The Crown, WC2

Just when you think you've unearthed all the decent pubs tucked away in the back streets of the West End, you walk past another. In fact, I have probably walked past the Crown a dozen times without really noticing it. Situated on Dial Square, it is just far enough away from the bright lights to remain undiscovered by the hordes that throng nearby Covent Garden and Charing Cross Road areas. A fairly small pub established in 1833 with many traditional features including a glazed tile exterior, bar screens, ironwork and some interesting clocks, 2 on the walls by the door and a railway station style clock hanging from the ceiling near the bar. They offer 3 bog standard ales (Greene King IPA, Pride and Adnams alongside the usual array of lager / cider at reasonable prices for the area. The bare floorboard area in the front of the pub has a few stools and there is a partition that leads to a carpeted area with a few tables at the rear. Customer base tends to be office workers and the atmosphere is quite civilised. On the downside, bits of the pub are tatty but it all adds to the authentic feel. The fireplace is rather wasted and there are a few bare shelves and cabinets that are just asking to filled with bric-a-brac. For the scientifically minded, on the outside of the pub by the doors is a plaque that shows how to convert the sundial in the square from solar time to Greenwich Mean Time although using a watch to tell the time will be a lot quicker and easier. Well worth a visit but could be a bit more adventurous with the beers.