The Freemasons Arms

Shelley and I were in London for the weekend and, as enjoyable as quaffing champagne whilst taking afternoon tea in Harrods was, I was really looking forward to getting to a proper pub to drink proper beer. The Freemason's Arms in Covent Garden was a great choice of venue to start proceedings for the evening. Although the name would suggest otherwise, there was no need for me to roll up my trouser leg, expose my left nipple and give a strange handshake to gain entry to this venue which, when we arrived, was packed with rugby fans who had gathered to watch the France v England rugby international.

 I opted for a Bishop's Finger at the bar (please add your own joke here) ordered Shelley a pint of Strongbow and settled back to watch the game hoping that England would keep it tight early on...32 seconds in we'd already conceded a try - I hadn't even taken a sip of my beer !! Zut Alors !!!

The game was a classic with England losing to a very late French try much to the delight of the cinq hommes de Francais who I was stood by. My only consolation was the fine selection of ales that were on offer so pint number two was a Whitstable Bay organic ale and numbre trois was a pint of Spitfire Kentish ale. At full time we said au revoir to The Freemason's and wandered the gold paved streets of the capital in search of our next venue.

 

 

UPDATE 29th March

 

When we left The Nags Head I awarded myself General status and lead the troops, who were down in London for Shelley's sister in law Maria's birthday weekend, to the next pub The Freemasons Arms.

 

Shelley and I had called into this venue during our visit to London in early 2014 and I seemed to remember that the selection of ales was pretty good so I decided that this would be a good place to go in an I'm all right Jack stylee !!

 

 

 

To be fair it suited our requirements well. Like The Nags Head it was another Victorian built building (thank you maam) with a fine selection of ales. The Brucie Bonus being the fact that they were showing the Twenty20 cricket World Cup game between England and South Africa.

 

There was much hilarity at the bar when Shelley's brother Craig asked me what I wanted and I said 'I fancy a Bishop's Finger' !! Some of the comments almost brought tears to my eyes, just like a bishop's finger undoubtedly would !!

 

Debates always get lively when the six of us (Craig, Maria, Denise, Harry, Shelley and myself) get together over a few beers and the topics covered were certainly wide ranging ; Benefits Street, the man with the ten stone testicles and Denise's shoes to name but a few !!

 

Our previous visit to The Freemasons Arms saw us witness England's very narrow defeat by the French in the six nations and my lack of sporting luck in this venue continued, firstly I saw England predictably slump to defeat in the cricket, and secondly a subtle glance at my phone relayed the news that Blues were three nil down at home to Bournemouth.

 

A word of warning to gentlemen making use of the hand washing facilities in this pub, the note by the sink is not a lie..

 

 

 

I nearly received third degree burns !!