Latest reviews for Bars & Pubs in Farringdon, London, United Kingdom

Match EC1 - Tried and Tested by rissy82

rissy82 — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:43:34 +0000

Review by rissy82

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7250 4002

Website: http://www.matchbar.com

I work around the corner from Match and every time I pop in it never disappoints. The food's good and the staff are really nice. The drinks are really good too- I thought I knew what a mojito was meant to taste like until I had one here.I work around the corner from Match and every time I pop in it never disappoints. The food's good and the staff are really nice. The drinks are really good too- I thought I knew what a mojito was meant to taste like until I had one here.

Cafe Kick - by sokratis

sokratis — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 09:31:12 +0000

Review by sokratis

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7837 8077

Website: http://www.cafekick.co.uk

Tags: friendly, relaxed, young and fun

Celebratory drinks at Cafe Kick last night. Made some new friends: Hunny Bunny and...can't remember the other one, but had rasberry and straweberry. Another great night.Celebratory drinks at Cafe Kick last night. Made some new friends: Hunny Bunny and...can't remember the other one, but had rasberry and straweberry. Another great night.

The Hat and Tun - by LittleIsla

LittleIsla — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:11:34 +0000

Review by LittleIsla

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7242 4747

Website: http://www.thehatandtun.com/

Tags: food, pub, gastropub

This is another lovely little pub, just away from the usual Clerkenwell haunts. I was telling the staff in The Well how much I liked there place, and they recommended I try this place, a sister pub, and was equally enjoyable. It is an oldy sort of pub, that has a really nice drinks list and some really tasty nibbles.This is another lovely little pub, just away from the usual Clerkenwell haunts. I was telling the staff in The Well how much I liked there place, and they recommended I try this place, a sister pub, and was equally enjoyable. It is an oldy sort of pub, that has a really nice drinks list and some really tasty nibbles.

Bleeding Heart Tavern - Bleeding awful more like...! by oogywawa

oogywawa — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 01:01:31 +0000

Review by oogywawa

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7404 0333

Tags: food, english, air conditioning

Adnams should hang their heads in shame. This place does everything wrong with the superb beer that they brew in deepest Suffolk in that wonderful upmarket seaside town of theirs.

I should have spotted the warning signs - most people were on wine, but alas not. Both pints that we ordered were flatter than a witches t#t, warmer than bearable and to add insult to injury served in steaming glasses straight from the dishwasher from an inept and disinterested employee.

Picture the scene - empty table, 2 half drunk pints, door swinging in the breezeAdnams should hang their heads in shame. This place does everything wrong with the superb beer that they brew in deepest Suffolk in that wonderful upmarket seaside town of theirs.

I should have spotted the warning signs - most people were on wine, but alas not. Both pints that we ordered were flatter than a witches t#t, warmer than bearable and to add insult to injury served in steaming glasses straight from the dishwasher from an inept and disinterested employee.

Picture the scene - empty table, 2 half drunk pints, door swinging in the breeze

Dovetail - i agree.. by charlottalot

charlottalot — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:37:17 +0000

Review by charlottalot

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7490 7321

Website: http://www.belgianbars.com

Tags: relaxed, friendly, excellent pub food

This little bar is fantastic to echo the adoration below. Amazing Belgian beer selection, and cozy quaint atmosphere. If you love Belgian beers, you must check this place out.This little bar is fantastic to echo the adoration below. Amazing Belgian beer selection, and cozy quaint atmosphere. If you love Belgian beers, you must check this place out.

26 Smithfield - Review by pbelly

pbelly — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 10:29:53 +0000

Review by pbelly

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 72482464

Tags: entertainment, toptable

From what could actually make the perfect music Venue (I was in there over a year ago where music was played on all three floors - with bands on the roof! - can't remember who those promoters were, but they were amazing) 26 Smithfield fails to deliver on the basis that the food and drinks are just too expensive, especially now in a time of the credit crunch. Generally the ambience is geared around drawing in high paying customers so unless you're a city slicker rolling in dosh, go find yourself a pub for the locals and the nightly Smithfield butchers.From what could actually make the perfect music Venue (I was in there over a year ago where music was played on all three floors - with bands on the roof! - can't remember who those promoters were, but they were amazing) 26 Smithfield fails to deliver on the basis that the food and drinks are just too expensive, especially now in a time of the credit crunch. Generally the ambience is geared around drawing in high paying customers so unless you're a city slicker rolling in dosh, go find yourself a pub for the locals and the nightly Smithfield butchers.

Hat & Feathers - Awful by chrisp

chrisp — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:06:04 +0000

Review by chrisp

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7490 2244

Website: http://www.hatandfeathers.com/

Tags: gastro pub, romantic, french

Never let it be said I don't give restaurants a fair hearing. I am open-minded, even of temperament and balanced of judgement. I will gather all available information, weigh up the pros and cons and deliver an objective verdict which meticulously details the relevant points, whether good or bad. Usually. It's just that some places don't deserve a fair hearing. They need abusing, locking up and shutting down. They need barricading, quarantining and fire-bombing. They need 100ft-high billboards with giant spot lit lettering, carried over London by a phalanx of helicopters, reading "NEVER EVER HAVE LUNCH AT THE HAT AND FEATHERS". Ahem.

It may seem like I'm over-reacting, but picture the scene. Beer garden at the aforementioned Hat and Feathers pub in Clerkenwell, on a blazing hot summer's day. "Chef", sweating profusely onto the gas grille, has just produced what looks like a large grey turd from a shelf behind the counter and is pressing it into the heat. On closer inspection, the turd turns out to be a pre-cooked beefburger, solid with cold, congealed fat. After about three minutes of this activity, long enough to turn the outside black but presumably to still have a nice dense heart of lukewarm grease within, he proudly places the meat into a cold burger bun and pops a nice cold slice of Kraft cheese on top. A side order of undressed salad completes the dish.

I watched this horror unfold open-mouthed. Fortunately - oh, so fortunately - I had not yet selected my own food, so was able to cross the turdburger off the mental list and opted instead for "beef skewers". Ordering was another exercise in the bizarre and unpleasant. Approaching the bar, I couldn't help noticing the waitress had something in her mouth, and was staring wide-eyed at me as I advanced. Just as I began to speak, she reeled over and spat whatever it was (I'd really rather not ever know) into the nearest bin, then bounced back upright, saliva dribbling down her chin like an eager basset hound. It was, to say the least, off-putting, but I mumbled my order and escaped back to the beer garden before she turned into a werewolf.

The beef skewers were tiny, chewy and accompanied by a desperately depressing unseasoned green salad and bought-in pitta bread. With no accompanying sauce or moisture of any kind, it was a chore to eat even this meagre amount of food. Even worse though was a side order of chips, anaemic and flabby and reeking of old oil, the nastiest I think I've ever been served in London. A friend's salmon steak was tasteless, tiny, shrivelled and dripping in oil, and even came with a sneering Â£2 supplement.

And there we have probably the most awful lunch I've had anywhere for a very long time. If I was feeling even slightly charitable I suppose I could point out that Â£10 is not very much to spend on lunch, and the option of a beer garden will be attractive to some. But if any restaurant cares so little about their customers that they're shamelessly serving REHEATED BURGERS under the pretext of a "credit crunch" menu, then I don't have to be in the least bit generous in return. The Hat and Feathers is a cynical, incompetent establishment serving - almost literally - shit food. Please do yourself and the world a favour, and never ever go.Never let it be said I don't give restaurants a fair hearing. I am open-minded, even of temperament and balanced of judgement. I will gather all available information, weigh up the pros and cons and deliver an objective verdict which meticulously details the relevant points, whether good or bad. Usually. It's just that some places don't deserve a fair hearing. They need abusing, locking up and shutting down. They need barricading, quarantining and fire-bombing. They need 100ft-high billboards with giant spot lit lettering, carried over London by a phalanx of helicopters, reading "NEVER EVER HAVE LUNCH AT THE HAT AND FEATHERS". Ahem.

It may seem like I'm over-reacting, but picture the scene. Beer garden at the aforementioned Hat and Feathers pub in Clerkenwell, on a blazing hot summer's day. "Chef", sweating profusely onto the gas grille, has just produced what looks like a large grey turd from a shelf behind the counter and is pressing it into the heat. On closer inspection, the turd turns out to be a pre-cooked beefburger, solid with cold, congealed fat. After about three minutes of this activity, long enough to turn the outside black but presumably to still have a nice dense heart of lukewarm grease within, he proudly places the meat into a cold burger bun and pops a nice cold slice of Kraft cheese on top. A side order of undressed salad completes the dish.

I watched this horror unfold open-mouthed. Fortunately - oh, so fortunately - I had not yet selected my own food, so was able to cross the turdburger off the mental list and opted instead for "beef skewers". Ordering was another exercise in the bizarre and unpleasant. Approaching the bar, I couldn't help noticing the waitress had something in her mouth, and was staring wide-eyed at me as I advanced. Just as I began to speak, she reeled over and spat whatever it was (I'd really rather not ever know) into the nearest bin, then bounced back upright, saliva dribbling down her chin like an eager basset hound. It was, to say the least, off-putting, but I mumbled my order and escaped back to the beer garden before she turned into a werewolf.

The beef skewers were tiny, chewy and accompanied by a desperately depressing unseasoned green salad and bought-in pitta bread. With no accompanying sauce or moisture of any kind, it was a chore to eat even this meagre amount of food. Even worse though was a side order of chips, anaemic and flabby and reeking of old oil, the nastiest I think I've ever been served in London. A friend's salmon steak was tasteless, tiny, shrivelled and dripping in oil, and even came with a sneering Â£2 supplement.

And there we have probably the most awful lunch I've had anywhere for a very long time. If I was feeling even slightly charitable I suppose I could point out that Â£10 is not very much to spend on lunch, and the option of a beer garden will be attractive to some. But if any restaurant cares so little about their customers that they're shamelessly serving REHEATED BURGERS under the pretext of a "credit crunch" menu, then I don't have to be in the least bit generous in return. The Hat and Feathers is a cynical, incompetent establishment serving - almost literally - shit food. Please do yourself and the world a favour, and never ever go.

Charterhouse Bar - A great night out... by jobegg

jobegg — Tue, 12 May 2009 10:09:33 +0000

Review by jobegg

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7608 0858

Website: http://www.charterhouse-bar.co.uk

Tags: bar, friendly, electronica

The building is really cool and inside its surprisingly bigger than I thought it would be, its set over two floors with the DJ playing upstairs later in the night. I was there on a Friday night and they had a happy hour running till 7pm, which pleased my wallet, drinks after were reasonably priced, the bar staff were really friendly and laid back and generally it was a nice crowd and pretty busy with a good atmosphere. Will definitely go and check this place out again.The building is really cool and inside its surprisingly bigger than I thought it would be, its set over two floors with the DJ playing upstairs later in the night. I was there on a Friday night and they had a happy hour running till 7pm, which pleased my wallet, drinks after were reasonably priced, the bar staff were really friendly and laid back and generally it was a nice crowd and pretty busy with a good atmosphere. Will definitely go and check this place out again.

King Of Diamonds - Sun terrace, london, good grub by elisabethbrowne

elisabethbrowne — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 07:40:22 +0000

Review by elisabethbrowne

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7405 0999

Tags: pool, beer garden, excellent pub food

We love this boozer in our office, its great. The new manager has made some great changes and has a great sandwich offer on too. 2 pool tables downstairs, main bar with great selection of beers on draught, great wines to chose from and the best part is a great sun terrace where if you do still smoke you can! Very busy at lunch as it is in the city, and busy at 5 - 6pm as I said, it is in the city. Great at anytime.We love this boozer in our office, its great. The new manager has made some great changes and has a great sandwich offer on too. 2 pool tables downstairs, main bar with great selection of beers on draught, great wines to chose from and the best part is a great sun terrace where if you do still smoke you can! Very busy at lunch as it is in the city, and busy at 5 - 6pm as I said, it is in the city. Great at anytime.

The Bishops Finger - Not a bad boozer... by AlexWoods

AlexWoods — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 09:40:06 +0000

Review by AlexWoods

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7248 2341

Website: http://www.shepherd-neame.co.uk

Tags: relaxed, food, friendly

I like Shepherd Neame beer and Shepherd Neame pubs, as a rule. And this is no exception but there is nothing that has made it stand out of the crowd. It is a good, dependable go-to pub: one that you can keep in your back pocket if things don't work out!

The beer is usually good (Spitfire, Bishop's Finger, and Autumn Red, though I think this changes. Would be nice to see Master Brew... it is the True King of Beers...) and food is your standard brewery pub fayre.

It's a nice cosy pub, gets quite busy in the evenings and on the whole it's a nice crowd. There's an upstairs bar as well, often closed for private functions, which is a pleasant addition.

The staff seem pretty... average, which is not meant to be disparaging. They serve a good pint courteously and correctly, there's nothing to complain about.

Look, it's a nice pub, great to go for a couple of pints after work, and it's the only Shep.Neame pub I know in this neck of the woods, so I'm a returning customer. But there is nothing to make it stand out - no "Wow factor" what ever that's supposed to mean. I really feel as though I ought to like this place more but...mehI like Shepherd Neame beer and Shepherd Neame pubs, as a rule. And this is no exception but there is nothing that has made it stand out of the crowd. It is a good, dependable go-to pub: one that you can keep in your back pocket if things don't work out!

The beer is usually good (Spitfire, Bishop's Finger, and Autumn Red, though I think this changes. Would be nice to see Master Brew... it is the True King of Beers...) and food is your standard brewery pub fayre.

It's a nice cosy pub, gets quite busy in the evenings and on the whole it's a nice crowd. There's an upstairs bar as well, often closed for private functions, which is a pleasant addition.

The staff seem pretty... average, which is not meant to be disparaging. They serve a good pint courteously and correctly, there's nothing to complain about.

Look, it's a nice pub, great to go for a couple of pints after work, and it's the only Shep.Neame pub I know in this neck of the woods, so I'm a returning customer. But there is nothing to make it stand out - no "Wow factor" what ever that's supposed to mean. I really feel as though I ought to like this place more but...meh

The Eagle - One of the original gastro pubs by gastro1

gastro1 — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 01:16:01 +0000

Review by gastro1

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7837 1353

Tags: excellent pub food, gastro pub, cosy

An institution and the daddy of all gastro pubs.

Where else can you get a perfectly cooked onglet or whole grilled mackerel witha decent pint or glass of vino.

Carry on the good workAn institution and the daddy of all gastro pubs.

Where else can you get a perfectly cooked onglet or whole grilled mackerel witha decent pint or glass of vino.

Carry on the good work

Ye Olde Mitre - Clandestine survivor from olde London by oogywawa

oogywawa — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 18:51:02 +0000

Review by oogywawa

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7405 4751

Tags: traditional pub, relaxed, old

It's humbling to think that when Shakespeare started living in London this hidden gem had been serving Ale for nearly 50 years!

Entry via a small passage off Hatton Gardens transports you back in time to a compact piece of authentic English history and its not a well kept secret judging by the hordes that pack it out early evening. There are 2 small oak clad bars downstairs serving 5 well kept real ales to an assortment of office workers (Sainsbury's HQ is yards away), locals and inquisitive tourists. There is more space upstairs and it's needed as the low ceilinged downstairs bars can get slightly claustrophobic at ultra busy times.

It's all presided over by a genial Landlord affectionately known as "Scotty" by the regulars who chat with him about his beer and what guest ales are arriving shortly. I was made to feel welcome when I visited and such was his knowledge of the licenced trade, that he knew most of the pubs & licencees in my hometown York!

In short, a lovely refuge from the chaos and daily grind of the metropolis.

It's humbling to think that when Shakespeare started living in London this hidden gem had been serving Ale for nearly 50 years!

Entry via a small passage off Hatton Gardens transports you back in time to a compact piece of authentic English history and its not a well kept secret judging by the hordes that pack it out early evening. There are 2 small oak clad bars downstairs serving 5 well kept real ales to an assortment of office workers (Sainsbury's HQ is yards away), locals and inquisitive tourists. There is more space upstairs and it's needed as the low ceilinged downstairs bars can get slightly claustrophobic at ultra busy times.

It's all presided over by a genial Landlord affectionately known as "Scotty" by the regulars who chat with him about his beer and what guest ales are arriving shortly. I was made to feel welcome when I visited and such was his knowledge of the licenced trade, that he knew most of the pubs & licencees in my hometown York!

In short, a lovely refuge from the chaos and daily grind of the metropolis.

The Jerusalem Tavern - Wonderful pub oozing charisma and charm by oogywawa

oogywawa — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 19:38:47 +0000

Review by oogywawa

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7490 4281

Tags: traditional pub, friendly, independent pub

Pubs don't get much better than this. The Jerusalem Taverns delivers more or less the perfect formula for a great pub night. It's bustling and very often heaving, it's cozy with the right ambience and it serves exceptional hand crafted beers from a small independent Brewery.

It's been knocking around since 1720 and all those years you feel have been condensed into every inch of a pub that evokes other times - only the clientele remind you that you are in the present day. There are 8 St Peter's Brewery beers on draught at any time - not from handpumps but direct from taps at the back of the oak clad bar. The only bar font is serving the excellent Taddington Lager (aka Moravka)and there is a considerable choice of bottled beers as well as the usual premium spirits and selected wines.

The guy behind the bar let slip that the Jerusalem was struggling to cope and that the Brewery were considering maybe doubling their "estate" to include another hostelry. Good for them although this bijout gem will be hard to replicate.Pubs don't get much better than this. The Jerusalem Taverns delivers more or less the perfect formula for a great pub night. It's bustling and very often heaving, it's cozy with the right ambience and it serves exceptional hand crafted beers from a small independent Brewery.

It's been knocking around since 1720 and all those years you feel have been condensed into every inch of a pub that evokes other times - only the clientele remind you that you are in the present day. There are 8 St Peter's Brewery beers on draught at any time - not from handpumps but direct from taps at the back of the oak clad bar. The only bar font is serving the excellent Taddington Lager (aka Moravka)and there is a considerable choice of bottled beers as well as the usual premium spirits and selected wines.

The guy behind the bar let slip that the Jerusalem was struggling to cope and that the Brewery were considering maybe doubling their "estate" to include another hostelry. Good for them although this bijout gem will be hard to replicate.

The Cock Tavern - Dreadful by captain555

captain555 — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 19:42:25 +0000

Review by captain555

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7248 2918

Tags: food, breakfast, british

I last ate here years ago and really enjoyed it. However I went there in December 08 with a party of about 20 for the Christmas lunch menu at Â£35 per head. Much of the food was sent back cold or under-cooked. The service was dreadful and the wine awful. Most importantly, the cutlery and glassware were filthy, with dried-on food and sticky substances, as were the toilets. I appreciate that Smithfield can have a rough-and-ready style, but that's no excuse for poor hygiene and service. I've never seen so many complaints. If you're thinking of eating there, I recommend you take a good look first.I last ate here years ago and really enjoyed it. However I went there in December 08 with a party of about 20 for the Christmas lunch menu at Â£35 per head. Much of the food was sent back cold or under-cooked. The service was dreadful and the wine awful. Most importantly, the cutlery and glassware were filthy, with dried-on food and sticky substances, as were the toilets. I appreciate that Smithfield can have a rough-and-ready style, but that's no excuse for poor hygiene and service. I've never seen so many complaints. If you're thinking of eating there, I recommend you take a good look first.

Fox & Anchor - FOX and ANCHOR by alfie0207

alfie0207 — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:51:13 +0000

Review by alfie0207

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7253 5075

Website: http://www.foxandanchor.com/news

Tags: friendly, different pub food, cool & smart

This pub is without fail top of my favorites,its tiny but very cumfortable,as a wide range of real ales,which if you choose will be served to you in a nice glass bottomed tankard,they even serve porter ale,there is a very good menu,and the service is tops,Acommodation is available,its a must try pub,but beware you could easily pass it by,This pub is without fail top of my favorites,its tiny but very cumfortable,as a wide range of real ales,which if you choose will be served to you in a nice glass bottomed tankard,they even serve porter ale,there is a very good menu,and the service is tops,Acommodation is available,its a must try pub,but beware you could easily pass it by,

The Pavillion End - The Pavillion End by guvnor

guvnor — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:26:50 +0000

Review by guvnor

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7236 6719

Website: http://www.wizardinns.co.uk

Tags: cool, food, friendly

Very cool pub in the cityVery cool pub in the city

The Old Red Cow - very good! by minnym

minnym — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 13:31:10 +0000

Review by minnym

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7726 2595

Website: http://www.shepherd-neame.co.uk

Tags: jazz, cool, relaxed

just had the most delicious steak at this pub. Never been there before, but I think it's just reopened. I loved the free jukebox...nice touch!just had the most delicious steak at this pub. Never been there before, but I think it's just reopened. I loved the free jukebox...nice touch!

The Three Kings - Archetypal boozer by ben1982

ben1982 — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 23:14:11 +0000

Review by ben1982

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7253 0483

Tags: food, dj, jukebox

This pub just feels great; a little bit dark and dingy (in the best possible way), a healthy post-work bustle and a slight creative twist, particularly the upstairs rooms with its Fifties decor, which mirrors the Clerkenwell clientele...when it gets dark the candles come out and the food has a pub-grub quality lacking in many similar places. A place to return to again and again.This pub just feels great; a little bit dark and dingy (in the best possible way), a healthy post-work bustle and a slight creative twist, particularly the upstairs rooms with its Fifties decor, which mirrors the Clerkenwell clientele...when it gets dark the candles come out and the food has a pub-grub quality lacking in many similar places. A place to return to again and again.

Reflex The 80's Bar - Reflex! by louisemc29

louisemc29 — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:08:39 +0000

Review by louisemc29

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7248 5641

Website: http://www.reflex-bars.co.uk

Tags: friendly, dj, cocktails

Brilliant bar set in the middle of Liverpool's busy concert Square area. Great if you're after some cheesy music from the 80's, however if you feel like a change there's also L1 downstairs which plays R and B and recent tunes. They sell all kinds of merchandise, such as sunglasses or sweatbands, and it's great for a laugh! The DJ will usually play requests all night, and the drinks are a decent price, and it's open late of a weekend. L1 also does food in the day, and is reasonably priced and there's comfy couches to sit on, and televisions to keep you entertained. All in all I'd recommend this place day or night!Brilliant bar set in the middle of Liverpool's busy concert Square area. Great if you're after some cheesy music from the 80's, however if you feel like a change there's also L1 downstairs which plays R and B and recent tunes. They sell all kinds of merchandise, such as sunglasses or sweatbands, and it's great for a laugh! The DJ will usually play requests all night, and the drinks are a decent price, and it's open late of a weekend. L1 also does food in the day, and is reasonably priced and there's comfy couches to sit on, and televisions to keep you entertained. All in all I'd recommend this place day or night!

The Viaduct Tavern - absolutely cacked myself by andybrown

andybrown — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 00:41:19 +0000

Review by andybrown

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7600 1863

Tags: food, good beer, after work crowd

I will admit that this pub is often full of lawyers and bankers, braying mindlessly at each other in mockney as they whomp down large amounts of the blandest lager they can find. However, this is one of the few places where they can effortlessly be ignored, through one or more of the following ways:

1 - admire the beautiful, original Victorian furnishings, mirrors, glass, etc, etc.
2 - get drunk in the old-fashioned way, on either numerous types of gin, or the delectable London Porter, invented for the specific benefit of the Smithfield Market meat carriers.
3 - take in the view, the Old Bailey, the 16th century church of St Sepulchre, the engineering wonder of Holborn Viaduct, etc.
4 - scare yourself absolutely and completely shitless.

Now, the more astute of you may have noticed that, of the four options, one tends to stick out somewhat. And it's the one that leads most people to think "no, let's not go there, if i want to be scared i can go to romford". and that is true up to a point, but what you're missing my darlings is the source of that fear. Will it help if i say i was rendered numb and terrified by the lime cordial in the cellar? No?

The Viaduct is built on the cellars/foundations/cells of the Giltspur Street Compter, an old remand prison in the Old City of London, which took the overflow from Newgate across the road. The misery of prison existence was almost unthinkable, what with the total corruption of the warders who weren't obliged to feed the prisoners. Some inevitably died in these cold dank places. Now I'm a rational human being, even after a couple of beers, so when I say that I felt something, you can be forgiven for assuming it was the barmaid's bottom.
But I did. I went down into the cellars, and it was all very interesting, and they took me round, and showed me the cells, and the cell numbers, and we got to cell where they stored lime cordial and somesuch other liquids, she opened the door, I went to enter...

and i couldn't. it was as if something was holding me there, pushing me. that's the only way i can describe it. like a forcefield. and, try as i might, my legs wouldn't obey, and i stood there in perfect terror as the lady showing me around told me someone had died in that cell, and the staff didn't like to be down in the cellar in the night time on their own because sometimes the lights went off and the doors locked themselves and noises were heard, terrible noises of pain and loneliness, echoing through the old bricks, cracked walls, and rusted iron bars in the awful, total blackness.

so you see, the lawyers and the bankers don't bother me at all. i don't even see them. i sit there and nurse my pint, and wonder how one experience can overturn a lifetime of reason. it's a good place, the Viaduct. But I wouldn't bloody work there.I will admit that this pub is often full of lawyers and bankers, braying mindlessly at each other in mockney as they whomp down large amounts of the blandest lager they can find. However, this is one of the few places where they can effortlessly be ignored, through one or more of the following ways:

1 - admire the beautiful, original Victorian furnishings, mirrors, glass, etc, etc.
2 - get drunk in the old-fashioned way, on either numerous types of gin, or the delectable London Porter, invented for the specific benefit of the Smithfield Market meat carriers.
3 - take in the view, the Old Bailey, the 16th century church of St Sepulchre, the engineering wonder of Holborn Viaduct, etc.
4 - scare yourself absolutely and completely shitless.

Now, the more astute of you may have noticed that, of the four options, one tends to stick out somewhat. And it's the one that leads most people to think "no, let's not go there, if i want to be scared i can go to romford". and that is true up to a point, but what you're missing my darlings is the source of that fear. Will it help if i say i was rendered numb and terrified by the lime cordial in the cellar? No?

The Viaduct is built on the cellars/foundations/cells of the Giltspur Street Compter, an old remand prison in the Old City of London, which took the overflow from Newgate across the road. The misery of prison existence was almost unthinkable, what with the total corruption of the warders who weren't obliged to feed the prisoners. Some inevitably died in these cold dank places. Now I'm a rational human being, even after a couple of beers, so when I say that I felt something, you can be forgiven for assuming it was the barmaid's bottom.
But I did. I went down into the cellars, and it was all very interesting, and they took me round, and showed me the cells, and the cell numbers, and we got to cell where they stored lime cordial and somesuch other liquids, she opened the door, I went to enter...

and i couldn't. it was as if something was holding me there, pushing me. that's the only way i can describe it. like a forcefield. and, try as i might, my legs wouldn't obey, and i stood there in perfect terror as the lady showing me around told me someone had died in that cell, and the staff didn't like to be down in the cellar in the night time on their own because sometimes the lights went off and the doors locked themselves and noises were heard, terrible noises of pain and loneliness, echoing through the old bricks, cracked walls, and rusted iron bars in the awful, total blackness.

so you see, the lawyers and the bankers don't bother me at all. i don't even see them. i sit there and nurse my pint, and wonder how one experience can overturn a lifetime of reason. it's a good place, the Viaduct. But I wouldn't bloody work there.