The quintessential London boozer is all about personality. I like cosy pubs with normal clientele, great staff and decent draught on tap. It's getting harder to find traditional taverns that haven't been gutted or smartened up.
My first stop would be the Princess Louise on High Holborn. It's a really elegant boozer with its original late 19th-century interior still intact. This pub is considered so architecturally significant that even the gents is listed.
From there, head west down High Holborn, past the Shaftesbury Theatre and turn left at Endell Street and you're at The Cross Keys. The landlord takes great pride in the pub's appearance and it's always covered in wonderful flowers. Although it's very small and gets packed, the atmosphere is lovely and it feels secret although it's bang in Covent Garden.
Another Covent Garden winner is The Harp — and voted pub of the year by Camra. Here, it's all about real ale: they have eight on tap and stock real ciders too. If you can't decide which to go for just ask for a taste. And as if it couldn't get any better they also serve award-winning sausages.
Next, head along St Martin's Lane to Soho and the Coach and Horses. This is a pretty special find as it's one of central Soho's last old pubs. People used to come here to be abused by the original landlord, the rude but much-loved Norman. He's now retired but his presence is still felt.
The French House is a two-minute walk on Dean Street and it's wild. The last time I was there the barmaid was singing My Funny Valentine. The staff silenced the bar and made us all listen. Amazing old whiskies and wines are stocked and mobile phones are not allowed.
Another great Soho pub is The John Snow, just down the road on Broadwick Street. John Snow was the physician who identified the source of the 1854 London cholera outbreak as a water pump close to where the pub stands. Almost a little too popular nowadays, it's mainly a weekday haunt — perfect for a pint after work. Snow himself was actually teetotal.
If you want some Great British hospitality, then head over to The Windmill in Mayfair. It's well placed for a break from shopping and famous for its pies — it was three times national winner of the Steak Pie of the Century.
Nip across Berkeley Square and get lost in the pretty back streets of Mayfair. You'll find The Punchbowl on Farm Street. It's another classic pub — I can't really remember leaving on my last visit! Guy Ritchie is the proprietor, which is a bit of fun, but he's preserved it very nicely. Don't expect glamour, it's just a solid traditional pub — and the food is good too.
I really like Shepherd Market. The square was developed in 1735, and it has since had a debauched history as a notorious haunt for prostitution. The local pub Ye Grapes is a cracker. It's full of snug inglenooks for getting cosy in winter, and when the weather is fine punters spill out into the market.
The final stop is Chequers Tavern on Duke Street in St James's, opposite the Royal Academy. I'm reluctant to recommend Chequers as I don't want it to become too popular. It's an innocuous tavern and I like its old-fashioned atmosphere.
Nathan Stewart-Jarrett (pictured at Ye Grapes) stars in E4's Bafta-winning The Misfits later in the year.
ALL BAR ONE
Princess Louise, 208 High Holborn, WC1
The Cross Keys, 31 Endell Street, WC2
The Harp, 47 Chandos Place, WC2
Coach and Horses, 29 Greek Street, W1
The French House, 49 Dean Street, W1
The John Snow, 39 Broadwick Street, W1
The Windmill, 6-8 Mill Street, W1
The Punchbowl, 41 Farm Street, W1
Ye Grapes, 16 Shepherd Market, W1
Chequers Tavern, 16 Duke Street, SW1
