Waterloo Arms, Waterloo, SE1

This bar has taken a dive in standards over the last few months. Its subterranean location doesn't help as ventilation is problematic and there is an air of damp about it, especially when crowded. It is rather soulless. There were two ales on - I had GK IPA which was much too cold and served with a sneer by a troglodyte. Its single redeeming feature is its convenience (for the train, I mean, not the one you need a code to get in), so I would come back if pushed for time or carrying heavy luggage, although there are better pubs within 5 minutes' walk.

This place was a toilet once and not much has changed.

The Wellesley is actually not too bad for a station bar, but of course one doesn’t have high expectations of these subterranean places. There’s a carpeted raised area to the right as you approach the bar, with some comfortable seating, and an ornamental feature of a metal range fireplace on the left. There were TV screens showing Sky Sports, and the usual array of one-armed bandits and games machines for those needing some entertainment while waiting for their trains. But this is not the sort of place one chooses to visit – you’re in here because you’ve got some time to kill while waiting for a train, and in that respect it serves its purpose as somewhere you can get a pint of (overpriced) ale while you wait. They had Bombardier, London Pride, OSH, and Young’s Bitter on when I paid my brief visit the other day. The London Pride was £3.50 a pint, so I won’t be back until the next time that I have some time to kill before my train leaves. The toilets still have dimplex locks and they’re still asking if you want any crisps, etc.