The Gunmakers, Clerkenwell, EC1

Located down a Clerkenwell side street, the pub has received prominence over the past few years as it’s now run by the original enfant terrible of beer blogging, Jeff Bell (AKA Stonch) who has since retired from the blogging game. It looks small and slightly foreboding from the outside (I blame the black signage) and the interior is indeed long and narrow, divided up into three distinct areas; the small front bar as you enter, a little middle room and a larger back room. The décor is wood-heavy, with pleasing dark red paintwork with a couple of large mirrors engraved with the pubs name. A musket and two pistols can also be seen in the furthest room. Due its small size it can get very crowded and cramped very quickly. The large front windows can be fully opened (not to dissimilar to the Harp), which is nice on a summer’s day (so long as the smokers blowback doesn’t bother you). There’s usually four beers, Woodfordes Wherry and Purity Mad Goose are always on, alongside a couple of thoughtful guest ales. The pub is GBG listed, though I have to admit my experiences have been a little mixed – I’ve had fairly flat beer on a couple of occasions. The pub also prides itself on food – it’s a bit gastropubby but reputedly of high quality; I’m not quite rich enough to try any after a hard days crawling but maybe one day I will. Overall, worth giving it a go though I’m not quite as converted to it as some others are.

This is an interesting little pub hidden away down a side street off the Clerkenwell Road. There are three rooms, all in a line from the front door due to the narrow shape of the premises. The rooms have wooden floors and wood panelled walls, with standard table and chair arrangements set up in the limited space. My evening visit saw all of the tables occupied and so I was forced to drink at the small bar counter, which was a little inconvenient. There is a nice mirror with the pub's name etched into it and a few pump clips around the bar, but otherwise the decor is fairly muted. The walls are painted a deep shade of red, which created a warm feeling on a chilly autumn evening. Four hand pumps were dispensing Castle Rock Harvest Pale (£3.20), Purity Mad Goose, Woodford's Wherry and Adnam's Bokbier, with a box of Weston's Old Rosie cider propped up on a shelf at the back. My pint of Castle Rock was very well kept and I was enjoying it very much until I made way for someone to get to the bar, only to find that the barman had removed it in the 30 seconds or so it was out of my sight. That said, the staff seemed very friendly and enthusiastic about what they were doing with this place. A bit too cramped and chaotic on this visit for my liking, but this was my first time here and I can see why the place has been getting good reviews below, so I will definitely return soon.

Superb, modern pub situated on a side street of Clerkenwell Road. I made a particular effort to visit this place while visiting nearby Holborn and was not disappointed - a cracking pint of Triple fff Alton's Pride was served by a friendly barmaid and I took in the surroundings of a clearly popular establishment. I felt guilty staying for just one, but I'll undoubtedly be back.

Randomness Guide to London - Gunmakers entry

Randomness Guide to London - Gunmakers entry

Small but perfectly formed, a real local hidden away off Farringdon Road. Selection of four regularly changing ales plus Helles lager from Meantime of Greenwich. Food is freshly prepared and of excellent quality; this is not a Brake pad. Friendly and interesting landlord, bar staff and locals. Very close to the perfect pub.

This is a small-fronted pub tucked away in a side street off Clerkenwell Road. Landlord and Hook Norton Autumn Ale on. The HNAA was £3 a pint, which is pretty much the going rate in Central London, and was absolutely superb. With a bare-boarded floor, and low ceiling, this pub generates a welcoming atmosphere. The smell of the freshly ground coffee used by the coffee machine pervades the front bar. Somewhat unusual odour as pubs go, but not unpleasant. What a cracking little pub this is. Definitely worth a visit – highly recommended.

This is a proper back street boozer, not very big, and with the emphasis firmly on ales. There are usually three or four real ales on plus Addlestones and, on my last visit, Westons Scrumpy. There is a good gastropub type menu but make no mistake, the raison d'etre of this pub is the search for ebriety. The bar staff know their product well and are more than happy to engage in conversation. I suspect the location means it doesn't get a lot of passing trade but those that know it's there will keep returning.

There were four thoughtful ales on during my visit before Christmas, but the lager choice was a little weak with only two available. I didn't care though as I don't drink lager and the Guinness was spot on. The barmaid was very friendly and I found the locals to be the friendliest I have encountered in London for a first visit to a pub in a long time There's not much more I can say other than I wish there was a dartboard and I lived locally – Great pub!

Official site of the Gunmakers, includes up to date real ale information - thegunmakers.co.uk

Official site of the Gunmakers, includes up to date real ale information - thegunmakers.co.uk