St Bride's Tavern, 1 Bridewell Place

St Bride's Tavern, 1 Bridewell Place, EC4V 6AP

I've been working in Blackfriars for over six years and never even knew this place existed. At first it seemed as if no one else had either. Initially I shared the pub with an old man perched on a stool by the bar who looked as if he was a permanent fixture slowly gathering dust. The barmaid, although chronologically challenged herself served a fine pint of Guinness. Nice spot for a quiet drink and an afternoon nap I thought. Then something bizarre happened... lots of women started arriving. I can only imagine that they had grown tired of being pawed by lecherous young suits in the trendier bars and sought refuge here. A bit of a surreal one.

Reviewed by Paul Melton, Dec 2003

Telephone: 020 7353 1614

Nearby pubs: The Black Friar, 174 Queen Victoria St (150 metres), The Punch Tavern, 99 Fleet Street (80 metres), Rising Sun, 61 Carter Lane (180 metres), Ryans Bar, 56 Carter Lane (190 metres), The Old Bell Tavern, 95 Fleet Street (90 metres), The Coach and Horses, 35 Whitefriars Street (190 metres), The Harrow, 22 Whitefriars Street (150 metres), The Crown and Sugarloaf, 98-99 Fleet Street (70 metres), The Albion, 2/3 New Bridge Street (60 metres)

Nearest station: City Thameslink, Zone 1 (100 metres)