If these two pubs were in school, one would be a prefect, the other would be smoking a sneaky fag behind the science block. You have a weird crush on both of them, but don’t really know why…

The Dolphin

Like any surly teenager, The Dolphin is going through a bit of an identity crisis. Scolded by authorities for various misdemeanours, its late licensing hours are under scrutiny. Basically, it’s in the bad books. But instead of sulking, it’s going back to its roots. Live music, pool tournaments and a seemingly acid trip-inspired pub quiz mixer are all helping this naughty-but-nice watering hole claw back early trade. But for me, it’s still at the stroke of midnight when The Dolphin really comes to life. Throwing the mother of all house parties, talked about in whispers for months to come.

The Three Crowns

Everything is just so…. goody goody at The Three Crowns. Even the people are all good looking enough, no stinkers to put you off your gourmet fare. My visit happily coincided with the pub’s first ever Drink and Draw night. The first rule of drink and draw: ‘Don’t worry, be happy’. It really was just too cute for er… school. The Waiting Room downstairs however, is a somewhat darker relation, hosting subterranean live music to grubby-up its pretty punters. Busting with Victorian features and shabby-chic furnishings it was all just lovely. I mean, I honestly couldn’t help but like it. If you want to keep it all reasonably civilised, The Three Crowns is for you.

The Verdict

Who wants civility when you can have exciting and unpredictable? It’s just like at school when you couldn’t help but fall for the bad’n. If you want your night with just the right amount of bacchanalian revelry, you know where to go.

Lorna’s Listings

I Love Acid, Power Lunches, 29 nov, E8. Jungle Doctors, The Finsbury, 30 nov, n4. Soulcloud, The Yard, 30 nov, e9. Martin Ikin, Warehouse LDN, 30 nov, n18. The London Improviser’s Orchestra, Café Oto, 1 dec, e8. DNB, The Horse & Groom, 1 dec, ec2a. Digger’s Dozen, The Alibi, 4 dec, e8.