The Cadogan Arms

I've never really viewed the Cadogan arms as a place to simply go for a drink but definitely more of a dining experience. I've been there several times in recent months (particularly on Sundays) and have always been overly impressed with the standard of the food. The roasts are great which is always a plus as it's hard to find a good one these days. The pool and billiards room upstairs also looks great although I haven't had a chance to try it myself, I certainly will do soon as from memory, you can rent it out for the day/evening? Given the location, the prices are also fairly reasonable too!

I don't go to Chelsea unless there's a really compelling reason, so probably won't go back to the Cadogan Arms.

Saying that though, it's absolutely fine for what it is, and the billiards room upstairs has a great old school houseroom feel to it. The tables themselves are lovely and it's been thoughtfully decked out.

So if you're in the area and fancy shooting some pool with a pint or two, you could do a great deal worse.

The other folks at the pool comp have covered the essentials of setting, food, and drink, so I might just leave a few random comments...

- one of the pool cues will forever be a little greasy and smell of fish and chips, because we couldn't stop eating them.

- on the same night, the London Lite reported that Roman Abramovich has been spotted in here with his girlfriend...

- which is no surprise: the general consensus was that the refurb has made the bar the sort of place you could now bring a date. Or as Kate put it: "you could totally snog someone's face off!"

- the requisite framed set of pool rules includes an interesting game by the name of 'Cut throat' which sounds like fun, but maybe don't try it if your opponent is a local with a Russian accent...

Interesting to note how the newer west London pubs in this group's network are rather more ostensibly upmarket (particularly the Botanist on Sloane Square) than the original eastern locations, though this particular outpost does have the requisite amount of taxidermy for an ETM pub (antlers! everywhere!) and the same easy atmosphere.

A fellow Qyper at the event last night accurately identified that the upstairs billiards room needs some big comfy sofas. Would probably necessitate sacrificing one of the tables but might be worth it? As Chelsea is a bit of a schlep for me I'll probably stick with The Empress and the Prince Arthur which are more in my neck of the woods, however I enjoyed the food (mini Yorkshire puddings, mushroom risotto, fish and chips, onion tartlets), liked the wine, sucked at pool. Just as I expected, really...

Had a great time last night at he pool tourney. Was slightly sceptical on the way down there as I used to frequent the Cadogan at the back end of the last millenium, but it's a different proposition these days. The burgers were fantastic (even in mini form) as were the yorkshire puds. Billiard room was well designed with plenty of space around the (true) tables, although it could be a little more atmospheric with dimmer lighting. And as winner of said tourney I'll be visiting one of the sister pubs next week for a slap up meal! Report to follow...

What do you get when you mix together the funky edginess of Brooklyn, a dash of old school Essex, and a large helping of Chelsea style? The love child of a freaky tryst between David Beckham and Paris Hilton? Maybe. The all-new Cadogan Arms? Definitely.

This pub is slightly schizophrenic, but in a wholesome, Jack Nicholson in as Good as it Gets, kind of way. Downstairs you have a classy pub that wouldn't look out of place full of tweeded up gents just back from a hunt in the 'shires (which on brief inspection it actually is). Upstairs you have less salubrious, but equally comfortable, billiards room - where you might expect to find the Teds of this world, as the Ralphs sup pints downstairs (sorry vague Fast Show reference...).

The food is top notch, again varying from exquisite mushroom risotto all the way down to a rustic fish and chips.

Highly recommended. If you see Ted, do me a favour and ask him what he's fishing for.

Pool tournament last night at the Cadogan - in their jazzed up billiard(s) room upstairs. Standard of tables was great; standard of play? Not always so great.

A note on the wall decoration (photos, general pool arcana) described in an earlier review - and I’m aware I might sound a bit dull here; they are actually genuinely quite interesting... proper effort has been made and it shows - not a dog-playing-pool in sight...

Perhaps they’re a bit too proud of their walls, as my only criticism of upstairs was that it was a bit too brightly lit for a dedicated pool room I reckon. But the food (an upscale take on pub standards: burgers, fishnchips) was as good as it needs to be these days. Wine (I tried an ETM Cabernet and a Chardonnay/Viognier from the same producer) was very drinkable for the price, which is more than sufficient in a pub - however ambitious it may be.

Downstairs after the pool we relaxed into a lovely three seater Chesterfield & assorted comfy leather chairs to nurture the rest of the red. I get what Alex says about the mishmash of formal/informal downstairs... but it didn’t offend me in perhaps the same way. And I never noticed the stuffed animals - but maybe that was the red...

Overall, I think it’s definitely still a pub; but one which can just about get away with being a restaurant too.

I attended the Qype Billiards Room event last night which was much fun even for an inept pool jockey such as I. The Cadogan Arms is situated on the Kings Road so I was expecting something a little more sterile full of toffs but was pleasantly surprised as the clientele are a mix of folk. The upstairs billiards room itself is spacious and well-lit and the pub is a cosy place with some luxurious leather couches to sink into. The bar staff are friendly, plus it serves London Pride which I love and also Leffe amongst others. If you're getting here by tube (South Kensington), the pub is about a ten minute walk. One to check out perhaps after a film at the cinema over the road (http://www.qype.co.uk/place/203814-Cineworld-Chelsea-London).

We hosted a Qype event in the Billiards Room on the first floor, and for anyone that lives locally it's a bit of a find. There are three minimalist and stylish tables, in a room with ample space and walls decorated by a whole array of intriguing pictures and photographs; perfect for perusing if you're on the receiving end of a right royal drubbing.

The pool room can be hosted for private events, but as it is so roomy on regular nights you will be saved the embarrassment of thrusting your cue into someone's belly. Or worse.

The food and drink we were served was great, including their very own wines - but I'm a fan of their venues anyway, so they were kind of preaching to the converted.

Such was the intensity of the competition, I actually forgot that the football was on. Downstairs in the main bar is a nifty location for watching games in a relaxed atmosphere with excellent food.

Attended a Qype event here last night, and whilst it was a bit of a pain to get to it was well worth the getting lost on the way.
We spent the fist part of the night in the Billiards Room where they have a number of American 8-ball pool tables, before moving downstairs to the bar.
The place itself has a really nice feel to it. It feels quite cosy, but it isn’t particularly small, and the staff is incredibly friendly. Half the pub is for eating (and the food was lovely) and the rest of it is for…well, boozing, I guess. The spilt in the layout of the bar is quite a good feature – you can drink and watch the football or lounge on sofas in one half, and sit for some great food in a more gastro pub environment in the other. It all melds together quite nicely instead of feeling like two separate venues. My only complaint – the olives weren't great and too expensive. Petty, maybe, but I do like my olives!

Well you can pretty much ignore all the reviews on this page that were written before August 2009, because this is now a completely different pub.

If the old pub was crazy, bald Britney Spears clutching a bag of pork scratchings, this new incarnation is Hit Me Baby One More Time-era Brit' with a pint of ale in her hand and the whole of Girls Aloud behind her manning a fantastic buffet.

Seriously, we were in the pub for over an hour before someone pointed out that I'd been there before about a year ago. They've given the place a complete makeover, so what was a sticky-carpet local pub is now somewhere you might actually want to spend some time.

Good beer, a great menu, a 'billiards room' with three pool tables, comfy chairs, friendly staff... I just wish I lived a bit closer.

Really have done a good job doing the Cadogan up. It's a nice old pub, and the new landlords have done her proud.

Got a good selection of beers and food, and not over pricey, especially for Chelsea.

Was there recently, and swear I saw Joe Cole in there playing pool..

This pub has just undergone a revamp and my opinion is that they have updated quite wisely turning it into more of a gastropub vibe. The food is pretty good, affordable and the pub has retained its previous charm. With the autumn vastly approaching this could be one of my favourite haunts.

A prime candidate for the credit crunch closure. Poor food, mediocre service, a nice pint of peroni served in a bitter glass. Not really much going for the Cadogan Arms im afraid.

Even though I was already boozed up by the time we arrived at Cadogan Arms, I’m pretty sure that if it weren’t for the pool tables in the upstairs room and the great group of fun-loving folks I wouldn’t have had as great a time as I did.

Given that our group was quite large I guess it’s understandable that there was some kind of miscount on the drinks served up. But on a good note, the barman quickly rectified things, got me my missing pint with no fuss, and was apologetic about the distress they may have caused.

So to sum up, 'aye aye’ to the previous reviews. Mainly just an average pub all around.

I guess average is a fair way of summing up The Cadogan Arms. There’s nothing particularly wrong or bad about it, it just doesn’t have anything unique and is one of those places where company will make or break the evening.

The background music was a startling array of pop from the 90s, the decor didn’t strike any chords and if it weren’t for the two pool tables, I would’ve probably have written it off altogether.

So yes, it serves drinks from a bar, a few on tap and has pool tables. But if you find yourself in this side of town you could probably do a bit better if you keep looking.

Meh. I’ve been in here once before just because I was thirsty and it was empty. Last night we went upstairs to the pool room (two tables) and had fun. But that was more because of the company (and the game of killer: next time you’re mine, Hinchcliffe!) than the pub.

Ordinary. Not bad, not great.

Well it’s not that bad… pretty empty apart from pretty boys with spiky blonde hair. I bet they play cricket at the weekends.

But we played the biggest game of killer ever upstairs in the 'pool lounge’ (is that too grand a way of putting it guys?) Killer was lots of fun, my wine was nice and we were all silly and happy. Although we kept on accidentally losing our drinks and I’m not sure if that was our fault or theirs. Ours probably.

I wouldn’t make a point of coming here. I’m not even sure if I’d pop in again if I was on Kings Road - but this whole area is untapped territory for me - it’s not a bad pub, but me, I’ve got lots more Qyping to do down the rest of the street so you’ll probably find me exploring in one of those pubs instead.

And just a quick note… as much fun as pool is, it’s not fun paying £1.20 for a game! Shocking, even if we were in the posh bit of town!

This is a truly awful pub. It’s not really the bland decor but the staff that made this place so bad (the food should be avoided at all costs).

The owner/manager is the ruin of the Cadogan Arms. Surely, brash, rude, unfriendly - all things that a good landlord should avoid, and all things that this guy is.

If you happen to approach the door of this pub, stop! Go somewhere else - go anywhere else. Awful - avoid at all costs.

If you want a lovely place to have a drink or meal in a nice relaxed atmosphere then this is the place...

From the moment you enter through the Doors and the staffs says Hello to the excellent service...

The pub is big and airy and there is a separate eating area at the back with a open fire and a great deals on certain meals on the menu where there is a 2 for 1 price tag...

For you sporty types there is a separate Pool room upstairs with 2 tables and if I was to have a moan --You have to keep coming downstairs to buy a drink...

They also have live music....

The service is very good and the tables are cleared very promptly...

So if you want some where for a nice time in Chelsea.. This is your place...