Masons Arms, London

Although all the room divisions have been lost, this late Victorian pub still retains some exceptional original Victorian fittings.

There is a lengthy Victorian bar counter with its front on the left return displaying decorative pilasters where the saloon or lounge is likely to have been located, but with much plainer square panels on the rest of the counter front where the public bar and other rooms were probably sited. The entire counter front is now painted a gastro grey-blue colour. However the magnificent Victorian bar-back fitting catches the eye for all the right reasons; the four bays have colourful glass panels along the top, with the top section carried on columns with decorative capitals, and also with etched glazing in the bays.

There are four sets of doors into what is now a large single space indicating the former multi-room layout, and on the left a vestibule reaching to the ceiling has some good decorative etched and frosted panels. Interestingly there is what looks like an ornate manager's office with bowed frontage and mirrored panels situated on the left-hand-side back wall, but which has no doubt been moved from its original position in the servery. Note the pediment at the top with the carved masons' symbol which implies it is originally from this pub.