The Duke, WC1

An Art Deco place and decent chunks of the interior retain that feel. Located off the beaten track, there are two rooms via a door-sized archway. The main bar area is fairly functional, though has some classic high back pew bench booths and lots of period mirrors. The windows look original although the Duke frosts are clearly modern decal. The rear room also has the Art Deco look, with wooden booths. These were all set for dining (with no diners in sight) and I decided to briefly alight here with my half and subsequently got gyp from the teenage bob-a-job bar staff, though she retreated when I pointed out that I was hardly hindering their trade on a late Tuesday evening. A neat segue onto the ale offering - three in total; Doom Bar, Hackney Amber and Whitstable Pale. I went for the Whistable and got a very good one. I’m a sucker for the period style (especially with no TVs or flashing machines) so I liked this place immensely and getting a decent ale was the icing on the cake. I will be making a point of doing this one again, despite the ‘ohh you can’t sit there’ attitude. 7.5

Stylish small corner pub.Cosy atmosphere.Three cask beers Vale -pale ale,Doombar and Sheps -whitstable bay.Worth a re-visit.