The Ship, Monument, EC3

Quite easy to miss,in an alley that runs between Gracechurch St and Eastcheap but worth finding for a wide selection of ale.Not much need to be added to the thorough reviews below,the interior is traditional and worth having a look around.Both pints I supped were in very good condition.As with most City pubs ,expect to spend peak times drinking vertically .

The Ship is situated down an alleyway known as Talbot Court. The original pub on this site was The Talbot which burned down in the Great Fire in 1666. The Ship was rebuilt on the same site after the fire and renamed after the boatmen and dockers who drank here. An unusual dog leg shape with limited seating mostly at drinking shelves. Wooden flooring, red ceiling, lots of the usual Nicholson's dark wood, some with attractive carved detail like the upper frieze with mirrors above. Above the bar and around the pub are high shelves containing scores of beer bottles and a large collection of pump clips from previous beers. Plenty of framed prints on the walls, some depicting scenes from The Great Fire. A TV on an end wall was off on Friday afternoon. Upstairs is the small Talbot Bar and Dining Room but this is not exclusively for eating and can provide valuable additional space when it is full downstairs. Also available for private hire. This area has three handpumps of its own and amongst the decor is an interesting drawing and cross-section of a Dutch galleon. Eight handpumps in the main bar, the selection was Pride(x2), Adnams Old Ale, Tim Taylor's Landlord, Deucher's IPA, St Austell Tribute, Doom Bar, and Rudgate Jorvik Blonde(£3.20).

Randomness Guide to London - Ship entry

Randomness Guide to London - Ship entry

An "L" shaped pub that is down a small alley and easy to miss if you dont know where it is.Has an upstairs bar and dining area.Had a very good selection of real ales.Gets packed lunch and early evening.2 mins from Monument tube station.

Official pages of the Ship, contains menu and real ale details - www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk

Official pages of the Ship, contains menu and real ale details - www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk