Stranded, London

Nb: the opening hours are expected to be adjusted to include weekday lunchtimes in due course - see venue website.

This is the latest outlet to be opened by Bloomsbury Leisure Group, hence a sister to the Euston and Waterloo Taps. The Stranded is close to Charing Cross mainline station, at the eastern end of the splendid West Strand building, the very large triangular site split in two on its Strand frontage by the imposing, but relatively modern, glass entrance doors to Coutts Bank. The pub has an entrance on the Strand and another (step-free) one round the corner on William IV Street.

There is a 13-metre Czech-built bar with four ale handpumps at the right hand end of the bar as you look at it, these being against the rear wall and not on the bar itself. Whilst an Adnams brew may often be found, it is beers from northern English breweries that tend to predominate, often including something (but not Landlord) from Timothy Taylor. Prices are relatively inexpensive for the West End of London.

The T-bar of five rotating keg beers is adjacent, often including some from smaller brewers. But, the main feature of the bar - towards its left hand end - are the Czech Budvar pilsner dispenses with Original, Nefiltr (unfiltered), Dark, 0.0% and more. These are served in two-thirds measures in larger tankards, to accommodate a good head, and three different pours are available: Hladinka (a full pour with a generous layer of silky foam on top), Šnyt (a smaller pour with more foam) and Mlíko (a mug of wet, sweet foam favoured in Czech pubs). Specialised glass washing/cooling is alongside.

Carved out within the Grade II* edifice the customer area is spacious, light and airy, taking best advantage of the corner site with various discrete areas, some separated by steps. There is a food counter a little beyond the bar, offering just Gyoza dumplings for the present.

Note that, under the terms of the licence, alcohol may not be served until 10am Mondays to Saturdays or before noon on Sundays; nor within 20 minutes of the venue closing times.