Hoop & Grapes, EC4

Just around the corner from Fleet Street, the Hoop & Grapes is a smart Grade II listed Shepherd Neame pub that was rescued from demolition in the 1990's. The pub has a typical Central London layout, with entry into a relatively narrow room with the bar down one side and seating around the perimeter. The room is bare boarded and has walls painted in various neutral shades, whilst the dark wood bar counter runs down the right hand wall. Seating is a mixed bag, with banquette booths, standard tables and chairs and high tables and stools all present in a relatively small space. The decor felt a little corporate, with blackboards, listing things like the wine list or availability of function rooms, seeming to dominate the wall space, but there are quite a few black and white photos of the local area dotted around as well. A couple of TV screens, including one on the bar back, were showing muted rolling news coverage, but I don't recall any music playing. Doors to the rear lead out to a popular enclosed patio garden and stairs lead up to a function room and a games room with a dartboard. Four handpulls were in operation dispensing three Shep's beers and one guest ale. I decided to give the Spitfire Gold a try and it was a lot better than I was expecting and kept in good shape. Food is available, although I didn't see anyone eating, and the pub notably has a selection of cigars available for purchase. This felt like a pretty workaday pub that certainly serves its purpose very well, but perhaps doesn't do enough to encourage repeat visits given some of the more attractive alternatives nearby. I was quite happy in here and thought the beer quality was a real plus point, but it ultimately felt like the same unmemorable experience I've had in countless other pubs around the city.

Ok Pub - GBG entry 2017. Full range of Shepherds Neame beers. I went for a well kept but not overly inspiring Whitstable Bay. Nothing really to make the place stand out or make you want to go out of your way to return really. Although there was plenty of free reading material, including London Drinker magazine. Fleet Street Pub Crawl at http://bit.ly/2etkXjQ

Official site of Hoop & Grapes - www.hoopandgrapes.co.uk

Official site of Hoop & Grapes - www.hoopandgrapes.co.uk