6.00pm - 7.00pm

The Harp
47 Chandos Place
London WC2N 4HS
020 7836 0291

- CAMRA says it's "One of the best pubs in Covent Garden for its changing selection of cask ales. Interesting beers from independents and microbreweries". Usually available are Black Sheep Bitter, Timothy Taylor Landlord, Harvey's Sussex Best Bitter, and Caledonian's Deuchars IPA. Recent guest ales were from Sharp's and Hook Norton. Often a choice of traditional sausages from O'Hagans. Wend your way past the musicians to the bar to order a pint, then check out the paintings.

7.00pm - 8.00pm

The Salisbury
90 St. Martins Lane
Covent Garden WC2N 4AP

- A Grade II listed building in CAMRA's National Inventory of historic pubs, originally licensed in 1694, featuring extravagantly etched late Victorian glasswork, polished woodwork, huge mirrors, art nouveau light fittings, genuine tourists, and a decent selection of Casque Marque certified real ales. Usual choice is Young's Bitter, Charles Wells' Bombardier, Caledonian's Deuchars IPA, and a couple of guest ales - recently St. Austell Tribute and Hop Back Crop Circle. Sandwiches, pies, sausages, starters, and main meals available.

8.00pm - 9.00pm

The Bünker Bierhall + Kitchen
41 Earlham Street
London WC2H 9LX
Tel: 020 7240 0606

(Originally Soho Brewing Co then Freedom Brewing Co) brewpub dispensing three German-style lagers brewed on the premises: Bünker Pilsener 4.4% abv, ("A light refreshing lager, well balanced with malt and hops"), Bünker Bok 5.5% abv ("Premium Style German beer, slightly sweet and full bodied"), and Organic Lager 4.8% ("Lightest in colour and taste, organic malt, hops and yeast"). Also a dozen wines by the glass plus cocktails and shooters for those so inclined. Starters, burgers, sausages (Bier blanched Bockwurst sausage), stews, pies, salads, platters, and several Germaniacally meaty mains (save your craving for nachos until later, though).

9.00pm - 10.00pm

Lowlander Grand Café Bar & Restaurant
36 Drury Lane
London WC2B 5RR
020 7379 7446

- Now more restaurant than bar but it's impossible to resist a beer stop with 15 (mostly Dutch and Belgian) beers on draft plus an extensive selection of "artisan beers" in the bottle. We've reserved some space between the front door and the end of the bar. If you fancy a meal arrive a bit early and get a table to enjoy your moules/steak w/ frites, salad niçoise, mezze plate, or one of the cheese and/or charcuterie platters.

10.00pm - 11.00pm

The Cove
1 The Piazza
Covent Garden WC2E 8HB
020 7836 8336

-Ignore the fake Cornish tin mine wood beams and tatty nautical décor and focus on the great selection of four or five yummy Cornish ales. Typical offerings are Cornish Knockers, Betty Stogs, and Ice Blond Cornish Wheat from Skinner's, plus Tribute and HSD from St. Austell. Cornish wine and mead also on offer. No chance of a large space for a group here, so we'll try for the corner of the balcony furthest from the bar if the weather is tolerable or the cubbyhole in the other furthest corner from the bar otherwise. Hungry? One guess as to what's on offer.

11.00pm - 12.30am

Café Pacifico Mexican Restaurant-Cantina
5 Langley Street
London WC2H 9JA
020 7379 7728
cafepac@aol.com
www.cafepacifico-laperla.com

- Forget about that late-night kebab shop on the way home! Join us for a last cerveza or the best margaritas this side of Houston and maybe nibble on some Mexican chips with guacamole or salsa picante. If you fancy something more substantial there's a full selection of Mexican main meals available until almost midnight. Last call for alcohol is 11:50 PM and chucking out time isn't until 12:30 AM.