White Hart, Smithfield  

One thing we lost when all day opening was introduced in the 1980's was the satisfaction of being able to be a member of some dive that would allow us the pleasure of nipping through an often unmarked door to pay over the odds for unremarkable booze at a four o'clock in the afternoon. Utterly classless, bus drivers and bankers, tarts and vicars united in the anonymity and discretion of their private haven. Paint out the pub frontage here and the inside could be a vintage example of the old drinking clubs. It may be 50 feet deep but is probably little more than 15 wide. Stools at narrow shelves along the wall allow the committed solo drinker his privacy to knock back the needed "livener" with only the wall as witness. Equally, business can be conducted surprisingly discreetly for such a small place or a (not too big) group can simply feel comfortable and at ease. It's handy for the Old Bailey and for Bart's hospital and this reviewer would lay odds that as many cases have been settled out of court here as have clandestine affairs been pursued. None of the glamour of the centuries old temples of London pub-land, but places like this are, just as much, what the capital is all about. Appears to be closed weekends when signs say it is available for hire.

reviewed:
15/7/2005

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pub for hire at weekends

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