The Clarence is a Geronimo's, aka Young's pub, which stands out on the street corner due to imposing size. The pub is partial wood, there are lots of nice lights and it has a very clean look. There are green tiles on the wall by the large clock, I'm unsure if this was something orignal found during the refurbishment 5+yrs ago or whether its a bizzare design feature. The pub actually feels a lot like a Nicholson's. The back and front of the bar is filled with tables whilst the middle is stools and the bar service area.The hand pumps are spread out amongst the bar with different ales on each on, so you have to ensure you look around before choosing. The kegs meanwhile are just repeated in each of the three units so no need to hunt around. The ales included the usual Youngs selection, some Adnams, and then Naked Ladies from Twickenham and Quartermaine from Wimbledon. I opted for the Quartermaine which came in at 5.8% and wasn't so easy to drink as a first pint. Perhaps I should have chose more wisely and went safe with a 4%er.
The bar wasn't too busy though the seating at the front had all been claimed and so I settled with a bar stall opposite the bar. I relaxed and took my time with the pint, not only because it was 5.8% but also because I didn't think they'd be any seats at the next few pubs due to it being post work. I left the Clarence and headed a few mere metres to my next pub, The Old Shades (SW1A 2BX).
When I walked into the Old Shades I realised I would have no trouble in finding a seat due to how empty it was. There were some customers in the small bay window at the front, and the bar staff, and that was about it. Unsurprisingly I got amazing quick service. There were some beers on that I hadn't tried before like Bishops Tipple and Edinburgh Castle (Seen but never been tempted). Alongside this they had the new pump clip design for Pedigree, which I don't feel is anywhere near as good as the old one. I however was drawn to the Shandon Stout by Franciscan Wells. The pint tasted very much like a Murphy's stout, which is a good compliment.
The pub is long and narrow and has wood panelling all around, and is actually about the same length as the Clarence but not as wide at the front. At the back is a dinning area which looked great with some sofa booth style seating, but was evidently deserted. The pub had plenty of seating and I selected my seat so I could get a good view of the Chandelier and stained glass dome window above the bar (Sadly as you might be able to tell from the photos on this blog, I do need to use a proper camera and not my phone camera, hence why no photos of the aforementioned chandelier). The front of the bar is tiled, which is quite different and impressive.The pub didn't get any busier and it was at this stage I realised that it just wasn't going to be a busy night in the pubs, which is fine by me. I left the Old Shades and again made the very short walk to the Silver Cross (SW1A 2BX). The Silver Cross (A Taylor Walker) has two floors, both with bars, though the downstairs was sectioned off for a private party on this visit. The pub just on the upstairs area is certainly larger than either of the two previous pubs and was busier with around 50 people or more in the pub, but not felling packed. It has been claimed that the Silver Cross was the only legal brothel in the UK based on a royal licence that was granted which has never been revoked. Although I don't believe they operate using that licence any more!
At the bar I was surprised to see it wasn't too Greene King orientated on the ales. They had Guardsman, Trooper, Hackney IPA and Bentonville. I selected a pint of the Amber Ale by Hackney and took a stool on one of the high tables. It was at this point I noticed the mismatch of the flooring in the pub with some wood, carpet, till and slabs, however it all seemed to go well with the feel of the pub. The walls were just as mismatched with areas having mirrors, wood panels, photograph wallpaper and other pattern wallpaper. The music within the pub was slightly loud considering it wasn't busy though that wouldn't put me off visiting again.
I only remained for the one as I had a last visit I wanted to make to a pub that is in my eyes really a bar, and that I've never been impressed with, but felt I should at least visit. The pub is literally just round the corner from the Silver Cross, and even has a board advertising the fact. The place, Walker's of Whitehall (SW1A 2DD). Last time I was in this venue they had no real beer option at all so it did surprise me to see 5 ales on tap this time. Although tempted by the lovely Harvey's Best, I opted for something new, as I so often do, and selected the XT 3 by XT Brewing. The pint itself was really not great and I feel perhaps it was more to do with the venue rather than the beer itself, and at this point was rather glad I didn't let it spoil Harvey's for me.The bar area is quite small and has a large high cushioned seating around one wall, with some tables available. I don't think you could fit more than 30 people in the space, and that would perhaps be a slightly uncomfortable number. The place had about 10 people and they all seemed to be drinking cocktails. There was a horrible soundtrack playing quite loudly of just dance/drum beats. Downstairs is a restaurant and the facilities, and where I departed after paying a visit to the boys room.
Considering all these pubs were opposite a spoons, they all manage to pull in customers and provide a decent and well maintained pint of ale (well, apart from one). They each offered something unique in the pub design and it's always good to see such a variety of pubs. I didn't pop into the spoons but will aim to cover that one another time.
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