The Clarence, SW1

This is a pretty standard Central London pub, which isn't a bad thing in my opinion. The barmaid was very friendly and the selection of drinks available included Old Speckled Hen, Bombadier (which was well served), Adnams, Pride, Leffe, Hoegarden, Staropramen and a few bog standard lagers. There are four small tables on the pavement outside the pub, but it obviously gets busy with pedestrians and vehicles being on Whitehall. Good for people watching though, if you are that way inclined. The toilets were a disgrace with a soaking wet floor interspersed with bog roll and green towel. Funnily enough the toilet door was propped open with a “CAUTION CLEANING IN PROGRESS” sign. One of the staff obviously has a sense of humour! In my opinion, this is not a bad pub but there are better in the area.

This place underwent a major refurb in October this year and Ye Old pub feel referred to in a previous review has now gone. This was my first visit to the Clarence the other evening, so I cannot compare and contrast the new décor. But if the old decor was a good as it looks in some of the the photo's I have seen of the previous interior, then I am struggling to see how this is progress. I guess from looking at what the've done to the place they are now aiming to be more of a bistro restaurant for the tourists rather than a pub. Cannot fault the beer though, as these included Sharp Ales and Sambrooks Wandel from the Battersea Micro brewer, and the Wandel I tried was perfectly fine. Although the price levels did appear to be on a higher level than the Shades up the road. But as for the décor, sorry but I am a traditionalist, and if you are lucky enough to have large wooden beams, even if they are not original, don't coat them in Dulux duck egg blue, or what ever that colour is.