Last Meeting...

[Jemisa]

My H is having a reunion with 5 of his old schoolmates. One of whom has terminal cancer & has been given 6 months to live & wanted a meeting with his mates to say goodbye. (all OAPs now) they are all travelling to London from several different counties. Their meeting place is St Pancras station. Where they will have a meal in the 'John Betcheman' Bar and Grill.

Anyone know it or been there. Anyone got any feed back.

Thanks Folks - Jem

[hc4361]

I don't know the bar, but just wanted to give you a bit of support in a very difficult time for your husband.
Very sad.

[Buenchico]

It's the wrong name (it's actually called the Betjeman Arms) but it's still a superb venue for the occasion.

I recommended as one of the best pubs in London it in my post here:
http://www.theanswerb...4.html#answer-5283891
(Check the link that I provided there, for lots of information).

You can choose from the following areas to eat:
1. The bar: It's got the most comfortable sofas that I've ever encountered, with a pleasant, relaxed atmosphere ;
2. The outer terrace: It's mainly intended as a smoking area (which might be handy if there are any smokers in the group) but it's quite pleasant out there anyway. (There are big 'brolly' things, and heaters, when required) ;
3. The inner terrace: In this area you're actually within the upper concourse of St Pancras International station, but it's hard to believe it. It's a lovely, quiet area, well away from the hustle and bustle of the main station area ;
4. 'The Pantry': This small room, off from the bar area, is possibly the most popular area for eating but I've never really understood why! (It's nice but it wouldn't be my first choice) ;
5. The Restaurant: This is accessed through The Pantry. It's quiet, it's spacious and it's classy!

While you can order food and drink at the bar, table service is available throughout the whole pub. It's so good that I've travelled down to London (from Suffolk), just to go there!

More here:
http://www.viewlondon...rms-review-27602.html

[stokemaveric]

what a very sad reunion...

[Jemisa]

hc4 thats kind of you I'll pass your comment on to my H Thankyou.

Chris, - I might have known you would come up with some feed back. It all sounds good and a nice place to go for the occasion. Thankyou you are a friend.

jem

[paddywak]

Might be a sad reason for a reunion, but I bet they sink a few beers and have a few laughs along the way

[Buenchico]

Thank you for your reply, Jemisa.

I was amazed that, out of the thousands of bars in London, you asked about my favourite one. (Contrary to what some people around here might think, I don't know every pub in the country!).

If you'd have worded your post the other way round (i.e. as a request for somewhere suitable for the meeting),the Betjeman Arms would probably been top of my list anyway. It oozes 'class' without being at all 'stuffy'. (It's a superb place for 'unwinding').

I hope that the day goes well.

[boxtops]

Is it in the new St Pancras station, chris?

[Buenchico]

Yes, Boxtops.

If you're coming from across the road at Kings Cross, the easiest way in is to go up the big flight of steps which is straight ahead of you as you cross the road. That takes you directly to the rear entrance of the pub, which is alongside the outer terrace area. If you're inside the main station, you need to take the lift or the escalator to the upper level.

[boxtops]

Thanks Chris, but can you guide me the other way, i.e. from inside the station (which I find a bewildering place now that it's so modern)? I am either coming in on the high speed tracks from Kent down the escalator, or from Gatwick on the Thameslink station underneath the main concourse.

[Buenchico]

Boxtops:
Imagine that you got off a Eurostar train and walked straight ahead along the platform (past the locomotive at the front). If you were able to keep walking in a straight line, on the same level (which you couldn't actually do, of course, because of the high-security glass barrier in front of you), you'd immediately arrive at the 'inner terrace' bit of the Betjeman Arms. This picture is taken looking out from the door of the bar, into what I've called the 'inner terrace':
http://www.weddingven...jemanarms-wedding.jpg
If you look beyond the seating area, you can actually see the Eurostar trains.

So, from the 'hustle and bustle' part of the station (where most of the shops are), take an escalator to the upper level. Check that you're facing towards the front of the station (with the wonderful Victorian buildings which face out onto Euston Road) and walk straight ahead. Look for the massive bronze statue (called 'The Meeting Place'), which should be impossible to miss:
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/art/statue3602.jpg
The Betjeman Arms is very close by, in the corner of the station building.

[boxtops]

Thank you Chris, I will take a look next time I go up to London! - as a matter of fact, OH has just come in, looked over my shoulder, and said "been there, I liked it".