Good job Duke of York isn't a trendy bar

This old favourite, tiny though it is, has had a bit of work done. That's a good thing, as it's now got a pleasant upstairs bar that can be hired or just enjoyed.

Happily, the changes have actually improved the drinking experience all round. With four beers on the hand pumps, this one caters for the ale drinkers, complemented by an assortment of lagers and a reasonable wine list. There's a single screen in the pub now, so the former emphasis on sport seems to have been watered down a bit.

A new standing ledge outside the pub for the smokers is about the only concession they've made to providing an outdoor drinking experience, and as the pub lacks any real estate other than what it's sitting on, that's probably all they can manage. Frankly, we're glad to see that it's not been gutted and made into a trendy bar.

NEAREST STATION: Goodge Street station
FEATURES: real ales, function room available, outdoor seating, TVs

The Duke Of York
47 Rathbone Street, W1T 1NW