Wood Street Bar, Barbican, EC2

Set in a unit beneath the Barbican complex, this is quite a cool little bar and restaurant that you're unlikely to just stumble across. The place has quite an authentic Central London pub feel to it, with scuffed bare floorboards, three quarter height dark wood wall panelling and plenty of etched glass mirrors, including some on the redundant section of former partitioning wall that stands directly opposite the entrance. High tables and stools can be found to the front and opposite the servery, with a slightly raised seating space in the front left corner offering some comfy looking banquette options in a rather dark and gloomy spot. The bar runs down the right-hand wall and has a pleasant, traditional counter with some small, modern etched glass screens along its length, plus a tidy mirrored bar back. A few pump clips were dotted around too, highlighting the pub's inclusion in some recent editions of the Good Beer Guide. Banquette booths appear further to the rear of the room, where the space expands beyond the bar, into a dining area that I wasnt able to fully explore. Swinging jazz tunes were playing in the background and there was quite a chilled post-work vibe to the place. On the bar, the row of handpulls offered a choice between Redemption Revolver Amarillo, Sambrooks Tomahawk and two real ciders, with another Sambrooks clip reversed. My pint of the Revolver Amarillo was in very good condition and served to me by one of the friendly, welcoming bar team. Whilst there were menus on most tables, I didn't feel like this place was particularly food-led and it seemed as if most folk were just enjoying some drinks. This felt like a cool little bar to know about if you find yourself out in this part of the city. It had a warm, welcoming feel, comfortable furniture and some well-kept ale, which resulted in an enjoyable visit and I'll most definitely call back again the next time I'm visiting the Barbican. Date of visit - 27th November 2023

Brutalist building in an area of similar architecture, its a little tucked away and hard to find in an area not easy to navigate. Large bar inside on 2 floors, traditional pub inside despite the age and area. Ok