The Mad Hatter Hotel, Southwark

This is one of the best pubs anywhere. The draught beer is superbly kept - by the far the best beer in SE1 � it's never too busy and there's always a quiet area to sit in. The food is filling and toothsome and the decor - wood panelling, hats, �mural� on the ceiling from Alice in Wonderland � only grows in interest after three pints. It only ever fills up with the crowd, always complaining about their wretched employer, from the nearby Daily Express, which give it a slight Fleet Street feel at times. I preferred the gents before it had been painted white and I hope that this attempt to �move with the times� does not extend to the bar area. Did I mention the beautiful but moody East European women that serve behind the bar?

16 Dec 2007 02:49

Imbibe, Southwark

I made the mistake of asking for a Bacardi Breezer and recieved a sour response, as if I had committed some dreadful crime. Sorry sir, we only serve fruit-flavoured Polish vodkas that taste like tractor fuel and cost as much as a one-bedroom flat. This is a haunt of obnoxiously trendly people including the most unpleasant man who ever edited the Today programme. If they don't like the look of you, if you can squeeze past the sharp-elbowed flaneurs, bibulous adulterers and trendy half-wits who drink in this place, you won't get served. Oh and did I mention the city types, pretending that they have interests in life other than money and screwing each other. I would rather drink poison than go in there again.

16 Dec 2007 02:41

The Hogshead, Southwark

If you mean by soulless, polite friendly service, good food and a good range of beers including one, admittedly not very well kept draught beer, usually London Pride, then yes ...

16 Dec 2007 02:35