Crown & Sugar Loaf, Fleet Street, EC4

Tucked off Fleet Street, this is an odd-looking place from the outside and this is due to it formerly being a part of the Punch Tavern on the corner until 20 odd years ago until it was hived off into an entirely separate pub. Inside is lovely small single roomed Sam's done-out in a gin palace style with loads to admire - intricate plaster work ceiling, dark woodwork and inset glass work and mosaic flooring amongst the highlights (apparently it isn’t in any way original but I think it’s fabulous nonetheless). A proper fire was on the go and a friendly barmaid in situ also helped the atmosphere. No cask OBB so decided it was time for a pint of Man in a Box and after it was drained I could have easily stayed for a second. Really enjoyed my half hour in here and would make a point of visiting again.

a wet led traditional pub in central London with bitter at £3.40 a pint? god bless SamSmiths I say. a real oasis of proper pub bliss in an area of corporate tourist barns. just the one room here but decorated beautifully, fake or not.

This pub differs in that it was created out of the overspill bar from the neighbouring Punch Tavern in 1997. The beautiful 'historic' interior was installed following Sam Smith's acquisition all the way back in 2004 and it shows; aside from the ceiling and mosaic floor it screams 'fake', though at least it's a very good fake. No Sovereign or OBB on either cask or keg, so I settled for a pint of India Ale which was actually ok and £2.20 a half. The pub is a bit stark for a Smith's outlet and as a result is a bit bland; I don't envisage a return visit, not least because the aforementioned Punch Tavern is way better and the fittings are probably original.

If I was rating this pub for its stunning Victorian interior, I would give this pub a ten. I hadn't planned to visit here on the day, so it came as a pleasant surprise once through the doors. The interior consists of a beautiful mosaic floor, a full marble counter top, an elegant fireplace, intricate fibrous plaster case ceiling and lots of etched mirrors. If you don't mind Sam Smiths offerings, then this is a must do.

Small, single-bar Sam Smiths pub with a nice tiled floor and some ornate features (e.g. etched mirrors and moulded ceiling). Little else in the way of decor, and plain furniture. Very empty post-work on a Thursday (when other nearby places were as busy as you would expect). Annoyingly, no OBB on handpump so made do with a pint of Extra Stout (£3.40).

This is a Sam Smith’s pub, but unfortunately now without the handpump version of Old Brewery Bitter being available. At one time this pub used to be ona and the same with the Punch Tavern next year, and this one retains the original name of the pub. Being a Sam Smith’s pub, it has been restored to a reasonable facsimile of its former glory, with replacement cut mirrors, woodwork, mosaic floor, and even a marble bar top to boot. The ceiling is original though. It was very quite when I dropped in on Wednesday afternoon – unsurprising really, without a decent ale on offer. The lack of a real ale is a big minus for me, but if you want a quiet drink in comfortable surroundings and aren’t fussy about ale availability, then this one should work for you.