The Albert Arms, SE1

Hardly worth the walk here but is a welcome relief from the disgusting complex that is the Elephant and Castle. Tiny front bar and some odd stuff scattered around including some cellar doors stuck on the wall. Beer was rank and the 'music' was deafening.

There is little doubt that this is my favourite pub in a rather dour area for imbibing. From the outside it looks like a straightforward local but the quirky and slightly eccentric interior shows great imagination: a good balance between clutter and functional features. The 2 bars have copious amounts of bare wooden floors and stripped brickwork and the walls are laden with everything from clocks to candlesticks, barometers to brasses and a few lanterns, tin helmets and road signs thrown in for good measure. Lots of screens for sport: 4 screens (+ big screen) in the back bar and another 3 in the smaller front bar. Fruit machines in both bars and a dart board in the rear next to a tiny but equally interesting snug recess. Good service with tables being cleared and wiped as soon as anyone left. The only downside was beer selection. Of the 3 hand pumps, 2 were off and only the ubiquitous GK IPA was available. They advertise Guest beers and a few old pump clips were on display so perhaps it wasn't my day. A pub well worth knowing about if in the area and the short walk to avoid the dreadful pubs near the repulsive Elephant & Castle complex is fully justified.