The Feathers, Westminster  

For years the Feathers has been a lively pub, with Friday nights particularly something of an acquired taste. Now part of the Nicholson's chain, there's not much to separate this one from other average Central London pubs. It promotes the 'traditional London boozer' moniker as much as it can and does have a pleasant enough back section with plenty of wood panelling. There's also a very good choice of ale (six at the last count) and an adequate pub grub menu, which the eagle eyed amongst us will spot as being identical to others in the chain. Nevertheless, with a couple of visits under our belt, this one is firmly in the below average category. Service can be teeth-grindingly slow and more staff are needed to prevent empty glasses and plates languishing on tables. Staffing issues didn't improve when one of our group was served - and paid for - a pint, only to have it confiscated after being unable to retrospectively prove his age. Normal practice would see any age-related queries settled before money is exchanged and beers supped. It's noisy, crowded and vaguely annoying - Victoria has numerous mediocre afterwork pubs and the Feathers doesn't buck this trend.

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