The Swan Tavern, Leadenhall, EC3

The Swan Tavern has always been one of my favourite City pubs, despite being a Fuller's outlet. After just having been to the vast cavern that is the Crosse Keys (Wetherspoon's) a little further up Gracechurch Street, the Swan seems an altogether much more manageable affair. Hidden away up a side passage, the bar is extremely narrow inside, but it opens up a little at either end. The passageway outside provides an adequate overspill area and can be particularly popular in summer months. On the bar, Fuller's London Pride & Gale's Seafarers are the regular ales. In addition, they also had Fuller's Old Winter Ale & Moor Resonance. My Old Winter Ale wasn't too bad at all. Siren Lumina & Beavertown Neck Oil were the pick of the keg beers.

Nice little Fullers house tucked away down a little alley. Narrow bar, with some seating inside and out. I believe there is an upstairs but didnt investigate. Usual Fullers range.

This is a tiny pub tucked away down an inconspicuous alleyway, close to Leadenhall Market, comprising a very narrow, single room interior and a decent amount of courtyard seating as the alley opens out beyond the pub. Inside, a compact quarry stone floored room sports three quarter height dark wood panelling with fancy wallpaper above and a dark, anaglypta ceiling. The bar is down the left-hand side and has a dark wood counter and marble top, matching bar back and some pleasant, brass lined pot shelves. A series of partly leaded front windows don't let a lot of light in due to the fact that they look out to the darkest part of the alleyway. There's a small space to the rear which acts as the only real indoor seating area, with large mirrors on the walls and a few high stools lined up along marble drinking ledges. As with all Central London boozers, the majority of customers were either stood outside or sat at one of the few garden tables and chairs in the alleyway, which eventually opens out into a small courtyard. The pub is operated by Fullers, so their beers dominate the handpulls, with options on this visit comprising Fullers London Pride, Gales Seafarers, Dark Star Outer Haze and a guest of Twickenham Naked Ladies. A very pleasant, perky barmaid poured me a great pint of the Outer Haze (£6.10), which was a new beer for me and in tip-top condition. I thought this was a pretty quirky pub that's not exactly built for comfort, but felt like a good spot to dive into for post work pints thanks to well kept beer, a good atmosphere and warm service. I'm not sure I'd want an extended session here unless it came with an alleyway seat and good weather, but I'll doubtless be back, as I often pass this way and liked the pub's overall vibe. Date of visit - 6th September 2023

This is a small Fullers pub in an alley, as has been previously noted. Due to COVID it is currently restricted to outside seating only, with you entering the bar via one door, ordering and getting your drinks, and leaving via the other door. We were after somewhere to sit inside and escape the rain for a bit, so this one didn't fit the bill on this occasion, but I'd be interested in investigating it again at a later date if the opportunity arises.

The Swan Tavern is a tiny Fullers pub which is basically a bar in an alley. There is a small seating area upstairs, but one should really stand in the alleyway for the full Swan experience. The toilets area located down a very steep flight of stairs, watch your step! During my recent Wednesday afternoon visit the four hand pumps were drawing Fullers London Pride, Oliver’s Island and Seafarers alongside Adnams Mosiac. There is also a limited keg selection. This is a well-known London pub that is worth a look.

Official site of The Swan Tavern - www.swanec3.co.uk

Official site of The Swan Tavern - www.swanec3.co.uk