitude of other pubs with similar prices and decor that would actually welcome our good business and honour their promises.

18 Jul 2011 02:29