The Clarence Tavern, Stoke Newington, N16

This is a large Victorian street corner pub which is now effectively one space inside although the dining area towards the rear feels a little separated due to the layout. The main area has the bar to one side, large windows to both elevations let in lots of light and sunshine which together with the high ceiling gives an airy feel. The ceiling is that old mustard yellow colour, walls are part panelled with the upper sections papered. There are various framed prints of sporting stuff, cricket scenes, horse racing etc plus an appreciation of Daniel Defoe and portraits of various characters. Mostly carpeted but with an area of boarded floor. There is an open staircase off the dining area which leads to an upstairs room which houses exhibitions, one being on yesterday featuring pop art. Beyond here, doors lead out to an attractive decked garden on two levels. A Charles Wells house, beers were Bombardier, Eagle plus Youngs Bitter and St Austell Tribute. The Eagle was a bit expensive I felt at £3.30 for a relatively low gravity beer. Food is apparently now only served at weekends, the chalkboard having a reasonable looking selection of mains between £8 and £10. Opens at 4pm through the week, 12 Sat/Sun and open till "late". No dogs or children allowed, seemingly not even in the garden, a family were refused admission during my visit.

This Charles Wells house is in two sections with the open plan bar area being on the left and a quiet seating area being past the toilets to the right. It is clean and fairly traditional in looks with old pictures and a few historical items relating to Daniel Defoe up on the walls, but a boozer this is not as there is a leaning towards the highly priced food and there were more people tucking into bottles of white during my late Saturday afternoon visit than were sampling the ale selection. The ales available were Tribute, Merlins Oak, Bombardier and St Austels Tinners and some premium and standard draught products were also available. There was also a single malt menu on each table with plethora of choices that would keep the reddest nosed Scotsman happy. There are no distractions from TVs and the background music was light jazz, which I find extremely depressing. There is a decked area out the back that leads down to an enclosed paved area and there are plenty of picnic tables. This pub doesn’t open until 13:00 during the week and midday on both Saturday and Sunday, but it is open until ‘late’ everyday – whatever time that may be? To be honest I thought that it was a little dull in here and I would be more likely to visit here with the in-laws than with friends. I can’t see a return visit in a hurry.