As regular readers of my bar room dispatches will know the Kingston riverside is not my favourite place, but Pubspy is an intrepid old soak.

Yes, that’s right, I girded my liver once again and found another of the royal borough’s hostelries on the banks of the Thames to frequent.

The Boaters Inn was my destination and I must confess, the walk to the pub through Canbury Gardens, where it is situated, did little to fill my heart with song.

The houses that overlook the river are magnificent – just the kind of place I could see myself residing in, feet up in the garden, long drink in hand and giving passing sailors a friendly wave, but sadly this is just steak and ale pie in the sky.

Thankfully my spirits were raised when I arrived at the pub as I managed to grab one of the coveted balcony seats and, although it wasn’t quite the garden of a riverside mansion, it did for me.

The pub itself is a classy joint, with wood panelling and tasteful furniture the order of the day. I’m reliably informed that the live music the pub regularly hosts is well worth catching too and, on reflection, it’s a boozer I’m happy to recommend.

The only downside was that the wait to get served seemed to last longer than the World Snooker Final and if there is one thing you never do, it is keep a thirsty Pubspy waiting. Royal Borough publicans, you have been warned!



How The Boaters rates (out of five): DECOR: XXXX A decent interior although on a nice day you’ll want to be outside DRINK: XXXX My lager top went down a treat PRICE: XXX Standard for this neck fo the woods ATMOSPHERE: XXXX Plenty of fun in the sun STAFF: X As my maths teacher used to say, “I’m not impressed”