Builders Arms

We were turned away in the pouring rain last night because we had a child with us. We were told it’s house policy not to seat children after 6PM although that policy is listed nowhere on their web site nor in their reservation system at this time. I explained that we had come some distance to have dinner there to no avail. As my five-​year old son began crying about being hungry and being made by a cold staff member to think it was somehow his fault that we couldn’t sit at one of the many tables available we were turned out hungry and wet with an inconsolable child. If you find this experience at odds with the warm, inviting story they spin about themselves, please do spend your money elsewhere.

I arrived in London after 17 hours of travel from the US. Was very tired but wanted to find something very traditional for my first meal. I found this place because I searched for Sunday Roast… and it was great. The staff there was very welcoming even though I didn’t know how anything worked. (order at the bar, pay up front, etc) all things we do differently in the US. AND there was a big Rugby game on that the had the place filled.
Food was excellent and just what I was looking for for my first meal in the UK.

I popped in while wondering through the neighborhood.
Loved to see it filled with a happy hour crowd.
The Monday night special is a great deal. Although I wish I had the option to upgrade to a larger drink that came with the meal.
The burger was tasty. And thought the onion rings were some of the best I ever had.

Really great place to grab a pint with friends after a long day. Great staff and service. No complaints!

Don’t order mixed drinks… They pour them very weak and charge a premium for them. Good beer. Nice upstairs room.

Stopped for a pint, but seemed like they had a good menu. Seems popular with the locals. Staff was friendly and helpful. Off the normal path little way from High Street.

This is my favorite pub in London. All pubs have different personalities and so does Builder’s Arms. The service is excellent and the choice of Bitters is always very good. I have never seen any other American’s there except for one time running into Dustin Hoffman.

NY has some really good gastropubs now but no one does it better than the Brits when it comes to providing great food alongside with a great bar. So when we needed some pre-​show grub near the Royal Albert Hall we decided to come here. The downstairs was a bit crowded and loud so we sat upstairs. I ordered a glass of blush wine and we shared two plates — the classic dish of sausages and mash potatoes and a dish of braised pork belly, chorizo and barley. Both plates were tremendous! The sausages were tasty and even the mashed potatoes were better than most I’ve had. The pork belly was perfectly tender and matched well with the spicy chorizo and the slightly crunchy barley. I’m really curious how they maintained the barley’s texture. In any case it was delicious and reasonably prices as well.

1 Kensington Court Place London W8 5BJ — such a cool, chic British vibe — posh neighborhood
Emily Rose Reeder

Love this place.
The tapas selection is good value for money and the black pudding is yummy. Good selection of beers and wines with good matchings on their food menu.
The outside area is cute but obviously get busy in the summer, just wish it was a bit bigger sometimes.

This place is awesome.
— Super good selection of Ales, Bitters, Belgians, and Ciders
— Really cool location on a quiet street.
— Relaxing upstairs area for privacy with your friends.
— Great atmosphere for sipping on beer with your mates.
— Plenty of space to hang out. Even during Happy Hour.
I love it

After reading some previous reviews I had some high hopes. However upon our arrival it was clear we were not really as welcomed guests. The staff was a but rude and seemed bothered. Yet most of the customers were friendly and easy to join conversations. If I were back in London I would give it another shot but won’t be raving about this place to my friends.

I love the British pub culture, but I have yet to be blown away by any particular pub. Good size place, good drinks, good food.
Highlights:
— Plenty of space to sit at happy hour.
— In the unapologetically posh Kensington.
— The crispy white bait was very good!
Lowlights:
— In the unapologetically posh Kensington.
Overall, this is a very short review because it wasn’t bad or good. It is a great place to meet up with people, have a pint and a chat and then be on your way!

Amazing pub, this has now become my local despite not being local!!! The staff are fun and friendly and the vibe in the place is great no matter what day you go. It does attract a great crowd despite being off the main highway. Food is good too, definitely recommend it for a relaxed evening or Sunday afternoon.

Awesome place to hangout after a long day of studying. The pub offers the best choices of Ale’s and Cider. An recommended pint should suggest is the Ubu Pure Ale, simply the best drink ever.
Unfortunately the bad cons are is that all pubs closes at 11pm. As result the entire pub experience is truly the best and is fantastic for people like me who needs a place to relax after work.

Not a bad pub, it just doesn’t really stand out in the Land of Pubs Far ‘n Wide. Typical laid-​back pub atmosphere with a robust variety of beers, wines, and ciders available. Friendly service. We only had drinks and didn’t try any of the food, however.

Sandwiches are definitely sub-​par, but the rest of the pub is pretty cool. Lots of different drinks on tap, and a long list of wines are available. Next time I’ll try a real main course as the menu looked pretty exciting.

A goodlooking pub let down by slow service. The fish pie was a-​okay…
Hmm maybe they need to sort out some management issues there!

I had two very different experiences on two different occasions at the Builders Arms.
AS A PUB it was terrific: four types of cider on tap, a down tempo vibe, quiet enough in the early evening to have a conversation. I liked it so much for drinking I figured I’d come back for SUNDAY ROAST. That’s when things went downhill fast: they were out of chicken, they were out of sea bass, they could neither confirm nor deny the presence of dairy in the nut loaf for a lactose intolerant friend…
Forty-​five minutes pass and our friends receive their lunches: fish & chips and roast pork (cold.) It’s another 15 until we get ours. Though I’ve ordered beef the server (who admitted the day had been a disaster) brings me and my dining companion pork and says, «Sorry we gave away the last beef, here’s pork.» I didn’t order pork. I didn’t want pork. My consolation prize? Free dessert. Bits of my meal, like our friend’s, were also cold. Warm roastie, cold mash… you get the picture.
I’d definitely not return to the Builders Arms for food. I might consider it for a drink but not without some hesitation. I had so hoped this homey pub might become my local. As of now, I’m still looking.

4 types of cider… ON TAP! The awesomeness that is this can give this pub one star for each variety. It’s a lovely corner pub with good service, great drinks selection, and on this quite street it makes it pretty perfect to stand outside in summer and sit on the pavement. Being in this area makes it full of posh chaps in brown leather shoes and foppish Hugh Grant esq hair cuts but don’t let that put you off, it’s very laid back and great for an after work pint.
I haven’t tried their food but by the looks of it, its popular. A great summer pub!

J’aime bien aller la-​bas pour l’atmosphere tranquille du quartier mais surtout pour leur bloody mary. Il est vraiment bon cela dit, ils servent bien d’autre chose pour les allergiques a la sauces tomate et ont plein de bieres a la pression et du vin correct.
Je me suis laissee dire que la nourriture etait bonne mais je n’ai jamais teste moi meme.
Mieux vaut aller la bas en debut de soirée car l’endroit se remplit tres vite et il est souvent difficile de trouver un chaise.
Il y a aussi quelques tables dehors, ce qui est parfait pour les fumeurs et tres agreable l’ete.

Mitten in einem vornehmen Wohngebiet von Kensington liegt dieses gemütliche Pub. Das Publikum ist eher jung, studentisch und schick, die Bierauswahl und das Pub Food international.
Originelle Snacks wie ein Pint Shrimps — frische Garnelen zum Selberpulen im Bierkrug serviert — kann man mit europäischen Brauereiprodukten wie z.B. deutschen Weizenbieren vom Fass herunterspülen. Klar, dass die Getränkepreise noch etwas über dem ohnehin schon hohen Londoner Niveau liegen.
Das Ambiente liegt irgendwo zwischen klassischem Pub und Studentenkneipe — fette Lederfauteuils laden jedenfalls zum Herumfläzen ein. Auf der kleinen Terrasse an der ruhigen Straßenecke kann man schon fast südländisch in der Sonne sitzen.
Im Obergeschoss gibt es Sonntag abends Pub-​Kino mit Essen und Trinken — klingt viel versprechend.