The Lounge Bar, High Holborn, London

Buzzing bar serving bog-standard beers, wines and other drinks, alongside good value, but unimaginitive food, to office workers. Main courses include home-made fish cakes at £7.95 and sausage and mash at £7.75. Sparse, unfussy decor inside, pavement tables outside in the summer and function room upstairs. Friendly and, sometimes, eccentric service distinguishes The Lounge Bar from the All Bar One chain and the many other outlets following a similar formula. 6/10