The Lamb Tavern, Leadenhall, EC3

basic but iconic pub, in the stunning architectural surroundings of Leadenhall. inside the main bar is suitably traditional and historic feeling, but it is rather sparse and set up for vertical drinkers, with almost no comfortable seating. That said, I didn’t check out the dining room or basement. Proper Job plus Youngs Special and Original on, over £5 a pint for the latter. Sign of the times (and the location) I guess. It was a very mundane pint too.

Official site of The Lamb Tavern - www.lambtavernleadenhall.com

Official site of The Lamb Tavern - www.lambtavernleadenhall.com

Dating from 1780, but rebuilt 101 years later for Charrington’s as part of Leadenhall Market by Sir Horace Jones, architect behind Smithfield Market and Tower Bridge. As with all shops in the Market, the colour scheme must be strictly obeyed: classic Victorian, with prominent names written in the same typeface. The pub is also on CAMRA’s heritage list, as being of Regional Importance, also nationally Grade II* listed and a far cry from the New Moon over the way. As usual, CAMRA’s site doesn’t do the interior justice, but there’s plenty of etched and cut glass, as well as some fine polychromatic tiling and rich, brown wood. A further novelty is that there’s a mezzanine, accessed by a cast iron helical staircase, then up to the restaurant; the basement is home to Old Tom’s Bar. The standard Young’s array was on, along with new partner for life, Proper Job (£5.45), which, as the ground floor was without seating and a huge crowd was outside, I decided to sup my fine pint in the mezzanine, as the only occupant. I soon found out why, as you get the full inescapable funk from the lavs every time the door was opened; not pleasant; the music too was rather loud (Queen). There’s an interesting heritage level here, which makes the place worth a visit, but just like probably every other City pub, I’d prefer to drink elsewhere.