Something of an Old Street institution, The Reliance has seen the fads come and go but it still flies the flag for good old fashioned drinking in an area teeming with pretence.

The Venue
With Old Street spewing forth a feast of fashionable hot spots, it’s a wonder that The Reliance has remained so popular. Its secret lies in the fact that it’s as close to an authentic boozer as you’re going to get in the area. And despite its slight gastro tendencies, the worn floorboards, wooden seating and draught ales ensure there’s enough to separate it from its trendy neighbours.

The Atmosphere
As you’d expect from somewhere that doesn’t pander to the fashionistas, The Reliance attracts a friendlier, less image conscious clientele which explains its relaxed and affable atmosphere. The jukebox is testament to the feeling of the place, playing a harmless procession of indie and rock that would result in looks of horror if played in any other Old Street bar. Despite this, there’s no escaping the odd asymmetrical haircut, so beware.

The Food
The Reliance boasts a good selection of what is essentially pub grub with high aspirations. The only annoyance is the price which, considering the venue’s stand alone efforts, are shamelessly in line with the rest of the area. Seating can be incredibly cosy too so mind those elbows.

The Drink
Clearly The Reliance puts quite a bit of effort into its drinks, especially its beers. For the lager-heads there’s an impressive range of European beers on tap, with the usual Hoegaardens and Leffes complemented by less well known Belgian bottles. For the more traditional punters there’s an admirable selection of draught ales that are well kept and lively. Again, the only downside to this is the fact that prices reflect the area and not the pub, so expect even the ales to top three pounds.

The Last Word
Any Shoreditch pub that resists the temptation to follow fashion is a valuable local commodity and should be sampled. It’s just a shame they charge fashionable prices for the privilege.

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