Convenience is the name of the game here, but then sometimes a friend at hand can outshine your more glamorous mates.

The Venue
The Friend at Hand is tucked neatly around the corner from Russell Square station although its traditional, almost boring, exterior does little to beckon you inwards other than appearing as a port in an upmarket storm. Bloomsbury isn’t the most charming of areas, after all. This is reaffirmed as soon as you enter as the cosy surroundings envelope you in their warm embrace.

A red ceiling dominates, vying for attention with the red floral carpet below. This is broken up by some attractive black and white tiling by the heavy wooden bar. The walls are covered in a demure floral pattern of pale pink on yellow with heavy gilt mirrors hanging solemnly alongside old black and white Victorian pictures. A selection of heavy wooden tables and chairs at various heights offer plenty of choice for seating with options beside one of two large screens should you be there to watch the sport. You should definitely plump for a throne-like red leather armchair in one corner that you’ll sink into and find it hard to rise from. A good excuse not to get the next round in.

The Atmosphere
The warmth created by the decor is carried through by the atmosphere. The staff at the Friend at Hand are friendly and efficient with table service on offer for food. There’s a cosy feeling about the place, further engrained by the presence of a large number of families and tourists enjoying a simple meal and older people who look to be regulars taking up pride of place for the evening. At the weekend, when Bloomsbury empties out as the lawyers head off to their country houses, it’s still surprisingly busy here as they make the most of the convenient location by the station and flow of people traffic pulled inward courtesy of blackboards outside bragging of the special offers within.

The Food
The Friend at Hand offers a simple menu of pub grub that flies from the kitchen to the eager mouths of hungry punters. Prices are reasonable with starters and sides like soup and garlic bread costing less than £4 and mains such as fish and chips, pie of the day and burgers coming in at £6.95-£7.25. Not bad when you consider the upmarket locale and reliance on the tourist trade. Snacks, jacket potatoes, samplers and sandwiches are also available if you’re after something small to fill a hole.

The Drink
There’s a great range of draught lager and beer here, including Kronenbourg (£3.36 a pint), Stella, Staropramen, Leffe, Becks Vier, Youngs, Bombardier and London Pride on draught. Matching the beer is draught wine with four options including a Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Shiraz and White Zinfandel, which look appealing. If you prefer your wine to come in a more traditional bottle then there are five reds and as many whites to choose from, costing a reasonable £11.95-£15.45 a bottle.

Pitchers are available for drinks like Pimms, Pimms Rose and Tropical Teaser. They also offer some good deals like buy three bottles of Bulmers and get one free – a brilliant offer for groups looking to have a few drinks before moving on.

The Last Word
The Friend at Hand is a nice find. It’s convenient, well priced and cosy – it’s hard not to be charmed by its simplicity.

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