The King & Keys, Fleet Street, EC4

Fairly small and, in places, cramped L shaped pub. Pleasant enough decor but little to make it stand out feature wise other than the impressive mosaic floor. Some of the seating is best left to people of Twiggy proportions especially the small built in tables for 2 opposite the bar. Lounge type area at the rear with coffee tables but rather uncomfortable for tall people. Prices are hefty to say the least. When we queried the price (£4.85 for a pint of Landlord and a bottle of water – the water being £1.95 alone) we were rather patronizingly told it was city prices. Being no stranger to the City and having spent the evening in 6 pubs in the immediate vicinity (not including the Sam Smiths / Wetherspoons cheapo pubs) I can only assume that the City of London now starts and ends at 142 Fleet Street because everywhere else was at least 10% cheaper. I have no problem paying OTT prices for somewhere exceptional but this pub is very ordinary and to cap it all 2 of the 3 ales were unavailable. Overall we left with a rather poor impression of the pub and the staff.

CLOSED & BOARDED (17/04/08)