Nell of Old Drury, Covent Garden, WC2

There were two ales on here during my early evening visit – Adnam’s Broadside and Sambrook Wandle (£1.65 a half). There was no sign of any food. This is still a small one-room pub downstairs, although there is more space upstairs. There are loads of photos pinned up behind the bar (presumably visitors to the pub) but most of the available space, including on the ceiling, is inevitably taken up with theatre posters and the like, although there are a few framed prints of Old London scenes. The bar back and bar counter look like original features – and I have to say that it doesn’t look as if it has changed much in the 40 years or so since I have known it. This pub is OK as West End pubs go. It has a nice pubby feel to it, but I don’t suppose it’s very comfortable when it gets busy, as there’s not a great deal of room as you move past the bar counter to get to the back. It’s nice if you can get in here when it’s quiet.

A small and narrow single ground floor room with more spacious accommodation upstairs, this is a pleasant pub which makes the most of its location opposite the Theatre Royal on Drury Lane. Pre-ordered interval drinks are offered, and I imagine the small space being a somewhat different experience on a performance evening than it was on my Saturday afternoon visit. Decor inevitably includes flyers for productions, House Full signs, theatrical masks etc. The bar room on the ground floor has limited seating, just a few tables in the front bay window plus some stools at a shelf opposite the bar. I found the northern guvnor to be amiable, and the service good, my pint was tip top and full to the brim. Two handpumps were serving Sharp's Doom Bar and (Exmoor)Exmoor Gold which at £3.20 is these days good value around this area. There is a modest sized TV behind the far end of the bar which was showing the Saturday final scores at the time, there are a few newspapers in a rack. I didn't see any menus or indications that the pub does food, I doubt it does as there would otherwise been a few tourists inside given the area. I enjoyed it here, I might not like it when full of theatregoers.

Narrow frontage with doors either side of an attractive bay window. One entrance takes you into a compact bar with a limited amount of furniture (mostly tall stools) and the other accesses a narrow flight of stairs which leads to a more spacious upstairs room with a better selection of seating and tables. You can't miss the theatrical connections as the bar and staircase walls are covered with pictures of the stars from days gone by and posters from the shows (plus adverts for their interval drinks service for the Theatre Royal Drury Lane directly opposite). Just two real ales on offer, but my pint of Doom Bar was excellent and well priced for the area at £2.85. There is no food, and the landlord has a bit of a reputation, but this is a decent spot for a pint (provided you avoid the busy periods when it fills up with theatregoers).

Randomness Guide to London - Nell Of Old Drury entry

Randomness Guide to London - Nell Of Old Drury entry

The Nell of Old Drury is similar in size, age and layout to its near neighbour the Opera Tavern, a couple of doors down. Situated opposite the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, the pub is obviously geared towards the theatre-going crowd. The interior is rather scruffy with walls plastered with photos, posters for plays and theatre productions plus a few theatrical masks and instructions regarding interval drinks. Whilst the general layout of the pub has probably remained unchanged, the interior appears to have undergone many refurbishments and does not appear to have retained many original features. Both the bar and the wooden flooring appear to be relatively modern. Even the bay fronted façade appears to be in too good a condition to be original. It can probably be rather cramped pre-theatre but there is a corridor partitioned from the main bar that leads to an upstairs bar. Regarding the previous comments regarding the landlord, I found him friendly enough, welcoming me when I first came in and thanking me when I left although I get the impression he stands for no nonsense (he threw one chap out while I was there who was wandering around without a drink or attempting to buy one – I have no problem with that). They serve two Real Ales, Adnams and Spitfire alongside the usual selection of lagers and cider but the prices were slightly higher than similar pubs in the area. They have a TV but it is not particularly well placed and certainly not worthy of a night out watching any sporting event. My overall opinion is that "Nell" is not a bad pub, but not as good as some of its close neighbours

This is a decent boozer and well worth popping into. Even though the pub was packed the barman spotted me straight away and was very polite. I tried the Adnams and Tanglefoot and enjoyed them both. I also noted 3 standard lagers alongside Guinness available from the bar. I also loved the way the bay window hangs out of the pub making you feel like you are hovering above the pavement outside. This is a good pub and I'll be back.