The Albany is a large central London pub with decent beers and a basement space that plays host to DJs and events.

The Venue
The Albany is a domineering purple pub situated on the corner of Great Portland Street and Euston Road, just a stone’s throw from Regent’s Park. If you come out of Great Portland Street station it’s right in front of you, and it's often the first port of call for people alighting here.

It takes up the entire corner, with huge windows and a welcoming façade. Inside, the bar is one large room with a variety of seating arrangements; high tables with stools at the bar, and comfy chairs and couches near the windows. It’s aesthetically pleasing, with chandeliers hanging from the ceiling giving it a homely yet sophisticated feel.

Downstairs in the basement is the Lowdown Bar, a space that hosts regular DJ and comedy nights.

The Atmosphere
Midweek, expect to find it nicely busy with music playing softly in the background and plenty of places to sit. On Thursday and Friday nights, you’ll be hard pushed to get a seat. It’s in an area with just a smattering of decent pubs, therefore the majority of office workers in the immediate vicinity all pile in here, and the chatter can be so loud you have to shout at your companions.

The Food
The Albany offers typical English gastropub fare, with dishes such as free-range Gloucester sausages with kale colcannon and red onion gravy (£8.50) or salmon and Devon crab fishcakes, served with lemon and chive crème fraiche and beetroot salad (£9). On Sunday’s there’s a popular roast lunch, with the tantalising 21-day aged West Country beef and all the trimmings costing a very reasonable £13. If you visit at lunchtime there’s also a fixed price menu where you can choose from a range of basic dishes (one course £7, two courses £10, or three courses for £13).

The Drink
The Albany has a good range of drinks; it has clearly put some thought into offering. Several real ales on tap are regularly rotatated but may include Moor Revival, Sambrook’s Wandle and Adnams. Lagers include Grolsch (£3.95) and Estrella (£4.15). Prices are above average for this part of town, so prepare to pay slightly more for your beer. A full wine list is in operation, with a glass of the large merlot costing £5.85. All house spirits come with mixers – a vodka lemonade and lime will set you back £3.55.

The Last Word
The Albany is a decent pub, one that’s well worth popping into if you’re in the area and thirsty, however the beers here are priced slightly above average.

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