It’s been closed since March 2017, and at some points we wondered if it would ever return – having seen major building works to add flats on the roof, a distinctly architectural new house built in the yard, and a rather messy planning battle about whether it could become a shop or a flat… but the Queens Arms is clearly a survivor – as it’s returned as a pub!

We’ve written a few previous posts on the Queens Arms – see this one back when it was very uncertain whether it would reopen as a pub at all. Back in June things looked more promising – with a new licensing application (as well as a new house appearing in the old yard) – although while there were rumours of a letting, we didn’t really know what was going on either.

The good news is it’s open again – starting with a quiet soft launch to get things up and running smoothly at the beginning of October, which awkwardly was just a few weeks before a new lockdown…

The pub has spent most of the last few years looking more like a builders’ store room than a pub, but has been given a proper cleanup, with the bar back in more or less the same spot as before, new furniture and fittings throughout – now including table football. At the time of writing, there’s a happy hour 6-7, and quiz nights on Mondays with a bottle of wine for the team that’s placed second from last… A few photos from their facebook show the extent of the works needed to get it back in business!

Beers on tap included (at the time of launch) Camden Hells Lager and Pale Ale, Rosie’s Pig Cloudy Cider, Sharp’s Coaster and DoomBar, accompanied by a light menu of hot foods. Despite all the works to the building, the Queens Arms still has a kitchen (albeit not a huge one) so has a hot food on the menu.

The new team have a solid track record – having previously taken over The Woodman between Earlsfield & Wimbledon (below), and given it a very major makeover, and now running a well-rated neighbourhood pub with a strong food offer.

Readers may notice that we don’t have interior photos of our own with the pub actually open for customers, because the launch was so soft that we didn’t spot it before lockdown! But it’s nonetheless great to see the Queens Arms back, and let’s all make sure we give the new landlord and team a warm welcome and lots of support as soon as we get out of the current restrictions.

The Queens Arms, 139 St Philip Street, Battersea SW8 3SS. Their instagram’s here, facebook’s here, the website’s here, and the number’s 020 7525 9050.