The Rochester Castle (JD Wetherspoon), Stoke Newington, N16

A very handsome exterior gives way – initially at least – to a fine tiled interior with integrated mirrors. Perhaps inevitably this old salvage gives way to a fairly simple JDW drinking barn farther on with three old rooms whacked-through, not a huge amount of note bar a small number of booths on the left hand side, the ornate mid-section lantern and a glass atrium at the rear. Apparently this is Timbo’s oldest place still on the roster, opened in 1983 – the same as year as Blue Monday came out. Rock-bottom prices, the two guest cask were £1.49 with a Timbo Token, an absolute steal round here; Hook Norton Haymaker and a good pint of Green Jack Gone Fishing (NBSS 3.5) being the options. They're clearly going for drinkers priced out of all the other local pubs and in that respect it works – so long as you don’t mind elderly drunk Irish singing incomprehensible songs then you’ll be fine. I quite enjoyed myself, though getting quality cask at rock-bottom prices tends to do that to a pubman. 6.5