Review: Draper's Arms Ealing

Waaay back in the day, Ealing had a Firkin pub (remember them?) where I used to go with my geeky sixth form buddies and drink Two Dogs and Breezers. Ah, those were the days... they don't make music like that anymore. Anyway, after a while, the Firkin became O'Neills, and I went there with my work buddies and drank Guinness.

And now, it is The Draper's Arms. But all I get to drink there in my current condition is lemonade or the odd 0% fake-beer-like-product (wave the label around so haters don't think you're poisoning baby: 0% ABV OK??). It's a bit more grown up and well dressed than previous pubs on the site, which might be karma telling me something. I dunno.

Anyway, The Draper's is a sister-pub to the ever popular North Star: but with more floor space, laid back sofas and a more chilled out vibe. Less DJ sets and Friday night shenanigans, more big sofas and Sunday roasts. The kooky lighting and vintage furniture is still there but in a lighter, airier atmosphere. It's a great idea because the drinks and food reflect the North Star's high quality - but the five deep queue for the bar is absent and you can find a seat. Sometimes that's just what you need! It also appears more accessible in terms of room shape to those with pushchairs or additional needs - however the toilets are down a flight of stairs (there is a disabled toilet tucked away on the main floor though). 

The drinks include high-quality international lagers, real ales and a good wine list, as well as various soft drinks including hot drinks, the usual soft offerings and vintage-style bottled juices and lemonades. I've eaten there twice now; the food is really tasty, service is quick and it is a pleasant airy space to have a meal. This week I had the Sunday Roast (choice of 4 - I had pork loin) which came in a good sized - but not overwhelming - portion. The meat was very well cooked and not dry at all, even though we ate about 3pm: the sides were tasty too. There was a mixture of leeks and peas, roast new potatoes, a bit of crackling and a gigantic Yorkshire pudding - another plus point being they put enough gravy on the plate. This is a big thing to me, a big thing indeed. You have to have enough gravy. It did.

The music and ambiance was just right too: well-chosen choons 'not to loud, not too quiet' for a daytime pub. It was nice to see a really varied clientele making use of the new pub from couples, to families, to tipsy grannies. All in all a great atmosphere.

Any cons? Well, sadly it has no beer garden ... however this is not, for me, a deal breaker as the windows have great views for people watching on all but the hottest of days.

The Draper's Arms website is here and find them on Facebook and Twitter here.

This is a personal review based on a personal/anonymous visit with my own money.