The Carpenters Arms, W1

One of my regular haunts when in this part of London. I call in a lot, but my latest visit was very poor. A badly kept pint of Schiehallion meant I had to take it back to the bar. The very stroppy landlord told me there was nothing wrong with it and if I'd wanted a lager I should have had Fosters. I pointed out that I was a real ale drinker and expected better than this from a GBG pub. He eventually changed it for a different pint with great reluctance. Not good on this showing, but I'll probably call in again in a few weeks and hope for a better experience.

This traditional town pub is well described by others, particularly PSM’s review below. Now it’s a card-only establishment, and no food was on offer when we visited. The young staff were functional but not terribly friendly or interested. On the plus side it is a busy, lively local, with a good mix of customers. Three pumps were dry, the others were dispensing Vale VPA and Harvey’s Sussex Best; the beer was well-kept and enjoyable. It’s a decent boozer, not expensive for the area, and I’d be happy to come back for a few pints.

Busy pub on Tuesday evening. Bar in the middle with five real ales but nothing of any strength.

A mate of mine has just taken a flat round the corner from the Carpenters and its now his local. Really well kept mainstream brews and nice chatty staff make it a decent place for an after work pint or a couple on a Sunday lunch. well worth a visit. They had Harvey's and Atlantic on the day we visited, both perfect.

Closest GBG pub to my hotel. Amazing locals feel to a place just off one of the busiest high streets in any City in the world. Decent pint. Football. Darts! Photos at my blog - http://bit.ly/2doSoWX

Clark's Top o't'Tree, Moorhouse Santa's Piste (peachy), Teignworthy Christmas Cracker (6%), Harveys, Adnams, plus a.n.other. I think it's recently had a refit but some victorian tiling remains at one entrance, some ‘booth' seating around the window, horseshoe bar with good & not-so-good music from the cd, tv & plasma with muted skysports. All in all a very good find in this part of town and a surprisingly local feel; worth checking out, along with the Masons just along the road.