The most welcome news this month is the opening of Harvey's first London pub in SE1, close to Borough Tube Station; it is set to be added to the fairly exclusive list of pubs essential for beer lovers to visit in the capital. Other new pubs include another "All Bar One" in N6 Highgate and an Edwards in Hounslow, both from Bass and Eldridge Pope's second "Bar Excellence" in WC2 Kingsway; a converted golf clubhouse in N14 near Oakwood Tube Station and a new pub of uncertain origin in W3 Acton. Another road house has been snapped up by McDonalds, this time on the North Circular Road in NW10.

The numbers in brackets after each entry refer to the page number in the following guides: E - East London & City Beer Guide, 3rd edition; K - 'Real Ale Drinkers Guide to Kent Pubs', 8th edition; N - North London Beer Guide, 3rd edition; SE - South East London Pub Guide, 4th edition; 3SE - South East London Pub Guide, 3rd edition; SW - South West London Pub Guide, 2nd edition; W - Real Beer in West London; X - Essex Beer Guide, 8th edition. U refers to earlier updates.

NEW & REOPENED PUBS & PUBS CONVERTED TO REAL ALE

CENTRAL

WC2, BAR EXCELLENCE, 42 Kingsway. Draught Bass. Hardy: Country Bitter. The second of the chain opened in August run by Eldridge Pope - now a pub chain, having disposed of the brewery. Formerly offices and believed once to have been a bank. The main bar area has a high ceiling with chandeliers, polished wooden floor and tiled bar surround. Stairs lead to an upper balcony bar overlooking the main bar area. To the rear a small carpeted room provides some respite from the loud recorded music. Downstairs, the "Bacchus Room" can be hired for functions or wine tasting. Food. Disabled WC. Opens 10 (for food) to 11 Mon-Sat, closed Sundays. May close early on Sat depending on trade.

NORTH

N6, ALL BAR ONE, 1-3 Hampstead lane. Draught Bass. Fuller: London Pride. Latest in Bass chain opened in former restaurant. Typical "ABO" decor with large windows, pine floor and furniture, exposed ventilation, cream and green painted walls, blackboard displaying food and "track" to kitchen. Food 12-10 (9.30 Sun). Opens 11.30-11 Mon-Sat 12-10.30 Sunday.

N14, NINETEENTH HOLE, Trent Park Golf Course. Brainley Road. Courage: Best Bitter. Directors Bitter. Theakston: Best Bitter. Golf clubhouse now open to the general public as a Free House. Guest beers are promised from Ringwood Brewery. Single storey building with large carpeted bar leading through to rear eating/function area. Golf trophies and rolls of honour adorn the walls. Food. Outdoor patio. Large car park. Open all permitted hours and from 7am for breakfast.

SOUTH EAST

SE1, ROYAL OAK, 44 Tabard Street. Harvey: Mild, PA, Best Bitter, Armada, seasonal beer. Former Courage pub which passed to Phoenix, acquired by Harveys of Lewes and reopened as the company's first tied house in London. The pub dates from 1860 and has been extensively and attractively refurbished in Victorian period style [See article elsewhere in this edition]. Food is served to 9pm. Opens 7.45 (for breakfast) to 11pm Mon-Fri, 12-4 Sat, closed Sundays.

SOUTH WEST

SW15, CAFE COAST, 50-54 Putney High Street. No real ale. Second outlet in London for the Bass "Coast" chain where only nitrokeg is on offer.

WEST

W3, CUCKOO & RAINBOW, 106 High Street. Boddington: Bitter. Flowers: IPA. Fuller: London Pride. Wadworth: 6X. Whitbread: Trophy Bitter. Large pub opened in 1996 but not previously reported and run by "Carrick & Riddett", originally wine merchants of Carlisle. Presumably a pub chain using a revived name and apparently with some form of tie up with Whitbread which through a series of takeovers inherited Brampton Old Brewery Co which was owned by Carrick & Riddett (see history panel in pub). Very much in the "Wetherspoon style" with no smoking area at rear, raised seating areas and alcoves, but with the addition of TV, fruit machines and live music on Sundays. Food until lOpm. Open all permitted hours.

HOUNSLOW, EDWARDS, 1-5 Staines Road. Draught Bass. Latest in Bass run chain and the first shop conversion, opened in September and located opposite Yates's. Cream and red walls adorned with "modem art", French windows open on to pedestrianised area, low lighting, carpeted seating areas and tiled bar area. DJ plays loud music Thursday to Sunday evenings. Food. Opens 8am (for breakfast) to 1 1pm Mon-Sat, 8-10.30 Sunday.

PUBS CLOSED OR CEASED SELLING REAL ALE

CENTRAL

EC1, FILTHY McNASTYS WHISKEY CAFE. Allied (Taylor Walker) converted to restaurant. Formerly FOUNTAIN. (E16, U89)

EAST

E6, COCK. Ex Bass, previously reported as demolished. Site now occupied by bank and burger bar. (E103, U108, U117)

E15, CHOBHAM ARMS. Phoenix, closed, future uncertain. (E153, U112)

NORTH WEST

NW10, PANTILES. Allied (Taylor Walker) being converted into a McDonalds restaurant. Yet another road house lost to the hamburger chain. (N224)

OTHER CHANGES TO PUBS & BEER RANGES

CENTRAL

EC2, HAMILTON HALL. +2 Guest beers. (U68)

EAST

E11, DUKE OF EDINBURGH. +Guest beers. (E128)

E15, THEATRE ROYAL BAR. -Wells: Bombardier. +Adnams: Broadside. (E155)

NORTH

BARNET (EN5), TJ's RIB PLACE. Renamed BENNIGANS, now an American style diner but retaining bar. Originally KINGS ARMS. (N253) SOUTH EAST SE3, BRITISH OAK. -Theakston: Old Peculier. +Greene King: IPA. +Guest beer. (SE45, U102)

SOUTH WEST

SW7, ANGLESEA ARMS. -Marston: Pedigree. -Young: Special. +Brakspear: Bitter. The new management has introduced a more adventurous beer range including guest beers from micro breweries including Nethergate. (SW72)

WEST

W14, VIA FOSSA. +Greenalls: Bitter. Attractively refurbished by Greenalls with a variety of seating areas and numerous clocks. (W95, U71, U95, U127)