The Trinity Bell, Aldgate, EC3

Formerly a branch of the Jamie's restaurant chain, this is now a large modern Fullers Pie and Ale house with a surprisingly bland interior by this brand's standard. The pub has a wide but shallow interior, bare boarded throughout apart from a chic check tile band around the servery. The bar occupies the middle of the back wall and has a dull wood panelled counter contrasted by a nice recessed bar back with a white brick tile surround, plus some old Fullers branded glasswork on the canopy above. High tables and stools stand in the space opposite and under the front windows, with regular tables and chairs in an opened out seating area to the left, which I thought might be more of a formal dining space, but apparently isn't. Lots of interesting stuff has been put on display, including some old London transport advertisements, lots of breweriana and a couple of great modern glazed tile signs either side of the bar. There were only three cask ales available on the bar - Fullers London Pride and Oliver's Island (£6.00) and Gales Seafarers. My pint of Oliver's Island was in average condition and I found the staff a little aloof. The whole place felt a bit empty and clinical, mirroring some of the nearby city centre swanky bars rather than the usual ornate and pubby Pie and Ale House venues I've visited elsewhere. It's nice to have a new pub open up in this former restaurant space, but I think one of the things that make this chain stand out is the impressive restored buildings they tend to occupy, and without that, they just blend in with other overpriced city bars. It's okay if you want a quick pint of Fullers beer, but there are better options for drinkers nearby. Date of visit - 6th September 2023

Official site of Creechurch Pub & Bar - www.creechurch.londonpubandbar.co.uk

Official site of Creechurch Pub & Bar - www.creechurch.londonpubandbar.co.uk

Jamie’s is a restaurant and bar that was dimly lit and almost empty during my visit two days before Christmas. The restaurant area is found to the left and there were no diners so my guess was that the kitchen was closed at 17:30. The bar area consists of some high tables and chairs along with a TV that was showing muted BBC news. Some dance music was playing in the background. The bar supports 4 Becks Vier fonts alongside one dispensing Stella Black. On the food front the mains are priced around the £9 to £12 mark. I found the service to be friendly, but this isn’t my sort of place so I do not plan to return anytime soon.