The Last Judgement, Chancery Lane, WC2

The main room is typically ornate with the high ceiling supported on gilded topped columns and buttresses, large individual windows give scale, the bar back is carved and is centred by an abstract sculpture in metal of a knight on horseback. At the left hand end a stair rises to a number of interconnected rooms and a small gallery over the main bar area, I assume these were the original bank offices. There are various portraits of legal folk up here as well as some attractive carved wood detailing. Seating is mixed with a row of high tables and stools set in the front windows, more traditional and comfortable elsewhere, the bar counter curves in and out along its length, a fold down screen on the end wall was showing the 6 Nations with the sound muted. Plenty of students from nearby LSE in on Saturday and the high ceilings and hard furnishings resulted in quite a loud shouty ambience. For what is supposed to be a flagship JDW I found the beer selection to be poor and disappointing with just two guests unless you count a doubled up Courage Best. They were Salopian Origin (£2.85) and Tring Brookmans, and the Salopian went off but thankfully after I'd bagged a pint of it. Perhaps I was unlucky on the ale front and maybe there are more on in the week when I assume business will be brisker when the law courts are in session. It's a fine building though and worth a look for that alone.