Old School Yard, Borough, SE1

Originally the George and dating from around the end of the 18th century, this was rebuilt as a rare Wenlock house in the 1930s, the current name and modus operandi arriving I know not when. It’s not the most attractive of 1930s’ pubs and Long Lane has some interest but isn’t the area’s most attractive of streets. In all fairness, my attempt to effect entry was thwarted by having to deal with a substantial queue of studenty types – probably medical, given the proximity to Guy’s Hospital and King’s College’s nine campus buildings – and all were being searched for the presence of weapons and/or drugs to which they would have access, though all Pharmacopeia Britannia-approved no doubt and as I didn’t feel like being searched – and had a pocketknife keyring on me – I demurred. Otherwise, there’s something of a clue in the name as there’s much in the way of play here, such as table football and vintage computer games, all of which can be seen on the website. There are also two private karaoke rooms which command a hire price of either £650 for up to 50 people or £1,100 for up to 80; ouch! Cocktails – made from ‘fresh ingredients’ no less – are the order of the day here and food is boxed and bussed in from Smok’d, courtesy of the Britannia round the corner. This place makes for something different I suppose, but it’s not really my thing, but I may return at a quieter time when I know that door checks are absent.

Official site of Old School Yard - www.theoldschoolyard.com

Official site of Old School Yard - www.theoldschoolyard.com