The Apple Tree, WC1

Greene King IPA and Royal London were the ale offerings here on my recent visit along with a standard draught selection and Leffe with Aspalls being the cider option. The pub décor is basic and there was some strange red light glowing at the rear of the pub, but the only other people were a group of lads playing poker on a table by the front door. After I'd been there ten minutes the manager walked over to them and moved them upstairs for some reason leaving me in the pub on my own. I did visit on a quiet weeknight so I wasn't expecting a great atmosphere, but the attitude of the young barman and the depressing set-up of the pub have put me off visiting here again.

Lost in the side streets in the shadows of the massive Mount Pleasant sorting office, the Apple Tree is not one of the better known London pubs. The place is pleasant enough, a refurbished, corner pub with an element of trendiness that does not offend the traditionalists and has a safe widespread appeal. The interior has been knocked through although a staircase now cuts awkwardly through the middle of the pub. It's all very clean and tidy without oozing any great character, fairly plain decor, polished wooden floor, high ceiling and the now token sofa loungey bit at one end. 3 hand pumps – a very good pint of Davenport, the ubiquitous Green King IPA and a further redundant pump. There are newspapers for the lonely, a Big Screen for the sporty, a fireplace for the cold, a large mirror for the vain and outside seats for the smokers and sun worshippers. Not really sure who ventures here apart from the local PO workers and whilst it seems to cater for most tastes, I cannot see anyone making a special effort to seek it out. File under “if in the area…”.

I've only paid one visit, on a quiet weekday evening, but found it a fairly nondescript pub that was a bit depressing. Only GK IPA available ale wise.