Cloth Cornhill, Bank, EC3

This is probably more a tavern in the original sense of the word and certainly not a pub in the contemporary sense, as it closes at 15.30.

The small, wedge-shaped Gentleman's Bar has just 4 seats, with most customers standing outside in the adjacent alleyway. Traditional wooden furniture and decor, but not too dark a shade. To the other side of the main entrance is the Grill Room, with the Wine Bar downstairs and Restaurant at first-floor level. Four of the five handpumps were working, offering the regular Bass (£3.95, served in the right glass), Pride, Doom Bar and Southwold. NB - Only open between 11:30 and 15:30, Mondays to Fridays.

One of London’s old drinking dens, dating back to the 18th Century, that gets busy with City workers most lunchtimes and evenings. It’s tucked away in the City’s ‘Lanes’ so might take a bit of finding. There is an upstairs restaurant and grill house plus a wine bar at ground level where you’ll also find a small traditional corridor bar with real ales available. Watch out for the ’no mobiles’ rule.