The Spinnaker, Docklands

Part of a rather unattractive building - with particularly vulgar signage above the main entrance - built on a fixed pontoon in Millwall Inner Dock. Inside, it is done in usual Greene King managed pub style with a modern(ish) and soul-less corporate feel. However, if you can get onto the balcony when there are not hordes of smokers outside then the benefits of its location become apparent. Beer-wise, there are handpumps offering Abbot and Ruddles but no IPA (and as I had a free voucher for a pint of this, I had to settle for the hideous 'smooth' version). Overall, you feel that this place suffers from being built a bit early in the docklands redevelopment and that if it were done now they would make a much better job of things. PS - There is one of the enormous old cranes nearby which is worth a look at.

11 Sep 2010 11:13

The Ledger Building, Canary Wharf

An unusually low building for a dockland setting, appearing somewhat inconspicuous from a distance compared with the former warehouses nearby and tower blocks beyond. In fact, if looking for the place in the late afternoon/early evening you will probably hear all the customers outside in the large patio area first. However, as you approach the hubbub, the historic facade with its grand portico awaits... Once inside, the refurbishment is a curious mixture of heritage and modern, and the decor of the main bar and side rooms gives the place a distinctly cool feel. The toilets are feature too, but I could without the creepy attendants. Fifteen handpumps on the bar, but with some duplicate clips there was still a decent offering of about 10 real ales and ciders. Beer quality is fine, and the prices unbeatable for Canary Wharf (e.g. guest ales such as Nethergate Essex Border at �2.40).

11 Sep 2010 10:56

The Guide Dog, Bevois Valley

Hidden away in a back street, nothing much to look at from the street, and a fairly basic single-bar layout. However, on entering, you immediately notice that this is a proper beer-drinkers pub with an excellent selection of eight real ales chalked up on a couple of blackboards. The atmosphere is also warm and welcoming, with friendly staff and good-natured chat from the locals. My pint of Knights Porter from the Three Castles Brewery was first class and very reasonably priced at �2.60. I would happily have stayed to try a few more had time permitted, and you can see how it has regularly won the local CAMRA branch pub of the year. Not the easiest place to get to, but very much worth the effort.

9 Sep 2010 22:33