Tucked away in an understated, prim corner of Bloomsbury is the Rugby Tavern. A fine proponent of old fashioned public house values, this imposing pub has a fiercely loyal following.

The Venue
Equidistant from Russell Square, Holborn and Chancery Lane stations lies Bloomsbury’s residential golden island. This area is an oasis of tranquillity light years away from its noisier neighbours. The abundance of residential housing means the area has a real neighbourhood feel, yet it’s still central enough to ensure a sprinkling of amenities, of which the Rugby Tavern is a firm favourite.

Tucked away among a geometrical labyrinth of roads, this Shepherd’s Neame establishment casts a tradition-conscious gaze over the area’s bustling cultural and commercial finery. You can take in the pleasant surroundings courtesy of a large outdoor seating area towards the front of the building. Walking through the hefty wooden doors, you’d be forgiven for pondering whether you’d stepped back in time fifty years. A garishly patterned, thick piled carpet adorns the floor, which is scattered with a mixture of wooden bar furniture and more comfortable lounge chairs in an eclectic, hotpotch fashion.

The Atmosphere
Frequented by families and locals seeking a decent beverage, the Rugby Tavern’s loyal followers aren’t fussed about style or demeanour. Shunning other establishments in the vicinity, people flock here for the olde worlde charm and anachronistic ambience. Weekday evenings, especially Fridays after 6pm, this plays home to well-to-do lawyers. Keen to relax after hectic days, they’re not the high flying, ignorant folk that you might expect. As happy to mingle with families and the oldies as they are to talk shop with their kinsmen, it makes for a refreshing and healthy pastiche of custom.

If you’re expecting excelling efficiency or sublime customer service you’ll be in for a shock. That’s not to say bar staff are bereft of customer awareness - they’re a bunch of wonderful, engaging folk - they’re just not particularly concerned with false niceties. Offer them more than hello though and you’re likely to have a pal for life. Selected football games and other sports broadcast on terrestrial TV are shown on a sporadic basis.

The Food
The Rugby Tavern is pretty firm in sticking to a simple work ethic, except where food is concerned. The pub holds its head above the competition by offering a range of revelatory diverse cuisine that is as beautifully discordant as its interior. Chilli con carne and rice nestles next to jam sponge and custard, for example. The pub attracts a varied range of custom and it’s a testament to its adaptability that it manages to cater to such an obscure bunch so successfully.

Prices are reasonable, around £7 for a main course and £3.50 for a dessert. Particular flashes of brilliance are to be found in the fajitas (chicken or beef) that are served with huge dollops of chunky salsa, smooth guacamole, sour cream and cheese, or the Rugby cheese selection (£6.95 and £4.95 respectively). It’s important to note though, the pub’s main draw isn’t its culinary delights, which remain a secondary advantage to an afternoon spent in such uncomplicated surroundings. In a consistently strange turn of events the pub is closed on Saturdays.

The Drink
Fine pints of ale come in various guises under the Shepherd Neame umbrella. Early bird Spring Hop, exclusively available February-May, is a seasonal winner. A breezily soft, pale golden beer it complements tepid spring days perfectly and won’t break the bank at £3.25. Ringing in at £3.50 is Spitfire Kentish ale, a notably obscure taste, not exactly a safe bet although it would certainly appeal to those who like their beer acerbic with more than a hint of malt. Master Brew Kentish ale, a more popular choice, will set you back another £3.25. A hoppy aroma hangs around this one that’s a delightfully rich mid-brown in colour.

Those with more normative palates will be pleased to hear that you’re also catered for. The usuals such as Strongbow and Guinness are also on tap with several bottled beers and ciders available among typical spirits, juices and soft drink options. Prices are a notch up from nearby establishments but people still flock here in droves.

The Last Word
The Rugby Tavern doesn’t have ideas above its station and that remains its main attraction. Prepare to be underwhelmed and you’ll leave with a defiant smirk imprinted on your unsuspecting visage.

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