The Hole in the Wall, Waterloo, SE1

A return visit the other night and although studiously avoiding the scruffy prison visitors’-style room to the rear, I had a table in the lovely vibrating time warp front bar (see photo), with a fine pint of Allsopp’s IPA at a very reasonable £5.30; also available were Vocation Bread & Butter, Southwark London Pale Ale, Five Points Best, Forest Road Ride and By the Horns Hopadelic.

A return visit here in what must be more than ten years,the layout remains the same but is certainly less tatty than before. Tales of an improving beer range appear to be true if not groundbreaking, with beers represented by By The Horns, Siren and Southwark, as well Adnams Old Ale and my pick of Sambrooks Candlemaker. It certainly won't be top of my list of pubs to miss a train in with The Kings Arms , Waterloo Tap and now BrewDog to pick from but it has improved on it's old Courage Best days.

Fair to say that I wouldn't have ventured into this place if it hadn't been in the Good Beer Guide 2019. But never judge a book by its cover. Two rooms - with a larger main room exactly what you would expect for a Railway Arch. Setup for sport, with large screen showing Rugby on my visit. Majority of tables occupied, so a perch along the lengthy bar. Plenty of real ale choices - the Hogsback TEA was perfect condition and served in the branded glass. Would go back, if in the area.