This stylish old boozer is so close to the Houses of Parliament that MPs could almost vote on bills from its spacious interior.

The Venue
Once inside this pub you would never know what chaos is happening mere meters away. Swathed inside the St Stephens Tavern you could easily be in a Merchant Ivory film. The exterior looks as opulent as what it contains, complete with a discreet St Stephens Tavern sign above an old fashioned street light fitting but that’s what you’d expect from a Grade II listed building like this.

The interior has been gently and lovingly restored after closing for 15 years prior to 2003, and there are so many pleasing elements that it is hard to single any out - although the light fixtures on the bar are exquisite. The ceilings are high, consisting of exquisite panels with detailing that borders on artwork. Flashes of red is interspersed with delicate carved wooden beams and stunning curves and arches that wouldn’t look out of place at some grand hotel. A huge metal light, almost medieval in its charm, hangs heavily over the bar area casting its light from several attractive bulbs. Even the bar itself is beautiful, curving around the corner of the room in heavy dark wood carved perfectly to add interest. The only down side to this is the chairs are so ornate they take up more of the small space then is really necessary.

The Atmosphere
Polite, hushed conversation in plummy public school tones surround you at St Stephens Tavern. If there are any non-posh people working in Westminster, they aren't drinking here - they must already be on their train back to Essex. The bar staff are pleasant, however, and do well keeping on top of collecting empties to keep the beautiful aesthetics of the pub in top condition.

The Food
Sandwiches, baguettes, snacks and mains are easy on the pocket and will fill you up. Most notably, the steak and ale pie is made with Tanglefoot ale, which is a nice twist on the dish and well worth checking out for lunch.

The Drink
St Stephens have a really interesting selection of draught lagers and ales including Peroni, Blackthorn, Fursty Ferret and Badger Ale. There is a slim but well selected wine list and a simple assortment of spirits allowing the beer to take centre stage.

The Last Word
The interior of St Stephens is definitely worth a gander. It's also a great place for people watching and for eavesdropping on conversations from the movers and shakers of our Government.

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