Pubs are often seen as a grimy, noisy, sticky place where rowdy people met up for a drink. The perception of pubs is not positive at all. What if I told you that there is a pub in London that mixes the traditional pub atmosphere with a sophisticated Thai cuisine?
The Churchill Arms near Notting Hill Gate has done precisely this. Although it is essentially an old fashioned pub, its main selling point is that the building is beautifully decorated, and the architecture is stunning.
There are three parts to the pub. The main part of the pub is where the actual bar is, with table and seats that customers can use for up to an hour. This is the room where sir Winston Churchill made his wartime speeches to the nation. You have just enough time to grab a quick pint and catch up with your friends, before the staff subtly pushes you to leave, or move on to another room.
The next room is much smaller with a lot less noise. The perfect place to wine and dine a date that you want to impress. However, be warned that you will have to plan it in advance as the tables are generally fully reserved on most nights.
The last room is very large like the main bar, but has been decorated in a completely different style. Hundreds of plants hang above your head, with soft, mellow music playing in the background. This is by far the best room of the pub, and can accommodate larger groups of people.
Traditional Thai food is served across all three rooms. The food was pretty average to me, but as I am Chinese my view may be slightly biased. The food has been adjusted to suit the local people’s palette with less spice and reduced sourness. Although it doesn’t greatly represent authentic Thai food, it is a nice alternative for Londoners.
If you like the sound of what I described, go ahead and plan your visit to the hidden gem in London. Make sure you have enough battery on your phone to take a selfie and make others jealous.
Address: 119 Kensington Church Street, London W8 7LN
Reservations: 020 7727 4242
Nearest tube station: Notting Hill Gate
By Mengsui Lu
