Surrounded on all sides by unwelcoming City-based pub chains, this small appealing bar should be the first port of call for workers seeking a personal touch.

The Venue
Located near Aldgate tube station on Jewry Street, Hennessy's is a back-to-basics pub and restaurant that caters to nearby City-goers both during and after their working hours. The ground floor room is compact, to say the least, with bar stools and jutting tables lining two walls, and two cylindrical casks doubling as group tables in the middle of the floor. The wallpaper is off-white, and the wooden window frames and floors give off a simple, unpretentious feel which fits the place perfectly. Generic props such as whiskey labels, champagne bottles and vintage sherry casks line the walls and bar (well-appointed, with a selection of backlit spirit and wine bottles), however on the whole atmosphere is more important than aesthetics.

The restaurant on the first floor is an altogether more refined affair, with a separate bar and a dozen high-backed chairs and tables. Since the kitchen is only open for lunch, this floor doubles as a function room for parties and ceremonies, whilst both the outdoor smoking area and surprisingly large roof garden (open in the summer) provide a chance to get some fresh air.

The Atmosphere
Unlike the ubiquitous chain pubs which have taken over most of the neighbouring area, Hennessy's makes a real effort to inject some personality into the often grim melée for after-work drinks in the City. Patrons are invited to linger a while and unwind after the rigours of the day, a far cry from nearby day-glo drink-sheds like Agenda, and the staff are courteous and friendly even during a busy shift. A few strategically-placed slot machines and TVs, and an unfortunate selection of FM radio hits are the only concessions to the idea of watered-down mass appeal, but on the whole the atmosphere is pleasant, personalised and welcoming. Group gatherings are a speciality, especially around Saint Patrick’s Day (the owner is Irish).

The Food
The kitchen is open on weekdays from 12-3pm, and on special occasions (wedding parties, for instance) in the evening, serving up a fairly standard assortment of pub dishes at reasonable prices – the house burger is recommended at £7.95. Complimentary canapés are served in the bar every Friday night, which is always a pleasant surprise. During the summer, the roof garden is the setting for some quite spectacular barbecue action, and mouth-watering taster menus are available for around £20 a head – a safe bet if you're looking to cater a party in the area and the season is right.

The Drink
Catering to a fickle audience once again, the drinks menu is fairly straightforward, with a selection of draught and bottled beers and ciders retailing at around £3.50, and doesn't extend beyond the usual spirit/mixer combinations. The wine list is promising, with a small but satisfying range of white and red amounting to no more than £20 a bottle, but it really is business as usual as far as drinks are concerned.

The Last Word
Unassuming but hospitable, Hennessy's manages to maintain a modicum of individuality in the mayhem of the surrounding City - a commendable achievement.

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