Westminster Arms, London

A small, convivial, wood panelled pub close to Westminster Abbey, the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, Methodist Central Hall, St James's Park, and the Houses of Parliament. The pub was rebuilt in 1913 and is now one of a small number of central pubs still equipped with a Commons division bell. It's a frequent hang out for lobbyists, policy wonks, even the odd politician being treated (shurely shome mishtake?). But apart from the suits, it has been described as "there’s some magic in the air too, as if a whiff of Soho found its way to SW1".

Note the beautiful illustrated signwork above the ground-floor bar. Intimate drinking booths lending themselves to conspiracy and plotting if not heinous political manoeuvrings run along two sides of the downstairs stone flagged Storey's Wine Bar that serves bar food.

Children may eat in the upstairs restaurant that also serves as function room. Reasonably unobtrusive TV screens in all bars. Apparently those of a nervous disposition should be aware that the pub is haunted by the ghost of a small boy who died in a fire many years ago.