The Steam Engine, Lambeth, SE1

This is clearly a locals’ pub servicing the nearby estate, although when I visited I entered behind a group of eight or so girls (who ordered and paid for their drinks separately!) on some sort of walking tour of London. Goodness knows what they were doing in this backwater – a wrong turning at Waterloo Station possibly. Anyway, the outside of the building is now covered in trelliswork, presumably in the hope of getting some climbing plants (wisteria by the look of them) to give it a more rural appearance. Inside it’s one of the more depressing pubs that I’ve visited. Regulars at the bar swearing; the blue baize covered pool table dominating the front of the bar area; the “humorous” saying in large letters on the walls (guys no shirt no service; girls no shirt no charge); the magenta painted bar counter front – did nothing to endear me to the place. There was just the one ale on – Pedigree, at £2.20 a pint between 10 AM and 3 PM daily is very cheap, but it wasn’t in good shape. The young lady behind the bar took one pull that produced a half pint of froth, which she left to go and serve another customer. I looked for, and saw, the sparkler and pointed out to the barmaid that it would much easier to pull the pint if she removed the sparkler. She did so and pulled the pint easily, muttering something as she did so. This pub is not really worth bothering to find in my opinion.

Not too bad a place, bit dark inside. Real ale on sale but can't remember what it was. 3 large screens showing sport, other than that, no comment.