The Sugarloaf, EC4

This split bar O’Neills is one of the smallest I have been into, but the usual plastic Irish crap is still up on the walls and the three types of Guinness are all available. You would have thought that the black stuff in here would be in tip top condition, but it isn’t. The bar is mainly stocked with standard draught products, but Amstel is also available along with Smithwick’s Authentic Irish Ale fresh from a keg. To be fair there is a real ale available in the form of London Pride, but the hand pump is on the side of the bar well away from the main bank of taps so it is easy to miss. The usual array of cheap food in the form of burgers etc is available and a mix of rock and Irish music was playing during my visit. The TV was off and I spotted no signs for Sky Sports, but I may have missed them as this chain usually has the football in its pubs. The barman wasn’t the most cheerful chap that I met last week, but this has no bearing on the fact that I’ll do my best to avoid this pub in future.