The Ship, Monument, EC3

This little place pre-dates the Great Fire of 1666, though I suspect the current incarnation is probably Victorian. A Nicholson’s pub, the interior is well described below: a boarded floor with attractive bar array, featuring angled bevelled mirrors. The pot shelf also has attractive glazing and some snob screens with etched glass. Otherwise, the interior features much brown lacquered wood, with a chocolate brown gloss Anaglypta ceiling. It’s small inside (the upstairs dining room is tiny), with tall stools to the bar and peripheral drinking ledge. Lighting comes from Victorian-style fittings, décor amounted to a few framed prints, TVs were on with the subtitles and banal music played. Customers were typical City types, but well-behaved compared to some. The ale range was attractive by City standards, with Pride and Doom (less attractively so), then Wainwright Golden, Hophead, Proper Job, Velo Citrus Pale Ale, Magic Rock Hat-Trick and Tribute at £2.65 and nice. This is a decent little boozer, but I can imagine it getting very crowded in here towards the end of the week.

Hidden away down a little courtyard and loomed over by the Walkie Talkie. A pub has stood here since before the fire of london and its still holding on. Good Beer Guide 2020 Entry. A Nicholsons in the traditional style - plenty of wood, hint of a Gin Palace, snob screens on the bar. Narrow, with high stool furniture in the main, and wooden seating elsewhere. Upstairs restaurant not investigated but the wall signs suggested they were proud of their pies. Several cask handpulls and the London Pride was in exceptional condition.

The Nicholson’s run Ship is a small backstreet boozer with traditional décor, and I imagine plenty of history. There is a range of premium keg products and I counted nine hand pumps, all with different ales. A pie menu is available for the hungry, I didn’t see any other food advertised. During a recent visit early on a Wednesday evening it was busy, but I managed to plot on the end of a beer shelf at the rear of the pub. There was some background music playing and the televisions at either end of the pub were showing muted news. Upstairs is a tiny gent’s toilet.

Well described in previous review. Only thing to add is the 1st floor dining room is quite small - only 4 or so tables - and has its own bar although draught beers seem to be sent up from downstairs. Sampled beer was Reunion Opening Gambit, and in good form.