The City Pride, Clerkenwell, EC1

Nice looking Fullers pub from the outside with lots of colourful hanging baskets. Then a modern décor sports orientated bar inside with plenty of high stools and tables. Is probably a decent place when full of punters on a sports night with the multiple flat screens in operation. But on an early weekday lunchtime with virtually no one else in, it’s a bit of a sole less place. Not helped by the fact that of the four hand pumps , only the ESB and Discovery were actually on from the evening before. Fortunately the Discovery was a good pint, but I probably didn’t experience this place at its best.

A down to earth, no thrills, no nonsense, Fullers pub just off Clerkenwell Green. The main bar is quite bare with wooden floor and geared more to stand up drinking with just a few small tables. The walls are plain with the occasional picture, mirror, plate etc but nothing over the top. A large plasma TV perched above the door appears to be too big for where it is situated and awkwardly overhangs part of the window behind. One interesting feature is that the front of the pub is entirely full length doors so in the hot summer months (or should that be 2 days a year) the entire bar can be opened up straight onto the pavement, continental style. There is a separate room in an extended area in what was, I presume, originally the premises next door. This is a bit more geared to seating. Reasonably priced and well kept Fullers beers. The pub is friendly enough and fine for what it is but not special enough to go out of the way for.

I'm a big fan of Fullers pubs as I like their beers, but this place isn't one of their best and I have to point out that the barmaid on duty was truly miserable when I visited before Christmas. I spotted four plasma screens showing the news which were muted and there was no music playing as the pub felt like it was closing even though it was only 10pm. Four Fullers ales were available and there was nothing wrong with my pint, but I can't see a return visit.