Randomness Guide to London Menu

Irish pub across three floors near Covent Garden. Serves their own beer (all nitrokegged) and a wide range of international bottled beers. The porter is drinkable enough.

On a Thursday evening in August 2008, it was packed, noisy, and quite dark; not a pleasant drinking experience at all. At least there wasn't a loud live band as well which there has been on a previous visit. Although it's a pretty large pub, by 5:30pm most of the tables were either taken or reserved, and it was pretty much standing room only half an hour later.

They've had Kriek on tap in the past, but the only Kriek available on this visit was bottled Boon Kriek (£4.50/375ml, though the beer menu claimed this should have been £4.85).

The internal architecture is relatively interesting. There's very little natural light on the top floor, and they keep the lighting dim to the point where it's impossible to read a book.

However, it can actually be a pleasant enough place to drink if you (a) can afford the expensive bottled beers, and (b) can get here outside peak hours; 2pm-4pm on a weekday afternoon should be just about right.

Food is served noon-9pm Monday to Saturday, and noon-7pm Sunday.

See also:

• Beer In The Evening comments
• Fancyapint review
• Time Out review
• Qype comments