The Princess Louise, Holborn

What a restoration - and what an improvement: the partitioned bar breaks up the crowds and prevents large groups intimidating solo or couple drinkers. "Downstairs" is also back to its former "glory", although I notice that one idiot has already taken it upon himself to add his tag in marker pen to the clean wall.
Still cheap, still friendly. Never been a great fan of Old Brewery, but the Sam Smiths cider is as good as any other draught cider but two thirds the price.

20 Feb 2008 18:46

The Hereford Arms, South Kensington

The refurb has turned out, thank goodness, to be little more than a clean-up and improvement. Gone are those ridiculous high stools and high tables, but the guest ales were back last night, and the service is still as quick and friendly as it was before. The loss of the quiz machine is the only real blow (I never actually witnessed that sports telly in use - always use the Gloucester up the road for that anyway).

16 Feb 2008 10:26