Whether you prefer bright bars with plenty of light and modern decor or a more traditional pub feel, St Brides Tavern caters for your taste. Oh, and they do an exciting pub menu and decent, well priced drinks, too.

The Venue
A refurbishment in mid-2008 has lent a pleasant air to this well placed pub. St Brides Tavern comes complete with a sophisticated interior design and trendy decor that is reminiscent of a modern day Gentleman’s Club. The pub is split into two separate areas: the bar downstairs is more traditional with attractive lighting that’s in keeping with the architecture; upstairs is totally different, being much lighter and more airy with large windows and contemporary decor displaying a very brave colour on one feature wall - a granite surface surrounds the bar area and a plasma screen is placed on the wall. There is also a pretty outside area that is decorated with lovely hanging baskets and window boxes, which make the facade very attractive.

The Atmosphere
As with many venues in an area where trade is dictated by Monday-to-Friday office workers, St Brides Tavern is only open on weekdays, although it is available for private functions at the weekends.

What atmosphere you’ll experience is wholly dictated by whether you sit upstairs or down. Upstairs, there’s a definite metro bar vibe, which is so en Vogue, so expect City types enjoying good wine in contemporary surrounds. The ground floor area is more traditional with a far more relaxed atmosphere, perfect for supping on a pint after a hard day in the office. The best thing is, wherever you choose to spend the evening, the staff are amiable and service is speedy.

The Food
There is a summer and winter food menu at St Brides Tavern, which comprises of traditional pub grub. Sandwiches cost from £6.50 for a toasted goats cheese with caramelised onion vine tomatoes and fresh basil. Flour tortilla wraps and a hot filling cost from £7 – be sure to try the fried chicken with lemon, salad and garlic mayo. Salads range from £11.55 for a crayfish tail and leek timbale dressed on tossed salad leaves with a bloody Mary sorbet - a great example of the fine food you can eat here. Homemade ice cream is £4.25 if you still have room. Fresh English strawberry with clotted cream and lemon butter shortbread is a hit during the warmer months.

The Drink
Heineken, Carling, Kronenbourg, Fosters, Strongbow and Guinness and Greene King are all available on draft with Budweiser, Peroni, Corona, Becks, Magners and Kopparberg Ciders in bottles. Wine is from £3.10 a glass (£12.25 a bottle) for a South African Cape Promise aged in oak Chenin, rising to £5.10 for a glass of Californian Beringer Napa Valley Fume Blanc. Red wine ranges from £12.40 for a bottle of Chilean Vina Aranita Cabernet Sauvignon to £17.50 for a French Chateau Lamothe Haut Medoc. Rose is also well represented with a £12.70 bottle of American Zinfandel rising to just £12.90 for Pinot Grigio Blush Sartoni from Italy. A taste guide is handily printed to help you make your choice. Champagne is £42 for a bottle of Moet Chandon and £54 for Bollinger.

The Last Word
With a successful refurbishment, established clientele and a very imaginative chef, St Brides Tavern is a modern take on the traditional English pub. A visit is highly recommended.

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