Behind the Royal Exchange in one of the City’s many age-old small alleyways, between Cornhill and Threadneedle Street, this inn was originally built in 1803 but now dates from the late-19th century and was once owned by Bass, owned by Shepherd Neame since 2002. There is one small long narrow bar on the ground floor, now entirely wood-panelled and sparkling with many mirrors. The toilets are downstairs. At lunchtime and early evening it can be filled to overflowing with local workers. It was just the Woolpack, and has used the current name since at least 1971.