COMPLAINING is something we've never quite got the hang of in this country. Most of us are just all too prepared to accept appalling levels of service, rudeness and indifference just so we don't have to “make a scene”.

Pubs can be especially tricky. In my experience, bar staff can often get very funny with you if you take back a “dodgy pint” with a good few large swigs taken out of it.

In the case of the Rutland Arms, in Perry Hill, Catford, myself and the two assistants who were accompanying had all agreed that the Guinness was off.

Bear in mind all three of us had taken a relatively large gulp of the pint just to make sure we were right before making such an accusation.

Thankfully, the verdict from behind the bar admittedly after a 30-second deliberation between landlord and barman was spot on.

“Would you like something else, sir?”

So Agent Doyle returned to the table victorious with a freshly-opened bottle of Budweiser.

The Guinness aside, I was quite impressed with the beer on offer in the Rutland Arms.

I plumped for Fullers ESB (Extra Special Bitter) a nutty, malty and refreshing pint which gives way to a pleasant, slow-burning aftertaste.

Agent Damien opted for a pint of London Pride and was also suitably impressed with it.

Service-wise, the impression I got was slightly mixed.

The landlord was happy enough to change the drink for us, and a barmaid later apologised for it as she came around to collect the empties.

But I was also a little bit put-out by some pretty indifferent and discourteous service from another barmaid.

While she was not rude, a please and a thank you would not have gone amiss.

The Rutland Arms looks rather foreboding from the outside. Although it's hard to spot when passing in a car, it almost seems larger than life as you walk up to it.

The understated classic pub dcor is mixed with a sort of faded charm.

While the pub has probably seen better days, it is by no means run-down. It feels old in a sort of warm, nostalgic and welcoming way.

Live music is a major part of the trade here. I visited on a Thursday and the band were playing rhythm and blues. Although I am not a massive fan of this kind of music, I have to say I was very impressed.

Other nights have other styles of music, usually with a jazz slant, and you can always be pretty much guaranteed something when you visit.

The bar clientele seemed to consist almost exclusively of hard-looking men in their 50s when I visited.

This can make the place seem slightly threatening to begin with, but after a while you get used to it. In fact, I hardly noticed anyone else outside of my group when I was there.

Another bonus is that cigarettes are on sale behind the bar in boxes of 20. None of the rip-off vending packs of 16.

Why all pubs don't just cut out the fag machine market altogether and sell full packets from behind the bar is beyond me.

The Rutland Arms makes for an interesting diversion. While it is by no means a phenomenal pub, it is well worth a visit if you are in the area, or if you are a fan of live music.

Call 020 8291 9426 for details of gigs at the pub.