Dwarfed by the Barbican tower blocks, this modest establishment punches above its weight with excellent pub food and a relaxed atmosphere.

The Venue
A stone's throw from Barbican station and its raised, labyrinthine walkways, the Sutton Arms is a small, old-fashioned pub in a quiet side street, flanked by bars and restaurants. The façade is made up chiefly of the large front window, and the pubs name in gold lettering above it. Cream-coloured walls, wooden tables and chairs and a fairly large bar make up the bulk of the main room, which is decorated with old-timey billboards, three marble busts mounted on the right hand wall, a vintage jukebox and all manner of lampshades, mirrors and blackboards announcing menus. Dead centre is a large pillar housing a dumb waiter, offering forth a selection of dishes from the upstairs kitchen.

There is usually enough seating space for all, although it can get quite crowded towards the end of the week, at which point the newly-revamped function room on the second floor comes in handy – an L-shaped space with a makeshift bar, dumb waiter access, several tables and a leather sofa, this room can hold up to 30 people and cater for several office outings simultaneously if necessary.

The Atmosphere
Welcoming an intriguingly diverse clientèle from the nearby financial district as well as the Barbican Centre and council estate, the Sutton Arms is a wonderfully informal, relaxed place to spend some well-earnt down-time, with friendly staff, a personalised music playlist (the jukebox isn't just for show) and a real sense of intimacy that's perhaps missing from the flashier establishments nearby. The pews maybe aren't comfortable enough for an all-night session, but for a few drinks and a bite to eat, there aren't many better options in the Barbican area. Stop by on Tuesdays for the fledgling pub quiz.

The Food
Light bites and sandwiches are available throughout the day and are a big hit among the lunchtime crowd, at £4.50-£6 for a decent stopgap meal. From 5pm onwards the kitchen really gets into gear, with a great selection of classic English pub food – highlights include the flavoursome beef burger, Cumberland sausage with mustard mash, and roasted goat's cheese tart, all for around £7-£8. All in all, whilst it doesn't necessarily deviate from standard pub fare, the menu at the Sutton Arms manages to be consistently strong and good value for money.

The Drink
As well as the usual selection of beers and ales, including Peroni, Pride and Aspalls, the bar offers impressive strength in depth with such brands as Kriek Boon, Litovel, Chimay and the ever-deadly Delirium Tremens, usually bottled and sold for anywhere between £3.25 and £4.50. The wine list is a little short by comparison but should keep oenophiles relatively happy, and there are no end of spirits and liqueurs at the barman's disposal which is admirable for such a modestly-sized pub.

The Last Word
The Sutton Arms is a no-frills public house with a refreshingly simple mantra – good food, good company and highly alcoholic Belgian beer!

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