Canbury Arms

Let me tell you about the Canbury Arms in London - this isn't just another pub, it's literally where legendary nights are born in Kingston. The moment you walk through those doors, you're stepping into what feels like the world's comfiest living room, if your living room served incredible craft beers and had the kind of atmosphere that makes you text your friends "GET DOWN HERE NOW!"

I can't even tell you how many "quick catch-up drinks" at the Canbury Arms have turned into epic evenings that we're still talking about months later. There's something magical about this place that makes you want to cancel all your other plans and just... stay. Maybe it's the way the light hits the perfectly polished bar, or how the staff somehow remember your name even if you've only been there once before.

Listen, if you're looking for the perfect spot to turn an ordinary Thursday into a "remember that night when..." kind of evening, THIS IS IT. The main bar area has this incredible energy - busy enough to feel alive but never so packed that you can't find your crew. And those "secret" patios? Pure gold for summer evenings when you want to feel like you're in on London's best-kept secret.

The food here? Oh. My. Days. We need to talk about their Sunday roast because it's not just a meal, it's basically a religious experience. The lamb is so tender it practically dissolves on your tongue, and don't even get me started on the pork belly. I've literally seen friends fight over the last roast potato - that's how good we're talking.

But here's where it gets really interesting - they've got this private dining space upstairs that's perfect for when you want to feel a bit fancy without being pretentious. I hosted my birthday there last year and my friends are STILL bringing it up. It's like having your own private pub for the night!

The beer selection will make your craft-loving heart skip a beat. They've got everything from local Surrey Hills brews to interesting craft options that'll have your beer-snob friend actually impressed for once. And the wine list? Let's just say I've seen more than one "I'll just have one glass" turn into "okay, maybe we should get another bottle..."

Speaking of drinks - their cocktail game is STRONG. Like, "accidentally-spend-three-hours-sampling-different-ones" strong. Pro tip: get there for happy hour and start with their signature serves. Trust me on this one.

Dog friendly? CHECK. Good for groups? DOUBLE CHECK. They've even got this weird magic ability to make both date nights and group celebrations feel equally perfect. I've seen first dates turn into long-term relationships here (true story!) and watched quiet birthday drinks evolve into impromptu dance parties.

The staff deserve their own paragraph because they're basically happiness dealers in human form. They've got that perfect balance of attentive but not hovering, and they know their stuff inside out. Plus, they're actually funny - like, genuinely funny, not just "I'm being nice because I work here" funny.

Here's your insider intel: Book ahead for Sunday roast - it's not negotiable, just do it. The courtyard is first come, first served, so get there early if you want outdoor seating on sunny days. They take cards, do mobile payments, and there's decent parking nearby, but honestly? Get a cab and thank me later.

The Canbury Arms sits in this perfect pocket of London where Kingston keeps it real - close enough to everything but just far enough to feel like you've discovered something special. Listen, I know there are about a million pubs in London, but this one? This is where memories are made. Get yourself down to the Canbury Arms this weekend - your future self will thank you for the stories alone. And if you see me there (which, let's be honest, is highly likely), first round's on you!