This character-filled pub proves good old boozers still exist in the heart of London.

The Venue
Sat opposite Old Spitalfields Market, this pub has a prime spot for both City workers, local creatives and party-seekers heading to Brick Lane. You're immediately hit by the pub's features as you step inside. With a 1980’s patterned carpet, dark wooden tables and chairs and wooden panels with picture frames, clocks and a large selection of guns, as well as a huge amount of old-fashioned tankards, this pub is definitely not lacking in character. Even the bar has cartoon pictures framing it and the ads on the walls from locals' advertising apartments abroad give a community feel. In addition, the pub has a dart board and a multitude of TV screens – one’s is even outside in a reasonably sized beer garden – which show football.

The Atmosphere
Due to its top spot next to Bishopsgate and Old Spitalfields Market, this venue is busy pretty much everyday. And, towards the weekend, it gets packed. Expect to find a predominantly suited clientele attracted to the relatively decent range of drinks on offer, alongside the odd East London scenester who's stumbled in from the nearby trendy shops. Because of the amount of sport shown in the pub, there tends to be a lot more males than females in the pub, too. The staff can vary depending on the day of the week. Generally, the more cheery types tend to work Monday-to-Friday; at the weekend, the staff look a little weary.

The Food
While there's a restaurant area upstairs, food is served from a counter on the bar. Expect to find everything from sandwiches, baguettes and jacket potatoes to fish dishes, salads and traditional favourites, such as burgers and chips, egg and chips and steak and kidney pies. The dishes might be displayed in a rather strange counter, but there's no doubt they're excellent value for money. You’ll pay around £2-£5 for the smaller dishes and no more than £9 for a main meal.

The Drink
The bar stocks a crowd-pleasing mix of beers, including Guinness, Fosters, Heineken and Strongbow on tap, as well as Bombardier, Deuchars IPA, Caledonian 80 and Greene King IPA. Bottles include Peroni, Becks, Sagres, Corona and two types of Bulmers. There's a reasonable selection of wines on offer, too. Prices waver around the £3-£4 a drink mark. Not as good value as the food, but pretty reasonable for the area all the same.

The Last Word
The Gun is unlikely to please you if you hate being around sport-focused men, but with an increasing amount of pubs in the area losing their features for a sleeker or more trendy image, it's refreshing to see a good old boozer that's stayed the same.

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