The Sutton Arms, EC1

Bog-standard olde London exterior, the interior is fairly bland (bar back excepted). Only two ales, Adnams Bitter and Fullers Discovery (tasted fine) just boring really. It promises a lot from distance, but fails to deliver on it's promise in my view. Food is available (pricey).

Close to Barbican Tube Station and the leafy Charterhouse Square, The Sutton Arms is an externally attractive looking pub featuring a bowed frontage, leaded windows and some fine wall tiling in the entranceway. Formerly a Charrington's pub - as evidenced by the bar back - the longish single room features a number of wooden settles and chairs, providing a traditional, if not particularly comfortable, environment. Pleasingly there's an absence of those horrible tall long perches and tables, and sofas. There's an upstairs lounge / restaurant. At the far end of the room is a large framed aperitif poster - " bitter secrestat" - and an attractive skylight. On the wall opposite the bar are, most notably, three plaster busts of what are presumably famous people, although I didn't recognise any of them. Typically for London, and presumably to appease the PC lobby, one of the three busts features a black man, although there is nothing to indicate whether any of the three are gays or have special needs. On the beer front, there's a clear emphasis on foreign lagers and bottled beers and, notably, the blackboard menu above the bar lists these drinks, but not the real ales, which, on my recent early evening visit, were limited to London Pride and Chiswick. The Chiswick, at a rather pricey £ 3.25p - was moderate, but, with only 2 real ales on from the 5 available pumps and no sign of any other pump clips anywhere, the lack of interest in promoting real ale seems all too evident. Pleasingly - and I do wish more pubs would follow suit - opening hours are prominently displayed by the entrance. Somewhat surprisingly, we see that the pub closes between 2.30pm and 5pm between Mondays and Fridays. Rather less surprisingly, it doesn't do weekends. On my recent early evening visit, it was disappointingly noticeable how relatively empty the pub was in comparison to nearby more modern establishments, such as a rather atrocious looking " Indulgence Bar and Grill" a few doors down. This is a fine proper pub, if somewhat lacking in comfort, but the lack of interest and emphasis on the real ale front means that an early return visit is not planned.

Randomness Guide to London - Sutton Arms entry

Randomness Guide to London - Sutton Arms entry

Fuller's London Pride and Chiswick on. The Chiswick was excellent, as was the BLT sandwich I had for lunch. The menu is limited – it is what is written on the blackboard on the right as you enter the pub. So, no sign of gastrofication, which is a plus in my book. Seating is mainly dark wooden settles along the walls, with no sign of tall stools/tables or sofas ruining the place. Behind the bar is what looks like an original Charrington's bar back, and in the porch what appears to be some original Charrington's tiling. All in all, the Sutton Arms is a pretty decent real pub, and I would recommend a visit – as long as you appreciate a “real” pub.