The Telegraph, EC2

Official site of The Telegraph - www.telegraphmoorgate.co.uk

Official site of The Telegraph - www.telegraphmoorgate.co.uk

Large rectangular Fuller's bar, with semi-traditional furniture and decor and a dining area at one end. A bit shouty, with loud music to match. Seating supplemented by some patio tables out front. Four of six handpumps in operation when I visited, with Pride, Seafarers, the seasonal Fire Cracker (£4.35) and Butcombe Bitter as a guest available.

If I worked in Moorgate then I wouldn't have a problem with The Telegraph as a close by lunchtime or early evening venue for a decent pint of Fullers. But as a pub to search out when visiting the City, I wouldn't bother. It's a fairly dull and characterless example of the Fullers Food & Ale establishments with a clean, but fairly boring standard modern décor interior. The positive is that its tucked away down an alley way off Moorgate and benefits from a large outside drinking area and on a warm evening like last Thursday, with the big windows open, then it's a decent place for an outside pint. But there are a lot better pubs in the area and a lot better examples of close by large Fullers establishments that are worth walking a bit further to, The Counting House in Bank and The Banker under the arches at Cannon Street to name two.

I'm a big fan of the more traditional Fullers pubs so I wasn't overly impressed with this place. Only Pride and Discovery were available alongside a selection of premium and standard lagers and although the Pride was good it was expensive at £3.30 a pint. There was also another ale that was unavailable but I couldn't read the back of the clip to see what it was as the pub was so dark. There is a servery at one end of this large pub and ample seating throughout the rest of the available space. There are big windows that open up onto the walkway outside so that during the warmer months the smokers can converse with their friends whilst enjoying a cigarette. I thought that the staff were pleasant enough, but I doubt that I will find myself standing in the dark whilst sampling the high prices and cheesy music in here anytime soon.