Simmons Old Street, EC1

I was unfortunate with my timing whilst visiting this place for the first time as I walked in as the governor was ejecting some nutcase. After a few expletives from the undesirable normal business resumed and I got the feeling that the locals had seen it all before and were immune to the threatening ramblings of the Old Street crazies. The pub itself is fairly unremarkable, although there is a pool table and a couple of plasma screens and TVs for the sports. The music from the jukebox was set at a good level and the barmaid was friendly enough. The Deuchars was good and Pride was also available along with Hoegarden and a selection of standard lagers. This place is ok for the area and there are worse pubs nearby, but I still can't see myself returning in a hurry.

This modern estate pub is comfortable enough but is hardly a place that oozes character. The interior is fairly uninspiring with the usual run of games machines, pool table, juke box and a couple of Gooner shirts on display. The basic but reasonably priced beers (London Pride / Green King IPA) were quite well kept but I was rather put off by the local punters whose loud and limited vocabulary was matched only by the staff. The Thai kitchen is reasonably priced although the Cocktail menu would probably be of more interest to the Obscene Publication Squad. Overall a rather common and functional pub geared to the younger football and pool brigade. There is little else around here to attract outsiders so I wouldn't recommend making a specific trip.