The Seven Stars, WC2

A well regarded pub tucked away in a quiet square behind the Royal Courts of Justice, it’s not somewhere you’re likely to stumble across by accident but is nonetheless just a short stroll from The Strand. Internally it’s quite compact, and although split in to three rooms, none have much depth to them. The largest room in the middle had the bar counter taking up about half the available floor space, leaving only room for vertical drinking with shelving in front of the windows to rest your pint on. Small tables and chairs were in the rooms either side, but space is certainly at a premium here too, and a number of punters were stood at the tall tables on the pavement outside on our visit. Décor wise it has something of a 60’s feel to it perhaps, with some sort of old wooden boards on the floor and a very vibrant shade of pink paint covering much of the walls and ceiling, with the room to the left suffering from an even more vibrant purple. Various spiles of old books were dotted around and there were also some old theatre posters on the walls as well as a brewery mirror or two. All the tables were laid up with chequered plastic tablecloths which would surely be more appropriate in a greasy spoon than a pub and I really didn’t like sitting at them. The pub cat brought in a mouse while we were there and retreated under one if the tables to chomp away on it. Punters were an eclectic mix and the landlady seemed to be a bit of a character as well, although the barman who served us seemed pretty clueless and clearly had never heard of Noilly Prat. Beers on tap were Dark Star Hophead, Adnams Ghost Ship and Adnams Broadside with a further two pumps appearing unused. The solitary cider was Adnams Wild Wave which went down well. Overall, I was a bit disappointed by this, but then perhaps I had high expectations having heard so much about it. Worth popping in if you’re passing, but it’s not somewhere I’d make a point of seeking out again.

The Seven Stars hasn't changed a bit since I first visited some thirty years previously. Some may call it shabby but for me it sits just the right side of comfortably traditional. I was greeted by a friendly, Irish barmaid, barrister cat with his Judge's collar and a log effect gas fire. Perfect on a chilly day. The food board offers an interesting range and if you're feeling athletic enough to climb the stairs to the loo you'll catch a glimpse of them being cooked. I didn't eat but everything produced from the dumb waiter behind the bar looked and smelt delicious. Beers on were Adnams Ghost Ship and Broadside, Harveys Sussex Best, Whitstable Native Bitter and Sharps Coaster. The Ghost Ship was in decent shape without being the very best I've had but that's a more interesting range than I remember from previously. A top boozer and I'd hope that it remains unchanged for the next 30 years - at least.