The Old Rectifying House, Worcester

Very distinctive building on the riverfront, with a mock-Tudor façade at first-floor level that also features an arcaded balcony between two large bow windows. The interior has been thoroughly refurbished in a modern style, with a black / white / silver theme throughout the various ground-floor lounge and dining areas. More space upstairs (not visited). Looked like a table-service place, but thankfully there are few stools around the island bar counter and a couple of Otter beers available on handpump: Bitter and Ale (£1.60 for a half). Not my sort of place, but the staff appeared efficient and it probably does its job rather well.

Despite the old looking exterior , it was once apparently a distilery , this is inside a painfully trendy bar-resturant , the main downstairs bar is all exposed brickwork and mood lighting with a large island bar and an open kitchen , there is a large bookshelf between the toilets and another couple of bookshelves on a brick pillar near the bar where books can be swapped or left . There is an upstairs bar , accessible from the main bar or by fire escape from the small rear beer garden , closed on my visit . Beer choice was mainly continental fizz and two real ales , bitter and amber from Otter the amber was fine . Service was good although the barman looked like something from a 70s German porn film ! Mainly a food/cocktail bar sort of place but OK for one on the way over or back from St Johns

Official site of the Old Rec, includes menus and beer list - www.theoldrec.co.uk