Builders Arms

The Builders Arms is a great pub in Chelsea… if you’re looking for a Chelsea pub! The interior looks old and traditional but in a very vintage way, in that it’s possible (but maybe not probable?) that all the furniture and décor is worth an incredible amount. It’s definitely a bit quirky though, and very original. It’s also a relatively large pub, albeit slightly narrow at the front, but the back area and dining area are large enough that on anything other than the busiest nights you should be able to find something.
You’ll also find some pretty impressive pub snacks behind the bar. I’ve had my share of small bites at pubs, and what you get at Builders is definitely up there. Their sausage rolls are huge — you could almost confuse one with a burrito!
There isn’t much of an outdoor area, but out front there are a few tables and some standing area if it’s a nice day outside.

Sympathique pub de quartier, resté nature, à l’écart des touristes et des étudiants (beurk). Allez chercher votre drink au bar, trouvez-​vous un petit coin de table déjà occupée, tentez même la discute avec vos voisins si vous êtes téméraires et passez un bon after work comme savent le faire les Anglais ! Semble être devenu plus couru et plus bondé ces derniers temps malheureusement, mais l’expérience reste agréable.

Really liked the ambiance of this place! Food could be better but it was a great place for sunday brunch!

Nice atmosphere but Shame the mice, went back in February to the restaurant as valentine’s — Anniversary celebration. After our uncooked chicken we saw at least 3 mice wondering around…

I didn’t have a full meal here, but it’s a lovely pub and I like that they had free cheese on toast barsnacks.

My office mates and I often come here for after-​work drinks. It’s generally filled with local Chelsea dwellers, so lots of suits. The place is very comfortable.
I find that the service is very good even when it gets busy. I never have to wait too long to be served. One thing that I love is that they sell single sausages. It’s great to get a plate of these with a round.
I’ve never had a meal here, so no comment on that.
Overall, a very nice pub.

I had high hopes for the Builders Arms based on how it looked from the outside — big windows, relaxed and cozy atmosphere. It was busy but we were still able to get a table for dinner without a wait.
The waiting began once we sat down. Unfortunately, it looked as though there was only one waitress managing all of the tables, and while she was very nice, she was clearly run off her feet.
The food was so-​so, nothing particularly special despite promising descriptions on the menu. My «sea bass accompanied by fresh beet salad and horseradish mash» (or something like that) was actually just a fillet laid on top of scoop of shredded beets and what tasted like cold lumpy half-​mashed potatoes.
Side note: my biggest disappointment is when something doesn’t taste like I think it ought to based on how it looks. If it looks like mashed potatoes, it should taste like mashed potatoes unless the chef has something truly magical up his /​her sleeve.
We shared the apple and blackberry crumble for dessert which was another failure. Despite it being pink, I didn’t see any blackberries. The crumble part was more like crushed graham crackers than a crust, and it was served with a small side dish of something akin to the white sauce that you get with Christmas pudding. Blech.
Also weird: there were several dogs inside the pub, include one under the table beside us that kept licking my shoes. I like dogs a lot, just usually not at the dinner table and especially not in a restaurant.

The steaks were very good and the service was okay. The rib-​eye barely touched the sides and the big steak was perfectly cooked and succulent, washed down with a bonus (although not sure I needed it) glass of wine on the house in a indulgent display of pure gluttony. My only regret was that, forgetting about her penchant for tomatoes and tomato-​based products, I fell victim to her blatant thievery as she stole my only vegetable, a wonderfully sliced tomato salad, whilst I dutifully refilled her wine glass!

Located in Chelsea behind London’s famous Kings Road, the Builder’s Arm looks pleasant enough from the outside with outdoor seating area. Obviously this is an added bonus for smokers who do not want to be shunted onto the pavement to enjoy a cigarette with their drink.
Inside the pub was very packed for a Sunday afternoon with a mix of couples, friends and families. The atmosphere was cosy– teh ideal place to be on a bitter Winter afternoon. However, the food was definately overpriced for an OK meal — £12 for bangers and mash was just ridiculous considering it wasn’t particularly tasty. If you like your mash potato drowning in bland gravy then you will probably disagree.
Their deserts were much better– the apple and blackcurrant crumble with custard was very good. The juicy fruit was covered by HUGE pieces of crunchy crumble although there could have been a few more spoonfuls of custard. Still not sure if it reflected the £5 but it was one of the best crumbles I have tasted.
So if you fancy a drink in a cosy pub or have a sweet tooth head to The Builder’s Arms but if you’re after fab pub grub– STAY AWAY!