Cock Tavern, London

Some houses were named the Cock because they sold the once-popular Cock Ale, but it is not known if this is one of them! First licensed in 1737 with the present building, designed by Bird & Walters, dating from 1898. Now a stylish Sam Smith pub with huge glass lanterns outside and with polished dark woodwork, snob screens and tiled flooring inside. Some features (including the bar back, panelling and fire surround) are original. The screens and tiled flooring are however modern reproductions added by Samuel Smith during a refit to make the venue seem more like an authentic fin-de-siecle pub. Food is served in the upstairs lounge bar and a wide menu is available. Beer prices are reported to be very reasonable for this central location.

Patrons should note that there is a strict "no swearing" policy in Samuel Smith's establishments. Also by decision of the brewery owner, customers may not use mobile phones (except for payments), laptops or similar inside the pub; tablets and iPads are prohibited inside or outside. The brewery's policy is that its pubs are for social conversation person to person.