The Old Bell may appear traditional and basic on first inspection, but scratch the surface and you’ll find a pub with an exceptional choice of food and drink – including an unusual mix of cocktails and real ale.

The Venue
The Old Bell is a good, old-fashioned English pub in the financial district of London. Traditional and basic in decor with bare floorboards and olde worlde pub paraphernalia it isn’t terribly inspiring but let’s face it, you’re not here for a course in interior design. A TV screen is in situ for watching sporting events but in keeping with the theme of the pub - not exactly a state of the art plasma screen.

The Atmosphere
Popular with workers, The Old Bell gets busy at lunchtime and after work. The exceptional selection of well priced food and drink ensures that, at peak times, finding a seat can be tricky. The staff are friendly enough and service is quite quick – nothing that stands out as particularly exceptional or intriguing, but enough to keep thirsty post-5.30pm workers happy.

The Food
Surprisingly for what appears to be a basic pub, there is a wide variety on the food on offer at The Old Bell with a traditional breakfast priced at £4.95. Speciality sausages are a favourite from £5.95, with popular choices including pork and leek or steak and black pepper. Lunch is served from 12pm-5pm with sandwiches from £4.50, including the ever popular fishfinger sandwich. Mains cost from £6.95 with choices like ‘posh’ bacon and eggs, ravioli with ricotta and red peppers or sea salt and cracked black pepper scampi.

A dinner menu is available from 5pm-10pm with starters and sharers on offer, including calamari, BBQ chicken fillets and mini nachos. Mains are from £6.95 for brie and cherry tomato tart or a rump of lamb is £8.95. Puddings are available all day, vanilla pod ice cream is £2.65 or a mouthwatering summer berry waffle is priced £3.65.

The Drink
There are eleven ales in total priced from £2.50 a pint including Wells Bombardier, Tim Taylor, Deuchars, Adnams and Everards, all of which can be found on draught. There is a choice of twelve lagers on tap or bottled including Leffe, Peroni, Fosters and Becks.

There is a good choice of wine - the house white Rosemount costs just £7.95 for a bottle. The house red is the same price or a nice bottle of Wolf Blass Red Label at £13.50. Rose is £11.50 for Principato Blush. If you want a sparkling option then try the Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label at £35 a bottle. Cocktails like Raspberry Gin Fizz or Summer Sloe Gin are a mere £3.50 a glass or £9.95 a jug.

The Last Word
The Old Bell is an unpretentious typical English pub with good honest grub and a vast selection of booze, all at reasonable prices.

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