The Richmond Arms - St John's Wood

I know what you're thinking. A boozer in St Johns Wood? Don't make me bloody laugh.

Well fear not. This little gem is nestled just off Edgware Road, away from all of the kebab and chicken shops. The Richmond is situated just on the corner close to a council housing area - meaning the lifeblood of The Richmond Arms are the people that live locally.

Everyone knows everyone. Bar staff will remember your name (if you come often enough). This is not the place you'd get the sir/madam treatment and some speccy little twonk wearing a "It's My Job to Ask" or "Think 21" badge, asking you if you'd like to double up your gin and tonic to a double for an extra pound.

No thank you, I'm not with the missus, I don't want a gin and tonic - mine's a pint.

So let's move onto the wets, the selection of beers and ales is rather old hat and simple, you have your standard issue of Fosters, Kronenbourg, Stella Artois and Carlsberg for your lagers. If your a smooth man then you're catered for and of course you have Guinness.

One thing worth noting is that they don't do cask ales, which is something I myself am a huge fan of. Some might argue that a cask ale is more hipster and has no place at a proper city drinkers pub, but the beer is rather cheap for London prices so you won't be leaving thirsty either way.

The actual quality of there draft beers is unfortunately where The Richmond Arms falls short on, trying both lager and the Guinness - there was a musky aftertaste that might suggest they don't clean their lines as often as they should. There is however a good deal on bottled lagers where you can get 2 for £5 - although you do look like an American if you're sat at a bar drinking bottled beer. It's up to you whether you're prepared to take that risk.

Our summary of The Richmond Arms is that this a boozer which is ultimately made by the people who drink there, rather than the actual booze itself. They're a loud bunch who have pockets stuffed with notes (no card machine at this pub) and have you suspecting how they earn their trade, but they're welcoming and the actual pub itself has a magnetic personality.

Keep an eye out for Lee, he's a dab hand at throwing pub arrows and he'll definitely challenge you to a couple of games. Lee is something of a trickster, as he tends to stand on one leg when going for doubles and he knows the odd card trick or two.

Be Lucky. You'll have a good one here.

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