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Old Nick Belies Its Age
by John Cryne
In late September the Old Nick in Sandland Street, WC1 opened after many months of refurbishment. Previously the Three Cups selling Young's beers, the Old Nick is now under Hall & Woodhouse livery, making it their fourteenth pub in London.
The pub now extends into what was the café next door and the taxi drivers' loss has been the drinkers' gain. The redecoration has been done in fine style, giving the appearance of a traditional pub that has been there for decades.
The front part of the bar has wooden floors with round tables and a standing area. The bar is "u" shaped and the dark wood gives a rich, welcoming feel as you walk through the door. To the left the large windows have been left intact and the tapestry curtains and chairs add a little warmth. To the right are two gaming machines, above which is a television, all strategically placed not to impinge on those with no interest in such modern devices. The dark pine walls extend to two booths (divided by a part glass screen) and leads to the back of the pub, which has a completely different feel. This area is split into two by doors giving two cosy drinking areas. The red walls, carpet and seating, coupled with etched glass mirrors and dark wood, gives a Victorian lounge feel that is reinforced by old photos and paintings.
The beers on sale are Badger Best Bitter (4%), Tanglefoot (5.1%) Sussex Bitter (3.5%), and Fursty Ferret (4%). The latter beer is brewed by the Gribble Inn, near Chichester, which is also owned by Hall & Woodhouse.
The pub is open from 11am to 11pm, Monday to Friday, although at the time of writing the pub is trialling opening on Saturday from noon until 5pm. Food is available at lunchtime until 3pm. The range is a mix of the traditional, such as Steak and Ale Pie, Sausage & Mash and Irish Stew, with a nod to the vegetarian, such as Ratatouille & Cous Cous Parcels and Stuffed Peppers, as well as a selection of sandwiches including ciabattas. The pub is managed by Tim and Val Oclee, who ran the Monkey Puzzle in Paddington for a number of years, which is also a Hall & Woodhouse house. Their aim is "To be the best pub in Holborn". They certainly have a good canvass to work from and a pub that Hall & Woodhouse can be proud of.
Reproduced from the Full Pint, Issue 23.
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