The Boleyn Tavern, E6

Easy to spot on my evening approach as the pub, which dates from the end of the 19th century, is floodlit. Recently reopened as The Boleyn, following restoration costing £1.5m; I shan't bother to even describe the interior which is one of our grandest; simply look at the photos on CAMRA's pub heritage link (this is listed as having an interior of National Importance) and the pub website's gallery page. I had expected to view the fabulous billiard room (now restaurant), but it was locked, probably so that staff wouldn't have to walk so far to collect glasses and clean tables. The barmaid here was very glum, presiding over a tedious array of Oliver's Island, Seafarer and the horror that is London Pride. There was also Five Points XPA which was off meaning that I was presented with the Hobson's choice of dull Fuller's ales, my so-called Pride (£4.50) spaffed into a glass, the barmaid wrestling the pump like the handle on a one-armed bandit; it was too cold and predictably dull so I didn't finish it. This is a beautiful pub, but what's the point in restoring it if people who make a special trip to see the splendour are denied from doing so? My rating relates to the interior but as a drinking experience, it probably warrants no more than a '3'; all that glisters is not gold. The Denmark up the road is almost as spectacular, has friendly staff and vastly superior beer at far lower prices - I know where I'd prefer to drink.

Official site of The Boleyn Tavern - boleyntavern.co.uk

Official site of The Boleyn Tavern - boleyntavern.co.uk

Facebook page of The Boleyn Tavern - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of The Boleyn Tavern - www.facebook.com

A slalom past the throng of matchday burger vans along Green Street saw my first pub visit of the year (and a revisit at that) prior to the early kick-off against Liverpool on the 2nd Jan. This high-ceilinged London corner boozer was packed at 11:30 in the morning as you can imagine, but numerous attentive staff kept waiting times to a minimum. Two handpumps provided London Pride and Wychwood Hobgoblin - the latter of which was in decent enough nick. All prices seemed to come in at £4.00, which probably has more to do with a pre-match tariff than anything else. A revisit will be necessary as I am still yet to inspect the billiards room as previous visits have been on matchdays where it's difficult not to play sardines at the main bar, although after May this year this shouldn't be a problem.