The Swan Tavern, Leadenhall, EC3

Swan Tavern pages at the Redcar Pubs site - www.redcarpubs.com

Swan Tavern pages at the Redcar Pubs site - www.redcarpubs.com

A teeny little place in a narrow alleyway off Gracechurch Street, run by Fullers and usually full of City suits. On entering you’ll hit (almost literally) the small downstairs bar with its flagstone floor and wood panelling. Head upstairs via the spiral staircase for a slightly larger and plusher experience with carpeting, red wallpaper, glasswork and more dark wood cladding. This week’s visit saw me in the upstairs bar where three of the Fullers range (Discovery, Chiswick and Pride) were augmented by the welcome sight of a guest in the form of Elgoods Cambridge, which was a decent pint. People often escape the interior throng by drinking outside in the alleyway. A good, solid pub that always seems to get it right - a worthwhile visit in the City.

A truly tiny bar at ground floor level with hardly room to get through if a few people are waiting at the bar. Stone flagged floor, partly panelled walls, the end wall had a TV on mute and some odds and ends including a white porcelain swan and a couple of Chinese looking vases. There is a large and attractive Bellingham & Co mirror. Seating is limited to just two or three stools at a shelf. The alley outside is however partially covered and does double as an overflow drinking area. A Fuller's pub serving Pride, Chiswick and Discovery plus at the time guest Brain's Reverend James. There is more room in the upstairs bar which had the same four beers on. This is a fairly plain carpeted space with mirrors and ruched curtains at the windows to the front and back. A pleasant spot with good friendly service and well kept beer.

Went back to the Swan, and forgot (yet again) to visit the upstairs bar which I have still never seen. However, the tiny wood-panelled 'Ale Bar' at street level remains just the same (i.e. feeling full if you get more than half a dozen people inside, so it's just as well there's no traffic using the covered passageway out front which is thankfully where many of the customers choose to congregate anyway). Four very well kept beers on handpump - usually Discovery, Chiswick and Pride plus a guest (currently Liberation Ale from the Jersey Brewery, £3.20). Overall, it may be small and thus often crowded, but it's certainly one of the very best City pubs for a pint.

Randomness Guide to London - Swan entry