The Oyster Shed, Cannon Street, EC4

The Oyster Shed is a long narrow bar with floor to ceiling windows at the front that afford views across the Thames, as does the outside seating that runs along the frontage. A line of high tables and chairs run between the front windows and the bar and to the left of the bar is standard seating used by diners during a recent Wednesday afternoon visit. The television was off with no sign of live sport advertisements and there was some background music playing. Above the rear of the bar is a mezzanine seating area and the toilets are located two floors below. During my walk down I thought I had stumbled into an NCP car park; I will take the lift next time. The bar is stocked with premium keg and supports three hand pumps that were drawing Young’s Ordinary, Sharp’s Doom Bar and ST Austell’s Proper Job. As London bars go this one is decent with polite service.

Much better than I was expecting when viewed from outside.It's a modern bar with a very high roof and a mezzanine above the long bar,so will be noisy.The area to the left of the entrance is designed for diners but the two person tables opposite the bar are for mixed use and have very good river views.There is a narrow terrace outside with more two seater tables. As you might expect oysters are popular here ,but the short menu does include other options with mains rising from £15.You pay for the location ,but my food was decent.There are three handpumps offering Youngs Bitter,Adnams Mosaic and a very decent St Austell Proper Job. I would pop back if walking the Thames Path for ale and food that,although pricey,was at least in very good condition.Friendly and efficient serving staff always helps too.