The Bacchus of (very) old was, in our opinion, one of the better drinking establishments around here, but it seems the locals didn't share our point of view and it duly closed a few years ago.

It subsequently reopened as a smart, niche restaurant, but, yet again Bacchus' location proved to be its Achilles heel and it closed again.

However, this time for a change of character and what we have here now is a pretty conventional gastropub.

There's a decent range of beers, wines and spirits, a rather nice looking menu - with lots of British classics and a no-nonsense interior, with a few obligatory, squashy settees. (The astringently modern, rather sharp-edged interior of the previous Bacchus, being softened somewhat).

The change of direction appears to have worked too, there were plenty of punters enjoying the fare when we popped by.

However, the Bacchus is first and foremost a restaurant and pub second - which will surely suit a lot of the people who live and work round here. But, we're afraid, it doesn't really stir us.

We've seen a few too many places like this - admittedly not round here though and whilst we do enjoy good quality food and drink, we like a bit of atmosphere with it.

Bacchus, it seems has, calmed down somewhat, settling down in 21st Century urbania with Ms. Ariadne and may be spotted here with little Oenopion, Staphylus and Euanthes tucking into the Sunday roast.

NEAREST STATION: Old Street station

FEATURES: disabled facilities, DJ, pool table, poetry evenings