The Barrel Vault (JD Wetherspoon), N1

Nice big pub with at least 10 cask beers on my visit.Fairly mundane selection but you caan get a cheap pint in an expensive area for beer.Very busy so others agree.

I guess that if we had visited at a more sensible time, rather than at around 6.00 PM on a Wednesday evening, it would have seemed a bit more welcoming. But in the rush hour it was heaving; no seats to be had which was a shame as we were looking for a bite to eat; a scrum at the bar; and noisy as hell. Even ignoring all that, it struck me as a characterless drinking barn. At another time it would serve the usual 'spoons purpose, in providing both cheap food and beer. But there was a good selection of ales, with guest ales at £1.39 a pint, and in good condition. I'll probably end up in here again sometime, probably for a late morning brunch before heading off to visit other pubs.