A swanky alleyway and a picturesque London setting, the Swan owes a lot to its great location in Cosmo Place.

The Venue
Located on a small back street in Bloomsbury, the Swan fizzes with a gentle charm thanks to its traditional bricks and mortar. Set on a cobbled pedestrian walkway, there’s a gaggle of tables and chairs arranged outside under a heavy awning. The scene within shows that comfort and cosiness are valued over any dalliances with design. The wooden floorboards are roughly authentic and cover all of the modestly sized space. To the right is the solid frame of the bar and on the adjacent wall is a flat screen TV, which is, naturally, a focal point. Low tables and chairs are plentiful and the lack of natural light is offset by the right choice of bulbs in the dangling chandeliers that help keep the ambience deeply soothing for a pub.

The Atmosphere
The colder part of the year is the ideal time to visit the Swan when its warming reds and oranges cast a reassuring light over the wooden furnishings. The locals are plucked from the businesses that surround the pub - faceless offices or exclusive retailers are the norm. The crowd is mixed and you are just as likely to see a gang of four lads as cheery families. There isn't a great deal of entertainment apart from the TV that shows live (terrestrial) football regularly.

The Drink
A strong selection offers good choice for beer and wine drinkers, although there isn't a lot of originality here. There are about six or seven wines of each colour available, and house bottles begin at £11.90. The beers on tap are Fosters (£3.16 a pint), Stella, Heineken (£3.51 a pint), Leffe and Kronenbourg, while London Pride is available from the cask for another seemingly random amount of £3.06.

The Last Word
The Swan has an attractive location and the warmth of a cosy, traditional environment to thank for its success.

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