The Chequers Tavern 📍16 Duke Street, London SW1Y 6DB 🚇 Green Park 🍺 £6.50 Amstel The Chequers Tavern is located in St James’s in London’s West End. The nearest Tube is Green Park. There has been a licensed premises here since at least 1732. The pub was originally known as The Mason’s Arms, by 1751 it had become The Chequers. The name is traditionally linked to the stonemasons working in nearby Mason’s Yard, who reportedly played chequers outside the pub. This is a compact, cosy, traditionally decorated old school one bar pub. The servery is located on the right, with the narrow bar area wrapping around it. There is some low-level seating at either end of the bar, while a beer ledge and stools stretch down the left. At the front and rear of the pub are a few stools for imbibing alfresco. The decor here is superb and transports you back to what many a London boozer looked like back in the day. The walls and servery are painted a vibrant royal blue, with red across the ceiling, intersected by dark stained beams. The seating mainly consists of high and low stools, but there is a comfy, dimpled banquette by the etched-glass windows. The star of the show has to be the proper pub carpet. The beer selection offers a good range of familiar tipples, plus three cask ales. I decided on an Amstel; my pint was great, the price wasn’t too bad considering the area. The food menu offers traditional home cooked pub classics, along with baguettes and toasties. Fish and chips costs £14.95, which is reasonable. I arrived at 5.30pm on a chilly Monday night in November. The pub was initially busy with local suits and a few tourists. The atmosphere was upbeat, with a welcoming pub feel. The service was pleasant, and the chap on duty was a little eccentric, which just added to my overall experience. This pub is an absolute London pub classic with its own unique personality. The decor and ambience are fantastic, it’s not overly expensive, and it’s a great place to perch with a pint. It’s not going to be everyone’s cup of tea, but I think this is a must-visit London pub. 📅 17th November 2025 #Chequerstavern #stjames #sw1 #londonpub