The Nell Gwynne, WC2

I also paid a long overdue return visit last night and was very pleased to find one of London’s finest alleyway pubs in rude health. Four ales on and very much a World Cup theme in evidence as, alongside the usual St Austell Tribute, was Sambrook’s Brewery Half Time Oranges and two World Cup branded brews from Portobello Brewing called Gazza’s tears and England Believes. The craft keg options have improved from my previous visits but it was good to see the ale pumps getting a hammering from the sizeable after work crowd that were filling both the pub and the alley way outside. We were on the Tribute until that run out, managed to get one round of the Halftime oranges before that also ran out and finished with a couple of rounds Gazza’s tears and all beers sampled were in good nick. The rock jukebox that this pub is rightly famous for was muted last night due to the Brazil World Cup game being shown on the two screens inside the pub, but fortunately at a volume low enough to not interrupt the constant conversation of the assembled punters. The treacherous steps to the basement toilets that the pub is also famous (or infamous) for also seem to get steeper and more dangerous with each visit although it’s probably more to do with my flexibility. Either way they continue to be needed to be treated with respect, especially after a few pints.

Found this superb little old fashioned pub tucked away off the Strand. it’s very much a proper pub with an old jukebox in the corner and loud cheerful clientele inside and out. a few decent ales on too. Well worth popping in.

A small dimly lit pub hidden away down an alleyway between the Strand and Maiden Lane. The beer range seems to have improved from what I remember from years ago, Dark Star art of Darkness and a couple from By the Horns brewery were on and my pint of Mick the Miller was in good shape. The pub had a good atmosphere and felt like a proper pub, well worth stopping off for.

Decent little alleyway pub with some good strength real ale. Unfortunately my dictaphone packed up so I can't remember what I had but I would certainly return.