The Clarence, Mayfair, W1

Built on the site of the Coach & Horses (1724) but rebuilt in 1892 then again in 1953, possibly due to bombing. Inside it has that modern fake ‘Victorian’ appearance; repetitive though not unpleasant, with the usual dark wood field panelling and brassy things, but now with white and obligatory smoky blue paint. Décor comes in the form of a glass fronted kitchen cabinet containing ‘things’, framed prints covered in fake cobwebs, then some pewter mugs hanging from a strange device, purpose unknown. Being a Nicholson’s pub, the ale choice was going to be a blessing compared to the serried ranks of Greene King pubs in the area, but it still wasn’t great, with three unused pumps, then Pride, Doom, Landlord and Nicholson’s Pale Ale at a very steep £5.00 a pint and not bad. This isn’t a great pub, but it’s what I’ve come to expect in Mayfair.

Long, narrow and anodyne Nicholsons in neutral tones with the standard corporate tick boxes, including the wide but safe range of ales. I could smell the Tribute coming, it was that bad. My replacement of Tim Taylor Landlord was fine, however my companion’s pint of Ghost Ship didn’t pass muster. Not much to recommend it on this showing which is a surprise as Nicholsons are usually safe bets in the capital.

Rather plain version of a Nicholsons, light neutral walls. Close to Picadilly & The Ritz. The beer is well kept but its a totally uninteresting building & bland offering.

Just around the corner from the swanky Ritz and easily reached from Green Park tube station this is a decent sized Nicholson's pub in a building that lacks the charm of many of this chain's London based pubs. That's not to say the pub doesn't have an interesting history - it started life as the Coach and Horses as far back as the 1720's, before changing its name in reference to the Duke of Clarence. Sadly numerous refits over the years have left little of historical interest on show, with the interior having been badly butchered, to leave a disjointed and unusual layout. You enter either down a passageway along the right hand wall or through an opened out front section which looks out to a cordoned off section of pavement, jam packed with suits on my post-work mid-week visit. Some remarkably bland walls and bare boards characterise this space, mitigated slightly by comfy leather seating (banquettes, pouffes, high stools), serving small tables and a drinking ledge down the left hand wall. A few bits adorn the walls, such as plain mirrors and old photos, whilst an ancient looking telephone was also a notable addition to the décor, but there was no escaping the fact that this was an interminably dull space, so it was a relief to move through to the main bar area, shielded from the front room by a sizable section of partitioning wall. The servery is to the left and boasts a nice curved counter and modern mirrored bar back all done in dark wood. Some nice tiled flooring around the bar gives way to chunky modern floorboards, with standard eating available opposite the servery and high tables and stools beyond the end of the bar. Some decent wood panelling makes the rear part of the room the most pleasing part of the pub, once you pass the obligatory TV showing muted news coverage. To the right is a set of shelves labelled 'Beer Library', although books were in the minority, with bottles, photos, tap and spiles, jugs and other such breweriana on show under some hops and tankards that hung from above. The rest of the décor in this rear section was devoted to the poet Wordsworth, for reasons I wasn't fully able to figure out. Various pictures, quotes and samples of his poetry covered the end wall, but the effect was somewhat lost by the modern pop soundtrack that played in the background. A typically good Nicholson's range prevailed at the bar, with options on this visit comprising Nicholson's Pale Ale, Goddard's Ale of Wight, Off the Wall Koma, Fullers Past Masters Oatmeal Porter, Adnams Broadside, Woodfordes Nelson's Revenge and Navigation Golden Anchor. A pleasant barman served me a pretty good pint of the Golden Anchor which I took to the back of the pub to sup in peace away from the boisterous suited masses. I normally view Nicholson's pubs as a safe bet for a good pint in proper pub-like surrounds - something that can never be taken for granted in central London, but this place was a bit of a let-down, with only the far end of the pub offering any kind of comfort and refuge. It might be worth a look away from the peak post-work hours, but I was a little disappointed with this one.