Don't be fooled by the 1960s building whose bottom floor this pub occupies. This boozer is an oasis in an otherwise drab part of London between Blackfriars and Waterloo.

Our visit took place on a Friday lunchtime, the pub being reasonably busy but not overwhelmingly so. Wood panelling abounds, with an eclectic selection of memorabilia - from biscuit tins and telephones to model cars and pepper mills - adorning the bar area. The beer is standard, but what stands out is that every wall has been lovingly adorned with beer adverts, drink-related aphorisms and pictures of bygone London.

Along with the Rose & Crown, its near-neighbour, this one is sufficiently hidden to maintain a degree of charm, with a minute, semi-enclosed and leafy beer to the side to boot. It has a "specials" menu, which we didn't have time to try.

Note that the pub is one of the few in the area advertised as open both on a Saturday and a Sunday, although they don't serve food at the weekends. In essence, like an O'Neills, but with authenticity.

CLIENTELE: City workers, locals, 30s-50s
NEAREST STATION: Southwark station
FEATURES: real ale, outdoor seating, TV (one large plasma)