Queen's Arms

From the https://www.newsshopper.co.uk 1st September 2003.

The Queen's Arms is sparse.

CELEBRITY launch nights, champagne receptions and cocktail parties are not the kind of social occasions your humble Pubspy often finds himself at. But when I was invited to the opening of a new gay pub, in Lewisham, for complementary bubbles and nibbles I though, why not?

The Queens Arms, this tiny appropriately-named boozer, is set back from the hubbub of Lewisham. On my visit a smell of new paint was still in the air, lingering evidence of the final touches which were put to the place before its launch.

Joe and Steve Thompson, owners of Stonewalls nightclub, in Lewisham High Street, recently acquired this pub, which they call a traditional cabaret lounge bar.

A small stage in the corner of the room is for the cabaret and there was a good-sized crowd of every age and both sexes spilling out onto the street for the opening.

I was horrified to find there was no real ale at the bar and was forced into purchasing a tasteless Tetleys Smoothflow instead. However, Steve tells me they are considering introducing a guest ale each month for those who like their beers real.

The bar is slap-bang in the centre of this small pub, with virtually no room for seating, and the paved garden at the back is also free of tables or chairs, so sturdy legs are required.

Cabaret artist Pip Morgan, playing a convincing HMS The Queen, provided the entertainment.

All around men and women puffed heavily on fags and, not having so much as a pouf to sit on, I was forced to prop up the bar (sorry I couldn’t help it).

I am glad the gay community of the area now has a boozer of its own but The Queens Head does not yet have the character to rival those central London hostelries which add such colour to areas like Soho.

It will be up to the clients and owners to create that with time.