Any food and drink place that opens on somewhere called Seething Lane has some work to do. Fortunately, this place seethes neither in the sense of oozing nor fuming. It is a schizophrenic place, however. The seating area is akin to an American diner, complete with alt.country music. It might at first be mistaken for a restaurant. But get inside and you'll soon find the lengthy and traditional bar.
This place used to be part of the Draft House chain until that was taken over by Brewdog (whose mammoth flagship is only a few paces away on Eastcheap). Needless to say, there's no shortage of unusual ales and lagers to try. The space is larger than the outside suggests, catering for the suited City types who pile in of an evening, as well as a few Tower tourists clutching real ale guide books. Had he lived another 350 years (and not moved house) this would have been Samuel Pepys's local.
During the daytime, it's nice and quiet, offering a calm place with excellent beer for any freelancer looking for somewhere to open the laptop. In the evenings, it's seething (though still quick service).
Last updated March 2022. Note some images are from the previous incarnation as the Seething Draft House, but the place is little changed.