Dirty Dicks, Bishopsgate, EC2

I've often thought about venturing into Dirty Dick's during the past 40 years while waiting at the bus stop opposite but the infrequency of London Transport's offerings have always got the better of me - I daren't miss another bus! Anyway this week I ventured in mid-afternoon and my illusions were, well, shattered. The ground floor interior is, in fact, also an illusion - my grandchildren are older than most of this pastiche of 'olden days'. The beers were OK, the service cavalier and slow (considering it was almost empty) and it was damned expensive. Thank goodness for Woodin's Shades on the opposite corner.

This Young's house has a prime location opposite Liverpool Street station and an interesting back story as detailed in some of the reviews below. Unfortunately it doesn't really capitalise on these attributes and as such it comes across as fairly uninteresting place. The dark wood interior has been filled with typical pub accessories such as some casks mounted on a high beam and all manner of bottles and pots. Brick and glass partitioning along the left hand wall create a couple of booth like areas with the rest of the room served by high tables and stools or drinking shelves around support pillars. The bar lines the right hand wall and at the rear of the room there is a door which gives access to the upstairs bar and restaurant which appeared to be closed on my weekend visit. There are a fair number of slot machines in the main bar and a TV screen mounted above the entrance was on, showing a muted Western movie whilst a decent music soundtrack played over a terrible, sludgy sound system. Beers were Young's Ordinary and Special (£3.60), Wells Bombardier and Courage Best with Young's Waggledance off. My pint of Special wasn't in great condition (it seemed to be very watery) and certainly didn't merit the high price. The barmaid was prompt enough if not exactly the friendliest. I was hoping that the pub would make a bit more of its history, but there was very little to hint at the pub's past, which strikes me as a bit of a missed opportunity. I didn't really warm to this place and will most likely try one of the other nearby pubs the next time I'm passing through Liverpool Street.