Angel, London

Classic traditional wood panelled three-bar (with a 'snug') local with three distinct drinking areas, rather reminiscent to some of a Dutch “brown cafe” - to others a good old-style London boozer. A Sam Smith's house since 1998, the pub was sensitively and comfortably refurbished in 2010. The classic wooden panelling and leather covered seats all convey an almost timeless quality even in the lee of Centre Point and the new 'legoland' of Renzo Piano's brightly coloured Central St Giles.

The public bar has chess tables, darts and theatre posters. The main bar has tall windows and drapes, an ornate ceiling with chandeliers, an unusual fireplace and a mixture of leather clad chairs and stools, and there's a range of theatre posters and and other attractions on the walls.

An attractive tiled passageway at the side (a former carriage entrance) is used for outdoor drinking in summer (closes around 5.15pm after complaints from locals) and leads to the small cosy saloon bar at the rear. Upstairs there are two lounges to relax in, with one providing wonderful views on to St Giles High Street, Legoland, and passing buses and traffic, often grid-locked.

A tavern has stood on this site since the 16th century, when it catered for condemned men on their way to execution (a claim made by various local pubs!). An eclectic mix of musicians from nearby Denmark Street (London's tin-pan alley), students, bell ringers from St Giles-in-the-Fields, and crazy art students paying in coppers - all make for a clientele that you wouldn't want to miss!