The Beer House, Victoria, SW1

Slightly tacky updating of a station bar, with about the only things going for it being a fairly quiet upstairs where there is usually space available, and a proliferation of phone charging points if you are low on juice. On the down side, the sampled Greene King beer was almost undrinkable.

This bar is a back passage (in more than one sense) between the Station concourse and the outside world.This passage was, on this occasion, partially blocked by forlorn looking tables and chairs and was guarded at the front by a sleeping drunk. The back was obstructed by a gang of loud smokers. Inside, it's grimy and unappealing, the staff were unable to communicate in either English or their native language (whatever that may have been) and none of the six handpumps was able to dispense anything resembling beer. Well worth trying if you like flat cider, are waiting for a train and don't want to walk 100 yards in any direction to find something a little more pleasant.