The Printer's Devil, Fetter Lane, London

I've been meaning to mention this place for a while as I've been a few times now, and still haven't had a bad, or even below average, experience.

It's a favourite of mine for a pint after work with people who don't mind somewhere a little bit smokey, off the beaten track, and not at all trendy. Actually, I say off the beaten track but it's perfectly accessible, nestled on Fetter Lane between the Strand and High Holborn. It just doesn't shout its existence from the rooftops, in fact you could quite easily walk past it without realising. The comments on beerinthevening.com sugeest that the pub's been closed and re-opened recently, no doubt leaving disgruntled old regulars in its wake, but picking up happily gruntled punters like me in the process - ok, so it used to be dingier, less popular, and acted its age and if I'd known it then I'd mourn the losses.

As it is I can only enjoy the gains: friendly, jovial-yet-professional staff (I especially like who I assume is the manager, he's always wearing a jolly cardi or woolly waistcoat),well kept beer (IPA) and endless bowls of Bombay mix and salty popcorn that keep you going til closing time when you've popped in for 'just one pint' after work (cynical ploy on their part but I'm really not complaining).

I've yet to eat there (unless you count popcorn) but I'm led to believe the burgers are the best in the area. Unfortunately I just can't be persuaded from the home made pies at The White Swan just a few doors down on Fetter Lane. Not cheap for a Friday pub lunch, but also not like anything else you've ever tasted.

But the Printer's Devil: 1 thumb and 2 inky fingers up.