The Argyle, EC1

This is a Stonegate pub so I wasn't expecting much in the way of ale choice, as they tend to supply from the main national brand usual suspects. Some were present - they had on the inevitable London Pride, and also Wychwood Gold, Old Golden Hen, and Ringwood Best (£1.90 a half). The pub grub menus in the their little wooden holders offered things like cod & chips (£9.25), scampi & chips (£8.65), and burgers with a choice of sizes - 9oz at £9.15 and 7oz at £8.15. I saw a meal deal advertised giving 50% off main meals on Mondays. The pub itself is OK without being anything special. It's bare-boarded, with a couple of raised area in corners of the pub, has a few aluminium framed seats outside, and casement windows that I guess would be thrown open in the warmer weather. Perhaps this one is a bit better than OK. I warmed to it a bit as I enjoyed a quiet half of Ringwood Best on a Wednesday afternoon.

Very busy with loud music on a Thursay night visit.4 beers on inc a good pint of Hackney -Hopspur.

This pub has a modern looking exterior and is fairly plain and bland inside too with light grey walls and contemporary if generally traditional furniture. The bar is opposite the entrance, squint ended and either side of the front door are two slightly raised areas. Décor includes a few framed legal letters and notices plus a few objects on a high shelf above the front windows. Unusually there is a large first floor external terrace overlooking the street and Leather Lane Market; there is also a cellar bar but this was closed at the time. Although the pub lacks traditional features, there are plus points, the service was friendly and welcoming with beer tasters offered, the ale range not too bad either, it was the sight of the pump clips that enticed me inside. Saturday had Doom Bar, Redemption Hopspur, Cottage SB and Sambrook's Wandle. Various pump clips above the bar are testimony to a changing guest policy. Food is served although I didn't see a menu and there is access for disabled persons included WC facilities. Better than it looks from outside.