The Portman, W1

I had a drop of Badger First Gold which was excellent. They also had Stinger on. This pub has a central bear, with some seating, but seemed to me to be the sort of pub for propping up the bar. Plenty of dark wood gives it an old feel. I don't know the provenance of this pub, but there is a sign outside that says its cellars were originally cells used for the temporary incarceration of those unfortunates waiting to dance the hempen jig at Tyburn. I quite liked this pub, and will drop in again if I am in the area.

Hall & Woodhouse beers, not always my favourite but acceptable and at least a bit different around here. Badger First Gold and I assume seasonal Pickled Partridge on. £2-40 for First Gold, good value for central London. Two (gas coal effect) roaring fires, wood panelled walls, newspapers in a rack at the bar. Not much seating but a sign indicates more available in an upstairs room. Decent boozer worth a visit.

This is a traditional corner pub with a selection of ales and standard draught. I went in with the misses on Friday afternoon and ordered a pint of Fosters (I think) and a cheese sandwich and a BLT baguette. The sandwich and the baguette were both stale and the bacon tasted of fish. The menu was mainly Thai and in hindsight I should have ordered some of that as it looked quite good. My first pint wasn't the greatest and was served, in a glass with lipstick around the rim, by a fairly miserable barmaid; although I was later served by a much chirpier barmaid. I didn’t think that this was the best pub in the area.