Bars & Pubs

As old school as they come, the Grapes ticks all the right boxes with a creaky wood-panelled interior, open fire and quirky memorabilia galore. Take a pew at one of the wonky wooden tables after a bracing Thames walk or join the blokey after-work crowd for banter at the bar. There's plenty of good drinking on offer here - Brakspear Oxford Gold, Timothy Taylor Landlord and Adnams are among the many alternatives to standard draughts (the likes of Carlsberg, Stella, Guinness). There's no music to distract you from the pint-supping task at hand, though the upstairs restaurant's superior fish and chips are rather diverting. Oh, and there's no need to leave Fido shivering on the pavement either - there's a rather thoughtful water bowl provided by the door for man's best friend.

Time Out Bars, Pubs & Clubs Guide 2008/9