26 Furnival Street, Chancery Lane, EC4

A small, street corner bar, which appears to have been turned round in recent years under the guidance of the Red Car Pub Company. Eight real ales available on my visit, with a good, varied, selection (Youngs Ordinary and Red Car Bitter looks like regulars, augmented by breweries such as Dark Star, Keltic and Nethergate). A board to the right of the bar shows you all beers available together with a ‘coming soon’ list. The quality of the ale was fine, no complaints. The interior is pretty sparse and functional – most of the floor space is empty save some high stools by the windows (though there are at least some small partitions), I guess it’s designed for mass standing at lunchtimes and post-work – we are in the City, after all. There’s food (ingredients apparently sourced from Borough Market) along with a quizzer and fire. There’s also a room and small bar upstairs, I’m told. Service was good, though it rather felt like we were being watched, presumably because on this Thursday afternoon it was only us plus two clearly tipsy office workers who looked like they popped out for one at lunch and never returned. It’s a sound bet for the area, though the lack of creature comforts means that it wouldn’t be worth a long session, or turning up between five and seven in the evening. Note: the pub is closed at weekends.

Randomness Guide to London - Castle entry

Randomness Guide to London - Castle entry

Quite crowded on a wet Tuesday evening - not helped by the area by the right of the front door being 'Reserved for Ben'. Interesting selection of 7/8 ales including Tring Side Pocket which was excellent.

I was in here for about an hour from 2.00 to 3.00 on a wet and windy Monday afternoon. Very quiet – eight customers when I went in (I made nine). Almost as many ales on as customers. I wonder whether they have the custom to support having 8 real ales on? The RCH Tender Loving Care I had was only just OK. No chairs – only stools by the bar; around a single high table; or next to a ledge by the windows. Clearly ancient floorboards – nobody would distress floorboards to the point where there were holes in the floor! I didn't find the pub very comfortable or welcoming as a solitary drinker – but I suppose it would be a much different place if you were in there with a bunch of chums. But I'll give it another go when I'm next in the area - first impressions aren't always right.

8 on again yesterday, laudable selection with no mainstream stuff. Loddon Rin Tin Tin, Saltaire Blonde, fff Altons Pride, Mordue All Hallows, Hoskins Exs, Springhead Spooky Juice, Redcar Best and Centurions Ghost Ale. Thankfully no issues with beer quality re the couple I tried, Saltaire was especially good. A fairly spartan interior, limited seating and standing room. Noticed the mosaic tiled step in the centre window booth suggesting the original entrance was here. One criticism, a fairly mild day for November yesterday but the fire was blazing away making it seem a little hot and uncomfortable. Definitely a destination pub for those seeking good and more unusual real ales.

This is a nice little boozer that had eight thoughtful ales available during my visit along with a standard and premium draught selection. There is a small plasma screen that was showing Sky News which was muted as there was some background music playing at a low volume. Food is served at very reasonable prices for the area and there is a restaurant upstairs that I did not visit. I was a little disappointed that the barmaid pulled my Guinness in one rather than letting it settle, but I still think that this place is worth seeking out.