The White Swan, Chancery Lane, EC4

A return visit to what was once a regular watering hole over ten years ago and it is unchanged, right down to the stuffed swan over the entrance. This pub dates back to at least the early 19th century but was rebuilt in its current form, perhaps in the 1950s? The interior is part wood panelled and part brick. There's some bare brick, thereafter its up the stairs to the mezzanine area which is both a bar extension and private hire function room. The floor is bare boarded, furniture is conventional and music is muted. Sadly this isn't a great place for ale with one unused pump, one dispensing OK IPA, the other delivering Sharp's Doom Bar at £2.20 a half and fine. I don't see any great reason to return, but it's a cosy place and I might change my mind if the place took real ale more seriously in terms of both quality and choice. Closed at weekends.

Curious little pub, with light wood-panelling and a huge mirror opposite the brass-topped bar counter. Quite a high ceiling at the front, but half the height at the back due to the upstairs dining room and small mezzanine seating area. Went in during the quiet period between Christmas and New Year, so it was no great surprise to find just one of the four handpumps in use and dispensing Adnams Ghost Ship (£4.00 and a touch hazy, but tasting OK).

The main bar is a smart single room, with a stuffed white swan in a case above the door and boars' heads and antlers mounted on the walls. Service was keen and efficient on my recent visit, and I paid a locally reasonable £3.40 for a pint of Adnams Southwold. Pride and Doombar were also available on hand pump. There is a small mezzanine area upstairs, and further upstairs a dining rooms, prominently advertised as being bookable for up to 20 or 52 people respectively, which from the look of them would be something of a squeeze. Or, so the advertising says, you can fit up to 150 people in the pub. The also host 'fine food and wine evenings' - 5 courses of great English food and wines for £46. I liked this pub, which felt comfortable on my recent visit, and it seems very good at what it does. I did think, however, that it is making so much effort that it just isn't quite as relaxed as it ought to be.

Official site of the White Swan, includes menu and drinks list - www.thewhiteswanlondon.com

Official site of the White Swan, includes menu and drinks list - www.thewhiteswanlondon.com

This isn't the biggest pub, but it is done up well with a nice bar and balcony area. Pride, Adnams and Broadside were all available on my visit along with a selection of premium lagers and Carlsberg. There were a couple of groups of blokes in whilst I was there that acted and spoke like they were big cheeses and it is the first time a barman has called me darling without mincing away to get my pint. This place is a little too expensive and pretentious for me and I won't be rushing back.