Friend at Hand, WC1

I’ve never really rated this place but paid an occasional visit the other evening to check it out. It’s location means that it’s often full of groups of young foreign tourists which the bar staff seem surprisingly intolerant of. Three beers on and I had a good pint of Purity Mad Goose. Strange pricing policy, it was £3.13 and I also saw Becks being charged at £3.39 and a bottle of dog at £3.43, clearly they’re trying to keep the copper coins alive. Couple of TV’s that were showing different European football games.

Nothing special, typical Spirit Group establishment, there are dozens of identical pubs in central London. The beer range hasn't changed in a while. Handy if you want somewhere to meet by Russell Square tube but otherwise you can do better than this. Oh and go wrapped up, icy blasts from the air con last night, it was colder inside than out - many of the punters clearly found sitting out in the autumnal drizzle more comfortable.

This is a fairly run-of-the-mill London pub and during my late evening visit the only ale still available was Courage Best as the other two were off. The barmaid took my order and wandered off coming back with Becks. I, quite politely, pointed out that I had ordered a Best, but she refused to change it and said that I had in fact ordered Becks. Sure I did. There are better pubs in this area so I doubt that I will return.