Prince Arthur, London

29/07/23 - "I visited The Prince Arthur in N1 on 29 July and was served cask - a pint of Whitstable Bay Pale Ale." Hopefully this is a permanent step.

On an intended CAMRA Branch visit in March 2023, the advanced party reported back "don't bother as there were no real ales on" ... it seems this is lkely to be permanant with the current tenants - as Sheps replied thus, "The Prince Arthur is a tenanted pub and, while we can encourage the sale of cask ale, it is up to the individual licensee as to what they stock."

A side street, and a little away from the main drag, this is an old-fashioned boozer, mixing traditional local customers with some of the younger generation with a degree of panache. It's small, with one bar counter that once boasting four hand pumps - all Shepherd Neame in late May 2019 but in March 2023 as above - and while the tables and chairs are a mixture of stripped and distressed, the overall effect, with a curious mix of suspended lights, globe lampshades, and faux wall mounted candles and shades, somehow works as welcoming and comfortable. The only soft furnishings were the two worn and frayed cushions on the two higher bar stools.

There's pub (board) games (e.g. Monopoly, Cluedo, chess, backgammon, Scrabble) available in a promoted 'Games Corner'. There's a full range of prints, art, pictures, signs and more on the walls, and at the rear lower level (access to toilets, which are not easy to get to for the disabled or wheelchairs, from here) a restored fireplace and (in season!) a real fire may be found.

The main building is said to date to the early 18th century, with the ground floor extended at the front to support a balcony in the 1820s or 1830s. The main bar area was further extended out under a previous licensee, Dixie Dean, a former boxer. Outside there's a fold down bench immediately to the right of the front doors, and across the pedestrianised way tables and seating for smokers (ask for an ashtray at the bar) and those wishing to enjoy the finer weather.

The featured picture is its current appearance. The other pics are how it once looked (inside and out).