Black Friar, London

This pub, dating back to 1875, is built on the site of a medieval Dominican monastery and so the monk's connection with brewing lives on. There is a fabulous copper architrave, which portrays the various duties carried out by the monks, in the main bar. The building is an odd cuneiform sliver-shape but it still manages to pack in the punters. The train rattles by, but at least you don't need to hold onto the pictures! A mixture of independent malty brews are on offer as well as good pub food (served Mondays-Fridays, midday-2.30p). After grace you can say "Amen" and drink to that.