Three Horseshoes

Just what London needs - another pub with "Horse" in the name. The Three Horseshoes in London initially struck me as yet another dreary watering hole clinging desperately to some manufactured sense of history. You know the type: sticky floors, suspicious stains, and regulars who look like they came with the building's foundation stones. But damn it all if this place hasn't managed to charm even my jaded soul.

Let's address the elephant in the room - or should I say, the three horses. The name is about as original as a BBC period drama, but unlike most London pubs trading on equine imagery, the Three Horseshoes actually delivers something worth trotting over for. The building itself maintains that delightfully worn-in feel without crossing the line into "health inspector's nightmare" territory.

The first crack in my cynical armor appeared when I noticed the pool tables. Not the usual warped surfaces with more holes than a government budget, but actually decent tables that don't send your balls veering off into alternate dimensions. Two of them, in fact, and well-maintained enough to suggest someone actually gives a damn about the place.

The beer garden deserves special mention, if only because it's massive enough to make a London real estate agent weep with envy. While most London pubs try to pass off three chairs and a half-dead potted plant as "outdoor seating," the Three Horseshoes actually provides enough space to breathe without inhaling your neighbor's cigarette smoke. It's almost suspicious how much space they've managed to secure in a city where square footage is typically measured in gold bars.

The new management (yes, there's new management - try to contain your shock) has been slowly but surely dragging this place into the current century. The interior, while still maintaining that essential "proper pub" atmosphere, has been brightened up enough that you can actually see what - or whom - you're drinking with. Novel concept, really.

Speaking of drinking, the Guinness here is surprisingly good. I know, I know - every pub claims their Guinness is "the best in London," but here's the thing: they're not lying. Well, not completely. It's properly poured, properly settled, and served at a temperature that suggests someone actually knows what they're doing behind the bar. The wine list won't win any awards, but then again, if you're ordering wine in a place called the Three Horseshoes, perhaps you should examine your life choices.

The staff, frustratingly, are actually friendly. Not the manufactured, American-style "Hi, I'm Chad, and I'll be your best friend for the next hour" friendly, but genuine, London-appropriate friendly. They remember faces, don't judge your drink orders (too harshly), and generally seem like they want to be there - a rarity in London's pub scene.

Now, about the food... well, that's a work in progress. At the time of writing, they're revamping the kitchen, which could either be brilliant or disastrous. The presence of a food van in the car park (yes, there's actual parking - another London miracle) suggests they're aware people occasionally need sustenance with their beverages. Recent whispers about Swedish food offerings have me intrigued, though cautiously so.

What really sets the Three Horseshoes apart from London's countless other pubs is its steadfast refusal to become another soulless, chain-owned gastropub serving microwave meals at artisanal prices. It's a proper pub, with proper pub amenities - live music that doesn't make your ears bleed, screens for sports that don't dominate the entire atmosphere, and a dog-friendly policy that hasn't resulted in the place becoming an impromptu kennel.

Look, I didn't want to like the Three Horseshoes. London has enough pubs, and my liver has enough enemies. But if you're in the area and looking for a place that strikes that elusive balance between traditional pub charm and modern competence, you could do far worse. And believe me, I've done far worse. Just don't all rush there at once - I've finally found my regular spot, and I'd hate to have to find another one because you lot made it too popular.