St. Christopher's Inn, SE1

I’ve walked past this pub many times over the years, usually on my way to some other pub, but I paid my first visit the other evening, unusually for me in the company of two ladies. One of them said that she really liked the place, as there was some pop music being played and she gave more plus points for the door being open thus presenting a welcoming invitation to go in. It seems to have worked. Personally, I thought it was about average. I thought that both the pop music and the clientele were too loud. What I did appreciate was the fact that they advertised five real ales on handpump, although during my visit there were “only” four on – Bombardier; St Austell Tribute, and the more unusual Rebellion ales of IPA and Dr Bob. The Dr Bob was really very good. The pub itself is deceptively large. Although it is relatively narrow fronted, it goes back a long way, with several interconnected drinking areas. There were a number of tall tables/stools in the front drinking area, but the areas at the back seemed to be furnished predominantly with normal tables and chairs. There are several better (i.e. really good) pubs in the general area, but this one was better than I expected having been dragged in by my companions. A big plus is the decent ale choice.

A previous visit to this pub had been extremely disappointing, but on New Years Eve not only was this pub refreshingly civilised (i.e. it wasn't a complete scrum) but it had a Belgian themed evening in progress, with bottles behind the bar and a 'Mobile Beer Cart' of various regional delights. Delirium Tremens was on draught too, a rare sighting anywhere in London. For the ale enthusiast, Deuchars IPA was on the handpumps as well. Although this area is extremely well catered for good pubs, this is still reasonable in its own right and has obviously improved since my visit nearly a year previously.

A relatively narrow pub with a small bar section at front which then goes off at 90 degrees down the most of the length of the rest of the pub .mainly timber floors and numerous seaqting areas both at the front and then down to the back of the pub. Not a bad place to pop into for a few especially nearer the weekend when other places get wedged. Been going in this pub on an occassional basis for the last year. Did have Theakstons Old peculiar on regularly until recently and was a very nice pint. Walked past a couple of weeks ago and it looks like its gone and one less handpump at the front part of the bar. Did have Brains Dark on instead though.