The Rising Sun, St. Pauls, EC4

Close to St Pauls but far enough tucked away that the tourists never find it or The Cockpit round the corner I have utilised this one a few times since we were all let out after the second lock down, primarily because I have a colleague who works close by. Internally a fairly plain single square room with a stone floor and no real artistic features of merit. There is a central serving area around which there is plenty of space for vertical drinking as the only seating is around the edges as described below. Welcoming enough when its cold , as it was last week, but I prefer to visit in summer when the narrow pedestrian Burgon Street can be used as additional external seating for the pub. The three pumps have always been fully utilised for my post pandemic visits and although one of these is usually Doombar I’ve found TT Landlord, St Austell Proper Job, Woodforde Wherry and Wainright rotated around the other two on my visits.

A back street corner pub with a central bar (footrail and hooks) but no sign of the original multi-roomed layout. It was quite busy with an after work crowd, and the changing of TV channels to pick up the Chelsea game indicated that it might well stay that way for some time. There are three hand pumps with Sharps Doom Bar, Wainwright and Woodforde's Wherry available. The Wherry was in very good condition, as indeed it should be at approaching £5 a pint.

A first in here (as far as I can remember) and if it was rundown, it's clearly had a makeover as it was pleasantly maintained, including decent lavs. There's a central bar with peripheral pot shelf and attractive bar back. The floor appears to be clad with lacquered rough stone along with some black and white mosaic tiling, including to the attractive rear fireplace. The interior is indeed geared towards vertical drinking with some high stools to the windows with beer shelves and a little conventional bench seating to the rear. The walls are clad with brewgalia advertising prints, which look attractive. Music was muted. The three young barmaids were friendly enough though a bit inefficient. Ales: one unused pump, thereafter Sharp's Doom Bar and Bombardier Gold which was fine. With a mixed crown, this is more a traditional boozer which is a rarity in these parts and I'd certainly come again but only if in the area. A wider choice and more imaginative ales would raise the score at least one extra point, though the pub is rammed early evening so best visit after the 9.00 pm watershed.