That’s the inevitable misquote from the comments below – from locals, visitors, holidaymakers, ‘expert’ CAMRA pundits, all sorts – people who enjoyed a time at the Queens Arms, connoisseurs of pubs that welcome nice people in a relaxed social atmosphere.
Tell us what you think:
e-mail us at: info@thequeensarmsbrixham.co.uk or visit our Facebook Page!
17th November 2015: Gail Miller posted this on our facebook…
Definitely the best back street boozer in Brixham... can't think of any place I would rather be!
3rd October 2014: Lisa and Terry Wiltshire (Gloucestershire) sent this email …
We are back home now and just wanted to say how much we enjoyed visiting your lovely friendly pub over the past week whilst in Brixham.
Everyone, customers and staff, were really welcoming and the constantly changing range of ales was fantastic.
Hope to visit you again one day soon
7th September 2014: Terri and Angus Berry (Herefordshire) sent this email …
Just back in Herefordshire after an absolutely fabulous week in Brixham, and what made it so special for us was The Queens Arms. We had such a warm welcome from the moment we walked through the door from both yourselves and your customers who made us feel like one of the “locals”. We miss you all already, and can’t wait to get back. Thank you so much for your hospitality. It’s clear to see why you have the Best Pub In Town! We have forwarded the name address of “The Backward Dancer” to the X-Factor panel. Haven’t laughed so much in years! Still laughing now. What a brilliant crowd, thank you all so much.
1st June 2014: Robert Hughes (Brixham) wrote on Spotted Brixham …
Best pub in Brixham by a mile especially if ur like ur ale. Chris is a great landlord with a passion and pride in his trade. Proper locals boozer. Has great singers on too. Great atmosphere in there. Should take a short walk outta town to go sup quality beer and support Brixham’s true gem.
1st June 2014: Lesley Manning (Brixham) wrote on Spotted Brixham …
Brilliant pub!! Just had a fabulous afternoon there. Charity art auction and 3BF and BBQ.
1st June 2014: Rianna Dolman (Brixham) wrote on Spotted Brixham …
Amazing pub and amazing landlord, best pub in brixham by far (havimg lived across road from it for 2 years never any trouble)
1st June 2014: Keith Bailey (Brixham) wrote on Spotted Brixham …
Great pub. Chris Simmonds has turned it into a delightful public house. With excellent beers and very good hospitality. One of the pubs of Brixham that people who visit or locals should go.. A STAR.. Recommend it.
17th September 2013: Sharon Brown (Cheshire) wrote …
Thanks so much for all your trouble on returning my camera. Best pub i've visited on the Devon Riviera!!! See you when i'm in the area again i owe you a drink! You well deserve being in the 2014 Beer Guide.
25th July 2013: Andy Jago (Brixham) wrote …
Like the real ales along the bar. The Queens Arms goes from strength to strength.
18th July 2013: David Moseby (Brixham) wrote …
I am proud to be a member of “The Brixham Last of the Summer Wine Walking Group.” Our mission statement is “Go for a long coastal walk and end up at a good pub with real ale.”
Twelve months ago we discovered what Chris had done to the Queens Arms, a proper pub with a serious choice of excellent real ales at great prices in a great friendly environment. Our walks always end at the Queens Arms now and we are looking forward to the Winter Beer Festival.
For all walkers, and indeed all visitors to Brixham take a five minute walk up from the Harbour to the Queens Arms and I can assure you – you will return.
29th May 2013: Martin & Sally (Bristol & District CAMRA) paid us a visit …
Long live the Queens Arms - Absolute Jewel in the Crown. Made our weekend in Brixham complete. Wonderful people and glorious beers. Can’t wait to visit again.
13th April 2013: Mike Lane (Peterborough & District CAMRA) visited again …
This was my second visit to the Brixham area in the last 15 months and specifically to The Queens Arms. This classic pub thoroughly deserves the recognition received from the local branch of CAMRA and it’s great to see that continued support. As well as 6 real ales on hand pump (with one at £ 2.50), the décor is great and I think pretty original from when built.
Since taking the pub on about 18 months ago Chris has attracted a fair CAMRA following and trade is continuing to increase. At the fear of repeating, I was blown away by the ambiance of this pub, it just grabs you when you walk in the door and embraces you…. plus the beer is immaculately cared for by Chris, something sadly missing in a number of other establishments that we visited in Brixham over the weekend. I did enjoy several pubs, but the Queens Arms stands out be a long mile.
11th April 2013: Keith and Jodie (Brixham) wrote …
Chris and Jenny have turned the pub into a real ale drinkers “paradise”. There are usually up to 6 real ales to choose from ranging from fine “session” beers to beers of interesting strength (!) and from many different breweries.
They have created (in a relatively short time) a warm and friendly establishment where it is a real pleasure to go for a pint and a natter.
We have darts and euchre teams which Chris and Jenny encourage and do everything possible to help and organize not to mention feed!
We wish them every success for the future. They deserve it for all their hard work and effort.
April 2013: Simon Ridley (Devon) wrote …
Couldn't wish for a more friendly welcoming pub with a great well kept selection of ales.
16th March 2013: Laura (Brixham) wrote …
We started coming to the Queens just after Chris took over and it’s fast become our favourite pub. Always a great choice of real ales and beers and always a warm and friendly welcome. A great atmosphere whether it’s a quiet night or an afternoon watching the rugby, or a night dancing to one of the many brilliant bands. Added to all this is the fact that Chris made us some fab cocktails the night before our wedding for all the girls – the perfect pub!
15th March 2013: Paul Brady (Brixham) wrote …
Just like a ship is only as good as it’s captain a pub is only as good as it’s landlord and you don’t get much better than Chris at The Queens Arms. I do not think Chris would mind if I described it as a proper back street community boozer full of warmth and welcome.
It is one of the few pubs I have been in where everyone is made to feel welcome and all are treated the same. Chris actively encourages people to get involved in the things that happen at the pub and this has created a great community spirit.
Add all of that to the fact that The Queens Arms is an ale lovers paradise and you really don’t need to look elsewhere. Chris took on the pub a little over a year ago and in that short space of time we have had almost 170 different real ales to choose from. That is an amazing achievement.
Many Thanks Simmo.
Keep up the good work.
14th March 2013: Gary Clater (Brixham) wrote …
What a turn round for a pub that was looking pretty jaded. Having been a regular customer of the Queens Arms for a number of years, I find the transformation of this pub most impressive. Chris Simmonds has made stirling effort over the past year to bring the Queens Arms up to a standard that i thought had gone for ever in the pub trade.
A great selection of quality Real Ales, friendly staff, live music, various events that get customers involved, a relaxed atmosphere, even a Wood Burner and a new carpet!
Yes a welcome return to old values.
Well done Chris
9th March 2013: James Vincent (Cornwall) – himself a professional brewer for one of our top cask ale suppliers – had this to say …
Wow, what a pub!!
Fine ales, looked after as any brewer would like. Landlord and his staff passionate about real ale and its quality and aftercare. Superb range. Certainly one of Devon's finest real ale pubs. Live music on a Saturday. This pub has gone back to basics and is producing the environment that many pubs have lost.
9th March 2013: Philip German (Brixham) – lover of quality, be it fine ale or attire – was full of praise …
The Queen’s Arms was lost. The previous tenants had abandoned it for other shores. Chris and Jen took the pub on and with a single minded will and determination transformed it into a hostelry worthy of praise and adulation from all who deem themselves connoisseurs of real ales. The quality of the beers on offer and the genuine warmth and friendship of reception when one enters the pub has to be experienced to be appreciated. There is no finer pub in Brixham.
8th March 2013: Russell L. (Brixham) gave this endorsement …
Of all the pubs in Brixham and beyond, there’s no finer watering hole to wet your whistle.
It’s not only the beer that’s ace; it’s the congenial atmosphere and eclectic mix of characters that makes it so relaxing and a great place to unwind. You might find a bunch of boffins from the nearby AstraZeneca research centre; teachers, tradesmen, health workers, local business owners… There’s the electrician who loves – not the excellent real ale – the Guinness: as velvety as you could wish for. There’s the quintessentially English eccentric raising his personal tankard, and his thespian wife cradling her wine. There’s the crazy young ‘witch’ puffing her e-cigarette who will divine your future. There’s the card playing foursome from Reading. There’s a guy who restores copper & brass antiques – and ejection seats!
The Queens is a good all-round pub where you can take anyone. Mondy, the pub cat, will make you feel at home in no time.
For smokers, there’s a gazebo out at the back, with seating. For lovers, there’s what I call the ‘Parisian quarter’ with a cosy wood burning stove. For the ladies, there’s a nice indoor powder room. For the gents, there’s a nasty outdoor pee trough!
The landlord Chris is a very good mixer with genuine pastoral interest in his punters. Jenny and Paul provide friendly bar service too.
I commend the Queens Arms highly.
6th March 2013: Nic Wellspring (Brixham) posted a review in Google+ …
A great “Proper” pub, with good atmosphere, great company and an excellent host.
5th January 2013: Jeremy O. (Indianapolis, USA) gave a 5/5 rating in YELP …
This pub is as English pub as it gets.
The Landlord is as friendly as it gets.
The pubs cat is a total lover, Yes cats can love back :)
21st October 2012: Ale Monster gave a 9/10 rating in Pubs Galore …
This is a brilliant and very traditional back street corner pub which since January has become a privately owned free house. The interior is one L shaped room with the L shaped wooden bar counter in the back right corner opposite the entrance, the right hand wall is exposed rustic stone with a small basic fire place in the middle, other walls are half wood panel with red patterned fabric bench seating and the floor is fully carpeted, the left wall has a very large three paned mirror, the back left wall has a large flat screen TV which was off during this visit and the back right wall round the corner of the L shaped room from the bar counter has a second small fire place with a dart board above, on the walls were several old photos and prints. In the back left corner is a door that leads out to a small enclosed court yard with a couple of tables and an outside men’s toilet block which was quite open to the elements and a little cold on this particular day.
Regular ales are currently St Austell Dartmoor Best Bitter and any beer from the local Hunters Brewery with up to four changing guest beers which on this occasion were Skinners Betty Stogs, Teignworthy Old Moggie, Otter Bitter and Bays Topsail. I tried the Dartmoor and Hunters Half Bore and found them to be very good in my opinion, the Best Bitter is £2 a pint which is very reasonable these days. Nice to see a free house supporting lots of local breweries especially Hunters which is hard to come by.
An excellent traditional pub with an emphasis on real ales, but I did spy some cobs on the back of the bar. It is a little off the tourists beaten track, I became aware of this place while on holiday due to an article in the South Devon CAMRA branches news letter which I had picked up in another pub. I’m really glad that I made the effort to climb the hill and walk along the narrow back streets with no foot paths to find this place and I would definitely make the effort again, an actual hidden gem.
2nd May 2012: lambic (Newton Poppleford) gave a 16/20 rating at RateBeer …
Visited on recommendation. Great beer range all in good condition (six pumps) No food, no jukebox, no pool table, just good beer and a nice atmosphere. Usually a beer from Hunters brewery on. Brains SA, Cottage Tornado, Bass and Proper job also available during my visit. well worth seeking out if you in Brixham/Torbay.
23rd April 2012: Brian S. (Brixham) gave a 4/5 rating in YELP …
Fabulous “real” pub under recently new ownership.
Friendly family run establishment with various nights of good quality live music, Sunday Quiz Night and other activities.
This reminds me of when “pubs were real pubs”.
Nice just out of town location which helps to maintain it’s proper local status, whilst always being welcoming and friendly to any visitor.
My haven from the hustle and bustle of a lovely tourist favourite.
16th April 2012: hembro (Brixham) gave a 16/20 rating at RateBeer …
One-bar end of terrace boozer. Good selection of beers – 4-6 usually on. Always has a Hunter’s Brewery beer, and one beer at £2 a pint. A good mix of local and countrywide ales. Last visit, the Oakham JHB was spot-on and dangerously nice. This pub has had a checkered history in the past, but now in the hands of a beer oriented landlord. No pool table, no juke box, just a comfortable ’local’.
26th March 2012: Brian Slack (Brixham) gave a 4/5 rating in the Big Red Directory …
Great pub, landlord Chris is a smashing guy.
A good pub with friendly staff where you find lots of locals would recommend this pub for a good night out.
This is a "real" pub and if you are in the town it really is worth the short walk. Wherever I go I look out for decent pubs where you can drink well kept beer in a pleasant and welcoming environment and I am pleased that this is one of those places. Service is friendly the bar is comfortable and the beer is great. The walk up from town also makes you feel as if you have earned your pint when you get there. The fact that no dogs are allowed in the bar is a major plus point particularly in terms of hygiene (the pub was immaculate) and being left alone and not a sudden object of interest when food is about. Credit to the landlord/landlady for that policy.
Visited from a nearby bed and breakfast on their recommendation. Friendly welcome and great variety of real ale. Worth the walk up from the harbour and a more local clientele.
My last review for the Queens Arms was in 2016 and I still love
visiting this pub. Difficult to find as off the usual tourist root
from the harbor. However, if you get the chance and love amazing
mix of different local cider and ales its a must for you. Friendly
staff and the landlord Chris always has a welcome and a thank you
on leaving. The locals in this pub are also friendly and make you
feel at ease with there many evenings of various entertainment from
local darts night, local bands, even the meat draw on a
Friday!
Sadly never had food on the visit but by the other reviews that
will not disappoint either.
Keep up the good work Chris and hope to return soon for more
Brixham hospitality!
Great little pub. The pubs that are tucked away from the main town always seem better to me. Very friendly staff and a great choice of drinks
A traditional back street corner pub with excellent beers, pleasant staff, nice meals, good music, weekday activities, friendly company, great community spirit. Come and sample some award winning cask ales and real cider. Enjoy a Saturday night band. You’ll love it.
© The Queens Arms, 31 Station Hill, Brixham, Devon, TQ5 8BN
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