popped in for a lunchtime tipple today, as it is on the tourist trail between Victoria station and Westminster it is absolutely packed with people taking photos of each other rather than enjoying a good ale!

If you are here for the day pop in, if not then qype it up and find another gem

You can't miss the Albert on this part of Victoria Street: as a building, it really is a survivor, hemmed in by towering glass and steel on all sides. From the outside, it is a classic, large, Victorian pub.

The interior is impressive, too: high ceilings, elaborate decoration, with lots of polished wood and etched glass. And it serves a decent selection of real ales, too. It's what every package tourist thinks an English pub should be.

That, as you may have guessed, is its problem. It's a favourite of tourist coach parties and, after they've arrived, service can be a very slow and tedious affair. Staff can be friendly, but too often they just look bored. It's pricier than other venues in the area too. Worth a pint, maybe, to see the interior, but I'd suggest the nearby Buckingham Arms or Cask & Glass if you want an enjoyable evening.