The Ice Wharf (Lloyds No 1), Camden Town, NW1

This Lloyds No. 1 is situated in a modern curved building,and you have to step down into the main body of the pub,while only a smaller section remains at ground level.If you want to see the canal activity,the bench seating outside by the willow is the place to be.There are two banks of three handpumps,with two taken up by the regular suspects of Ruddles Bitter and Abbott,so there is a maximum selection of four guests. The food menu is the same as in regular 'spoons but there is a small upward tweak on prices,and the same applies to beers and other drinks.Having said that,compared with the immediate area this is a haven of "value" and I have used it several times while boating and always found it fine for a beer or two. It can get busy at peak times but there is a lot of room for vertical drinking,and there is never a scrum.Being a Lloyds means musak is played but at sensible volume although I noticed there are DJ's at work on Friday and Saturday nights ,when closing is extended to 1am. Probably the best bet if visiting the immediate area,the place has a modern bar feel rather than any semblance of pub atmosphere.