The One Tun, Fitzrovia, W1

Slightly surprised Youngs has still got this one as part of their portfolio as it’s not fitting the typical model their pubs tend to be nowadays. Still sports themed and branded as a “lively sports bar” on their own dedicated web page, internally the one roomed square space arranged around the large central square serving area is unchanged to previous reviews. I’m guessing its probably had a spruce up since the last review as it was quite clean and modern, and the total of 12 handpumps around the bar mentioned in a review some 10 years ago has now been reduced down to two on the front section. It’s still sports themed, which mainly comes from the collection of tasteful sports artwork pictures that adorn the four walls, and a well tucked away dart board on the rear wall. Unfortunately, it also comes from the six large flat screens that wrap around the internal space, making it basically impossible to sit anywhere internally without being in direct line of sight of one. However, unlike a proper sports bar, where people’s main raison d'etre to visit is to watch sport, an early evening visit found this one fairly full with the typical city after work crowd, most of which had no interest at all on what was on the screens. The two ale pumps on the bar were both badged with Youngs Original, but there were a couple of interesting craft options on the chrome taps alongside the ubiquitous Camden and Beavertown brews and I went for the Dream Factory Pale Ale from The Two Tribes brewery on the grounds that I still haven’t made it out to their N7 tap room just off the Caledonian Road yet. Not really sure what to make of this one. The after work crowd in seemed to be enjoying themselves, but I wasn’t convinced and cannot see myself returning over others in the area.

I haven't been in here for a good 25 years when it was an office local so can't really remember it. A late Georgian pub, it is bare boarded with white tiles to the walls - indeed, as Mr. Man points out, the pub isn't tatty so perhaps has had a scrub. There were a fair number of locals, office workers and tourists in, mainly it would seem to watch the football, which, with four screens, dominated proceedings to the exclusion of all else. A dartboard could be seen to the rear. On offer: Truman's Blindside, Twickenham's Grandstand, London Beer Factory's Beyond the Pale, Young's Bitter, Gold and Special at £2.20 a half. This isn't a bad place, but I can't abide sports pub - which this most certainly is - when looking for a convivial evening so I won't be back unless there's a power cut.

One room with a large central island bar, distressed boarded floor and wainscoted walls with a row of tiles above. Seating was a bit limited, some high tables in the front windows plus a drinking shelf along a side wall. The opposite side has a few small tables, all taken at 5pm on Tuesday. An outdoor pavement area takes the overflow. I didn't get an impression of anything being shabby or tatty so perhaps there has been a spruce up, there is still a large Bass mirror and there is also loads of framed bits of stuff all over the walls. There is a fairly rare central London dartboard behind the bar to the rear which is not only usable but had a trio of lads playing. A Young's house, Bitter, Special and seasonal Schroodge St, probably the same one they serve all over but locally named, they also had Redemption Urban Dusk and Rock the Kasbeck. Food served, I noticed a specials board which offered pheasant pie, mama's meatballs and regular fish and chips. I'm sure that somehow despite living in London for nearly 30 years that I have never been in here before, anyway, I quite liked it and would use it again if in the vicinity.

As the only open pub that we found in the area on a freezing New Years Day evening, the One Tun was very welcoming. A decent pint of Youngs bitter was served and enjoyed in a busy little pub. Others have mentioned the tatty appearance and attempt at a trendy makover, however, these are minor downs when all you want is a decent pint. No problem calling again.

There is something rather sterile with the refurbished layout that seems to have stripped out much of the original character of this place. However, the atmosphere is fine, with friendly and attentive bar staff. The single room is dominated by a large central island bar which leaves relatively little space for seating (and thus, like many central London pubs, many of the customers spill out onto the street). A total of 12 handpumps adorn the bar counter, but many of these are duplicates so there are usually just three or four Wells & Youngs ales on and sometimes a guest beer too.